David leaned in close and kissed her. Softly and not too quickly. In front of the hospital where they both worked.

Mission or not, the idea of rumors circulating about him and Terri didn’t bother him in the least.

Now all he had to do was come up with a plan for a stellar evening. This had to be different. Something special just for her. He wanted to give her an experience she’d never had, one that would leave her with fond memories, in case his assignment destroyed their friendship.

After everything she’d told him, the least he could do was show her what an amazing woman he saw when he looked at her. Pulling up the tide charts, he set to work figuring out the details. He would give her an evening she couldn’t dismiss later as a tactic or trick, no matter how the case with her brother ended.

Her Undercover Defender
Debra Webb
& Regan Black

www.millsandboon.co.uk

DEBRA WEBB, born in Alabama, wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the military behind the Iron Curtain—and a five-year stint with NASA—that she realized her true calling. Since then the USA TODAY bestselling author has penned more than one hundred novels, including her internationally bestselling Colby Agency series.

REGAN BLACK, a USA TODAY bestselling author, writes award-winning, action-packed novels featuring kick-butt heroines and the sexy heroes who fall in love with them. Raised in the Midwest and California, she and her family, along with their adopted greyhound, two arrogant cats and a quirky finch, reside in the South Carolina Lowcountry, where the rich blend of legend, romance and history fuels her imagination.

MILLS & BOON

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With special thanks and love for Alysan, who never stopped believing.

Contents

Cover

Introduction

Title Page

About the Authors

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Washington, DC Thursday, October 2, 5:25 p.m.

David Martin had the training pool to himself. The fading sunlight filtered through the windows near the ceiling, casting long pale slashes across the deck. While other people finished paperwork or made dinner plans, he soaked up the peace and quiet of the water. It was his sanctuary, the one place he could always get away from any worries. The only thing better would be time out on the ocean—or under it. He hadn’t had a real dive in months, and since his boat was stored closer to his family in Georgia, the pool would have to suffice for today.

He pushed his body through a freestyle sprint the length of the pool, filled his lungs on the turn and then dove deep, dolphin-kicking the return lap on that single breath. He repeated the process until the timer on his watch went off. Switching to backstroke, he let his body cool down. As his lungs recovered, his mind drifted over the implications of his upcoming meeting with his boss, Director Thomas Casey.

The brief email had bordered on cryptic, which wasn’t unusual considering the unique covert operations team he’d joined two years ago. One specific phrase in the email had brought David down to swim and think: lifetime assignment.

He understood commitment as it pertained to career, family and country, having completed his education and given six years to the Coast Guard. Unfortunately, the phrase reminded him too much of the matchmaking his three oldest sisters kept attempting on his behalf. They used words like stability, comfort, nieces and nephews. As if their own kids didn’t keep everyone busy enough. Curse of being the youngest and the only boy in a big Southern family, he thought. He loved them all and appreciated the buffer of distance his skills and career choices had given him. The Coast Guard had been a smart fit, and not even his sisters had ever worked up the nerve to argue about his professional dedication. Now, believing he worked a normal day job in DC, they manipulated blind dates and chance meetings every time he was home, hoping to reel him back in and settle him down near the family home.

They seemed impervious to his personal timetable. At thirty, he wasn’t ready to do the wife and kids thing. He liked the excitement and the challenge of being a Specialist on Thomas Casey’s elite team. While he understood that going out and making a difference in the world didn’t rule out relationships—plenty of Specialists had personal lives—it sure put a damper on permanence. He wasn’t ready for that. Not yet. There was plenty of time to find the right woman.

Lifetime assignment. The two words echoed through his head as his strokes sliced through the water. What kind of threat had Director Casey taking that kind of measure? He bounced around the pros and cons, despite the lack of specific information. It couldn’t be anything anonymous like witness protection. Casey knew David maintained close ties to family, despite his near-obsessive meddling sisters. Whatever prompted this type of precaution, David knew he couldn’t accept a permanent assignment in a landlocked area. Being raised on the Georgia coast, he needed the ocean as much as fresh air and sunshine.

