3. Woman Of The Hour
Chapter 3
Woman Of The Hour
E lina wanted to keep the focus off her past. She hadn’t searched for Arrow for so long to dump her troubles on him. She’d come to make sure he was alright. And she hadn’t been lying. She’d been lucky. Very lucky. It was the what-ifs that haunted her. “Tell me how you’re doing. Your team wasn’t able to stay in the area for more than a day. No one else would talk to me about your condition. At that point, I knew you’d survived the first surgery, but they’d had to amputate part of your leg.”
Too late, she realized how nosy that sounded. She closed her eyes. “And that was incredibly intrusive. Sorry. I’m so thrown off by actually finding you. I promise I’m normally a lot more sensitive.”
To her surprise, Arrow— Marcus , laughed. “Not intrusive in the least. I’m not uncomfortable talking about the amputation or the prosthesis. I was lucky. The guys treated the leg as well as they could in the field. According to the docs, they’re the reason I not only survived the blood loss but kept the rest of the leg. I don’t remember the chopper or the hospital but I was happy to wake up at all.”
That made her heart jolt. She’d been so afraid that saving her and the girls would have cost him everything. It almost had. “I’m so sorry.”
He grinned. “Nothing to be sorry for. None of it was your fault. We know the risks going in. I’m alive, healthy, and I’ve got a good life here. Having a prosthesis doesn’t change any of that.”
No wonder she’d always been attracted to this man. “Was it difficult to get used to?”
He shrugged. “Not really. I actually got a new one last week. I have to actively think about it once in a while, but that’s it.”
He raised his pant leg and pointed. “My knee was fixable, so it’s a transtibial unit. A woman who lives in this area has done some work with creating prostheses. She hooked me up with people on the cutting edge of new technologies, and this one isn’t on the market yet. It’s got more motion in the ankle. It’s pretty cool, actually.”
Elina had seen several devastating injuries overseas. Each one hurt her, as no one should have to learn to cope with that. She was relieved that Marcus appeared to be comfortable with the prosthesis and his recovery. They didn’t weigh him down as she’d feared.
Relief swept through her as he showed her the improvements in the technology and explained he also had extra prosthetic options for running and showering. His complete comfort with the device convinced her he truly didn’t harbor resentment toward her for the injury.
“How did you get into policing?”
Another laugh. “That would be Troy’s doing as well. The man’s a bulldozer, but at least he uses his powers for good. Once I was transferred to a hospital state-side, he showed up with information pamphlets and applications for me. Told me the entire team was retiring instead of signing up again, and that he needed me here in Phail.”
Not a surprise, as Epic had always been full of plans and ideas. “And here you are.”
His grin warmed her. “Here I am. And here you are, too. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you found me. Us. I’ve thought about you often over the years. Without a last name, I didn’t think there was any way to find you. Yet, you did it with even less than that.”
She laughed. “I remember Epic talking about winter and bugging all of you to come live in his hometown. When I saw the name Phail on the map back at the rest stop, I remembered the jokes you all made around the word Fail. And I wondered.”
Marcus laughed and leaned back against the bench. “Smart lady. You said your parents were from Seattle. Did you grow up there?”
A fairly easy question for her to answer, as long as she ignored the sensation of being watched that had driven her away from the city.
Despite having been searching for Marcus for over a year, she was remarkably unprepared for this conversation. She should have practiced reinforcing her shields and talking about herself. “I did, but we moved before I was ten. My parents worked with several agencies working in third-world countries. By the time I was eighteen, I’d lived in more than a dozen countries.”
His smile warmed her. “And that’s why you grew up to be an amazing woman.”
She managed a smile, but she didn’t feel amazing. Most of the time, she barely felt like she was coping.
Marcus tilted his head, and those eyes grew serious. “You’ve obviously had to deal with some things, Elina. But you are amazing. You’re kind, steady, generous, and brave. Never doubt that.”
Everything inside her warmed, and she couldn’t stop her smile. “I’m not sure about any of that, but thank you.”
He squeezed her hand again. “I’m sure enough for both of us. How about we head over to the Saloon and grab a big table for the gang?”
She nodded, and Marcus rose. He kept her hand until she stood from the bench. When he released her, she felt the loss and had to fist her hand so she didn’t grab for him.
Then he rubbed his hand up and down her arm. “Is it okay if I give you a hug? I’m so damn happy you’re here.”
