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It was difficult for Lindy to re she was happy, but that contentht woh foresight to have recognized as han," Lindy told her

A short, shocked silence followed "You did? Why that’s wonderful – congratulations I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Rush"

The last person Lindy wanted to discuss was her husband, especially the way matters were between them now "Steve isn’t here at the moment, but he’ll be back soon I’ll tell him you called" Lindy hesitated and then decided she couldn’t hold her tongue any longer "I don’t knohat happened between you two – Steve never told me – but whatever it is, I hope you can patch it up He misses you dreadfully" Lindy knew her brother would have her hide if he knew she’d told Carol that

Carol laughed, but thefine without e without hie for him, will you?"

"Of course"

"But tell him – " Carol added quickly, " – tell him it isn’t overly important"

"Sure I’ll be happy to"

"It was nice talking to you again, Lindy Really nice I’m pleased for you and Rush Be happy, you hear?"

Lindy nodded, although she knew Carol couldn’t see the action "I will," she e ready to be relieved of duty The sky was a deep shade of pearl gray and he expected it to start raining any minute The foul weather suited his mood The Mitchell was hoangway to a happy reunion with their wives and faer to spend the holidays with their loved ones

Rush had stood on the bridge, hungrily scanning the crowds through his binoculars, hoping with everything in hiiven his retire for him

But Lindy hadn’t been there, and a se Cheryl hadn’t been there for him, either Rush shouldn’t have been surprised Lindy had told hiway, and she’d meant it He was a fool to even have expected her

His watchful gaze scanned the outline of the city of Bre frohts For the past six weeks of the cruise, he’d closed hi hiain, he’d told himself women were too fickle to be trusted But now that he was in port everything had changed and he kneould eventually have to face her

Marrying Lindy had been a ga band on her finger Her brother had had every reason to coht Rush had taken advantage of Lindy He’d cashed in on her pain and insecurities, used her infatuation with him for his own purposes It wasn’t any wonder Lindy was confused andthat had happened between them was his fault and he accepted full responsibility Lindy wasn’t ready to be a wife and she wanted out

Rush didn’t bla the necessary notations in the log, Rush picked up his seabag and headed down the steep gangway A stiff, cold breeze hit him and he paused to raise the collar of his thick wool jacket There was no reason to hurry, and his steps were heavy

His left arained full use of it His shoulder ached almost unbearably at ti soony of what had happened between hi ainst his rib cage, unable to believe his own eyes There, alone at the end of the pier stood Lindy The strong wind plastered her long coat to her torso and beat her thick dark hair roughly about her face Her hands were buried in her coat pockets and she’d raised her chin, her loving eyes following his

Years of discipline, weeks of control, snapped within Rush as he dropped his seabag and started walking toward her His chest felt as though he was on fire, he was fighting so hard to bury the eh him His pulse started to beat in his temple She’d come His Lindy had come

Rush quickened his pace and Lindy started running toward hiht her and pulled her into his e in her delicate scent

He tried to speak and found he couldn’t His tongue ht as well have been attached to the roof of histo voice his thoughts It came to hihed and reveled in the warth It worked on hiainst hied their wedding vows there, at thatwas the love that flowed between them

"Rush," she cried, tears in her voice "I’htly that Rush could barely breathe He closed his eyes, letting his heart and mind soak up her words Each one tenderly removed the barbs of doubt that had tormented him, each one healed the pain and deep sense of loss these past weeks of separation had brought him Each word confirmed what he’d always known but had been afraid to ad it would cripple hi else there could ever be in his world He loved herthe oceans,iven him her heart, Rush had only one mistress, only one wife, and that was Lindy