Heart of the Hunter Read online

  “It could be the Saba virus,” Casey whispered worriedly. “Well, what are you and Morgan going to do?”

  Rubbing his jaw, Ty muttered, “We’re getting hammered in South America right now. Morgan’s lead physician with Perseus is Dr. Ann Parsons, but she’s down on a mission in Peru right now with Major Mike Houston. All hell’s breaking loose down there because Eduardo Escovar, the most powerful cocaine drug lord in Peru, is going up against Mike and his team. Morgan can’t ask Ann or Mike to leave, so he’s sending me down to Brazil, to where the outbreak is occurring. OID has already sent their primary outbreak team ahead to help coordinate with local officials of the Amazon village that’s being decimated by it, and to provide lab work and aid to the people who are dying of it.”

  “I know Mike Houston very well,” Casey murmured. “He’s known as the jaguar god down in Peru. He’s got one helluva reputation for going after the drug lords. He’s been taking them down for ten years now. They all want his head on a platter, believe me.” She shook her red curls. “I wouldn’t want to be in that mess. I feel for Dr. Parsons. I met her a couple of times at the OID. Over the years she’s taken a number of seminars with us on infectious diseases. What’s a nice woman like her doing down in that sinkhole with Houston?”

  Ty grinned a little. “Ann’s an emergency room trained physician. She’s always where the action is.” Scratching his head, he added, “But I don’t think she—or we—anticipated what’s going on now. It’s pretty bad. Morgan’s worried about both of them, and generally he doesn’t worry like I’ve seen him doing of late.”

  “Any chance of what’s going on in Peru with Escovar spilling into Brazil?” Casey inquired.

  Shrugging, Ty said, “Who knows? Our one link, our only one, is with a Brazilian green warrior by the name of Inca. I guess she and Mike Houston share a common, very mysterious and little understood heritage. Mike’s part Quechua Indian, by the way. He and Inca are blood sister and brother.” He smiled a little. “I’ve never met Inca, but believe me, her name is a curse and a legend in Brazil. The people who love her call her the jaguar goddess. Those that hate and fear her call her a green warrior.”

  “Green warrior is a name synonymous with people who are trying to save the Amazon rain forest from the foreign loggers,” Casey muttered. “Somehow, I think I’d like this Inca woman. Good for her. So, is Inca your contact when you go down to Brazil? It’s her territory, right?”

  “There’s no official contact with Inca,” Ty said. “She’s like a ghost—you never know when she’ll show up. Personally, I hope she does, but I’m not counting on it. The Indians of Brazil worship her as a goddess in human form. They say she’s really a jaguar who turns into a human when she wants to. Where I’m going, deep in the Amazon basin, I’d be very happy to see Inca appear if we get into trouble with Black Dawn, jaguar or not.” He grinned.

  Casey nodded, thinking that the situation Ty was heading into was exceedingly dangerous. “Who’s heading up that OID team?” she demanded. She was thinking it might be Catt Alborak, a medical doctor who worked in the hot zone with her at the OID labs.

  “A gal by the name of Dr. Alborak, I think,” he said, searching his memory.

  “Ah, good. Catt’s the best. Saba’s her baby. She knows more about South American hemorrhagic viruses than anyone I know in virology. At least, in this hemisphere.” Casey cracked a slight smile. “Well, Ty, I think you’ve met your match and then some.” She chuckled a little.

  “What’s that mean?” he demanded darkly. “I hope she’s not one of these prima donna virus hunters who’s gonna be a pain in the rear to work with.”

  Casey’s smile widened considerably. “No, unfortunately for you, Catt’s a lot like me—a hellion with a cause, and she doesn’t suffer fools lightly, either.”

  Managing a sour smile, he said, “Yeah? Well, I’ve had my share of women in my time, so I don’t think there will be a problem. I know how to handle them.”

  “Oh, there won’t be a problem.” Casey grinned. “As long as you do things Catt’s way, there won’t be a problem at all.”

  Ty rolled his eyes. “Great. The two of you are a pair. You have a reputation yourself, you know. What did they do? Clone you over at the OID?” he said, laughing.

