What You Want Most
Chapter Five
“Good see you, Commander,” said King Josef of Romania as Harm was shown into the sitting room.
“Good to see you, Your Majesty,” Harm replied offering a half-bow in deference.
“Alexi will be right down, Commander. We’re both so pleased that you were available.”
“As was I, Sir,” Harm said.
“Commander Rabb, you look as dashing as ever,” called Princess Alexandra from the doorway.
Harm and King Josef both turned at the sound of her voice. Harm was surprised at the change. This wasn’t the same spoiled society girl he’s first met years ago. Here was a poised and elegant woman. She glided effortlessly toward him.
“Your Highness.” Harm bowed low. “You look beautiful,” he said placing a kiss on the back of her hand. Shimmering silver threads glimmered from the deep forest colored strapless satin gown.
“Shall we?” He offered his arm and, after calling good night to the king, they headed for the waiting limousine.
“So, what do you really think... Harm?” she asked, once they were seated side by side in the back of the car.
Harm noticed the twinkle in her eyes and the smile that played around her lips.
“I think that you have come into your own, Princess,” he answered seriously.
She placed a warm hand on his arm. “Harm, please...”
He grinned. “Alexi.”
“That’s better.”
Before he could say anything else, the princess reached up and his pulled his mouth down onto her own.
“Just as delicious as I remember.”
“Alexi.”
“Oh, please. Don’t tell me you didn’t like it.”
“Well, of course, I liked it. It’s just that...”
“Oh, I get it. There’s a special woman in your life now.”
Harm nodded.
“Well, don’t worry, Harm,” she said with a wink, “I won’t throw myself at you this time.”
Harm rolled his eyes and grinned.
“In fact, I’m betrothed,” she continued, “to a younger son of an English marquis.”
“Congratulations,” he offered. “Is this a love match or an arranged marriage?”
“A little of both. We’ve known each other for ages and we get on well enough.”
“Marriage should be about love and passion.”
“That doesn’t happen very often in royal circles, Harm. Besides, the only man I’ve ever felt a passion for is you. So unless you’re willing to move to Romania and become king consort, Nicholas will have to do.” She looked up at him with a teasing sparkle in her eyes.
“Alexi, I...”
“Oh, don’t worry. I wasn’t entirely serious, but I can really be myself with you, as I can with Nicholas. Only Nick doesn’t have these dressy military uniforms and golden wings to send a girl’s heart soaring. Let’s just have a good time--as dear old friends. Agreed?”
“I’d like that, Alexi.”
“Good.”
The car had come to a stop and the driver opened the door. Harm held his hand out to help Alexi from the limo.
As they slowly ascended the stone steps into the hotel, Alexi leaned toward Harm who bent his head down to hear her next words, “But that doesn’t mean I won’t be expecting a proper good-night kiss.”
Harm grinned widely. “Yes, Ma’am.”
The delight was not lost on Mac, who stood with Aaron, the admiral and Meredith, and Bud and Harriet near the bar.
Aaron leaned toward Mac. “Is that the princess?”
She nodded, still watching Harm.
“She’s very beautiful.”
Mac turned to Aaron with wide eyes.
“If she had any other escort, would that comment bother you so much?” he asked bluntly.
Mac sighed. “No.”
“Do you want Harm to be churlish and rude to her?”
Mac looked at Aaron, surprised by his suggestion. “Of course not.”
“Well then?” He raised an eyebrow at her. “I thought you and I were going to have an enjoyable evening getting to know one another.”
She smiled sheepishly. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted. Would you care to dance?”
“I’d like that.”
Aaron escorted her to the dance floor, very thankful that her pregnancy provided a natural spacer between them. Her perfume and her glow were starting to get to him and he hoped he could avoid too much time with her in his arms.
Alexi gazed up into Harm’s handsome face as they, too, whirled around the dance floor. “Is she here?”
“Who?”
“You’re special lady friend.”
Harm nodded and looked in Mac and Aaron’s direction, his jaw clenching slightly as Mac smiled up at her escort.
An action not unnoticed by Alexi before she turned to look, too. “Oh, yes, she’s lovely. Oh! Commander, are congratulations in order?”
“Um, no.”
“Well, now, I’m really confused. “Is that bloke the baby’s father?”
Harm looked at her funny and mouthed the word bloke at her.
“Oh, I picked that term up from Nick,” she explained.
Harm nodded. “No, he’s not the baby’s father; he’s the pastor of her church.” There was a long pause. Then he finally continued. “She was assaulted last fall.”
“Oh my,” said Alexi, properly sobered. “I’m sorry to hear that. Well, I’d like to meet her. She must have a bit of pluck if she’s decided to keep the baby.”
“Only if you promise to behave.”
“Commander,” she said in mock indignation and laughed.
“Princess,” he warned.
“Come on; I promise.”
Harm led her over to the JAG table. “Your Highness, Princess Alexandra, this is my partner and my friend, Colonel Sarah MacKenzie, and her escort, Aaron Vawter.”
