A Soldier's Secret

by Linda Style

  NATALIA CHECKED THE VITALS on the helo. A week had passed without a hitch. Aside from going to Phoenix the previous Monday to sign a slew of papers, and trying not to think about the party on Saturday night that Mac’s mother had arranged, she and Mac went to work, did their jobs and then went home.

  There had been only one rescue, so she’d spent her extra time training SAR volunteers. When Mac wasn’t helping her with the training, he was working on the tree house for David. She’d also spent a great deal of time talking with Serena about the wedding, which was only two weeks away. They’d pushed up the date because Serena wanted to be able to wear a wedding gown, not a maternity dress.

  Natalia glanced at her watch. Her shift didn’t start for another hour, but she liked to be prepared well ahead of time in case there were any glitches that needed attention. Time was critical on every rescue, and they were required to be ready and out within minutes of getting a dispatch.

  When she’d done all she could, she walked through the hangar and back to the office. The large tin building was an old Quonset hut, large enough for volunteer training and flight instruction, both of which she planned to put into effect once she bought the place. Training was a continual process for both permanent staff and the volunteers who made up most of the SAR teams across the state.

  She was always being asked to talk at volunteer groups about search and rescue techniques, and sometimes Mac gave classes on emergency medical response. Offering classes on-site would be a huge asset. She couldn’t wait to make it happen.

  All she had to do was get her loans approved and make an offer. When the owner of Mountain Air had first mentioned he was selling the business, she’d told him she wanted to buy it. He’d been delighted, knowing his pride and joy would be in competent hands. The purchase was pretty much a slam-dunk deal once she obtained the funding. But she’d had no idea the financing would take so long.

  She shrugged into her SAR vest just as Mac walked in. “Cutting it close, don’t you think?”

  “I know. Sorry. Bennett called with some good news. We had great reports from Mrs. Sharpton and it looks like everything’s a go.” He turned, grabbed his EMA vest and continued. “He needs to talk to me about arrangements. I can either fly to a point of pickup, or have someone accompany David here.”

  Natalia blanked for a moment. Point of pickup? “What? Already? Just like that?”

  He nodded, his eyes brightening. “It’s mind-blowing, isn’t it.”

  “That’s it?” It didn’t seem right. That couldn’t be all there was to it. “Don’t we have more to do? Like talk to…to other people from agencies or the government or—”

  “I guess not. I did everything I needed to do before I asked you to help me. And—” he wrapped an arm around her and gave her a quick squeeze “—apparently, we passed all the requirements. We’re good parent material, and all we have to do now is decide the best way to get D.J. here.”

  Natalia went over and dropped into the chair in front of her desk. She felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her—and she didn’t know why. This was exactly what they’d wanted. What she’d wanted. How many times had she said the sooner the better? “Wow. I’m speechless.”

  Mac strode across the room to the window, then came back again. “I was, too. Only there’s something else. Because bringing D.J. here involves international government agencies, they will likely be required to talk to us after a few weeks to see how things are going.”

  Mac talked and paced and waved his hands, and his words bounced around in her head as if in an echo chamber.

  He grabbed another plastic chair and pulled it up in front of her. His expression went from over-the-moon excited to deadly serious. “So I have to ask another huge favor, one I really, really hate to ask, because I know you’re dying to leave and get your life back. But since it’s not a fait accompli yet—” he let out a long breath “—it would be great if you could stay and keep things just as they are for a little while longer.”

  Stay? Her throat closed. She was happy for Mac, but… “How long?”

  He rose, scratched the back of his neck, then scrunched up his face, as if not liking what he had to say. “A month, maybe? I just want to be sure.” He sighed. “I also thought that it might be hard for D.J. to meet his new mom at the airport and then have her disappear. I don’t know how he’s going to react to me, either. He might hate me and—”

  “Okay. Sure.” She jumped to her feet.

  He swung around. “What?”

  “I said sure. Now we’d better get organized. Nick said we’re on alert.”

