Page 22 of Pursuit of Honor

Getting to her feet, she noticed the motel room was empty. Law’s friends had been sleeping on the floor and the couch when she’d arrived, but they were gone. The motel curtains were blocking out most of the sunshine, though it was definitely light out. Thank goodness. The storm was over.

She walked barefoot across a rug, pausing when she realized that the room wasn’t empty. Law’s friends might have been absent, but he was in the kitchenette, brewing coffee on the other side of the room.

This was her last chance to speak to him. Pain spread through her, the devastation had her on the brink of tears. She cared so much for him despite their brief time together. The knowledge that he was leaving and they’d never see each other again was breaking her heart all over again. How could she possibly find the strength to say goodbye?

“Good morning,” she said, unable to keep the sadness out of her voice, as she approached him.

Law turned around and stared at her for several seconds. Longer than she’d expected. Like he was taking her in, trying to make sure he didn’t forget this moment.

Piper cringed inwardly. She must have looked like a mess. All her hopes of saying goodbye to him while she looked her best were out the window now.

“You’re awake,” he said, giving her a hint of a smile.

Their gazes met and the intensity she saw in his gray eyes made her blush. His desire was unmistakable. So was the relief. And the tenderness he felt for her. Piper saw all those things without needing words.

“Did you get any sleep last night?”

“A little,” he said.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her chest tightening with regret. “If I hadn’t tried to drive down here last night you would have been able to sleep.”

“No, I wouldn’t,” Law said, shaking his head. “Even if you hadn’t gotten trapped in that freak storm, I wouldn’t have been able to sleep because I was up all night thinking about you. About us.”

“Us.” Her heart fluttered at the single word.

He reached out to take her hand gently. “I’ve made coffee. Do you want coffee? There’s also toast.”

For some reason, she sensed that he was stalling while also trying to be kind. “I wouldn’t want to impose and eat your breakfast. Your friends have to eat too right?”

“They’ve eaten already,” he informed her. “In fact, they went back to the ship.”

“They’ve gone already? Oh gosh, that means I’m keeping you.” Her eyes misted as she understood that he needed to leave and she was the one preventing him from getting back to his job. “You should go. I can wait for my dad—”

“Your dad is stuck trying to help the authorities tow away his car. He called and instructed me to keep an eye on you. I can take care of you until he gets here,” Law told her.

“But that’s going to make you late,” she said. “You have to head back—”

“No, I don’t,” he said, interrupting her gently. “I don’t have to go back.”

“What?” she asked, more confused than ever. “What do you mean you don’t have to go back to your ship?”

“I decided to take a longer leave,” he said.

“I don’t...I don’t understand.”

Law released her hand. “Probably should have discussed it with you first, but I had to extend my shore leave before the ship headed out.”

“You’ve extended your shore leave?” Her heart started pounding because she understood now. “You’re staying in Sweetwater?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I’m staying here in town. I’ll be here at the motel until I find a rental.”

“What made you decide to stay?” She tried keeping her tone casual, but her entire body trembled in anticipation of what he was going to tell her.

Law’s expression turned thoughtful as he took a step forward, closing the gap between them. He was so tall that she had to tilt her head back to look at him. Every part of her wished he would take her in his arms and tell her the words she never thought she’d hear. But from his demeanor, his decision to stay didn’t seem to have anything to do with her. Maybe he was staying for other reasons. For his job. Or for himself.

“I’m done looking for the exits,” he said plainly. “Some people are born with places to call home. People like me have to build those places ourselves.”

“You’re trying to make a home for yourself,” she said, feeling heartbroken that he wasn’t staying for a relationship with her, but also feeling overjoyed that he was finally going to start really living. Nobody deserved happiness more than him. As long as Law was happy, she’d survive this heartbreak. Somehow.