One Tuesday Morning & Beyond Tuesday Morning Compilation Read Free Page A

decade, but he still moved her, still made her want to hold on to him an extra minute or two every time they came together.
    He leaned over and kissed her, the slow passionate kiss of a love that didn't happen in spurts, a love that colored every page of a life they'd written together. He moved his lips along her cheekbone toward her earlobe. “Ten years is too long to worry.”
    “Nine.”
    “Nine?” He drew back, and his little-boy expression almost made her laugh.
    “Yes. You're almost thirty-six, Jake. You said you'd retire at forty-five like your father. That's nine years.”
    “Okay, nine. It's still too long to worry. Besides … I love what I do.” Without waiting for a response, he worked his fingers up beneath her rayon blouse and pressed his thumbs against her ribs. “Almost as much as I love you.”
    She squirmed and couldn't contain a giggle. “Stop it!”
    “Anyway, you're worrying about the wrong thing.” He tickled her once more, and when she twisted free, he held his hands up in surrender.
    “Oh yeah.” She caught her breath and straightened her shirt. “What am I supposed to worry about?”
    “Beating me at tennis.”
    “Okay.” She forced a sarcastic laugh. “I could try to worry about that.”
    “What? Is that arrogance in my fair damsel's voice?” He stifled a grin. “You beat me in three sets last week, and now I'm no challenge? Is that it?”
    She let her head fall back and she laughed, this time without reservation. “Okay … I'm worried, Jake.”
    “Good. And don't forget—today's Sierra's first lesson.”
    “Here we go.” Jamie could feel the sparkle in her eyes. “She's four, Jake.”
    “Martina Hingis was probably four when she picked up a racket.”
    Jamie's laughter rang through the cab. “You're crazy.”
    “About Sierra, yes.” Jake's smile faded some. “I don't know what I'd do without her.” He took her hand. “Or you.”
    “Me either.” She settled against the door of the truck, still facing Jake. “Sierra's perfect, isn't she?”
    Jake stared out at the harbor, and his eyes grew distant. “Being a dad has given me these feelings …” He angled his head. “A love I can't describe.”
    Jamie smiled, slow and easy. The cry of the bagpipes faded from her memory, and one by one the clouds of fear lifted, breaking up like morning fog over the water. Jake was right. Worrying did no good. Especially when every day held so much life for their little family.
    “Come on.” Jake opened his truck door and motioned for Jamie to follow. She did, and the two of them walked to the front of the ferry, found a quiet spot against a railing, and turned to face the receding New York skyline.
    “It's breathtaking every time.” She stared past the Statue of Liberty and lifted her eyes to where the World Trade Center towered over the rest of lower Manhattan. “You've been on every floor, haven't you?”
    “Of the Twin Towers?” Jake squinted and gazed up at the tall buildings. “Probably. Jammed elevators, chest pains, faulty wiring in the office coffeemaker.”
    “And the bombing.” She lifted her chin and studied his face. “Don't forget about that.”
    “Yeah.” He lifted one shoulder. “But the fire was out before we got there.”
    “Still … it was scary. I remember it like it was yesterday.”
    “The towers are safe, Jamie. Stairwells run down three sides.” He narrowed his eyes and looked back at the buildings. “It's the old warehouses and abandoned factories. Those are scary.”
    “I know.” She gripped the railing behind her and studied the city again. After a moment she shifted her gaze to him. “I'll try not to worry so much. Okay?”
    He slipped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “Okay. Besides, who of you, by worrying, can add an hour to his life?” He paused. “That's from the Bible.”
    Jamie let the comment pass. Letting go of her fear was one thing. Claiming some sort of help or understanding from an old