“Mary!”
The man raced to her. Mary tried to climb to her feet, but he was too quick. He wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her the rest of the way. Mary felt the sensation of a strong, muscular body next to hers and inhaled a clean, crisp scent. It felt incredible to be held by this man, but she still wasn’t comfortable with some guy who claimed to be her “best buddy” manhandling her.
She glanced up to tell him to release her, but her jaw dropped open. “Nick?”
Nick Strong indeed was holding her close. The happy-go-lucky smile that she always remembered on Nick’s handsome face had been traded for a look of concern. The face that she’d remembered as so perfectly appealing was now marred by puckered scars that started at his right temple and went down the side of his cheek, jaw, and neck, disappearing under his t-shirt. What had happened to him?
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Are you okay?” he asked at the same time.
Nick laughed and held her even closer. The heart hammering caused by fear was now caused by the fact that her lifelong friend, and lifelong crush, was holding her close. His body felt mind-bogglingly tough, and he smelled so good. What had he asked her?
“Yes, I’m fine,” she admitted, brushing the dirt off her hands. “You can, um, let me stand on my own now.”
“Oh.” Nick released her and stepped back. “Glad you’re all right, that was a nice tumble.”
“You shocked me when you called my name.”
“Were you just going to run right past me?” He lifted his eyebrows.
“I didn’t even look at you. I try to avoid eye contact with strangers on deserted mountain trails.”
“Smart.”
She hadn’t been that smart when she’d fallen for a deceptive loser like Blake. “Are you okay?” she asked.
“Am I okay?” He put a hand to his chest. “Always. Nothing wrong with me.” His dark eyes had a challenging look in them. Was he not even going to acknowledge that he’d obviously been burned or blown up or something? Last she’d heard from her mom, he was an elite Army Ranger, and his family was super proud. She didn’t ask follow up questions on too many details about Nick as it always made her long for what she could never have.
“But you’ve been … injured.” Internally as well as externally, if she were guessing correctly. The always optimistic man, who nobody could knock down, had been hurt all the way through. Could she be there for him not only as a friend, but maybe, as more than a friend like she’d always hoped?
Nick gave her a devil-may-care grin, making her second guess that he had un-healed emotional injuries, and made a dismissive sound in his throat. “Naw, just a little scar to add to my good looks.” He winked, and then slowly looked her over. The smoldering look in those dark eyes made her tremble with anticipation. Was Nick Strong finally going to notice her as more than a friend? She’d thought she dropped plenty of hints in high school, but he’d never taken her out, choosing to date all of her friends instead.
“Well you look absolutely fabulous,” he said pausing a beat, and then asking, “How’ve you been?”
She shrugged, thinking she should probably lie, but Nick had been a close friend, and she trusted him. He wouldn’t want her lies, but she also wasn’t going to drop her sob story on him. “Grateful to be here.” She gestured around at the thick forest. “Most beautiful place on earth, right?”
He nodded. “Sure beats Afghanistan.”
“I bet.” She wanted to ask him more deep, probing questions about Afghanistan, what he’d seen, how he was healing, but as dismissive as he’d been about his scar, he was either the most well-adjusted military man on the planet or hiding something.
“Where’ve you been the past … what is it, almost seven years since we graduated?” he asked.
“Yeah. Time flies.”
He nodded but waited for her answer.
“Well, I went to school at Colorado State then I got a job in Boston, marketing for a large tech company.” She took a breath, wondering if she should share. She didn’t want to brag, but she was proud of her company and what she’d done.
“And are you still with them?”
She shook her head. “In my spare time I started an online business, getting high-dollar women’s apparel companies and department stores to offer discounts through my website that I share in my newsletter and social media. It’s grown over the past couple of years, and now I’m full-time.” She also had three full-time assistants and a computer genius who made sure everything worked all the time, but telling him those additional details really would be bragging.
Nick’s eyes sparkled at her, and his happy grin decorated his face. “Good for you, Mary. I’m proud of you. So you decided to retire in paradise?” He gestured around at the beauty surrounding them.
