CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I LOVE LUCY!

Lucy was sunk in depression. After Val’s less than gallant rescue from the incubus, she had gone home and waited for a phone call. Two nights later she was still waiting, fool that she was.

Last night the capture of the incubus had been featured on all the major news stations, with Val and Christine prominent in the media frenzy. Lucy had watched with eyes filled with hope. Her hope was starting to dim as the nights passed by into misty mornings with no word from Val. It appeared that even if he still loved her, he meant what he had said about love not being enough.

“Earth to Lucy,” Ricki said, prodding Lucy’s shoulder. “Your hair is done and it’s time to get your butt moving and go do your show.”

Lucy turned misery-filled eyes to Ricki. “Val hasn’t called, and I don’t give a fig about tonight’s show,” she groused.

Ricki patted her shoulder in sympathy. “The night’s still early, and how can you not be excited about tonight’s show? I’ve never seen a naked mummy before.”

Lucy almost cringed. Tonight’s show was “Mummies Who Want to Join Nudist Colonies.”

“Do you think they have to wear sunscreen?” Ricki asked. “I wonder what sort of SPF ratings they need.”

Lucy gave up and got to her feet, letting Ricki lead her to yet another really stupid show.

“I wonder if they’re going to lose any body parts when they unwrap?” Ricki continued cheerfully.

As they got to the set, Lucy could hear the producer call out “One minute till airtime!” Sitting down in her chair, she was surprised that Ricki joined her, sitting in one of the guest chairs to her right.

“What are you doing?” Lucy asked. “And where are the mummies?”

“Change of plans,” Ricki answered.

Before Lucy could ask more, the show began, and Val and Christine walked out onto the set and seated themselves on the guest sofa. Blinking her eyes, Lucy wondered if she was having a brain freeze.

“Where are the mummies?” she asked in a weak voice, totally dumbfounded.

Val hid a grin. Lucy had that look down pat. He loved it. Just as he loved her.

“Egypt?” Christine replied with a shrug.

Clearing her throat, Ricki opened the show. Giving a bright smile, she said, “There’s been a change of plans for tonight. Detective Valmont DuPonte and Detective Christine Armstrong are here to tell us about the capture of the infamous Ka incubus! And they had a little help from yours truly, and from our very own Lucy Campbell.”

The audience cheered, while Lucy sat in shock. Val was really here on her show, and he was smiling at her like she was the finest thing he had ever tasted. Forget the past and forget professionalism, she wanted to know what was going on with him. “You’re on my show. You said you’d never do my show,” she mumbled.

“Ah, cherie, how could I not be where you are? You’re my heart—mon coeur.”

His answer made her forget the audience, and made her forget her duties as host. “You forgive me?”

“I do. Appearing on your show is my way of saying I want you. My yellow ribbons,” he said. After nearly losing Lucy to the incubus, Val had realized in his heart that his life would be so much less without her. He wanted to share his life with Lucy. He wanted to teach her about honor and trust. She would keep him laughing and happy. And he wanted that partnership to start as soon as possible.

Staring at him, Lucy felt her heart melting. “I thought you said love wasn’t enough,” she remarked.

“I was wrong.” Val shook his head, his heart in his eyes. “I was a big undead dufus. I can’t live without you. My crypt just isn’t the same with you gone.” And with that he went to Lucy, crouching down in front of her. “Isn’t it obvious? I love you with all my soul and all my heart.”

The audience oohed and aahed, and when Christine nudged him Val added, “By the way, that was a very nice touch with the yellow ribbons.”

“You hated them,” Lucy reminded him. But the quiet desperation had fled her eyes, leaving her the soft and luminous look of a woman in love.

“No. I loved the ribbons. I hated the fact that you put yourself in danger,” he remarked. Drawing her to her feet, he held her in his arms. Lucy felt warmer than she ever had. Happier.

“Oh, Val. I love you too.” Her words were barely audible, and Val stole her breath with a passion-filled kiss.

The audience hooted and hollered, and Christine smiled merrily.

Ricki’s grin grew from ear to ear. “For those of you who missed the opening,” she joked, “I want to thank you for tuning in to the ‘I Love Lucy’ show.” When Val and Lucy’s heated kiss continued, Ricki did as well. “As you can see, these two lovebats are going to fly happily-ever-after off the set and into the night.”

Christine laughed, watching fondly the fiery kiss between the couple. “I think this show will be a hard act to follow,” she said.

Ricki agreed.

When the kiss finished, Lucy’s sigh was pure bliss. She had gotten her second chance at happiness, and Mr. Moody was surely in ratings heaven. “Oh, Val—I love you. I’ve missed you so. And again, I’m so sorry.”

Ricki piped up, saying to Christine, “I bet she’ll just be living for sunsets.”

Leaning over, Val whispered to her provocatively, “We never did get to have make-up sex.”

Lucy got a gleam in her eye, and she grabbed his hand. “Let’s go. Sunrise is in nine short hours.”

Val threw back his head and laughed, and the two ran from the set to the sound of thunderous applause.