Smooth talking stranger

by Lorraine Heath

Hunter watched as people clambered out of the van. A tall man with dark hair caught his attention and held it. She’d mentioned Jack, her neighbor, her best friend, several times. He’d never asked how they’d come to know each other. He’d never put two and two together.

  “I’ll catch up with you,” Hunter told her. “I need to talk with Dan for just a minute.”

  “Okay.” She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t take too long. I’m anxious for Jack to meet you.”

  He watched as she hurried to greet the newest arrivals.

  “What’s wrong?” Dan asked.

  “I just needed to give you the ring.” He removed it from his pocket and handed it off to Dan.

  “That could have waited, man. What’s going on?”

  “Remember that trouble I got into about six years back?”

  “In Afghanistan?”

  “Yeah. I think that guy might have been one of the guys sent to get me out.”

  “It was a classified mission. He’s not going to say anything.”

  “Serena’s husband was killed on that mission. I have a feeling he and Jack were friends.”

  “Shit. Serena doesn’t know—”

  “My connection to that mission? Like you said, it’s classified. By the time I realized who her husband was, I’d convinced myself that it wouldn’t hurt to keep seeing her, and there was no reason for her to know. I think that decision is about to come back and bite me.”

  “Not necessarily. They were told only your code name. And after ten days with your torturers, you were so badly beaten that I barely recognized you when I saw you in the hospital. He’s not going to recognize you.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  Because if he wasn’t, then all hell was going to break loose.

  “I can’t believe that you’re marrying someone I haven’t met,” Jack said, holding Serena close against his side, his arm around her shoulders.

  “Everything happened quickly, but you’ll like him. He’s your kind of guy.”

  “My kind of guy? What the hell does that mean?”

  “Tough, strong. He was in the army for a while. You can probably swap war stories.”

  “No, I’ll keep my war stories to myself, thanks all the same.”

  She spotted Hunter standing in the shadows of the outer stairs, isolated, suddenly alone, and she wondered where Dan had gone off to. Hunter struck her as he had so many times when she looked at him without expectation: filled with loneliness. It was as though it rolled off, only to return, like the undulating tides.

  But he was a good man, she knew that, and she knew in her heart that they could make this work. She motioned him over, surprised that he seemed reluctant to join them. But eventually, his long strides began to eat up the distance separating them.

  Hunter stopped a short distance in front of them. His eyes were emotionless. His face revealed nothing of what he was thinking, and she wondered briefly if he was jealous of her relationship with Jack, with the way that Jack so easily hugged her, kept her close. She stepped out of Jack’s embrace and went to Hunter, welcoming his arm around her waist.

  “Hunter, this is Jack Morgan.”

  Hunter extended his hand. “It’s good to meet you. Serena has told me a lot about you.”

  Jack shook his hand. “She has good things to say about you, too. She said you were in the army. We’ve never met, though, have we?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “You seem familiar.”

  Hunter shook his head. “Can’t imagine why.”

  “It’ll come to me.”

  Hunter hoped not.

  “Jack, put the badge away,” an attractive blond woman said as she nestled up against his side.

  Jack slipped his arm around her. “This is my wife, Kelley.”

  “You have to forgive him,” Kelley said. “He has a difficult time turning off his police chief mode, and he’s always been protective where Serena is concerned.”

  Police chief. Serena had failed to mention that.

  “That’s Madison, their daughter,” Serena said, pointing to a young girl that Hunter put at sixteen or seventeen. “And the boy talking to Riker is Jason.”

  “Nice family,” Hunter said.

  “We think so,” Kelley said. She patted her husband’s arm. “Come on. We need to go say hello to Larry. It was nice to meet you.”

  Thinking Jack left rather reluctantly, Hunter had a feeling that the reason he looked familiar to Jack was going to gnaw at the man. Hunter knew it would gnaw at him if their situations were reversed.

  “Is everything all right?” Serena asked.

  “Everything is great.”

  “I figured you and Jack would get along.”

  “We’ll get along just fine.” As long as he never realizes where he knows me from.

  Chapter 20

  The sky was awash in orange, purple, and pink as Serena stood before the minister with Hunter beside her. It was an extremely informal gathering. Family and friends formed a half circle around the couple.

  When the minister had asked who gave the bride, her father had responded, “Her son and I, her father, do.”

  She’d thought she was going to burst into tears at that very moment. And if Hunter hadn’t taken her hand, squeezed it, and held her gaze, given her his strength, she would have wept.

  But he was so strong, so sure, so confident. He wasn’t trembling as she was. He had no doubts, and because he didn’t, she found herself casting her doubts aside.

  She didn’t think he’d ever looked more handsome than he did at this moment in his tuxedo. Traditional black and white. The only bit of color he wore was the yellow boutonniere that matched her bouquet of yellow roses.

  The minister spoke all the right words, and she discovered that she didn’t feel that they were making a mockery of the marriage. She supposed people got married knowing much less about each other.

  How did you learn everything about a person when you hadn’t grown up with them?

