The Mercenary And The Marriage Vow

by Doreen Roberts

  Nat did the only thing he could do under the circumstances. He looked the man in the eye, shrugged and said, “Hey, at least I offered her protection.”

  Not a muscle in the guy’s face moved. He put the coffee down, muttered something about their order and lumbered off to the kitchen.

  Nat looked at Valeri.

  Her face was scarlet, her eyes mirroring her embarrassment. “You are unbelievable,” she said in a hoarse whisper.

  He couldn’t help it. He felt the grin tugging at his mouth and gave in to it. “The poor guy looks as if he could use a little excitement in his life. He’s probably back there right now, scribbling it all down for future reference.”

  The resentment in her eyes slowly died. Her mouth twitched. “He doesn’t look the type.”

  “To use protection?”

  “To play swashbuckler in the mountains with a captured maiden.”

  “Ah.” His grin widened. “You have to admit, things got a little exciting.”

  “That’s a tad more excitement than I care to deal with.”

  Her reluctant smile warmed him far more than the coffee could ever do. “Come on, admit it,” he said softly. “You’ll miss me when this is all over.”

  The smile stayed on her face, but he was pleased to see a hint of regret in her eyes. “Don’t push your luck, Mr. Thorne.”

  He held her gaze for a long moment, then offered her his hand. “Truce?”

  She smiled and clasped his fingers. “Truce.”

  He held her hand in his for as long as he dared, then reluctantly let her go. He watched her pick up her coffee and breathe in the fragrance before taking a sip.

  “You know,” she said, setting down her mug, “as much as I hate to admit it, I really think Alex is going to like you.”

  Pleased with the comment, he said lightly, “He’s not going to be too happy to hear that you could have been here two days ago if I hadn’t abducted you.”

  “I think he’ll forgive you, under the circumstances.”

  “I hope so. I know I’m going to like him. Any man who can father a woman like you is my kind of man.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “It’s meant as one.”

  She met his gaze. Although the smile still lingered on her face, there was a certain reservation in her eyes now that hadn’t been there before. He felt sad. He had the feeling she’d decided to stay on her side of the line from now on. He was going to miss those hot invitations in her eyes.

  When the food arrived, they fell into a comfortable silence, which lasted while they ate. The breakfast was surprisingly good, although the service could have been a little more gracious. Their disagreeable waiter slapped plates down as if he couldn’t wait to see the back of them, and studiously ignored their empty coffee mugs.

  Nat cleaned his plate, and was happy to see Valeri do the same. He hoped the meal had improved her well-being as much as it had his.

  The bathrooms, it turned out, were outside the restaurant, and he waited for her, leaning against the wall in the sunshine. When she emerged, she appeared to be walking a little easier.

  He would have to do something about a car, he thought as they set off down the road toward the motel. It was doubtful he’d find anything to rent in this one-horse town. He’d probably have to buy an old heap and hope it would get them back to Sacramento.

  Remembering Valeri’s comment about the Volvo, he almost smiled. She wasn’t going to be too happy with his next purchase, either. He never spent much money on cars. Most of his traveling about was done overseas, and he was used to making the best of whatever transport was available at the time.

  They reached the first motel, and Valeri would have rushed inside if Nat hadn’t stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “Wait a minute, we’ve got to be careful. They could have been Sabhad’s men asking about your father, but they could also have been the police. We can’t just go in and ask if Alex Forrester is registered here. The others could have left word to contact them if anyone asks for him. In any case, it’s doubtful he’d use his real name.”

  She looked up at him with a helpless expression, reminding him potently of how good it felt to kiss her. “What are we going to do, then?”

  “Leave it to me. I’ve done this before. Wait for me by the door.”

  He was happy to see that the receptionist was female and middle-aged. He leaned an elbow on the desk and gave her his sexiest smile. “I wonder if you’d mind helping me,” he murmured, his gaze intent on the flustered woman’s face. “I’m supposed to meet a client here, and I’ve lost the guy’s card. Can’t for the life of me remember his name. I know he was supposed to check in here sometime during the last three days. That’s all I do know, I’m afraid.”

