Loving Vivienne: The Publicist, Book Six

by Christina George

  And in an odd way, it seemed altogether too appropriate for her life. Ironic and appropriate. She’d lost her parents after not bothering to say good-bye, before she left on one of her selfish teenage missions. Now she’d sent Daniel away, and most of it had been driven by an odd, juvenile fixation on something everyone else had long since forgiven. She’d been rude to his father and his step-mother. And yet when she asked, Mac hadn’t hesitated to let her fly with them, even treating her with gentle compassion for which she felt entirely undeserving.

  Just then, Mac walked over and smiled down at her. “Vivienne, how are you holding up?” he gestured silently to the seat across from her, a question in his eyes. He looked worn down and tired, and his shirt was unbuttoned at the top. He wore no tie, and his hair was mussed, very unusual for him. He looked, in fact, as though he were fraying at the edges, but trying desperately to hold it together.

  “May I?” he asked and she nodded.

  “I’m okay. I’m…I’m just scared,” she said in a faint voice. When she saw him lean forward to hear what she was saying, she cleared her throat and tried again. “I’m okay. But I’m scared.”

  “I was just talking with Carolyn, and she reminded me, yet again, how strong Daniel is. He’s alive,” Mac leaned closer and nodded firmly as he said it. “And I know how you feel about me. I’m glad that, despite that, you’re here with us, so you can welcome him home when they find his plane.”

  Suddenly Vivienne felt about an inch tall. I know how you feel about me. Yes, indeed, she had made that crystal clear.

  “Mac, listen,” she said, clearing her throat slightly.

  He held up his hand. “I apologize. I didn’t say that to ignite anything. I just want you to know I’m glad you’re here. Daniel will be glad you’re here, and I’m sorry for what I said—for being thoughtless and for disrespecting you.”

  Viv was literally speechless. After all the insults she’d hurled at him, he was apologizing to her. She opened her mouth to say something just as Sydney emerged from the office. Carolyn looked up and Mac stood up, anticipating some news. God willing, it would be good.

  “We have two agents in the area who happened to be there for other work,” she said, trying to keep her tone hopeful, “and my agency is working to re-task a satellite so we have some better aerial footage of the area. We’re also getting a rescue crew out there. They should be on the ground in thirty minutes.”

  Mac walked over to Sydney and hugged her. “Thank you,” he said quietly, and Carolyn thanked her and immediately picked up the airline phone to make a call. Vivienne assumed she was calling David, who was in Virginia working on a legal case and had been in court and unreachable. But now he planned to catch the next flight to Costa Rica so he could meet them there.

  Viv sat back and considered the resources that were being gathered to find Daniel and the other passengers and sent up a silent prayer that it would be enough—that they’d be found, and she’d have another chance to tell him how much she loved him. She wanted to tell him that she’d been silly and selfish and mean. God willing, she’d be the happiest woman in the world if he could bring himself to forgive her.

  32

  Daniel woke with a pounding headache. Actually it was more than that. It was as if someone was jackhammering into his head. Something was on top of him, something heavy, and he also felt something trickling across his face. He forced his eyes open and stared up at the canopy of trees. There was smoke coming from somewhere, but he was too disoriented to tell where. What had happened? Where was he?

  He tried to turn his head to get his bearings. When he did, a sharp pain seared through him, and he felt the trickle across his face increase in speed. He flicked his tongue over it and tasted blood. He was bleeding.

  He heard weeping, a woman’s voice, somewhere near him. He wasn’t sure in which direction. The weight he felt pressing down on him covered most of his body except for his right arm. He tried lifting it, and it hurt like hell. It was probably broken. A memory drifted into his head. The plane had hit something—perhaps an especially violent pocket of the hurricane, or some kind of turbulent cell—and been tossed around like it was made of paper, then more jolting, and then screams. There had been six people on the plane, including him and the pilot: Two women, as he recalled, one young boy, and another adult male. No doubt they were all in need of medical care.

