Chapter Forty-Five
Later that evening, Vicki walked into the hospital room. In one hand, she carried a large cardboard box with a steaming-hot pizza inside and, in the other, a paper bag. She paused at the doorway and looked at the two patients lying in their beds.
“Ah, Vicki! My savior.” Lenny hit the button to raise the bed and waved his free hand, beckoning her to him. “Come, my blonde angel of mercy. Bring me that box containing the nectar of the gods.”
River rolled his eyes.
“Jeez, Lenny.” Vicki crossed the room. “You don’t have to be so dramatic. It’s just a pizza.”
“Just a pizza?” He took the box, set it on his lap, and threw back the lid. Eyes fluttering closed, he inhaled. “It’s the perfect food.”
“It should be. It has every topping known to man.”
Lenny grabbed a slice and took a hearty bite. “Mmph. Jeez Louise, that’s good,” he said around the food he’d stuffed in his mouth. “I thought I was going to starve to death.”
She shook her head. “Lenny, you’ve only been in here one day. I seriously doubt you’re starving.”
“The food they bring me is horrible. Tastes like chalk and burlap.” He snatched up another slice. “Right now, I’m in heaven.”
“In case you’re interested, I stopped by Becca’s room on the way out earlier.”
“Yes.” His wide eyes glinted behind his round-rimmed glasses. “How is my little cupcake?”
Vicki grinned. “You know I’m going to tell her you called her that, don’t you?”
He stopped chewing, swallowed hard. “Please don’t.”
The fear that sprang to his eyes, the panic that she might really tell Becca his secret pet name for her brought laughter bubbling up from inside her. Without further comment, she sauntered over to River’s bed.
“Hey, I said please,” Lenny whined, worry resounding in his voice. “I’ll pay you for the pizza.”
Vicki grabbed the edge of the thin cotton privacy curtain. “First, you should know they’re keeping her overnight, too. She asked me to tell you she’ll see you tomorrow morning. And second, you’re paying me for the pizza either way.” With an abrupt yank, she pulled the fabric along its metal rails and divided the room in half.
“Hey, beautiful.” River’s mouth curved into a smile and sent her heart tripping. “Whatcha got in the bag?”
She perched on the edge of the bed and opened the sack, the brown paper crinkling in her hands. After reaching inside, she held up an object covered in a white wrapper. The aromas of fresh bread and spicy meats along with tangy mustard and vinaigrette dressing filled the air.
“You brought me a sub?” His eyebrows drew together.
“No. I brought you a hero sandwich.” She handed it to him and smiled, an unexpected mixture of self-consciousness and love heating her cheeks. “For my hero.”
A goofy grin met his lips.
Lenny moaned from the other side of the curtain. “Are you serious? A hero sandwich for your hero?”
“Hey, cupcake boy,” Vicki chided. “At least I have the guts to say it to his face. Have you told Becca you love her yet?”
Lenny coughed. “I’m…working on that.”
“Well, you better figure it out quick. Her doctor seems quite taken with her.” She turned back to River. Glancing down at her meager offering, she made a face. “Pretty campy, huh?”
“Not at all.” Reaching over, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I couldn’t have survived it without you. You’re my hero, too.”
“Oh, Jeez Louise,” Lenny grumbled. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
River rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. “Give it a rest, Johnston,” he growled.
With the moment broken, Vicki snatched up half the meal and took a huge bite. “Oh my God.” She chewed slowly, savoring the rush of flavors mixing in her mouth. “The bread. The cheeses. This has got to be the best sandwich I’ve ever had.”
“Worthy of a hero?”
“Absolutely.” She took another bite. “Oh, I meant to tell you. I checked on Dauscher, too.”
River stopped chewing. “How is he?”
“The doctors told him they were pleased with his recovery rate. But with his memory loss, they want to keep him for a few more days for observation.” She set the meal aside. “When we were alone, I asked him what he remembered.”
River placed his sandwich next to hers. “What’d he say?”
“Not too much. Just flashes of stuff.” She shook her head. “He said something about sand and rain and that his mouth felt gritty with salt. But other than a few missing hours, he was fine.”
He swallowed, and the creases in his brow softened. “That’s a relief. I hope he never remembers.”
