“How will I know that it’s really you and not looters or drug gangs?” she asked.
Surprised at her question, he answered, “I’m not sure anyone else will be arriving at dawn in a small helicopter, Ms. Baxter, but the pilot and I both have matching lighthouse tattoos.”
“Oh, of course. How stupid of me…of course, local looters won’t be in a helicopter.”
Her voice, calm and soft, made an impression, and he immediately wanted to place her at ease. “Keep your phone with you and call this number back if anything changes. Make sure everyone is ready, but stay hidden until we land.”
Gaining her assurance that she understood his orders, he disconnected. Turning to Drew, he asked, “I don’t know if I admire her for getting the girls to safety or irritated that she didn’t stay at the resort.”
“Sounds like she made the right choice. There may be more to the little chaperone than we thought.”
Fastened in, he asked, “Ready to fly?”
“Fuck, yeah,” Drew said with a grin. “Let’s get this mission going! Damsels in distress...here we come.”
Chuckling, he shook his head at Drew’s antics, knowing Drew was all in for making the mission a success. Failure was not an option...for either of them. As soon as they were airborne, he gave the new directions to Drew and reported to Tate.
Slipping back around the side of the stone observatory, Julie moved in the early morning light toward Hernando. He was awake and lifted his gaze to her as she approached.
“How are you?” she asked, placing her hand on his arm.
“I’m fine, Ms. Baxter,” he replied, grimacing only slightly as he shifted on the hard surface. “How are you and the young ladies?”
“I don’t think they slept any, but they’re resting. I wanted to let you know that the men coming to rescue us will soon be here. “
His wide eyes registered his surprise, and he asked, “Are they able to get through on the roads?”
Shaking her head, she shrugged. “I don’t know anything about the roads, but he said that they were coming by helicopter.” Seeing his furrowed brow, she asked, “Why? Are you concerned?”
“We will not stay hidden with a helicopter nearby, but perhaps the miscreants will think it’s the military or the police and stay away.” Nodding more enthusiastically, he continued, “Yes, yes. I’m sure that’s what they’ll think.”
She pulled a bottle of water from her bag and handed it to him along with a granola bar. “I’m going to go back and make sure the girls have something to eat and drink before the men arrive. We were told to stay hidden until they land.”
He accepted the water and granola bar with gratitude and nodded his acquiescence. “I think that’s very wise, Ms. Baxter. I’ll stay quietly here until you determine that it’s safe for us to go down. As soon as you have gone, I'll head to my home.”
With another pat on his arm, she climbed back up the last steps, moving to the back of the stone walls. She had not slept, her mind racing with not only the situation they were in but the realization that she was sitting on stones in a building that was over a thousand years old. If she were not in such a bizarre predicament she would have been enthralled.
Three pairs of very tired, very frightened eyes met hers as she rounded the back of the observatory. Plastering a smile on her face, she said, “Girls, I’ve talked to the rescuers. They’re on their way and will be here shortly. Hernando is fine, and I’ve given him something to eat and drink.” Pulling more water bottles and granola bars from her ever-abundant bag, she passed them out. “Please do the same so that your stomachs won’t be too empty.”
“How are we getting out of here, Ms. Baxter?” Tiffany asked, a sheen of sweat on her brow despite the early morning chill.
“A helicopter,” she replied. Seeing their eyes widen with worry, she added, “I’m sure it will be a nice big one. What an adventure we’ll have to tell!”
“I don’t do well with heights,” Andrea moaned.
“Oh...well, I’m sure the flight will be quick and then we can get back down on the ground.” She hoped she was telling the girls the truth, when in fact, she had no idea what a helicopter ride would be like. Tiffany turned her pale face up toward her, and she reached out to touch her warm forehead. Biting her lip, she was concerned about the young woman, but overwhelmed, she just smiled in encouragement.
Just then, the faint sound of the whirling blades of a helicopter could be heard. Grinning widely, she said, “Ladies, I think our chariot is arriving.” Stomach rolling with nerves, she added, “I want you all to stay here until I make sure it’s okay for us to come down.”