  She would probably never know all there was to know about Hunter Fletcher, but standing here beside him, she was convinced that she knew enough to be certain she’d made the right decision. Riker would have a truer father-figure than Jack. This baby would have both parents.

  And she thought love for this man hovered just over the horizon, that it would arrive when she was least expecting it.

  And the manner in which he continued to hold her gaze, hold her hand, led her to believe that in time he would come to love her as well. He’d promised to do whatever it took to make the marriage work. She would as well.

  Those were the silent vows she was taking today. But she would remain as true to them as she would to those she spoke aloud.

  Hunter’s voice boomed loudly and clearly when he repeated his vows, and she heard not an ounce of doubt. She’d repeated her vows with equal conviction. They exchanged rings.

  And when the minister gave Hunter permission to kiss the bride, the kiss was more tender than any she’d ever received. It spoke of promises made, of his commitment to her, of his determination to make this marriage work.

  And she knew in that single moment that everything would be all right.

  Hunter had shaken more hands, received more kisses on the cheek and more slaps on the back than he thought it was humanly possible to receive in the hour since he and Serena had exchanges vows.

  They’d just had their photos taken cutting into the cake. Now someone wanted to take a photo of them holding champagne glasses with their arms all twisted around each other’s. He felt like an awkward fool, but based on the warm smile Serena was bestowing on him, he had a feeling that it didn’t show.

  He took a sip of the champagne, wishing he was free to down it and a few more. He wondered if Dan had brought anything stronger to drink.

  People clapped, and he tried not to feel stupid doing all these little rituals which meant nothing to him, but obviously meant something to Serena. For her sake, he could pre
tend that they all mattered.

  He heard a tapping on glass, turned to see Dan grinning broadly, and had a feeling that he wasn’t going to like whatever was about to happen.

  “Well, now,” Dan said, lifting his glass slightly once he had everyone’s attention. “I think as best man that I’m supposed to make a toast.”

  Damn. Hunter knew what was coming, something lascivious, crude, and rude that would refer to the wedding night—and he didn’t know how to stop it.

  “Well, this is a day that I never thought I’d see, so Serena, darlin’, although we just met, I know you’re special. And in case you haven’t figured it out yet, so is the guy you married. I’d trust him with my life. More than that, I’d lay down my life for him, without hesitation, and there aren’t many I’d do that for. I wish you both a long life and happiness and lots of kids. Cheers!”

  There was a round of cheers. Hunter hadn’t expected such a heartfelt acknowledgment. He was deeply touched, because if there was any man he’d lay down his life for, it was Dan. When he looked at Serena, she had tears in her eyes.

  “He works with you, doesn’t he?” she asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “He just told me a whole lot about you, Hunter, things I’d suspected, and now have confirmed.” She gave him a sweet, gentle kiss. “I think we’re going to be okay.”

  “I know we are.”

  Smiling at Serena, Hunter took another sip of the champagne and hoped the traditions were about over.

  “Well, son, I want to officially welcome you to the family,” Larry said as he extended his hand.

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Larry winked. “Riker and I are going to go to Hopeful for the night.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” Serena said.

  Larry leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You’re welcome, sweetie. I can’t help but believe that your mom and Steve were looking down this evening with approval.”

  Hunter’s gut clenched. He would have preferred to have no reminders of Steve Hamilton today, but they kept popping up.

  Her father walked off. Dan came over, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Nice toast, huh?”

  “I never took you to be such a sentimentalist.”

  Dan patted his chest, just above his heart. “Deep in here, buddy, and I meant every word I said.”

  Hunter felt his throat knot up with unexpected emotions. “I’d do the same for you, you know.”

  “Yeah, I know, but we keep walking this trail and I’m going to start crying.”

  Hunter had a feeling that he meant those words as well.

  Dan’s grinned broadened. “I don’t think I’ve kissed the bride yet.”

  Hunter put his hand on Dan’s chest. “You kissed her.”

  Dan wiggled his brows and winked at Serena. “You ever get tired of this guy, you come see me.”

  Serena laughed. “I think I’ll stick with what I have.”

  Her words surprised him, but Hunter felt they were more freely given and possibly truer than any of the vows they’d exchanged.

  “It really was a nice toast,” Serena said. “I appreciated the sentiment.”

  “Like I said, I meant every word. Don’t let him fool you. He’s a special guy. He’ll spend the rest of his life trying to convince you otherwise. But the bottom line is that they don’t get no better than him.”

  “So I’m coming to realize.”

  He leaned toward Hunter. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go check out that babe over there.”

  Looking where Dan was, Hunter shook his head. “I wouldn’t. Her father is the police chief.” He pointed toward Jack. “Right there.”

  “Well, that’s not fair.” He patted Hunter’s shoulder. “When the time is right, I’m just going to slip away. Might not see you before I go.”

  “All right. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”

  Dan leaned over and kissed Serena’s cheek. “Honestly, darlin’, I wish you the best. Keep this guy out of trouble and happy.”

  “It was nice to meet you, Dan.”

  “You bet it was. It always is.”

