A Necessary Deception

by Lucy Farago

  “I don’t know what he thought. I haven’t talked to him since. Taylor…well, she had her own reason for doing what she did.”

  Monty’s phone, sitting on the desk, flashed an incoming text. He glanced at it quickly, unwisely getting his hopes up that it was Taylor. “The team just boarded the Paris plane.”

  “Good,” he said with a nod. “Would you like to know what her father’s response was when I told him I was marrying his daughter?”

  “I’m guessing he didn’t care.”

  “Close. He said good riddance; she’d be someone else’s problem now. She loved me. I know she did. But my wounded pride let her believe I cheated on her. I didn’t fight for her. I should have. I’d promised to love her, no matter what. I knew how fragile she was, but I let my pride get in the way. Don’t make my mistake, Monty. Go after her.”

  “If she wanted me there, she’d have asked me to come.”

  Ryan dropped his feet on the floor and laughed with a reproofing shake of his head. “You are such a dumbass. She spent her entire childhood fighting for her father to love her. Does she have to do that with you too?”

  “It’s not what I’m doing.” It wasn’t. Nor could he just show up. “She has her dad back.” He wasn’t about to get between them. He wasn’t going to do to her what had been done to him.

  “So what? Why can’t she have it all? You and her father?”

  “She doesn’t seem to want it,” he admitted, saying out loud what he’d been fearing.

  “You’ll never know until you see her.” Ryan stood and put a hand on Monty’s shoulder. “Don’t sit here and pretend to know what she’s thinking. Look, I don’t presume to have any idea what happened between the two of you in Alaska, but everyone could see how happy you were when you returned. And it had nothing to do with any R and R we’d planned. You willing to let that go?”

  “What if she doesn’t want me? What if she realizes Alaska was…Alaska?” Not knowing wasn’t the same as being told to your face that you rated second best.

  “Then it’s her loss.” Ryan headed for the door. “My plane is fueled and ready to go.”

  * * * *

  Taylor stared at the clock on the wall, too aware of time with each tick. If everything went according to plan, her father was one step closer to being healthier. They’d successfully removed him from the ventilator and he’d been breathing on his own for weeks. For that alone the doctors deserved a medal. The doors to the therapy room opened and she was allowed inside.

  “Watch,” her father said, excitement blazing in his eyes. “Watch what I can do!”

  She smiled her encouragement, knowing whatever he was about to show her had finally lifted his spirits. He always fought hard to hide it from her, to put on a brave face. He didn’t want her to blame herself. He’d done what he’d done, and he’d told her a thousand times he had no regrets. That only made her feel worse but, like him, she did her best not to show it. Could he see through her façade the way she saw through his? She hoped not. She’d sacrificed a lot to be here, but did that compare to how he’d fought her entire life to keep her safe? But she missed Monty. Oh, how she missed him. “I’m watching, Daddy.”

  His right hand inched toward the wheel of his new wheelchair, something he’d learned to do just last week. But this, this was new. His fingers curled around the rubber tire, then flexed open…then he pushed, propelling himself forward. She grinned. “Is that all you got?” she said, unable to stop the tears from flowing.

  “You’re such a smart-ass,” he said.

  She laughed and knelt in front of his chair. “That’s really good, Daddy. I’m so proud of you.”

  He smiled back, and this time, it reached his eyes. He’d been miserable, and the doctors kept repeating his behavior was normal, even the strongest of people would struggle with so much loss. He’d battled hard and did everything they’d told him to, but a part of her believed he was doing it for her. Which made the reason to stay even more important. If she was his motivation, how could she leave his side when every day counted toward his recovery? The more time he spent in that chair, the more likely he’d remain there. The drugs and surgeries only did so much. The rest had to come from him. She only prayed Monty understood. And would wait. But they’d talked less and less, and she was beginning to think she’d already lost him.

