True Blue & Carrera's Bride: True Blue / Carrera's Bride

“We both are, but the general isn’t a bad man.”

“He’s wanted for kidnapping!”

“Yes, well, he’s desperate for money, but he didn’t really hurt anybody.”

“A man was killed in his camp,” he returned curtly.

“Yes, the general shot him for trying to assault Gracie Pendleton,” she replied. “He caught him in the act. Gracie was bruised and shaken, but he got to her just in time. The guy was one of the Fuentes organization.”

There was a long silence. “I didn’t hear that part.”

“Not many people have.”

He sighed. “Well, maybe he’s not as bad a man as I thought he was.”

“We want him on our side. He has a son that he didn’t know about. We’re trying to get an entrée into his camp, to make a contact with him. It isn’t easy.”

“I know about that, too.” He paused. “How’s your love life?” he teased.

She cleared her throat. “Actually, Sergeant Marquez just invited me to a symphony concert.”

There was a longer pause. “He likes classical music?”

“Yes, and the ballet.” Her eyes narrowed. “And no smart remarks, if you please.”

“I like classical music.”

“But you hate ballet,” she pointed out. “And you think anybody who does is nuts.”

“So I have a few interesting flaws,” he conceded.

“He’s also a military history buff,” she added quickly. “World War II and North Africa.”

“How ironic,” he chuckled.

She smiled to herself. “Yes, isn’t it?”

He drew in a long sigh. “You coming home for Christmas?”

“Of course,” she agreed. She smiled sadly. “Especially this year.”

“I’m glad.” He bit off the words. “It hasn’t been easy. Larry’s wife calls me every other night, crying.”

“Lindy will adjust,” she said softly. “It’s just going to take time. She and Larry were married for ten years and they didn’t have children. That will make it harder for her. But she’s strong. She’ll manage.”

“I hope so.” There was a scraping sound, as if he was getting up out of a chair. “His commanding officer got drunk and wrecked a bar up in Maryland, while he was on R&R,” he said.

“Larry’s death wasn’t his fault,” she replied tersely. “Any officer who goes into a covert situation knows the risks and has to be willing to take them.”