But he was thirsty.
He reached again for the pitcher. The door to his matchbox-size room opened and he nearly groaned. He wasn’t too happy about having to undergo another round of poking and prodding by perky nurses who were seriously annoying, or doctors who looked down their noses and nodded a lot. He’d rather they all left him alone with his prognosis. He would let them know if he needed anything.
No one else could help him process the idea that he couldn’t be a solider anymore. Why did they think a counselor would help him? He just needed time. And space.
Whoever had come in was close to the side of the bed.
“Want some help?”
Mackenzie’s voice brought with it a rush of vitality that made him feel as though he could leap from the bed. Visions of pulling her into his arms, dipping and kissing her brought a smile to his face. But he kept his eyes focused on the prize, still reaching to the opposite side for the water. She didn’t need to know how desperately he didn’t want her to leave. But she would. Eventually she’d have to decide where she was going to go now that the threat was over.
“Aaron? Do you need a drink?”
Why was she still here? Did she really think she was helping him when it was torture having to smell her vanilla perfume and pretend he didn’t see how upset she was? It was as though she was taking the end of his career worse than he was.
He sighed. If only it was an inch closer or if he could roll the table nearer... He gripped the edge and pulled. Mackenzie reached across him to help, but not fast enough.
The table jerked and the pitcher toppled and fell over, dousing the whole surface with ice water. It ran onto the bed, bathing his hip in water. He groaned at the pain.
Mackenzie rushed around the bed. She pulled the table away and ducked into the bathroom, came out with a towel and began mopping up the mess—including his side.
He bit back what he really wanted to say. If she wanted to baby him, fine. But he didn’t have to like it.
“I’ll get you some more water, okay?”
He didn’t answer.
Mackenzie stilled beside him. In the corner of his vision, her white knuckles gripped the towel in her hands. He looked up. Her eyes were soft, but she was trying to hold it back. As though she didn’t want him to know she pitied him.
“Will you let me help you?”
Honestly, Aaron wasn’t sure he even knew how to do that. Yeah, he was alive. But he hated feeling so helpless, wondering why this had to happen. God could have brought him out of that basement with no injuries, yet here he was: incapacitated, his career almost over. His future for once not clear, but shrouded so that he couldn’t see what lay ahead.
Where would he be in a year? What would become of him? He hoped Mackenzie would still be here, but he didn’t want her to see him so weak. Couldn’t she come back when he was strong again?
Mackenzie sighed. “Here, take this.” She pulled a bottle of water from her purse and twisted the lid off before handing it to him.
Aaron gritted his teeth. He could have opened it himself. Maybe. Okay, probably not, but he didn’t need her making it so obvious. Next thing she’d be trying to cut his meat for him...when they let him have some.
He watched her walk out the door and sighed. Why couldn’t he be a better man? One who knew how to say what he was thinking and feeling. He stared at the closed door and listened to the click of seconds on the wall clock.
The handle turned, and Aaron fought the urge to roll his eyes. Wouldn’t anyone let him have five minutes of peace?
Eric stuck his head in and a smile immediately broke over his face. “Brother, you look like death warmed over.”
“Thanks.” He sounded like a frog. Aaron cleared his throat before he took another sip of Mackenzie’s room-temperature water. It would do until she got back with the pitcher. Eric sat in the chair beside the bed, the one Mackenzie had slept in, insisting she needed to be with him even when the nurses had told her she should go home. He was sure it wasn’t comfortable at all, but she hadn’t complained. “They pulled Carosa’s body out of the rubble this morning. Single shot to the forehead. You don’t mess around, do you?”
“It wasn’t me.”
“Then, who—”
“Eva. Did they find her body, too?”
Eric set one foot on his opposite knee. “Under a pile of concrete. It wasn’t pretty, but she’s gone now. She can’t hurt Mackenzie anymore.”
“What about your job?”
“I’m headed to a meeting with my boss next. The charges were dropped since Doug managed to find enough proof Schweitzer was the mole, but that reporter still outed me as a WITSEC inspector. I need to find out if I’m being fired, or transferred to another part of the marshals.”
Aaron nodded.
Mackenzie swept back in. “Eric, it’s so good to see you.”
Eric rose and enveloped her in a hug. “You, too, Mackenzie. You look lovely.”
She tucked hair behind her ear with slender fingers. “If you say so.”
Aaron sniffed. “Did you bring my water?”
She turned to him then, the warmth in her eyes deepening. “Yes, with ice.” She took the bottle and handed him a cup with a straw. He tossed the straw onto the table and took big gulps, downing the entire cup before lifting it up for her.
“I guess you were thirsty.”
Eric coughed, sounding a lot like he was laughing. “Well, I just thought I’d check in, but since you’re in such good hands I’m going to leave you two to it.”
“I actually need to talk to you a minute.” Mackenzie motioned to the door. “Can we step outside?”
Aaron pressed his lips together. What was all this about? Why did she need to speak privately with his brother?
Eric reached out to shake Aaron’s hand. “Take care.”
Aaron held on a second longer and gave it an extra squeeze. “Sure. You, too.”
