Midnight Heat (17 page)

“I actually stopped, was ready to turn around,” he said, as if she’d never spoken. “At that moment I really didn’t care if you jeopardized everything by running to the media or that you might be putting yourself in more danger than you could comprehend because you didn’t know all the facts. I told myself that I didn’t care if my career was ruined either. After all, it was my own stupid fault for breaking every rule I’d ever set, crossing the lines I’d drawn years ago for good reasons.”

“So why did you come? Why did you stop me?”

The anger fled from his eyes, leaving only pain.

“Because I love you.”

Adria gasped, choking on her grief for what she’d done.

“And I can’t stop just because you’re running off to do something stupid that hurts me. I can’t stop just because you thought I could actually intentionally hurt you. I can’t stop just because it’s easier to give up, easier to crawl back into my hole, easier to shut myself off again. I can’t stop.” He cleared his throat, but his beautiful eyes burned as his gaze bore into hers. “Because I want you. I want what I know damn well we can have. And now that you’ve dragged me into it, I’m not giving it, or you, up without a fight.”

Her tears were flowing hotter and heavier now. “I don’t deserve it. Or you. But I’d be worse than a liar if I said I don’t want that, too. No matter what.” She reached over and took his hand, twining her fingers with his. “Because I do love you. I don’t know, maybe that’s why I was so quick to run. You’re intense and so focused and always in control. You scare the hell out of me. I wish, desperately, that I had been as brave with my love as you have.” She broke off, then choking down a sob, she said, “But I’ve never loved anyone like I love you. I won’t ever run away from that again.”

“Then I say maybe we do deserve each other,” he said. “Maybe we exactly deserve each other.”

Adria clung on to his hand, and to the hope she saw in his eyes, like a lifeline.

He tugged her closer, then lifted a hand to her neck. She released a long, trembling sigh. “You feel so good,” she said.

“You forced me to feel again, Adria. It scares me, but I don’t want to stop. I want more, a whole lot more. I want to explore it all. With you there dragging me along kicking and screaming.”

The tiniest of smiles curved her lips. “Kicking and screaming?” She sniffed, then laughed. “You? I don’t think so. You’re big and tough and like a steamroller, so I guess it’ll be a challenge not to let you just roll over me.” Her smile broadened as the last of the pain left his eyes, to be replaced by slow, deep heat. “I want that challenge, I need it.” She lifted her hand to the back of his neck and tugged him closer, delighting in the fact that he came willingly. “I need you.”

Just before his lips touched hers, he said, “You got me. Forever, if you want me.”

“I do.”

Dane pulled back slightly and let a slow, wide smile crease his face. When she gasped, he knew he’d just found his purpose for the rest of his life.

“How about I put that white tuxedo back on and you say that again.”

Pleasure and hope and a love so bright he wondered that he’d been lucky enough to find it shone on her face. A trace of devilry crept into her expression and Dane felt his entire body harden. Yes, he’d found his purpose all right.

And he was just as certain she’d found hers when she said, “I think I’d rather see you in something like jeans and a T-shirt. A real tight T-shirt. The jeans too.”

“What are the chances that you’ll ever react like I expect you to?” he asked, but he was already lowering his mouth back to hers. “Never mind,” he whispered against her lips. “Surprise me.”

And she did.

And he thanked God for it, and her, and would every day for the rest of his life.

Dane leaned back on the railing of the porch that wrapped around the front and side of Zach’s big farmhouse. His wife of one month was nestled with her back against his chest; his arms were wrapped comfortably around her waist. He was surrounded by those closest to him. He couldn’t remember ever feeling so content.

“Strange about Forster resigning like that,” Zach said casually. He was lounging on the porch swing, Dara snuggled up against him.

Adria glanced up at Dane, but neither gave anything away. Dane merely shrugged.

“At least Adria was cleared in the final report,” Dara put in.

Dane smiled, both in response to his sister’s comment and because he was pleased that
Adria had hit it off well with his sister. In fact, she’d fit in seamlessly with all of them.

“Any word on who’s replacing him?” Jarrett asked.

“You mean you didn’t hear?” Adria responded. She kissed Dane, who had to endure Zach’s whoop and Jarrett’s approving smile. “Dane’s up for his job.”

Zach pumped his fist in the air and laid a hard kiss on Dara’s mouth.

Dara laughed. “What was that for?”

“Just celebrating family success the only way I know how, sweetheart.” Dara didn’t flush at all; she just tucked Zach’s hand more tightly around her shoulders, then whispered something in his ear.

Rae suddenly cleared her throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “Congratulations, Dane,” she said, her smile wide and sincere. “I know you’ll get the job.” She glanced up at Jarrett for a moment, as if seeking approval.

“You want to tell them?” he asked her. She held his gaze for a moment, then Jarrett turned back to his now avid audience.

With a dull flush staining his neck, Jarrett reached into his back pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “We have some news of our own.”

He unfolded the paper, stared down at it, then looked up, his pleasure a palpable thing. He pulled Rae against him and let his hand fall
on her stomach. “We wanted to wait awhile, until things were further along.” He stumbled to a halt, then simply said, “We’re going to have a baby.”

Everyone immediately erupted into shouts of congratulations, which woke Wolfman from his sleeping place in a patch of sun at the top of the stairs. He barked and circled the group as they hovered around Rae and Jarrett to look at the sonogram picture of the fetus that was on the paper.

When hugs and kisses had been exchanged and all the details had been discussed, things settled down and a peaceful quiet stole over the group.

“You know,” Dane said after a long, comfortable silence, “I never thought we’d all be back here.” He hugged Adria. “Like this.”

“Pretty great, isn’t it?” Zach said. He smiled down at Dara. “When can we make one of those funny little pictures?”

Her only answer was a knowing smile.