His watch flashed and sounded another alarm, and David finished his lap. Pulling himself out of the pool, he sat at the edge, feet dangling in the water. It was silly to keep wondering. There was only one way to find out if Casey’s lifetime assignment would suit him. Hearing the slap of flip-flops, he looked up and smiled. “Hey, Noah,” he said, raising a hand. He and Noah Drake had discovered their mutual appreciation of the coast when they were tasked together on a water rescue mission. The fellow Specialist and artist maintained a house on one of Georgia’s barrier islands and allowed David to use it when he wanted to dive in the area.

“Am I interrupting?” Noah inquired, tossing the towel in his hands onto a nearby chair.

“No. Just finished up and got lost in thought.”

“It happens,” Noah said with a commiserating smile. “I know this is early, but Blue is already planning the annual New Year’s bash on the island. You’re welcome to join us again.”

“That could be good.” Depending on his upcoming meeting. “I had a great time last year.” It had been the ideal excuse to dodge the romantic trap his sisters had set in motion. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

“Sure.” Noah stepped back as David stood. “There’s been some noise about a new shipwreck discovered nearby. I thought you’d like to take a look.”

“Definitely.” Any time he could get underwater was a good thing. His parents often joked he should have flippers and gills instead of feet and lungs. He rubbed a towel over his hair again and looped it around his neck. “Thanks, man.”

“You got it,” Noah said. “Just remember your friends if you find some unclaimed treasure.”

David laughed to himself as Noah walked away. He rarely stopped to think about how much he appreciated the friends he’d made here. A lifetime assignment could mean the end of those connections. His mother’s wisdom came to mind. Much as she’d done when he joined the Coast Guard, she’d remind him that moving on was part of life and that true friends and good family weren’t limited by geography.

Pushing the questions to the back of his mind, he showered and dressed for the meeting. Director Casey didn’t waste resources, human or otherwise, and David needed to go in prepared to listen and make a swift decision. Casey would expect nothing less.

David checked his reflection, satisfied with the pressed khakis and black cable-knit sweater. He pushed his thick, dark hair back from his face, missing the military regulation cut he’d maintained during his Coast Guard service. Specialists had to be less obvious and able to blend in with civilians, so he’d let it grow a bit longer since moving to Casey’s team.

With an open mind and no small amount of curiosity, David rode the elevator to the offices upstairs. His shoes squeaked as he crossed the polished marble floor, and he grinned at the receptionist waiting for him when he swiped his key card and walked through the glass doors.

“Hey, Elizabeth. Is Director Casey ready for me?”

She nodded. “I’ll let him know you’re headed his way.”

David gave a little double tap on the countertop surrounding her like a bunker. “Thanks.”

With each step he coached himself to keep an open mind, to hear it all before he leaped in with both feet. Casey’s door was open, but David knocked on the door anyway. His boss made eye contact over his computer monitor and waved him on in. David entered and closed the door behind him. He paused at the guest chairs, feeling an unexpected bout of nerves.

“Have a seat,” Casey said. “You read the email?”

David nodded. “A few times.”

“Good. I was just going over your employment and service records. Before we go any further, remember you can always turn down an assignment.”

David had yet to meet a Specialist who’d done that. “I’m hoping for more information before I make a commitment.”

“Of course,” Casey acknowledged.

He leaned back into what David termed a leadership pose, his hands resting lightly on the padded armrests of his executive chair. The body language appeared open, but David knew better. The director had forgotten more secrets than any of his Specialists had racked up.

“How do you feel about hospitals?” the boss asked.

David bit back the immediate questions, knowing Casey would provide information in good time. “As a lifetime assignment? I’m probably only qualified to be a janitor.” He definitely didn’t want to make a lasting career of mopping floors.

“We can do better than that,” Casey promised. “If you agree to accept this post, you’ll go in as yourself, with your service record intact through the Coast Guard years. We’ll smooth over what you’ve done since.”

