“Well, they’ve been together this long. They have to love each other. You were going to see your parents kissing at one time or another.” Laurie grinned at him.

“I thought they’d be divorced by now. They argue with each other all the time.”

“Do you mean yelling at each other, or just going back and forth like they have been?” Laurie glanced at him over her shoulder as she plucked another apple from the tree.

Dante furrowed his brow in thought. Then he grabbed the branch he was working on, and bent it toward the ground.

Laurie scooped up a couple of apples from the very tip, dropping them into the brimming basket below her.

“Like they have been. I don’t think I’ve ever heard them raise their voice at each other.”

“Well that’s just normal. My parents used to fuss at each other all the time. That’s how most couples are.”

Dante shot her a look of doubt.

“I guess I haven’t been around too many married couples.”

“You never did that with a girlfriend?”

“Haven’t had too many girlfriends.”

“I don’t believe that for a second.” Laurie smirked at him over her shoulder.

Dante looked at her with a small smile. He watched her tuck a strand of sunshine laced hair behind her ear as she reached for a few more apples. He wanted to reach out to her, to touch those silken strands. Her face glowed in the sunlight of the late afternoon. Her eyes were the color of the sky at dusk as she concentrated on reaching those last few pieces of fruit. He swallowed, his mouth dry as sand. He wanted to touch her so badly his skin tingled from it.

“And why is that?” His voice sounded husky in his ears. He cleared his throat.

Laurie looked him over with half-veiled eyes and a coy smile.

“Because I don’t.” He moved closer to her, reaching up just above her head to take hold of an apple. Then he met her gaze.

“The armed forces, police work, and the Marshals Service aren’t that easy on relationships. I’ve done all three.”

“How many?” Laurie crossed her arms, doubt in her eyes.

“I’m telling the truth. I’ve had two girlfriends. The longest relationship I had was for two years. What about you?”

Laurie jutted out her chin. She looked him up and down, trying to decide if she believed him or not.

“Three.” She uncrossed her arms. “Two years was about the longest for me, too.”

They stared at each other. Electricity passed between them, a friction created by wanting to kiss and knowing they shouldn’t. He reached down, brushing a leaf away from her hair. Then he took a step back. Dante knew he wouldn’t be able to resist her much longer. He walked over to their bin and laid the apple in. When he turned back around, she stood in the same spot. She wore an amused smile. He smiled back.

He spotted his parents coming toward them, so he nodded to Laurie who turned around.

“I think we’ve about had it today kids.” Emma clasped her hands together.

“Okay! I think we’ve got plenty.” Laurie gestured to their line of baskets.

When Emma drew closer, she could see full, heavy baskets loaded with apples.

“Oh, my goodness! You two have been quite busy. Look at all they’ve picked, Albert!” Emma grabbed his shoulder.

“I might have to keep you two around to finish the apple harvest.” Albert surveyed their handiwork.

“We’d be happy to help.” Laurie shrugged. “It was a lot of fun.”

“Don’t be too happy to help. We won’t get a day’s rest if you start telling them that.” Dante nudged her.

Laurie slapped him on the arm.

“Ignore him. We’re happy to help.” Laurie tossed a final apple into the nearest bin. Dante rolled his eyes.

“Great. Now you can carry your own apple baskets.” Dante gave her a devilish grin.

“I will then.” Laurie jutted out her chin.

“Dante don’t you even dare!” Emma wagged her finger at him.

“No, I can take them back. He can just stay here.” Laurie strutted over to one of the baskets, but it took a couple of tries to get it off the ground.

“Give me that before you hurt yourself.” Dante closed the couple of steps between them. He lifted the basket up from the bottom.

“Just put one of the baskets in the truck, the rest can go in the barn. Why don’t both of you carry it back before you both hurt yourself?” Emma grimaced as the basket almost slipped out of their fingers. Dante nodded.

“She has a point.” Laurie shifted her grip on the basket. Dante laughed. They carried the heavy basket back to the truck.

The next basket they took into the barn, where Emma and Albert were waiting. There were several large wooden crates for the apples. Each side was almost long enough for Laurie to stretch fingertip to fingertip, and they reached up to her hips. Dante and Laurie set the basket down in front of the crate, so Emma and Albert could transfer the apples from basket to bin. It took a few trips, but soon the surplus apples were all in the crate, the barn locked, the apple baskets were back in the truck, and they were all driving back to the house for dinner.

Dinner was a full roast, with mashed fingerling potatoes and corn on the cob. Dante spent a little time on his parents aging computer, trying to get it to work, while Laurie watched TV with Emma and Albert. It was early when Laurie and Dante both excused themselves to go up to bed.

“That was a great day.” Laurie sighed as they entered her room. “I loved the orchard.”

“Yeah, that was amazing.” He grabbed her by the elbow, pulling Laurie back toward him from the dresser.

She giggled.

Dante turned her around and kissed her. The kiss turned deep, passionate. Before long, they were lying beside one another, shimmering from their very languid lovemaking. Dante buried them both under the covers. They drifted off, exhausted, peaceful, and happy.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Dante woke up disoriented. He forgot where he was, and why, until he realized Laurie lay across his chest. He held her for a while, stroking her back. When the sunlight grew to a level he could no longer ignore, he got up. He slipped out from underneath his lover’s sleeping form. He went to take a shower. When he came back, she was still fast asleep, curled on her side. He kissed her on the forehead with a smile, and decided to venture downstairs. When he entered the kitchen, his father sat at the table, reading the paper.

“Morning. Where’s Mom?”

“Upstairs.”

Dante nodded and headed to the cupboard to grab a coffee mug. He reached for the coffee pot. He was about to pour when his father’s voice made him pause.

“How long have you been sleeping with her?”

Dante froze. His heartbeat did a triple step. Blood rushed in his head. How did his father find out? How did he know? Dante steeled himself for the conversation he’d dreaded since he got off the plane. He finished pouring his coffee.

“Why does it matter?”

“Did you start sleeping with her before you started the assignment or after?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He turned toward his father slowly. Albert wore a stern expression Dante was all too familiar with. Dante stayed by the counter, determined not to let his father bully him.

“Son, you have responsibilities you swore—” Albert began.

“I know what I swore. I know what oath I took.” Dante slammed his coffee cup down on the counter.

That was all it took for Dante’s blood to turn from ice water to lava. His hands curled into fists, and his jaw clenched. His muscles vibrated with unspoken anger.

“You could lose your job. Your career!” Albert rose from the table. “Everything you’ve worked for!”

“It’s my choice, Dad. I didn’t mean for this to happen, but now it’s my choice.”

“If this gets you fired, every case you’ve ever been involved with could come into question.” Albert placed his hands on his hips.