Rafael went to stand behind Lily and cupped his hands over her shoulders. Nick narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw, but Rafael held his ground.
“Professor Sizemore, he resign.” The Brazilian sent her an uncertain smile.
“Really?” Her eyebrows rose and she sucked in a steadying breath of relief. “That’s the best news I’ve had in days. Thanks. So now all I need is a new home—” she tugged at her gown with disgust, “—some clothes and something decent to eat.” She was starving.
“We need a new home,” Nick corrected as he sat back on the bed. “Or you can help me fix up my place.” The heat in his gaze flashed over her skin. His voice dropped. “And you won’t be needing any clothes for a while.” He kissed her and she sank into him, knowing this was Nick’s way of saying they had a chance of a future together. The door opened and she assumed it was Lily and Rafael leaving.
“My, my,” drawled a familiar voice, “you must be the infamous Detective Inspector Nicholas Archer. I’ve heard all about you.”
Oh, heck. They broke apart, both turning to face Senator Darcy Cooper, who was dressed to impress, backed by three dark-suited strangers. Susie’s dad was there too. Smiling at his little girl.
“Mom. Dad? What are you doing here?” Her voice sounded strangled. Susie was hallucinating. She couldn’t believe it.
Leanne grimaced and ducked into the room, grabbing the chair next to Susie’s bed. Guard duty. Her mother ignored Leanne, as always, and focused exclusively on Susie and Nick.
Nick made room for her parents. Darcy came over and sat on the bed, taking Susie’s hand with perfectly manicured fingernails, careful of the IV. Darcy looked immaculate and powerful, but there was no disguising the catch in her voice or the glint of tears in her eyes as she looked over Susie’s injuries.
“I was so worried about you.”
“I’m fine—”
“You almost died!”
“I—Well, yes, I did, but—”
“I’ve hired bodyguards, Susie.” Darcy jerked her head in the general direction of the door. “They come with the best recommendations. Your father insisted.”
Susie exchanged a glance with her father whose raised eyebrows told her this was the first he’d heard of it.
“I don’t need a bodyguard, Mom.”
“Of course you do.” Darcy swept her hand over Susie’s forehead, overruling her objections. “Especially if I win the nomination.”
Susie’s pulse pounded, heat began to suffuse her skin as she struggled to sit up.
Nick stepped in, looking mean as a switchblade. “If she says she doesn’t need a bodyguard, Senator Cooper, she doesn’t need a bodyguard. Anyway, she has me.”
Darcy Cooper looked him in the eye. “For how long, Detective?”
Nick didn’t back down from her mother’s diamond-hard gaze. “I guess that will be up to Susie.”
“You’re not the sort of man I’d choose for someone as sweet as my little girl.”
“What?” Susie started to splutter.
Nick just laughed. “She is sweet, isn’t she? And you’re definitely not the sort of mother-in-law I’d have chosen, especially after what happened with the last one. But we’re stuck with each other, so you’d better get used to it.”
Darcy Cooper glanced at her husband. “Pushy. I like it. Maybe he’ll do?”
“Damn right I’ll do.” Nick looked so indignant Susie started to laugh. It seemed she’d finally gotten what she wanted, even though Nick Archer was about as domesticated as the Loch Ness Monster. Settling down with this man was not going to be easy, but it sure as heck was going to be interesting.
It was time for a fresh start. Time to wipe all the slates clean. “Mom, Dad, this is Nick, the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. Nick, these are my parents and if you’re brave enough to take me on, I’ve also got an overprotective older brother.” She held his gaze. He wasn’t the only one with baggage, only hers was star-spangled. “What do you say? Willing to take a risk on me and my crazy family?”
Her mother watched him expectantly. Leanne grinned.
“I’m staying, Susie. You’re stuck with me, forever.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear, ignoring the nurse, who shooed out her parents and was trying to clear the room. “Together we can do anything. Together we can make a family and have a real life.” He rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. She placed her hand on his chest and felt the solid beat of his heart against her palm. She could still smell the smoke clinging to her skin, but the ordeal was over, a new chapter in their lives was about to begin.
Nick checked his watch and groaned. “Except right now I’ve got to go. Tracy’s memorial service starts in thirty minutes.” He rubbed his tired eyes. “I almost forgot.” He climbed to his feet and Susie swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Where do you think you are going?”
She dragged the IV pole to the door. “To borrow a suit from my mother.” The air was cool on her back as the gown flapped.
Nick stopped her by touching her arm. “Are you sure you’re up to it?”
Every inch of her body ached but she nodded. “I can’t not go, Nick.” Tracy had no one and Susie had almost met the same end as the poor woman.
He ran his hand down to her wrist. “I’ll get the clothes—” he looked at her IV, “—and talk to the nurse.” He didn’t approve but he kissed her and went anyway. Because he knew how much it meant to her.
She swallowed tightly. Just when she thought she couldn’t love him more, he went and did something to prove her wrong.
Author Note
I had the pleasure of conducting my Ph.D. in the Gatty Marine Laboratory from 1989–1993, with the additional bonus of meeting my husband there. So to say the Gatty shaped my life is a massive understatement. Marine labs are amazingly close communities full of the most vibrant and interesting characters. However, none of the characters in this story are based on real people, nor are the events in this book based on real life occurrences.
On a final note, after more than 100 years the Gatty Marine Laboratory has recently been renamed the Scottish Oceans Institute and, therefore, ceases to exist.
About the Author
Toni Anderson was born and raised in the U.K. and now lives in the harsh but beautiful Canadian prairies with her husband and two children.
Formerly a marine and fish biologist, she (unfortunately) lives about as far from the ocean as physically possible. She escapes by writing romantic mystery and suspense stories set in some of the incredible places she’s been privileged enough to visit.
Readers can find her all over the Internet, even though she’s supposed to be working on her next novel. For more information about Toni, please visit http://tonianderson.shawwebspace.ca/.
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ISBN: 978-1-4268-9010-9
Copyright © 2010 by Toni Anderson
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