The Kiwi Target

his mind on what he wanted to say. “Can I be serious for a moment?”
    “Of course.”
    “I enjoyed my time with Jenny very much—any man would—but don’t be surprised if I tell you that the news of her engagement didn’t mow me down. It was unexpected, but I recovered quite quickly.”
    “Don’t ever tell her that!”
    “Of course not. You see, before I went to Wellington, I had time to do a lot of thinking, and only part of it was about all these things that have been going on. Naturally I thought quite a bit about Jenny, but I never got to the point where I felt that I couldn’t wait to see her again.”
    He paused, planning how to shape his words. “For a while I couldn’t figure that out. Then, without thinking about it at all, I realized that I wasn’t in love with her. I think I sensed that she was already taken. Just as I was.”
    Louise gasped and a hand flew up in front of her face. “Peter, you never told me!”
    “I’ve never told anybody. Partly because I didn’t know it myself until recently. And when I realized what was happening, I knew what had to be and nothing else would ever do.” He looked at his companion. “Do you understand me?” he asked.
    “I think so,” she answered, but her face denied her words. Seeing that, he took a different tack. He spoke very simply. “I couldn’t wait to get back here, where you were. When I held you outside, I didn’t ever want to let go. I wanted to keep on holding you indefinitely. Do you understand now?”
    “But Jenny—”
    “She’s got someone to hold her. She should be happy.”
    “Peter, I—” She broke down, unable to finish. He reached out, drew her beside him, and said calmly, “Take your time.” It took her a full minute before she was ready to talk again. Then she straightened herself up and spoke quite calmly. “I like you, Peter, very much. But partly because of Jenny—” She stopped and started over again. “It’s just that—we haven’t known each other very long, have we?”
    “No,” Peter answered her, “but we will. Let me put it this way: Will you be my girl in the meantime? Until you’re as certain as I am.”
    “If you want me to.”
    As he stood up, Louise rose with him. He put his arms around her and kissed her again. For the first time in his entire life he saw the fulfillment of everything he had ever wanted.
    She reached up and put a hand on his shoulder. Despite himself he winced a little; it was still very tender. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’d forgotten.”
    “No matter at all. I was glad for your hand.”
    “Maybe you ought to rest for a while. You must have been up early to catch your flight.”
    “Yes, I was. And I didn’t sleep much last night. I had too much on my mind. Mainly you.”
    He paused and considered her idea. “I think I will lie down for a bit. So far it's been quite a day.”
    They stood looking at each other for a moment; then Louise spoke. “If you just want to rest for a while, would you like some company?”
    He had to hold fast to control the emotion that that simple question aroused in him. It had been so totally unexpected. “More than I can say,” he answered.
    She held out her hand, giving of herself. He took it gently and firmly as they walked together across the room toward the fine old staircase.

* On Her Majesty’s Service
    * Woman Police Constable