“Never sure in your line of work, Stockard.” Something was crushing her chest. Not lack of oxygen. It was love. Blissful, suffocating love.
His gaze dropped down to her bare feet, returning to her face with a concerned expression. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, taking one step toward him. “I am now.”
Without warning, the orange arms were around her, lifting her in the air.
“Sweetheart, I’m home.” He buried his face in her hair, his lips on her ears. “And I hope you are, too.”
She searched his face as he brought her back to the ground. Did her feet even touch?
“Of course I am.” She pulled back enough to see him, to touch his face, his lips, his hair. “You saved my life. You didn’t know it, but you saved my life.”
“Then we’re even.” He touched her face. “Because you just saved mine.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I figured it all out, Jessie. My life is incomplete and insignificant and unbearable unless you’re in it.” He ran a finger along her chin and tilted her face up to his.
She laughed. “I could have told you that, Stockard.” The love was crushing her again. A good, delicious, solid crush.
“I needed to figure it out myself.”
“What else did you figure out?” She pulled at him, wanting him closer, wanting to savor each exquisite word as the beauty of the moment washed over her.
“That I’m going to come home from work every night, no matter what I do. And I want to come home to you.” He cupped her chin in his hand and stared at her. “This is life, Jess. This is love.” He kissed her softly, just a touch, then pulled back. “I love you. With all my heart. I want to be with you forever. Please. Please, marry me. Please stay with me for the rest of your life.”
His words washed over her like sunshine. Warm and comforting, brilliant and blinding. “Yes, I will marry you.” The words caught in her throat and choked her. She wanted to say them over and over.
His slow and deliberate kiss tasted sweet and salty from the tears that wet her cheeks. Could she really spend the rest of her life this happy? She would burst, just completely come undone, from the joy of being Deke Stockard’s wife.
And then she heard it. The whirring, the clicking, the flip of the notebooks.
“Oh my—” She broke the kiss and looked around at the pack of reporters staring at them, recording their every word, documenting the scene. “Deke—I didn’t do this. You have to believe me, I—”
His laughter started deep in his throat, sexy and completely genuine. “You really expect me to believe that, spin doctor?”
“I do.”
“Oh, I like those words. Say them again.”
“I do.”
“Tell it to the minister, sweetheart. Just like that. Because I love you, Jessica Marlowe.”
In one smooth movement, he picked her up and spun her around. Then he shot an irrepressible grin straight into the lens of the minicam riveted on them.
“I love her. I’m going to marry her. Did you guys get that?”
Epilogue
July 21, 2011
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
“Atlantis is home. Its journey complete. A moment to be savored.”
Mission Control’s announcement echoed through the press booth, where Deke stood ready to go live, his gaze on the viewing window and not the camera in front of him. The drag chute flapped behind the shuttle as the crew brought her to a halt, a signal that he’d be on-air in less than thirty seconds.
But the cheers and shouts of the crowd inside drowned out the news director’s voice in his earpiece as the normally under-control facility overlooking Runway 33 rocked with the party atmosphere of a perfect landing… one last and final time.
The cameraman popped his head to the side to holler over the noise at Deke. “The AD says wait until it quiets down in here.”
Deke nodded, pressing his earpiece to pick up additional instructions, grateful for the extra time. Not that he couldn’t ad-lib or battle the emotions that gripped his chest when he watched Commander Ferguson silently cruise Atlantis through a plasma of heated air. He’d been the CNN Space Correspondent for six years now and had been bringing in the shuttles since flights resumed in 2005, after the tragic loss of Columbia.
But today was too bittersweet for even the most seasoned soul in the NASA family to stay dry-eyed.
After thirty years, a hundred and thirty-five missions, and countless hours in orbit, the era of space-shuttle travel had come to an end.
And, so, Deke thought, had an era of his life. But then, a new one had begun thirteen days ago. He inched around the camera to eye the crowd, most of them still focused on the runway in the distance, but one face turned toward him and their eyes locked.
“She asleep?” Deke mouthed.
Jessie nodded, laughing at the irony only the two of them fully appreciated.
“We’ll go back to Deke in the booth in three minutes,” the news director announced in Deke’s ear. “We’re staying with the shuttle to pick up Commander Ferguson’s comments to the crew.”
Three minutes was a lifetime in television, certainly enough time for Deke to unhook his earpiece and return to his wife and their newborn baby.
“Hey.” He put his arm around Jessie. “We have three minutes.”
Her eyes glistened, bright against the shadow of sleeplessness. “So you want to see your girl.”
He grinned and placed a soft kiss on her hair. “Both of them. How’s she doing?”
“She slept through the twin sonic booms and that last cheer,” Jessie said. “Why can’t she sleep through the night?”