“Can we stay with Hernando?” Jackie asked.
Shaking her head, she replied, “No, I’d rather you stay hidden. I’ll come get you when it’s safe.”
In the distance, she could see a small helicopter land on the flat, grassy lawn next to the temple. The circling blades slowed, and the passenger door opened. A dark-haired man climbed down from the helicopter, and, ducking low, he moved away from the aircraft. Looking straight up toward her as though his eyes were on a tractor-beam directly to her, her breath halted in her lungs.
Stalking toward the bottom of the temple, he came closer, taking the tall, stone steps easily. Scrambling down, she stopped when she was about ten feet away from him.
The closer she came, the more she had an unobstructed view to the power in his body. Tall. Muscular. Dark hair. Aviator sunglasses hiding his eyes. Cargo pants, boots, and a T-shirt stretched over his torso. And incredibly handsome. Uncertainty filled her, not knowing what she should do.
“Ms. Baxter, I presume,” he said, his voice deep and smooth. He slid off his aviator sunglasses, and his blue eyes held her attention.
“Um…” she stammered, torn between wanting to jump into his arms for coming for them and terror at not knowing if he was who she was supposed to trust.
She watched as he pulled up the arm of his T-shirt and turned, exposing his shoulder. An intricate tattoo of a lighthouse, all in black and white with the exception of the yellow beams coming from the light, was on his upper arm. He pulled his shirt back down and handed her an ID badge, saying, “I’m Walker. From Lighthouse Security Investigations.”
She scrambled down the next few steps, and his hand reached out to assist her when she grew nearer. Her hand tingled where he touched her, and she sucked in a quick breath. Fatigue and nerves had her on edge. “Hello. I’m Julie Baxter.”
His gaze shot to her wrapped wrist, and his brows snapped downward. “You’re injured.”
“Not bad. It’s more like a sprain,” she said, attempting to tug her hand from his.
He continued to hold onto her, his grip firm but light. “Let me see,” he commanded, and she nodded without argument. He unwrapped the elastic bandage and said, “It’s not wrapped correctly.”
“I did it myself, but didn’t know the proper way,” she mumbled. He gently moved her hand and wrist in several directions. Letting him know when it hurt, he rewrapped her wrist before pinning her with another stare. Unable to discern his thoughts, she looked over his shoulder toward the helicopter. Narrowing her eyes, she stared before cocking her head to the side as she looked back at him. “Um…it doesn’t look very big. Can it carry all of us?”
He held her gaze, his eyes peering deeply into hers, and said, “No, ma’am. It can’t.”
11
Walker would have recognized Julie from her passport photo but had to admit it did not do her justice. The slightly rumpled, exhausted woman standing in front of him bore little resemblance to the professional picture, and yet, the electricity he felt when he touched her hand caused his brain to short-circuit for a moment. Her natural beauty shown through even with no makeup and messy hair. Dark hair pulled back from her face. Warm but tired eyes. Dressed in simple capris, a pink T-shirt, and light blue sneakers.
She looked up at him with complete trust until her gaze moved to the helicopter, and then her wide-eyed, stunn
ed expression turned to him with incredulity. Ignoring the strange reaction to meeting her, he hoped she was not going to fall into hysterics at their change in plans.
Looking up the steps, he saw a man coming toward him, his pants bloodied and his leg bandaged. Recognizing the tour guide, he eyed him, watching with interest as Julie smiled widely at the older man.
“Oh, Hernando, our transportation is here, and you can go to your home now.”
He eyed the tour guide and was not surprised when Julie turned and introduced him to Hernando. “Do you need some assistance?” he asked, staring at his injured leg.
Waving his hands in front of him, Hernando replied, “Oh, no, sir. I just need to get to my home but did not want to leave the girls alone.” Grasping Julie’s hand in his own, he said, “If you ever come back to our country, please look me up. I live in a small village outside of Tulum.”
She leaned into his arms, hugging him, the affection pouring from her. “I can’t thank you enough. For the amazing two weeks and all you’ve taught us. But, especially last night, keeping us safe.”
