A Warrior's Love [Blackhawk Brothers 3] (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Lavada Dee

  Tyrell stood up. It didn’t take imagination to know he was more than ready to get the exam over with, and be on his way. He had no doubt learned to hate medical facilities, and the clinic was just one step above a hospital. “Working with me? Hah, more like fighting with me.”

  His words had both doctors laughing. Looking over at Dr Huggins, Grant said, “We picked good on this one, Pat. Tyrell needs someone that has fight in her.”

  Page stared at the x-rays. “I wouldn’t believe it if I wasn’t looking at the proof.” Turning to Dr. Huggins, she said, “Do you have an explanation? Were the other X-rays wrong? Right from the start he hasn’t followed a recovery pattern that I would expect.”

  Dr. Huggins sat down on the stool. “I’ve treated Tyrell since he was a teenager. He has always had supernatural healing powers. I couldn’t explain it then, and I can’t now, but I can say I’m not surprised. Or at least, not as surprised as you are.”

  Tyrell was sitting on the exam table looking the picture of a virile healthy male. A smug smile was on his face that said, “I told you so.”

  “So, there isn’t any risk in resuming normal activity then?”

  Dr. Huggins shook his head. “Not any more than any other healthy person.” He turned to Tyrell. “But, I wouldn’t plan on mountain climbing or any other extreme activities you tend to indulge in.”

  Tyrell laughed. “Okay, Doc, I’ll wait on those until next week.”

  Page still wasn’t buying it. “A few days ago, Tyrell was struggling to walk the length of the bars. Yesterday, he was using a walker.” She shook her head. “I still can’t believe this.”

  Grant spoke up for the first time since she had started questioning Tyrell’s recovery. “Centuries ago, people healed differently than they do now. In part, because they conditioned their bodies to do this to survive both the elements, and danger from other tribes. Tyrell and his team have lived in conditions that are unimaginable to us. I’m guessing their bodies reverted back to ancient times to some extent.”

  Page still felt unsure, but there was nothing she could do about finding answers that weren’t there. She turned to Tyrell. “I have about an hour’s worth of errands. Do you want to come with me? Or I can take you back to the lodge.”

  Grant spoke up. “I had my last patient of the morning cancel. What say we get an early lunch? Or, if you’re still full from breakfast, maybe a cup of coffee.”

  Page nodded and with a wave was off.

  Tyrell walked down the hall to the cafeteria with his brother. “Thanks, I need to talk to you. Alone. There isn’t much that gets by Page.” He chuckled. “And by the way, good play on ancient people and their healing. I noted you didn’t qualify the fact that shamans who healed, or warriors who protected were the only ones that had this power.”

  “I was ready for that, if she, or for that matter, Dr. Huggins, would have said they hadn’t read anything about this phenomenon.” He glanced over at Tyrell and frowned. “You do realize that making such a blatant recovery isn’t in the best interest of keeping our nature a secret?”

  “Yeah, sure.” He stopped when they got to the buffet line. “I really do need to talk to you. Let’s see if we can get a private table.”

  Grant gave a snort of humor and motioned to the full cafeteria in front of them. “Bro, you have to be kidding.” At Tyrell’s moan of defeat, he held up his hand. “Never despair. We can take our lunch back to my office.”

  Grant’s office was large, with a desk and separate sitting area. Pulling up the coffee table for their lunches, Tyrell sat down. There wasn’t much time, and there was a lot he wanted to talk about. Wading right in, he asked, “How long did it take you to know Baylee was your mate?”

  Grant followed suit with an instant answer. “Within the first few minutes of meeting her. Though, at the time, I didn’t recognize the fact, or maybe to be more exact, didn’t want to.”

  “Did you like her?” Tyrell took a bite of his sandwich, and waited for Grant to answer. Impatient as always he didn’t wait long. “At first, I mean. Did you like her right away?”

  “You’re serious about this aren’t you? Is it Page? I didn’t pick up any vibes.”