  Daniel needed to free himself from whatever had fallen on him, right now, and he pushed hard against it. In response, his body screamed in anguish and the world went black.

  33

  The local authorities had set up a central rescue location at the regional airport where Mac had the pilot land. The airport was closed to all commercial aircraft, including any flights other than rescue aircraft due to the deteriorating weather conditions, but Sydney had pulled some strings so they could land there.

  The airport was small, with just two terminals. They were greeted by Marie, the manager of Daniel’s orphanage. She ushered them into a makeshift waiting area, which had been filled with tourists when Viv first visited Costa Rica.

  The storm had kept most of the tourists in their hotels. The few who had hoped to get out were quickly sent away so rescue teams could focus their efforts. The problem was that Daniel’s plane wasn’t their only priority. Hikers and vacationers had gone missing, and the already-limited resources were stretched to the limit.

  “We have you set up over here,” Marie said pointing to a row of chairs. “I’m so sorry to meet you under dees terrible circumstances. Daniel says wonderful t’ings about his parents.”

  “Thank you,” Mac said, “and this is Vivienne,” Mac held out a hand to her and Marie smiled and nodded.

  “Yes, we met da day Daniel brought you in for a tour. My dear, I’m so sorry.” Marie hugged Viv, who nearly burst into tears but willed herself to hold it together. If Daniel’s mother wasn’t a weeping mess, then she wouldn’t be either.

  “It’s so nice to see you again,” Viv said, her voice shaky.

  “Please,” Carolyn said, her voice raw with emotion, “tell us everything you know.”

  Marie shook her head and said, “Dere’s not much. Dere are teams out looking, but dey didn’t file a flight plan, because dey were hurrying ta reach da village and no one took da time.” She paused for a moment, considering the weight of what she’d just said. “Da crews are lookin’ as best dey can, but da jungle is so dense, particularly in dose areas…” Her voice trailed off.

  Sydney said, “I just got a text from the team. They’re on the ground and searching and the satellite is sending us data they think may be helpful.”

  Marie frowned and Mac said, “My wife, Sydney. She’s CIA.”

  Marie smiled for the first time since she’d greeted them. “Dis is grand news. Da more people lookin’ for dem, the better.”

  Viv tried to focus on the conversation, but all she could see was the fading light outside. Soon it would be dark, making a search even more difficult. She felt a hand reach for hers and looked up. It was Carolyn.

  “He’s a strong boy,” she said softly while the others continued to discuss the rescue. “He’ll survive this. You’ll see.”

  “I’m sorry we never had a chance to meet before.” Vivienne wanted to say before this, this horrible, desperate thing that had happened. She couldn’t imagine how difficult it must be for Carolyn.

  “Daniel spoke of you often, so much that I feel I know you.” Carolyn’s words were soft and almost soothing. It was easy to understand why Daniel adored his mother as he did. She was warm and welcoming, even in these dire circumstances. And she was beautiful, even with her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail and not a hint of makeup on.

  Vivienne could see a lot of her in Daniel, too. He had her dark eyes, those eyes that always made her feel as though she were drowning and he was the only one who could save her. Ironically he had saved her, and then saved her again with his love until she’d carelessly and cruelly discarded it and him on one fe
ll swoop.

  Carolyn nodded toward Mac, who was in business executive mode pacing around the room trying to keep busy and pressing for updates. “Mac’s a bit of an acquired taste,” Carolyn said with a slight smile, “but he’s got a good heart. He’s the reason I’m still here, you know.”

  Daniel had told Vivienne how Mac had given up months of his life to help find someone who could cure Carolyn of her cancer, and he’d succeeded. Then Carolyn and Mac slept together and broke Kate’s heart.

  “The problem with Mac,” Carolyn said, “is that he sometimes acts without thinking.” Viv felt an odd vulnerability with this woman who seemed to read her mind.

  “Daniel will survive this,” she agreed softly, still holding Carolyn’s hand.

  “I need a walk, even if it’s just around the terminal. Care to come with me?” Carolyn asked.