So far so good, David thought. He could be himself, maintain the ties to friends and family and still be part of a bigger purpose.

“You’ll be posted in Charleston, South Carolina, and we have plans to insert you as part of the staff at MUSC.”

Having grown up in Georgia, David was familiar with the shorthand reference for the Medical University of South Carolina facility. “My accent should fit right in there.”

Casey exhibited a rare smile. “Agreed.” He leaned forward, pushing a manila folder across the desk. “Aside from a decent-paying nine-to-five job, you could be a part of local dive communities and coastal action.”

The director knew which buttons to push. “You sound like a recruiter promising me hobbies and a social life beyond the job,” David said, wary of the inevitable catch. “I’m sure you didn’t design this position for me.”

Casey seemed to sigh without making a sound. “I want some long-range plans in place before I retire. Every day we hear more chatter about strikes aimed our way. Placing dedicated assets in key areas is the best way to safeguard our interests and prevent the loss of innocent lives.

“This is a lifetime placement. You’ll still be a Specialist and expected to report as you would on any other mission,” Casey went on. “If and when we encounter problems in Charleston or the general region, you’ll be called to help.”

Sounded too good to be true, and still David was interested. “Count me in.”

“All right.” Casey’s nod showed more grit than approval or enthusiasm. “Charleston has a few choice targets from the ports to the nuclear school, to the prison at the Naval Weapons Station.”

David’s background and skills would be a more natural fit in any one of those places. He waited, stifling his rising curiosity, to hear the reason he was headed for a desk job inside the hospital instead.

“Intel has confirmed an immediate threat potential at MUSC. A research scientist has been working on implanted devices that could change the way we track criminals and people involved with terrorist actions. Despite precautions, word is out that he’s nearly perfected the biotech. Naturally, as a matter of national security, we keep a close eye on things like this. The most recent reports indicate a terrorist cell might—I emphasize that for a reason—have a way to get close to him. We’re working to clarify who knows what.”

At the director’s urging, David opened the manila folder and skimmed through the doctor’s background. The official head shot for Dr. Franklin Palmer was accompanied by an extensive list of degrees, publications and apparent accomplishments.

“If you take this placement,” Casey explained, “we’ll get you inserted at the hospital and find a house for you near a nurse who works at MUSC. The nurse has a close personal connection to Dr. Palmer.”

David glanced up from the page outlining Palmer’s early project. “These results are amazing.”

“Yes,” Casey agreed. “Unless the technology falls into the hands of our enemies.”

“That’s where I come in?”

“Primarily. You’ll need to befriend the nurse, Terri Barnhart.” He signaled for David to flip to a marker in the file. “We can’t afford to let anyone use her as leverage against Palmer. Her brother went missing in early September, a month after he started college at Northern Arizona University. She reported him missing to local authorities when she became aware of the situation, but the investigation never really went anywhere.”

David studied the candid picture of the nurse and her brother at what must have been move-in day. He noticed that Trey Barnhart at twenty-two was older than the average freshman. The stat made him curious. “For an adult, with no sign of foul play, why bother?”

“That would be why the investigation stalled out,” Casey replied. “It seems the brother just gave up and walked away from school one day. Left all his personal belongings behind in his dorm room.”

“Your sources say there’s more to it?”

“Possibly,” Casey allowed. “We don’t have solid proof, but we think he’s been picked up by a group called Rediscover near Sedona.”

“Lots of New Age stuff out that way,” David said.

Casey nodded. “This group can’t seem to figure out if they’re a peace-preaching cult or a terrorist cell. The public rhetoric centers on self-discovery, independence and less government. According to the few people who’ve parted ways with the group, the deeper you go in the process, the more you learn about the conspiracy theories and ugly intentions at the core. The financials are suspicious. A few questionable deals, some protests, along with a list of shady associates, has put them on the watch list.”

“History of violence?”

“Yes. They are violent and very thorough. If Rediscover’s leaders know about Dr. Palmer’s research, they would’ve done their homework. Recruiting Trey Barnhart could give them the access or leverage they need to interfere with the project.”

