One Lucky Lady (5 page)

“Mac there was only six when his dad died. I ran into him a few years ago. He looks exactly like his father, except taller.” Alex wasn’t sure if Pedro was talking to her or Mac now, but nodded anyway.

“I told him who I was. He didn’t believe me at first, of course, but I knew more about his dad than he did.” Pedro smiled-his eyes wrinkling at the corners.

Mac said, “My mom never really believed Pedro was dead. My dad’s services and Pedro’s were two days apart. They made sure he was going to live. Didn’t want to have two funerals for the same guy I guess. Mom said if she ever lost me she would never be the same, but Pedro’s mom never seemed any different, she just seemed very sad for my father’s death. His mom cried at the funeral and all, but Mom said she acted ‘normal’. She didn’t act like a woman who had just lost her son.”

Pedro spoke up again. “That’s because she hadn’t. The director talked to her the same day he talked to Sue, Mac’s mom. He told Mom I was in bad shape, but he thought I might make it. He also told her someone wanted me dead, and I would live longer if that were the case. They waited a couple of days to make sure I didn’t need to be in the casket, then, went ahead with the funeral. I became a client of witness protection for a while under an assumed identity and cover story, but couldn’t stand it. I kept the identity and the cover story and left. As far as the FBI knows, I’m dead. The director, I had known for years. He was my partner before he moved up the ranks. He announced that two agents died that day. He suspected the leak was in the FBI. Now, he is dead, also. Natural causes, I think. The only people who know I’m someone besides Pedro Rodriguez are Mac, my Aunt Peg, and you.”

Mac looked at Alex. He thought she would be upset or angry, instead, she looked calm. Pedro was looking at her too. Mac could tell Pedro thought a great deal of Alex. He told Mac as much on the phone. Now, Mac realized that Pedro looked at Alex like a father looks at his daughter.

Pedro stood, ruffled Alex’s short hair, and said, “You need to get some sleep. Alex, from now on you do not leave the house without Mac. Understood?”

Alex nodded.

Pedro let out a breath and said “Thank you. My poor heart can’t handle another phone call like that one, kiddo.” Pedro walked toward the kitchen. Mac and Alex followed.

Pedro handed them both a new cell phone and wrote down the numbers for them. Then he handed Alex several small boxes of contacts and two bottles of contact solution. He said, “I went with brown. I think it’s the only color that might cover those green eyes of yours.”

Alex thanked him even though she had absolutely no intention of using the contacts. She gave Pedro a hug, and went to bed. Pedro and Mac stayed in the kitchen a while longer to talk.

“She was going to shoot me, you know.” Mac said.

Pedro smiled and looked toward the bedroom door Alex had just closed behind her. “I don’t think she could actually pull the trigger. That’s why I wanted you here. Thanks.” Pedro gripped Mac’s good shoulder. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine, actually. I picked up some Tylenol on the way here. It seems to help. They told me not to move it for a few days to let the artery heal over, but said I should be fine.”

“Did I tell you she’s a nurse?”

“No, but I kinda figured as much when she was saving my life.” Mac was smiling. “She doesn’t do the guy thing well.”

“I know, but she does the girl thing way too well.”

“I thought she was kind of an odd young man at first. Then I realized how gracefully she moved and saw those eyes…” Mac shook his head.

Pedro was smiling now, too. “She’s one tough gal, isn’t she?”

“Yes, she is. Have you seen her run?”

Pedro nodded. “Alex runs every day. Rain or shine. Don’t race her. Your ego couldn’t take it.” Pedro looked like a proud father.

Mac asked, “Where are her parents?”

“They died in a car accident just after she graduated from college. She was their only child. Their death took its’ toll on her from what I hear. But, she bounced back quickly. They raised her to be strong and compassionate. Tom, her husband, said he had seen many nurses in the ER, but not one of them treated people the way Alex did. She didn’t treat people like they were weak. She didn’t act put-out when patients asked for help. She genuinely enjoys helping people.”

Pedro looked at Mac again, and nodded to his injured shoulder. “Thank goodness for that, or you might not be here.”

Mac was looking at the floor, smiling, but looking sad at the same time. He shook his head, figuring Pedro might as well know that he was attracted to Alex. “Pedro, I think
this
might kill me. You didn’t tell me she looked like
that
. It’ll just be a slower death than bleeding out.” Mac held his breath. Maybe Pedro would just kill him now.

Pedro was quiet, so Mac looked up. Pedro was looking at him. He nodded and said, “Just give her some time.”

What did he mean by that? Did that mean there was hope?

Mac looked confused so Pedro continued. “She is a good woman with a good heart. I know your heart too, m’ boy. You’re to caring to take advantage of her. Otherwise I wouldn’t have called you. I know what she looks like. I may be old, but I’m not blind, son.”

Mac said, “She just lost her husband. I know that was a very hard thing for my mother to get over.”

“Mac, nobody ever gets over it when someone dies, but there comes a day when you realize that, even though you will always love and remember that person, you are still alive. You realize you have to choose either to continue to live and love, or you give up all together. Alex is a smart, special woman who has so much love to give. She’s not the type to dwell on her grief. She just needs some time. Everyone is different, but you’ll know when she is ready.”

Mac was nodding again. “I’ll take good care of her, Pedro. Nobody is going to hurt her. I promise.”

Pedro smiled and shook Mac’s hand. He said, “I know, Mac. You are the only person I would trust with her, besides me, of course. I have to get back. I don’t want anybody thinking that I am doing anything other than my job. I have Jarred Haskell looking at all of Tom’s files. So far, my money is on Senator Lange, but something about that just doesn’t feel quite right. There’s more to it than that. Do not let her out of your sight. “

Pedro gave Mac an envelope with cash inside. There were several small bills. Mac worked the same way. He never used a credit card. They were too easy to track.

