By Honor Bound Read online

  She panted, her body hot as her legs wrapped around him and her hips lifted to meet his.

  For the first time, he felt a bit sour about leaving for a tour. Knowing he wouldn’t see Angela for eighteen months… Eighteen months! What if they never saw each other again? He wouldn’t think that way. He couldn’t. When had Master Sergeant Abraham Marley Forbes gotten so soft? Yes, he loved this woman with his heart and soul, but he was also loyal to the Corps. In order to do his best for both his woman and his country, he would give her a happy memory of her wedding night, then go and perform his duty with the single-mindedness that had gotten him through hell many times before.

  His thrusts quickened and he immersed himself completely in her soft, feminine body. With her eyes closed and her limbs tight around him, she gasped as she came.

  Her hot, wet pussy throbbed around his cock. In a burst of pleasure that stole his breath, Abe stiffened and strained in climax. Tearing his mouth from hers, he gasped against her ear.

  “I love you, Angela,” he whispered.

  “I love you, too, Abe.”

  “When I come home, you give me a night just like this.”

  “I will.”

  “Promise.”

  “I promise.” She hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek.

  Chapter Nine

  December 1969

  Vietnam

  Abe sat on the floor of a hut where the army had set up an infirmary. He’d arrived that morning with what was left of his unit. Most had been picked off by snipers a few weeks ago. Many suffered bullet wounds that, while not fatal, left them weak from pain and blood loss. A couple more had fallen prey to traps made of shit-smeared spikes disguised by leaves and branches, rendering them helpless from infection. Abe and those left uninjured took turns carrying the wounded through the hot jungle, infested with vermin, traps, and enemy soldiers.

  Shrugging his shoulders, Abe rested his head against the wall. His body had felt sore and sweaty for so long that he scarcely noticed anymore. That’s what happened after almost a year in hell. Not that he was complaining. He could be stuck back in the prison camp like last time, getting the shit beat out of him and his arms busted while some bastard fired questions at him. Being stuck in isolation could be just as bad, sitting alone, wondering if you’d ever look at another face like yours again, your head telling you there was no way you were getting out while your heart said your brothers would not abandon you.

  Nearby a kid started crying. Medics were too busy to do anything about it. Abe pushed himself to his feet and approached It was a skinny girl, a little younger than Polly, with bandages on her face and arm. He talked to her, using what Vietnamese he’d picked up, and she quieted a bit.

  Funny he could be comforting this one today and busting in on another kid’s village tomorrow. No point thinking about it. Unfortunately, there were more times than most people imagined that you could just ponder these thoughts, trying to figure out what was right or wrong. Those concerns faded fast when faced with a deadly situation, though. Survival instinct seemed to win out over almost any other.

  The kid fell asleep and Abe glanced around. Civilians gazed at them with wariness in their eyes, even the ones who smiled outwardly. Medics worked. Some of his men sat talking, others in silence.

  Lying in a corner, a private, his chest swathed in bandages, glanced in Abe’s direction. Abe remembered what it felt like being fresh out of boot camp. He’d been luckier than this kid and not been thrust into combat right away. Training prepared you for the motions, but nothing could prepare you for the emotions of the first real taste of enemy fire.

  Abe squatted beside him. “How you doing?”

  “Fine, Sir.”

  “Boring lying there.”

  “Kind of, Sir.Lots of time to think.”

  Abe nodded. “Home?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Where’s that?”

  “Texas.”

  “That’s where I grew up. Near Austin.”

  “My girl’s from Austin. We’re getting married when I get home.”

  “Not too much longer, then.”

  “That’s what I hope, Sir.”

  “This your first time here, private?”

  “Yes, Sir. How many times have you—”

  “This is my third.” Abe rested a hand on the private’s shoulder. “Rest up.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Looking at the youth’s sallow skin and reluctance to move or even talk too loudly due to the pain of the injury, Abe could hardly believe his narrow escapes over the past year. Every time he got through a shower of bullets or discovered a trap before he stepped on it and got his feet punctured or his legs blown off, he was grateful. Being wounded was no picnic, but there were worse things, he well knew.