Mac and Aaron had both risen from their seats as Harm and Alexi had approached.
“How do you do?” Mac asked, dropping a small curtsy.
“Just fine, thank you,” replied Alexi. “Thank you for loaning me Harm for the evening.”
Harm groaned quietly and rolled his eyes; Mac looked at him curiously.
Alexi continued, “But I see you have your own gorgeous date.”
“Princess...” Harm said in a slightly warning tone.
Alexi held out her hand to Aaron. “Oh, come on, Harm. We’re all friends here, right?”
Aaron took the proffered hand and kissed it. “Ma’am.”
“Now, there’s one I don’t hear very often. Would you care to dance?”
“Sarah?” he asked, glancing at her.
“You can’t really say no to a princess,” Alexi said with a charming smile.
“It’s fine,” Mac said lightly.
Aaron escorted Alexi to the dance floor leaving Mac and Harm alone at the table.
They swayed in silence for a few moments, Aaron holding her at a respectable distance. Alexi frowned slightly at the space between them, but then she smiled. “Oh, yes. Harm mentioned that you’re a pastor.”
“That’s right,” he said.
“And you’re in love with the lovely and pregnant Colonel MacKenzie,” she remarked.
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said, not surprised by her observation or her bluntness.
“You’ve got quite a challenge ahead of you then, don’t you, Mr. Vawter?”
“Quite the contrary, Your Highness,” he told her with a confident smile, “I’ve got God on my side.”
“Do you want to dance, Mac?” Harm asked as Aaron led Alexi away.
She shook her head. “Let’s just sit. My feet are killing me.”
“Bud’s doing great,” Harm observed.
Mac glanced over at Bud and Harriet. “Yes, he is,” she agreed.
“Have you forgiven me yet?” he asked.
Mac looked out at Alexi and Aaron. Aaron was looking her way and winked. She smiled and looked back at Harm, nodding. “I’m sorry.”
“Hey, as long as we’re okay again.”
~
Later that evening, after the dinner, Mac took a turn around the dance floor with Admiral Chegwidden.
“I really like your friend, Colonel.”
“I like him, too, Sir.”
“You say he’s a pastor, huh?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“I would never have guessed. He seems to have a pretty good grasp of the military.”
Mac nodded. “He was in the Air Force for eight years.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“So what does Harm think of your date?”
“Well, we’re just friends, Admiral.”
“Oh. Well, are you sure about that, Mac?”
A look of surprise crossed her face and she looked back at the table where Aaron chatted with Sturgis and his date, while Harm talked with Bud, Harriet, and Meredith.
~*~
The following Monday, Petty Officer Coates rapped lightly on Mac’s office door. “Ma’am, you have a call on line three.”
“Thank you, Petty Officer,” she said and picked up the phone. “Colonel MacKenzie.”
“Hello, Sarah.”
Mac smiled widely. “Hi... We missed you on Sunday.”
“Did you?”
“Well, fellowship group is just not the same without you. Is everything okay?”
“Roger Curry had emergency surgery and I went to the hospital to be with his wife, Barbara.”
“Is he all right?”
“Yes, he’s going to be fine.”
“The roses are beautiful, but you didn’t have to.”
“Well, my grandmother always taught me to appropriately thank a woman for her company.”
“So does that mean you send thistles if you don’t have a good time?”
Aaron laughed. “Of course not, but not everyone gets a dozen red roses either.”
Mac flushed at the implication. “I see.”
Sensing her unease, Aaron changed the subject. “Do you like hockey?”
“Hockey?”
“Yes,” he said. “Do you like hockey?”
“Yeah, sure. Why?”
“I’m helping to escort our youth group to the Capitals’ game next week. It’s not really in the league of the NATO Ball, but I was wondering if you’d like to go.” He left off 'with me', not wanting to pressure her.
“I’d like that. Is this a date?”
“It doesn’t have to be. You could just say you’ve been recruited as a temporary youth coach.”
“All right. Next Thursday, right?”
“When can I pick you up? I’d like to buy you dinner first, but it would have to be kind of early.”
“I’m sure I could get out of here by 1500. Pick me up at 1630.”
“1630 it is.”
~
“Is Colonel MacKenzie in her office?” Harm asked Petty Officer Coates as he entered the bullpen.
“Yes, Sir, but she just took a call...”
Harm stopped at Mac’s door and looked in. He couldn’t help but see the bouquet of red roses on the corner of her desk. He watched as she picked up the receiver; a beatific smile lit her face when she recognized the caller’s voice. Harm’s heart sank. That pastor, he thought. It’s got to be that pastor. He turned away from Mac’s door and disappeared inside his own office, closing the door.
~*~
“Subway?” Mac asked in surprise.
“What’s wrong with Subway?” Aaron asked, pulling into a parking slot.
“Well, nothing, but when you said dinner I was expecting something a little more...”
“More...?”
“Date like,” she confessed.
They approached the counter and placed their orders.