  The laughter sounded good to Casey. She felt more than a little ray of hope now for Reid—and for herself. Just feeling Ty’s stabilizing influence was a gift in itself. Reid had often said that when the chips were down, Ty would be there in a crisis. He was right. She gently stroked Reid’s fingers, which were growing warmer. “I’m not a hellion, though. But Catt is world famous for that. It’s a reputation she’s earned over the years, and she’s very proud of it.”

  Ty gave her an unhappy look. “What’s your definition of a hellion?”

  Chuckling, Casey said, “You’re a smart man, Ty. You’re asking the right questions.” She smiled at him. “Hellion as in Catt gets the job done, is a fierce, good leader, doesn’t back down, doesn’t take no for an answer, will push when it comes to shove, is fearless in the face of the most deadly viruses known to us, has a short temper with idiots, is passionate about saving lives, is compassionate with the weak and the sick, will do whatever it takes to take down a killer virus or bacteria… . That’s my definition of a hellion insofar as Catt’s concerned.”

  “Phew,” Ty muttered. “Where was she born?”

  Casey’s grin widened. “Texas. She’s a Texas hellion, Ty. I think you kinda get the picture on Catt now, don’t you?” She saw his scowl deepen.

  “I’m supposed to be down there to protect her. Do you think she’ll do as I ask?”

  Casey rolled her eyes. “I forgot to add a couple of words about her—pigheaded and stubborn. But she was raised out in Texas cattle country and is the best person in the world to have at your back when all hell starts breaking loose.”

  “Great,” he muttered. “Just great… “

  Casey met his twisted grin. In her heart, she felt that Ty might have a chance with Catt so long as he practiced a little patience and diplomacy with her. “You’re getting thrown to the lions,” she teased.

  “Or maybe to a Texas hellion?” He grinned.

  Casey felt lighter and more hopeful. “You’ll find out soon enough, Ty. Just think of her as a modern day version of Joan of Arc. She’s committed and can’t be led off the scent.” She gazed longingly down at Reid. “So, when can we leave?”

  “The doctors have already given permission for him to be released to us. There’s a Perseus doctor on board the aircraft, Dr. Jenny Hanson. She’s an ER trained specialist. We’ve got a top medical facility on board the jet, as well as a trained paramedic—just in case. Reid will be in good hands.” And then Ty grinned a little. “He’s got you as his main cheerleader.”

  Casey nodded, sobering as she pressed Reid’s limp fingers between hers. “You know what I wish for, Ty? As silly as it sounds?”

  “No, what?”

  “I wish,” Casey whispered brokenly, “that Reid could recuperate at my home, north of Atlanta, as soon as he comes out of this coma. Silly as that sounds, that’s what I wish. I wish he could be there with me… .”

  “So that you could care for him.” Ty nodded. “I’ve always believed in miracles, Casey. If he keeps improving, I don’t have a problem with Reid being with you.”

  Gratefully, she met Ty’s thoughtful brown gaze. “Thank you… . You don’t know how much that means to me… to us… .”

  “Yeah, I think I do.” He gazed down at his brother. “Reid’s a good guy. He’s had more than his share of bad luck in his life.” Lifting his chin, Ty studied Casey in silence. “It’s time that changed. And my family and i are for anything that will help Reid survive this.”

  Casey fought back the tears. “Thanks… .”

  “And I know that you lost the man you loved before to Ebola. This has to be hard on you, too.”

  Ty’s sensitivity and understanding were reassuring. She studied him for a long moment and
then spoke. “You and Reid share a lot in common. I hope someday you find a woman who deserves what you have to give her.”

  He grinned carelessly and headed for the door. “That, Dr. Morrow, is a lost cause… .” Then he swung out the door and into the hall, heading for the nurses’ station to start the paperwork to get Reid out of there.

  Chuckling, Casey remained at Reid’s side. Even now there was more ruddiness flowing back into his cheeks. “You know what, Reid?” she said in a soft, amused tone. “I think your headstrong brother is going to more than meet his match in Catt Alborak. He’s got a Texas hellion by the tail and doesn’t know it—yet—but he will… .” She laughed. How good it felt! As she gazed at his pale but improving features, she squeezed his fingers. Home. They were going home. Suddenly, her heart lifted and took wing. A fierce sense of love for Reid swept through Casey. He was going to live. Now the only question was would he come out of the coma? One painful step at a time, Casey reminded herself. One at a time… . Still, she held the vision in her heart of Reid in the old brass bed she’d inherited from her great-great-grandmother, wrapped in the colorful quilt made by her grandmother, getting better every day he spent with her.