“Pretty convenient having someone connected to the doctor show up for school in Flagstaff.”

“Exactly. My team has been playing catch-up on this, trying to pinpoint if the group targeted Trey from the beginning. It’s all in the file.”

David closed the folder and drummed his fingertips on it, weighing the options. “Sounds like I tell my family I’ve changed jobs. They’ll be thrilled I’m relocating to Charleston. Close enough to visit on every holiday.”

“Will that be a problem?”

“Not a bit.” David shrugged. “I’ve had three decades of practice dealing with my sisters. I’m less sure about becoming a home owner.” When Casey arched an eyebrow, he quickly added, “Just kidding. If you want me in Charleston, that’s where I’ll be. Any rules on communications?”

“The typical mission parameters will be in place,” Casey explained. “You can always call in if there’s a problem. We’ll provide new intel as it comes in. You’ll be on the front lines, but the Specialists will always have your back.”

“And after you retire?”

“You won’t be forgotten. My replacement will be fully briefed on your ongoing mission.”

“Guess I’d better pack and tell my landlord I’m out.”

“Take another minute,” Casey cautioned. “This is a serious, permanent commitment that will last far beyond Dr. Palmer’s project. I won’t think any less of you if you turn it down.”

David wanted to accept the post immediately. Instead, he took the director’s advice and stood and crossed the well-appointed office to the window. He shoved his hands into his pockets and just soaked up the view. Several stories below, beyond a heavy tree line, the cityscape sparkled on the horizon. “I won’t be mopping floors?” he asked without turning.

Casey chuckled. “No. We’re working you into the human resources department.”

David absorbed that detail, though he’d made his decision when the director mentioned Charleston. He hadn’t been there in years, but he had fond memories. His biggest concern was whether or not he could handle the routine of a nine-to-five job. He’d started working at the age of eleven mowing yards and washing cars. When he’d learned to scuba dive he’d worked his way through high school and college leading dive tours and helping with rescues. The closest he’d come to a normal job had been his time with the Coast Guard. There had been daily routines and drills, but the work had never been static or boring.

It was Charleston, he thought, shifting his focus. The day job wasn’t the point; it was the cover. Between the real mission and the area in general, if the day job dragged there would always be something to keep him busy after hours. He turned around, walked back to Casey’s desk and eyed the closed folder. “I’m in.”

Casey stood and reached across the desk to shake David’s hand. “Thank you for your service,” he said, his tone grave.

The director’s demeanor was a bit unnerving. Thomas Casey always maintained a serious calm during a briefing. Either the job or this particular assignment rested heavier than most across his shoulders.

“Head down to the equipment room and they’ll get you set for an immediate transition.”

David said goodbye and walked out, wondering when he’d see the director or the team offices again. He didn’t know much about human resources, though he could learn. Getting up to speed on a desk job would be much faster than posing as a medical tech or expert. His boss wanted him in Charleston sooner rather than later to protect the project. Looking at the surface details on this doctor, the nurse and the missing brother, David knew some sort of serious adventure was guaranteed.

And that was just the type of work he thrived on.

Chapter Two

Charleston, South Carolina Tuesday, December 10, 6:55 a.m.

At the nurses station in the center of the pediatric orthopedic ward, Terri Barnhart reviewed patient charts as she prepared to take over the day shift. She’d been moved up here last month, and most days they had more trouble with anxious parents than the patients themselves.

“Room 412 needs a warning label,” her friend Suzette said quietly, looking over her shoulder. “The girl cried when MaryAnn took her vitals.”

Terri quickly scrolled through the patient’s record. Ten years old, the girl was recovering from her second surgery on a broken leg. “Wow,” Terri whispered. “She’s afraid of everything, isn’t she?”

Suzette nodded. “Just about the worst case of hospital phobia I’ve seen. Her mom’s a dream, but exhausted. We tried everything last night. Maybe you’ll get lucky and she’ll sleep through your shift.”

