by Melody Anne
“Well, are you going to do something about it, or not?” Cooper said pointedly.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Maverick said.
“It’s more than obvious you’re in love with this woman. If you don’t do something about it soon, then you’ll regret it because women like Lindsey don’t stay available for long,” Cooper told him.
“Yeah, and the good Dr. Stine is totally after her,” Nick said.
“How the hell do you know that?” Mav asked.
“Stormy told me, and I told Nick,” Cooper said.
“What are you talking about?” Maverick was getting a massive migraine.
“Stormy had to pick Lindsey up yesterday from the hospital because she got hurt—”
“What?” Maverick cut him off as his eyes immediately sought out Lindsey to make sure she was okay. She didn’t appear to be injured, but as his eyes scanned her from head to toe, he noticed the bandage on her arm for the first time. Maybe if he hadn’t been staring at her legs and breasts, he might have noticed sooner. “What happened?”
“It wasn’t much. She got cut by an intern, but the apparently fantastic Dr. Stine is the one who patched her all up. He then told Stormy he was going to have Lindsey sooner or later,” Cooper said, too much glee in his voice as he shared the information.
“Like hell he will,” Maverick said.
At that moment, Lindsey looked up and their gazes connected across the sand. His must have been intense because her eyes widened and her cheeks colored before she ripped her gaze away and looked down.
“Are you going to do something about it?” Nick asked.
“Yeah, I think it’s about time I did,” Mav said.
He took a step toward Lindsey. They were going to have a talk. Because he sure as hell wasn’t going to allow another guy to come in and sweep her off her feet. The thought of such a thing happening made his stomach churn.
All of his pep talks went out the window when he took off for her and touched her arm. She didn’t say a word as he led her off somewhere a lot more private. Only when they were away from other people did she turn on him.
“What do you think you’re doing? That was embarrassing, Mav,” she snapped.
“I want to know what you’re doing,” he snapped back. “What in the hell is going on with Dr. Stine?”
Her eyes rounded as he asked the question, taking a menacing step in her direction.
“Wh . . . what are you talking about?” she stumbled, but he saw the pink in her cheeks.
“Feeling guilty?” he asked.
That was the wrong thing to say. Her eyes narrowed as she lifted her hand, planting it in the center of his chest to stop him from pressing in closer.
“No. I have nothing to feel guilty about. Even if I were seeing another man it wouldn’t be any of your business. We aren’t a couple, have never been a couple, and won’t be one in the future,” she said, her chest rising and falling in her agitation.
“None of my business?” he thundered. “Everything you just said doesn’t make sense.” He had to take a breath. “If we weren’t in a relationship then what the hell were we doing?”
The feel of her small hand on his chest was making his head a bit fuzzy, even if the touch wasn’t in any small way supposed to resemble a caress. He’d missed her touch so damn much.
“You were on a mission. That mission ended. Now please leave me alone,” she told him, before turning and walking away.
Before she made it two steps, he grabbed her uninjured arm and pulled her back to him, this time making her stumble into his chest. He didn’t say another word, just bent down and devoured her mouth, putting his mark on her and making sure she knew he was around.
When he pulled back, she was panting. He leaned forward to kiss her again. She was faster though, and raised her hand, smacking him on the cheek before he knew what was happening.
He released her in his shock, and she stumbled backward.
“Don’t touch me anymore, Maverick. You’ve lost that right,” she said and then she turned around and ran, but not before he heard the slight hiccup of a cry escape her throat.
She was hurting and that was all on him. He felt her pain to the very pits of his soul.
That’s when Maverick decided he needed to do something about it. He’d let her go and it had only brought both of them pain. It was time to fix that.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Sherman was sitting back in a nice lounge chair with Joseph beside him as he watched Maverick grab hold of Lindsey and take her off somewhere private. Neither man could hide their grins.
“Looks like those two are sure fired up tonight,” Joseph said as he puffed on his cigar.
“Yep. They sure have been foolish these past few weeks, but with his brothers prodding him, it won’t be long until Maverick is down on one knee proposing to that girl,” Sherman said.
“Why do they always have to make it so difficult? If they’d just listen to us in the first place we wouldn’t have to do all this meddling,” Joseph said with a chuckle.
“You know you would be bored silly if they made it too easy on us,” Sherman said. “Though I have to admit, I’ve been a little worried. Those two haven’t spoken for a while.”
“Well, it just gave me an excuse to throw a party,” Joseph told his friend.
“You don’t need an excuse, my friend,” Sherman said. “You love to have all your friends and family gathered close by.”
As he spoke, a group of Joseph’s grandchildren went rushing past, their giggles filling the air as they chased two puppies.
“Life is far too lonely all by yourself. I don’t understand these young people thinking they can make it on their own. Why would anyone want to do that when it’s so much better to have the love of your life by your side every single day?” Joseph grumbled.
“Yes. I miss my wife so much still that it brings an ache to my heart when I think about her,” Sherman said. “It helps me, though, seeing the boys slowly beginning to find love.”
