by Vivian Arend
“Do you think she works?” Mack asked the expert.
Brooke slid a little farther around the tractor, peering into the engine area without moving any of the metal plates. “Can’t say, but at some point, I’m going to play with this beauty and see if I can’t get her humming.”
He caught her by the fingers and tugged her toward the stairway. “You keep talking like that and we’re going to need to find a firm surface sooner rather than later.”
She glanced at him in surprise, as if thinking back over what she said and still couldn’t see what he was talking about.
“Never mind,” he mumbled. “I’m the one with the dirty mind.”
“But I like your dirty mind.” She stopped as he blocked her path to the stairwell. “Don’t tell me, you’re going first to make sure it’s safe.”
He shook his head. “I’m pretty sure it’s safe, but first one up is going to dislodge all the spiderwebs. You can be my guest if you’d like.”
She gestured him ahead. “My knight in shining armour. Have at ’er.”
The second story had a small office area and a larger hayloft that covered two-thirds of the area. But other than some office materials, there wasn’t a lot in the place that didn’t fit in an abandoned barn.
There also wasn’t a lot to help them spend a comfortable night. The hay was old and musty, pockets of it animal-chewed or moldy from where condensation had dripped from the ceiling.
Mack was regretting his “wild adventure” idea.
Brooke turned toward him then sneezed. She braced herself as another three explosions followed before she pinched her nose and peered at him through watery eyes. “Downstairs, stat.”
He guided her back to the main floor, frantically looking for a way to fix this.
Brooke headed back to her duffel bag, hauling out a hanky and clearing her sinuses from the dust or whatever had set her off. She blinked hard, offering him a faint smile. “Now you get to see me in all my glory—dust allergies for the win.”
It wasn’t anything she needed to worry about. “You’re beautiful.”
He said it sincerely, quietly. Or at least as quiet as he could with the entire building around them rumbling as if they were at the center of some end-of-the-world apocalyptic movie.
Her smile warmed him through. “You’re good. I think I’ll keep you.”
Always.
It was the first thought that leapt to mind. It was exactly what he was going to tell her as soon as he could reassure her they weren’t going to freeze to death.
Priorities sucked.
A soft sound escaped Brooke, and he followed her gaze to the back of the barn where, lo and behold, their missing star was propped up along the wall, the faintest glint of gold reflecting the lantern in her hand.
“Well done,” Mack said as he caught her by the hand again and led her toward their target. It wasn’t going to keep them warm tonight, but it was something to celebrate. He shone the lantern on it, admiring the smooth welding job Gary had done. “I can see why he’s proud of it.”
He reached to take it off the wall, but it didn’t budge.
Brooke pointed downward. “The stand is bolted to the floor.”
Mack squatted to examine the setup, and the flashlight revealed a most unexpected surprise. “You know anything about the Yoder family who own this barn?”
“Other than the fact that they’ve been in the community for ages? I don’t know too much about them—they pretty much keep to themselves a lot of the time. They must have homeschooled their kids because I don’t remember going to class with any of them.”
“Would you consider them dangerous?” Mack slid some leaves and fallen hay away from the clasp he’d discovered.
“The Yoders? Dangerous, no. Just not very bubbly or jump-in-and-join-the-party types. I know they always contribute to community things like park development and after-school programs, even though their kids didn’t go. And I remember Rose mentioning their name as one of the families who donate every year to the food bank.”
Which meant this probably wasn’t as dangerous as it could be, but still.
He checked out Brooke who was holding her lantern to try to see around him. “Do me a favour and back up about ten paces.”
She hesitated before raising the lantern to light up her face so that her glare was visible. “What’re you doing?”
“Humour me. I want to make sure everything is kosher.”
She hesitated, but then stepped back, folding her arms over the lantern and watching him intently. “I expect a full report ASAP, cap. I don’t like being kept in the dark.”
He flipped open the trap door and her eyes widened. “If I’m right about what I found, you won’t be in the dark for much longer.”
He shone his flashlight down the hidden set of stairs that had appeared, moving quickly but staying alert for any sign of booby traps.
It only took a moment to discover his first inclination had been right, and it was with a lighter heart that he raced back up the stairs, calling to Brooke as he went. “It’s okay. It’s safe, and you’re not gonna believe this.”
She met him at the top, arms still wrapped around herself and her concerned expression exchanged for sheer curiosity. “What’s at the bottom of the stairs?”
He let his happiness show. “It appears that the Yoders are firm believers in being prepared. As in, to the extreme.”
Brooke’s jaw dropped. “They’re preppers?”
Mack stepped aside and gestured her forward. “Come and check out your quarters for the evening, ma’am.”
This was completely unexpected.
From lighthearted happiness during the trip in the sunshine, to the storm’s arrival—the contrast had been a shock, but still normal everyday events that were easy for Brooke to comprehend.
Walking down a steep, narrow metallic stairway away from the howling wind was something out of a sci-fi novel.
Mack turned on the lights, and the impression of being in an otherworldly place continued. “An oval passageway?” she asked.