  The woman’s eyes took on a glazed expression as Nat leaned closer. “Uh...what does he look like?”

  Nat smiled, and propped his chin on his elbow. He let his gaze wander down to the woman’s mouth and linger there. A dull flush spread over her sallow cheeks.

  “I’ve never met the guy,” he said softly. “But maybe we can narrow it down. How many people have checked in here during the last three days?”

  The receptionist reached for a thick bound ledger, and stared at it. “Three people, I guess,” she said at last.

  “Good. Did you happen to be here when they checked in?”

  She glanced at him, blushed again and looked back- at the book. “Only one of them. A Mr. Wilkins. Then there’s a Mr. and Mrs. Carsini, but I didn’t see them.”

  “Ah. Then how about Mr. Wilkins? How old would you say he was?”

  “Oh, he’s just a teenager.” She looked shyly back at Nat.

  He looked deep into her eyes. “A teenager?”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Mmm, hmm. I’m sure. He didn’t look any older than my youngest son, and he’s nineteen.”

  “Well.” Nat straightened, and gave her one more smile. “I guess I must have the wrong motel, after all.”

  “There’s one down the road.” The woman pointed eagerly out the window. “The Sunset Inn. Six blocks away.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. I’m much obliged.” He backed away, still smiling at the receptionist who grinned foolishly back.

  Behind him. Valeri said caustically, “You deserve an Academy Award for that performance.”

  He grinned at her. “Jealous?”

  She made a sound of exasperation in the back of her throat and marched out the door.

  She seemed subdued as they headed out to the second motel. Nat chatted on about nothing in particular, trying to keep her mind from dwelling on her father. She had begun to limp again by the time they reached the Sunset Inn. She couldn’t go much farther without a car.

  The desk clerk at the Sunset Inn was younger, prettier and less susceptible than the first woman. Even so, Nat managed to get enough information out of her to confirm that Alex was not at that motel, either.

  Valeri did not take the news well. For a moment she looked as if she would question the clerk herself, and Nat gently took her arm and guided her across the foyer to the front door. “Don’t make too much of a fuss,” he said as he ushered her outside. “We don’t want people remembering too much, just in case someone should come in asking questions later.”

  She looked up at him, and his fingers tightened on her arm when he saw the desperation in her eyes. “Where are we going to look now?”

  “Every available room in Sylvan Springs. Just as soon as I buy some transportation.”

  “He could have gone back to Sacramento.”

  “He could have. You could call your apartment and see if he’s left any messages. Though I can’t imagine he’d do that if the police are looking for him.”

  She looked down the street, her misery mirrored in her face. “I don’t know what to do. Even if he’s in Sacramento, I wouldn’t know where to begin looking for him.”

  “There’s also the question of how he’d get there.” Nat shaded his e
yes to look down the street. “For what it’s worth, it’s my bet he’s still here in town.”

  “You think so?”

  He heard the hope in her voice and hated himself for putting it there. What he actually thought was that it was very likely Sabhad’s men had found Alex and whisked him off to the mansion. That was the best scenario.

  The worst was that once Sabhad had the disks back, Alex would be dispensable. Since he was already on the run, it wouldn’t be that difficult to dispose of him. The police would simply think he was still in hiding.

  Nat couldn’t bring himself to voice either possibility. He glanced at Valeri’s set face. They had to at least search the entire town. There was still a slight chance that Alex had found somewhere safe to hole up, and was waiting it out until Valeri found him. Until he’d exhausted every avenue, Nat promised himself, he wasn’t going to destroy her hopes.

  “We passed a garage a little way back there,” he said, taking hold of her arm again. “Let’s go see if they’ve got something we can drive that they’re willing to part with.” “What will you do about your old car?”

  “Collect the insurance, I guess. Maybe it’ll be enough to cover the cost of another one.”