  Viv shook her head. She couldn’t leave. She wanted—no, needed—to be the first to hear if they got any word about Daniel’s plane.

  “No, I’ll stay here if you don’t mind.” And Carolyn beamed and leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

  “I can see why Daniel loves you so much,” she said. “I hope you two find a way to work this out.” As she walked away, Viv could feel Carolyn’s words echo through her.

  A cup appeared under her hose. “Coffee or tea?” Mac asked. “Sorry, that’s all they have.”

  “Tea, please.” She took the cup, and Mac sat beside her.

  “He’s out there. I know he’s out there,” he said with such certainty Viv didn’t doubt he believed it. The problem was they didn’t know for sure. No one knew.

  “He’s a survivor,” Mac continued, “always has been.” His voice petered out, and Viv knew exactly what he meant.

  “I bet by the time we find them, he’ll have saved everyone’s life and have them all bandaged up and ready to go home.”

  She sipped her tea, not sure how to respond. But Mac didn’t wait for her to say anything.

  “He’s always been a better kid than I deserved,” he began, “and he’s always loved helping people. When he was nine, he wanted to be a fireman. He spent one summer just rescuing cats from trees. You’ve never seen as many cats in trees as we had that summer. I suspected he was putting them up there so he could rescue them.” Mac smiled, and the memory of it lit his face. He sipped his coffee and then said, “He’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

  Mac stood up to leave. As he did, Viv took his hand and said, “Thank you for letting me travel with you and…” she hesitated before she continued, “…for being so kind to me.”

  Mac didn’t respond. He just squeezed her hand, nodded, and walked away.

  At that moment the local chief of police approached them. Carolyn, who had already walked back to the group, stiffened when she saw him.

  “I’m sorry,” he began in English, his accent heavy. Viv could feel herself shaking. “We have to call off the search for now. It’s too dark, and there’s another storm.”

  Mac’s face went dark. Before the man could finish, Mac went all papa bear on him. “No! That is not acceptable! My boy is out there, and we need to find him tonight!” Mac towered over the shorter man, who was looking as uncertain as the words he spoke.

  “Sir,” his accent seemed to thicken, “I apologize, but it is too dangerous for my rescue workers.”

  “Unacceptable,” Mac’s voice raised enough to draw the attention of just about everyone in the small terminal.

  “Mac,” Sydney walked up to him and gently tugged at his arm.

  “Syd, let me do this.” Then he turned back to the officer, and Viv could feel something radiate off of him.

  It was fear.

  Intense and raw.

  “Listen,” Mac pointed a finger at him, “you get your people out there and find them! Tonight! Doesn’t anyone have lights? Night vision?!”

  “Mac, honey, please.” Sydney pulled on his arm again, this time harder.

  Mac turned to Syd and she said, “My people are staying out for as long as it takes. Let the local workers rest, since they’ve been out there all day. We have helicopters and enough lights to make that forest seem like daylight.”

  Then she turned to the officer and shook his hand. “Thank you for your help, sir. I’m sure you understand the family is most upset.”

  He nodded, looking relieved. “I understand, and we will be here all night in case you need anything.” He walked away quickly while Mac wrapped Syd in his arms.

  “God, what would we do without you?” he murmured.

  While Viv watched this episode unfold, she missed Daniel more than she ever thought possible. And a thought she didn’t dare entertain for very long crept into her mind. What if she never saw him again? She was so lost in her own fear, she didn’t see Carolyn walk up beside her.

  “God help the person who tries to prevent Mac from keeping his family safe.” She smiled wistfully.

  Viv looked over at her, certain the woman could read her mind. “I don’t know how you do it,” she began. “How are you managing? I mean, you seem so calm.”

  Carolyn gazed at her for a moment.

  “I’m glad you think so.” She took Viv’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m not calm at all. I’m worried as hell, but I’ll tell you, this big, ugly thing called cancer changes you. You learn which things you can actually control—which are, unfortunately, not many. You do your best to let go of the rest.”

