he did, she'd have him served with divorce papers.
This was the end.
Chapter Ten
Cecilia had never been prouder of anything. The test paper had a huge A scrawled on the front and Mr. Cavanaugh, her algebra professor, had written Well Done! in bright red pen across one corner. She'd aced the test. After class Mr. Cavanaugh, who had to be in his late fifties, asked if she'd talked to a counselor about her next quarter's classes. She told him she hadn't and he suggested she take more math courses, since she showed aptitude in that area.
Cecilia had been giddy with joy ever since. The first person she thought to tell was her father, who spent most of his time at The Captain's Galley, on one side of the bar or the other. She'd see him soon enough, she decided. Cathy Lackey came to mind next, but it might sound as though she was bragging and Cecilia didn't want that. Feeling slightly deflated, she headed home, picking up her mail in the lobby.
She automatically tossed the envelopes down on the kitchen table and shrugged off her backpack. That was when she saw Ian's letter. Funny how a little thing like a letter could throw her for a loop. Cecilia stared at it a full thirty seconds before she reached for it and carefully tore it open.
April 12th
Dear Cecilia,
Andrew got a letter from Cathy this week and she wrote that the two of you recently got together. I assume you have the car by now and hope you aren't too stubborn to drive it.
Ian Randall was a fine one to talk, Cecilia mused. Her husband was more stubborn than any man she'd ever met. But since she'd been driving his car for nearly a month, she couldn't very well complain.
I realize you're probably upset with me over the way I acted when you came to see me at the hospital. I don't blame you. My only excuse is that I was in a lot of pain. I was mad as hell about being so stupid. It was my own carelessness that caused the accident. Andrew should never have told you; it wasn't necessary for you to know.
Cecilia disagreed. She was his wife and he'd been hurt. She was grateful Andrew had called her.
We've had our differences the past few months, but after our "date," I had real hope we might look beyond all that. Then I had to go and blow everything. I'm genuinely sorry, Cecilia.
It damn well took him long enough to apologize! Nor did it escape her notice that he hadn't mentioned the lovemaking. If he was willing to ignore it, then so was she!
I know you don't have a computer, but I'm including my e-mail address at the end of the letter in case you find a way of contacting me. Hearing from you would mean a great deal.
Andrew said you and Cathy have become friends and started connecting with some of the other Navy wives. I'm glad. The Navy isn't so bad, you know. There are a lot of good people here.
Cecilia regretted rejecting those potential friends earlier.
Tell me about school - if you write me back that is. I'll bet you're at the top of the class.
Love,
Ian
Randall-Ian-M HT2
P.S. About that night...is everything all right? You know what I mean.
He was asking if she'd gotten pregnant. He should be concerned. They'd been stupid and this wasn't the first time, but she swore it would be the last.
Cecilia read the letter through again. Her overwhelming reaction was pleasure. It wasn't a long letter, but she knew Ian had agonized over every word. The apology had been hard for him. Well, she deserved one. She was gratified that he'd asked about school; it was almost as though he knew she'd gotten the A on her final.
Cecilia left for work a few minutes early that afternoon and drove to the library. Fortunately, one of the computers was free. Cecilia slipped into the seat and logged on to the Internet. Her message was brief and to the point, because she didn't have a lot of time and because she wasn't entirely sure it would go through, anyway.
April 16th
Dear Ian,
Your letter arrived this afternoon. Apology accepted. I miss you.
Cecilia
P.S. Rest assured all is well.
Curiosity got the better of her the following day, and she returned to the library and was thrilled to find an e-mail waiting for her from Ian.
April 17th
Dearest Cecilia,
I was really happy to hear from you. What did you mean,