by Angi Morgan
“I don’t envy the team having to look and sort through all that.”
“Hey, before I let you go. Norman had several files on the laptop they found in the wrecked car. They seem to be different stages of her—for the lack of a better word—brainwashing files she played for the vets. Looks like she’d drug them and play the files while they slept.”
“Hope that helps the doctors find a way to fix everybody.” Even Vivian.
“Same here. Gotta run and I still owe you a favor.”
They hung up just before she got out of the shower.
“Is it really over?” She laughed, shaking her hair free of its towel. “How soon do you think Victor will be free? Major Clements explained it would take a few days. I could go see him before that and tell him what happened. That deserves a visit, right?”
“I’ll call County and arrange a time. I just spoke with Wade. It looks like there’s corroborating evidence at Abby’s house.”
“I can’t talk about this again.” Her words had a frantic tone to them and didn’t match the bright smile she displayed. Her actions were very casual, as if she were brushing everything off.
“You don’t want an update?”
“Not anymore tonight. I’ll leave the rest for the appropriate authorities to muddle through. Victor will be released and that’s all that matters to me.” She fluffed her curls, finger-combing as she tilted her head to one side. “Wipe the scowl off your face, Ranger Thompson. Do you have ice cream?”
“I don’t think so, but we can run out for some if you want.”
“Oh, wow. I just realized I haven’t eaten since the scrambled eggs. I bet you haven’t either. Did your mom leave any leftovers?” She popped off the couch and pulled open the fridge.
“Vivian!” His voice was louder than he’d planned.
“What? Do you want a hamburger instead?”
He held his arms open. She’d avoided him after the accidental death of Abby Norman. She’d pulled away from every pat on her shoulder offered by the team or by rescue workers. She’d avoided eye contact while speaking about it to each department head who asked her questions. And now she wanted to act like nothing had happened.
She shook her head. Her mouth opened and shut again, followed by flattened lips that looked determined not to say a word.
“You can’t do this to yourself,” he whispered. “Come here.”
“I don’t want comfort for what happened,” she said finally.
The sky was darkening, causing the room to darken, as well. He waited while the light from the open refrigerator door illuminated this woman he’d come to admire so much.
“I’ve said this before, but you didn’t ask for any of this to happen. You left everything behind to rush to the side of your brother. You’ve been going ninety-to-nothing with one goal and you accomplished it. Now it’s time to take a moment. Come on.”
He wiggled his fingers, taking a step toward her, but still not touching. He gave the fridge door a one-finger push and she let it close. He still had an open arm but used it to coax her to the living room.
Barefoot and in pj’s, she grabbed the couch throw that had been used more in that week than the year it had been draped over the arm of the uncomfortable chair in the corner. She curled her long legs into the corner cushions, leaving room for him on the opposite end.
Slate shook his head, refusing to be separated from her again. They’d been through a lot together in the past several days. He hoped she’d be around for several more. But it all depended on how he handled the next few moments.
He moved to the end of the couch behind Vivian, removed the cushion to make more room and squeezed his body in behind hers. She didn’t give an inch until the last second. They sat there with no words. There weren’t many that would mean much.
Vivian had almost been killed, and the woman chasing her, the woman responsible for all her pain of the past year, had died trying to finish her.
“It’s okay to let it out, babe. We all do.”
“I don’t feel anything except relief,” she whispered.
“That’s okay, too. You have permission to feel that way. You also have permission to be glad you’re alive. To be glad the train didn’t hit you.”
“I killed someone.”
The only reason he heard her speak was because there weren’t any other sounds in the house. She’d been in the military; hadn’t she seen death before? Should he tell her how proud he was of everything she’d done today?
He wrapped an arm around the top of her shoulders, resting on the front of her chest, keeping her close and protected. Her cool fingers clung onto his forearm. She held on, dropping her forehead to join her fingers.
He didn’t do or say anything else. He wanted to but training kept him silent. Or maybe it was experience from the way his parents had treated him and his sister. Either way...he waited.
Silent tears graced his arm. Then sobbing shook the woman clinging to him. He rubbed her back, offering what he could. But this seemed like one of those times it was better not to say anything.
“I was in the war. I’ve fired my weapon but I’ve never seen someone die like that. Maybe I should feel justified or vindicated. Look at what she did. She was horrible. All those deaths.”
“You’ve been through a lot, Vivian. Give yourself time to take it all in, time to heal.”
“But why?” She took a deep breath. “I don’t understand how someone could do the things she did.”
“We probably never will. Her mind wasn’t all there. Some things just can’t be explained.”