  Tyrell put his sandwich on the plate, and sat back. “I only wish. She would be perfect. Physically, I’m guessing that with the right man she would unleash the passions that come out when she spars off with me.” He let a sigh escape. “You didn’t answer me. Did you like Baylee when you first met her?”

  “Well, I noticed how well Baylee’s shirt and pants fit. I guess it depends on what you mean by like.”

  “Okay, so you were attracted to her, but what about beyond the physical?”

  Grant seemed to be thinking. Good. Tyrell wanted an honest answer. One that might put his own world to rights.

  “It’s not as simple as that. She isn’t an easy person to like immediately.”

  “I did.”

  “Huh, you’re saying you liked my wife when you first met her?” Grant smiled. “Well, why not, by that time she was very lovable. Believe me, when I first met her, that wasn’t the case. Or at least not with me. I think I irritated her a bit.” Getting back to the subject Grant asked, “So tell me, where is all this coming from? It doesn’t take much to guess you’ve met someone. And, taking it further, you don’t like her and aren’t happy about what your inner self is telling you.”

  “Yeah, something like that. Plus, she is after Devon.”

  Grant gave a low whistle. “Damn, is nothing ever simple for you?”

  Tyrell glanced at his watch. He owed Grant an explanation, so gave him a sketch of what was going on at the lodge. When he was finished, Grant again let out a low whistle. “You didn’t say how Devon is doing with all of this.”

  “I think he is breaking out his best track shoes. Don’t get me wrong, Nadia is beautiful and at first, when he thought it was a one or two night fling…” Tyrell ran his hand over his mouth. “He didn’t give the modeling proposal any real thought. You know how it is with his looks. He’s used to them.”

  Tyrell again resigned himself to sharing a little more with his brother. “Devon and I had been talking even before Nadia arrived at the lodge. You and Cooper started something by settling down. Both of us have been feeling…unsettled. You know, looking to start a new chapter, sort of thing.” He got up and paced across the room. “Hell man, I’m no good at words. That’s Devon’s forte. Mine is more…”

  Grant laughed. “It happens to all of us sooner or later. Cooper got me thinking, but I had been dissatisfied for a while. Hell, I’d even started building a house thinking I needed more than the condo.”

  A knock on the door interrupted them. “That’s my next patient. Tell you what, I’ll give you a day to see what falls out, and stop in at the lodge tomorrow after work.” He stood up, then said, “But fighting the inevitable is a waste of time. If Nadia is meant for you, then you had better get to work on a relationship, because that which is within you won’t allow anything less.”

  At the door Grant gave Tyrell a man-hug. “One more thing. It’s all worth it. Believe me, I speak from experience.”

  Chapter 11

  Nadia could feel Tyrell behind her. They had paired off for their walk, with her and Devon in front of Tyrell and Page. It would be perfect, if she could only ignore Tyrell.

  Devon kept the pace slow, turning to include the other two in a conversation. Nadia wasn’t sure if it was because he thought she couldn’t keep up, in deference to Tyrell’s recent injuries, or just because he wanted to include them. Tyrell’s physical condition made her pause. She had assumed his injuries were recent. A lot of the discussion of his condition went over her head. Either way, the slower walk made it easy to talk. Devon bent toward her to escape a branch hanging over the path. It was wide enough for two people, but only barely. “Sorry, didn’t mean to crowd you.”

  “You didn’t.” She took a deep breath. The air was fresh and clean with the smell of pine and fir from the trees, which lo
oked big, and intimidating. “I wouldn’t want to stray from the path. It looks scary in the woods. Are there wild animals?”

  Tyrell answered from behind. Did the man have bionic hearing? “Big bad wolves. Oh and maybe a bear or two.”

  Devon laughed. “Don’t let him scare you. Whatever is in that woods is more scared of you than you are of it.”

  Again, from Tyrell, “I wouldn’t bet on it.”

  So it wasn’t a perfect walk, or least not the twosome pairing that Nadia wanted and needed to convince Devon to come to New York with her. She had gone over their conversation and her proposal, finally admitting to herself that she might have come on a little strong. She had barely met him before propositioning him. The modeling offer would have been within bounds, but the marriage proposal? It was even worse if he was a traditionalist who thought marriage came in a fancy package called love. Thinking about it, she’d bet he was just that. Well, if she could get him to New York on a modeling contract, the city could take care of the rose-colored glasses.