  Mac reached out and hugged her. “I can’t tell you what this means to me, Nats. I owe you. I owe you big time.”

  She wriggled out of his arms, though not because she didn’t like it. She seemed to like it too much, and that was a problem. “Nothing you wouldn’t do for me if the roles were reversed, MacAllister. Now let’s go.”

  They got their gear together, and just as they turned the corner outside, Natalia saw Brody Romano, one of the guys Serena used to date on occasion. Brody was the listing Realtor for Mountain Air, and he was with an older man with silver hair.

  “Hi, Brody,” she said as he got closer. “What’s up?”

  He gave her his business smile. “My agency listed Mountain Air on the market recently, and I’m showing the property to Mr. Collins.” He turned to his client. “Natalia Sokoloff is one of the search and rescue pilots.”

  She nodded to the older man.

  Brody turned to Mac and reached to shake his hand. “And David MacAllister, here, is one of the rescue paramedics.”

  Mac nodded and shook hands with both men.

  Then Brody, with one hand on Collins’s shoulder, directed him toward the office. Natalia heard him saying as they walked away, “Both are former air force officers with a lot of experience. You’d have no downtime at all. It’s the perfect setup. Unless, of course, you’d like to change staff.”

  A cold chill of fear ran up Natalia’s spine. Her pulse quickened as she put on her ball cap and made a beeline for the chopper.

  She’d never envisioned anyone buying Mountain Air but her.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  MAC LOOKED AT HIS SELECTION of ties, then slammed the closet door. A white shirt and black dress pants would be good enough for a place like the Blue Moon Saloon, even if it was for his own wedding party.

  Why, oh, why had he let his mother guilt him into agreeing to a party to celebrate their sham of a marriage? The whole thing was bizarre. And the worst part was that the marriage had been his crazy idea.

  But it had worked. His blood surged. He was going to have custody of his son! He’d been so excited, he’d wanted to jump on a plane immediately to bring D.J. to Spirit Creek, but after asking Natalia’s opinion, he’d changed his mind. When she’d suggested it might be more comfortable for D.J. to fly with someone he knew, Mac had had to agree. He could always count on her for a logical, nonemotional opinion. The flight alone could be traumatic, and being put in the care of a stranger could make it even worse.

  So now, instead, sometime within the next two weeks, his son would arrive at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, accompanied by someone from the orphanage who would make the trip and the transition less stressful.

  But the waiting was hell. Maybe Mac should be thankful to his mother for giving him something else to think about. He was almost one hundred percent sure he could pull off the husband thing tonight, but would Natalia be able to fake it long enough to make their guests believe they were newlyweds in love?

  The only people besides him and Natalia who knew the whole story were their friends Cole, Serena, Linc and Tori. His mother suspected, but hadn’t said another word about it since he’d shut her down. He knew why. She wanted the marriage to be permanent.

  He pulled on his black boots, thought about changing to a black shirt, but decided he’d probably look like one of the bad guys if he did—or like Natalia’s twin, since she’d no doubt wea
r black. He grabbed a handmade belt, a gift from one of his PT patients, black leather with a Native American silver-and-turquoise design on it. He thought about his Stetson, but left it on the hook, went downstairs and directly to the wet bar in the family room adjoining the kitchen.

  He hadn’t completely furnished the room yet, but he’d stocked the wine shelves and liquor cabinet.

  He poured a glass of Johnny Walker scotch and set out a bottle of cabernet for Natalia, in case she wanted it. He glanced at his watch. They were supposed to arrive at 6:00 p.m., a half hour ahead of the guests, and it was 5:30 now. Holding his drink, he walked to the stairwell to give Natalia a heads-up that time was getting short. Then he saw her at the top of the staircase.

  In a short red dress.

  His glass nearly slipped from his hand, and though he grabbed quickly and caught it, he was certain his mouth was hanging open as he did. As he straightened, all he saw were long bare legs coming toward him—and every male hormone in his body stood at attention.

