Six weeks later the little white stick shed taken into the bathroom showed two pink lines. They had conceived their baby that day...
Jarrett squeezed his beer bottle so tight his knuckles whitened. Didnt want to think of the time after that, how glowing and happy Lacey had been, and then growing paler and sicker, and worried at the bleeding the doctor assured her was normal, just spotting...
The past was the past.
Ives brought the wine and uncorked it with a flourish. As they ate, Lacey asked him about his work. He made noncommittal answers, as he always had, and turned the conversation to her life here in St. Marc. Maybe if he could discover why she was so determined to stay, he could coax her into leaving and finding something better back home.
How the hell did you end up here in this part of the world?
She sipped her wine and nodded. Not bad. Remember how I told you I spent time here in high school when Dad was appointed the US ambassador to St. Marc? I developed an affinity for the people and learning the culture.
Odd. Hed forgotten her time abroad. Shed seldom mentioned it during their marriage, maybe because she knew her father disliked Jarrett intensely. He blamed Jarrett for Laceys dropping out of college and getting married, no matter how much she insisted it was her idea.
Enthusiasm lit up her face as she described Marlees Mangoes, the NGO shed formed to help poor women and children. Shed started the charity from her share of profits from a coffee plantation in St. Marc. Marlees Mangoes operated out of a twenty-five-acre farm a good two-hour drive from the city. She harvested fruit from mango trees, and her staff prepared a popular mango jam and salsa she hoped to start exporting.
Lacey waved her hands, illustrating the operation. He studied those hands with curiosity. Once shed never failed to go without her weekly manicure. Now those nails were unpainted and filed down to the quick.
The marmalade is well-known around the island. I have contracts with several high-end restaurants that cater to tourists who come here from the cruise ships or vacation at the beachside resorts.
How did you get started?
I came here four years ago when Paul offered me an opportunity with his coffee business. He owns the plantation and factory where they process the beans. And I fell in love with the people, and the culture, and realized there was a need I could fulfill for poor women who had no place else to go. So I bought a small farm to start Marlees Mangoes.
Four years ago, shortly after their divorce. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. Buying a farm is a huge step. Isnt land expensive here?
Outrageous, but I bought the farm from the son who inherited the land after his dad died. I went to school with him here in St. Marc and got the land cheap, even before it went on the market. She grinned and his heart gave a little jump. Once she had grinned like that at him, and he fell hard and fast.
Paul needed the capital for his coffee business and he needed help. I enlisted my dads help to set up a new processing factory to wash the coffee beans and sun dry them. We sell those beans to companies in the States.
Jarrett was deeply impressed.
Not bad for a college dropout, huh? With my share of profits from the coffee business I funded Marlees Mangoes. But... She leaned forward, her gaze sparking with life. Im very happy to announce that our NGO is now fully self-sufficient and no longer operating in the red. This is a huge deal for me because Im teaching the women to be empowered, to learn skills that will grow their futures.
Candlelight flickering on the table showed the pink flush on her cheeks. It may sound idealistic, but I believe in these women and their potential. Some lost their husbands to violence, but many were victims of abuse. Theyll do anything for their children, and just want a chance for their kids to have a better life.
Admiration filled him. Lacey always had a tender heart for the underprivileged. It sounds like a terrific project. How did you come up with the name?
Her expression fell. She toyed with the stem of her wineglass. Thats private. I cant talk about it.
He let it slide. Jarrett noticed she drank very little wine. He lifted the bottle out of its silver bucket. Its very good. Would you like more?
She shook her head. One glass is my limit. I have to drive.
Plan A out the window. She wasnt going to get drunk and spend the night here. Time to put Plan B into action.
Excuse me, he murmured.
A pass of a few twenties to Ives, and he found himself in the hotel parking lot standing before Laceys older and somewhat battered SUV. It didnt take long. Jarrett returned to the hotel, washed the grease off his hands in the mens room and went to their table.
Their food arrived and as he picked up his fork, Lacey handed him the hot sauce without asking. Amused, he shook the sauce over his broiled fish. Marriage did that to you. You had habits that your spouse knew, and those habits were hard to break. But he was quietly pleased shed remembered his preferences.