  “I’ll have to do the same when I get back to Sacramento.”

  He felt guilty, knowing it was his fault she’d wrecked her car. He had a lot to make up for, one way or another. Maybe finding her father would help settle the score. Even if he had to go back to Sabhad to find him.

  At first Valeri thought the garage was deserted when she walked onto the forecourt with Nat, but then a door in the side wall opened with a loud squeak and a wizened little man came hobbling toward them.

  “Morning, folks,” he said in a scratchy voice that sounded as if he had a bad cold. “Need some help?”

  “I need some transportation,” Nat told him. “Where can I find something that’s cheap and still goes?”

  The old man scratched his white head, looked at Valeri with curious gray eyes, then gave Nat a toothless smile. “How desperate are you?”

  Nat shrugged. “As desperate as my wallet can afford.”

  “Well, I might have something for you. Come on round the back. It hasn’t been driven in quite a while, but it should get you wherever you’re going.”

  He ambled off to the back of the building, and Nat looked at Valeri. “You want to wait here?”

  “No, I’ll come with you.” She didn’t want to be left alone on the street. She had the creepy feeling that Sabhad’s men were waiting around every corn ready to pounce on her.

  She followed the men around the building to where a decrepit-looking pickup sat next to a motor home that looked as if it had been partially destroyed by a fire.

  “You folks doing some traveling?” the old man asked, his eyes darting to Valeri again. “We don’t git many visitors in this town.”

  “Honeymoon,” Nat said, giving Valeri a lecherous wink. “We wrecked the car, and we need something to get us home until we can collect on the insurance.”

  “Not a good way to start a marriage, I reckon.” The old man leered at Valeri, who valiantly resisted the urge to kick Nat in the shin.

  “Oh, we’ve managed, haven’t we, hon?” Nat said cheerfully.

  The old man chuckled. “Reckon you would at that.”

  Valeri glared at Nat. “I thought we came in here to buy a car.”

  “Oh, I ain’t got no cars, missy.” The man waved a hand at the pickup. “This here’s all I got, unless you want that old camper over there. Got pretty well gutted out inside, but it runs pretty good.”

  Nat strolled over and peered into the shattered window of the camper. “What happened to it?”

  “Stove caught afire. Damn fool kids playing around with it. The owners traded it in on a station wagon.”

  Valeri crossed her fingers behind her back, praying Nat wouldn’t take the camper. Compared to that, the Volvo was a luxury.

  Nat walked around the pickup and kicked the tires. “What about this one?”

  “It runs okay. Rattles a bit, but gets better mileage than that gas-guzzler.”

  “How much?”

  Nat nodded at what seemed to Valeri to be ridiculously high for a piece of junk. “I’d like to take it around the block,” he said, peering in through the window.

  “Hold on a jiff, I’ll get the keys.” He rushed off, obviously delighted to have a potential sale.

  “It’s not much,” Nat said, running a hand over the hood, “but it will get us back to Sacramento. That’s if I can get him down to my price.”

  In spite of her worry, Valeri felt like laughing. “Somehow I don’t think you’ll have too much problem. You could charm the rattler off a snake.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “Dare I assume that’s a compliment?”

  She managed a casual shrug. “Some people might think so, I guess.”

  He started to answer her, but the old man reappeared, a set of keys chinking in his hand. “You drive,” he said as he unlocked the door. He looked at Valeri. “Keep an eye on the place, will you? I don’t like to leave it open as a rule. You never know these days.”

  “Sure.” She watched him disappear around the other side of the pickup.

  Nat winked at Valeri. “I’ll be back before you have time to miss me.”

  “That could take forever.” She watched him climb up into the cab, knowing that wasn’t true. She was going to miss him. More than he would ever know.

  The engine coughed a few times, then finally caught. Valeri closed her eyes against the choking dust as the pickup lurched forward, then rattled and banged its way out of the yard.

