A Lasting Love by Mary Tate Engels

personal satisfaction." Loren propped
her hands on her hips.
    “ Not enough.” Reid's hands slipped through her
arms to lock around the back and pull her close. "There's only one
thing that will give me complete satisfaction. You."
    "Now, Reid, you promised." She grabbed his hands and
brought them around to the front.
    "Well, then, get ready. If I can't have you totally
and completely, we certainly aren't going to hang around here." He
swatted her on the rear as she scurried upstairs to finish
dressing. Giggling like a schoolgirl, Loren realized that she was
as bad as he. She had been prepared for his intense lovemaking and
her own unequivocal reception this afternoon. But Reid had turned
the tables on her. Just what in hell was he trying to prove?
    Angel sat on the edge of the bed, watching Loren
fluff her hair and finish her makeup. Maybe out of guilt, Loren
stopped to give her a pat before hurrying out of the room.
Disappointed, Angel curled on the food of the bed and dozed.
    Reid was engrossed in the newspaper when she
returned, wearing a navy and white silk sundress. It was one of her
summer favorites. The jacket was slung casually over one
spaghetti-strapped shoulder and her hair was brushed back, tucked
behind one ear with a silver clip.
    Reid whistled admiringly. "You look fantastic! Maybe
I'll rescind my promise, gorgeous."
    She wagged a finger teasingly. "Oh, no, you don't.
It's too late now. The vow is made. Anyway, I'm all dressed,
makeup, hair, everything."
    He stood up, expelling his breath slowly. "You
certainly are. There is only one vow I want to make to you, mi amor. ..."
    But Loren laughingly handed him the key before
preceding him out the door. "Where to, Jeeves?"
    "Hmmm? Oh, I don't know. What sounds nice?"
    She smiled enthusiastically. "The country. Let's go
out to the country."
    He opened the car door. "A sus órdenes, mi señorita
bonita."
    They drove along the beautiful George Washington
Memorial Parkway, stopping first to walk across the bridge to the
tiny island that served to commemorate Theodore Roosevelt. Here was
the privacy they sought on the small, elusive island with its thick
green growth of trees and underbrush. However, the steady stream of
treetop-skimming jets approaching the airport drove them away,
probably along with all the wildlife that was supposed to find
refuge there.
    Continuing along the turnpike that followed the
Potomac, they ended up at Great Falls, Virginia. They shared a cold
drink, then walked along the tree-shaded paths. This place, where
the Potomac crashed and rushed among giant boulders, was like a
different river from the one that lapped lazily along the wharfs of
old Alexandria. They talked and teased, enjoying the warm summer
day and each other to the utmost.
    Loren found that Reid had not changed so much after
all. He worked hard for what was important to him—his family,
property, and homeland in Arizona. She couldn't fault anyone for
that. She felt the same way.
    Reid was impressed with how much change had taken
place in Loren. She had a remarkable amount of drive, her
accomplishments were amazing, and yet, she was still beautiful
woman. Oh, so beautiful. They could have talked forever, but for
the Navajo Code Talkers' reception.
    They drove back into town in silence, each
savoring the day and their precious little time together. A large
gathering milled around the formal rose garden. Some of the Navajos looked
uncomfortable but others were smiling, shaking hands,
making an effort to meet everyone there. Obviously it was a typical
Washington reception and a politician's field
day.
    "I recognize the Arizona senators. And there's
a repre sentative from New Mexico," Loren
whispered.
    "Oh, yes," Reid agreed quietly. "Since the
Navajo reservation lies in both states, they wouldn't
dare miss this occasion. There's Arizona's governor,
the mayor of Phoe nix, and the governor of New Mexico."
He pointed out the public officials until he spied a
friend. "There's Fred