  Natalia’s usually straight chestnut hair fell around her face in soft, shiny curls, and peeking out from underneath on each side were silver hoop earrings. Her red lips perfectly matched the simple spaghetti strap dress, and though not covered in jewelry, she seemed to sparkle all over.

  “I hope that’s for me,” she said as she took the glass from his hand and brushed past him. “I’m going to need it tonight.”

  He sucked in a deep breath and his nose followed the delectable scent of something good enough to eat. “Yeah, me, too.”

  He followed her into the room, watching the easy sway in her stride that seemed somehow different with three-inch heels on. He’d seen her in a dress before, but nothing so sexy. Sexy, yet not over the top. She exuded self-confidence. Sometimes when they were on a flight, he couldn’t help wondering what she’d be like in bed, what those long lean legs would feel like wrapped around him. Fortunately, he’d always managed to stop his wayward thoughts when they were in the air.

  Rescues had a way of blunting everything else. But right now, he was the one needing a rescue. If he didn’t start thinking of liver and onions soon, he couldn’t be held responsible for his actions.

  He crossed the room, poured another shot of scotch and gulped it down. Natalia leaned against the wet bar. “Have you told anyone about D.J. coming next week?”

  Although the scooped neckline of the dress revealed more of her smooth, tanned skin than he’d ever seen before, the mention of D.J. was enough to bring him around.

  “No, not yet, but I plan to tell my mom and sisters later tonight.”

  Natalia’s eyes sparkled and her mouth curved in an impish smile. “Boy, I don’t want to be near you when that happens.”

  Leaning an elbow on the bar, he stood face-to-face with her. “What do you mean?” He reached over and moved a curl that had sprung forward. “You’re my wife. We do things like that together.”

  She brought the glass to her lips and he couldn’t seem to take his eyes from her smooth, sleek throat as she swallowed.

  “Okay. Then I guess we do other things together, too. Right?”

  He didn’t like the evil tone of voice. “Well…yeah. I guess.”

  “I have an invitation to a baby shower where husbands are also invited, and then there’s a luncheon for the Women’s League.”

  He wanted to grab the bottle again and maybe chug down half of it. But he resisted. He had a powerful feeling he was going to need more than liquor to get through this night.

  PASTING ON A SMILE AS she and Mac entered the Blue Moon, Natalia stopped directly inside the door and waited for her eyes to adjust to the lower level of light.

  Immediately, Mac’s mother swooped over and gave her a hug. As the woman drew back she said, “Well, now I know why my son is so smitten. You’re absolutely beautiful, my dear.”

  Natalia managed a thank-you before being accosted by Serena, who dragged her off to the ladies’ room.

  Inside, Natalia glanced in the mirror and fluffed her hair. “What’s up?”

  “You look amazing,” Serena said.

  “You, too.” Natalia waved a hand over Serena’s loose black-and-white zebra-print dress, dark stockings and black ankle boots. “Très chic.”

  “Thanks. I’m not feeling all that great, though, so I thought I’d let you know right now that I may have to leave if it gets worse.”

  Natalia touched her friend’s forehead. “You’re not warm.”

  “It’s just an upset stomach. Probably morning sickness in the evening. I’ll be fine.”

  “Maybe I can find some crackers for you to munch on.”

  Serena hugged herself as if she was cold. “No. Really, I’m fine. Now let’s go out there and pretend you’re deliriously happy.”

  Natalia laughed. “You know what? I don’t have to pretend. Even though I didn’t want to do this, I really am happy. Mac’s son will be here in a couple of weeks and that makes it all worthwhile.”

  “Oh, wow,” Serena said. “That’s wonderful. Your life can go back to normal again.”

  Go back to normal. She wasn’t sure what that would be like anymore. “No, it can’t, not quite yet. I’m staying until D.J. gets settled in.” She searched in her bag for her lip gloss.

  Her friend gave her a sidelong glance. “Really? And you’re okay with it?”