Watching as Hernando patted her back, the older man held Walker’s gaze over her shoulder. With a nod, he communicated that he would care for her now. She was his responsibility. Another unfamiliar emotion slid through him at that thought, but he pushed it down, giving his head a slight shake.
Hernando walked past the helicopter, stopping to shake hands with Drew on his way to the van, parked in the trees.
Swinging his head back around, he looked up the steps, not seeing anyone else, before dropping his gaze back to Julie.
She sucked in her lips, thoughts moving behind her intelligent eyes. Not wanting to give her a chance to ponder on the helicopter situation, he asked, “The girls? Are they ready?”
Blinking, she jolted slightly and said, “Yes. Um…let me get them.” She turned to climb back up the temple steps, and he reached his hand out, placing it on her shoulder.
“I’ll go with you,” he said.
She hesitated, and he continued, “Ma’am, you’ve done an admirable job taking care of the girls in these extreme circumstances, but my partner and I are now in charge of them. I need to see how they’re doing and what we need to be concerned with as we get them out of here.”
Sucking in her lips, she held his gaze for a moment before nodding and leading him up the stairs and around the corner of one of the tall walls. The three girls jumped to their feet, Tiffany wavering slightly. They appeared to be in a similar state of fatigue as Ms. Baxter and their injured guide. As he quickly assessed them, it was obvious Tiffany was pale, a sheen of perspiration on her forehead. All three moved to stand next to Julie, and she kept her body slightly in front of them. She’s protecting them. His admiration rose even more, but he focused on the girls as she made the introductions. He recognized them from the background dossier they had received from Senator Daniels, but she would not have known that.
“This is Tiffany Daniels, Andrea Tucker, and Jackie Dumont. Girls, this is Walker. Um…Mr…um…”
“Walker,” he said. “Just Walker.”
She fiddled with the strap of one of her bags, uncertainty flowing from her. Wanting to assure her that he had everything under control, he said, “Girls, here’s what we’re going to do. Our helicopter is not large enough to take all of you at one time, so we’re going to make two trips—”
“Take them,” Julie said quickly. “Take all three of them together.”
“No!” Tiffany protested, the other girls following with their heads shaking.
Julie turned toward the girls, and she said, “Listen to me. It’ll be safer for the three of you to go with…um…Walker, and I can wait.”
“Actually,” he said, wanting to make sure they understood who was in charge, “we’ve already got everything arranged—”
“I don’t want the girls separated,” she protested, her lips pressing together, her voice rising.
Throwing his palms up, he said, “Whoa, whoa, Ms. Baxter.” Hearing a noise behind him, he spied Drew coming around the corner. Drew’s gaze moved through the group, a smile on his face.
“This is Drew,” Walker introduced. “I’m just explaining how this will work.”
“There is no discussion,” Julie said, a thread of steel in her voice. “I want the girls to stay together. Get them to safety first.”
He shot Drew a tight-lipped look and then nodded. “It’s already planned, Ms. Baxter. Drew can take all three girls back to Mérida but will have to leave them somewhere safe before he comes back for us.”
“Oh,” she said, a slight blush crossing her cheeks. “I see. Well, um…good.”
“But, Ms. Baxter,” Andrea began, her brow crinkling.
She turned to the girls and said, “We have no choice. The sooner you go, the sooner Mr. Drew can come back. And I’ll be here waiting with Walker and will join you soon.” Looking over her shoulder at him, she said, “And then we can go to the U.S.?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he assured. Glancing back toward the helicopter, he said, “But we need to hurry.”
Drew reached out and lifted the backpacks from the stone floor and smiled toward the girls. “Ladies? Follow me.”
The group made their way down the stone steps and over the grassy knoll toward the helicopter. Throwing open the door, Drew placed the girls’ backpacks under the seats as Walker grabbed his bag. Setting it on the ground, he walked over to Drew as Julie hugged the girls. He could tell she was whispering assurances to each of them and promises to join them in another hour. She stepped back as Drew and Walker assisted them into the helicopter and made sure they were buckled in safely.