She stared at the man she’d fallen in love with, and images of him fighting to save Dauscher’s life flooded her mind. “Last night. What you did out there—”
“What we did out there,” he corrected.
“The gold light that came from your hands saved him. How did you…know to do that?”
“I didn’t.” With a shake of his head, he averted his gaze. He ran a finger over the jagged edge of the brown paper bag, and his jaw tightened. “It just sort of happened.”
“All I know is you saved him.”
“It wouldn’t have happened without you.”
It was a compliment she wasn’t sure she could accept. “All I know is I almost got you two killed before we figured out how to make this vision thing of mine work to our advantage.”
“It was Kent and his twisted…I don’t know…soul, I guess. But it wasn’t your fault. You tried to tell me what was happening, what you saw, but I didn’t listen. I didn’t believe.”
“And now?”
He grinned, pulled her down next to him. “I’m coming around.”
“Good.”
He bent his head, grazed his lips ever so gently against hers. His thumb brushed over her cheek, and his fingers sifted into her hair, cradling her head. Her eyes fluttering closed, she reveled in his touch and the heated threads of desire winding through her, settling low in her stomach.
“You need to know,” she murmured, “I’m giving Matthew’s offer some thought.”
An eyebrow arched. “And?”
“The guy saved my life. More than once. I can’t help but wonder if there’s another little girl out there who might need help like I did. Apparently, my parents thought it was important.” She released a sigh. “Just thinking.”
“Saving the free world?” A sheepish grin graced his lips. “I guess it might hold a certain appeal.”
She giggled and swept her lips over his.
“I haven’t decided yet,” he said when they came up for air. “But you certainly are making a case for it.”
He pulled her flush to him, his ardor evident in a kiss that triggered a craving deep inside her. His tongue trailed over her bottom lip then darted inside her mouth, and his hands slid down her back to settle on her hips. When he pressed himself against her, making his desire known, she moaned.
“Hey,” Lenny called from his bed. “Are you two making out over there?”
“Absolutely,” River answered and, with a growl, turned his attention back to Vicki. His mouth branded hot kisses down her neck, and a delicious shiver coursed through her.
“Well, I can hear everything,” Lenny warned. “I hate to tell you, but the flimsy sheet hanging between us isn’t going to hide a thing when you get naked and start doing the nasty. And while I enjoy voyeurism as much as the next guy, you two really need to get a private room.”
Vicki giggled at Lenny’s obvious discomfort. Unable to keep from taunting the paranormal reporter, she said, “What a great idea. River, do you want to get naked and do the nasty?”
“Absolutely.” He slid his hands over her bottom, squeezed, and then gave her a playful pinch. The unexpected attack elicited a squeal from her.
“I’m serious.” Panic rang clear in Lenny’s voice. “I’m hitting the Call button right now. The nurse should be here any minute.”
* * *
Two days later, Vicki stood on the Victory Lanes concourse. The sounds of wooden pins falling and the metallic clacking of the pinsetters racking the set for each lane reverberated through the bowling alley. She grimaced against the encompassing noise that reminded her of rolling thunder. If she let down her vigilance, allowed her eyes to close for longer than the fraction of a second it took to blink, she feared she might mentally transport back to the sandy clearing in the marsh.
A shiver tripped down her spine, but she rode through it. She and River had survived that night, survived Kent Rowton. It was done. Taking a breath to shake off the last of her jangled nerves, she stepped up to the concessions counter and placed an order for pizza and fries.
“You did well,” a distinctive male voice rumbled from behind her.
She whirled around. “Matthew. What are you—?”
“Doing here?” He joined her at the counter, a fatherly smile on his lips. “Checking on you, of course.”
“Me?” She glanced down at the countertop and swallowed. “I’m fine. We’re all fine.”
“Listen.” He tilted his head toward her. “I know this first go around was a bit overwhelming. But my sources assured me you and Detective Chastain could handle it. And you did.”
“But there was always a chance we wouldn’t have.” She looked up at the man who’d flitted in and out of her life. As she stared at him, a million questions raced through her mind, but only two words passed her lips. “My parents.”
“Died saving innocent lives.” He shifted his attention to the young brunette working behind the counter and raised one finger. A moment later, she placed a white ceramic mug in front of him and filled it to the brim with hot coffee. She flashed a smile then returned to flipping burgers on the grill.
