Love in Hiding

by Diane Holiday

  “I’m so glad you didn’t pick out some hideous dress for us to wear to make you look better.” Maddie snagged another glass of champagne when the waiter stopped by with a tray.

  Anne held her flute out for a toast. “She doesn’t need to resort to tricks to be a beautiful bride.”

  “Bruce would agree.” Maddie glanced across the room to where he stood in a man-huddle by the bar. “I could feel the lust waves coming from that hot husband of hers when she was walking down the aisle.”

  Sarah rolled her eyes. “Oh, stop. You weren’t even next to him.”

  “Doesn’t matter. That guy is smoking—”

  “Geez, Maddie. Can you please talk about something else besides how hot Sarah’s husband is?” Anne waved a hand around the room. “This place is full of muscled military men. Go find one.”

  Sarah laughed and shook her head. Anne must be getting tipsy if she was encouraging Maddie to flirt. “Did you seriously just tell her to hit on someone at my wedding reception?”

  “Better than her ogling Bruce.” Anne shrugged, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

  “I already have a hottie.” Maddie raised her chin.

  Sarah glanced past the band. “Don’t look now, but Scott is heading this way.”

  Maddie turned. “Mmm hmm. That’s one fine specimen of a man. Something about a tuxedo on a ripped guy makes my mouth water.”

  “Who are you kidding? Greasy overalls would do it for you.” Anne smirked.

  “Convenient that you and Scott will both be spending the summer in New York City.” Sarah raised an eyebrow. He’d called Maddie after their night at the bar. Not that Sarah remembered much of that evening.

  “Yeah. Well, with me traveling on digs all year, I haven’t been around, but we’ve talked.” She leaned in and whispered, “It’s kinda hot dating a DEA agent.”

  “So you are dating him?” Anne elbowed Sarah. “Maybe he can keep her in line.”

  Maddie gave a small shrug. “He’s going to be here for three months before he goes back to Mexico, and I have a summer class in the city. We’re going to see how things go.”

  Scott stopped in front of them, a wide smile on his face. “You want to dance, Maddie?”

  “Is grape a popsicle flavor?” She winked at Sarah.

  For God’s sake. The woman never stopped. Sarah shooed them off before Maddie could go down the popsicle-she-wanted-to-lick path. “Just go dance.”

  Anne sipped her drink and eyed them. “Should I give up on her?”

  “She says that stuff for effect. Don’t worry. Maddie just likes to have fun.”

  “I guess.” Anne faced Sarah. “How about you? Are you still doing okay?”

  Sarah glanced around the banquet hall at the two tables filled with dancers from the Baltimore Company. They’d embraced her from the day she’d auditioned. Took her in like family, and all came to her wedding.

  At another table, Charlie and some of the other vets laughed and chatted. After a recent article in the paper about Bruce’s program, he’d been getting calls from other farms interested in starting their own. Everything he’d worked so hard for was coming to fruition.

  Sarah nodded. “I’m fine. It’s just a bad memory now.”

  “Scary times. I was so worried about you.”

  “And you were with me through it all. Thanks.” Sarah’s throat swelled, and her eyes teared up.

  “Hey, I’m just glad I was able to move closer. I like the change of seasons, and we’ll have a chance to spend time together. Now, no crying on your wedding day.” Anne hugged her, then stepped back.

  The band played the first strains of “Chicken Dance.”

  “Oh boy. Maddie will be all over this.” Sarah glanced around the room.

  Scott and Maddie were hunched in a conversation with Joe. Maddie looked up, a mischievous smile on her face that meant she was up to no good.

  Joe worked his way across the room to Bruce, where he talked with Lynn by the bar.

  Sarah’s heart stuttered. God, the man could fill out a tuxedo. She’d never get used to the jolt she got from one look at him.

  He’d loosened the tie of his tux. Leaning against the bar, drink in hand, he rivaled James Bond. And he sure knew how to shake and stir her up.

  When Joe approached, Lynn pecked a kiss on Bruce’s cheek and walked away.