“Something like that.” She gave him an evasive smile. No reason to reveal why she’d left Boston and was staying with her parents until she figured out where she wanted to be. It was great that she could live anywhere, but kind of unnerving and overwhelming too. She’d loved Boston and wished Blake hadn’t gotten so obnoxious in his pursuit of her. She’d broken their engagement but obviously not his determination.
“What about you?” She tried to steer off herself. “Still in the Army … Rangers was it?”
He cocked an eyebrow and folded his arms across his chest. His short-sleeved shirt advertised some incredible bicep and tricep muscles, but his right sleeve slid up a bit as he folded them, and she glimpsed more angry scarring, similar to what was on his cheek and neck. How far did it go? She hated that Nick had been wounded. He’d always been so friendly and kind to everyone. Nothing could wipe the smile off this guy’s face. The damage obviously went much deeper than his skin and made her hurt for him.
“Retired,” he said with a grimace that made her hurt even more.
“By choice?” she dared to ask.
He shook his head shortly, but then his smile appeared again. “Hey, I’m Gavin’s new marketing director, because Ella is having a baby and so sick she can’t get out of bed.”
“Congrats, and sympathies, to Ella.”
He chuckled. “For sure. Luckily she married Trey Nelson, and he’s the most patient and happy person I know. He’s taking good care of her.”
“That’s sweet. I always liked Trey. I remember my mom saying they got together.” She looked him over again. “But you’re the most patient and happy person I know.”
His smile got tighter. “You need to get out more.”
Mary laughed. She’d gotten out plenty.
“Anyway, I stink at marketing. Poor Gav, he thinks he has to employ me since I’m family and virtually unemployable.” His smile all but disappeared. Mary had always imagined Nick would be career military, but he’d been forced to retire far too young. Now he was floundering, needing to find his spot. That would be tough.
“Could you give me some tips?” Nick continued.
Her stomach did a little dance. Tips, as in a date? Yes, sign me up, she wanted to scream. Maybe coming home wasn’t the chicken thing to do but a smart move. Finally, she was on Nick Strong’s radar. Who cared about stupid Blake with a man like Nick around?
“What kind of tips?” she managed to ask.
“Marketing tips.”
“Oh, um, sure.” Disappointment filled her. Nick wanted marketing tips. She had plenty and didn’t mind helping him, but … marketing tips?
“Great, thanks.” Nick beamed at her. “You’ve always been such a great friend, Mary.”
Friend. Of course that’s all Nick would think of her as. Of course. She’d been slammed back to reality. She mumbled, “Thanks,” and looked at the beautiful scenery.
“Can I steal your phone, and I’ll put my number in?” he asked.
She swung back to face him, and he was giving her that irresistible, charming grin that always stole the oxygen from her lungs. He was right about the scars only enhancing his good looks. They made him even tougher and
more manly-looking, and he’d been so perfect before it was nice to have a little variety to the model-gorgeous face.
She pulled her phone out of the pocket on her running tights, swiped up so it would open with her face recognition then handed it over. His fingers brushed hers as he took it, and she hoped she hid the quiver that went through her. What she wouldn’t give to have him see her as something other than a friend.
Nick clicked on her contacts, typed for a few seconds then handed it over. Mary stowed it back in her pocket.
“Now you can call me anytime you want.” He grinned, as if she would really be dialing him up later tonight. She was desperate … for him, but she’d never let him know that.
“Lucky me,” she managed. “I’d better finish my run and get back to work.”
“Okay.” He lifted a hand. “It was great to run into you. I’ll see you soon.”
Mary smiled, waved, and started off at an almost sprint. She needed distance from him before she demanded to know why they could only be friends. Putting his number in her phone was the perfect example. Now the burden was on her to initiate contact, to call him like a buddy would, not a potential girlfriend.
Well, she was done being lovestruck and always hoping for more with Nick Strong. Seven years since she’d seen him and it all had come rushing back. He only thought of her as a friend, and she’d always fantasized that he was the man for her. She couldn’t go back to the stupid friend zone. She was a full-grown adult now and wanted a deeper relationship that only Nick could give her.