  Laughing, he walked away.

  “The last thing I expected was for you to have such a talkative friend,” Serena said.

  “Opposites attract.”

  “I suppose. Why are you going to see him in a couple of weeks?”

  “Let’s not worry about it tonight, okay? Tonight, I just want you to be happy.”

  Chapter 21

  Serena loved the beach at night. She could hear the rush of distant water, an occasional foghorn, and the breeze whispering over the water, sand, and grass.

  Standing outside with Hunter’s arms around her, his chest to her back, she watched as the taillights on the last car disappeared down the sandy road. Her father was taking Riker to Hopeful so the newlyweds could have some time alone.

  She wanted to be what Hunter wanted her to be: happy. But it was difficult when the future held such uncertainty. He would be leaving soon. He couldn’t tell her where he’d be going or what he’d be doing. She despised the secrecy, because she knew it was a harbinger for danger.

  She didn’t want to think about his friend, or how he’d done exactly as he’d promised—snuck away without being noticed. And she didn’t want to admit that Hunter was probably in the habit of doing the same thing: arriving places without drawing attention and then stealthily slipping away. No more than a shadow.

  But tonight he was flesh and blood, warm and firm, distracting her from her worries with a slow trailing of his mouth along the curve of her neck.

  “Do you know the problem with an outdoor wedding on the Texas coast in July?” she asked, angling her head, exposing more skin to his questing lips.

  “No.”

  “You get all sticky.” She turned and wound her arms around his neck. “I want to take a bath.”

  “All right.”

  His lips met hers before his words were fully out of his mouth. She didn’t hesitate to return the kiss. He was her husband. She still had a difficult time believing it.

  The rapidity with which everything had happened astonished her, and yet she was convinced she’d made the correct decision to marry him. He had a loyal friend, and meeting Dan had told her more about Hunter than any silly game of twenty questions she could ever play.

  Breaking off the kiss, she took his hand and led him into the house and up the stairs to the main bedroom. She was surprised to see a bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket of ice.

  “What is this?” she asked, as she walked over to it. A small envelope was taped to the bottle. She removed it and read the note.

  “Who’s it from?” Hunter asked.

  “Kevin.” She waved the note in the air. “He wishes us the best, and knowing him, this champagne is probably the best. Will you open it, while I get the bath ready?”

  “Sure.”

  She went into the bathroom. She’d always loved the claw-footed tub. She turned on the water, dropped in a capful of bubble bath, and lit the candles. She removed her clothes. When the tub was almost filled, she climbed into it and sank into the heavenly warm water.

  She was tired, but it was a good kind of tired. Brought on by a day of joy. Hearing footsteps, she looked toward the door. Hunter came in carrying two flutes of champagne.

  “Just as I suspected,” she said. “Expensive stuff.”

  She reached a hand through the bubbles and took one of the offered glasses.

  “How can you tell?” he asked.

  “The teeny tiny bubbles. The more expensive the champagne, the tinier the bubbles.”

  He tapped his glass against hers. “To us.”

  “To us,” she repeated.

  They each took a sip of the bubbly brew, and then he leaned down and kissed her.

  “There’s room in here for you,” she assured him.

  “Glad to hear it.”

  He placed his glass on the small table beside the tub. She watched in fascination as he began to remove
his clothes.

  “You know, we really need to find more excuses for you to wear a tuxedo.” She released a tiny growl. “You looked really good tonight.”

  And he looked even better as he dropped his clothes to the floor, piece by piece. The only light in the room was the flickering candles. She watched the shadows and light play over his skin as it was revealed to her.

  “Have I ever mentioned that I love the way you look?” she asked.

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Well, I do.”

  She brought up her knees as he stepped into the tub, slid down, and placed his feet on either side of her hips. She took his flute off the table and passed it to him. “Another toast.” She clinked her glass against his. “To hot nights that have nothing to do with the weather.”

  “I’ll drink to that.”

  Wiggling her toes, she ran her foot along his thigh, his hip, and up his chest. He wrapped his hand around her foot and began to knead her sole with his thumb.

  She closed her eyes and took another sip of champagne. “That feels good.”

  “You were beautiful today, Serena.”

  His words pleased her beyond measure. “It was a perfect day, Hunter.”

  He closed his mouth around her toe. The heat traveled from her toes all the way up her leg. She’d never realized how sensitive her foot was.

  He downed his remaining champagne, set his glass aside, and went to work in earnest on her foot, rubbing, massaging, kissing, nibbling.

  “Maybe you need to come nibble at this end,” she suggested.

  “It would be easier if you came this way so you were on top.”

  She finished off her champagne and placed the glass on the table. Easing up, she straddled his thighs and shifted her weight until she was lying against his chest. He dipped his head and took possession of her mouth.

  The heat was instantaneous and she wondered if it would always be this way with them. A fire that started so easily and burned so brightly.

  With one hand, she cradled his face, changed the angle of the kiss and slid farther into the water where his hands were skimming over her body, stroking, and pressing her to him. They had all night. With no one waiting on them, no one expecting them.