  If Sabhad’s men knew they’d bought that old wreck, she thought as she listened to Nat’s noisy progress down the street, they’d be able to hear them all over the mountains.

  The noise had barely died away before she heard the pickup coming back. It bounced into the yard and came to a shuddering stop. Nat climbed down from the cab, shook his head at Valeri, then waited for the old man to join him.

  “That thing’s going to fall apart before it gets ten miles,” Nat said, handing the keys back to their owner.

  “I never said it was in tip-top condition,” the old man said, sounding indignant.

  “The way that thing runs, I doubt if it was ever in tip-top condition.” Nat frowned, his fingers rubbing his chin. “I’ll give you half what you’re asking.”

  “Half?” The man’s voice rose to a squeak. “It’s worth a hell of a lot more than that.”

  Valeri sighed. For some reason men really seemed to enjoy haggling over car prices.

  The old man argued, but he was no match for Nat. After practically halving his original price, he led Nat into his office to sign the papers.

  Balanced on a rickety chair, Valeri listened with half an ear as Nat fielded the man’s questions. The room was too warm, and smelled of gasoline and stale tobacco. Engine parts, piles of cans, torn upholstery and half-empty cartons cluttered every conceivable space, leaving a small square in one corn for a battered desk and a couple of chairs.

  She watched the man scribble on the form in front of him with a shaky hand. Papers littered the desk, falling out of a tray that obviously held weeks of work waiting to be filed.

  Idly she glanced at the top sheet. The company logo at the top caught her eye. She leaned forward to take a closer look, and almost choked.

  She was looking at it upside down, but there was no mistaking the scrawl at the bottom of the page. She’d often teased Alex about his flamboyant signature. Now she was sitting in this squalid little office, staring right at it.

  Chapter 10

  Valeri glanced at Nat, who was intent on watching the old man scribble down the figures. There was no way she could see what Alex had signed without being obvious. Unless she could somehow knock the sheet of paper onto the floor.

  She leaned forward, pretending to look over Nat’s shoulder. He looked at her in surprise when she laid her hand on his back as
if to steady herself.

  “How much longer, darling?” she said sweetly. “It’s awfully warm in here.”

  “I’m almost done,” the old man muttered.

  Nat gave her an odd look. “You want to wait outside for me?”

  She smiled at him. “I think maybe I will.” She straightened, sticking out her elbow as she did so. “I...Oh! Excuse me.” She pretended to stare in horror at the pile of papers she’d just scattered on the floor. “How clumsy of me.”

  She stooped to pick them up, her hands hidden from the sight of the old man, who hadn’t even looked up. Shuffling the papers- together, she picked out the one with Alex’s signature and looked at it. It was dated two days earlier.

  Scanning the lines, she realized it was a rental agreement. According to the form, Alex had rented a room at the garage for one week. His scrawl was shaky and totally illegible to anyone who didn’t know it, but she had no doubt it was his.

  They could have searched for him all week and not found him. And now, presumably, here he was in a room right above her head.

  She picked up the pile of papers and laid them neatly back in the tray. When she looked at Nat, he was staring at her with narrowed eyes. She couldn’t resist giving him a grin of triumph.

  She’d found Alex. That’s if he was still here.

  She couldn’t wait for Nat to finish the transaction. Finally, the doddery old man handed over the keys and a copy of the papers.

  It took another five minutes of idle chatter before Nat could finally unlock the door of the pickup again and give her a boost into the front seat. She fought the urge to look up at the window that overlooked the yard. Maybe Alex was watching them right now, she thought with a little surge of excitement.

  The smell inside the cab made her wrinkle her nose, and the heat almost suffocated her. In a fever of impatience, she wound down the window and waited for Nat to climb in beside her. Finally he slid onto the seat, still answering one of the old man’s questions. He slammed the door, and wound down the window.

  “No air conditioner, I’m afraid,” he said as he fitted the key into the ignition. The engine sputtered, and then died. Nat swore, and tried again. This time the engine gave a weak cough, sputtered again and caught.