Steeling her spine, she forced herself to concentrate on what she needed to get done this afternoon.
Approve Facebook ads. Text Nick Strong. Double-check newsletter formats and links. Call Nick Strong. Deal with the demanding sales rep from Bloomingdales. FaceTime Nick Strong.
She let out a grunt of frustration and tried to push the desire for him from her mind. Contacting Nick Strong could not be on her to-do list.
Nick watched the breathtaking Mary Coulter run down the path until she disappeared in the trees. He wanted to follow her but he was just starting his workout, and he didn’t want to come on too strong. He’d always been head over heels for Mary from about freshman year on up, okay maybe more like seventh grade. When he’d shared with his oldest brother Gavin how highly he thought of her and how attracted he was to her, Gavin had begged him to promise that he wouldn’t have a girlfriend until at least college. Gavin swore to him that his life would be smoother and easier if he were only friends with Mary through high school. Also Gavin claimed Nick wouldn’t “burn the relationship out” and someday it would be worth it.
Nick had idolized his oldest brother, confided in him like a parent when Nick’s dad was paralyzed his eighth-grade year. When Gavin gave him that advice his brother had already graduated from high school and was tougher and cooler than anyone Nick knew. Nick had also known instinctively that even one date with Mary would make him want to stay by her side and never fulfill his dreams of being an Army Ranger, so he’d contented himself with being friends with her.
He’d only recently learned that Gavin had gotten his high school girlfriend pregnant their senior year, and she’d betrayed him, trying to sell their baby to the highest bidder. It was no wonder Gavin had been so intense and worried about Nick and his future, and extracted that promise from Nick. Gavin had given up a football scholarship and NFL hopes and dreams, but he had told Nick repeatedly it was all worth it to raise his son, Austin, who the Strong siblings had always assumed was their little brother, not their nephew, until two months ago when Austin’s mother showed up and tried to wreak havoc. Gavin had finally admitted to Austin that he was his father and at the same time had found the love of his life, Kari Love. They were now on their honeymoon in Kauai. Nick was thrilled his brother’s time had come.
Was now Nick and Mary’s time? Wouldn’t it be cool if Gavin’s words turned prophetic and Nick’s patience made it so they could now take their friendship to the next level and their relationship would be based on a longtime friendship and be even more incredible for the waiting?
Nick’s steps slowed as worry crept in. He was an absolute mess inside and didn’t know if any woman, especially someone incredible like Mary, should be saddled with an emotional explosion like him. His Army-assigned therapist, Joe, started working with him in the hospital in Afghanistan. They now met once a week via Skype and Joe reassured him that he was doing great and could handle pursuing a new career and relationships. Nick hoped he was right and he could heal emotionally. He hadn’t had the nightmare for almost two weeks now. Every night he made it through without the nightmare was a victory for him. The all-too realistic replay of his friends’ deaths brought all the darkness back. Afterwards, Nick had to crawl back out of the emotional hole the dream dumped him in. Since he’d been with his family the past two months he had to fight hard to pretend all was well and keep his smile on his face so they wouldn’t know how horrifically the nightmare affected him.
He believed Joe could help him become stable again. Joe focused on drawing from times in Nick’s past that he had been strong or felt happy to move forward. Nick loved that, and he was trying. Dating Mary would definitely create new happy memories and show how strong and brave he was to believe he could date someone as amazing as her.
Interesting how he’d told her how fabulous she looked and she hadn’t responded, in fact her dark eyes had looked uncertain and almost vulnerable. Mary was an uncommon beauty with smooth, tanned skin, shiny dark-brown hair, and full, pouty lips. It was her eyes that had always drawn him in. He thought they looked exotic and beautiful with their almond shape and rich brown color. Her dad was a large Polynesian man, and her mom was Native American. Mary had inherited her mom’s lips and lean stature, but she looked like an island beauty as well. Nick thought she was a perfect mix.