  Bruce had touched and helped so many people. He might not have much family, but he’d filled the groom’s side of the church with veterans and friends—a testament to what he’d done with his life. Pride swelled in her breast.

  The shadows and demons of his past had backed away, freeing him to love. His face radiated when he smiled, which was often. The heart he’d guarded now beat in rhythm with hers.

  Bruce leaned against the bar, and Joe sidled over next to him, taking a sip of his beer. “Not too shabby.”

  “Can’t take credit. The women planned it all.” Bruce swirled his drink.

  “As it should be.” The corners of Joe’s eyes crinkled. “Hell, Debbie even wore a dress.”

  Bruce glanced at her, standing by a table as she talked to Greg and Becca. His surrogate family. “Guess this is a sad day for Greg.”

  “I think he misses Sarah more than the dog does. Although, that mutt seems happy enough following Debbie around everywhere.”

  “So I noticed.” Debbie put up a tough front, but he’d always seen through it. Thankfully, she had taken in one more stray.

  “Girl’s got guts.” Joe scratched his head and looked in Sarah’s direction.

  “In spades.”

  After clearing his throat, Joe said in a quiet voice, “Your dad would have liked her.”

  Yes, he would have. His mother, too, for that matter. Bruce’s chest tightened.

  Joe finished the last of his beer and set the bottle on the bar. He put a hand on Bruce’s shoulder and made eye contact. “If your father were here, he would have said, ‘You done good, son.’”

  Bruce set his jaw. Didn’t dare try to speak.

  Joe slapped his back.

  The heaviness in Bruce’s heart lightened. He glanced from Joe to Sarah, who nibbled her lower lip and gazed at him. Like hell. No more worrying. Those days were over.

  He smiled at her, and she blushed. God, she was beautiful, and damn if she couldn’t make him hot from even a distance.

  Time to move the party along.

  Sarah met Bruce’s gaze across the room, and a slow smile formed on his face. Sexy as hell. He raked a hand through his hair and took a step in her direction. Her knees turned to butter. She knew that stride. The air of confidence, the swagger, the complete and total focus on nothing but her.

  Her body revved in anticipation of his touch. Didn’t matter what he did. Any contact lit her on fire and made her tremble with need. And he was all hers, forever.

  “Are you ready to vacate the premises to someplace more private, Mrs. Murphy?” He brushed his lips across hers.

  Anne’s voice came across the mic. “If everyone would please move outside, it’s time to send the happy couple off.” She gestured to the doors, and people filed out.

  Bruce took Sarah’s hand. “Ready?”

  “Yes.” Her chest fluttered as she prepared for the dash to his truck.

  He swung the doors open, but it wasn’t there. Instead, Batal, in all his glory, stood at the bottom of the steps, gleaming in the sun. A Just Married sash hung around his neck.

  Sarah gasped as the crowd erupted with applause.

  Scott and Maddie waved from beside the horse. No wonder she’d been sneaking around the reception with that grin on her face.

  Joe held the reins as Debbie stroked Batal’s side.

  The stallion neighed, shaking his mane.

  Bruce stopped short and stared at the horse. He turned to Sarah, his blue eyes wide with shock. A muscle in his neck twitched. “I didn’t know about this.” His gaze dropped to her dress. “We don’t have to—”

  “What are you waiting for?”
She wasn’t about to ruin the fun. “You expect me to use a mounting block in this getup?”

  “We’ll discuss mounting later.” He swept her off her feet, carried her down the steps, and lifted her onto Batal, sidesaddle.

  Everyone clapped and cheered when Bruce mounted the stallion behind her and wrapped his arms around Sarah. He squeezed her tight and brought his mouth close to her ear. “I knew from the day I met you it was going to be one wild ride.”

  She gave him a wicked smile. “Take me to a place where I can prove it.”

  THE END

  * * *

  Thank you for reading! Did you enjoy?