“So, you said they stopped World War III.” The thought was both unbelievable and strangely comforting. “You’re sure those terrorists didn’t worm their way into the KGB despite my parents’ efforts?”
“The chances the terrorists infiltrated the KGB are so low they’re considered negligible.”
“Negligible?” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Behind her a huge cheer erupted, and she peered over her shoulder to where River stood watching the bowling tournament then faced Matthew again. “My parents are dead. You should be certain.”
A soft sigh passed his lips. He reached over, covered her hand with his. “Victoria, nothing in life is certain. And unquestionably, nothing in the realm your parents chose to work in is, was, or ever will be certain. They understood the risks. Accepted them. But the fact is they did it to make the world a safer place for you.”
She bit her bottom lip. Her mom and dad had loved her. She’d always known that, she’d just never realized the magnitude.
“Why not pick up where your parents left off?” The tone and cadence of his words soothed her aching heart. “Your ability could shift the balance in the world. And beyond.”
“Beyond what?”
A smile curved his mouth, and he released her hand, giving it a parting pat. “The job offer still stands.”
She glanced over her shoulder again. What will River think?
“We want you both,” Matthew said as though hearing her thoughts. “You make a good team. You’re stronger together than separate.”
“I can’t commit just yet. I’ll have to talk to him. Get his input.”
Matthew nodded. “There’s a lot of paperwork to complete. I’ll call you with the time and place.”
“But—”
Vicki hadn’t realized how quiet the bowling center had gotten until another cheer erupted from behind her, cutting off her protest to Matthew.
“Vicki!”
She twisted around at River’s call. He jogged across the concourse, a huge smile lighting his face, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Did you see it?” he asked when he reached her. “The waiter from the pizza place where we ate, the one you had a vision about? He just won twenty-five grand. I can’t believe it.”
She grinned. At last, something great had come from one of her visions.
“I think I need to take up bowling. I had no idea it paid so good.” With a laugh, he pulled her into his arms, pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that was so much more. “So, what’s the hold-up on the dinner?”
“I was just talking with Matthew.”
His focus shifted from her face to over her shoulder. “So, where is he?”
“Vanished. As usual.” She gestured toward the counter where a steaming pizza, a massive basket of fries, and a pitcher of beer waited. “But our order is ready.”
He grabbed the food, ushered her to a table, and sat down. Reaching for her glass, he poured the frothy ale. “What’d Matthew want?”
“To remind us his offer to join LightFall still remained.” She slid a sinful slice of pepperoni onto a plate and knew it would go straight to her hips. After a momentary hesitation, she decided she didn’t care. At least she was still alive to enjoy it. “Given it any thought?”
Taking a healthy bite of his own, he nodded. “One condition.”
He’s decided already? “What?”
“We work as a team.” Taking her hand, he lifted it so the diamond ring he’d slid on her finger the day before twinkled in the light. Satisfaction gleamed in his eyes.
“What?” she said, wanting to keep him a little off-kilter. “Now that you got a ring on my finger, you think you own me?”
His head jerked up, his gaping mouth and wide-eyed expression bringing a giggle bubbling up her throat. He smirked then his expression turned serious.
“Ownership aside, we’ve seen this whole other level of evil firsthand. We faced it head-on and survived, but I think the rest of the world needs protection. Aren’t you the least bit curious as to how Matthew thinks your gift can be used to fight common-grade terrorists not to mention paranormal entities?”
“Yes. I’d be a liar to say otherwise.” She sighed. “My parents believed in LightFall. I admit it feels like something I’m supposed to do.”
“It’s settled, then.” He released her hand and took a gulp of beer. “We’ll join so long as we go in as a team.”
“I don’t think that’ll be a problem.” She smiled, her stomach fluttering with excitement at the prospect of their impending life together. “Matthew said he’d call us to go over the paperwork.”
He paused mid-chew and snorted. “Arrogant bastard, isn’t he?”
“Yes, but he believes we can change the world.” She took another bite, the rich tomato base and creamy cheeses mixing into a delightful taste. “Do you?”
He leaned over, gave her a quick kiss. “My whole world changed the moment I met you, Victoria Spiere.”