Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

meet up tomorrow afternoon.  I managed to get a boat.  We’ll go and see if Murphy needs to be fished out of the sea.  I’ve got a few leads from Jake already.”
“Whit said that Burt and Patrick have already headed for the states.”
“I think Burt’s caught the treasure-hunting fever.”
“But Mason is here?”
“He stayed for you, and when you were safe, he said he wanted to stay for Murphy.”
“For such an asshole, he’s so sweet,” Mia said.
“But he’s still an asshole,” Ted said.  “Come on, I ordered you a meal fit for four kings, their queens, and their camels.”
“Lead the way.”
Ted grabbed her hand.  “Right this way.  I think I left the door open.  Let’s hurry.”
Mason, who witnessed this from across the courtyard on his balcony, sighed.  He saw Ted drag Mia up the stairs and pick her up before entering their villa.  He took a long pull of his Corona, congratulating himself for having the foresight of not being put in a villa on that side of the courtyard.  Still, he had picked up earplugs just in case.  His laptop beeped, indicating Jake had sent an email.  He looked at the size of the document and whistled.  He had a lot of research ahead of him.
~
Murphy fell into the bunk exhausted.  His muscles were sore, but it was a good sore.  He hadn’t felt more alive in 150 years.
The boatswain, who understood the need for Murphy to stay connected with his axe, helped him to fashion a baldric to hold it at his side.  After that, he put him to work on the deck where he could watch him.  There was no chore too menial for the farmer.  He not only completed his tasks, but made sure he understood the jobs so he could do them to the best of his abilities.
There was a type of freedom on board ship that Murphy hadn’t experienced before.  He could take off his shirt and feel the sun on his back.  His facial hair was growing.  It was as if he had been reborn, and with it, his emotional connection to his other existence faded.
The hard work kept him from thinking about the others.  It was only when he was helping to coil the rope - one end was tied to a harpoon and the other end to a spool - did he remember that this ship’s captain hunted birdmen.  Could he let this continue?  Could he stand back and watch Angelo or Nicholai be brought down by Captain Crocker?  What about Mia?  This was the first time since he landed on the boat that he thought about her.  He wasn’t sure if he should be alarmed or relieved.
She had left him behind.  He didn’t owe her any obligation.  If she survived the pit, she was Ted’s problem.  He decided in his bunk, at that very moment, that he was better off without Mia Cooper.
~
Ted rolled off Mia, panting.  They both had pushed their bodies to the point of exhaustion.  It was as if neither of them would back off.
“Minnie Mouse, you’re going to kill me.”
Mia rolled over and looked down at Ted.  “I’m an assassin. It’s what I do.”
He looked up at her fevered eyes and shook his head.  “No, you’re a lovely, passionate woman whom I will never get enough of.  You are the greatest gift bestowed upon me.  I thank God every day for you.”
Mia’s eyes softened.  “I’m not worthy of this love of yours,” she said.  “But I’m going to work on being more of a wife to you, Teddy Bear. I promise I will.”
Ted frowned.  “Mia, what are you trying to tell me?”
“I’m going to retire from this warrior business.  I was out practicing when I should have been supporting you.”
“Please, Mia, you do support me.  I don’t need a handmaiden.  I need a superhero.  Someone that tests my patience, endurance, and well, this…”
“I’m confused.  You don’t want me around?” Mia asked.
“No, I’m not saying that.  Give me a moment to word this right.  I love the life we have right now.  Sure, I could do with a lot less Mike, but I know he’s your spare.”
“I beg your pardon,” Mia said.  “Spare what?”
“I was reading a book Cid has.  It spoke about some people have the need to have a backup spouse.  Someone who will step in if the other person fails them.  It’s a psychological need.”
Mia flopped back down on her back.  “You think I’m one of these people?”
“Yes.”
“Huh, let’s examine this for a moment, Dr. Freud.”
“I’m game.”
“I don’t have a psychological need to be married.  If something happened to you, I’m never getting married again.”
“Gee, is being married to me so bad?” Ted asked, rolling over and looking at Mia.
“No, it’s wonderful.  But marriage is only wonderful because it’s you.”
Ted blinked in surprise.
“Can you imagine me happy with anyone else?”
“Everyone else.”
“Ted, you’re not helping.”
“So, you don’t have a spare.  Not even Murphy?”
“K, it seems you’re determined to play this game to win.  Let’s pretend that Stephen isn’t a ghost that has been dead for 150 years.  He’s just a normal farmer who believes in spanking children and having a wife dressed demurely who’s always home.”
“But he loves you.”
“So what?  He’s not a genius.  He doesn’t make me laugh the way you do.  In my eyes, he’s not good husband material.”
“He made your knees weak when he kissed you.”
“That was before you kissed me, dumbass.”
“You like my kisses better than that epic Murphy kiss. Well, I’ll be.”
Mia rolled her eyes.
“Mike’s an unknown commodity…”
“For heaven’s sake, Ted, what’s going on with you tonight?  I’ve had the best sex of my entire life and you’re ruining it.”
“Wait, that’s a lie.  I overheard you and Audrey