Her heart lit up as she nodded, and she stepped into his arms. He wrapped himself around her, and she nestled into his chest. Warm, strong, caring.
How many times had she imagined how his touch would feel? Her imagination had been close, but the reality was even better. It was like having safety wrapped around her. As long as safety came in the sexy package of a truly good man.
They stood entwined for a long minute and Elina felt parts of herself click together in a way they hadn’t in a very long time.
Eventually, Marcus eased back, and while some of the warmth of his touch dissipated, she found a core remaining. A cozy space around her heart.
Smiling at her whimsy, she hoisted her bag and walked with Marcus across the park to the Saloon. The building turned out to have really been an actual saloon in pioneer days. The long, wide bar at the back of the room sat below a balcony, just like in the old photos she’d seen. A staircase led up one wall, and there were several doors off the balcony. There were also doors on either side of the bar leading to the space behind.
Two of the tables on the right-hand side of the space were occupied, and Marcus pointed to the other side. “Let’s pull some tables together.”
They’d just started when a stunning redhead moved toward them with a smile. “Hey, Marcus. Sean texted me that you called in the gang. What’s up?”
Elina watched Marcus’s reaction to the woman. Nothing but friendship. Which had another knot uncurling. She hadn’t asked him about his relationship status, but her heart wanted to know.
Marcus smiled. “You can’t ruin my surprise, Branna.”
Branna grinned back. “By the look on your face, I’m guessing it’s a good surprise. Does it have anything to do with your beautiful friend here?”
As Elina’s face flushed, Marcus laughed. “It does indeed. Branna, I’d like you to meet Elina Vasquez. Elina, this is Branna O’Dea. She’s decided she can put up with Falcon for the foreseeable future.”
Branna laughed. “Only if the foreseeable future means forever. Hi, Elina. Wait. Elina. Are you the woman who they all knew overseas? Afghanistan, maybe?”
Elina’s mouth dropped open. “Wow. Yes, I think that’s me. Unless there was another Elina?”
Marcus shook his head. “You’re our only Elina.”
And they’d spoken about her. Enough that Falcon’s Branna knew about her.
She definitely hadn’t been forgotten.
E lina sank into Marcus’s warmth when he touched the small of her back. “You okay?”
That made her smile. “A little nervous, but better than I’ve been in a very long time.”
She’d dreamed of seeing Arrow again. Dreamed of meeting up with his team. When she’d been held prisoner for those few days, she’d thought of them often. Their strength, resilience, and calm determination had helped her dig deep for her own.
Concern filled his eyes as he watched her deal with her emotions. The man was a fixer, and she knew he wanted to help her deal with what she hadn’t told him. Yet. Knowing his quiet persistence, she wondered if she would tell him eventually.
Marcus ran his hand up her arm and then guided her into a seat facing the door of the Saloon. That way, she could see who came in through the door, and no one would surprise her by approaching from behind. He was a thoughtful man. An astute man whose smile and touch sent her heart zinging.
Branna reached out her hand for Elina to shake. “It’s great to meet you. The guys will be thrilled you’re here in Phail. I know they all worried about you being over there with no official support.”
Elina managed to not let her mouth drop open this time. They’d not only talked about her, they’d worried.
Marcus nodded. “Being over there with agencies or troops is one thing. Being over there as a private civilian with no official backup is a whole different thing. You put yourself into situations most people are too afraid to try.”
She felt her face flush. “I just did what I knew how to do. I basically followed the example my parents set for me.”
Branna’s eyes flashed with sorrow, but she smiled warmly. “A very good plan. I’m doing the same thing with this pub. Okay, I’m not going to spoil the surprise, but the guys will be here soon. Can I get you a beer, a glass of wine, or something nonalcoholic?”
Elina wondered about Branna’s story but now wasn’t the time to ask. She didn’t want to pry. “I’d love a beer. The darker, the better.”
Branna grinned at her and then Marcus. “You two make a great pair. I’ll be right back.”
Once she was gone, Elina turned to Marcus. “I take it you like dark beer as well?”
He nodded, and his eyes sparkled. “Definitely. I prefer a stout, but we haven’t finished brewing those hops yet. Branna will bring us Scooby’s Sweet Porter for now. Hope that works.”
“We? Scooby’s Sweet Porter? Are you telling me you’re running a brewery along with being a deputy?”
