Chapter Eighteen
They managed to shower and get dressed and return to the kitchen just minutes before Dylan arrived with Rachel’s parents. Jamie wouldn’t have cared if they’d been caught in the act, but Rachel wanted to break the news in her own way, and he was feeling so supremely satisfied with everything in his life right now, he could give her that.
“You didn’t hurt your leg, did you?” Rachel asked, as he opened two bottles of beer and handed one to her.
“Nope. I’ve never felt better,” he assured her, and pulled her in for a long, slow kiss.
“Any nightmares?” she asked, searching his eyes.
“Only ones where you’re not in my life,” he said.
“I’m here, and I’m not leaving.”
“The nightmares are getting less frequent,” he acknowledged. “The doctor says they may never go away completely, but I’m learning to cope.”
“You can always talk to me.”
He tightened his arms around her. “Having you there when I wake up is the best medicine I could ask for.” Releasing her, he cocked his head and listened for a moment. “I think we have company.”
Rachel smiled. “They’re here. I’ll get the salad started. If I know Dylan, he’s probably starving.”
Jamie made his way through the house just as the front door opened, and Diane McCafferty poked her head through. “Hello! Is anyone home?”
“In here, Mom!” Rachel called.
Diane opened the door wider, and Dylan entered the house, sporting two crutches and a brace on his leg that went from his ankle to his thigh. It wasn’t a cast, but it immobilized his leg just as effectively.
“Hey, man,” Jamie said, and couldn’t help from grinning. “Welcome home. Glad to see you up and around.”
Dylan gave Jamie a rueful smile, before reaching out to fist-bump him. “Yeah, well, we make quite a pair. Glad to see you got your cast off. How soon before you head back to your unit?”
Jamie shrugged. “I’m not sure. Right now it’s all up in the air. How about you? What’s your recovery time?”
Dylan shook his head. “I don’t know. The doc says it could be as much as six months, but we’ll see. Hey, I gotta sit down.” He grimaced. “Surprisingly, the stitches in my abdomen bother me more than my knee.”
“They took out your spleen, bro,” Jamie said. “That has to hurt.”
He followed Dylan onto the deck, and they both settled into a chaise and laid their crutches aside. Dylan tipped his head back and closed his eyes.
“Man, it feels good to be home,” he said.
“Yeah, well let’s hope you feel the same in six weeks,” Jamie said. “Trust me, when you reach that point, even a trip to the proctologist sounds fun.”
Dylan cracked an eyelid and grinned. “You’re killing my chi, man.”
“Maybe now is the time we could start our own extreme adventure business,” Jamie said, thoughtfully stroking his chin. “We’ll call it Adventures for the Incapacitated.”
Dylan laughed. “Mountaineering for the Maimed and Mangled.”
“The Out-of-Action Experience.”
“What are you two laughing at?” Rachel said, as she stepped onto the deck and handed them each a beer. Laurel followed her, and Jamie was glad to see Rachel’s earlier animosity had completely vanished.
“Hey, Laurel,” he said. “I’m glad you came over.”
She pushed her glasses up on her nose, and her gaze slid to Dylan, where it lingered. “Yes, I came as soon as I saw Dylan get out of the car. How are you feeling, Dylan?”
He shrugged, seemingly oblivious to the way she devoured him with her eyes. “As well as can be expected. Thanks for taking care of Boomer. You’re the best.”
Laurel flushed with pleasure. “Of course. Any time, you know that.” Abruptly, she turned away and took a hasty sip of the soda she carried.
“So what were you two talking about?” Rachel asked. “I heard something about being out of action?”
Jamie took Rachel’s hand and tugged her down until she was sitting on the chaise with him. “Dylan and I used to talk about starting our own extreme adventure company, so we were deciding what we would call it, considering neither of us can hike a flight of stairs, never mind a mountain. We thought the Out-of-Action Adventures had a nice ring to it.”
Dylan cleared his throat. “So is this thing between you two—” He gestured vaguely toward the two of them with one hand. “Is this official?”
Jamie looked at Rachel, and she gave him a smile that made his toes curl. “Yes,” she said. “It’s the real deal, so get used to it.”
