by Debra Webb
His arms went around her and she felt safe and so very happy. They were alive.
Lucas drew back and ushered her away from the desk. "I hear there's a small cafe close by that serves the best coffee in all of Mexico."
"I'm not so sure they'll want to seat us," Victoria said, reminding him of their disheveled appearance, "much less serve us." They were both a mess.
Lucas turned her to face him, and his gaze roamed down her stained and tattered blue dress to the wrecked sandals on her feet and back up. He touched her hair. She'd removed the pins and allowed it to fall around her shoulders hours ago. Though she'd washed up as best she could, Victoria was certain she looked a fright.
"How could they possibly deny service to the most beautiful woman in all of Mexico?"
She shook her head and wrapped her arm around his. "Fine. Come along." She tugged him toward the elevator. "That coffee is sounding better and better." Mainly she wanted to see the sun and to smell the fresh air. And to be alone, sort of, with her own private hero. She looked up at him as they boarded the waiting elevator car. They had a fireplace back home. At least one bottle of wine somewhere in the house. Tonight would be a new celebration. One of happiness and immense gratitude.
Lucas kept his wife close as they exited the hospital and strolled to the nearby cafe. The sun had chased away the last of the night's crisp air. It felt good to be alive. He glanced at Victoria. And to have her safely at his side.
The Federales had suggested that yesterday's attack had been just another kidnap and ransom attempt, but Lucas wasn't so sure after what he'd overheard back in that monastery. The man they had captured refused to talk. A records check had confirmed that he had a long history of criminal activity, but he wasn't giving up a single word related to the attack on Lucas and Victoria—not even after the promise of a lighter sentence.
As soon as they were back in Chicago, the Colby Agency would initiate an investigation of its own. They would get to the bottom of this mystery. Lucas couldn't help wondering exactly where Slade Keaton had been the past few days. Victoria would be annoyed that Lucas had even taken that mental path, but he couldn't ignore his instincts.
"This place is lovely," Victoria said as Lucas pulled out a chair at their table.
As soon as one of the nurses had told Lucas about the place, he had known he had to bring Victoria here. That ancient Mexican art and pottery she loved so much dominated the cafe's decor.
He ordered their coffee and settled into the chair across from his wife. "It's still no match to my view."
Victoria shook her head. "Lucas, you've always known how to make me feel like the most special woman in the world."
He kissed her hand. "You make my work too easy."
The waitress delivered their coffee. He and Victoria savored the warm brew as she directed his attention to various pieces of art. He loved just listening to her talk, watching her enthusiasm. There was no one else like her.
The image of that other woman, the one at the cafe who'd disappeared so suddenly, invaded his head. No. He'd been mistaken. She had nothing to do with any of this. Who knew if she was even still alive. No matter what the local authorities said —or anyone else—Lucas knew who he had to watch. Slade Keaton.
For today, for this moment, Lucas had something better to do. Enjoy his wife's company.
He leaned forward, took Victoria's hand in his, and lost himself to the moment they had both earned.
THE END
Debra Webb
Copyright © 2011 by Harlequin Books S.A.