“So,” Zach said, his eyes twinkling with mischief, “we all agree we’re disgustingly happy. I say we spread the joy.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Who’s next?”

Beaudine chose that exact moment to walk out onto the porch. “What’s all this racket about out here? Am I the only one who gets any work done around here anymore?” She
shook her head, then stilled when she realized six heads had turned her way.

“What trouble you all cookin’ up now?” Her threatening tone was at odds with the wary expression creeping into her eyes.

As if on cue, Zach, Dane, and Jarrett looked at one another, then at Beaudine.

Beaudine took a step backward. “Don’t you go staring like that at me.” She shook her finger at them. “You got wives now. You’re all family men.”

Zach grabbed Dara’s hand and leaned away from the post. “Come now,
chère
.” He prodded Beaudine in a dead-on imitation. “We just want you to be as happy as we are,
ma petite
.” Dane, Adria, Jarrett, and Rae all moved to stand beside them. “Don’t you think it’s about time you put ol’ Frank out of his misery?”

Before Beaudine could say a word, Zach turned and put his hand out, palm down, in the center of the circle. Dara’s hand closed over his, immediately followed by Jarrett, Rae, then Dane, and finally Adria.

“I’ll call Frank,” Dara said.

“I’ll call the preacher,” Rae chimed in.

“I’ll take care of the clothes,” Adria put in.

“I’ll give away the bride,” Zach declared.

“I can pull some strings on a license,” Jarrett said.

“You don’t think she’s had a license since
the day Frank caught the bouquet at my wedding?” Zach asked.

Jarrett nodded. “I guess I could handle being best man.”

Dane looked at each one of them, then said, “All for one?”

“And one for all,” the rest intoned simultaneously.

They lifted their still-joined hands above their heads, then broke apart, turning as one toward Beaudine.

“
Merde
,” she whispered under her breath.

When they advanced toward her, she swore in Cajun. Then took off with a shriek into the house.

The ceremony took place that evening. It was lovely, if unorthodox.

The bride wore red, the groom wore a smile.

And everyone rejoiced.

The Three Musketeers had returned to Madison County.

DEDICATION

I would like to dedicate this book to the one person without whom this book would not only have not been written, but never conceived. To my sister-in-law, Amy, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of air-traffic control and aviation. You always wanted an ATC story, now you have one! I learned some fascinating (and frightening) things while writing this book. I imagine the only thing you learned was never again to make suggestions about this neat story idea you have.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank the air-traffic controllers and National Transportation Safety Board investigators who were so generous with their time and expertise in helping me with the overwhelming task of researching this book. Please accept my apologies for the oversimplification and creative license I’ve taken with the actual functions of your jobs for the sake of this fictional story. The work you do is demanding and so very important. You have my eternal gratitude.

Welcome to Loveswept!

Next month, Loveswept is offering our first ever historical e-original title: Samantha Kane’s
THE DEVIL’S THIEF
. We’re incredibly excited about this sexy tale of wicked passion, where the clever wit and engaging banter shine through in the most captivating way. We believe Samantha Kane is an author to watch – and after reading
THE DEVIL’S THIEF
, I think you’ll agree. Look for the next book in her Saint’s Devil’s series,
TEMPTING A DEVIL
in 2013.

We also have a great selection of incredibly sensual and endlessly entertaining classic romances for you to enjoy.

PARADISE CAFÉ
…Beloved author Adrienne Staff’s sensual story of reckless desire.

THE PERFECT CATCH
 … Linda Cajio’s playful book about the sexy game of love.

TEASE ME
and
BAYOU HEAT
…two sizzling novels from Donna Kauffman.

And if you’re already anticipating the holidays, don’t miss Debra Dixon’s
DOC HOLIDAY
, a touching and humorous story about the magic of Christmas.

If you love romance … then you’re ready to be
Loveswept
!

Gina Wachtel
Associate Publisher

P.S. Watch for these terrific Loveswept titles coming soon: December brings these fantastic releases: Juliet Rosetti’s charming
ESCAPE DIARIES
, Juliana Garnett’s enchanting medieval
THE MAGIC
, and four more breathtaking stories from Donna Kauffman:
BOUNTY HUNTER, TANGO IN PRADISE, ILLEGAL MOTION
, and
BLACK SATIN
. We start 2013 with a fantastic new e-original from Wendy Vella,
THE RELUCTANT COUNTESS
, Donna Kauffman’s captivating
WILD RAIN
, Karen Leabo’s moving
MILLICENT’S MEDICINE MAN
, and three fantastic titles from Linda Cajio:
SILK ON THE SKIN, HARD HABIT TO BREAK
, and
THE RELUCTANT PRINCE
. Don’t miss any of these extraordinary reads. I promise that you’ll fall in love and treasure these stories for years to come.…

Read on for excerpts from more
Loveswept
titles…

Read on for an excerpt from Elisabeth Barrett’s

Blaze of Winter

Of all the possible pranks a person could pull in the Star Harbor Library, putting a dead fish in the heating vent ranked high on the list of ones to try. And Theodore Grayson would know. He’d played that very trick twenty years ago, with his brothers Cole and Seb as his partners-in-crime. Still, the risk—considerable, given that every wall vent in the main room was visible from the circulation desk—had been worth the payout. His large frame tucked into a carrel at the very scene of his youthful misconduct, Theo smiled at the memory.

They had done the deed in the middle of one of Star Harbor’s coldest winters, and with the heat on full blast, it had taken precisely thirty-seven hours for the smell to become overpowering. Even better, he and his brothers had all been present to witness the prank’s outcome—the unholy stench, a furious search for the source, and finally, a full evacuation of the library. And as any good trickster—Theo himself included—would acknowledge, a key component of every good prank was the payout.