  Nadia walked a little faster, and initiated what she hoped would advance the topic of conversation she wanted with Devon. “Have you given any thought to what I said? I…”

  Devon motioned to a log on the lakeside of the path. “Let’s sit for a bit. I could use a drink of water.” Not waiting, he put his small backpack on the log and pulled out a couple of bottles of water. Handing her one, he glanced up at Tyrell who was taking water out of his own backpack. “It’s getting warm.”

  Tyrell nodded. “Looks like that storm passed over us. The weather this time of year is unpredictable, but today has been perfect.”

  “Maybe we could think about skinny dipping to cool off?” Devon caught Nadia’s gaze.

  Was he teasing her? Too bad they weren’t alone, because she just might surprise him. Not that she had ever done anything like that, but there was always a first time, and for some reason she wasn’t feeling like herself.

  Tyrell’s voice drifted into her mind. “Ahh, skinny dipping. There’s a thought. Hold on to it for when we are alone.”

  “We…aren’t going to be alone.”

  Tyrell’s laugh boomed out over the lake.

  Devon turned. “Skinny dipping isn’t that funny.”

  Nadia took her water and moved to the end of the log. Did Devon hear Tyrell’s voice? Obviously not. Since the scene at the elevator, she had accepted that something surreal was happening. Something she wanted to ignore, but couldn’t. “Are we going to walk all the way around the lake?”

  Tyrell answered her. “The lake is three miles long. Along the shore that would be a hike of six miles? Can you do that much?”

  His voice didn’t hold any mockery, it sounded like, even though he had asked, he knew she could. Again, she felt a familiarity with him that she had never experienced before. He couldn’t know that she jogged almost every day, or that she had a well-used gym membership.

  Again, his voice came to her. “I know.”

  The world seemed to fall away, and like at the elevator, she was aware only of him. “Go away. I need Devon. He is perfect…”

  “Not for you. You belong to me, and me to you. Look, see the truth in my eyes.”

  Nadia bit down on her lower lip. She wouldn’t look at him. What he said was a lie. She belonged in New York. In the high-rise office she had finally been assigned. As beautiful as the lake, and Montana country was, it wasn’t for her. She let her gaze roam over Tyrell and thought of the Crocodile Dundee movie she had seen on the plane. He would be like the character in that movie, out of his element in New York.

  “Look into my eyes.”

  She watched as Tyrell took a deep breath. His gaze bore into hers. Dark gray eyes turning to warm pewter settled on her mouth. He stood just out of her reach, and she resisted the pull to move to him. Heat pooled in her lower belly.

  Finally unable to resist, Nadia did as he bid. His eyes…she couldn’t look away. Slowly, she leaned toward him. Again, it was like they were the only two people in the world. Her heightened senses focused on Tyrell. She could hear his heart, feel his breath. Closer, closer.

  The spell broke. Nadia almost called out in loss before regaining her composure. Instead, she stood up and walked back to the path, where Devon and Page waited. Laughing, Devon held out his hand to help her the last foot up.

  “Come on, Tyrell.” Devon called.

  “Wait, Devon. Tyrell may need more time.” Page moved back toward the log.

  “I don’t need time.” His tone was just above a growl.

  Page glanced at her watch. “I think we should head back to the lodge. It has been a full day for you, and we have been out here over an hour.”

  “A full day for me? Don’t use me as an excuse. Admit it, I’m wearing you out.” His voice bounced back, lightening the mood.

  With Page actively keeping Tyrell busy, Nadia turned back toward the lodge. She breathed a sigh of relief when Devon followed. Devon was not only perfect. He was safe. She didn’t have a surreal attraction to him. As nice as he was to look at, as charming as he could be, she didn’t lose herself with him like she seemed to do every time Tyrell…what? He really didn’t do anything. It was all in her head.

  Devon walked beside her. “So you are going to stay for two weeks, then?”

