Return of a Hero Read online

  “No hearings?”

  “Doubtful. Even if Young and Hadden refused to admit to their part in Hill 164, this conversation will incriminate them. Come on, I’ve got one anxious lady waiting for you in the van. We wouldn’t let Laura come in with us under the circumstances. She’s about ready to throw a shoe.”

  Morgan nodded, taking a handkerchief from his back pocket and holding it to his lips. “I’ll bet she is.” Hesitating at the door, he turned to Phillips. “Do me a favor?”

  “Sure.”

  “Give me a little time to calm the lady.”

  Smiling, Phillips slapped him on the shoulder. “You got it.“

  Laura stood by the van, her hands gripped in a tight knot of fear. She’d heard over the taping system that Morgan was alive. When she saw him appear out the front door, she flew down the brick walk.

  Morgan halted, opening his arms to her. With a muffled cry, Laura threw her arms around his neck. Laughing softly, he embraced her tightly.

  “I’m okay, little swan,” he murmured, inhaling her delicious scent.

  Laura’s breath came in huge gulps. “I was so frightened—”

  “Shh, so was I, sweetheart. Everything’s fine. Believe me.” And Morgan gently pushed her away just enough so that she could see he was all right. Tears shimmered in her blue eyes, and he leaned down to kiss them away.

  “You’re hurt.”

  “Just scratches.”

  Shakily she touched his injured lip. Blood had splattered across his sport coat and shirt. “I was so afraid, Morgan.”

  “I know,” he said, caressing her mussed hair. He gave her a slight smile. “It’s over now.”

  Swallowing her fear, Laura nodded. “Does Phillips think there’s enough information to clear your name without a hearing?”

  Morgan nodded. “Plenty. The senator will probably call a press conference as soon as he can, and I’ll be vindicated.” Laura looked clean and untouched after the violence that had surrounded him minutes earlier. Cupping her chin, Morgan smiled down into her eyes, now lustrous with love for him alone. “What do you say we go home, call my folks and then plan the rest of our lives together?”

  Laura smiled through the tears and slid her hands upward, brushing the cheek with the scar. “I’d like that.”

  “I love the hell out of you, Laura.” Morgan put his arm around her shoulders, and they walked back to the van. The singing of the birds took on added meaning for him, and so did the bright April sunlight. It was spring, the time of year for new seedlings to sprout, for flowers to poke their heads above the wintry, barren ground and blossom. New beginnings, he mused. He gazed tenderly at Laura, who returned his look with love.

  There was so much he was grateful for because of her presence, her loyalty and her undying belief in him. Leaning down, Morgan kissed her temple. “You know what? I’m going to enjoy spending the rest of my life telling and showing you just how much I love you.”

  Sinking against him, Laura closed her eyes, the terror receding, to be replaced by hope. She felt his strength, his protection, where she was concerned. Meeting his warming gaze, she whispered, “Let’s go home. We’ve run the last of this gauntlet together. The first day of our life is about to begin.”

  Morgan nodded, leading her past a bright patch of red tulips toward the rented car in the distance. “Home,” he murmured, a catch in his voice, “sounds good.”

  *****

  The LOVE AND GLORY series continues with the spine-tingling, heart-touching story of how the Trayhern parents, Rachel and Chase, first met and loved—coming soon from Special Edition!

  Excerpt from The Loner

  A loner suffering from PTSD, former Marine Dakota Carson is wary of teaming up with the beautiful Deputy Shelby Wolfe. But when two convicts escape from prison, Shelby’s ability to track them is invaluable, and her healing touch is a balm to the wounded Dakota. Can old wounds heal before it’s too late? Read on for a sneak peek of THE LONER by Lindsay McKenna, coming July 2013 from Harlequin.

  “He’s right about that,” Shelby muttered. “I want to track those two and land their asses back into federal prison like I did before.”

  Dakota respected her decision. “I’m having a helluva time looking at your natural blond hair and grasping the fact you tracked them down.” Giving her an uneven grin, Dakota added, “That’s a backhanded compliment, Shel. Old dogs like me have to learn new tricks. Tracking isn’t a gender skill. I’m just too used to working with the men of my SEAL team. It just never occurred to me a woman could do it, too.”

  Her shoulders slumped, the tension bleeding out of her. “Tomorrow, we need to start sniffing around, Dakota. I want to find them. My gut tells me they’re going to hole up in the Tetons.”

  Nodding, he said, “Bingo. Welton hid in the mountains of Yellowstone. The last stolen car has put him in our vicinity. We’ll go see Cade tomorrow and start creating a mission plan to locate them.”

  She saw the commitment in his eyes. “Are you really going to sleep outside every night?”

  “Yes. It’s better this way.” For you. For me. He struggled and said, “I don’t like it, but I couldn’t live myself if I harmed you, Shel,” and he held her steady gaze. She was upset and concerned. Not for herself, but for him. His heart opened wide with feelings he’d never felt before. This woman had a SEAL backbone whether she knew it or not. She possessed the same fierce team spirit they did. He wanted to close the space between them and kiss her until she melted into him.

  “Well,” she groused, trying to lighten the tension, “I’ll miss you.”

  “Yeah?” It made him feel good for the first time in such a long time. She had the capacity to reach him in a place he thought had died when he was seventeen.

  Shelby saw a slow, heated male smile touch the corners of his mouth. Recalling the scalding desire he’d sparked within her before, she felt herself respond powerfully to that glittering look in his eyes. Now, he was the wolf stalking her.

  Don’t miss THE LONER by Lindsay McKenna, coming July 2013 from Harlequin.

  USA TODAY Bestselling Author

  LINDSAY McKENNA

  A man at war with himself

  In all her years as deputy sheriff, Shelby Kincaid never met a man as stubborn as Dakota Carson. Practically eaten by a grizzly bear and still that man insists on returning, alone, to his isolated cabin in the Tetons. Shelby’s not even sure why it ruffles her-but she suspects it has a lot to do with the instant, powerful connection she feels with Dakota. If only he’d let down his guard with her….

  Ten years as a navy SEAL took its toll on Dakota’s body, his mind and his heart. Since being released, he’s endured months of painful physical therapy…and brutal nightmares. Dakota wants nothing more than to hide from the world, so why does Shelby’s gentle presence suddenly make him question his seclusion? But when Shelby’s life is threatened, Dakota knows his warrior spirit won’t hide any longer. He just hopes it’s not too late….

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  LINDSAY McKENNA

  As a writer, Lindsay McKenna feels that telling a story is a way to share how she sees the world. Love is the greatest healer of all, and the books she creates are parables that underline this belief. Working with flower essences, another gentle healer, she devotes part of her life to the world of nature to help ease people’s suffering. She knows that the right words can heal
and that creation of a story can be catalytic to a person’s life. And in some way she hopes that her books may educate and lift the reader in a positive manner. She can be reached at www.lindsaymckenna.com or www.medicinegarden.com.

  ISBN: 978-1-4603-1496-8

  Return of a Hero

  Copyright © 1989 by Lindsay McKenna

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  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

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