Sure, her impulsive nature led her into doing things she regretted later. This, however, wasn't the same as plowing through a whole bag of jellybeans in one sitting or roadtripping down the coast on a whim. She wanted to lose herself in another kiss, in his arms, in him. She'd done that once before with another man and had nearly lost herself in the process.
Then Zach smiled. And winked. Her friend was back, along with all the drab military furnishings and framed airplane prints.
It felt good to have Zach back in focus. She could trust his friendship. He'd said he would honor whatever she chose about sleeping arrangements. If nothing else, she knew she could trust this man to be honest with her.
Completely honest.
/ haven't kissed you, Julia, not yet, but I still know I want you. Just you.
A shiver of desire danced down her spine.
"Congratulations, sir." Bronco charged forward to pump Zach's hand, the chaplain two steps behind as everyone offered over-bright good wishes.
Zach's arm slid around her shoulders, bringing more of those incredible shivers. She wouldn't have a bit of trouble convincing the world she wanted to jump all over Zach Dawson.
Julia gathered her baby into her arms, his sweet weight the best reminder of all of why she had to keep her head and hormones unmuddled. Patrick squirmed against her, his head turning as he rooted along the cream wool jacket for lunch.
Could this wedding get any more un-traditional?
Hitching him on her shoulder, she patted his back, whispering, "Hold on a few more minutes, hon."
She would have to nurse him soon, and hundreds more times over the next year. In Zach's house. At least they would have the older children as a buffer against any more awkward moments.
"Congratulations, Julia." Bronco wrapped her in a burly bear hug until Patrick squawked.
Bronco stepped back. "You make the second-most beautiful bride I've ever seen."
Julia laughed. Finding something dressy to wear that fit had been a challenge and a half.
She'd settled for mixing and matching a short, off-white pleated skirt with a long jacket.
"Yeah right, almost seven weeks after delivery, I'm lucky I'm not wearing a potato sack."
She patted his cheek. "But thanks all the same."
"You're welcome." He slung an arm around his wife. "Kathleen and I want the girls to stay over at our house tonight."
Buffer-loss alert! Julia opened her mouth to protest.
Bronco stopped her. "Uh-uh! Don't argue. We've already worked it out. They brought over everything they need for school in the morning. There's a wedding dinner from us already waiting on your table. It's not a Caribbean honeymoon cruise, but it's the best we could come up with on short notice."
They were all trying so hard, she felt like a fraud.
Zach's hand tightened on her waist. "Thanks, Bronco. That's mighty generous of you both."
Geez, why hadn't she thought to say thanks? Not even five minutes as the commander's wife and already she was blowing protocol. Not to mention simple courtesy. "Thank you."
Patrick wriggled, pumping his feet against Julia, each little huff an insistent reminder that she'd already pushed him a half hour past feeding time. She turned to whisper in Zach's ear. "I'll be right back, okay?"
One look at the baby, and Zach nodded. "Sure. I'll be waiting."
For her.
For just a second she allowed herself to imagine she could take him up on that offer for real. What an incredible rush to know this man who so dominated the room with just his towering presence wanted her. What would it feel like to have all that intensity focused on her?
A hypnotic possibility.
Time to run as fast as her heels would allow, even if only for the twenty minutes necessary to settle Patrick. Cowardly? Not a chance.