  He stepped out of the hut and leaned a shoulder against the side of it. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out two letters. They were stained and tattered from being read so much, but just looking at them made him feel better. One was from Angela the other from Polly. They’d given him the letters the morning he left, knowing that it might be next to impossible to reach him during his tour. Polly’s was short and sweet, the loving words of a little girl. Angela’s was a bit longer and he knew it by heart.

  My darling Abe,

  You’re not even gone yet and I miss you already. I keep thinking about the honeymoon we’ll have when you get back.

  Sometimes during the day when I miss you, I close my eyes and pretend you’re close by. I can just about feel your arms around me and you lips against mine. That’s what I’ll do while you’re away. At night, when I’m in bed, I’ll close my eyes and imagine you beside me, stroking my hair, touching my face. I don’t know if you’ll be able to do the same. I’m sure you’ll have too much else on your mind while doing your job, but if you can, think of me and know you’re in my heart.

  Miles can physically divide us, Abe, but our souls are joined forever.

  I love you with all my heart.

  Your Angela

  He gazed at the letter and ran a fingertip over the words.

  I think of you more often than you know, darlin’. I wish more than anything to be with you again, but the only way to do that is to concentrate on my job. That way I’ll come home to you.

  * * * * *

  North Carolina

  Angela gazed out the kitchen window from where she sat at the table with one of her students. The boy was busy working on math problems and it was a good time for Angela to daydream.

  Always, her thoughts drifted to Abe. What was he doing? Was he safe? She hated to think about how tough life must be for him and the others over there.

  The only person she trusted to discuss her fears was Rosemarie. She knew her parents wouldn’t be difficult intentionally, but her father would just tell her to bear up because she married a Marine while her mother would go on about the lists of people killed and missing in action.

  “Honey, even other veterans are protesting the fighting,” she said one afternoon when Angela dropped Polly off to visit. “If not for the damn war, your brother would still be alive.”

  “Ma, don’t talk to me about protestors. You know how I feel about it. No one wants Abe and the others home more than I do, but not supporting the troops and spitting on them—”

  “Who’s talking about spitting on them? I’m talking about ending this madness!”

  Angela stormed out and took a long walk before stopping at Rosemarie’s diner. The two women talked about Abe for a long time. Rosemarie even told her stories about him as a skinny young private with a hotshot attitude that made Angela laugh when she thought she’d forgotten how.

  When Angela picked up Polly that night, she and her mother seemed to have gotten over their bad feelings, or at least buried them. She’d eaten dinner with her parents then she and Polly drove home.

  She and Polly had written to Abe often, knowing that the letters might not get through. Still, it made them feel better talking to him in the
only way they could.

  Mail from Abe had been scarce. Still, a few letters had gotten to them.

  Angela reached into her apron and withdrew the most recent one, several months old. She gazed at his bold writing and felt somewhat comforted.

  My Sweet Angela,

  You know I’m not a man who finds it easy putting my emotions into words, but I want you to know how much I love you and Polly.

  It’s not too pleasant over here to say the least, but I won’t get into that. I don’t want to waste the time when I can be telling you how much I want to be with you again. Remember that honeymoon you mentioned in the letter you gave me when I left? You plan on it, honey. It’ll be the best.

  I know it’s not like the real thing, but let me try giving you a kiss on paper. I’m taking you in my arms now and I can feel yours sliding around me. You’re soft and warm. Our lips our touching. Moist, tender. Everything is dark and still. Our hearts beat together. I don’t want it to end, Angela, but it does, everything must, but that’s a good thing because it means eventually this will end and I’ll be home with you again. Then we can have a real kiss and make new memories that I carry with me like the ones I have of you from before I left.

  Give my love to Polly and tell those parents of yours I will be back.