She ate quickly, keeping her gaze focused toward the hotels front. As the hour passed, her animated conversation grew quieter.
Lacey realized her donor was not going to show up. She dug out her cell and excused herself.
Jarrett polished off his meal and waited, nodding at Ives as he came to check on their wine. Hed slipped Ives money earlier to pass a bottle of the hotels finest rum to Augustin in apology for the thrown paint incident. If Aces intel proved right, and Aces intel always proved right, the bastard was drunk as hell right now on his favorite liquor. He didnt want him anywhere near Lace.
Sure enough, Lacey returned, palming her cell phone, her expression dejected as she resumed her seat. Hes not coming. Paul said Monsieur Augustin is inebriated and doesnt want to go anywhere. Paul is staying with a friend tonight and said hed call him tomorrow.
And by tomorrow youll be gone. The mans bad news, Lace. Will you trust me on this for once?
He signaled for the waiter. Would you like dessert?
She stood and he stood, as well. I have to leave, Jarrett. She stuck out her hand. Thank you for dinner. It was nice to see you again. I hope you enjoy your stay in St. Marc.
Instead of shaking her palm, he lifted her knuckles to his mouth. The kiss was a bare brush of his lips, but she turned pink. Desire and recognition flared between them, and her breathing hitched.
Then she pulled away, picked up her backpack and walked off, hurrying as if she wanted to get away from him fast.
He sat down, sipped more wine to quell his raging hormones, which urged him to run after her, sweep her into his arms and carry her upstairs to his room. Straight into his bed, where they could get reacquainted in a much more pleasant way.
He waited.
Ten minutes later she stormed back to the table. My cars dead.
Jarrett tilted his head. Oh?
The battery is gone. Damn it, Jarrett, why did you do this? I need to get back home.
Yes, you do. He leaned forward. Home to the United States of America. Thats your home.
Lacey dumped her backpack. You bribed someone.
He shrugged. Money talks in these countries. Think, Lacey. I paid cash for someone to point out your car so I could remove the battery. What if I wanted to blow up your car instead?
Yes, you do. He leaned forward. Home to the United States of America. Thats your home.
Lacey dumped her backpack. You bribed someone.
He shrugged. Money talks in these countries. Think, Lacey. I paid cash for someone to point out your car so I could remove the battery. What if I wanted to blow up your car instead?
Will you stop being so paranoid.
Its my job to be paranoid and protect citizens like you. Youre not going anywhere. Youre spending the night here.
Then he added in a gentler tone, You couldnt drive all the way back to your home this late, anyway. Its too far and too dark on these roads. Stay here, and things will work out.
Her mouth trembled as she sat. I cant stay here. This is an expensive hotel. Id planned to go to the LÉtoile dAmour.
Recognizing the name as a place one of his teammates had visited during a deployment here, Jarrett choked on his sip of wine. The Star of Love? Lace, thats a place where you pay by the hour and you bring your own sheets!
Its inexpensive and only for one night. And I know the owner.
Jealousy wormed through him. How do you know the owner?
Hes donated to my NGO.
Long as the man didnt donate anything else, like his DNA. Jarrett inwardly swore. Why was he reacting like this? Hed thought his feelings for her had died. Obviously not.
Hands on hips, she glared at him. Ill hire a taxi and go there. You cant keep me here.
Think fast. Dont let her get away. If he lost her for the night, he lost her for good.
Jarrett went to her, clasping her shoulders, feeling delicate bones beneath her soft skin, feeling her quiver beneath his touch. Youre right. I cant. Dont go, Lacey. Ill make you a deal. Stay the night here and Ill give you a ride back to your compound tomorrow. You can make arrangements to return your truck.
Anger faded from her expression, replaced with wariness. Spend the night with you, in your room?
Oh, the possibilities, but Jarrett forced away the temptation. Ill pay for your room tonight. Tomorrow well leave. I want to see this place youve talked so much about.
Lacey bit her lower lip, and it made him hard all over again. Such a sweet, lush mouth. Cmon, Lace. I wouldnt let you stay at a fleabag motel, and I do want to see your NGOs compound while Im here. It sounds amazing. Id like to visit and see all the work youve done.