Terri shared a quiet laugh with Suzette. “I’ll let you know if I figure her out.” She was known around the hospital for her ability to cope with more difficult patients. She considered it a by-product of helping her brother recover from the car accident that killed their parents, grateful something good had come out of that tragedy.

Thinking of Trey sobered her. She hadn’t heard from him for three months now. What had been an all-consuming worry when she found out he’d dropped out of college became tangled with a little more anger every day. The police were certain he’d just gone off on his own, but if that was true, why hadn’t he contacted her?

They’d been close as kids, through school and sports, right up to the day of her pinning ceremony when she graduated from the nursing program four years ago. Trey and their parents had been on their way to the auditorium eager to celebrate her success. A dump truck swerved into their lane and hit them head-on. Her parents died at the scene, and her brother had been plunged into the fight of his life.

His extensive injuries had ended his plans to play college baseball. Several surgeries, months of physical therapy and hours of grief counseling had finally put him back together. Or so she’d thought as he eventually changed his career goals and applied to college.

She couldn’t reconcile Trey’s effort and determination to attend school in Arizona with him willingly leaving it all behind scarcely a month after arriving there. If the police in Flagstaff sympathized with her, it didn’t motivate them to make his disappearance a priority.

Thanksgiving had come and gone without a word from her brother, and Christmas was closing in. If he was alive and well—and she had to believe that—he would make contact. He had to know she would be worried about him, that she’d need some reassurance especially during the holidays. She trembled as another terrible image of him injured or worse filled her mind.

“Honey, are you okay?” Suzette asked, waving her hand in front of Terri’s face.

“I’m great.” Terri pasted a bright smile on her face. “Just waiting for the second cup of coffee to kick in.”

“Right.” Suzette stretched out the single word. “Still no word from him?”

As her best friend, Suzette was one of the few people who knew the whole situation about Trey. Suzette had helped her sort out the insurance, funeral arrangements and expenses after the accident. She’d listened to the doctors’ reports and helped her make the decisions Trey would have to live with. Suzette had sat by Trey’s bedside, taking over when Terri had been too sleep deprived to continue.

“No,” Terri admitted. “You’ll be happy to know I’m counting by the week now rather than the day or hour.”

“I suppose that’s progress,” Suzette said. “If you need to vent, you know I’ll listen.”

Terri took a deep breath and looped her stethoscope around her neck. “I’m grateful, believe me, but I can’t tell you how nice it is to have other people to think about for the next eight to ten hours.”

Suzette’s smile turned edgy. “Promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“When he comes home—and I believe he will—I get first crack at whipping his butt.”

A smile, the first genuine one in a while, tugged at the corners of Terri’s mouth. “Right after me.”

“Just as long as I get to watch,” Suzette declared.

As Suzette started for the elevator, Terri promised to call her later and then headed for room 412. Her first order of business on every shift was to introduce herself to her patients. In orthopedics, the majority of their patients were simply here for observation after surgery. The post-op process was more about managing pain and mobility than anything else. And fear, she thought, easing open the door of 412, temporary home to the young and frightened Brittney Markwald. The girl’s mother had pulled a chair close to the bed and was reading from a thick book.

Terri smiled, recognizing the popular story, but as soon as Brittney saw her, she stared to cry. Terri stopped and tucked her hands into her pockets. “Good morning. I’m Terri, your nurse for today.” She focused on the mother. “Mrs. Markwald, I’ve reviewed the chart and everything looks great. The doctor should be in to see you before noon.”

“Will he send us home?”

“I can’t give you a definite answer on that, but as soon as I know something, you will, too.” She looked at Brittney but didn’t come any closer to the bed. “How’re you doing with the crutches today?”

“She’s getting better,” Mrs. Markwald replied when Brittney only sniffled. “We just got back from the bathroom.”

“Great,” Terri said to the mother. “Your doctor will be happy to hear that.” She took care of the things that needed her attention, giving Brittney plenty of space.

“How’s the pain level?” Terri asked from the foot of the bed.

The girl’s lower lip quivered as she shrugged.