“Culverts, probably covered with concrete on the outside, which is why the acoustics in here are fantastic.”
They hit an open metal door, the shape of it suspicious. Brooke glanced back at Mack for confirmation, shock in her voice. “Is this a submarine door?”
He grinned. “You can open it from this side if it’s not locked, but it’s got an airtight seal and is very secure from the other.”
She stepped through the door, and the space around them grew wider. A larger culvert than the one that had been used for the passageway had been converted into the shelter itself.
“Bathroom first?” She glanced to the side and gasped. “Are you kidding me? They’ve got a full-size tub and shower down here.”
Mack stepped forward and guided her around the corner to where six bunks, two on one side, four on the other, were neatly arranged. “I’d guess the structure has at least a ten-foot diameter, which means there’s plenty of room for an entire family. And yes, bathroom first because having it at one end provides the most privacy if you’re actually stuck in the shelter for any length of time.”
The bunk space was followed by the main living quarters. Bench seating like at any Denny’s restaurant on the left, and a desk on the right. A little farther down was an entertainment unit opposite a leather couch.
“I’m thinking as preppers go, this is pretty luxurious.” Brooke stared in fascination.
He stepped ahead of her, the extra room on the kitchen floor giving him space to guide her toward another closed door. “You’re going to be pretty thankful for that luxury in a few seconds.”
He opened the door and pulled her through.
“There’s a queen-size bed in here. Because of course there is.” Brooke turned to him with a happy sigh. “Okay, you can plan my disasters any time.”
He pulled her closer, pressing his lips to her temple and kissing her briefly. “Aw, you say the sweetest things. An
d I didn’t even show you the best part.”
“Better than a queen-size bed in a shelter that I’m going to assume you can heat more than the dust-filled barn above us?”
Mack made a face. “Maybe not better than that, but still pretty cool.” He tugged her toward the end of the bed and indicated another round portal. “This is the hatch to the escape tunnel.”
“Get out.”
“I didn’t have time to check for sure,” he admitted. “But we need to deal with a few other things before exploring. You mentioned heat—give me a couple of minutes and I can figure that out.”
“What about the air? Is it safe or are we just going to leave the door open? And do we have water?”
“I saw a master control panel. I’ll have all the answers soon enough.”
He went to work on one side of the living space while Brooke distracted herself by poking through the cabinets in the kitchen area. There was plenty of bottled water and dehydrated food. They weren’t going to starve.
Mack interrupted her scrounging. “All systems are online. CO2 sensors are working, and we have a full cistern of water. We’re pretty much in the lap of luxury, and I feel comfortable using anything we need. I’ll get in touch with the Yoders and replace anything we consume.”
“You think they’re going to be pissed we know this is here?” Brooke could imagine people who went to this extent might not be pleased to have their secrets uncovered.
“I’ll deal with them,” Mack assured her. “Like you said, they seem to be preparing, but not dangerous. I’ll make sure Brad comes along as backup, and maybe Ashton, but I also have contacts from my days in the Air Force. I might be able to provide information on how to make this place even better. Trust me.”
It was exactly what she needed to hear. With this so far out of her experience range, she let it go. “Now what?”
“We go back upstairs, take another look at what’s happening outside, and then we make a final decision.”
Heading up the steep stairs was like walking into a sound machine. Her ears had returned to normal after the time in the bunker, and now the whistling alone sliced in and over her, making goose bumps rise.
Brooke joined Mack at the window, but darkness had completely fallen, and the only thing visible against the shine of his flashlight was a sideways sheet of tumbling white.
She checked her phone. “No reception.”
“I don’t know if that’s because of the storm or because we’re out of range,” Mack said.
“As the crow flies, we’re not that far from town. I know we drove in a big circle to get here, but chances are the system is down. There’s no way to get a message out.”
“Will your dad be worried?” Mack asked.
She shook her head. “He’ll assume I was over at the fire hall and decided to stay with you when the storm hit.”
Big hands clasped hers for a moment. Mack examined her intently. “I think it’s the safest if we stay in the barn and don’t try to get back to the truck or drive anywhere, but it’s up to you if we use the bunker or not.”
“Gee, let me think for a minute. Dust-covered hay bales or what looked like a thousand-thread-count quilt on the bed.” She tapped her lips. “I know, I’m just a glutton for punishment, but let’s go pretend we’re gophers.”
He lofted their bags in the air and led them back to the hidden stairwell.
“At some point I’d like Dad’s star back, but maybe I’ll let you use that as a bargaining chip.” Brooke slid past Mack and took the lead, the pressure in her eardrums easing instantly. “This is so weird.”
The main compartment was noticeably warmer already. Brooke took a deep sniff. “Smells fresh.”
Mack closed the door behind them, twisting the levers and sealing them in. He glanced up. “Just to make sure nobody sneaks up on us unawares. Let me go check the sensors, but the air does smell good.”
A moment later he’d confirmed it. They were officially snug as a bug in a rug.