  “Of course.” She dotted her lips with the gloss. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  Serena grinned. “No reason. No reason at all.” As they walked out, she added, “You know, you and Mac really do make a great-looking couple.”

  Natalia ignored the comment and they headed for the party room where the music was coming from. Several dozen people had arrived, and Catherine and two of Mac’s sisters were making the rounds, chatting with guests, while Mac stood with his buddies at the bar on the other side of the room. Seeing her, he strode right over and took her arm.

  “Come with me, my dear. We have to make this look real.”

  Seeing his wide white smile, she couldn’t help giving him one back. She admired the ease he had that made people comfortable, drew them in. He was a naturally gregarious person, where she was naturally shy. Not that people would notice. She’d learned early on that she had to put herself out there or she’d be left behind. It just wasn’t as easy for her as it was for Mac.

  “Can’t we act like we normally do, and then just add a little lovey-dovey here and there?”

  “Yep. But we should stick together.”

  “Okay.”

  Just then a loud male voice announced that the entertainment tonight would be music from the past, and Ed Torborg added they were also going to have a bride’s dance, so everyone should pony up their money when the time came.

  The time came too soon, and Natalia found herself doing a two-step with one guy and a step-on-her-toes-step with another. The music seemed endless, as did the dancing partners. One by one, Sam, then Cole, Linc, Ed and all the Gentry brothers—Travis, Griff and Kael. Even Tom Thompson, owner of Thompson’s Hardware, shuffled through a few bars with her. Although only a few of the older town members were there, the line seemed never ending—until she saw Mac shooing everyone else away.

  When he came forward, a new song began, one she recognized instantly. “Keep Holding On,” an old Avril Lavigne song from their time in Iraq. Natalia’s mind immediately flashed on Mac holding her hand while she was in the field hospital near Fallujah, his soothing voice whispering those same words a hundred times over. The image blurred and morphed into Mac pushing her through exercises in a physical therapy session. After their last mission, he’d been assigned to the hospital and had been there for her when no one else was—not even her parents.

  Always by her side. Always her champion.

  Only now, he wasn’t holding out his hand to help her get steady on her feet and grind out the exercises. He was asking her to dance with him—as his wife.

  She took his hand and he pulled her into his arms. For a long moment, as the music
played the slow, bluesy beat, they just stood there looking at each other.

  They began to move slowly, in perfect unison, dipping and turning until her head felt light and her blood ran hot in her veins, a feeling both surprising and exhilarating.

  His body, she knew from seeing him in the mornings, was all hard muscle under his clothes, and the way he held her, she could feel every single one. He was aroused—and she liked it. Liked how it made her feel sexy and desired, emotions she hadn’t felt in a very long time.

  And it was totally wrong. No matter how needy she felt at this moment, getting physically involved with Mac could come to no good.

  “I would never have thought of you as a good dancer,” she said, pulling back. She never would have thought a lot of things, and the more she found out about her friend, who she’d thought she knew well but didn’t, the more there was to like about him.

  “Just one of my many talents,” he whispered in her ear, and whirled her around, the warm pressure of his hand on the small of her back urging her closer and closer. She relaxed against him, and was sure he could feel her heartbeat crashing against her ribs.

  They danced like teenagers at a prom, oblivious to all around them, and it took the applause of their guests to make them realize when the music was over. It wasn’t the husband-wife wedding dance, but might as well have been. It couldn’t have been more romantic if it had been planned by God himself.

  Mac took her hand and led her to the bar. Keeping his arm around her and his eyes locked with hers, he looked as if he was about to kiss her.

  She couldn’t have pulled away if she wanted to. Which she didn’t. Suddenly, being in Mac’s embrace felt like the most natural place in the world for her.

  “Would you like another glass of champagne?” he finally asked.

  “I would love one,” she said, her voice suddenly lower. A glass of bubbly wasn’t all she wanted.

  “Coming up,” Ed said from behind the bar. “Same for the bridegroom?”

  Mac just kept looking at her, and when he didn’t respond to the question, she rolled her eyes toward Ed.