Lake of Dreams by Linda Howard

were absurdly positive that their first lovemaking had been fertile, and her happiness was so intoxicating that she felt giddy.
    Her fear of the water had disappeared as suddenly as it had formed. She hadn’t been swimming yet, but that was more because of Richard’s anxieties than her own. Whenever they walked, he still positioned himself between her and the water, and she wondered if he would ever relax his vigil.
    Plans. They’d made a lot of plans for their life together. For one thing, she would be moving to North Carolina. Her warrior wasn’t just “in” the Special Forces—he was a lieutenant colonel. Since he was only thirty-five, that meant he had a lot of time left to reach general, which was probably inevitable. Thea rather thought she would have to give up painting houses; it just wasn’t the thing for a general’s wife to do. The murals, though, were something else. . . .
    For now, though, they were selfishly enjoying getting reacquainted with each other, hugging every moment of privacy to themselves. They had cleaned up the yard, and this morning they had started preparing the house for its new coat of paint. Most of the time, though, they had spent in bed.
    She tilted her face up to the sun, and gently cupped her hand over her belly. It was there. She knew it was. She didn’t need either drugstore or lab test to confirm what she felt in every cell of her body. Too tiny almost to be seen, as yet, but indubitably there.
    Richard’s hand covered hers, and she opened her eyes to find him smiling at her. “Boy or girl?” he asked.
    She hesitated. “What do you think?”
    â€œI asked first.”
    â€œLet’s say it together. You go first.”
    His mouth opened, then he stopped and narrowed his eyes at her. “Almost got you,” she said smugly.
    â€œSmart-ass. All right, it’s a boy.”
    She twined her fingers with his, sighing with contentment. “I agree.” A son. Richard’s son. The baby who had died with her had been a daughter. She blinked back tears for that child, wondering if it was forever lost, or if it too had been given another chance.
    â€œShe’ll have another chance,” Richard whispered, gathering Thea close. “Maybe next time. We’ll know.”
    Yes, they would. Each night, her memory became more complete as the dreams continued. Richard still shared them, and they would awaken to find their bodies locked together, ecstasy still pulsing through them. They were linked, body and soul, the past revealed to them as it was to only a few lucky people.
    They heard the cars before they could see them, and Thea sat up, swinging her feet to the ground. Richard stood, automatically moving to place himself between her and whoever approached. Thea tugged on his belt and he looked around, a sheepish look crossing his face as he realized what he’d done.
    â€œOld habits,” he said, shrugging. “ Real old.”
    Then the three cars came into view, and Thea watched in astonishment as her entire family drove up. It took her a moment to realize. “Today’s my birthday!” she gasped. “I’d forgotten!”
    â€œBirthday, huh?” He looped an arm over her shoulder. “How about that. That makes you . . . thirty, right? I have to tell you, this is the oldest you’ve ever been. But you’re holding up good.”
    â€œThank you so much.” Grinning, she caught his hand and began tugging him forward. She’d see if he was so sassy after being overwhelmed by her family. Nieces and nephews were spilling out of open doors, running toward her, while adults unfolded themselves at a slower pace. Lee and Cynthia, Jason and June, and her mom and dad all approached a bit warily, as if afraid they had intruded on a romantic getaway.
    â€œI didn’t realize you’d brought company with you, dear,” her mom said, looking Richard up and