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  Please Add Your Review! And turn the page for a sneak peek of book two, LOVE UNCOVERED

  Sneak Peek of Love Uncovered

  Maddie Cooper opened her laptop and typed so fast she misspelled her password. No surprise, with shaking fingers and only two hours of sleep under her belt.

  At last, pictures from yesterday’s excavation filled the screen. She leaned closer, her gaze riveted on the images, and zoomed in on the one that took her breath away.

  The clay-baked animal she’d uncovered stared back at her. The piece, small enough to fit in the hand of a child, had been sculpted to resemble a wolf. Maybe a father had made it for his son or daughter. Good chance the toy belonged with the Iroquois collection.

  She clicked another photo, a close-up of the wolf boxed on the shelf. After double-checking the catalog number to her records, she eased back in the chair. Good. No mistakes, despite the long day and the late hours.

  The safekeeping and accurate documentation of each piece in the climate-controlled storage room fell to her as the project manager. Every time she entered the cool, dark building, her pulse quickened. Her team had almost filled the facility with clay pots, arrowheads, tools, and weapons over the last year. So much history to share. Wait until the Seneca Nation tribal leaders saw the figure. They’d be ecstatic.

  This rare find would be part of a special exhibit in the proposed museum that could put the small town of Tuckerton, New York, on the map. Sure, she missed traveling on digs, but she’d trade that in a second for the wealth of history her team had uncovered. Each piece gave a glimpse into the past culture of the Native Americans. Now the tribal leaders, working with the museum, would have the opportunity to share that culture and educate people.

  She stood and stretched. In one month, the grant money would run out, and they’d have to be done. Too bad she wouldn’t be around to help set up the exhibits. She’d check in to make sure the tribal leaders were happy with the displays and return to visit the finished museum next year.

  All of this had been a big boost to her career. At twenty-nine, she’d earned the respect of the archaeological community, but making sure the history was preserved mattered more.

  Early May meant cool weather in the Finger Lakes region, so she grabbed a jacket. She’d given her team the morning off after the long, late night, but she had responsibilities and deadlines to meet. Her tired body screamed for caffeine.

  She drove into town, her body still amped from the thrill of the find, and parked her car in a slushy, gray puddle in front of the Corner Café. Mist accumulated on the windshield and drops merged, sliding down like tears. But it would take more than dreary weather to squelch her spirits.

  One step out of the car and her keys plopped into a puddle. With a curse, she bent to retrieve them. Before she could, a man’s hand reached down and plucked them out.

  “Here you go.”

  She froze. That voice. Deep, but as smooth as honey.

  It had haunted her dreams for two years. It couldn’t be him. His fingers brushed hers as he handed over the keys, sending shivers through her body that had nothing to do with the temperature. She raised her head to stare into the unforgettable sea-green eyes of Scott Evans. Her bruised heart slammed against her rib cage. Where had he been for the last two years?

  He’d left for an undercover DEA job and promised to call.

  Only he never had.

  He blinked as if shocked to see her and then rubbed his forehead. His dark hair fell over the tips of his fingers.

  Her gaze traveled down his fit body. Well-defined chest muscles outlined the crisp, white button-down shirt and tie. A black leather belt cinched his narrow waist. The gun he always carried hung in a holster on his hip. Muscular thighs stretched the fabric of his dark suit pants. She’d once sat on those strong legs, cradled in his lap, while he’d stroked her hair and watched the sunset over Central Park. They’d made sweet love that night, their first time together.

  He straightened. “How are you, Maddie?”

  Polite. It took guts to do polite after she’d bared her soul to him, something she’d never done with another man, and he’d left her with a hollow heart. Two years had passed without a word from him. Not a call. Not a text. Not a letter. She shoved her keys into her jacket pocket. “Shouldn’t you be in Mexico catching bad guys? What are you doing here?”

  He grimaced. “You haven’t changed. Right to the point.”

  “Excuse me. I’m in a hurry.” She tried to step around him, but he blocked her way.

  “I owe you an explanation.”

  “Two years ago, you owed me an explanation. A year ago, an apology. Now, you owe me nothing.” This time she managed a step around him before he placed a hand on her arm.