  Reid swore he heard a robin singing. But he was in Africa. There were no robins in Africa. Again he heard the bird’s melodic song. Frowning, he moved slowly, because it felt as if his hands and arms were encased in concrete. Struggling, he forced his eyes open to mere slits. Everything was white at first. Slowly, over the next few minutes, his vision began to clear.

  Where was he? He was in a large bed, an old brass one from the looks of it, with a light, colorful quilt thrown over him. There was a window not more than two feet away, hung with pretty, feminine curtains. The window was open and he could see a breeze gently moving the delicate white lace. Beyond it, he could see a big oak tree with thick Spanish moss hanging from the limbs. Somewhere in the tree, a robin was singing its heart out.

  Reid liked robins. They always made a beautiful melody when they sang. Lying there, he tried to orient himself. His brain was sluggish as hell. He kept flexing his fingers and wriggling his toes. Looking down, he saw that there were IVs in both his arms.

  Then he noticed soft classical music drifting in the partly open bedroom door—faraway, but nice to listen to. The odor of food wafted in on the breeze, or maybe it was coming from the door. Inhaling hungrily, Reid heard his stomach growl. Mouth dry, he looked around. He saw a pitcher and glass on the nearby bed stand. Pushing himself into an upright position, he found he was alarmingly weak. Thirst drove him to reach for water. To his surprise, he couldn’t grasp the glass. It crashed to the wood floor, the sound echoing throughout the room.

  “Damn,” he muttered.

  Footsteps sounded.

  Frowning, he looked toward the door. He heard someone running down the hall toward him. Where was he?

  Casey pushed open the door, breathless. Her eyes widened enormously.

  “Reid!” It was a cry of surprise.

  He looked at Casey strangely for a moment, shaken by her cry. And then his mouth pulled upward at one corner. “You’re a sight for sore eyes. Do you know that?” His voice was rusty from disuse. He saw her eyes widen in joy as she stood poised at the door.

  She flew to him, her heart pounding with relief. Sitting on the edge of the bed and facing him, Casey reached out and touched his face, then his shoulder, and finally gripped his hands. “You’re conscious.”

  Her hands were warm and welcoming. Reid managed another one-cornered smile. “Alive and kicking. What the hell happened, Casey? And where are we? This doesn’t look or sound like Africa.”

  Choking on a sob, Casey pressed one hand against her lips. Fighting to regain control over her shocked and unraveling emotions, she whispered, “We’re home, Reid. In Atlanta, Georgia. This is where I live. You’ve been in a coma for three weeks.” With trembling fingers she reached out and curved her hand across his stubbled cheek. “Welcome back, darling. I’ve missed you so much… .”

  “Come here,” he coaxed brokenly, and he opened his arms to her. She came without hesitation, curving her arms around his neck and carefully pressing herself against him. With a groan, Reid closed his eyes and allowed his arms to wrap around her torso. “You feel so good to me,” he rasped. “So damn good… .”

  Casey sobbed again and pressed her face against his. “I was so afraid, Reid. So afraid you’d die from that black mamba bite.”

  He opened his eyes. The sweetness of her perfume encircled him and he inhaled it deeply into his chest. “What bite?”

  She eased away enough to look down at him. “Remember you leaped toward Gaby and me after partially shooting the head off that black mamba that threatened us? When it was thrashing around, dying, you stepped in front of it and pushed us out of its way. Somehow, it grazed your pant leg and one fang made a tiny scratch on your calf. You went unconscious about a minute after that.” Taking a ragged breath, Casey closed her eyes, her voice trembling with tears. “Let me tell you, l’ve never been so scared. You nearly died five different times on that C-130 flight out of Yambuku to Johannesburg, where they got you stabilized.”

  He felt new strength invading him and he raised his hand and grazed her damp cheek, touching the tears trailing down her flesh with his fingertips. “Helluva ride, wasn’t it?” He watched her green eyes open and saw the gold of joy in them. Joy that they were here. That they were alive and in one another’s arms.