  I love you with all my heart.

  Your husband,

  Abe

  “Mrs. Forbes? Are you all right?”

  Angela blinked back tears, pocketed the letter, and turned to her student with a forced smile. “Sorry, Ronny. Did you ask me something?”

  “Can you help me with this problem? I don’t get it.”

  “Sure.” She picked up a pencil and leaned over the paper, focusing on her pupil though thoughts of Abe floated in the back of her mind.

  God willing, he’d be home in a few months.

  Please, God. Please let him come home safely.

  * * * * *

  July 1970

  Vietnam

  This is it! Abe thought, running through the clearing toward the chopper hovering in the distance. Pumped with adrenaline, he scarcely felt the weight of his gear and the injured man he supported. He’d feel it soon, that was for sure, when he tried climbing into that chopper. He was keenly aware of his men around him, all heading the same way, and even more conscious of the enemy fire that suddenly erupted around them.

  One of the men turned to cover him and fell at his feet, his chest blown open. Abe and several others returned fire and one of the guys picked up the dead Marine. They were almost to the chopper but they sure as hell weren’t safe.

  This is it. All I have to do is make it to the chopper and I’ll be with Angela and Polly again. His family.

  The thoughts of them were fleeting, as he concentrated on survival. They sent the injured up first.

  Abe’s heart pounded as his turn finally came. He was the last man up. The gear weighted him down as he climbed upward, swinging in the wind as the chopper hovered.

  He was going to make it! Pain erupted in arm. He was hit but didn’t have time to think about it. He finally reached the edge of the chopper and felt helping hands pulling him in.

  As he and one of his men tried staunching the flow of blood from his arm, Abe said a silent prayer of thanks. He’d made it. Again he’d escaped with his life. Angela would be waiting for him at home. He laughed in spite of the pain.

  “Sir, are you all right?” the soldier helping him asked, concerned at the sight of a wounded man laughing.

  “I’m fine, son.” Abe drew a deep breath. He was better than fine. He was going on a honeymoon.

  * * * * *

  July 1970

  North Carolina

  The phone rang and Angela cursed softly, climbing down from the cabinet she’d been rearranging. It seemed whenever she had her hands in water, went to the bathroom, or climbed into some strange position for housecleaning, the phone rang.

  She picked up the receiver. “Hello?”

  “Angela, darlin’, it’s Abe.”

  Abe! Just the sound of that deep, sexy drawl sent her pulse racing. He was alive!

  Angela laughed, giddy with pleasure. “Sweetheart, God, it’s so good to hear you! Are you all right? Where are you?”

  “I don’t have long to talk, baby. I’m fine. I’m coming home. Friday morning.”

  Thank you, God! Angela felt happy enough to jump up and down like a love-struck teen.

  “How’s Polly?”

  “She’s fine, Abe. She’ll be so happy to hear you’re coming home. You don’t know how happy I am. I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too, darlin’. There’s so much I want to tell you, but I can’t now. I have to go.”

  Go! It was too fast. They’d scarcely said anything to one another, yet it was enough. It would have to be. He would be home in a short while and they could talk for as long as they wanted to. Better than talk. They’d be in each other’s arms.

  “Bye, baby. I love you,” he said again.

  “Goodbye. I can’t wait until Friday.”

  “Neither can I, Mrs. Forbes.”

  The receiver clicked as he hung up, but Angela held the phone for a moment. Tears stung her eyes and she told herself to get a hold of herself. Maybe someday she would grow accustomed to their forced separations, or maybe she wouldn’t. It didn’t matter. Angela had already learned to appreciate what was happening now instead of thinking about what might happen then.

  * * * * *

  Angela’s heart pounded as she and Polly waited for the returning soldiers to step off the plane. Abe should be there. He’d phoned. She’d actually talked to him. Hearing his voice over the phone had been like the best gift she’d ever received. Until now. This was even better. In a few moments, she’d be in his arms.