If only Mary seemed interested in him. He’d always loved being around Mary because she was so smart and easygoing. She also laughed at all of his jokes and pranks. She hadn’t seemed nearly as happy or laidback today. What had she seen out in the world? He’d like to imagine that Mary had been untouched by ugly realities that could unfortunately put him in cold sweats and sometimes make him cry in broad daylight. Granted Mary probably hadn’t seen anything as harsh as the death and loss Nick had been through. He hoped not. He shuddered to think of an innocent sweetheart like Mary being exposed to that.
She’d wanted to know about his scars. Who didn’t? He’d shown them to Gavin, and the rest of the family had seen them at one time or another when they went swimming. Mama still teared up if she saw him without a shirt on, sickened about her boy getting hurt and her not even being there to help him recover. He smiled grimly to himself. He loved his Mama. If only she knew how far from complete his recovery was.
Shaking his head, he swallowed down the emotion and tried to repeat his mantra. He was fine. Fine. He could go long stretches keeping his happy smile on. It was only when he had the nightmare that he got slammed back to the abyss of despair. The guilt would consume him when Jax, Treven, and Logan’s faces appeared in his sleep. Logan’s baby face. Jax’s child he’d never meet. Nick pushed out a breath and tried to push it all away. No reason to dredge up the pain in broad daylight. Soon enough it would come and he wouldn’t be able to hide from it. If only he had a relationship with his Savior, but he’d pushed that away too.
Forcing himself to start jogging up the steep incline, he directed his thoughts away from the end of his Army Ranger career, honorably discharged because of traumatic brain injury from the severe concussion he suffered when they were hit by the IED, and back to the angelic vision of Mary. He cussed himself for putting his number in her phone but not getting her number. Why didn’t he do something smart like text himself from her phone? Yet it was probably better if he didn’t bug her. His therapist, Joe, said he was making huge strides. Nick believed him to a point, but he didn’t know that he was ready for any kind of relationship.
He pounded up
the trail, struggling to breathe evenly as he thought of too many pieces of heartache he didn’t let himself dwell on often. He’d been home over two months, so the high elevation couldn’t be his excuse anymore. It was a steep incline, and he was pushing hard, that had to be as good an excuse as any. Plus he couldn’t get Mary out of his mind. He smiled a real smile as he thought of her. Mary could be his excuse for not being able to catch a breath. She’d shorten any man’s breath.
Chapter Two
Saturday was a busy day for Mary’s family as they owned the ice cream parlor in town. It was only open from 5-9 on weekdays and 12-9 on Saturday. Her dad was an electrical engineer and drove to Vail for work. Her mom loved her ice cream and had started the shop when Mary was in middle school. Mom loved being social with friends from town and visitors who came to stay and play at the Strong’s retreat. Mom had a couple of teenage employees as all of Mary’s siblings but her youngest sister Chelsea were grown and living out of the valley.
Today Chelsea had begged Mary to come work the afternoon rush with her. Mary agreed, loving the chance to be with her adorable little sister. Chelsea was so beautiful with her dark hair, skin, and eyes and even fuller lips than Mary had. Chelsea had their dad’s ancestry stronger in her, and Mary thought she looked like Hawaiian royalty.
They were busy scooping hard ice cream for cones and shakes all afternoon. Chelsea had teased Mary about looking like a runway model scooping ice cream, but Mary was only wearing a simple, pink Michael Kors sleeveless romper that fell to just below her knees. It was springy and fun, not stuffy. Mary made a mental note to get her sister some rompers.
It was fun to see people from town and meet some new move-ins, but most of all work by her spunky sister. Their mom prided herself on the freshness of their ice cream churned from a dairy outside of Denver, also the waffle cones, caramel, and hot fudge sauce were homemade. Mary had missed the smell of this place with the warm scents of the waffle cones cooking and the rich caramel and hot fudge scents, as well as the cold sweetness of the ice cream.
The Strong Family Romance Collection Page 77