  “A helluva ride,” Casey agreed. She sniffed, sat up and wiped away the tears. “I’ve got so many things to do now that you’re conscious. Let me take care of you first, and then I’ll make a lot of phone calls to a lot of people who are going to be jumping up and down to learn that you’re awake and as feisty as ever. You must be thirsty?”

  Reid wanted Casey to stay here, with him, but he understood. If he’d been in a coma for three weeks, he knew his family had to be contacted and a doctor notified, for starters. Brushing some of her silky red hair away from her cheek, he said, “I’m thirsty as a dog.” Removing his hand, he looked down at the floor. “I just dropped the glass. What can I do to get another one?”

  Casey smiled a little. “The old Reid is back. What a relief. I’ll get you another glass—just hold on… .” She hurried through the room to the bathroom. Her heart skittered. Rachel Donovan-Cunningham had given him a remedy three days ago and had said it would probably bring Reid out of the coma he’d been in since returning stateside.

  Entering the bedroom again, Casey moved to the bed stand and poured water for him with shaking hands. Sitting on the edge of the bed facing him, she held the glass out to him.

  “You’re weak. Let me help you?” she said.

  Casey looked pale. And she’d lost weight, he observed. Without hesitation, he placed his hands around hers and guided the glass to his lips. He drank the entire contents.

  “More?” he croaked, and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He saw the startled look and the tears in her eyes. Looking around and then back at her, he said, “When can I get out of these IVs?”

  “Drink your water,” Casey soothed as she poured him more. First she’d have to call Dr. Luanne Somers to come and check Reid over. Then she’d call his family, and then Rachel Donovan-Cunningham. All would be overjoyed to hear that Reid had finally come out of his coma. Relief burst through Casey. It was all she could do to sit quietly.

  Reid’s hands gained strength by the minute as he drank like a man who had crossed a desert. Water leaked out and dribbled down the sides of his mouth. Casey took a cloth and dabbed at the corners of his lips when he finished the second glass.

  “I have to make some phone calls,” she told him breathlessly as she stood up. “I’ll be right back.”

  Studying her, Reid appreciated her once more. Her mop of red hair nearly touched her shoulders now, and in a light pink blouse with tiny rosebuds on the collar and beige slacks that fit her to perfection, she looked beautiful. “Before you leave, tell me where
we are again?”

  “My house in Atlanta, Georgia, Reid.”

  He looked around. “Your home?”

  She hesitated at the door. “Yes.” She saw the confusion on his features. The cloudy look in his eyes. It was obvious his memory wasn’t functioning fully yet, but she had every hope it soon would. The neurotoxin? The coma? A little of both? She was unsure. “I’ll be right back,” she promised him in a husky voice. “And I’ll fill you in.”

  As she moved quickly down the hall to her office, where she had a phone, Casey wondered if Reid would remember their love. Was that wiped out of his memory forever, too? How much did he recall? How much would he?

  Reid felt incredibly restless. Strength was returning to him minute by minute and he wanted to get up. When Casey came back she hesitated momentarily at the door and just stared at him.

  “I’m real,” he told her. Hungrily, Reid watched as she moved quickly back into the bedroom. He saw the flush staining her cheeks, the burnished red frame of her hair emphasizing her shadowed green eyes, the gauntness of her high cheekbones. She offered him a tentative smile as she carefully sat down at his bedside, and he moved his hand toward hers.

  “I don’t want to let you out of my sight,” he croaked as his fingers clasped hers. The warmth in her eyes made him feel good inside.

  “Me neither,” she quavered. To hell with it, she decided, moving closer and leaning over. “I’m going to kiss you again, Reid Hunter, so get used to it… .”

  As her soft, warm mouth blanketed his, he felt her heat, her trembling, and he returned her searching, tentative kiss. Raising his hand, he placed it against her arm as she leaned over him. She tasted so good! She tasted of life. He could taste chocolate on her, and as they eased apart a few inches, he gazed up at her.

  “Been eating chocolate?”

  She smiled a little. “I just had a Godiva. My favorite.” Easing her fingers through his hair, which had grown quite long compared to how he usually wore it, she asked, “Want one?”

  “No,” he whispered, one corner of his mouth pulling upward. “I just got all the dessert I could ever want right here beside me.”