Whatever Gods May Be Part 35

"No." Jamie closed her eyes and shook her head. "No."

"Don't waste your breath with that 'it's supposed to hurt' c.r.a.p, kiddo. My point is that I got to see you, Jamie." A tiny wobble inflected Lynn's voice as she finished. "Just like you got to see me." Jamie looked over at her. "I did, didn't I?"

"Oh yes. And it creates a bond when you see another human being that way. Unveiled. We share something now. Something important."

"I don't want to talk about the Palawan."

"Yeah, well, it's not my favorite subject either." Lynn's eyes swept away from Jamie and she slumped a little. "I screwed up badly. I'm still finding out how badly." She sighed and shook her head. Then she straightened, her gaze returning to Jamie. "But if I just walk away, go on with my life like nothing happened, I dishonor what you did. I dishonor our bond."

"Better off to leave the past behind, to forget about it."

"So why'd you say you'll miss me?"

"I-Because-"

Lynn gave Jamie's forearm an affectionate squeeze. "Maybe because we've become friends, even though you're a kid and I have crow's feet?"

"Even though I'm a f.u.c.ked-up gimpy stray and you have issues with wishful thinking?"

"Okay, I'll deal with that. Terms of friends.h.i.+p accepted."

* 283 *

"What about Rebecca? What's she think about you wanting to bring home a f.u.c.ked-up gimpy stray?"

Lynn's hand formed a thumbs-up. "Rebecca's quite convinced you can come back one hundred percent from-" Lynn faltered for a heartbeat. "From your wounds, Saint Eh Mo's, all of it. She says it'll be easier to monitor your medical progress if you're under the same roof. And give her a chance to pick up some tricks from the only person who's ever persuaded me to go camping."

Jamie managed a wan smile, but her chest ached. "Lynn-" You make it sound so easy. "What if you-Or if I-" Oh G.o.d oh G.o.d...

Lynn leaned toward Jamie and gentled a kiss onto her forehead.

"I know it's not easy. Believe me, I do know." Then Lynn's fingers combed back her hair and the palm of Lynn's hand caressed her cheek.

"Trust me, Jamie, like I trusted you. Trust me and say yes."

* 284 *

about the author.

Born and raised in the Midwest, Sophia Kell Hagin escaped to Ma.s.sachusetts and eventually got a job in IT market research and publis.h.i.+ng. For the last twenty-five years, Sophia has earned a living as a self-employed IT market a.n.a.lyst and writer.

Although she has been writing fiction for a number of years, Whatever G.o.ds May Be is Sophia's first published novel. A selection of her other writings can be found at her Web site, www.callithump.com. Sophia lives on outer Cape Cod with her longtime life, love, and business partner.

books available From bold strokes books Whatever G.o.ds may be by Sophia Kell Hagin. Army sniper Jamie Gwynmorgan expects to fight hard for her country and her future. What she never expects is to find love. (978-1-60282-183-5) nevermore by Nell Stark and Trinity Tam. In this sequel to everafter, Vampire Valentine Darrow and Were Alexa Newland confront a mysterious disease that ravages the s.h.i.+fter population of New York City. (978-1-60282-184-2) Playing the Player by Lea Santos. Grace Obregon is beautiful, vulnerable, and exactly the kind of woman Madeira Pacias usually avoids, but when Madeira rescues Grace from a traffic accident, escape is impossible. (978-1-60282-185-9).

midnight Whispers: the blake danzig Chronicles by Curtis Christopher Comer. Paranormal investigator Blake Danzig, star of the syndicated show Haunted California and owner of Danzig Paranormal Investigations, has been able to see and talk to the dead since he was a small boy, but when he gets too close to a psychotic spirit, all h.e.l.l breaks loose. (978-1-60282-186-6).

the Long Way home by Rachel Spangler. They say you can't go home again, but Raine St. James doesn't know why anyone would want to. When she is forced to accept a job in the town she's been publicly bas.h.i.+ng for the last decade, she has to face down old hurts and the woman she left behind. (978-1-60282-178-1) Water mark by J.M. Redmann. PI Micky Knight's professional and personal lives are torn asunder by Katrina and its aftermath. She needs to solve a murder and recapture the woman she lost-while struggling to simply survive in a world gone mad. (978-1-60282-179-8) Picture Imperfect by Lea Santos. Young love doesn't always stand the test of time, but Deanne is determined to get her marriage to childhood sweetheart Paloma back on the road to happily ever after, by way of Memory Lane-and Lover's Lane. (978-1-60282-180-4).

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