Pedro gave Mac another smile just before walking out the side door. Mac reset the alarm and headed to bed. It was going to be a rough night.

Chapter Six

Alex awoke to the faint light of the morning sun showing through the crack in the curtains. She lay there for a very long time thinking about the last few days. She had lost her husband, she was in hiding, her hair was short and brown, she had to dress as a guy, she could not wear makeup, she could not go outside without her overly attractive bodyguard, she was supposed to start her period any day now, and she
definitely
did not buy enough chocolate last night.

Alex listened carefully, but heard no sounds of life past her closed bedroom door. She remembered Mac’s injury and started to panic.
Why did she not wake up to check on him during the night? How long had it been?
Alex sat up and checked the clock on the night stand. It was about seven-thirty. She had only slept for about three hours.

Alex left the warmth of the covers to go in search of Mac. She quietly opened her bedroom door and listened again. Nothing. Maybe he decided to leave after Pedro. She had fallen asleep shortly after she heard Pedro’s car leave last night. Surely, she would have woken up if the alarm had been disarmed. Right?

Alex could feel her stomach start to turn. She began to walk through the house barefoot on tiptoes. She noted that her bathroom door was closed, but there was no light coming from under the door. She kept walking. The door to Mac’s room was open and the bed was still made. Just when she was starting to think he left, she heard the water in the front bathroom come on. She did not realize she had been holding her breath until it came out of her in a heavy sigh.

“Alex. Is everything okay?” Mac walked out into the hall and looked around quickly.

Mac turned and looked at Alex, worried. “Alex?”

Alex stood frozen. She was eye level with his chest, but when he turned back to look at her she was looking lower. She was stumbling through her words. “You’re, a…. You’re naked.”

Mac realized she had caught an eyeful. He was about to step in the shower when he heard a noise. In his heightened state, he didn’t even think about clothes.

He beat a hasty retreat into the bathroom and closed the door. He heard Alex ask if he wanted pancakes or eggs and sausage for breakfast.
Maybe arsenic was on the menu.

“Pancakes sound great. Give me a few minutes and I’ll help.” Then Alex heard the water start again. She backed away from the door toward the kitchen. She realized she was hoping he would open the door again. Shocked by her own thoughts she turned and ran to the kitchen.

This man was going to be the death of her. What kind of woman looks a man up and down just days after she lost her husband?
When he looks like that? Probably any woman who is still breathing
. Still she felt a little twinge of guilt. Alex busied herself with breakfast. She prayed for her heart to slow down.
Why did Pedro choose him?

Because he can be trusted. Great, now she was answering herself, too.
“Ugh.” Alex wondered if she could be trusted.
Probably not.

About five minutes later, Mac joined her in the kitchen. He noticed that she kept her back to him. Logically, he knew she was a nurse and she had probably seen naked men before. Why was she not looking at him? Not that he minded the view. Alex was slim and petite. She was still wearing her pajama pants and tank top from last night. Still no bra.

She was not the type of woman he normally found attractive. He usually liked women a little more rounded, curvy. Alex was not. She was built like an athlete. A beautiful athlete. With very green eyes. He could see the muscles in her arm flexing as she whisked the pancake batter in the bowl she was holding in her other arm. He really should ask her to put a bra on, but surely she would when she got dressed for the day. He tried to stamp down the disappointment he felt at the idea.

“Alex?”

She still didn’t turn around. “How is your shoulder today?”

“It’s a little sore, but I can move my arm without much pain. That’s good, right?”

She turned to look at him. He was totally dressed and she still felt herself blushing from her neck to her face. She could feel the heat move all the way from her toes up to her hairline. “Yes, that’s good. You really shouldn’t try to move it much though. You want to give it plenty of time to heal.”

He could see she was uncomfortable. He wasn’t real sure how to put her at ease, but he had to try. “Look, Alex. We’re liable to be here together for a few months. If I think there might be trouble, I have to act fast. I heard a noise in the hallway this morning, but had not heard your door open or heard any footsteps. I had to make sure you were okay. Next time I’ll try to remember the towel, okay?”

Alex looked down and nodded.
Why was she disappointed?
“Okay. I really wasn’t trying to sneak up on you. I was worried about your shoulder and I thought you would still be in bed, but it didn’t look like it had been slept in. I… I thought you left, but then I heard the water come on. I guess… well, I guess I was just relieved that you were still here.”

Mac stood very close to her and ducked his head to look at her eyes. “Alex, I’m not going anywhere without telling you. I will not leave you. Pedro asked me to keep you safe and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Even if it kills me. Maybe it won’t be such a bad death.
Her green eyes searched his. When she found what she was looking for, she nodded.
Then again, maybe I ought to start looking for that arsenic.

“Thank you. Will you get the syrup out of the pantry?” At least, the redness was fading away. She could feel her face going back to normal. She started pouring the batter in the skillet on the stove. “Did you at least get some sleep this morning?”

He waited until he was out of the pantry to answer her. “Yes, but I usually don’t sleep much anyway. Did you rest well?”

Alex just nodded.

Mac heard her crying just after Pedro left, but did not know what to do. He remembered Pedro said to give her some time so he went to bed. He wanted to go to her. He wanted to comfort her-hell, he wanted to kiss her, but instead, he listened until he heard no more sobs and went to sleep.

“You have a car with you, right?” Alex asked, suddenly.

Mac answered with a slow “yes?” He had a feeling she was up to something.

“How did you get a car? The ambulance took you to the hospital.”