“I wouldn’t know what to do without my Katherine. She’s the love of my life. If she knew how much I was messing in the kids’ lives, she would smack me, though,” Joseph said as he looked around nervously.
“Your grandkids are sure growing up fast,” Sherman told him.
“Yes, they are. There will soon be a whole new generation for me to get my hands on,” Joseph said as he looked out across the beach and spotted Jasmine, who was a true beauty. “She’s starting college this fall. I can’t believe how quickly the time passes.”
“Is there anyone special in her life?” Sherman asked.
“No. She’s still too young. I’ll give her a few years before I start thinking about great-grandchildren,” he said with a bear of a laugh.
“Yes. I still have to help Nick find love, and I desperately want to bring Ace home. That boy might think there’s too much water under the bridge, but when it comes to family, you never give up,” Sherman told him.
“I agree with you there,” Joseph told his friend.
“You’ve done well with your family, Joseph. I’m glad I’ve gotten to see how it’s grown,” Sherman said.
Joseph beamed at him, as he always did when anyone praised his family. There was a reason Joseph Anderson had done so well in life—it was because he was loyal and loving, something that couldn’t be said about too many people Sherman knew.
“Thank you, my friend. You’re doing pretty well yourself,” Joseph told him.
“Are you boys over here gossiping?”
Joseph instantly sat up a bit straighter as Katherine approached them.
“We were talking about what a lucky man I am to have wed you,” Joseph quickly said as he reached for his bride and gently pulled her down onto his lap to kiss her lips. “Every day I have with you is one more I thank God for.”
“You smooth talker, you,” she said, a rosy glow instantly showing up in her aged cheeks.
“I’m just telling it
how it is, my Katherine.”
“You clearly have gotten yourself out of trouble,” she told him with a giggle. “Even though I’m sure you’re up to no good.”
She looked adoringly at her husband’s face, and Sherman could see the love they had for each other. It was a beautiful aura of pure goodness.
“I think I will leave you two alone,” he said as he slowly rose to his feet and looked around. He could hear Joseph and Katherine giggling as he walked away to the edge of the water and looked out at the gently lapping waves.
Losing his wife had stolen a piece of his soul, and there wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t regret not doing more for her each day they’d been together.
Turning back around, his eyes sought out his nephews.
He found Cooper and Stormy snuggled up together on a hammock, their smiles obvious even from this distance as Cooper snuck in little kisses. Evelyn cradled their baby close to her chest nearby.
Nick was speaking to a pretty brunette over by the fire, her soft laughter drifting across the sand. This nephew was as reluctant as his brothers to settle down, but the boy sure loved to flirt with the ladies.
It wouldn’t be long before Sherman focused his attention on him.
Looking across the crowd of people, he couldn’t find Maverick anymore—or Lindsey. He sure hoped that was a good sign. Those two were meant to be together and everyone knew it.
With a smile, Sherman made his way up the trails to the huge Anderson mansion. His heart was full, and his body tired. It was time to call it a night.
Tomorrow would be a new day for them all.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
The big night was finally happening. The fund-raiser Lindsey had worked on side by side with Maverick was going off without a single hitch. The party planners had everything taken care of. More money was expected to be raised than in any other previous year, and Lindsey was standing in the immaculate ballroom wearing a dress she felt out of place in, wishing she were any other place on Earth.
Maverick was sure to be there, and she wasn’t sure how she was going to deal with seeing him. She’d told herself it didn’t have to be awkward, told herself they could be friends. But she had been foolish. It would be impossible to be only friends with the man she was hopelessly in love with.
“You are a vision.”
Groaning beneath her breath, Lindsey turned to find Dr. Stine looking pretty dang impressive himself in his custom tux. She wasn’t used to seeing any of the hospital staff in clothing other than scrubs. It was difficult to recognize some of them.
“You look great,” she told him with an attempt at a smile.
“I’m happy you came. I was disappointed when I thought you weren’t going to be here.”
“I was browbeat into coming,” she admitted.
“I was sort of hoping I’m the reason you decided to make an appearance. Then I might be able to talk you into a dance,” he happily responded.
“Dr. Stine . . .” she began when he held a finger up to her lips.
“We’re not at work. Don’t you think you can call me Jesse?”
She reached up and removed his finger. “I might slip at work if I start it now,” she said, but she gave him a smile. He was being very kind to her.
“If you say my name with a little pout at the end, then you can call me whatever you want,” he told her, his teeth showing as he chuckled at his own joke.
It took her a minute to get it. Then she actually laughed.
“I’m not playing doctor and nurse with you,” she said, feeling her spirits lift.
“But I have the perfect outfit in mind,” he promised.
She leaned in and gave him a hug. When she pulled back, she knew there was no chance she was going to date this guy. But she also had a feeling she’d just made a new friend—which in her opinion was so much better than going on a few dates and then feeling awkward around each other.
“Thank you for making me laugh. I can’t wait to see the woman who will bring you down,” she told him.
For the briefest of moments, disappointment flashed in his eyes, but then his smile returned.
