His Soldier Under Siege Page 15

  As she tied her shoes, her new cell phone hummed. Her mother’s face popped up on the screen. Oh, she just couldn’t. Not right now. Declining the call, she zipped the device into her pocket. This could very well be her last casual hike with Derek and she wouldn’t let anything spoil it. Not even her unruly emotions. They’d agreed from the start that when it was over, they’d part as friends. She couldn’t stain every lovely time they’d shared by reneging.

  Visiting Rock Creek had been an excellent suggestion. The fresh air and sunshine, the distance from home and hospitals, calmed her inside and out. The water chattering along in the creek, trees swaying across a clear sky, blotted out the ghosts and gruesome images that had given her such a restless night.

  “Where’s your favorite place to be?” she asked.

  They’d climbed out to sit in the warm light splashing across a boulder that jutted out into the creek. Birds sang nearby and puffy white clouds drifted across the wide blue sky as the creek tumbled around them. When he didn’t reply, she turned and found him staring at her, his sunglasses pushed up into his hair.

  “It changes,” he said. “What about you?”

  “Asheville, North Carolina, comes to mind.” They’d never been there together. “We went as a family the first time, when Dad was stationed at Fort Bragg. I think my sister was only a year old. There was this ice cream parlor that had the best milkshakes. When I was stationed at Bragg I’d drive over whenever I had the chance.”

  “The ice cream place is still there?”

  “It is.” She almost suggested they go on his next free weekend and caught herself in time to prevent more embarrassing awkwardness.

  “You like being alone more than anyone I’ve ever met,” Derek said.

  “If you ever meet my brothers you’ll understand,” she replied. Of course that wouldn’t happen, now that he had someone else.

  “We’ve rarely talked about family. Other than Kevin,” he said. “I hope you didn’t think I wasn’t interested.”

  But that was exactly where they’d drawn the line. Together. “I thought we didn’t want to do that,” she reminded him. “We said we’d keep things friendly.”

  “With benefits,” he finished. “I remember.” He leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees, his eyebrows knitting as he watched the creek flow by.

  She turned her attention to the happy song of a bird perched on a branch on the other side of the creek, refusing to give voice to the questions burning on her tongue. Let him explain the new special someone in his life. After breakfast, there was no denying their arrangement was over. She just had to get through a pretend date and then they could go their separate ways.

  His continued silence made her twitchy. She stood up to move on down the trail.

  He stood as well and caught her hand. She twisted to get free, but he didn’t release her. She looked at everything but his face, knowing she’d cry if he said they were done while holding her.

  “Grace Ann, listen. My brother misunderstood. I haven’t met anyone new.”

  “It’s not really my business, is it?” She focused on that contented bird as heat scorched her cheeks.

  “I would’ve said this over breakfast, but I couldn’t. Not while someone else was listening in. Cowardly, I know, after what you did last night.”

  Her heart kicked at the compliment and then she braced for the inevitable breakup. This was turning out to be one of the worst weeks of her life. At least in Afghanistan, it wasn’t a personal friend who ripped out her heart.

  “I went through my phone history trying to figure out what put the idea in Kevin’s head,” he said. “The last time he couldn’t reach me, I was out with you.”

  “That wasn’t recent.” Her optimistic heart gave another kick. Maybe they weren’t done.

  “Six weeks ago.” He squeezed her hands. “Want to see my phone?”

  “Of course not. I trust you.” More than she trusted most people. “I wondered why you hadn’t mentioned it.” She relaxed, her fingers weaving through his. “So our arrangement still works.”

  “Does it?”

  “What am I missing?” she asked, wary all over again.

  He laughed and, drawing her close, gave her a kiss that left her breathless. “Nothing. Everything. However we started, I’d like to make it more.”

  “More what?”

  “Exclusive,” he said with far more patience than she deserved.

  She frowned, studying him. His blue eyes were serious, but it seemed like his mouth might break into a grin any second. “You and me, exclusive?”

  “Yes.” He rubbed her shoulder. “Grace Ann, you aren’t this dense.”

  Her heart swelled, all too happy with the notion of more time with Derek. “What if this is a stress response? It happens,” she added in a rush when his gaze narrowed.

  “Guess we’ll find out soon enough if I’m only here for the brownies and excitement.”

  Her mouth dropped open.

  “That’s the best you’ve got?” he asked, slipping an arm around her waist.

  “What do you want to hear?” She didn’t want to scare him off by stating the obvious ways they were a bad match for the long-term. Being career military pretty much embodied all the unpredictable drama Derek didn’t want in his life. Having come to terms with his brother’s choice didn’t mean he was eager to be listed on another soldier’s emergency contact form.

  And all of that was jumping too far ahead. He hadn’t said he loved her, he hadn’t proposed, he’d simply said he wanted to be exclusive.

  He brushed her bangs away from her eyes. “I’d like to hear you’ll think about it.”

  Answer or not, she’d be hard-pressed to think about anything else. It was a delicious relief. Pressing up onto her toes, she kissed him. “I’m happy to be your exclusive someone.”