Finally, she nodded. All right. But Im paying you back for the room and the dinner when we get to my home. And Im not getting on a plane with you, Jarrett. No matter what you say.
Fine. Come with me and Ill reserve you a room.
As she walked with him into the hotel, he felt a sense of relief more than jubilation. Lacey was safe here tonight, with him. And tomorrow hed see the compound she had worked hard to establish.
He just had to convince her to leave it all behind.
Chapter 3
Much as hed wanted to head out at first light, for Jarrett didnt want to take chances of running into protestors, they didnt get on the road until nearly noon. Lacey had business in the city, and Jarrett drove her to various stores and did shopping of his own.
They were safe enough for now. Shed monitored the radio, heard reports of burning tires and roadblocks planned for later this afternoon.
Riding shotgun as he steered the rented Montero SUV through the city streets, Lacey fisted her hands atop her backpack. Shed spent a restless night thinking of Jarrett and their past. Once they had deeply loved each other. But life changed her. She wasnt the naive, sheltered senators daughter who thought the sun rose and set on Jarrett. Her horizons had broadened and she wanted more. No longer did she want to sit and wait for him to come home. Sit and worry he would never come home, for he was a SEAL and his missions were dangerous.
Being a military wife hadnt suited her. Shed spent her time indulging in silly pastimes like manicures and shopping to ease the constant worries about his welfare. And in between remained glued to the twenty-four-hour television news channels to glean the slightest information about volatile parts of the world where Jarrett might be.
No, she didnt need Jarrett in her life anymore.
Unfortunately, her libido remembered well the pleasure hed given her in bed and begged her to draw closer. She hadnt had sex since her last relationship two years ago. Francis Monroe was a great guy, son of a wealthy independent contractor, and exciting.
All the men shed dated since Jarrett had been dull and safe, except for Francis, who was on the board of directors of her charity. Francis was both wealthy and charming, and his family was connected. Their dads were friends and Lacey knew her father was grooming Alastair Monroe to become the next US ambassador to St. Marc. But as responsible as his dad was, Francis was not. He was more interested in playing the field than a stable relationship.
Lacey was determined to never again get involved with a man who would desert her, both emotionally and physically.
Unfortunately, Jarrett now seemed determined to stick by her side. How could she shake him? And why was he so worried about Augustin?
Maybe when he saw her compound, hed change his mind and leave. Some people shied away from her charity and the terrible reality of what the women had suffered.
Lacey stole a sideways look. With his long legs encased in blue jeans, gray T-shirt molded to his muscled torso and chest, and his jaw set in a determined line, Jarrett made an imposing figure as he navigated through the tight streets where vendors lined the sidewalks and paraded their wares. Driving through downtown had always frayed her nerves, even after living here. She hated the tight spaces in this most dangerous part of the city one had to drive through to get to the main road leading south to her home.
There was always that element about Jarrett that hinted at calm confidence. Once his overprotective streak had annoyed her. Funny how it didnt anger her now, but made her feel safe. Maybe because shed finally found a life of her own, and the confidence shed lacked when they were married.
She didnt need designer handbags or dresses to prove her self-worth. Her purpose rested between the concrete walls of her compound with the women who relied on her.
Finally, they cleared the city and accessed the national road hugging the turquoise bay that flanked the capital.
A few abandoned homes that had been bombed years ago during a coup faced the bay, their broken windows looking like sad eyes. Nice homes. Terrific view of the water. Needs a little work. Perfect for a do-it-yourself, he murmured.
Comes complete with running water, when it rains. Air-conditioning when theres a breeze, she joked back.
He glanced over and grinned, and the power of that smile made her toes curl. Lacey scolded her raging libido. Sex was on the back burner. She had other priorities.
Were in your car and no one can hear us. Can you tell me now why I dont want Monsieur Augustin as a donor? Hes a very wealthy philanthropist.
Jarrett checked out his rearview mirror. Hes wealthy, but his idea of philanthropy isnt charitable. And his real name isnt Augustin.
He shot her a hard look. Its Robert Destin. Hes an illegal arms trader who found refuge here. He isnt interested in your NGO for a tax deduction.