Her Secret Wish (6 page)

She lifted her brows in surprise. “Well, I was in there for ten years, all told, before I was shot down. I flew the Super Stallion, a heavy equipment and personnel helicopter. I could haul 55 troops or thirty thousand pounds of cargo. Or if it was a slung load, up to thirty-six thousand pounds. I hauled Humvees and armored vehicles all over Afghanistan.”

He blinked in amazement. “That’s incredible. Truly. I’ve been near those things and they are impressive. Massive machines.”

“Yes, they are. It was a great time in my life,” she admitted. “I still miss it.”

He nodded, eyes going thoughtful. “I would miss running hot if I couldn’t do it again. And just helping people.”

Rachel nodded. “I know what you mean. That’s one thing I love about LNF. We do that there.”

“If you have a job that you can feel fulfilled and like you’re helping the community; that really makes a difference in your well-being.”

It did, truly.

Rachel took a more comprehensive look at Dean. Yes, he was handsome and virile but he had a depth to him that she didn’t always see in men. Coming from the military environment she’d been in, she’d seen more than her share of egotistical jocks. Dean had the build and character to dominate any situation if he wanted to, but he didn’t. Everything she’d seen him do had been compassionate and gentle. And he didn’t seem to feel the need to
act
like he knew everything.

“I agree, whole-heartedly,” she smiled.

That direct gaze dropped to her mouth and it was all she could do to keep her lips curved.

“You’re a beautiful woman, Rachel.”

The smile completely fell away as arousal swirled through her. Damn, it had been a long time since anyone had stirred her that way. She’d heard the words before, many times, but when they were thrown at her as an attack, questioning her ability to do her job or how she’d gotten there, the effect had been very different.

Dean wasn’t belittling her or trying to get sexual favors from her in the middle of the desert.

Taking a heavy breath, she tipped her head. “Thank you, Dean. I appreciate that.”

He glanced at the clock on the wall and started gathering up trash. “As much as I’ve enjoyed this I should probably get going. You’re still recovering.”

Rachel also glanced up, amazed to see that it was after ten o’clock. She didn’t want him to leave. She was enjoying herself and had totally forgotten about her pain and boredom.

Piling everything in the paper bag he started to put it in her trashcan, but it was too full. Setting the paper bag aside he pulled the plastic bag full of trash out of the can, settled it against the floor a couple times and put the paper bag inside. “Where’s your trash can?”

She motioned out the back door to the wheeled Waste Management container, a little humiliated that Dean was hauling out her trash, but also fascinated. Damn. A good looking guy with conversation skills, unending sexiness and an openness to clean. What the hell?

Dean laughed when he caught her looking at him and moved close enough to look down at her. “I took the trash out but you can put the bag back in.” Then he seemed to reconsider his words. “Wait, where are your trash bags?”

“Left hand cupboard under the sink.”

Sighing, he moved to pull a folded bag from the roll, snapping it open before he settled it into the trash can. Then, moving back to her he leaned down to drop a kiss to the top of her head. “I only did it this time because you’re injured and I didn’t want you to bend over. I can tell how stiff you are. Next time it’s your turn.”

He pointed a meaty finger at her, then gathered up his phone and turned to leave.

Rachel followed him to the door, her bones creaking. The huge man took up a lot of room in her home but she hated to see him leave. “Dean, thank you so much for the dinner and everything. I really do appreciate it.”

“Thank you for seeing me. I hope it doesn’t seem too strange.” He cast her a squinty look in question.

She shook her head, what she could. “Not at all.”

“Think we can do it again, but maybe go out next time?”

Rachel blinked, a little caught off guard. “Yes, I guess we can. Call me.”

That broad grin stretched his mouth again and she had to catch her breath. Before she could move away he leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. Rachel gasped but he’d already pulled away and was slipping out the door.

As she watched his broad back heading to the black truck in the driveway, she had one of those premonitions. There was another crash coming. This time straight to her heart.

Being a woman in the Marines had made her leery of men. There were too many incidents of sexual abuse, both reported and not. It had been common practice to go everywhere with a buddy—shower, latrine, chow hall. Rachel had never allowed herself to be in a compromised position. Every relationship she’d taken part in had been deliberate and on her terms.

The emotions Dean stirred in her were definitely
not
on her terms.

‡

D
ean hated to
leave. When she’d opened the door and he’d seen her standing there, his tongue had glued itself to the roof of his mouth. When he’d picked her up at the hospital, she’d cleaned up a little, but damn. Now that she’d removed the big bandage and gotten some sleep, she looked flippin’ gorgeous. He’d had no idea.

But her expressive eyes had still carried a lot of pain.

Everybody had issues to deal with in life. Rachel seemed like she’d had to deal with more than normal, especially after her service in the Marines. Dean wanted to wrap her in his arms and hold her on his lap, curled under his chin as he blocked out the world and gave her a chance to recover.

As he slid into the cab of his truck, he looked back at the house. She stood backlit by the living room lamp, a thoughtful smile on her face.

Though she hadn’t said it outright, he knew she wasn’t wild about the few years’ age difference between them. It didn’t mean anything to him, really. The woman was incredible. She hadn’t gushed about herself like a lot of women he’d met out here. And she certainly didn’t make herself out to be more than she was. There were a few pictures throughout her condo, one of which was of her in her flightsuit standing next to a small group of other women in flightsuits. Her hair had been a lot shorter then, but she’d still been stunning.