Moving to the side so that he could speak to Drew privately, he said, “Keep an eye on Tiffany. She doesn’t look well, and I don’t know how she’s going to do with the flight.”
Nodding, Drew acknowledged, “I noticed she was warm when I helped her in. I’ll see if Joseph knows of a doctor who can take a look at her.”
“Good idea.”
Drew’s gaze cut over to where Julie was standing, a forced smile on her face. “Are you going to be okay with little mama bear over there?”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “I think as long as she knows the girls are okay, I can handle her.”
Before Drew had a chance to climb into the cockpit, Julie sidled up to them, leaning close to whisper, “I can tell Tiffany doesn’t feel very good, and Andrea is my nervous one. Jackie likes to pretend that she’s brave, but don’t assume she’s not scared as well.”
Drew placed his hand on her shoulder, and said, “Now don’t you worry none, Ms. Baxter. I’ll get them safe and then come back for you. You’ll be reunited in no time at all.”
The sight of Drew’s hand on Julie’s shoulder sent another strange emotion slithering through Walker, but he refused to assess the reason. He watched as Drew fired off a two-finger wave and climbed into the cockpit. Just as Julie had predicted, Jackie was sitting in the copilot seat, a tentative smile on her face. Drew was already chatting, putting the girls at ease, and Walker jogged over to where Julie was standing. Moving her further back, they watched as the bird lifted, Julie’s gaze staying on it until it moved out of sight over the trees.
She looked at him before her gaze dropped down. Wanting to put her at ease, he asked, “Have you had anything to eat today?”
“We had granola bars and water,” she replied, looking up at him, nervously fiddling with the strap of her bag while bravely maintaining eye contact.
He looked behind her at the Observatory Temple, and said, “It really is magnificent, isn’t it?” Her face immediately relaxed as a beautiful smile curved her lips, and he knew he had chosen a topic to put her at ease.
“Oh, it is. We spent yesterday touring the entire area, and Hernando was such a fount of information. Have you ever been here?”
Shaking his head, he replied, “No. I don’t often get a chance to take a trip just for a vacation, but I can certainly see the appeal here.�
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“How long do we have before Drew comes back for us?”
He rubbed his chin, calculating the time it would take for Drew to secure the girls, especially if Tiffany needed to see a doctor. “The flight time would only be about an hour, but he’s going to need to make sure he leaves them in a safe place and checks on Tiffany.”
A crinkle formed between her brows, and she nodded. “I’m so worried for them.”
His hand lifted on its way to smooth the line from her forehead, but he quickly lowered it again, fighting the urge. He had never had a problem maintaining professionalism before and could not understand the desire to physically assure her that everything would be all right. Instead, he grunted, “They’ll be fine. Drew will take care of them.”
She blinked, rearing back slightly. “I’m sure. I didn’t mean to imply that he wouldn’t.”
Before he had a chance to say anything else, she turned and moved over to her backpack sitting on one of the steps. Well, shit. That could have gone better. He wanted to keep an eye on their situation, but as he and Drew flew in, they noticed little activity at the resort, and so far, no one had come to see what was going on. Looking up at the temple, he decided to climb the steps to give him a better view over the area.
By the time he had scrambled halfway up, he turned to see Julie coming behind him, her breathing labored. He stopped to wait for her, reaching his hand down to assist her up, taking her backpack from her. She hesitated for a few seconds before placing her hand in his. He watched her chest heave with the exertion of the climb before dragging his eyes away from her breasts. Hoping she had not noticed, he tried to think of something to say.
“I thought this would give me a chance to scope out the area while we wait,” he mumbled.
“I may never be back here again in my life, so I wanted to take one last look,” she said, looking around.
They continued to climb to the top together and then stood side-by-side, their gazes drifting over the area.
“This particular structure was built around A.D. 906. It’s been suggested that it was an ancient Mayan Observatory and a way for them to observe changes in the sky. There are sight lines for at least twenty astronomical events that can be found within the structure.”
Walker: Lighthouse Security Investigations Page 6