  It was her fault. She’d put her father before him, even knowing it was the last thing Monty needed. She of all people should have known what that would do to him, no matter her reason. She’d have to find a way to make him understand. He wasn’t her last anything; he was her everything. She loved him and couldn’t lose him.

  “Now, it’s time,” he said.

  “Time for what, Daddy? You want to go dancing?”

  “Maybe next year.”

  “It’s a date.” And they could catch up on everything else they’d missed as a family.

  Her father drew in a heavy breath, tugging at her heartstrings. Not too long ago a machine had done this for him. “You need to return to the States. Go tell that man you love him.”

  She stood so fast it made her dizzy. “What man?”

  “I guess you come by it honestly,” he said. “Lying. But you, baby girl, can’t pull that shit on your old man.”

  “And to what shit do you refer to? Hmmm?” She’d only mentioned Monty in passing, explaining how he’d saved her ass in Alaska. But what had transpired between the two of them she’d kept to herself. Her father needed to focus on getting better, not what being here was doing to her…relationship—if there was a relationship—with Monty. She couldn’t leave, but nothing was stopping him from coming to Switzerland. Maybe he thought he’d be in the way?

  “You don’t think I know about the secret phone calls?”

  “You spying on me?” she half-joked. Then she dropped her smile when she realized he wasn’t joking.

  “Old habit. Hard to break,” he said unapologetically.

  “You spied on me? How? When?” Should she be upset? Oddly, she wasn’t. He’d loved her enough to keep an eye on her.

  “Let’s get out of here so we can talk.”

  She nodded and then waved to the therapists he’d hired, before rolling her father back to his private rooms. He’d practically commandeered an entire wing, but the hospital had been surprisingly accommodating. Then she’d learned he was building a new wing and understood their generosity. It was a good thing either way. Her dad was made to feel very comfortable and more people would benefit from these treatments.

  “Let’s go outside,” he said. “It’s a nice day.”

  The sun was shining, but late February in Switzerland was about as warm as Alaska. The dull ache in her heart sharpened at the memories she pushed deeper to the back of her mind, the less and less Monty called. “Let me grab a sweater.” She did, then wheeled him onto the balcony with views of the Jungfrau summit of the Bernese Alps.

  “Ryan Sheppard has good men working for him,” her father said, staring out at the winter landscape.

  After everything she’d learned about the man she’d thought she’d known, why was she surprised he knew who Monty worked for? “Does he?”

  “Yes. You know I hire him from time to time? His bodyguards are some of the best in the country. He’d have made you a good husband. Why didn’t you marry him?”

  “I was young and stupid.” And willing to believe lies, because really, who in their right mind would love her if her own father didn’t?

  “That didn’t stop you from marrying Gage,” he said, giving her a pointed stare.

  “Like I said, young and stupid.” And right now, a little ashamed. “So, how much do you know about Monty?”

  “I know about his mother and how she died. And I know he’s a genius when it comes to computers. And the military really hated to see him go. But do me a favor, baby, stay off the Ducati 1098S. Why th
ey make bikes that go that fast is beyond me.”

  “Gee, Daddy. Can you tell me what color underwear he’s wearing right now?”

  “Most likely none. The boy has a penchant for going commando.”

  “How the hell…never mind. I don’t want to know.” An icy wind blew by and caught her hair. She shivered. “Aren’t you cold?”

  “Nah. It feels good. Never dreamed I’d feel anything ever again. But I have to stop all this nonsense and be brave, like my daughter.” He took his eyes off the breathtaking view and beamed up at her.

  “Brave?”

  “You thought I wouldn’t find out about everything that happened in Alaska?”

  What did he mean by everything? “I told you the important stuff.” She’d left out a few of the details; anything she believed might upset him and hurt his recovery. He didn’t have to know about—

  “Where did you learn how to use C-4?”

  Holy—She relaxed a little, knowing there was no way he knew the intimate details about her and Monty. She hoped. “What’s that saying about necessity?”

