Darlene handed Leah a suitcase and winked at her. “Don’t come home too soon, you hear?”

Leah dipped her head as if studying the suitcase handle.

Clay had better get her out before double entendres started flying. He led Leah to the door, picked up his haversack, and faced the guests. “Thanks for everything, y’all.”

G. M. clinked his fork on his coffee cup and whooped. The clinking and whooping spread around the room.

Oh no.

“That means you’ve got to kiss her, Pax,” Gene called.

Not a good idea. But he looped his arm around Leah’s waist.

She stiffened, then relaxed.

Clay aimed a grin at his buddies. “I’m fixing to do a lot of that, but not in front of y’all.” Then he swung Leah right out the door.

“Sorry about that. Here, let me take your suitcase.” He released her and led her from the reception room out through the chapel.

Thank goodness he’d dodged that bullet. The kiss during the wedding ceremony had about done him in. She’d looked paralyzed when he lifted her veil, and he’d thought he’d kiss wooden lips.

Boy, was he wrong. She’d kissed him back, and the sweetness of it . . .

Granted, he hadn’t kissed a girl for over two years, but he couldn’t remember any kiss so sweet. He couldn’t let it happen again. The last thing he needed was to fall for Leah. When he went into battle, he didn’t want anything to hold him back.

“We have plenty of time to call my folks before we head into town for our portraits and dinner.” Clay opened the chapel door. “Would you like me to hail a cab? The telephone center is about three blocks away.”

“I can walk.” Leah frowned at her suitcase. “But you shouldn’t have to carry my things as well as yours.”

He laughed and headed down the street. She certainly wasn’t a princess. “Nonsense. I’m used to twenty-five-mile marches with full combat gear. This is nothing.”

“Still—”

“I mean this is nothing.” He held up her suitcase between thumb and forefinger. “I thought girls packed heavy.”

“I don’t know why.” Leah shrugged. “What do you need? A change of clothes, a comb, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. Darlene told me the hotel will provide towels and soap. Isn’t that nice of them?”

“You’ve never stayed in a hotel, have you?”

“No. I’m so excited.” Her face shone. “I’ve never eaten dinner in a restaurant either. Darlene and I had sandwiches in a café after I received my first paycheck, but a real dinner? I can’t wait.”

She really did need someone to take care of her.

Leah twisted her wedding ring as she walked.

“The ring—does it fit all right?”