  She looked out over the terminal. “That’s not always as easy as it sounds, but with Mac taking charge of this and a CIA agent on the case, we’re luckier than most would be in this situation.” Carolyn went silent again for a while and then said, “I can’t even begin to entertain the idea of not seeing my son again.” Her voice shook slightly and Viv kept holding her hand, knowing exactly what she meant.

  They were interrupted by wheels clattering in their direction. Men, airport workers, were bringing them folded cots.

  “Thank you very much. Just put them over here,” Mac directed them to a quiet corner. Then he turned to Carolyn and Vivienne and said, “I want you both to get some sleep.”

  “I can’t possibly,” Carolyn began to protest, and Mac was beside her in a few strides. “You will at least rest,” he said gently. “You need to rest.” He turned to Viv and took her hand, looking into her eyes. “You both should.”

  Viv was tired, bone-tired, but like Carolyn, she was sure she wouldn’t be able to sleep. How long had she been awake? More than twenty-four hours, certainly.

  “How about this?” Carolyn said. “What if we both at least try? I can’t promise you I will sleep, but lying down would feel good.”

  “That’s all I can ask,” he said, bending to give her a quick peck on the cheek, “and I can’t promise how comfortable the cots will be, but they’ve got fresh linens and a pillow.”

  Viv still hadn’t said a word. She just stood there in awe of this man, who was doing his best to manage every aspect of this rescue. Guilt washed over her in waves, but she was too tired to sort it out right now.

  “What about you, Mac? Will you and Syd get some rest?” Carolyn asked.

  Mac shook his head, “I won’t sleep until our son is home…and, as for Sydney,” he looked over to where she stood, her ear glued to her satellite phone, “she is in super spy mode and can go for days without sleep.” He winked at Carolyn, “Or so says the legend.”

  The cots weren’t great, but as soon as Viv’s head hit the pillow she fell into a deep sleep. She dreamed of Daniel emerging out of the waves where they’d first met.

  She awoke with a start. There was a loud crash and then what sounded like thousands of marbles clattering down on the thin roof of the terminal. Her breath caught in her chest.

  “It’s another storm,” Carolyn said from her cot. Vivienne looked over to see her sitting up with her knees pulled up under her chin. “It’ll make staying out there difficult for the rescue crew.”

  “Difficult,” Sydney said, walking up to them, “but not imp
ossible. They’ve got the gear, so don’t worry about them. Look, I was just about to see if I could scrape together some food for us. Most of the concession stands have been vacated, but I’m sure I can find something. Are either of you hungry?”

  Viv looked around. It was pitch black out. Another clap of thunder followed, almost immediately by lightning ripped a hole in the night.

  “How long did I sleep?” she asked, more to herself than either of the women.

  “Three hours or so,” Carolyn said. “You hungry?”

  Viv nodded, she was a bit. Maybe not as hungry as she should be, but a little food would be good right about now. She needed to stay awake and be alert when they found Daniel.

  “Great,” Sydney said briskly. “I’ll go see what I can find. Be right back.” And with that she was gone striding the length of the terminal in search of something for them to eat with her satellite phone hooked to her belt. Vivienne could hear the faint ringing of it as she walked away and a faint hello as Sydney answered.

  The next thing Viv knew, Sydney was running past them to one of the three gates that had been closed because of the storm. Viv sat up, watching her. Mac had followed her over and stood beside her. There were only a few local police left, and Mac signaled them to help pry open one of the gate doors.

  Carolyn grabbed her hand and the two women looked at each other. They both stood up at almost the same exact moment and hurried toward the gate, which now had a door pried open. Rain and hail fell in sheets outside. Viv could see a truck with a covered flatbed through the terminal window, and it was approaching them.

  “They’re here.” Sydney grinned at Carolyn and then Viv. “The team found them.”

  “I need stairs, now, and please call an ambulance!” Sydney yelled to one of the officers, who immediately got on his radio and spoke in quick Spanish. Viv picked up one or two words, but not enough to fully understand what he was saying.