a problem?" he asked, noting the look of dismay in her eyes.
"No, not really, it's just that..."
"What?"
"You," she said. "How do I explain your being here so early in the morning?"
He stared at her, not understanding.
Lainey let out a sigh of exasperation. "I don't know how things are done where you come from, but my parents aren't very open-minded when it comes to... to..."
She felt her cheeks grow hot as she gestured at the bed. "They don't believe in sex outside of marriage. And I didn't either," she mumbled sheepishly, "until I met you."
"Ah," Micah said, understanding at last. "What do you want me to do?"
"Get dressed."
Filled with trepidation, she went into the bathroom and stepped into the shower.
"You're a big girl," she murmured as she lathered her arms and legs, "a big girl, abig girl. You're entitled to live your own life."
She was still muttering to herself when she walked into the kitchen twenty minutes later.
"So," she asked brightly, "what would you like for breakfast?"
It was then that the shower went on again.
Ralph St. John looked at his daughter, a question in his eyes.
"I have a houseguest," Lainey said, refusing to meet her father's eyes. "So, what will it be? Waffles? Eggs? French toast?"
"Ham and eggs and wheat toast for me," Ralph said.
Dolores St. John tied an apron around her waist. "Who's your guest, dear?"
"Just a friend," Lainey said, stalling. Opening the refrigerator, she withdrew the ingredients for breakfast. "Mom, would you slice the ham, please?"
She knew the minute Micah entered the room. Her father, who had been complaining about the president's new health-care plan, stopped in mid-sentence. Her mother, who had been setting the table, dropped a handful of silverware on the floor.
Lainey felt her cheeks grow hot as her parents looked to her for an explanation. It was obvious they had assumed her friend was female.
Who is this man? their eyes seemed to say,and why is he coming out of your bedroom at this hour of the morning ?
Lainey took a deep, calming breath, then pasted a smile on her face. "Mom, Dad, this is Micah. Micah, these are my parents, Ralph and Dolores St. John."
The silence was deafening.
Her father recovered first. Rising, he extended his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Mr..."
"Just Micah."
The two men shook hands.
"Sit down, Micah," Lainey said. "Breakfast is almost ready."
Dolores was still staring at Micah, who had bent down to retrieve the silverware she'd dropped.
"Mom?"
"What?"
"Maybe you'd better sit down, too."
"Yes, I think so," Dolores muttered.
Micah sat down at the head of the table, impassively enduring the scrutiny of Lainey's parents. Dolores St. John was a plump, pretty woman with short, curly black hair, a beautiful complexion, and vibrant blue eyes. Ralph St. John was tall, tan, and muscular, with dark brown hair and brown eyes.
Lainey quickly dished up breakfast, then sat down across from Micah.
"Dad, will you say grace?"
Ralph grunted assent, then lowered his head, his deep voice asking the Lord's blessing on the food and the hands that had prepared it.
"Thanks, Dad. Mom, will you pass the orange juice, please?''
"So," Dolores said, coming right to the point, "how long have you two known each other?"
"Not long," Lainey said. She glanced at her father and saw the knowing gleam in his eye. So, his gaze said,this is the man you thought you'd never see again .
The telltale flush in her cheeks was all the answer her father needed.
"Lainey tells me you're a pilot," Ralph commented. "What airline do you fly for?"
"He's not a commercial pilot, Dad," Lainey said quickly.
Ralph grunted. "Air Force?"
"Yes," Micah replied.
"Been flying long?"
"About fifteen years."
Ralph nodded. "I take it you're a career man, then?"
"Yes."
"Dad's a mechanic for Southwest Airlines," Lainey said, winking at her father. "Mom's been trying to get him to retire for years, but he just can't leave the planes alone."
Ralph looked at Micah and shrugged. "You know how it is. There's something about being around those big jets."
"Flying gets in a man's blood," Micah agreed.
"Are you here on vacation?" Dolores asked.
Micah grinned. "In a way."
"How long will you be here?"
"I'm not sure. I'm on an extended leave."
Lainey felt herself relax as Micah deftly parried her parents' questions. It was obvious that her mother thought Lainey had made the catch of a lifetime. Her father, too, seemed pleased, but then, he had a high regard for men in the armed services.
"That was good, pumpkin," Ralph said. Pushing his chair away from the table, he patted his stomach, then looked at Micah and winked. "She was always a