After lunch, Terry and Bernadette left to get her two suitcases. They were back in an hour and Bernadette picked her bed, bath, and small sitting room suite and settled in.

Terry left to get ready for his trip and the Nguyens served a light supper with some of the lunch spread and a spicy noodle soup. Bernadette sat with Jack and began correcting his table manners. He bonded quickly with his governess and happily followed her instructions.

After she put Jack to bed, Bernadette joined Peter by the pool for coffee. She was wearing a short pleated white skirt, with a white halter-top, and open toed platform sandals. She sipped her black coffee. “It may be an illusion, but I’m cold sober and relaxed for the first time in years. I feel safe and that is a happy feeling. I would like to rebuild my life on this start.”

“We both have a journey. I still don’t feel safe all the time. Mostly it’s because of my concern about Jack. I’m going to do something I’ve never even thought about doing before. I’m going to tell you something about myself that will help you understand my, maybe, over-protective concern about Jack. I don’t believe I need to ask you to never reveal what I tell you. Not even to Terry.”

Bernadette nodded and sat back in her chair, cradling her cup of coffee in her hand.

“I was married to a woman I loved. We had two children, Jack and his baby sister, Christina. We were making an effort to build our lives when something terrible happened. Jack and I came back to our little farm from a short shopping trip. I found my wife and daughter shot to death. Before she was gunned down, my wife killed three of the attackers with a handgun, while running and carrying a baby. Five more yards and she and Christina might have escaped. I killed one more of them and had killed four others of them a month earlier. I have to operate on the belief they are still searching for me. Now do you still want the job? There may be some danger.”

“Thank you for telling me. I sensed there were some hard times in you. You have the look. The one I’ve seen in top IRA fighters. Yes, I want the job more than ever. On one condition. I want a concealed weapon.”

“Granted. Anything else?”

“Yes. I want to sleep with you tonight. You can love me or fuck me but we need to get the male-female tension out of our way. No commitments. We have enough tension without mixing sexual desires into it.”

“What if either one of us wants to continue the sleeping arrangement?”

“Easy answer, we do it. I can’t believe you’re a rapist or the whining type. If I don’t want sex at anytime, I’ll say so. So can you. Agreed?”

“What’s not to agree to?”

“For appearances I’ll keep the suite but be with you every night. It’ll be fun playing house. You’re not my first but I’ve never lived with anyone before.”

Peter took her hand and said, “Let’s get started.”

“I’m ready. I should tell you it’s been over a year since I’ve had a man, and he was a terrible lover.”

The master suite was the most impressive sleeping quarters Bernadette had ever seen. A king-size bed, full bath with open shower, and large garden soaking tub. His and her basins and cabinets. Bernadette looked around then turned to face Peter. “Hurry,” she whispered. She was already naked except for her platform sandals. She was not wearing anything under her short skirt. When they were lying together, she slowly opened her legs and eased him into her.

Later in the soaking tub, Bernadette said, “For a guy without any recent encounters, you are very good. I like tenderness but followed by hard, quick sex. Your body is very hard like you have been working out all your life.”

“I’ve worked at martial arts for years, especially Hapkido. Hapkido is a Korean…”

Bernadette interrupted. “I know what Hapkido is and have a brown belt. We’ll have to practice together some time.”

“What are your other skills?”

“You mean outside the bedroom?”

“Yes. Those skills are impressive.”

“Well, my specialty is knife fighting, including throwing. I’m seldom without my throwing knife, except in hot tubs. Don’t like to get the handle wet. Throws off the balance.”

“What about guns? What do you want to carry?”

“I like the Colt .45 Army issue and four magazines.”

“The lady knows her weapons. I’ll give you a .45 tomorrow. I’ve a couple hidden away in the house.” They soaked for a while longer in the tub, then Peter took her hand and said “It’s time for bed.”

Bernadette was soon sleeping, breathing softly in a deep sleep. Peter studied her face and thought is this the same woman who was such a wanton lover a few minutes ago? I’ve not had many women but Bernadette is different. She is as composed and confident naked in bed with a new lover as she was fully clothed. She is her own person and I am very glad to have her with me, for my sake as much as Jack’s. He is already bonding with her. I must not let him be hurt again. He was young when his mother was killed but he knew something had happened and she was gone. He cried at night for days for his mommy. So Peter, be careful. Bernadette may not be permanent even if I want her to stay with us. She has her own life’s trail to follow.