Rescue Her Heart

by K C Luck

  Nat chuckled. "Sorry," she said. "I was thinking, and actually, yes, the question is hard." Nat saw Dee nod.

  “This has to do with Catherine, doesn’t it?” she asked, but Nat could tell she already knew the answer. “Let me guess, you fell in love with her already and now the idea of leaving her for months at a time while you go on missions concerns you.” Nat nodded.

  “Exactly,” she said. “How can I ask her to tie herself down? It’s not fair to either of us. Besides, she is downstairs right now having a reunion with her father and mother. I don’t know how that will impact us either.”

  “Reunion?” Vic asked with a puzzled look on her face. “What kind of reunion?”

  Nat shook her head. "That is a hell of a complicated story and even I don't know all of it," she said. "I am just hoping it is going okay for her. Being stuck up here in this bed is driving me nuts because if things do not have the happy ending she wants, I can't be there to console her."

  “Which is what it comes down to,” Dee interjected. “You wanting to be there. To take care of the woman.” Nat considered Dee’s words and knew they rang true. She did want that and slowly she nodded.

  “Yes,” she admitted. “It is what I want.” Dee tilted her head.

  “More than your career with the Space Rangers?” she asked. Before Nat could answer, Catherine spoke up from the door.

  “Why are you making her choose?” Catherine asked and when Nat looked over, Catherine was glaring at Dee. “You don’t think I can handle being a Ranger’s girlfriend? That I won’t be faithful?” Dee raised her hands, palms out in surrender.

  "Whoa," she said. "I'm not saying that necessarily, but from what I've heard and seen, it's no easy street." Catherine came to stand beside Nat at the head of the bed and put her hand on her shoulder. The touch was loving but possessive, and Nat loved the feel of it.

  “I think we’ve already proven we can survive more than the average couple,” she said and bent down to kiss Nat on the lips. “I’ll wait for you always,” Catherine said softly to Nat as she pulled back. “Always.”

  “Well, there you go,” Vic said playfully. “Happy, Dee?” Nat looked at her longtime friend and saw she was conflicted. It seemed she wanted to believe Catherine but was wary too. Trying to ease the tension, Nat changed the subject.

  “How did it go with your dad and mom?” she asked and was relieved when Catherine’s face lit up at the question.

  "Better than I could have ever hoped for," she answered. "I have a lot to tell you, but for now they are talking in the coffee shop." Catherine shook her head. "Everything is so incredible and I have you to thank for all of it, Nat. All because you love me." Nat saw Dee tilt her head at Catherine's last statement and Nat decided it was time to let her friend know how deeply she felt for Catherine.

  “I do love you, Catherine,” she said. “And I know you won’t make me choose, but I’ve decided the Space Rangers are not for me any longer. I want to start a new chapter in my life. And I want you in it.” Nat saw Catherine shake her head as she took Nat’s hands in hers.

  “No,” she said. “I won’t make you give it up. I can handle it.” Dee waved her hands interrupting the conversation.

  “Okay, okay,” she said. “I get it. You love her and she loves you.”

  “Aw, come on, Dee, don’t be a bitch,” Vic said.

  “I’m not,” Dee snapped at her friend. “In fact, I’m pretty sure they are going to be damn happy about what I’m going to say next.” Nat frowned.

  “What are you talking about?” she asked as Catherine looked at the woman too. Dee shook her head.

  "I'm probably going to catch hell for this since it is not public knowledge yet," Dee said. "But even with your injury, the Space Rangers want to keep you. So, they are going to offer you a teaching position at the Academy on Untas." Nat's mouth dropped open.

  “Are you kidding?” she asked. “Why didn't you tell me?” Dee shrugged.

  “I wanted to know how serious you really were about Catherine before I muddied the waters with the option,” she answered and then Nat watched her friend look Catherine hard in the eye. “But I can see she does love you enough, so there you go.”

