Long Time Coming Read Free

he would look in twenty-two years, all David had to do was examine the man shaking hands with him.
    Fortunately David was so starstruck to find the astronaut under his roof that he didn't notice the resemblance. Exuberantly he pumped Law's hand.
    "I've got posters of the Victory in my room. Burger King was giving them away if you bought six Whoppers. I bought seven just in case. Would you autograph it for me? I can't believe this. What are you doing here? My birthday's still weeks away."
    He looked at Marnie and laughed. "Is this the special present you've been hinting at?
    Oh, wait, I know. Did you talk him into posing? That's it, right?"
    Law turned his back to the boy and faced her. His stare was as hot and blue as a flame.
    She quailed beneath it but kept her expression defiant. Law's expression was a mix of suspicion and puzzlement. "Posing?"
    "I…I…"
    "Uh-oh, did I let the cat out of the bag before she had a chance to ask you? Sorry, Mom." To Law, David said, "She's making a pitch to do the cover of the phone book. The other night she said she ought to get you to pose for the astronaut representing NASA."
    "Hmm. Did she say why?"
    "She thinks you're the best-looking, I guess," David said, grinning. "She knows you're the most famous."
    "I see," Law said quietly. "I'm flattered."
    "Will you do it?"
    Law mercifully released Marnie from his stare and turned back to David. "Sure I'll pose.
    Why not?"
    "Gee, that's terrific."
    "It really isn't necessary," Marnie interjected. "I've already done a preliminary sketch."
    She gestured noncommittally toward the stack of sketches behind her.
    "Let's see them."
    "They're not ready for anybody to see."
    "Don't you plan to show them to the adman?"
    "Yes, but he's in the business. He knows the difference between a rough sketch and the finished product."
    "So do I. And I'd like to see them." Law was issuing her a challenge. Aware of David's curious eyes and knowing how perceptive he was, Marnie had no choice but to go along.
    "Okay, sure." In contrast to her congenial voice, her smile felt brittle and breakable as she passed some of the sketches to Law.
    "See, there you are!" David exclaimed, pointing down at the man's face in the montage of scenes depicting Houston. "Looks just like you, doesn't it?"
    "It certainly does," Law said, giving Marnie another of those penetrating, inquiring stares. "Almost as though she knew my face intimately."
    "She's good. The best," David boasted. "She even got the space suit right."
    Marnie snatched the drawings back. "Since my drawings meet with your approval, there's really no reason for me to detain you, Colonel Kincaid. Thank you so much for stopping—"
    The doorbell cut her off.
    "I'll get it," David shouted, tearing off in that direction. Before he'd taken two steps, however, he braked and spun around. "You won't leave before I get back, will you?"
    "No," Law told him. "I'll be here for a while."
    "Great!"
    They boy bounded down the hallway toward the front of the house, where the doorbell was being rung a second time.
    Law closed in on Marnie and took her by both arms. In hushed but angry tones he hissed, "I thought you said you'd never had a son."
    "I haven't."
    "What do you call that?"
    "I'm not his mother."
    "He calls you mom."
    "Yes, but—"
    "And he resembles me."
    "He—"
    "But, dammit, I don't remembering sleeping with you."
    "You didn't! You didn't remember me on sight, did you?"
    "Not on sight. But some things I never forget."
    He yanked her hard against him. Before she could react, his lips were working hers open. His tongue breached them and dipped into her mouth. Opening his hand wide across her bottom, he tilted her hips forward and up against his.
    A geyser of desire shot through Marnie.
    Apparently Law was likewise struck.
    His head snapped up and he looked at her with frank astonishment before pushing her away.
    It all transpired within a matter of seconds, which was good since David was leading her most potentially important