It wasn’t the hotel they’d been booked into for two nights ago, but it was a chance to be alone. Absolutely alone, and Brooke suddenly felt nervous. The sensation was outrageous and wrong, but she lifted her gaze to his and it seemed he’d had the same realization. The alone bit.
His eyes were dark and his expression had gone serious. “Brooke.”
She swallowed hard. No one was going to interrupt them. It was the perfect opportunity for her to tell him how she felt, but her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth and the words wouldn’t come.
Stating their emotions wasn’t a thing in her family. Not when her grandparents had been alive and not in the years since. She knew her Dad loved her. She loved him, but saying it…
Mack stepped closer, his fingers caressing her jawline as he stared into her face. “So serious. This is going to be fun, babe. And I know exactly what we need to do next.”
“The soldier taking control again?” It was easier to tease than to slap at herself in annoyance for not being bold enough.
“Definitely taking control, and the first rule of hunkering down for the night is to get comfortable. Sheer fluke that we brought our bags, but I assume you’ve got something in there other than jeans.”
Brooke brightened. “I do. But what do you mean sheer fluke? I brought my bag for a very important reason.”
Mack raised a brow. “You knew we were going to be trapped for the night?”
She grabbed her bag from where she’d dropped it on a bunk and headed toward the master bedroom. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m a super-honorary Boy Scout and believe in planning ahead. I’ll be right back with your surprise.”
He laughed but headed for his bag as well.
She only took a second to glance around the bedroom—which was over-the-top-wild to find thirty feet under the ground. Instead, she dug into her duffel bag, thankful for the opportunity to change from her work clothes into the pretty things she’d packed for their getaway then never got to use.
Her cheeks flushed, but she went ahead and pulled on the bra and panty set, covering them with her soft sweatpants and T-shirt. Finally, she grabbed the magic ingredient she’d had hidden away as a surprise.
Returning to the living space just as Mack was tucking in his shirt, she stopped to admire the view. The cut of his light grey T-shirt and flannel pyjama bottoms made him look as if he were an elegant survivalist.
His smile as he took in her clothing was hot enough to set her pulse pounding deep inside her. “Hot damn. Brooke Silver dressed in soft cotton and I get to unwrap her at some point—it doesn’t get any better.”
Her heart kicked up a pace, but her lips curled involuntarily into a smile. “That’s not your present, this is.”
She thrust out a bag of miniature marshmallows.
13
Brooke was perfect. From the top of her ponytailed-head down to the fuzzy slippers she’d pulled on. Everything about her made him relaxed yet eager. The flawless mix of familiar and comforting created a craving that wouldn’t go away.
She stood there, holding forward a bag of marshmallows, her smile brightening the room. She didn’t care where they were—he knew that to his core. If they’d had to remain upstairs with the hay bales and dust, she would still have been looking at him that way, albeit accompanied by a few more sneezes.
It wasn’t about where they were. It wasn’t about having the picture-perfect setting like a spectacular sunset with impeccable surroundings. It was about them being together.
The truth was so big he could barely breathe.
He stepped closer, reaching into his pocket for the reason why he’d insisted on bringing his bag. “That’s a pretty amazing present. How about we do a trade?”
Mack dropped to one knee in front of her, watching close enough to catch the moment her eyes widened. He lifted the box in the palm of his hand to her and waited.
She jerked her arms back, clutching the pillowy bag of marshmallows to her chest. “What? Mack?”
He
swallowed around the lump in his throat, opening the lid on the box to let her see the ring inside. “There’s a wild story behind this, and I’ll tell you in a bit, but the most important part? I love you. I need you in my life, not just when we can find the time, but always and forever. Will you marry me?”
She was still squishing the marshmallows as if that would help keep her upright. “Ohmygawd. But I never… But I thought… Ohmygawdmygawdmygawd.”
His bold and brave woman had been rendered insensible.
“Brooke?” Mack wiggled the ring box. “The soldier suggests you stick to the priorities. First you say yes, then we can play twenty questions.”
Her gaze slowly rose off the ring and back up to his eyes, her smile widening. “Well, if you’re going to be like that…” She tossed the bag of marshmallows onto the couch and threw herself into his arms. “Yes. Oh, hell, yes.”
His fingers closed instinctively over the box, tucking it back in his pocket. He used his other arm to cradle her as their lips met in joyous celebration. The connection perfect as always, the hunger and happiness in her kiss matching his own.
Mack gentled the motion, striving to slow them down from their automatic high-speed romance. It was barely five o’clock and they would be there at least until morning. He could take as much time as he wanted.
As much time as he needed to prove to her that what he said—it wasn’t just words. That everything in him worshipped her.
He deepened the kiss, lifting her in his arms to carry her into the back room. Laying her down and sliding over her without breaking the connection between their mouths.
The room was still cool, but a gentle flow of heated air brushed over their skin. With his elbows braced on either side of her head, hips nestled between her thighs, the two of them were warm enough to concentrate on touching. Caressing.
Being together.
Mack kissed his way from the corner of her mouth then up her cheek and over the upper edge of her ear. Brooke quivered under him.
He liked that but needed to interrupt before they got too involved. “One minute. We missed something.”