Dean felt a pull to Rachel that he’d never experienced with any other woman. From the slightly dazed look in her eyes when he’d kissed her he hoped she felt the same.

Killian teased him unmercifully the next day as Dean agonized over whether or not to send her flowers. “I don’t think she’s into flowers.” He frowned, looking at the pages of options on the computer in front of him.

“All women are into flowers,” his partner told him.

Killian didn’t even look up from filling out his paperwork, so he missed the skeptical look Dean sent him. Then he did jerk his head up. “Hey, there’s a place in Arvada that sends those edible arrangements. I bet she likes cookies or fruit.”

Dean thought about it for a minute. “That may not be so bad.”

He found the place online and placed an order for a mixed arrangement of brownies and cookies.

Killian grinned at him as he pushed away from the desk, paperwork in hand. He smacked Dean on the shoulder. “Hopefully she won’t think you’re criticizing her weight.”

Dean looked up at him sharply. “No way. She wouldn’t, would she?”

Killian shrugged his heavy shoulders. “You never know with women. They’re strange creatures. I’ve been married eighteen years and I still haven’t figured my wife out. When she starts yelling, I just apologize. Then I get her flowers.”

Dean gave his buddy a look. His wife Joyce was one of the most pleasant people he’d ever met. He doubted she’d ever lifted her voice to her husband at all.

Killian must have seen the look on his face because he grinned, his blue eyes shining. “Okay, I may be messin’ with you. I love her to pieces and we get along better than we ever have. Now that the yahoos are getting older and more self-sufficient, we have more time for each other. She’s really sweet right now because she wants to do another cruise this year. I’m going to soak up the lovin’ then give in, but not just yet.”

Dean laughed at the wicked light in his buddy’s eyes. Killian had been his training officer when he’d first moved out here last year, and they’d been the best of friends since. They traded insults and jokes almost constantly, but Dean knew if he ever needed anything Killian would be right there.

Dean gave him a serious look. “Rachel appeals to me more than any other woman I’ve ever met. It’s a little scary how similar we are.”

Killian grinned at him crookedly. “That’s excellent! Good thing you weren’t working that day, huh?”

“I know.”

If there were an active case it was kind of an understood rule that there could be no fraternization between the officer in charge and the subject. Too much chance to lose objectivity. But Dean wasn’t worried about that.

Even if he had been the officer doing the report he doubted he would have been able to resist asking her out.

*     *     *

Rachel went back
to work on Wednesday. Wilde had talked her into staying home an extra day, probably because he’d heard the pain in her voice. She was too stubborn to take the pain pills they had given her, but she would take the time off, then make up her workload later.

When she walked into the gleaming office building that morning, Shannon was waiting for her. The smaller woman dared to reach out and wrap Rachel in a careful hug. “I was so worried about you. Are you okay?”

For a moment, Rachel was a little choked up. She wasn’t aware she’d meant that much to Shannon. Yeah, she’d been incredibly welcoming, but hadn’t she done that for all the new hires? Maybe it was just because she was pregnant now and everything seemed to make her emotional.

“I’m fine. Just bruised and sore.”

Shannon turned her left arm over and gasped at the line of stitches. “Oh, fuck!”

She slapped a hand over her mouth and looked down the hallway guiltily, scanning for Palmer. “I told John he had to start laying off the word fuck because the baby is coming, and now I’ve said it.”

Shaking her head, wincing, she released Rachel’s hand.

“When did this happen?”

“Saturday.”

“And they had to cut you out with the Jaws of Life? Is that what I heard?”

Rachel nodded and pulled out her cell phone to show Shannon the picture of the mangled car. Dean had taken it for her. The smaller woman’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to cry.” She reached out and gave Rachel another hug. “If I had known, I would have been there for you. I know your family isn’t nearby.”

Incredibly, Rachel’s throat began to tighten. Shannon was so sweet to have said that. “Thank you, Shannon. Honestly, I was kind of out of it for a while, then I slept the rest of the night. When they released me, I kind of had a buddy waiting. There was a guy that stopped, an off-duty cop named Dean West. He got there right after I crashed and helped me out, then he picked me up when they released me from the hospital.”

Shannon’s sharp hazel eyes turned considering and Rachel felt her cheeks flush. She was a decorated Marine, had flown in several deployments, but the look Shannon was giving her made her feel like a junior high school girl talking about her first crush.

A slow smile spread Shannon’s lips and she reached out to squeeze Rachel’s upper arm. “If you ever need to talk, I would love to have lunch sometime.”

Rachel blinked and looked at Shannon in fresh consideration, thinking about the dried up make-up under her counter. Some girly interaction might be nice. “Thank you. I may take you up on that.”

Grinning, Shannon nodded and returned to her desk.

Wilde rocked back in his chair and crossed his arms when she walked into his office. She tried not to limp too badly, but she could tell by his contemplative look that she hadn’t fooled him. “You’re moving under your own power at least.”

Rachel nodded. “Yeah, hurts like hell but I’m up.”

“Well, if you think you need to go home early let me or one of the other partners know. We’re slow enough right now that your absence won’t cause too much inconvenience.”