  “Someone awesome,” he corrected, and sent her heart soaring.

  * * *

  The day had passed in a blur after they’d cleared the air about the “someone awesome” in his life. Grace Ann definitely met that definition and he was glad they weren’t wasting any more time.

  When she’d stepped out of her bedroom dressed for their date, they’d just stared at each other. The only formal wear he’d seen her in was her army mess dress uniform, and that had only been in pictures. She’d looked amazing, but not exactly sexy and not at all approachable.

  Tonight she was both. Her dress reminded him of an orange Dreamsicle, the lightweight layers flowing down over her trim body from a high collar that hid her throat and left her arms bare, her sheer shawl looped over the strap of her purse. The hem of the dress swirled around her knees and all he could think about was skimming his hands underneath the flowing fabric. Dangerous territory, considering they were supposed to be the cheese in Hank’s trap for the rats who had planted the bugs in her house.

  “Stay put,” Derek said, pulling to a stop at the valet stand. “It’s our first real date.” He hopped out of the driver’s seat and came around to her side. He popped open an umbrella against the light rain before he opened her door.

  Through text messages he and Grace Ann had learned what Hank expected of them on this working date. Knowing there was an undercover team in the area helped him relax. Derek tried to spot them as they walked to the restaurant.

  “If you see them, they’re not doing their job right,” she murmured.

  He smiled, holding her close under the shelter of the umbrella, though it was illogical to think her frothy, sherbet-colored dress would dissolve under a few raindrops. Inside, they were seated quickly and their water was poured. As they chose wine and an appetizer, he smoothed his tie.

  “I’m nervous,” he admitted.

  “Makes two of us.” Her smile took on a wicked edge. “You’ve seen me at my worst. It feels weird to share my best with you after the fact.”<
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  “Have I told you you’re beautiful?”

  She batted her eyelashes. “I had no idea you were so susceptible to a pretty dress, Mr. Sayer.”

  “Guilty as charged.”

  “If we’re confessing, you should know I find you irresistible in a suit.”

  “I’m taking notes.” He wagged his eyebrows and made her laugh.

  “It’s nice to be here. With you,” she said as the comfortable laughter faded. “Normal.”

  “Are we normal?” He hadn’t made a habit of studying relationships, but it seemed like theirs was far from typical.

  “Oh, probably not. It is nice to pretend for an evening.”

  They fell into an easy conversation, the topics flowing and spilling into one after another, at last chatting freely like the friends they were. The clothing was different, the atmosphere more posh, but everything between them felt settled. Perfect.

  He watched the shadows of stress fall away as she relaxed. Her hands were still, her gaze bright and steady. It made him feel like a superhero, that he could create that kind of safe space for her. He’d treasure this evening for years to come, despite knowing it was all part of an investigation scheme.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I changed the reservation at the last minute,” he said as they waited for a dessert sampler to share.

  “As long as you didn’t leave Hank in the dark.”

  It had been Hank’s idea, but Derek didn’t mention that detail. “We talked.” The investigation for the Riley Hunter wasn’t his focus; Grace Ann was. It was strange to be attempting a first date in the midst of a potentially life-threating situation.

  “Your mind is wandering,” she said. “Everything okay?”

  “Absolutely.” He reached across the table and covered her hand with his.

  “Tell that to your eyebrows.”

  “Pardon me?”

  She tapped the space just above her nose. “You get a divot here when you’re thinking deep thoughts.”

  He’d often been accused of being angry when he was thinking hard on something. He rubbed at the spot she’d indicated. “My days and yours are so different,” he said, searching for a good way to put his thoughts into words that wouldn’t offend her or unravel the progress they’d made.

  “We’ve been so good at avoiding talk about work.”

  “And I see that as my loss,” he replied. “Corporate law is compelling, but rarely dangerous and hardly life-affirming. Not like working in hospitals.”

  She cocked her head, her gaze narrowed. “You hate hospitals.”

  “When did I ever say that?”

  She circled her finger at him. “I know your kind,” she teased. “Skittish and uncomfortable.”

  “With good reason,” he interjected.

  “Exactly what I was about to say.” She traced the bones of his hand, the feeling of her thumb a cool contrast to the warmth in her eyes.

  “My point,” he began again, determined to make his thoughts clear, “is that I might have misgivings about the medical field, but I do respect what you do and how you do it.”

  Her lips opened and closed again as she stared at him. “Where is this coming from?” she asked.

  He was saved from answering as the dessert sampler was served. There was a golden cake topped with berries and cream, a dark chocolate dome striped with white chocolate and dusted with cocoa powder, and a cylinder of cheesecake in a puddle of toffee-colored sauce.

  Watching her taste each delectable treat made his mouth water for his next taste of her.

  “We should figure out how to see each other more,” he said with zero finesse.

  Her dark eyebrows flexed into a frown that melted as she took another bite of the cheesecake. “We only live an hour apart.” She licked her lips. “It’s the crazy schedules that pose a problem.”

  “What if we tried for a long weekend every couple of weeks?” Assuming he could last that long without seeing her. “Your schedule might be crazy,” he said. “I’m more flexible.” And he would happily flex whatever he needed to be with her. “I can come to you.”