He grinned. “That’s exactly right. It was Epic’s way of luring the other guys here. The six of us are in business together. Oz grows the hops, and we all chip in with the brewery itself. It’s more fun than I expected.”
While Elina smiled, a part of her felt small. These men had faced such adversity in their time overseas. She’d had a few really rough days, but she hadn’t had to face what so many women did. These men had dealt with so much for years, and they’d gone on to build careers and help each other out. She hadn’t even been able to find a place to settle without feeling like she was under surveillance.
Of course, Marcus didn’t miss much, and he leaned in. His voice was soft. “Whatever is causing the sadness in your eyes, I’d like to help. I know you don’t want to talk about it right now, but think about it. I’m not going anywhere, and I hope you’ll be staying for a long while. We’ll have time.”
It would be so easy to fall for this man. She wondered if she’d been falling slowly since their first meeting all those years ago.
The door to the Saloon opened and broke the moment. Marcus glanced up and grinned. He squeezed her hand. “Here we go.”
Elina looked up to see Epic walk in alongside a beautiful woman. She watched his eyes land on Marcus with curiosity and then switch to her. His eyes widened, and he let out a whoop. “Elina? Holy shit. I can’t believe you found us. I can’t believe you’re here.”
He bounded to their table and swept her up and into a hug. “Welcome to Phail, Elina. I’m so glad you’re here. Piper, come and meet Elina.”
Piper laughed as she came up and held out her hand. “I’m going to guess you’re the Elina who taught at the girls’ school overseas?”
Elina barely managed a nod. “I am.” Here was another woman who knew her. More proof she hadn’t been forgotten by these incredible men. When she’d thought she was going to die, she’d wondered if anyone would notice she was gone. If anyone would miss her.
“Elina? Seriously? You’re here?” Slick’s voice cut through the conversation, and she was enveloped in another hug.
When he released her, he was grinning. “It’s great to see you. Addy, Nina, come and meet Elina.”
After they’d been introduced, the teen grinned at her dad and then Elina. “I bet you can tell me lots of embarrassing stories about my dad.”
Elina laughed. “Sorry, Nina. Your dad and the rest of his team are some of the most impressive people I’ve ever met. Not a single embarrassing story to be told.”
When she sighed dramatically, Heath gave his daughter a side-armed hug. “Told you so.”
Nina rolled her eyes, but that couldn’t stop the pride shining through her eyes.
Oz’s voice reached her next. “Elina? Marcus found you? It’s great to see you.”
Oz had always been the quietest of the group but he’d also been friendly and kind. He’d helped the villages make improvements to their fields and food supplies. She wasn’t surprised to learn he was growing the hops for the team’s brewery.
He introduced her to his girlfriend, Isla, who was also interested in plants, and working to improve the world’s food supply. They made a great team.
“Elina?”
She recognized Scooby’s voice next. The man ran his hands down her arms and then pulled her into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay. That was an awful day, and we hated to leave you and the village behind.”
Elina swallowed hard. “I’m so glad to see you, Scooby. And I’m so very sorry about Shaggy. That was the worst day.”
He squeezed her tightly. “Thank you. Shaggy was the best. She’d be very happy that you’re okay and that you’re here. I have someone here you have to meet. She helped me get through it all.”
She met Kimi, who was the local veterinarian, and Elina learned that not only were she and Scooby together, but they were building a canine and equestrian therapy center along with a petting farm to teach people about animals. They’d called it Shaggy’s Place, and it brought tears to her eyes.
“That’s perfect. I’m so proud of you, Scooby. Sorry, Garrett. It’s going to take me some time to remember all your names. I only learned them today, so I hope I don’t mix anyone up.”
Nina laughed. “We should make everyone wear name tags for you. I can’t believe you knew them all for years but didn’t know anyone’s real names. Just like me with my dad.”
Again, Elina wondered at the story and if she’d ever find out more.
Her dad, Heath, shrugged. “It was a Special Forces thing the army tried a few times. Don’t know if other units are still doing it or not.”
A loud whistle brought everyone’s attention to Branna, who was standing at the bar. “It’s a special day in Phail as we welcome another friend to town. Welcome, Elina. We hope you enjoy your stay, especially if it lasts forever. First round is on the house.”
Elina felt her face flush as the Saloon erupted in cheers. Forever?
A look at the smiling faces around her made her think that sounded like a really great idea.
Especially when she looked at Marcus and he was smiling right back at her.