* * *
Mackenzie closed the door behind them and pulled the piece of paper from her back pocket. “I signed it.”
Eric grinned. “Does it feel good knowing the threat is over, that you don’t need to be in WITSEC anymore?”
She blew out a breath, trying to push off the stress of being around Aaron when he was this closed off. And of not knowing what the future was going to bring for them, only what her heart was telling her. But she could hardly throw herself at him in his condition.
“Are you okay?”
Mackenzie huffed out a laugh. “I honestly have no idea. Things are all so up in the air right now I’m not sure what to do, or if I should even just go. Aaron doesn’t seem to want me here.”
Eric squeezed her shoulder. “God hasn’t brought you this far to let go of you now. And as much as Aaron might act like he doesn’t want you around, he would be even more insufferable if you left.”
Mackenzie laughed. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.” She smiled. “It’s going to be strange not having you around in case I need something. But I feel lighter now that Carosa is gone. I’m just not used to it yet.”
“You have the rest of your life to get used to that feeling, Mackenzie. And I’ll always be just a phone call away, okay? No matter what happens with you and Aaron.”
She nodded, and Eric pulled her in for a tight hug. “Take care.”
“You, too.”
* * *
Mackenzie had been back in the room half an hour, but still neither of them had said anything.
Aaron held her gaze, knowing there was a lot to say. But the energy he had was fading, making him wonder why she insisted on hanging here with him. “Don’t feel like you have to stay.” He settled back against the pillows. “I think I’m going to take a nap.”
Mackenzie pulled a magazine from her purse and settled back in
the chair. “I’m fine right here.”
Aaron closed his eyes, but he could still see her. This woman was with him, in his mind, his heart. He could see her eyes, full of fear, and feel her hand touching his cheek. Why couldn’t he just tell her what he wanted?
Stay with me.
But she was staying with him in his hospital room, without even asking him if that was what he needed. Not in a pushy way, more like quietly letting him know that she cared. What had he ever done to deserve this? Aaron exhaled, falling asleep with Mackenzie’s name on his lips.
TWENTY-FOUR
The sound was so slight. Mackenzie looked up, certain she had heard him breathe her name. Like a sigh or a prayer. He seemed so distant, always holding back, as though he was forcing himself not to explode, which was what he really wanted to do. It was obvious he was frustrated by the situation. Anyone would be.
Recovering from surgery, talking with doctors about more procedures, unable to get up or do much of anything without help. He seemed as if he was trying to convince them all that everything was fine. Why couldn’t he talk to her instead of holding it in all the time?
God, help us know what to say to each other. Give me the words that will touch his heart.
Mackenzie went to his side and perched on the edge of the bed. She watched the rise and fall of his chest, tucked her hand in his and spoke, keeping her voice low. “I want you to know something. I’ve felt it for a while and I’m thinking... Well, it just seems like the right time to tell you. I know you’re uncertain about what’s going to happen, unsure what the future holds for you, but I want you to know that you can do anything. I really believe that you’ll find the path, because if anyone can, then it’s you.”
She stroked her thumb over the back of his hand. “You’re always so strong and together, as if you know who you are. Sure, I’d love it if you told me what you’re feeling. Or how you’re doing sometimes, just so I know where you’re at. But that’s okay. It’s part of who you are. And, well...I love you.”
Warmth enveloped her, and she could finally accept the fact that she didn’t want to live her life without Aaron being part of it. But how would it ever work? What would they do?
She bit her lip and blinked back tears. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t really know where to go now or what I’m supposed to do. I guess we’re in the same boat that way. And maybe that doesn’t have to be a scary thing, because we can navigate it together. We could find a way to make this work, to stay together.”
She blew out a breath that shuddered in her chest. A lump had worked its way up to lodge in her throat.
“I wish we could do that. I’ve gotten used to you being around all the time. If you left, or you told me to go—” Her voice broke. “I don’t know what I’d do.”
The bed shifted, and a motor whirred as the head of the bed rose. Mackenzie looked up. Aaron’s eyes were down, focused on his finger pressing the button. What was he doing? When he was finally upright, he looked up at her.
She blinked and tears ran down her face. Mackenzie opened her mouth, but he covered it with his fingers, cutting off the sound.
“I love you, too.”
She stared at him. “I thought you were asleep.”
He sighed. “I should have told you. I’m not so good at all this emotions stuff. You’re going to have to stick with me as I navigate it. Maybe we could row that boat together, too?”
His lips curled up at the corners. He was teasing her.
She sat up straight, folding her arms and trying to act as though she was mad. “Are you making fun of me? Because I was pouring out my heart, and I don’t think it was very funny at all.”
He touched her cheek, the roughness of his palm abrading her skin. Mackenzie closed her eyes as his fingers slid into her hair. The facade of being mad evaporated, and warmth hummed through her.
“I said I loved you.”
She didn’t open her eyes, but she did purse her lips. “I heard you.”