“Whoever the guy is that let you get away is a fool. If he doesn’t figure it out soon, then I’m going to have to step up my game,” he promised.
“He’s definitely figured it out.”
She and Dr. Stine both turned to find Maverick standing behind them, looking so spectacular her breath was taken away. She’d seen him in a suit once, but the fitted tux hugged him in all the right places. It gave him a look of mystery she found she wanted to unravel.
He stepped closer, letting Dr. Stine know she was taken. Lindsey didn’t even have time to think before he leaned in and kissed her intimately, making her lips tingle. When he pulled back, she was almost dizzy, grateful for the arm holding her up.
“I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Maverick Armstrong,” he said to Dr. Stine, holding out one hand while possessively holding her with the other.
“Dr. Jesse Stine,” the doctor said, taking his hand as he assessed him.
“Thanks for keeping Lins company, but I’ve got it from here.”
He pulled her away before she had a chance to say anything. It took several seconds before she was able to get her wits about her. Just as Mav got her outside on the private balcony, Lindsey decided to put her foot down.
“That was incredibly rude, Mav. What do you think you’re doing?” she asked, taking a step back from him, pulling herself more into the shadows.
This was too much. First he’d made that display a few days ago at Joseph Anderson’s house, and now he was doing it again here where a lot of her coworkers could see.
“I don’t understand why you’re doing this.”
Her anger was quickly draining and a sense of hopelessness began to fill her.
“I don’t want to be without you, sug,” he said as he stepped closer again.
“No. Stay there,” she warned before taking in a deep breath. “I know we have great sex together, but I can’t do this, Mav. It’s breaking my heart,” she told him before sucking in more air. “I love you. I love you so much that it hurts me when I see you.”
She hadn’t meant to tell him that—to guilt him—but it just came out. It was his fault for continuing to bombard her with his presence.
“And I love you, sugar,” he said with a smile. He moved toward her with even more assurance.
“What does that even mean?” she asked, not wanting to get her hopes up, but unable to completely squash her dreams either.
“It means that I thought I could walk away, that I thought I would be able to just go on with my life, and we could see each other occasionally and be nothing more than friends. That isn’t working for me—and I know it’s not working for you. We have something that is so rare and beautiful that we’d be fools to let it go.”
He dropped to his knee in front of her and pulled out a box, holding it out.
“I didn’t think I would ever want to spend my life with just one person. But from that moment on the beach when I actually looked into your eyes for the first time, I haven’t had another thought for anyone other than you. I love you, Lindsey, so much that I can’t find joy anymore if you aren’t with me. Please forgive my foolishness, and please say you’ll marry me.”
Lindsey’s knees shook as this strong, confident man kneeled before her. It was everything she’d ever hoped for. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure the moment was real.
But that look of fear in his eyes that she might not say yes told her the moment was real—told her that she would have him forever.
“You saved me, Maverick,” she began as tears started running down her cheeks. “And there’s nothing more now that I want than to save us both,” she said.
He took the beautiful diamond from its case and slipped it on her finger before standing up and pulling her into his arms, her feet lifting off the ground.
“I’ve learned something very important in my
time with you, sugar,” he said, his lips so close to hers. She wanted the talking to stop, but she also wanted to hear what he had to say.
“What’s that, my love?” It was amazing how much better she felt just being in his arms again.
“I’ve learned that sometimes in life a person chooses love, and sometimes love chooses you. It’s not a choice that you get to make no matter what people might say.”
“If it’s not a choice, then what is it?” she asked.
“Simply put, it’s fate,” he told her.
And then his lips were on hers and she was in heaven. She cared so much for him. Rather than hide away and live in fear, she could now see the perfection in giving herself to another. What a fool she’d been to not want that. Maverick was her everything and she had no doubt that he felt the same for her.
Fears would never rule her heart again.
EPILOGUE
The sun dipped low on the horizon, illuminating the sea before the Coast Guard Cutter Orca. Its bow sliced the calm, frigid seas as it traveled westward. The ship was on routine patrol in the Bering Sea and, being the biggest in the fleet, it was ready to take on any task.
With all the swagger of a helicopter cowboy, Nick Armstrong leaned against the low perimeter railing just beyond the helicopter landing pad and stared out over the darkening sky. A flash of lightning caught his eye as he peered into the ominous distance. A low rumble could be heard, but the storm was at least forty miles away.
“That’s one heck of a storm,” he murmured under his breath. He was thinking about the time he and his father had been caught in one of Puget Sound’s storms during a fishing trip . . .
“Hey, Armstrong, stop staring at the sky and help me finish checking the gear,” said his copilot, Gail, startling Nick out of his memories.
Nick turned in time to see Gail toss him a coiled rope.
“I was just taking the time to appreciate the awesomeness of Mother Nature . . . you should try it sometime,” Nick said with sarcasm.
“I will,” she replied. “After my shift.”
Nick snapped out of the moment and fell back into his title, Commander Armstrong of the First Air Rescue Team.