  Nat looked at Catherine and saw tears starting to spill down her cheeks. “Would you do it?” the woman asked. “Would you settle for being an instructor?” Nat smiled and took Catherine’s face in her hands.

  “Nothing would make me happier,” she said. “The real question is do you want me to? It will mean you’re stuck with me hanging around.” Catherine laughed out a sob of happiness.

  “I do. I so do,” she said. “I could not ask for anything more.”

  THE END

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  If you enjoyed KC Luck’s Rescue Her Heart, read on for an exciting new preview of

  DARKNESS FALLS

  IF THE LIGHTS GO OUT forever, can love survive?

  When four women from different walks of life are brought together by fate to witness the end of the world as they know it, each must find a way to survive against the odds as well as learn to rely on each other.

  The end of the world is only the beginning.

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CJXHG9N (US)

  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CJXHG9N (UK)

  DARKNESS FALLS - CHAPTER 1

  The attic was dusty and dark but for the single bulb hanging on a cord in the middle of the large space. Thankful she brought a flashlight, Anna Patten snapped it on and looked around. Years of keepsakes were piled everywhere. Boxes and furniture, clothes on racks, and old sporting equipment. This is what happens when a house stays in a family for three generations, she thought and started to work her way to the back of the attic. It seemed like a good enough place to start as any. Shining the light in her hand to the left and the right, she stopped when it fell on a box with her name written in marker on the side. Keepsakes from my childhood?

  After Anna moved away and the house was empty, but for her parents, her mom had converted Anna's bedroom into a quilting room. Anna had never been sure what happened to her softball trophies or shelf after shelf of books. Now I know, she thought and set the flashlight on a table where it shone at the box. Opening it, Anna smiled as memories immediately began to wash over her. Her senior yearbook from Astoria High School was right on top, and Anna picked it up to flip through some of the pages. As if by fate, it opened to a photo of Anna and two of her closest friends joking around after a home football game. They were all decked out in purple and gold spirit wear, and Anna was even wearing a letterman's jacket. It belonged to the team's all-state running back, Mitch Wallace. Now that brings back memories. Their relationship had been complicated even by normal high school standards. Mitch was gay but afraid to death of anyone finding out. In a small town in Oregon in the 1980s, being a star athlete did not pair well with having an alternative lifestyle. So Anna was his beard, so to speak, and she never minded. It kept all the other boys from trying to get in her pants. And the ruse helped with other things too, Anna Patten, and you know it.

  Not wanting to think about all of those details right now, Anna flipped the page and scanned the other pictures. She realized she was in a lot of them. As senior class president and one of the top academic students, Anna remembered being extremely busy and it showed in how well she was represented in the annual. The hard work had paid off though, and she earned a full-ride scholarship to Stanford. That opportunity to leave town and head out of state could not have come at a better time, she thought. Her life in Astoria had become complicated and confusing. Thinking of it all now, Anna paused. A part of her wanted to flip to the autograph page at the back of the book, yet another part of her was uneasy. Why is my h
eart beating faster while I consider this? Feeling foolish for hesitating about something so silly, Anna defiantly turned to the last page of the yearbook. At first, she did not see the words she was looking for and then her eyes fell on them. In neat, clear script were five words and reading them now made Anna catch her breath.

  WHENEVER YOU ARE READY,

  LEXI

  NOT MORE THAN FIVE miles away down a dirt country road, Lexi Scott walked with her two golden retrievers along the fence line of her twelve-acre property. Even though it was early, the sun was warm for an April morning. The tall grass was damp though and Lexi knew she would have to rub her two dogs down before she let them back in the old farmhouse she called home. As if wanting to let her know it was worth it, Rosy came bounding alongside her with a grin on her face. Her brother Clem was right behind her, and the two of them romped in a circle around Lexi. "What are you two crazies up to this morning?" Lexi asked them. Clem barked as if he could understand her and Lexi chuckled. "You don't say?" Picking up a stick from the grass, Lexi held it up for her two dogs to see and the animals immediately paused in their antics to focus on what their master was doing. "Sit," Lexi commanded, and both dogs obeyed instantly. "Now wait for it ... one, two, three!" Lexi threw the stick with all her might, and the dogs tore after it. The throw was a good one, and Lexi smiled. Even at forty-three, she knew her arm was still better than most.

