CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Ash had lied--he was worried. He didn't like to worry. With his hands clasped behind his back, he strolled into the Officer's Club as if it was a normal day.
He walked to the room where the luncheon was being held. He grinned broadly when he heard excited whispers fill the crowded space. It wasn't totally unexpected that a husband showed up for a luncheon, but everyone knew that he avoided them like the plague.
"Coop?" called out Ottinger. Ash released a heavy breath, then he turned to greet the colonel, who was grinning from ear to ear. "I never thought I'd see you step foot in one of these things."
"Believe me, neither did I," Ash muttered. Glancing around the room, he asked, "Have you seen my wife?"
Ottinger still seemed to be in shock. With his mouth hanging open a tad, he nodded and pointed towards a row of windows. "She's over there near the door prizes."
"Thanks," Ash said, walking away. He scanned the room for Phoebe's dark hair, ignoring the amused and curious glances shot his way. Instead of finding his wife, he caught sight of Reggie waving her cane in the air. He waved back, then made his way to where she stood.
"How was the lunch?" he asked.
Reggie sucked on her teeth as he approached. "Those fuckers served meatloaf."
He grimaced. "Not here, Reggie."
"Whatever," she said, brushing aside his comment. "I ain't doin' this again." She walked past him, right to the door. "I'll be outside." She pulled a pack of cigarettes from her purse. "Take your time."
He turned to watch Reggie's escape and caught Jack lurking in the shadows. She tossed him the bird, then turned on her heel and followed Reggie. She tried to grab Reggie's elbow, but Reggie pulled back and shooed Jack away. He continued to watch as the two of them walked out of the building, fighting for control of Reggie's cigarettes.
"Hey, Coop!" a woman called out.
"Hi, Major," said another.
He nodded in their direction, but he didn't stop his search for Phoebe. He finally found her sitting in a chair in a corner. She held her beige pumps in her lap and she was curling and uncurling her toes. Feeling his world collapse around him, he knelt beside her and waited for her gaze to land on him.
When it did, he noted the solemnness in the depths of her eyes. "That bad?" he asked.
"Terrible," she said, bending over to brush a bug away from her right foot. Then she pulled her foot onto her knee and rubbed her heel. "I don't think I'll be wearing these again."
Ash looked at Phoebe, truly looked at her. There was no panic in her features. No anger twisting her mouth. He looked down at her shoes and realized her comment was about the state of her feet.
"C'mere," he said, motioning towards her leg. He waited as she swung her feet onto his lap, then he took her foot into his hands and began to knead. He could feel a crowd of women gathering around them. He fought the urge to snatch her up and run from the room. Instead, he lowered his voice, "I take it Jack kept her mouth shut."
Phoebe smiled. "More or less."
He stopped his massage to glare at her. "What did she say exactly?"
"Exactly?" she asked.
"Yep."
Phoebe grinned, and he couldn't help but fall deeply into her dark eyes. When she pointed down at her foot, he was eager to comply with her silent command. Resuming his massage, he waited for her to continue.
"Jack said you were lucky to have found me."
He must have squeezed too hard because Phoebe grimaced. "Sorry."
She shrugged a shoulder, then pulled her foot from his hands.
"Did she really say that?" he asked, pushing up from his knees.
Phoebe slid to the edge of her chair and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Then he stood to his full height, drawing her to her feet. She returned his stare for a moment before dropping her gaze.
With her head pressed into his chest, she murmured something low. He couldn't make out the words, so he placed a finger beneath her chin and nudged her face.
"I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't catch what you said."
Phoebe licked her lips, then took a deep breath. "I said that I love you."
Ash felt like he could just melt into the floor. He studied her eyes, waiting for her to say that she was only joking. When she didn't, he felt a smile blossom on his face.
"I thought you barely tolerated me."
She smiled. "Sometimes I don't."
"Don't love me?"
Phoebe laughed. "No, knucklehead. Sometimes I don't tolerate you." She turned away and exhaled loudly. "But I think--no, I know--that I'll always love you."
He chuckled, then felt her hands grip his chin and turn his face towards hers. It was a crowded room, but he felt the others fade away as he stared at his Phoebe.
"Did you mean what you said earlier?" she asked.
Earlier, he'd hoped she hadn't noticed his little slip of the tongue. But now he realized it was probably the greatest mistake in his entire life. "That I loved you?"
She nodded.
"No," he said quickly. "I just love your cookies."
"Today is definitely one of those days that I barely tolerate you."
He threw back his head and laughed. Then he grabbed her hand, weaved their fingers together, and rested their hands against his heart. "I love you, Phoebe Cooper."
"Oh my God," said a woman, "they are so cute."
"I never thought I'd see it," said a masculine voice. "Our Coop's done fallen in love."
Phoebe's wide lips parted in a happy smile. She brought her other hand up and traced his lips with the tip of her finger. "I hope you meant what you said. That this is no longer temporary."
He shook his head. "Sorry, babe, you're stuck with me."
"Good."
Feeling the need to leave the room, Ash stepped back and offered her a hand. She placed her hand in his, and he pulled her alongside him. But, from the corner of his eye, he saw her grimace.
"Ah," he said, stooping to place an arm behind her back and knees. As he hoisted her into his arms, he heard several loud gasps from around the room. "I think I can help you with that."
Phoebe wrapped her arms around his neck and dropped her forehead against his. "Ash..."
"Yes?"
"One more thing."
He pulled his head away. His gaze drifted down her body before settling on her belly. "You're pregnant?"
She gasped. "No. I'm not."
"Oh." He felt slightly disappointed. Then he remembered how babies were made, and he felt his good mood return tenfold. As he carried her from the room, he nodded in Olivia's direction. He was surprised to see approval on her face. "Then, what's wrong?"
With laughter in her eyes, Phoebe pointed towards the parking lot. "I need a new car."