“So many died. It’s so sad.”
She cried a bit more, and soon the sobs were just long, drawn, shaking breaths. She turned, lying on his chest, keeping his arm around her. He thought she’d fallen asleep.
Maybe he was the one who drifted asleep since he startled awake at her words.
“Pardon?”
“I don’t know what to do now,” she whispered a second time.
“You keep going. We keep going. And don’t be afraid to ask for help if you feel you can’t.” He was proud of himself. He wasn’t being a jerk. Wasn’t being a typical man. This was his sensitive side.
Because the only thing he really wanted to do now was finish what they’d each started. After all, she was a beautiful, attractive woman who he wanted to stay around. He could think of something other than sex.
“You know you can stay here, Vivian. If you feel comfortable, that is. There’s the extra room at the house and Mom could always use some help until you’re back on your feet. It wouldn’t be charity since you’d be earning your way.”
“Your dad already called and offered me the spare room. I’m still not sure that’s a great idea. And when Victor gets out, that’s two of us. We can’t do that to your family.”
“Um... Wade’s doing some research. We think that all the sleep-study patients will need some intense therapy. He’s looking for a place to handle that. He’s good at sweet-talking people to make things happen.”
She turned her face and parted her lips but shook her head instead of stating any disappointment she may have felt. She rested on him again. “Maybe I should join them?”
“You need to be checked out for sure. But you weren’t exposed the same. You’re not getting any crazy feelings to bonk me over the head again. Are you?”
“I don’t know. There aren’t any spare IV poles hanging around.” She laughed. “I can’t thank you enough for the kindness you and your family have shown to me. I’m grateful. And especially to all you guys at Company B. You not only saved my life, but you’ve also saved my brother.”
There it was again, the desire to kiss the luscious lips that tilted in a smile. So close to his. He wanted her like a desperate man, but the timing was all off. So he sucked it up and behaved.
Even if they would
let down their guards.
And yeah, even if Heath was staying in the main house to give them privacy.
And sure, her fingers were drawing little circles and had unbuttoned the top button of his shirt.
Dammit, he needed to behave...didn’t he?
It was hell being a man and not knowing when the moment was right. She was better now. Did she need him as much as he needed her?
There was one way—okay more than one—to find out. But kissing her and discovering what she’d do afterward was the solution he chose.
Vivian’s ever-changing eyes looked up into his again and he bent his head to capture her lips. She twisted around and kissed him back. Her arms went around his neck and across his shoulders.
Definitely an answer when she didn’t pull back, didn’t stop kissing. Her arms brought him to more of a sitting position, then she straddled his lap. And yet he found himself questioning if this was the best thing for her or for them.
Yeah, that was a head-scratcher. What red-blooded American male questioned if the timing for sex was right or not?
He cupped her shoulders, lifting her away from him. Their lips held onto each other until the last possible micron.
“Is something wrong? Should we move to the bedroom?” She managed to get off the couch before he could actually form a question.
Maybe he was having second—or even third—thoughts about asking the damn thing. He had his hand in hers and had followed her halfway around the end of the couch before...
“I’m going to hate myself, but are you sure this is a good idea?”
“What? Going to your bedroom? Do you need to put something on the door to keep your roommate out?” She began walking again.
Slate stopped and twirled her into his arms. He used one hand to keep her there and the other to tilt her face to his. Standing closer to the window and the porchlight, he could see the redness in her silver eyes from crying. He used his thumb to remove a smudge from the corner of her eye.
“Are you sure this is what you want? Now? Tonight?” he asked softly.
“You know I can get free from this hold.”
“Please don’t head butt me,” he teased. Then he affectionately kissed the tip of her nose.
“Yes, Slate. I’m sure. I wouldn’t have kissed you now or before for that matter.”
“I just don’t want you to feel pressured.”
“Oh, please.” She raised her hands and cupped his cheeks. “Do not insult my integrity or intentions again.”
His hands went in the air in an act of surrender. “Whoa, believe me, I am not accidentally going down that road a second time.”
She brought his mouth to hers in a beautiful, sexy-as-hell kiss before sliding her hand up his arm to take his hand. She led him down the short hallway.
“Then come down this one with me.”
Epilogue
Two weeks later
“Relax. You’re taking this ride way too seriously.” Slate meant it. If she didn’t loosen up in the saddle, she’d be sore all over.
“I’ve never been on a horse before.” Vivian continued to sit stiff and straight. “At least not out of the paddock.”
“You’re doing great. I still don’t understand why you won’t let me give you lessons.”