Terri had to find a way to crack through the child’s fear. “Can I check the ice in your friend there?” She pointed to the small cooler that circulated ice water through a cuff to keep swelling to a minimum.

The girl shook her head, refusing to make eye contact. Suzette might be onto something with this one.

“I just refilled it,” Mrs. Markwald explained with a weary smile. “My husband had one a few months back after a knee surgery.”

“So you’re a pro.” Terri beamed. “Thanks so much. Be sure to press the button if you need me. I’ll pop in later to take your vitals.”

Sniffles from the bed accompanied the mother’s thank-you as Terri left the room. Phobic patients like Brittney weren’t unusual on this floor, but Terri never stopped trying to make a hospital stay as pleasant as possible for everyone. Stress didn’t help the healing process.

After introducing herself to her other patients, she caught one of the nursing techs on the floor for help moving a few things around in the lounge. It was a long shot, but she’d made it her mission for the shift to get at least one smile out of Brittney before her doctor sent her home. If nothing else, it might make life easier for a nurse in Brittney’s future.

Terri returned to 412, this time waiting until Mrs. Markwald reached a stopping point in the story. “Breakfast is coming around,” she explained. “You can have it in here or you can really impress the doctors.”

After a moment of visible skepticism, Brittney asked, “How?”

Contact at last, Terri thought with an inner cheer. “You’re doing well enough that you can eat down in the lounge. There’s a video game kart racing challenge and we post high scores on the wall.”

“You mean I don’t have to stay in here?”

Terri nodded. “You can stay in the room if you like. But if you want to go to the lounge, I can have physical therapy meet you there, too.”

Brittney’s momentary excitement faded. “I don’t want more people messing with me.”

“Well, that’s understandable, but you don’t get to go home until they know you can manage the crutches.”

Brittney aimed another sullen expression at her mother.

“It’s a lot more fun, I promise,” Terri added. “Unless you’re tired.”

“I’m not tired,” Brittney declared. “I want to go.”

Brittney cooperated as Terri and her mother helped her get settled in front of one of the lounge gaming stations. When she was engrossed with outfitting her racer, Terri pulled the mother aside. “You can go down to the cafeteria for breakfast and coffee,” she suggested. “I double-checked with the surgeon’s office. He won’t be up for another hour at least.”

“What if—”

“Your daughter will be fine with us. If the surgeon’s schedule changes, I’ll call you.”

The mother’s eyes brightened with relief. “Thank you,” she said, slipping out of her daughter’s sight. “She’s not usually such a handful. They did their best last night, but...”

“She’s upset and scared. Happens to all of us at some point.” Terri had been blessed with good health, but she understood the fears and questions that plagued her patients. “We’ll get you through this as a team.”

With Brittney happily distracted, Terri moved on through her shift, tending to patient calls and overseeing discharge orders. The hours sped by and her rumbling stomach cued her in that she needed to eat and she headed downstairs to the cafeteria. Normally, she brought lunch from home, but after another restless night full of anxious dreams about her brother she’d overslept. In the subsequent rush to get out the door, she’d left her lunch bag sitting on the kitchen counter.

Reminders from the police and her friends that Trey was officially a legal adult and smart enough to get into college failed to ease her worry over his disappearance. After the first month with no word from him, she’d sought the help of the best private investigator she could afford. Unfortunately, her modest investment only confirmed what his college roommate had told her. Trey had changed almost overnight, going from an outgoing freshman making friends on campus to withdrawn and reclusive until he went out one day and just didn’t return.

Letting him go to college in Arizona had been a mistake, Terri knew that now. It had been too big a leap. His body had been ready, thanks to his hard work through physical therapy, but she never should’ve accepted his claim about his emotional stability at face value. If nothing else, her constant worry was proof she hadn’t been ready to be this far from him.

She loved her friends and her work, but she was lonely without her brother. He was the only family she had left. On move-in day, she’d taken plenty of pictures and, before she left, they’d tossed around ideas for the holiday break between semesters. Now Christmas was only two weeks away, and she didn’t know what she was supposed to do without him.