  Panic set in when other soldiers stepped off with still no sign of Abe. Then she saw him. So tall and handsome, even from a distance, though thinner than she remembered. He turned and her stomach tightened when she saw his arm looked a bit stiff at his side.

  “There he is, Aunt Angela!” Polly beamed.

  Abe turned to them with a broad smile and waved his good hand.

  “Abe!” Polly reached him first. He stooped and hugged her tightly. “Look at you, darlin’. You sprung up like a weed. Pretty soon you’ll be as tall as your aunt.”

  “She did get big,” Angela said, unable to contain her tremulous smile. She felt like laughing and crying at the same time. “You’re hurt, Abe?”

  “It’s nothing, Angela.” He stood and pulled her into his one-armed embrace, holding her close to his broad chest and kissing the top of her head. “God, I’ve missed you.”

  “Oh, Abe.” She stood on tiptoe, took his face in her hands, and kissed him with all the love she felt. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too.” He kissed her again. His gaze held hers for a long moment. They had so much to talk about, so much affection to share. Glancing at Polly he said, “You, too, girl.”

  “I missed you, Abe. I have lots of stuff from school to show you.”

  “I can’t wait to see.”

  Abe drew a deep, contented breath and released it slowly. It was the first time someone was actually waiting for him to come home. It felt even better than he’d dreamed it would.

  Chapter Ten

  After returning to the house, Abe spent time with Polly while Angela fixed dinner. They shared a meal of chicken, corn, and sweet potatoes cooked with brown sugar with blueberry pie for dessert.

  Her parents phoned to welcome Abe back and asked the family to plan an evening at their house for dinner as soon as Abe was settled and rested.

  Angela grinned. “Since you left, my father’s been bragging to everyone about his Master Sergeant son-in-law who’s just about the bravest Marine in the Corps.”

  “That’s a shock.” Abe chuckled. “I thought for sure that man had it in for me.”

  “No, Daddy just likes to talk a big show.”

  The three talked for a long
time, catching Abe up with all that happened during the past eighteen months. Polly had an array of pictures and papers from school and Angela had taken plenty of photos in his absence.

  “That’s my best friend from school.” Polly pointed to a picture of herself with a little red-haired girl. “Her Daddy’s a Seabee but she’s living here with her grandma while he’s away. There’s a breakfast at school next week for kids and their daddies. Can she come with us, Abe?”

  Abe glanced at Angela, feeling a bit surprised and happy that Polly thought of him as a father figure. He’d better get used to it, since the adoption would hopefully go through soon.

  “Sure she can, if it’s all right with her grandma,” he said.

  Angela smiled, her fingertips brushing his as she handed him another photo album.

  Finally, he and Angela tucked Polly in and retired to their bedroom.

  “How would you like a nice hot bath?” Angela purred. “With a very willing woman ready to soap you down and massage you all over?”

  “Oh, God.” He grinned, his eyes slipping shut as she unzipped his trousers and slipped her hand beneath his briefs. His cock sprang alive in her hand.

  “Hmm,” she giggled and whispered against his lips, “that’s one heck of a big gun, Sir.”

  Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pressed her close and wiggled his eyebrows. “How about later tonight I show you how good it fires, darlin’?”

  “I can hardly wait.”

  While Abe undressed, Angela changed into the black lace nightgown she’d bought especially for his first night home. She brushed her hair until it hung, thick and shiny, down her back.

  “You look so beautiful,” he said, caressing her bare shoulders and kissing her lips. “I almost want to wait on that bath.”

  “Oh, you won’t want to miss it,” she grinned, taking his hand and guiding him to the bathroom where she ran the water in the tub and poured in a couple of capfuls of her favorite bubbles.

  Abe’s lips curved upward slightly as the basin filled and he sank into the hot water. “If anyone ever suggested that Abraham Marley Forbes would be sitting in a tub of bubbles smelling like roses, I’d laugh in his face.”