“Because we’d end up not having a lesson. I’m working them off, you know. Learning how to groom and clean the stalls. And in exchange, your sister gives me a beginner riding lesson. She’s pretty good.”
“I could do that. Teach you.”
“We tried. Our one and only lesson ended up in the hayloft.”
“Oh. I didn’t think you were serious back then. Besides, it was going to rain.” He remembered that afternoon. It was the last time he’d kissed her, stopping just shy of... “In fact, it rained all afternoon. I’m just saying, I could give you lessons now. I’ve got more time.”
He slipped off his mare and was below her in a couple of strides, lifting her out of the saddle. She put her hands on his shoulders and slid down his chest.
Her cheeks were red from the winter wind. He’d already switched the ball cap from blocking the sun, turning it backward on his head. The thick jacket he’d started off in was draped over the back of his saddle. He hoped it was the sun heating his body and not nerves.
“Aren’t you cold?” she asked.
“Sunshine and love are warming me inside and out.”
“As your father would say, you’re being downright silly.” Vivian drew her jacket a little tighter, emphasizing that he should be cool. “I’m still not moving into your room. Or did you bring me out here to tell me it was time to get my own place?”
“Of course not. You know you’re welcome as long as you want to stay. Besides, I kind of like having someone take my turn in the barn.”
“So you brought me all the way out here to the edge of the property, Mr. Thompson. Do you have a specific reason?”
“First, I thought taking a ride today would be nice. It’s the first day I haven’t worked since you moved in. We haven’t been alone since.”
“Since the hayloft.”
Vivian dug the toe of her used boots into the dirt. She’d barely been making eye contact with him recently. She lived in his old bedroom at the main house and he’d rarely been home. She was helping around the ranch and looking for a permanent business position in Dallas to be near her brother.
When everything was straightened out at the VA Hospital, another case had immediately required his full attention. He dived into work, trying to make up for all the ruckus raised by every official from here to D.C.
“And second?” she asked, wrapping the reins around her hand.
“It’s the only way you’d agree to see me alone.”
“True.”
“Why? Did I do something?”
“You mean besides saving my life more than once, helping me free my brother, giving me a place to live? Oh, and let’s not forget arranging for my brother to go to a hospital to make sure he wasn’t still programmed by that horrible woman? And my treatment. Or maybe having Wade put in a few recommendations for my possible employment. Those things?”
“You know I meant did I do something wrong, Vivian.” Slate took off his cap and scratched his head. He honestly didn’t know what was going on. “I thought you liked me, sort of like we had a connection from that first glass of tea.”
“We both got busy.” She licked her lips. “And I do like you.”
He unwrapped her mare’s reins, which were now twisted in her hands, and looped them along with his around a low mesquite tree limb. He was sure the horses wouldn’t run off. Not so sure about the filly standing in front of him.
Now that she didn’t have the reins, he swept her hands into his and nudged her a bit closer. The fresh scent of her was on the breeze as vivid to him as rain on the horizon. He knew her...wanted her.
But he wasn’t about to rush and mess things up the way he had when they’d first met.
“So I like you and you just admitted to liking me. Want to see a movie?”
“You’re asking me on a date? Any chance you’d include dinner at a certain steak restaurant downtown?”
“Sure, I can arrange that.”
“There’s one more thing.” She gently tugged her hands free and slipped them against his chest, then up around his neck. She tilted her head to the side slightly, looking at him invitingly.
He took her lips against his, tenderly at first, then more hungrily.
“What’s your one more thing?” he asked against her lips.
“I’ll need a good-night kiss.”
“Oh, I can definitely see to that.”
* * * * *
Look for the next book in USA TODAY
bestselling author Angi Morgan’s
TEXAS BROTHERS OF COMPANY B minise
ries, RANGER GUARDIAN, later this year.
And don’t miss the first title in the series:
RANGER PROTECTOR
Available now from Harlequin Intrigue!
Keep reading for an excerpt from MISSING IN BLUE MESA by Cindi Myers.
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Missing in Blue Mesa
by Cindi Myers
Chapter One
She didn’t have much time. No more than twenty minutes—probably less. No telling what would happen if he caught her in here. Everyone said he wasn’t like his brother, but how could they be sure? The two were twins—identical twins. If one of them was a murderer, who was to say the other one wasn’t capable of that, too?
Michelle jammed the piece of wire into the keyhole on the door to the motor home again and felt the catch give. She could thank Mom for that particular skill. How many times had she locked little Michelle out of their trailer while she was entertaining her boyfriend, or when she was sick of the kid? Then she’d get drunk and forget to let her back in.