push he’d needed to finally take control of his life.
“I am. Tamzin is nothing like Bridget,” Jude hastily added. “She really has it together. She’s also smart, gorgeous, and willing to lower her standards to go out with a tosser like me,” he said, still smiling. “Way out of my league. And so hot.”
“Is Tamzin a civilian?”
“No. She’s a staff sergeant in the Military Police. I met her during an investigation into the death of a friend.”
“I’m sorry. About your friend, I mean.”
Jude inclined his head in acknowledgement but didn’t elaborate.
“Are you and Tamzin making plans for the future?” Quinn asked, still in awe of this new Jude.
“We’re taking things slow. I haven’t told Mum about her yet,” Jude said, suddenly looking worried. “Looks like I get a couple days’ reprieve.”
“Why haven’t you told her?”
“I don’t want her to worry that I’ll go and do something rash,” Jude said.
“Like get married?”
“Like get married. She’s always telling me I’m too young to settle down with one woman.”
“I think she’s just not ready to share her baby,” Quinn said, smiling at him.
“I think you’re right,” Jude agreed. “But hopefully, she’ll be too busy with Logan’s baby to pay much attention to my love life.”
“Does Logan know about Tamzin?”
“Yes, but I’ve only just told him. He’s happy for me.”
“I’m happy for you too. I hope she’s the one,” Quinn said.
“You know, Quinn, I don’t really believe in The One. I believe in The One Right Now. I would like Tamzin to be my future, but if things don’t work out between us, then there will be someone else down the line, someone who might be a better fit for the person I will be then.”
“That’s a very mature attitude,” Quinn remarked, surprised by Jude’s ability to think so rationally.
“I thought I’d never find another Bridget. I clung to her. She was my first love. But once I was able to distance myself from her, I understood what a destructive influence she had been in my life. I have to be good with myself before I can commit to being someone’s husband or father. I need to know that the person I’m with brings out my best, not my worst qualities.”
“And does Tamzin do that?”
“I really think she does. I feel stable when I’m with her, and loved,” Jude said, looking dreamy. “Even when we’ve had a row, I know that she still loves me regardless.”
“That’s exactly how I feel with Gabe,” Quinn said. “That’s how real love is.”
Jude nodded. “Can I stop by tomorrow? I’d like to see the kids and say hello to Gabe. I’ve actually brought some presents for the kids. I think they’ll like them.”
“You know you don’t have to bring them presents every time you see them,” Quinn said with a smile.
“I know, but I want to. It makes me happy. Besides, who else have I got to spend my money on?”
“Tamzin?” Quinn suggested.
“There aren’t a lot of places to spend your money on base. When we do go into town, we splurge a little.”
Jude was about to say something else when Rafe and Rita returned, carrying two cups of tea.
“Where’s Logan?” Rafe asked, looking panicked.
“They’ve already called him in,” Quinn said. “It won’t be long now.”
Rafe sank into a chair while Rita handed the teas to Quinn and Jude. “Nice to see you again,” she said to Jude, but there was no warmth in her tone. She’d probably heard too much about Jude’s past exploits from Rafe, who seemed to share an awful lot with his mother.
Jude accepted the tea and nodded his thanks. “Yeah, you too,” he mumbled.
The arrival of Rafe and Rita had put an end to the personal conversation, so they all sat in silence, too anxious to speak of trivial things. Quinn leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, recalling her last foray into Jocelyn’s life. She wondered if Captain Denning had been the father of Jocelyn’s baby and what had happened to the man. Perhaps he’d died, which would explain why Jocelyn had left New York City. With a child on the way, she would have needed the support of her brother, even if they didn’t see eye to eye. The eighteenth century had not been kind to single mothers, especially if the child was born out of wedlock. Had Jocelyn known about the pregnancy when she’d boarded the ship, or had she left New York for other reasons?
Chapter 59
September 1777
New York City
Jocelyn barely saw Captain Denning over the next two