  When she was eighteen, the college recruiters had come knocking with softball scholarships, but she was not interested. To her, the game was a hobby, and so she settled for going to the local community college to take writing classes. In the end, the decision was the right one as her talent at creating imaginary worlds proved lucrative. Although she knew she would never be a Stephen King or a Nora Roberts, Lexi had a strong base of followers who always bought her books, and so she cranked out one or two a year in order to live very comfortably. It was with those funds she was able to buy the old Reynolds' place five years before and slowly fix it up. The project was a challenge from the start as Lexi knew little about remodeling, but it turned into a labor of love as she found joy and fulfillment in bringing the house and the land back to life. Not to mention it was the distraction I needed at the time, she thought with a heavy sigh. I should never have gone to that damn high school reunion. It was dumb then, just like it is dumb thinking about it now.

  With a shake of her head to try and clear the unwelcome thoughts, Lexi started walking again and called to her dogs. Before the animals could get all the way back to her, Lexi’s cell phone rang and, grateful for the distraction, she answered. “This is Lexi,” she said.

  “Good morning, big sister,” Lexi heard her sibling Jackie Scott say. “Out walking the fence line I assume?” Lexi chuckled.

  “You know it,” she answered. “And let me guess. You’re racing way too fast down the I-5 through the heart of Seattle because you’re late for a meeting.”

  "Actually, I'm on the 405, but pretty much yes," Jackie said, and Lexi could tell she was smiling. "But I did not call to chit chat about directions. I want to know if you're still coming up the weekend after next for my birthday."

  "Wouldn't dare miss it," Lexi said even though the last thing she wanted was to drive three hours into big city traffic, but this was a milestone birthday, and Lexi was pretty sure Jackie was not looking forward to it. All the more reason to rub it in, Lexi thought and grinned. “After all, you are turning the big four-oh,” she said. There was a pause on the phone.

  “You’re loving this, aren’t you?” Jackie said. Lexi laughed.

  “More than you can imagine,” she answered.

  TAYLOR BARNES WAITED in the guard's booth at the end of the parking ramp and checked her Apple watch for the time. She was happy to see Jackie Scott was due any minute and checked herself in the small mirror. Taylor knew she was being ridiculous carrying a crush on the classy but infinitely sexy CEO of Vibrant magazine, but the flirting was harmless, and the extra attention always made Jackie smile. As if on cue, the familiar red Audi R8 coupe came screeching around the corner and shot down the ramp. As it slowed for the gate, Taylor watched to see if the driver's side window would roll down. It was a cue Taylor had learned early on. If it went down, Jackie was in a good mood and would be willing to chat for a minute or not. Taylor was pleased to see the window dropping and stepped out of the booth. "Good morning, Ms. Scott," Taylor said as she leaned forward to look into the car and make a quick appraisal of Jackie's designer outfit. Taylor was indeed no expert, but if she had to guess the soft gray dress was expensive. Considering how fantastic she looks in it, I’d say the money was well worth it, Taylor thought.

  "Good morning to you too, Taylor," Jackie said with a smile. "Are you working tomorrow?" Taylor lifted an eyebrow. Tomorrow was Saturday, and therefore she usually had it off although other than spending the day at the gym and the evening with a good book, she had no plans.

  “Depends on who is asking,” she replied. Jackie tilted her head. It was a flirtatious move and Taylor wondered if Jackie knew she was doing it. Probably not, Taylor thought. Although Taylor had only been working as a guard for three months, she had yet to see Jackie with anyone, but her guess was the woman was straight. Unfortunately.