Stuart Rosen approached, his eyes crinkled in hearty laughter. “She’s not even two weeks old, Jess. You expect perfection already?”
“We have perfection,” Deke said, reaching to take the baby from Jessica, still in awe at just how light a seven-pound baby girl really was. “Skye is perfect.”
“Her timing is,” Stuart said. “Arriving on launch day and taking her first outing to the most historic landing in our history.”
“We waited twelve years for this miracle, Stu,” Deke said. “And her first act was to prove she isn’t going to follow our schedule.”
Jess and Deke shared a look, the memory of the morning she’d gone into labor two weeks early still fresh. He stroked the little blue NASA cap that warmed Skye’s head, grateful he’d been able to get an ambulance in time for Skye to arrive safely in a hospital. Barely in time.
Jess laughed. “That’s for sure. She’s sound asleep all day and wide awake at night. But…” She took the baby’s tiny fingers. “So worth the minor disruption.”
“Deke, change in schedule.” The cameraman called over. “You’re going live in ten seconds!”
“Oh, I’ll take her,” Jess offered, holding out her hands.
“No time,” he said, already heading back to the reporter’s stand in front of the NASA emblem. “She can come with me.”
“Deke, you can’t take her on camera!”
He threw a grin over his shoulder at his wife. “Mom’s been running Kennedy Space Center public affairs for a decade and Dad’s been on TV since he retired from the astronaut corp. Skye Stockard is right where she belongs.”
Still holding the baby secure in one arm, he snapped in his earpiece and picked up the count.
Three, two, one…
The camera light turned red and Deke blasted a smile he’d been wearing for quite a few years.
“That was Commander Chris Ferguson giving congratulations to his crew on a successful mission and safe landing of Atlantis, the fifty-fourth such landing at Kennedy Space Center in the long and impressive history of the space shuttle program. Here at Kennedy, there are a lot of tears, a lot of memories, and…” He glanced down at the baby. “Some are oblivious to the historic moment.”
He paused, his gaze shifting for one millisecond from the camera lens to the woman who stood next to
it, getting that sweet jolt the sight of Jessica Marlowe Stockard always gave him.
“I can tell you there’s an air of both bliss and sadness up here in the press booth.” He lowered his voice in a way that warned viewers he’d be getting personal. That wasn’t unusual; Deke had been sharing the “astronaut’s view” of the space program with his audience for years, and the personal approach had not only made him a popular correspondent, it had done a huge service by elevating public opinion of the program.
Not enough to keep the federal funding of the next generation of shuttles… but enough to help raise the capital for a private fleet. And that, like the baby in his arms, made for a very exciting future.
“As you may know, I’ve been involved in this program in one capacity or another for nearly fifteen years. I had the honor of commanding four separate missions, played a role in the safety program, and have been privileged to bring the space story to CNN’s viewers for six years. I even…” He grinned and winked at Jess. “…got to be a NASA spokesperson for a brief time and have to say that was the most, uh, unforgettable chapter of my career.”
A dozen or so friends joined Jess by the camera, friends who were more like family after all the years they’d worked together. He skimmed the crowd, smiled at Jeff Clark, and nodded to a few others before returning his gaze to the camera.
“The era of space travel by shuttle has ended,” he said softly. “And I admit that deeply saddens me and the thousands of Kennedy Space Center workers who are here today to celebrate three decades of amazing success.”
He hesitated briefly, swallowed the lump in his throat, then lifted his beautiful baby daughter just enough to make her shudder with a sleepy sigh.
“But if anyone out there thinks this is the end of space exploration, then let me assure you, it is not. Woven into the fabric of our country is the need to stretch our boundaries, our knowledge, our capabilities, and our world. Our children will want to be astronauts, engineers, scientists, and…” He glanced at Skye. “Pilots. And they will be. The end of the space shuttle program is not the end of our story. In fact, thanks to the foundation of success laid by every person at NASA for the past half a century, today is just the beginning.”
The room exploded in applause, just loud enough for Skye to open her eyes, blink in surprise, and look straight up at her daddy.
“You want to be an astronaut, honey?” he whispered, lifting her closer. “I can help you with that.”
She opened her mouth and wailed, almost drowning out his signoff and toss to Atlanta, and earning a burst of applause from the crowd. And that just made her cry louder.
Jessie was next to him in an instant, taking the baby with a certainty that already impressed and amazed him. They’d given up trying for a baby several years ago, content with their busy careers and happy married life. Until the total jaw-dropper of a surprise nine months ago.
“Nice speech, Commander,” Jess whispered, up on her tiptoes to give him a kiss. “I couldn’t have written better sound bites than that.”
“Came from the heart, as you know.”
“It made me think of the day I met you.” She lifted Skye gently, which quelled the crying for a brief moment.