“And all that stuff you said? I’m in. So long as you add a small wedding at this private beach I heard about. But I’m only dancing one song. And we’re going on a honeymoon. As for the rest of it, we’ll have to see how things play out. I have some ideas, but one thing I do know is that wherever you are, that’s where I’m gonna be.”
His words echoed in her mind and she held her breath.
Aaron laughed. “You might wanna breathe, babe.”
“Yes.”
He tipped his head back, smiling full on now. Mackenzie smiled back, and he tugged her toward him.
“I don’t want to hurt you more.”
For the first time, his eyes were open all the way to his soul and Mackenzie saw the answers to everything she wanted to know, right there on his face. He continued to pull her close, so Mackenzie put her hands to the bed on either side of him, keeping her weight from pressing on his injury.
Aaron motioned to her with his chin. “Come here, Mackenzie. I wanna kiss you.”
When she leaned in to kiss him, she was smiling. Aaron’s hand went to the back of her head, holding her close as their lips moved in a melody that soared. She shifted and touched his cheek with one hand, feeling the warmth of his skin. So alive.
She pulled back and touched her forehead to his, seeing the smile playing on his lips.
You brought him back to me. Thank You, Lord.
Mackenzie found there, in that moment, that she didn’t need a cause. She didn’t need anyone to save. She could live her life content, because she would be with him. There would be no protection team, or marshals there to help her navigate her life now, but she certainly wouldn’t be alone.
She would never be alone again.
EPILOGUE
Mackenzie waited at the edge of the crowd of people milling on a downtown Dallas street. Thankfully it wasn’t yet nine o’clock in the morning, so instead of being deathly hot, the heat was only mildly oppressive.
Aaron walked toward her, a smile playing on his lips. He wore the khaki pants and light blue button-down shirt with ease, as though looking that good was the most natural thing in the world. It still astounded her, every time she looked at him, that a guy like him could fall for a girl so far from the put-together star she’d been.
The limp in his stride from his injury was still there. He’d thrown away the cane weeks before everyone thought he should have and declared that he refused to be an invalid any longer. Mackenzie had warred between being concerned he’d reinjure himself and being intensely proud of him for the fight he showed in working toward recovery. Together they’d found new direction, a shared dream for the future.
She brushed her hand down the skirt of her blue dress, a shade darker than his shirt. He must have seen her bite her lip, because when he drew close to her, his arms slid around her waist. His kiss was light but lingered. “You don’t have anything to worry about. You look beautiful.”
He kissed her again.
Mackenzie chuckled. “We have to go. We’re late already and everyone’s waiting for us.”
He gave a mock sigh. “I suppose. Ready?”
Aaron squeezed her hand, and they picked their way through the crowd to the front doors. They had bought this former theater for a song and spent months—and a considerable chunk of change—to establish this place. This was the legacy of what their lives would be about, no longer atonement.
Mackenzie stopped at the front of the crowd, where people had created a pocket of space just outside the front doors of the Lani Anders Center for the Arts and Sports Complex.
The mayor’s assistant saw Mackenzie and motioned for her to come to the front. She walked to the perky young woman, smiling as if she wasn’t nervous at all, and faced the crowd. It had been a long time since she was the center of attention. She squinted in the sun
’s glare, and Aaron gave her a thumbs-up.
Mackenzie stood beside the mayor, shaking hands. She held the pose while photographers snapped a million pictures of her smile frozen in place. When he finally let go of her hand, he gave her a hilariously large pair of scissors. She turned to the wide red ribbon pinned across the front doors of her new dream.
She hesitated and glanced at Aaron, but he smiled to encourage her to go ahead. She held out her hand to him, and her fiancé didn’t hesitate before coming to her side. His hand rubbed between her shoulder blades and cameras erupted in flashes.
Together they snipped the ribbon, officially opening the new center. It was a twin of the one her staff in Phoenix now ran. After the old center had blown up, a number of local benefactors had emerged, willing to rebuild the place despite everything that had happened there. Mackenzie had been overjoyed that they believed in her vision of bringing the arts to inner-city kids, and immediately commenced talks to open a new center. But Arizona wasn’t where she was supposed to be.
The kids at the center in Phoenix were all at different stages of their recovery. They would be fine, but they didn’t need Mackenzie when there were good people still there.
When Aaron had suggested Dallas, she’d been cautious about moving. Then the moment she stepped off the plane, she knew it was the place for her...for them.
The noise of the crowd soared with cheers. Aaron leaned down and touched her lips with his.
With the business of the ceremony done, people poured inside to tour the new facility and the sports complex that was attached to it. Sabine had been jealous that the view from Mackenzie’s window would be a bunch of guys showing off their talents. Mackenzie had laughed with her friend. Now she would see Aaron at the sports complex every day from where she worked in the performing-arts portion of this new center and know he was always close to her.
The top floor of the building was being renovated into a condo. Right now Mackenzie was living with Aaron’s pastor friend—another old army buddy of his—and the guy’s wife. Aaron was sleeping on a mat on the floor of what would be their home after they were married. Despite her concern, he’d insisted on doing the bulk of the renovations himself, and she had to admit he was doing a fantastic job.
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