“We’re on our way to a hockey game,” Aaron said when they were finally seated. “And besides, I thought this was specifically not a date.”
“Well, it’s not really,” she said, unwrapping her club on wheat.
“Then what are you worried about?”
She shook her head and smiled. “Nothing.”
~*~
“Lieutenant Commander Borland, United Stated Navy, on the charge and specification of dereliction of duty, this court finds you guilty; on the charge and specification of being AWOL, this courts finds you guilty.”
“Sentencing begins tomorrow at 0900. This court is adjourned,” Colonel Blakely said with a bang of his gavel.
Harm’s client was led away by the security personnel and Harm stepped across the aisle to shake Mac’s hand.
“Nice work, Colonel.”
“Thanks you, Commander.”
“How about a celebratory dinner? My treat,” he asked, following her from the courtroom.
“Um, yeah, sure.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.” She shook her head. “I’ll see you tonight. Your place?”
Harm nodded. “1830.”
“Fine,” she said and went straight to her office.
~*~
“Amen,” Aaron concluded his prayer. “All right, let’s eat!”
“Penny, you have a lovely home.” Mac was surprised at the royal blue walls, considering Penny’s personal feminine ways.
“Oh, thank you. It’s a little dramatic, I know, but my sister--she’s an interior designer-- insisted on helping me. I was a little skeptical at first, but now I just love it.”
The fellowship group settled around Penny’s large cherry finish dining table with their treats and shared their latest news.
Ben spoke first. “I finally spoke with Bethany.” He beamed. “She’s been a Christian since the third grade.”
“That’s great, Ben,” offered Aaron, smiling.
“So when do we get to meet her?” Abigail asked.
Ben flushed just a little. “In a couple of weeks. She’s going to come up and I’m going to show her around town.”
“She’s more than welcome to stay here,” Penny offered. “I have a huge guest suite. And make sure you bring her to fellowship group so we all can meet her.”
Everyone else nodded in agreement.
“Anyone else have any good news?” Aaron asked.
“I beat Harm in court,” Mac announced with a smile.
“Does that not happen often?” George asked.
“Not as often as I’d like,” Mac replied and stood as everyone chuckled. “I’ve got to go; got an early morning. I’ve got to go down to Cherry Point and run an audit on their legal office. Helo leaves at 0600.”
“Helo?” asked Penny, confused.
“Sorry. Helicopter,” Mac clarified.
“Oh-six-hundred?” asked George.
“That’s six am.”
George nodded. “And you’re going to get on a helicopter. At six o’clock in the morning?”
“Sure. I’m a Marine, remember?” She flashed him a grin.
“Right.”
“Let me walk you out,” Aaron said, holding her coat for her.
“Will they still let you on a helo in your condition?” Aaron asked as they walked down the driveway.
“Sure. The doctor said I was cleared to fly until thirty-two weeks. I’m only twenty-three weeks now.”
“So how long does a legal audit take?”
“It depends, but I should be back by Thursday afternoon.” Mac unlocked her car and slid in.
Aaron nodded. “Well, take care. See you next Sunday.”
~*~
Mac sighed as she stepped off the elevator. She was tired and hungry after the flight back from North Carolina, but wanted to speak with Admiral Chegwidden about her findings before going home for a hot bowl of soup and a long hot soak in the tub. She’d managed to keep her promise to herself and had enjoyed a hot bath every Saturday afternoon since the NATO Ball.
“Oh my...” Mac gasped softly at the bouquet of pink tulips on her desk. She smiled and pulled out the small card.
Welcome back. It was pretty quiet around here without you.
Harm
She didn’t want to contemplate why she felt disappointed.
“Hey, you’re back,” Harm said from the doorway, gladness evident in his voice.
Mac fixed a smile on her face and turned around. “Thank you for the flowers, Harm. They’re lovely.”
Harm beamed. “How about dinner?”
“Oh, Harm. That sounds great, but I’m exhausted. All I want is a hot bath and my own bed. I’m sorry.”
Disappointment flickered across his face. “Sure. I understand. Maybe we can get together this weekend.”
She smiled tiredly. “I’d like that.”
~*~
Harm pulled open the door and smiled at his guest. “Hi.”
Mac held up a foil bag. “Garlic bread, as you requested.”
“Thanks,” Harm said, taking it from her. “I didn’t mean for you to have to supply part of the meal, but it completely slipped my mind.”
“Not a problem,” she replied, slipping her purse and her jacket off. Her loose maternity blouse made her seem more pregnant.
Harm stared for a long moment. “Wow. You really are having a baby.”
“Did you think I made it up?”
His eyes flew to her face. Her eyes flashed.
“No. No, of course not. It’s just that your uniform camouflages it pretty well and I haven’t really thought about it.”
“Mmm hmm.”
“Mac, I didn’t mean anything by it. Really. You look great.”
She still didn’t respond.
“Are you hungry?” he asked instead, flashing her a charming grin.
She gave in and smiled back, but something still niggled at the back of her mind.