“When you plastered my face on a screen in Headquarters and announced I’d be your poster boy?”
“No.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “When you marched down those auditorium steps and made a speech about astronauts and explorers and what NASA is all about. Do you remember?”
“I remember your cleavage.”
She elbowed him. “I’m serious.”
“I remember the day, sweetheart. I remember how I hated your idea and jumped down your throat and tried to get you to back down.” He laughed softly, stroking Skye’s cheek. “Don’t even think about getting Mom to back down, kiddo.”
“You reminded me of that just now. That man who believes so much in his mission that you can see the fire in his eyes.” She smiled up at him. “Let’s give that passion to Skye. Let’s teach her to grab hold of space, reach for the stars, and shoot for the moon. Promise we’ll do that for her?”
Skye sucked in a breath and launched into high C, so loudly that Deke had to lean closer and put his mouth near Jessie’s ear. “Count me in, spin doctor.”
The End
About the author:
Roxanne St. Claire is a New York Times bestselling author of almost thirty novels of suspense and romance. Her most popular romantic suspense novels feature an elite cadre of bodyguards called The Bullet Catchers. In addition, she has published a trilogy focused on a family-based security firm known as The Guardian Angelinos. In 2012, Roxanne is launching a contemporary romance series set in fictional Barefoot Bay, as well as her first young adult novel, Don’t You Wish.
In addition to being a five-time RITA nominee and one time RITA winner, Roxanne’s novels have won the National Reader’s Choice Award for best romantic suspense for two consecutive years, as well as the Daphne du Maurier Award, the HOLT Medallion, the Maggie, Booksellers Best, Book Buyers Best, and many others. Her books have been translated into dozens of languages and are routinely included as a Doubleday/Rhapsody Book Club Selection of the Month.
Roxanne lives in Florida with her husband and two teens and can be reached via her website, www.roxannestclaire.com,or on her Facebook Reader page, www.facebook.com/roxannestclaire.
If you enjoyed Space in His Heart, check out these other romantic suspense titles by Roxanne St. Claire:
The Bullet Catchers
“Nonstop, fast-paced, action-filled romantic adventure”
Romance Novel TV
“Deep and exotically sensuous emotions.”
The Winter Haven News
“When it comes to dishing up great romantic suspense, St. Claire is the author you want.”
Romantic Times
The Bullet Catchers (in series order):
Kill Me Twice
Thrill Me To Death
Take Me Tonight
First You Run
Then You Hide
Now You Die
Hunt Her Down
Make Her Pay
The Guardian Angelinos
“A bold new series! Readers will thrill to this non-stop action, sweet and sexy romance, lively characters, and celebration of family and forgiveness.”
Publishers Weekly
“Rip-roaring fun, griping intensity, and sizzling passion.”
Romantic Times
“A heart-racing series that will enthrall you all the way through!”
Romance Reviews Today
Edge of Sight
Shiver of Fear
Face of Danger
Don’t miss all of Roxanne’s titles available in every digital format. You can also visit www.roxannestclaire.com for excerpts, news, a complete booklist, and sneak peeks at her latest releases!
“Roxanne St. Claire touches off a bold new series with this taut, complex and intelligent page-turner, skillfully blending deep romance with labyrinthine mystery and hard-boiled action. Readers will thrill to this dynamic tale and its nonstop action, sweet and sexy romance, lively characters, and celebration of family and forgiveness.”
-Publishers Weekly
The following short story
is a free read prequel to EDGE OF SIGHT.
Copyright 2010 Roxanne St. Claire
“St. Claire has become the go-to gal for romantic suspense. Rip-roaring fun, gripping intensity and sizzling passion span the pages of Edge of Sight.”
-4.5 Stars from Romantic Times Magazine
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, bra
nds, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners
TAKEN TO THE EDGE
A Prequel to EDGE OF SIGHT
by
Roxanne St. Claire
The last thing Samantha Fairchild wanted to do on a Friday night after a week like she’d had was head downstairs to a party. But Vivi wasn’t accepting excuses.
“I know you had a shitty day in the advertising cubes, Sam.” Party noise in the background almost obliterated Vivi’s voice over the phone, but her exasperation came through. “I know all you want to do is have a B&B.”
“You have no idea how good a beer ‘n’ bath sounds right now,” Sam said. “I wore those damn Michael Kors platforms, which only added to my misery. And trust me, the client never noticed my feet while he was tearing the proposed campaign to shreds and making the entire Millennium Marketing creative department look like whipped dogs.”
“But you’re a junior account manager, Sam. The creative issue isn’t your fault.”
“Trust me, I could feel that promotion to senior junior account manager slip away the moment the client uttered the words ‘agency review’ during his tirade.” Sam sighed. “I’m just not up for a party, Viv.”
Space in His Heart Page 26