  “Well, I’m asking,” Jackie said. “I have a late afternoon meeting so I’ll need someone to let me into the garage.” Taylor hesitated. As much as she found Jackie attractive, she was not someone’s puppet either. Twenty years with the Army Military Police Corps taught her a lot of things, but a big one was to make decisions with your head and not your heart. Or any other part of your body, she thought. Still, Taylor knew she could get in a long workout in the morning and then come in to pick up a few extra hours. Although her retirement pay allowed her to live more than comfortably, there was never anything wrong with some extra pocket money.

  “I can help you out,” she finally answered. “What time?”

  CHAPTER 2

  Jackie walked out of the conference room and let out a sigh of contentment. The teleconference call with Los Angeles had gone well. Very well, in fact, she thought, and it looked like she was about to have another feather in her cap for signing a deal with an excellent up and coming design photographer. The man was going to be expensive, but worth it as he had proven already to be exceptionally gifted behind the lens. As she strode down the hall and walked into her office, her handsome young assistant, Daniel, rushed in behind her. He was carrying a handful of pink memos, all of which Jackie knew were from people eager to talk to her. "Ms. Scott," Daniel said as they entered the plush corner office. "I have a few notes for you as well as the confirmation for next Saturday."

  Before bothering to answer, Jackie went behind her desk and dropped into her expensive leather captain's chair. Kicking off her shoes and wiggling her tired toes, she looked at Daniel. "So there's no problem then with the reservation?" she asked. "The Space Needle is ours for the whole evening after all?" Jackie had made big plans for her fortieth birthday, including spending significant cash to reserve the SkyCity at the Needle restaurant. The arrangements were made over a year ago, but then in the last week, the owners were trying to back out. Apparently, the same night as her birthday party, a spectacular northern lights show was expected. Jackie did not budge and even had Daniel threaten them with a lawsuit. Apparently, the restaurant had finally relented.

  “Yes,” Daniel answered. “The threat worked, but they were not happy. No doubt seats to watch the solar storm effects on our night sky would have come at a premium.” Jackie rolled her eyes. She had been hearing about this ‘once in a lifetime’ natural phenomena for weeks and could not completely understand the excitement. And I’m sure as hell not going to let it mess up my birthday party, she thought.

  “Well good,” she said. “The whole thing was ridiculous anyway. Who cares that much about a few lights in the sky?” She saw Daniel raise an eyebrow. He was gorgeous and gay to the hilt, but all Jackie cared about was the fact he was efficient as hell. Plus, he was smar
t enough to keep his thoughts to himself, but Jackie was curious what his take was on the whole northern lights thing. “You disagree?” she asked. Daniel shrugged.

  “There is something special to be said about Aurora Borealis,” he said. “And on that Saturday, it will show its stuff to the 10th degree. At least that is what the weather folks on the internet are saying. And I quote ‘a better light show than any fourth of July’.”

  Jackie leaned back in her chair to consider Daniel's words. "Fine," she said and smiled. "Sounds absolutely perfect and will just make my birthday that much more memorable."

  LEXI POURED THE KIBBLE into the two metal dog bowls as Rosy and Clem looked on. They were both in a down and stay position, but Lexi could feel the excitement running through them. Dinner was a highlight, or at least it was until it was gone in four bites and a squirrel ran through the yard. Stepping back, Lexi gave them a nod, and her pets attacked the food with such pleasure it made her chuckle. If only I could get as excited about what to eat, she thought and wandered from the pantry into her kitchen. Although she would never consider her life lonely, bothering to make dinner for one often seemed a waste of time. Often, like tonight, she would skip cooking a full meal and instead grab a few handfuls of the early season sweet peas from her garden, some locally grown lettuce, and a greenhouse tomato for a quick salad. It was one of the reasons her body stayed so lean. Add in the physically demanding work on the remodel and around the property, and Lexi was proud of the toned body it earned her. She might have more gray hairs and wrinkles than she did in high school, but her jean size was the same.