  “Wait.”

  “What, Scott? What can you possibly say? I thought the time we spent together meant something. Clearly, you didn’t. It’s fine. I know when I’ve been kicked to the curb.”

  “It wasn’t like that.”

  The lines of his face hardened, and pain flashed deep in his eyes.

  He glanced at the ground and then back to her. “It’s…complicated.”

  She fisted her hands to stop herself from reaching out and touching him. Even pissed, she still had the urge to smooth away the sad creases. If she didn’t leave now, he’d suck her back in for another round of hurt and disappointment. “I’m sure. Well, I gotta go.”

  She dropped her gaze to his hand, still on her arm. Warmth radiated from his touch right through her coat. Damn his effect on her.

  “I didn’t realize you were here.” His mouth drew into a thin line. “And now I need to ask a favor.”

  He had to be kidding. She’d given him everything, and it hadn’t been enough. Painful memories threatened to swallow her whole. She shook her head and focused back on him. “I really can’t help you. I have to go.”

  “I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important.”

  His grave expression made her pause. Despite their history, she couldn’t turn her back on him. “What?”

  “Please don’t talk to anyone about my former job with the DEA.”

  “What do you mean? You don’t work for them anymore?”

  “No. I’ve been in the States for a while.” He let go of her arm.

  And there it was. The stinging slap to the face. Her hope that he hadn’t called because he’d been off the grid in Mexico disappeared like a stone dropped into a lake. Her chest ached. “You’ve been here?”

  He waved a hand at the coffee shop. “Not here.”

  She wouldn’t have this conversation. Didn’t need the details. He’d been in the country. “Sorry. I’m out of time.”

  With tears stinging her eyes, she pushed past him and headed to the shop. She swung open the metal-framed door and hurried inside, shutting out the cold morning fog. The comforting aroma of cinnamon buns and hazelnut coffee filled the air, but her erratic pulse refused to calm. She took a deep breath and set her priorities.

  Get coffee. Go to the storage building. Forget Scott.

  Yeah, right. That hadn’t worked when he wasn’t around.

  She glanced about the room. The five small tables were empty, but Tom, dressed in his police uniform, stood by the register. Ugh. They’d been friends long enough that he’d know something was up, and she’d rather chew glass than discuss Scott
. If only she could fall for someone nice and reliable like Tom. Tall, athletic, with sandy hair and brown eyes. Women revved their engines and sped past him on purpose so he would stop them. Except for Maddie. He reminded her of a big, strong teddy bear. Not her type. Nope. She’d left her type standing outside on the sidewalk.

  Tom, who always had a smile for everyone, wore a grim expression.

  Nikki came out from the kitchen, wearing her pink-and-white waitress outfit. She held a finger up to Tom. “Your breakfast sandwich will be ready in a sec. You want your usual, Maddie?”

  Maddie did a doubletake before nodding. Nikki sported yet another hair color, this one blond with bright magenta streaks. She changed her looks more often than a chameleon. Then again, so did most nineteen-year-olds.

  Nikki filled two cups, put lids on them, and slid one across the counter to Tom. “I’m sorry about the promotion. It really sucks that you didn’t get it.”

  He frowned at her.

  “Oops, sorry. I didn’t know it was a secret.” She scrunched up her face and bit her lip.

  Maddie blinked. “What? You didn’t make detective?”

  “Nope. Looks like I stay on patrol.” His shoulders slumped.

  “I’m really sorry.” Her heart sank for him. Everyone had expected Tom to take the place of the retired detective. “Who filled the spot?”

  “Some hotshot New York City cop. Name’s Fisher. No one knows him.”

  Maddie shook her head, paid Nikki, and stuffed money in the tip jar. “Well, whoever he is, he can’t be as good as you. I’m so sorry.”

  “Eh, life goes on. I don’t want to talk about it.”

  Nikki snatched a foil-wrapped sandwich from the kitchen window counter and handed it to Tom. He thanked her and called over his shoulder, “Catch you guys later.”