Sasha shook her head.“Not unless you made that story up.”She poured a second glass and brought them both over to the seating area.Handing one to me, she lifted the other in a silent toast.“Wouldn’t want you to drink alone.Now that would be a real crime.”She sat back down on the sofa and took a long sip of the sangria before placing her glass carefully on the side table.“So, are you going to see this Ryland guy again?Where is he?How come he didn’t bring you home?Is he okay or did he end up with an infection or something and he’s in the hospital?”
I laughed, holding up a hand to forestall the barrage of questions.“He’s not in the hospital, and I don’t think his wound is infected although he really should go see a doctor to make sure it’s okay.It might need stitches.He said he was going to call a friend who’d been a medic in the Army -- - or Navy, I’m not sure which.”I wrinkled my nose.“It probably should have stitches, but that’s a bit more first aid than I was capable of.I’m sure he’ll be fine.At least I managed to stop it from bleeding.”
“So?Where is this amazing guy?”
I gave an elaborate shrug of my shoulders and tried to look like I didn’t care.“I have no idea.We had a bit of an adventure and a wonderful night together but that’s it.Great sex, no regrets.He went his way and I went mine.”
“A wonderful night?You mean you had dynamite sex with the wounded chaser of bad guys?”
Trust Sasha to fixate on that part.“Well yes.He was gorgeous after all.I did mention that, right?”
“No.You did not mention he was gorgeous.Come on, girl, spill!”
I smiled softly, recalling Ryland’s rugged face that belayed his gentle, caring nature.Amazing that I’d known him for less than twenty-four hours and yet I felt like I’d known him forever.“He looked like one of those soldiers you see in the movies, you know?Tall with broad shoulders and lots of hard, rippling muscles all over.His hair was dark, not quite a crew cut but really short, and he had the most amazing blue eyes.One minute they were as cold as ice, and the next they blazed like the midday sun.And then there was his smile.”
“I’m drooling already.Go on!Did he make the first move, or did you take advantage of him while he was too weak from loss of blood to defend himself?”
I grabbed the pillow from the sofa and threw it at my friend.“I did not take advantage of him.He kissed me, and then he really kissed me, and then… well… we just kind of went from there.We were both adults, you know, and we did adult kind of things.”
Sasha giggled.“Adult kind of things?You are such a romantic!So how come it was only a one-nighter?I thought you said he was good in the sack.”
I grimaced.“And you think I’m not romantic enough?He was very good, if you must know.I have absolutely no complaints but he’s not in my league.He chases international poachers, for heaven’s sake.I chase guys who catch too many fish in a day.No point in setting myself up for a fall.”
Sasha sobered instantly.“Just because your rat of a fiancé couldn’t keep it in his pants, and the next asshole lucky enough to get your attention traded you for a job offer, does not mean anyone is out of your league.You’re an amazing woman, and any guy would be lucky to have even a tiny chance with you.If you really liked this guy, I think you should go after him and let him know.”
“Thank you.Except I have no idea how to find him.But thank you for believing in me.”I threw my arms around my friend and hugged her.It was good to have someone who believed in me and reminded me of my own worth when I doubted it.Sasha was the best friend I’d ever had, and I counted myself lucky we’d been thrown together in college.We’d become each other’s best friend and stayed that way ever since.I couldn’t imagine life without the company of the zany, inappropriate woman.
I wiped a stray tear from my eye.It had been a truly emotional couple of days.“I might consider taking your advice and chasing him down, but it occurs to me I have no idea what his last name is, let alone where to find him.I’m afraid I’m going to have to chalk this one up to a very exciting, nerve-shattering but enjoyable experience, and move on.”I didn’t mention he’d given me his phone number so I could forward pictures to him.Truth was, I didn’t think he wanted to hear from me, and I was too proud to push it.
Sasha returned the hug.“Trust you not to get the guy’s last name.Have I taught you nothing in all these years?Names are important.Oh well, at least he made a good one-night stand.”She stood up and went to refill her glass.“I guess the only thing left to do is finish this pitcher of drinks while watching some man-hunks on the boob tube.”
I held my glass up for a refill.“Sounds like a plan to me.What should we watch first?”
Sasha topped up my glass, then went to rummage through the rack of DVDs.“How about a double-oh-seven marathon?We can rate the different Bonds and see who comes out on top on a sangria Sunday.”
Chapter Ten
Ryland
“You owe me, William.Remember when I covered for Danny on that job in the Congo?”I bit the words out between clenched teeth.Sure, catching the poachers was top priority of the Brotherhood right now, but I wasn’t indispensable.I stabbed the speaker button and tossed the phone on the bed while I stuffed clothing into my duffel bag.If William would quit arguing and agree to get one of the other guys to cover for me, I could get back to what was more important right now -- hunting down my dream girl.
“It’s not that easy and you know it.Sam and Noah have passport issues after that incident up in the Arctic.Jacques is watching the port down here in case the other group heads for home.Danny’s wife is still in the hospital, and there’s no way he’s going to leave her side.I don’t think you could pry him loose with a crowbar and a case of his favorite whisky.That leaves me, and someone has to stay at home base and monitor the whole blasted mess.Besides, you know I’m practically useless in the field.”
I could hear the frustration in William’s voice through the cell phone connection, but that didn’t change the fact I needed to get back to Kimberly, and I needed someone else to take over tailing the poachers.Sam and Noah were identical twins and almost always worked together.They’d be perfect for this mission.“Don’t you have emergency identities for Sam and Noah?Let them travel on those.”
“I suppose we could work something out, but we’d need to get them new backup IDs after this.Damn idiots already blew through three sets just getting back here after that fiasco.”William sounded thoughtful, a good sign.
“Do it then.The poachers were booked into the Vancouver Airport Hotel for tonight and on a plane to Thailand tomorrow so if you can get the twins on a direct flight before then they should be on the ground when the poachers deplane.I’m sending you pics and a bunch of info on the scrambled line.Should be enough for Sam and Noah to pick up their trail.”
The cell phone was silent for a few minutes, and I could picture William sitting in the control room, his fingers flying over the keyboard as he located the twins and sent them a heads-up.
“Okay, they’re good to go.Send me what you have and keep me up to date on your situation.We might need you to step in if things heat up.”
“No problem.Switched the SIM card to the new cell and turned the GPS on so you can track me on that.If it’s an emergency, text on the secure phone.I’ll make sure I monitor it at all times.And, William?”
“No!Whatever else you want, the answer is no.”
“Hey, I was just going to ask if you could check on the spirit bear.They sent in a vet team to take care of her, and I’d feel better if I knew she was going to be okay.”
