Her Kind of Man: Navy Husband / A Man Apart / Second-Chance Hero

When she wasn’t fretting over that, her thoughts were on Jazmine and Adam. She knew they were going to the Museum of Glass, but that couldn’t possibly take all afternoon. Well, maybe it could; she didn’t know.

Finally Shana gave up and shut the book. This was Adam Kennedy’s fault. Even when he was nowhere in sight, he wouldn’t leave her alone.

When she could stand it no longer, Shana logged on to the computer and left her sister a message.

Sent: Sunday, June 12

From: Shana@mindsprung.com

To: Alison.Karas@woodrowwilson.navy.mil

Subject: Adam Kennedy: Friend or Foe?

Dear Ali,

Just checking in to let you know that despite our rocky start, everything’s going well with Jazz and me. She’s a great kid.

The upcoming week is the last of the school year. I’m thrilled at how quickly Jazmine has adjusted and how fast she’s made friends. I guess she’s had lots of practice. She’s a tremendous help at the ice-cream and pizza parlor and insists on taking pizzas to the customers’ tables, which I appreciate.

The other reason I’m writing is that I’ve got a question about Peter’s friend, Adam Kennedy. I must have met him at Peter’s funeral, but if so I don’t remember. Jazmine seems to think you’re romantically interested in him. Are you? You’ve never mentioned him before—at least not that I can recall. Before you make anything of this inquiry, I want it understood that I find him arrogant and egotistical. Jazmine, however, thinks the guy walks on water. They’re off this afternoon to explore some glass museum. I’d be grateful if you’d tell me what you know about him. For instance, has he ever been married? If not, why? I don’t want to give you the wrong impression or anything—I do find him arrogant. But he sort of interests me, too. Fill in the blanks for me, would you?

Love,

Shana

At six Shana tossed a salad for dinner. The house seemed terribly quiet, and she turned on the television for company. That wasn’t like her. In all her years of living alone, she’d never once felt this lonely. At first she wondered if it was due to the breakup with Brad, but all she felt when she thought about him was regret for all that wasted time—and anger. She was just plain glad he was out of her life. In fact, she rarely thought of him at all and that surprised her.

Jazmine had been with her for only a few weeks, and already Shana couldn’t imagine life without her. She missed Jazmine’s energy—blaring her music or talking on the phone, or plying Shana with questions about all sorts of things. The difference between the unhappy nine-yearold who’d arrived on her doorstep and the girl she was now—well, it seemed nothing short of astonishing. She’d become extroverted, interested and…interfering.

A little after seven, Jazmine burst into the house. “I’m back!” she shouted.

Before Shana could issue a word of welcome, Jazmine regaled her with details of how they’d spent their day. She talked about the walking tour and chattered excitedly about watching the artists work in the Museum of Glass. She’d fed the seagulls along the waterfront on Rustin Way and then Adam had taken her for a quick visit to the zoo at Point Defiance Park. Shana could hardly believe the girl could talk so fast and breathe at the same time.

“I guess you had a completely rotten time?” Shana asked, teasing her. Shana realized as she spoke that the lieutenant commander was nowhere in sight. “Where’s Adam?”

“We were kind of late and he had to get back.” Jazmine’s smile widened. “Did you want him to come inside?”

“Not really. I just thought he might like to…visit for a few minutes.” Actually, after the way she’d torn into him on his arrival, she didn’t blame him for avoiding her.

“We should probably have a little talk,” Shana said, slipping an arm around Jazmine’s shoulders.

Her niece stiffened. “I have a feeling this is the same little talk Uncle Adam and I had, only now it’s going to be the Aunt Shana version.”

Her interest was instantly piqued. “Really? And what did Adam have to say?”

Jazmine gave a long-suffering sigh. “That it would be a good idea if I left the two of you alone.”

“He’s right.” Shana was grateful Adam had taken it upon himself to explain this. Jazmine would accept it more readily coming from him.

“He also said I’m concerning myself with matters that aren’t any of my business.”

“Exactly.” Obviously Adam had been very forthright during his version of the “little talk.”

“I promised him I wouldn’t try matching you up with other men.”

“I’d appreciate that,” Shana said solemnly.

Jazmine sighed again. “I wouldn’t like it if you went around talking to boys about me.”

That was exactly how Shana had planned to approach the subject herself. “Did Adam make that comparison?”

Her niece nodded. “He said it on the drive back.”

“He’s smarter than he looks,” Shana muttered. Then, because she felt her niece should know this, she added, “A man and a woman can be friends without being romantically involved, Jazmine. It’s called a platonic relationship.”

The phone rang then, and without waiting for a second ring, Jazmine leaped like a gazelle into the other room. She ripped the receiver off the wall. “Hello,” she said urgently. “No, she’s here, you have the right number.” Jazmine held out the phone. “It’s for you.”

Shana started to ask who it was, but didn’t. Taking the receiver, she raised it to her ear. “This is Shana.”

“Shana. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to hear the sound of your voice.”

For the first time in her life, Shana’s knees felt as if they were about to buckle. It was Brad.

“Hello, Brad,” she said evenly, amazed at her ability to respond without emotion. The man had guts; she’d say that for him. “How’d you find me?” she asked coolly.

“It wasn’t easy. It’s taken me weeks.”

She supposed she should be complimented that he’d made the effort, but she wasn’t. “I don’t mean to be rude, but there was a reason I kept my number unlisted.”

“The least you can do is listen to what I have to say,” he told her.

“Everything’s been said.”

“But Shana—”

“There’s nothing more to say,” she insisted.

“At least give me your address. I can’t believe you’re living in Washington. Did you get a transfer?”

“That’s nothing to do with you.”

Jazmine was watching her carefully, eyes wide and quizzical as if she was hoping to memorize each word so she could repeat it.

“I would prefer if you didn’t phone me again.” Shana was prepared to cut him off, but he stopped her, obviously guessing her intentions.

“Don’t hang up,” he pleaded. “Please, Shana, just hear me out.”

“It won’t do any good.” She’d gone ramrod-straight, her resistance up. She didn’t even find this difficult, although she had to admit she was mildly curious as to why he’d sought her out.