Dylan held his hand up, but his mouth curved in a smile. “Whatever. I know he’s had a thing for you since we were kids, so I’m glad you’ve finally put him out of his misery.”
“I think it’s wonderful,” Laurel said, turning back to them. She looked at Dylan. “I’ve always thought friends-to-lovers romances are the best kind. Don’t you think so?”
Dylan shrugged. “I guess I’ve never thought about it. I can’t think of any friends I’ve wanted to cross that line with.”
Laurel’s face fell and she turned away again, her shoulders hunched. She stood gazing at the scenery, but Jamie was pretty sure she didn’t see any of it. He couldn’t understand how Dylan could be so blind. Didn’t he realize Laurel was completely head over heels for him? Or maybe he did know, and this was his way of deflecting her attention without having to outright reject her.
He cast around for something to say when Rachel’s parents, Diane and John, stepped onto the deck. To his surprise, Rachel leaned back against him and drew his arm around her waist.
Diane’s eyes widened slightly, but Jamie thought he saw a smile touch her mouth.
“We’re together,” Rachel said, looking at each of her parents in turn. “I know this probably comes as a surprise, but we discovered something over the last two weeks. We belong together.”
Diane smiled broadly. “Well, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t hoped this might happen. I’m very happy, for both of you!”
Rachel’s father cleared his throat, and looked uncomfortable. “You’re both adults. You certainly don’t need our permission, but I will say I’m glad you finally unloaded that worthless piece of crap you called a husband, and found yourself a good man.” Leaning forward, he shook Jamie’s hand. “I guess this means we’ll be seeing more of you, son.”
Dylan snorted. “As if he didn’t practically live at our house growing up.”
Jamie laughed and tightened his arm around Rachel. “See?” he said, looking at her. “I told you it was meant to be.”
The tension went out of Rachel’s body and she gave him a brilliant smile and curled her hand over his. “You were right.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “So what is this about starting your own adventure company?”
Jamie looked over at Dylan. “We’ve always talked about starting our own business, but then we went our separate ways and it never materialized.”
“But if I can’t jump again—” Dylan began.
“And if the Marines won’t let me rejoin my unit,” Jamie said, “then that’s something we could consider doing, instead.”
“Hmm,” Diane mused. “What kinds of adventures would you offer?”
“Well, there’re plenty of options right here in Montana,” Dylan said. “Rock climbing, parasailing, white water rafting, snowboarding, and that sort of thing.”
Rachel considered for a moment. “If you’re really serious, then you should consider going even more extreme.” At their questioning looks, she smiled. “I’d offer scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, or heli-skiing in Canada, and mountain biking in the Alps.”
There was a momentary silence as they each considered what she said.
“That sounds great,” Dylan finally replied, “but who would handle the logistics? We’d need hotels, and equipment, and guides, and—” He broke off as Jamie gave him a meaningful look. “Ah. Of course. Rachel could do all of that.”
“I could,” Rachel agreed. “I may not be part of Elite Concierge Services anymore, but I still have connections. I’d love to help you plan some adventures.”
“We’ll need an office, and staff members,” Jamie said. “And all of that requires capital. I have some money set aside we could use, but I doubt it will be enough.”
Rachel shifted to look at him. “I think I can help with that. You see, I have this car I’m trying to sell—”
“Not the Porsche!” Jamie protested.
Rachel laughed. “Yes, the Porsche. You don’t really want me to keep it, do you?”
“Not if it reminds you of Deke in any way,” he grudgingly admitted. “In fact, I kind of like the idea of that bastard’s money underwriting our business venture.”
Rachel laughed. “Then count me in. If it means keeping you here in Glacier Creek, then I’m all for it.”
“This calls for a toast,” Diane said, smiling. She raised her glass of wine, and the others joined in. “To the start of a wonderful partnership—” she looked meaningfully at Rachel and Jamie “—both professionally and personally.”
Rachel turned and, as everyone cheered, cupped Jamie’s face in her hands and kissed him sweetly. “I love you, Jamie Colter,” she said softly. “Here’s to a lifelong partnership.”
Jamie’s expression was tender as his gaze traveled over her face. “Oh, the adventures we’re going to have, Rachel.”
As everyone looked on, smiling their approval, he kissed her.
The End