Part 11 (1/2)

He shook his head. ”It doesn't matter.”

She frowned. It did matter, but he wasn't going to be persuaded otherwise. ”Fine. Keep your secrets.”

”No secrets. Just thoughts I can't do anything about right now.”

Okay. Good enough. ”Will you call me when you get home?”

He nodded. ”Are you going to be here? Or will you be back into your own home?”

”I could hope so. I'm here for the presentation and demonstration. They were bringing me to Coronado when I was taken. I'll be six months integrating the software at least.” She shrugged. ”It's not a done deal yet, though the powers that be were acting like it was. If it goes through, I'll be moving here until the system is set up.”

His eyebrows shot up. ”Really?”

She nodded. ”Didn't you know? That's when I was kidnapped on the trip here.”

”No. Somehow I didn't.” They stared at each other in bemus.e.m.e.nt. ”I knew you were travelling but not why.”

”Does it matter,” she whispered.

”Maybe not, but...”

He sounded distracted as if this was new information, and he didn't know how to integrate it with the old. She patted his hand. ”I'm sure they've already figured it out.”

But he didn't sound convinced. She studied him. ”You should know if you're hunting them.”

He gave a curt nod. ”I'm going to leave now.”

”Oh,” she said in a small voice.

”It's time.”

She nodded and swallowed. ”Well, it was nice to see you.”

”I couldn't walk away without saying good-bye.”

”Thank you.” As he walked to the door, she called out, ”Say good-bye to the others.”

He nodded and gave her a small wave.

SHE LOOKED SO d.a.m.n lost in the hospital bed. As if he was leaving her. Which he was. d.a.m.n. He strode back and picked her up. This time he kissed her like he wanted to. He kissed her like he'd been wanting to do since he'd first seen her. He poured all the heat and longing he could pour into the simple movement. He pulled back, lay her back down on the bed, leaned over and kissed her briefly on the temple. ”I'll be back.”

”Hurry,” she whispered.

He closed his eyes, then turned and strode out, his mind consumed with tidbits she'd dropped on him.

d.a.m.n it. He walked into the conference room twenty minutes later. He had a meeting with the team. And he had a few questions he needed answered. Like why hadn't they known Tesla was moving to the base at least temporarily and had been kidnapped on the way. How many people knew what was happening? How many people had she told? In theory, her family and friends. Anyone else? She had her own company so everyone in her company? It was a place to start. The question was, had anyone done that leg work?

Swede waited for him.

”How is she?”

”Holding. I took her out in the garden for a bit of fresh air.”

Swede nodded. ”She'd have liked that.”

”She did. But...” he stopped and looked at Swede. ”Did you know what she was doing when she was kidnapped?”

”No. I don't think we were ever told?”

Mason explained.

Swede's face darkened. ”Now that would be an interesting chain to yank.”

”It would, but we're on our way to go after the men who kidnapped her.”

”And the person who set her up?”

Mason's gaze narrowed. ”That's the trick, isn't it he's still at large.”

”And still available to go after Tesla.”

Chapter 15.

A week later THE DAYS Pa.s.sED slowly. She'd told the authorities everything she could remember. And they'd come back day after day and asked her more questions.

She had nothing more to add. She had a small condo for her use close by, and she was mobile now but definitely not back to normal. So her life was all about getting back to work and healing. Walking was much easier, although running was still out of the question.

She walked out to the small patio that was part of her new home. It was tiny, brick and quaint. But it was hers for the moment, and she felt safe here. Surrounded by other military families. For the millionth time she wondered where Mason was. What he and the rest of the team were doing. And how successful was their trip. Had they caught the guys that were after her? Was she safe? Or were the men still at large?

Mason was always on her mind. Yet he wasn't hers. But he could be. If she wanted, he could be. Maybe.

Did she want that? He was a hero. His career was dangerous. Like Harry's. He could die like Harry had died.

Tears came to her eyes.

She swiped at them impatiently. She'd rather have loved and lost Harry than not have had him in her life at all. Love was like that. And she'd go through the loss all over again if it meant having the joyful memories of being with him in the first place. She'd take as many of those years as she could have. And the same for Mason. She'd still hold close any memories she had. The choices weren't great but to have spent time with him, loving him... well that was special. Sure it would be nice if he were in a nice safe job like a computer programmer but then he would be Mason...

There were no guarantees in life. Look at the nightmare she'd been through already this last week. If Mason's team hadn't saved her...

Now it seemed like all she did was wait for Mason to show up again.

At least her work was going well. She was almost done with the last set of tweaks. Was all set to give her demonstration tomorrow. Combine that to almost being healed, then life was good.