  “It breeds invention.”

  “Yeah, something like that.” She shivered again.

  “Let’s go in. Can’t have you getting sick.”

  “Considering what I went through in Alaska, I doubt this will make me sick.” She opened the balcony door and wheeled him back inside in time to hear a knock.

  “Are you expecting someone?” Sometimes the doctors stopped by to see his progress.

  “No. Would you mind getting it? I haven’t perfected my new trick.”

  “Funny.” It was good to hear him make jokes.

  She opened the door to be greeted by Nurse Elsa, who met her with a very enthusiastic smile. Behind her stood two young man, their arms laden with boxes.

  “Guten Tag, Fräulein.”

  “Good afternoon, Elsa.”

  “These are for you.” She pointed to the young men’s load. “May we come in?”

  She moved to one side. “What are they?” Had her dad ordered something without telling her? He’d been doing that a lot lately. Where she’d wear the opalescent beaded gown, she didn’t know. He’d been teasing her about taking her dancing one day, so she’d assumed the beautiful gown was meant more to motivate him than for her to actually wear.

  “I don’t know. I was asked to bring them to you. You are to open them and follow the directions inside.”

  “Taylor? Who are they from?” By her father’s confused expression, these weren’t from him.

  “I have no idea.”

  Elsa instructed the men to put one box on the sofa, the other—the longer of the two—on the floor. Her bubbly, “have fun,” said she knew more than she was letting on. Then she left.

  Taylor and her father stared at the mysterious boxes.

  “Are you going to open them?”

  “I guess.” She worked the top off the larger of the two and had to swing it to the side before she could see around it. Confusion was slowly replaced with the rapid beating of her heart.

  “Taylor? What is it?”

  She picked up the white envelope with her name scrolled on top and grinned. “Snowshoes.”

  Chapter 26

  If Monty thought his heart couldn’t pound any faster, he was wrong. One look at Taylor coming out of the limo in the beaded gown her father had insisted on buying, and wearing the luxurious alabaster cashmere coat Monty had chosen to keep her warm, and he couldn’t speak, let alone form a coherent thought. In her hand she held the envelope he’d left in the box.

  The limo driver opened the trunk and, doing as Monty had instructed, spiked the tail of the snowshoes into one of the snowbanks created when they’d cleared the area. He then tipped his hat to them, returned to the limo and drove away, leaving them alone at the base of the mountain.

  Mother Nature offered a flawless backdrop. Uninhibited by city lights, millions of stars blanketed the black sky and showcased a perfect moon. Monty had done his part by stringing thousands of pin lights throughout the two-story evergreens. And impaled in the snow, and some in head-high candelabras, a hundred candles in all sizes and shapes helped set the mood for the evening he prayed would bring them a fresh start. This wasn’t his thing, but it was Taylor’s, and for her he’d be the cornball romantic. And if the gleam he saw in her eyes was any indication, he’d gotten it right.

  Taylor took a tentative step onto the red carpet he’d laid out. Her smile was infectious, and he couldn’t help but laugh, thankfully forcing air into his lungs. She was breathtaking. She hadn’t bothered tying back her hair, and it haloed around her face and flowed over the high collar of her coat. She looked past him, toward the clear bubble tent Ryan had helped find, and quirked an eyebrow. Shaking her head with amusement, she met him at the end of the carpet.

  Taylor opened the envelope and held up the card.

  “‘There snow denying your beauty. Trusting my gut, Monty.’”

  “Did you get the pun?”

  “Oh, was that a pun? And here I thought you couldn’t spell.”

  “Took the entire flight over here to come up with that. Best you show a little appreciation.” He held her hands and placed a kiss on each of her palms, then, hooking her arm under his, he led her through the plastic tunnel and into the dome.

  “Nice tux,” she said with an admiring eye.

  “Armani. Enjoy it while you can. Suits aren’t my thing.”

