Her news was unbelievably wonderful against the odds. “Sean’s going to be all right? You’re sure?”
She nodded.
Relief poured off him like the rain shed from a raw mountainside. The tension he’d carried eased a little. If Caitlin’s gift was back because she’d returned home…
What had she said? “You resigned?”
“I’m not cut out to be an operative. I told Byron I’m staying here to take care of Dad.”
Mac couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard Caitlin call her father “Dad” with such emotion in her voice. Whatever change occurred seemed to have broken her walls of reserve and rebellion. His Cait, his best friend, had returned.
****
Caitlin fidgeted under Mac’s stare. Her father was going to be okay. That had to be enough. She’d been gifted many miracles today. She had no right to want more. Wishing for things to be different between her and Mac was asking too much. She wasn’t willing to tempt fate. He’d been her best friend once. Yesterday, he’d said he was still her friend. Maybe he’d be willing to rebuild what they once had. And forgive her for wanting more than he could give.
“Mac, I’m sorry about yesterday. All the yesterdays.”
A muscle worked in his cheek. “What do mean?”
“It was selfish to want you to feel about me the same way I feel about you.”
He moved closer. His brown eyes seemed to soften. “Tell me again how you feel about me.”
Caitlin shook her head. “That doesn’t matter now. I truly want us to be friends again. Can we?”
“Only friends? That isn’t what you told me yesterday. A lot has changed between us in the last couple of days.”
He took another step closer. If she wanted, she could touch him. She wanted to, oh so badly. Instead, she buried her hands in her pockets. She licked her lips. “Couldn’t we at least try to be friends?”
He traced a fiery trail up her arm with his fingers. His hand came to rest on her shoulder. His fingers twined into a lock of hair.
A shudder of desire rocketed through her. This wasn’t how she should react. He was only taking care of her, as a brother would. Maybe he was testing her sincerity to maintain a platonic relationship. She tightened her lips in an effort to control her emotions.
“Don’t.” His tone was firm.
Her lips parted. “Don’t what?”
Both hands rested on her shoulders now. “Don’t hide from me anymore. If you’re truly done running away, then prove it.”
“What do you mean?”
Mac shook his head. “I’m sorry, Caitlin. I don’t think we can capture what’s been let out of the cage. I won’t do that to you.”
Disappointment flooded her.
Mac would always see through her. Her very un-sister-like love had destroyed a cherished relationship. She took a breath. Losing Mac cut to the quick. Her recklessness had insulted his sense of propriety. Mac was loyal and honorable. He’d never accept her as anything other than family. Her actions even strained that relationship. She couldn’t expect him to be any different. Meeting his gaze was difficult, but she did. “I understand.”
“Then your gift isn’t back.”
“What?”
He lowered his head. Caitlin’s lips parted just as his mouth captured hers. This was no brotherly kiss. He pulled her against him. A gasp opened her lips and his tongue slipped inside to tangle with hers. Heat flooded her entire being. The next moment, her arms wrapped around his neck, bringing him closer.
When he finally lifted his head, she was speechless.
He traced her trembling lips with his thumb. “I can’t be just your friend,” he admitted. “I sure as hell won’t be your brother.”
Ecstasy sang through her veins. “Then that doesn’t leave many options.”
“I can think of one.” He lowered his head to kiss her again. “Soul mates.”
Epilogue
Spring was coming. A warm, late March wind blew up the canyon and rattled the FOR SALE sign in Grandma Mac’s front yard. That sign was coming down today. After heated negotiations and compromise, Caitlin had gotten her way and could now call the MacAlistair house her own. And not just because she carried the same last name. She’d bought her share, fair and square, although she suspected that Mac had tucked her check away into a rainy day fund. Something Grandma Mac would approve of.
Six months had passed since the fire, the shooting, and her father’s surgery. The authorities had only apprehended a few of the buyers for the pathogens. The rest seemingly scattered in the wind. Northstar was credited for providing the intel. Sean had left the hospital in a wheelchair, but since then he’d upgraded to a cane and insisted on walking under his own power.
Pain-free for the first time in years, he was a force to be reckoned with. He’d remodeled the garage and added office space to the house, setting up his own private investigation service. Then he’d hired Caitlin as a full-time agent.
She was glad to be nearby, working in a field she loved, and still able to keep an eye on her father to make sure he didn’t overdo. She’d even talked him into temporarily closing the office for the wedding. Surprisingly, he’d agreed. And while she and Mac were on their honeymoon, Sean took a well-earned vacation back east, to visit his former partner, Byron O’Neal.
“Ready?” Mac slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side as they started up the sidewalk. “Let’s go play house.”
Caitlin laughed. “You hated playing house when were kids.”
Mac stopped and drew back. “I did not.”
“Did too.”
“I didn’t mind being the dad when I got to boss you around.” He nuzzled her neck. “I know I’ll like playing the husband, this time around.”
She snuggled closer, basking in his warmth and feeling the joy of his love all the way to her core. “And I’ll like playing the wife.”
“Are you two going to stand out in the cold all day?” Sean called from the open door where he stood with a glower on his face. “I thought I was getting the grand tour.”
“We’re coming!” Caitlin winked at Mac. “Looks like you’ll have to wait until the chaperone leaves before you can start playing house.”
Mac smiled. “I’m a very patient man. Look how long I waited for you.”
“Seriously?” She punched him in the arm. “You’d still be waiting if I hadn’t pushed you.”
“Ouch.” He rubbed his shoulder. “Have you been working out? That hurt.”
“Wimp.” She replaced his hand with hers and rubbed the spot she’d struck. “I need to stay in shape for the job. With Dad handling the paperwork and clients, I’m doing all the field work.”
Mac wrapped both arms around her and leaned down until his forehead touched hers. “I won’t stop worrying about you, but at least you’ve put your training to good use right here, instead of back at Northstar. I’m glad you didn’t give up your dream.” The kiss started as a gentle probe, then turned hot, nearly melting Caitlin on the spot, proving that the honeymoon wasn’t over yet.
She was breathless when Mac lifted his head. Wonder filled her when she thought about how lucky she was and how much she loved this man. Her whispered words were heartfelt. “Working for Dad is just a job. You’re my dream, Mac.”
He leaned in for another kiss.
Somewhere behind her, Caitlin heard Sean come out of the house and shut the door. He muttered as he limped past, “Don’t mind me. I’m just gonna call Jack and see if he’s up for a card game. You two just keep playing house.”
A word about the author…
Stanalei’s love of writing romance stems from reading favorites such as Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Barbara Cartland, and Alistair MacLean. She has over twenty years in the martial arts and holds the rank of Sandan, a third-degree black belt, in Aikido.
After a taste of life on both U.S. coasts, she now resides in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her hero, who is also her best friend and husband. Together th
ey enjoy the open road astride a Harley, visiting museums and exploring ghost towns.
You may visit Stanalei at:
www.stanaleifletcher.com.
Thank you for purchasing
this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Proving Ground Page 22