  Her eyebrows arched. “You want to let people know we’re dating?”

  “I’d rather not send out formal announcements, but I’d like to tell Kevin and my assistant. That way she’ll stop trying to set me up with her friends.”

  “She does that?”

  “She tries.” He scooped up a berry and a bite of the cake.

  “If Kevin knows, the unit will know,” she said.

  Why was she so cautious? He’d brought it up so they could sort out the next steps with the same candid openness they’d used the first time around. Her lip caught in her teeth, she cracked the dome on the chocolate dessert and revealed a spongy cake and a layer of creamy sauce. The scents of almonds and vanilla filled the air between them.

  “Would that be a problem?”

  She shook her head and caught him watching as she licked chocolate from her spoon. “In the interest of transparency, you should know that my life’s a little messed up at the moment.”

  He burst out laughing, making heads turn their way. “You have a gift for understatement.”

  “One of many hidden talents.”

  He wanted to unveil every last one of them. “For the record, your messed-up life doesn’t scare me.” It never should have.

  “Good to know.” She dug into the cheesecake tower and sighed. “As long as you realize it might not be the best time to take this step.”

  “Let me get this straight,” he said with mock severity. “You’re saying you don’t want to start dating while we’re living together.”

  “Precisely.” She grinned, a smudge of whipped cream highlighting the corner of her mouth.

  His body coiled to spring, he managed to check himself before he leaned over and licked it away. When they polished off the dessert sampler, he paid the check and they walked through the rain toward the valet stand to claim his car.

  Under the umbrella it was easy to pretend they were alone, though people moved all around them. “Kevin told me you went into nursing to be like your mom,” he ventured. It was a safer topic than the others on his mind. Like how quickly he could get his hands under that dress.

  “Her career is nearly as impressive as my dad’s within army circles.” She toyed with the fringe on her shawl. “It’s been a lot to live up to, but she’d be the first to tell you I joined the Army Nurse Corps for my own reasons.”

  “Which were?” Utterly invested in the reply, he caught the shiver that rippled over her skin.

  “Helping people. All facets of medicine fascinate me. The army is always making advancements to science and health, and I didn’t have the patience to become a doctor.”

  “I’ve noticed at formal events you have all kinds of insignia on your uniform.”

  “You’ve noticed my uniform?” She looked up at him, eyes wide with disbelief.

  Someone bumped into her and then hurried down the street as the valet line advanced. Derek felt her tense up, every muscle battle-ready in the blink of an eye.

  “Easy,” he said. “He was rude, that’s all.”

  Although she relaxed a fraction, she shifted to get a better look at the man rushing down the street. “He looks like—”

  Whatever she might have said was interrupted by a low, deafening boom. The sound, bigger than anything he’d ever heard before, hurt his ears and underscored sudden garish light that turned a rainy night into day. An indescribable pressure followed, pushing him off his feet even as he tried to shelter Grace Ann. Blown down with him, she tucked herself close, the umbrella long gone.

  A blast of heat swelled, rolling over them and singeing the air. He opened his eyes, expecting to see the rain turn to steam. He heard car tires and brakes squealing in the street and metal crunching while all around them
, people screamed or cried.

  Grace Ann gripped his lapels and gave him a shake. “Derek!” Ears ringing, rain in his eyes, he struggled to see her clearly. “Derek, are you hurt?”

  “No. Are you?”

  “It was a bomb.” He saw the words more than heard them. She released his coat, brushing dust from his hair and off his shoulders. Her deft hands cruised over him with an expert, silent assessment. “You’re okay,” she murmured over and over.

  He stilled her hands and tipped up her face to meet her gaze. “We’re okay.”

  It was a miracle. On the opposite corner, the landscaping between a restaurant window and the edge of the street was ablaze. People were sprawled everywhere in various states of distress. He counted three cars tangled in the intersection and his stomach lurched in sympathy. How many families would be forever changed tonight?

  “Call 911,” she said, her voice brisk. “Report an explosion, unknown source.” She moved into action, directing people without injuries to clear aside or assist those who were suffering.

  Derek stayed with her while he reported the situation to the dispatcher on the other end of the line. Whenever his vision wavered or his knees wanted to give out, he focused on Grace Ann, rather than shocked faces and injured bodies.

  Rain had soaked through her dress, the fabric clinging to her skin as she dealt with each victim one by one. The protective detail had closed ranks around them, but she put them to work rather than leave the scene as they requested. Derek was in awe, watching her assess, treat and shout instructions before shifting her attention to the next person in crisis.

  This was Grace Ann in her element, doing what she was meant to do.

  First responders flooded in. Firefighters and paramedics helped with those trapped in cars. Police directed crowds of onlookers and cordoned off the area. Person by person, Grace Ann kept working her way toward the origin of the explosion as if she were also here in uniform.

  Her dress, torn and smeared with grime and debris, was trashed. Both her shawl and his tie had been used for tourniquets; his jacket was somewhere behind him, serving as a blanket for a young man in shock with a broken leg.