  “Too bad. You look really handsome.”

  “Beside you, I don’t think so.” Even Mother Nature’s handiwork paled in comparison to Taylor. He pushed aside the flap and escorted her inside.

  She gasped, and her hand flew to her heart. “Wow. You did all this for me?” she said, her eyes taking in the pillow-covered sofa and fur-lined floor before settling on the table.

  “Yes.” He’d realized he’d do anything for her, but was he too late?

  Some on the floor, some on wooden pedestals, crystal vases filled with bouquets of white lilies, Taylor’s favorite flower, were scattered throughout the room and around the ivory linen-covered table. Set for two, the china and crystal glasses sparkled in the candlelight, but not as much as Taylor’s smile when she spotted the silver tray, set to one side, with a single red rose on it.

  “Is that what I think it is?”

  “My understanding is that it’s not talked about until after dinner.” At least that was how it was done on the YouTube video he’d researched from The Bachelor.

  She covered her mouth as her eyes glazed over. “How?”

  “After your dad and I talked, I enlisted the team to help with the tent. It’s heated, by the way. And by the time I flew here, it was set up. The flowers, the candles, the food, that was the easy part.”

  “The coat. Thank you. It’s beautiful.” She ran her hands down her arms. “And soft.”

  “Just like you.”

  “Is that a dig?”

  “A dig? No—”

  “’Cause I’ll have you know, I’ve been working out.” She took off the coat and gave it to him to hold. “Look.” She flexed her biceps. “Strong like bull,” she said, her German accent too funny.

  He couldn’t help but laugh. She was so darn cute…she’d been perfect to him before and he told her as much.

  “Sure, I bet you loved dragging my ass up that hill.”

  He bobbed his head from side to side. “I kinda did. You have one fine ass.”

  “Really?” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “That’s what you were thinking? Not how much I was slowing us down?”

  “To be honest, I was thinking how such a fine ass could move so slowly.”

  She punched his shoulder.

  “Ow, careful. You don’t know your own strength.”

  She opened her mouth for a comeback, but he put an end to their banter
with a kiss. God, he’d missed her, and he hoped like hell all of this wasn’t for nothing. And, more importantly, would it be enough? And as much as he wanted to, he couldn’t keep kissing her all night. Maybe later, in the other room, with the stars looking down at them, they could finish where they’d left off. Maybe this romance stuff wasn’t all bad. He hung her coat on one of the hooks by the door, then held her chair for her. After seating her, he went to the insulated food transport container and removed the first of the covered plates, putting one at each of the settings. Then he took a seat.

  “I hope you’re hungry.”

  “Starving. Dad’s therapy ran late today, and I didn’t have time to eat lunch.”

  “Good.” He lifted her cover.

  She laughed. “Chili. You’re serving me chili?”

  “Not just any chili. That’s chili fit for a king. Literally. That lamb chili was prepared by one of Europe’s youngest three-star chefs.”

  She looked up from her bowl. “How do you know a Michelin-star chef?”

  “I met him a few years ago, when I bought my bike in Italy. We did a couple of rides…and I may have given him an undetectable police scanner. Highways out here are crazy, but in the city, the cops like it when you don’t run over tourists.”

  “Well, then, it must be delicious.” She dipped her spoon in and tasted. “Hmm. There’s wine in here.”

  “Wait,” he said, jumping up and going back to the food container. He returned with a bread basket and passed her a warm roll. “You have to taste these. They’re amazing.”

  She tore off a small piece and popped it in her mouth. She closed eyes and chewed. “Can I have this guy’s number?”

  “Hey, the only number you need is mine.”

  She set down the bread and brushed off her hands, her expression serious. “Why did you stop calling me?”

  He crossed his fingers, and if his shoes weren’t so tight, he would have crossed his toes too. He shrugged, embarrassed that his own insecurities had gotten the best of him. “I didn’t want to get between you and your dad.”