Chapter 9
As she opened the door to the apartment Rollin swept her into his arms and carried her across the threshold.
Cinnamon laughed. “Are you always this traditional and romantic?”
He swung her around and kissed her. “When it comes to my family I am.”
The word family evoked an emotional response in her like no other. This was the second time he had used it to describe their relationship. The first time he had used it was this morning. She felt a knot of emotion deep in the pit of her stomach. Part fear, part elation, his use of the word led to a long walk on the beach and a long discussion. She had been relieved to discover that he wanted a family of two right now. Someday, in the not too distant future, he wanted – they wanted — more. But for right now, they needed time to be together and learn how to be a couple. They needed to learn to mesh their complex careers, their busy personal lives, their families and their friends.
She realized he was heading for the bedroom and kicked her feet. “Rollin? Where are you going?”
His grip on her was firm. He kissed her on the cheek. “Where do you think?”
“I know where. But the door is standing wide open and our bags are in the hall!”
“Are you always this practical?”
“Yes,” she answered quickly, but with a smile.
He let her down to stand on her own, but kept her within the circle of his arms.
“Well, that’s probably for the best. Someone should be.” He tilted his head and smiled that smile she loved so much and she couldn’t resist reaching up to kiss him.
The kiss threatened to consume them both. Cinnamon relaxed into the kiss, still aware that the apartment door was standing open, but she found she could simply accept that. The phone interrupted them. She glanced over at it as they broke apart. Rollin gave her a reassuring nod and headed for the door to retrieve the bags.
“Perhaps it’s for the best,” Rollin said with a grin. “I’ll need to call my mother right away. She’ll forgive me for eloping, but not for waiting after I get back from the honeymoon.
Cinnamon stared after him. She would have to meet his family. She had a mother-in-law. That scared her. The phone rang again and she picked it up.
“Welcome home.” It was Jim.
“Thank you,” Cinnamon said with a smile. “So, did you have my apartment bugged so you’d know when we get home?”
Jim protested in his best voice of innocence. “You know I would never do anything like that.”
“Of course not,” she responded drily.
“How was your trip?”
“Too short.” She turned to Rollin who had just stepped back into the room and closed the door. “It’s Jim,” she explained. Turning back to the phone she said, “You can get all the lurid details from Rollin later.”
“Cinnamon!” Jim protested his innocence again. “Can you stop by the apartment later today? Around six?”
Cinnamon frowned. That would mean a new mission. After their conversation with Jim last week she didn’t think he would be tapping her for a job so soon. She wasn’t sure she was ready yet. She glanced at Rollin but he was heading for the bedroom with their luggage. She made a quick decision. They had to get used to this sort of thing sometime. “I’ll be there. Rollin can’t join us this time, though.”
“He said as much before you left. I understand. See you then.” The receiver clicked. Jim hadn’t waited for her to say goodbye. She knew how he was once he began focusing on a mission. Until she met him tonight at the apartment they used to plan and practice their assignments she wouldn’t know anything else about the mission, destination or duration.
She replaced the phone in the receiver, checked to make sure the door was locked and headed to the bedroom. Their life was returning to normal… such as it was. She wondered what the future held for them.
THE END
Diana Rutledge
June 2002