Soldier Mine (Sons of War #2)(40)

Debating how much more work I need to do, I take the laptop to the living room.

“Hey, can I show you something?” I ask. “You have to keep it secret. No telling Petr, even though you’re BFFs.”

Todd rolls his eyes.

“It’s another of Anton’s projects.”

He brightens up and sits beside me on the couch. “What is it?”

I turn the screen to show him. “I can’t decide if I should try a couple more layers or leave it alone.”

Todd is smiling. “Petr will love it.”

“Two of the pictures scanned grainy,” I say, disappointed. “Do you think I should place them somewhere else or are they okay where they are?”

“I can’t tell they’re grainy.”

I purposely didn’t choose a holiday scheme for the display and went conservative, warm tones. “You sure they look okay?”

“Hello, insecurity,” Todd grumbles.

“I’m not insecure! I’m a perfectionist.”

“Whatever.” He takes his seat on the floor next to the coffee table. “He’ll like it.”

Todd is more helpful than usual. I smile as I study the pictures again. “Remember – you can’t tell him.”

“I know.”

I go in to get our hamburgers then settle onto the couch with dinner to work on Anton’s project.



The next morning, I wake up early, make my breakfast and immediately start working on the project. It’s chilly in the apartment despite the heat being on, and I’m guessing it was the coldest night yet. Todd sleeps in past midmorning. When he emerges around eleven, he’s fully dressed, down to his shoes. He has a backpack over his shoulder, and his pillow is strapped to it.

I’m still in pajamas and look at him quizzically. “Going somewhere?”

“To Petr’s. It starts in an hour,” he replies. “Did you save me breakfast?”

“Sandwich in the microwave.”

“You’re not ready,” he observes as he passes by the couch.

“I want to finish Anton’s project. I hadn’t planned on us going until this evening,” I say, half-truthfully. The idea of seeing Petr thrills me. I’d rather wait until the house is too full of people, though, so a second kiss doesn’t happen. “We’re not staying the night, either.”

“Come on, Claudia!”

“Get used to it.”

“Can I at least go at noon?”

“Alone?”

“Please, please, puh-leeeeeeeeese!”

I laugh at his expression.

“I’ll cook dinner for a month,” he says hopefully.

“Hmm … maybe if you cleaned your room for a month, too,” I tease.

He scowls. “Okay.”

“Starting now.”

Todd darts across the apartment, breakfast forgotten. I trust him at Petr’s. I still have a problem being apart for most of the day, though. Ten minutes later, he announces he’s done. I hesitate to give him permission. There was a time, not too long ago, he never would’ve asked to leave.

He’s changed a lot the past month.

“I said I’m done!” he says for a second time.

“All right.”

“I can go?”

“Yes. Go get taxi money out of the snowman jar.”

“He’ll pick me up.”

“Todd!” I exclaim, twisting from my spot on the couch to see into his room. “You can’t ask him to take time to come get you when he’s putting on the party.”

“He said I could,” Todd says, looking up from his screen. “He said to call him if we need a ride.”

I purse my lips and return to my computer, irritated with Petr. “He’s way too nice.”

“He likes us. He likes you.”

“Stop there, kid.” I’ve sensed several times Todd knows there’s something weird between Petr and me. It’s none of his business how I feel, and he knows exactly why I do what I do. I focus on my computer screen. Todd sits down beside me, texting.

“He says he can come get me in fifteen minutes and there’s another three feet of snow out today,” he reports. “Omigod! They have sleigh rides! With horses!”

I smile. “They’re billionaires. I think they can have whatever they want.”

“And peppermint hot cocoa and there’s a present for everyone who comes! This is going to be the best Christmas ever!”

Todd gets excited about two things: Maya and Petr. I’m pretty sure both will be at the party. The horses and food can’t hurt. I want him to be happy, and I regret not having the luxury of allowing myself the same happiness.

Pacing in excitement, Todd distracts me for a full fifteen minutes before announcing Petr is there to pick him up. He darts out of the apartment with his backpack despite my firm negative about staying the night.

Crossing to the chilly window with a blanket wrapped around me, I watch him climb into Petr’s truck and close the door when I’m convinced he’s safe. Moving to my couch, I pick up my laptop and then pause, eyes on the cell phone on the table.

With dread, I grab it and dial Simon’s cell number rather than his office. His vacation started Monday. We last spoke Friday, and he had no news. Desperation, and the holidays, make me dial when I know it’s not possible for him to have any updates.