  “Yes, I called my father this morning, and he wants me to stay. It seems I’m not needed at the office as much as I thought I was.” Her voice sounded bitter even to her ears, and she immediately corrected it. “That didn’t come out quite right. The campaign I’m working on is at a stage where I can do what needs to be done from here. And…” She looked over to him and smiled. “And of course, if I can convince you to model for it, the time will be well spent.”

  Devon gave a mock moan. “You mean that if I want to maintain my independence, I need to keep my track shoes on for two weeks?”

  Nadia gave him a light punch on the arm. “I think you are playing hard to get. No man would turn down what I’m offering.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Nadia realized what she had said and stammered. “I…I’m talking about the modeling part of my offer.”

  Devon looked like he was enjoying himself when he said, “What, no matrimony? And here I thought you wanted me for more than my pretty face.”

  There was no sign of Tyrell and Page on the path. Nadia’s heart leaped at the opportunity, and Devon’s seeming willingness to discuss her proposal. Until now he had, like he said, been running away from her, or at least from being alone with her.

  “Seriously, Devon, I would like to really talk about this. You don’t realize what I’m offering. We are both at an age when we’re ready to move into the next phase of our lives. My father wants to ensure there is a line of ascent for the business. We haven’t been a prolific family. He was an only child and so am I.”

  Devon stopped and held up his hand. “Your father? I thought I’d heard it all, but this is way out of my experience. Let me see if I have this right? You plan to marry, have children and feed them to the business. You don’t want to have a life partner, a lover, a friend…”

  Nadia gave a snort of a laugh. “Come on, Devon, that’s all a fairy tale.”

  Devon looked like he wanted to say something, but was fighting against it. He also started walking again, and this time he picked up the pace. What was his problem? Nadia guessed him to be somewhere in his late twenties or early thirties, so he had to have those rose-colored glasses at least partially off by now. But then again, what did she know? She had never had them on.

  “Wait, what did I say to have you almost sprinting?”

  Again Devon stopped. “I don’t know if I should feel sorry for you, or just tighten those track shoes.”

  “Sorry for me? What do you mean?”

  “You don’t have a clue?”

  “Stop. Let’s find someplace and talk this out.”

  Devon stopped, and turning, put his hands on her shoulders. He was close enough that if she lifted her head, she could kis
s him. But it would be forced. She had a feeling he was experienced enough to know there was no spark for her.

  He took a breath and said, “We don’t need to talk, Nadia. I don’t know what life has dealt you that you are so jaded. Believe me, you don’t want a marriage like the one you’re suggesting for us. Just think for a minute and stop acting like a spoiled little girl that sees a shiny bauble and wants it. Worse, will do anything to get it.” He took another breath, and let his gaze catch hers. “You are going to be here for two weeks. I would suggest you use that time to work on the campaign, and enjoy the quiet and relaxing ambience of the lodge.”

  Nadia caught her lower lip between her teeth, a bad habit she tried not to do. Devon’s words were harsh, and yet she didn’t feel anger. “You aren’t a bit interested, are you?”

  Devon shook his head and started walking, though he slowed down so it was easier to talk. There was still no sign of Tyrell and Page. Surprisingly, that bothered Nadia.

  “I do hear some of what you’re saying, Nadia. Tyrell and I have discussed settling down, and starting a family. We have both had a good run at the single life and are ready for the next stage of growing up.” He laughed. “Or maybe more like growing old. Neither of us wants to be alone, and the camaraderie we enjoyed with our brothers has changed.”

  “So you are doing the same thing I am. You are calculating, planning and researching this next stage. You aren’t depending on romance, like the flowers and candy sort of courting.” Nadia wondered where such an old fashioned word had come from.

  “The difference is that I don’t want a business deal. I want someone to love, someone that returns that love.”

  They walked on in silence. Nadia was again aware of sounds and scents around her. An especially noisy bird was splashing around at the edge of the lake. She was glad that Devon seemed lost in thought as much as she was. Their exchange hadn’t been angry. She didn’t even feel like it was a put-down. It was more like something she would imagine a concerned brother might say to her.