“Hey, Terri.”

Startled, she glanced up at the sound of her name and then smiled into the rugged, handsome face of David Martin. “Oh. Hey, David.”

He was relatively new at the hospital and he’d made an impression on most of the women with his Georgia accent, that dark hair and those eyes that were more gray than blue. Somehow on him, the pressed khakis, white polo shirt and dark blue fleece jacket embroidered with the MUSC logo looked as though it belonged on the cover of GQ.

She suddenly felt a little silly in her bright, tropical frog scrubs. “How’s your day going?”

“Predictable.” He lifted his tall coffee mug. “I came looking for a shot of caffeine. Reports are due in a couple of hours.” He checked his watch. “Late lunch?” He dipped his chin in the direction of the plastic salad container she held.

“Yeah. The lunch I packed is still sitting at home.”

“Want some company?”

That would be lovely. She always enjoyed talking with him over coffee or lunch. “I wish I could take a few minutes down here,” she said. “There’s a problem child on the ward today and I don’t want to give her any reason to get upset again.”

He grinned, and the tilt of his lips set butterflies loose in her belly. “You applied that famous Nurse Terri charm, didn’t you?”

She laughed. “Of course.” She leaned a little closer, just because she could. “It’s possible this patient’s immune.”

“I don’t believe that for a minute.” He nudged her shoulder. “No one’s immune to that smile.”

Her lips curved even more at the words, and his confidence gave her mood a much-needed boost. “Thanks.”

“We’re still on for tonight, right?”

She nodded. He’d invited her to dinner at a new place on King Street. If she didn’t get back upstairs, she wouldn’t have any time at all to eat. She tried to care, but food seemed far less important than taking a few minutes with an interesting man like David. “I’ll be ready.”

“Great.” He followed her into the elevator and punched the button for her floor.

“What are you doing?” Whenever they did get together over lunch, they parted ways at the elevator.

His dark eyebrows arched. “Walking you back,” he said. “Is that a problem?”

“No.” It was just different. She remembered how the gossip had zipped through the hospital when he joined the staff in October. Handsome as sin was the first gossip that made the circuit. He was athletic and absolutely ripped, according to those who’d spent time in the fitness center with him. But his humor, his humility and the manners proving chivalry wasn’t dead had made him an instant hit among the women.

So she’d heard of him long before he introduced himself during his second week of work. He’d been in line behind her during a coffee break and they’d hit it off when he’d asked about the best beaches for sea kayaking. In the weeks since, they’d had lunch occasionally and frequently chatted over coffee. They’d even gone on a sea kayak excursion, as well as a couple of evening art showcases at the Market. She’d been careful to keep the social speculation to a minimum and she’d been relieved to hear he was making friends quickly in several departments.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want a social life—she did. She’d just been too consumed with Trey’s disappearance to be good company. Something about sharing coffee or lunch with David was less intimidating than going out on a date or out for drinks with friends. With David, she didn’t feel the pressure to be on. She could just relax and be herself. Of his many positive traits, that one was her favorite, though she couldn’t tell anyone. Not even Suzette. Her friends would read way too much into any positive comments she made about David or any other guy.

Her friends had been setting her up since Trey moved to college in August. The few guys she’d met had been nice, but she’d needed time and space to recharge her personal batteries after spending years dealing with Trey’s physical injuries and challenging fits of temper. Not that she blamed him for acting out as he came to terms with the fact that his dreams and goals were out of reach. As he’d told her repeatedly, he’d suffered the most. They’d both lost their parents, but Terri had her dream job and Trey never would.

Now he was missing and she felt caught in another emotional quagmire, keeping to herself simply so she wouldn’t dump her drama on others. She thought of young Brittney, afraid of practically every element of life since she’d broken her leg. Like a lightning strike, Terri suddenly realized, wallowing in worry wasn’t doing her any more good than it was Brittney. Being available 24/7, afraid to miss a call or text from her brother was a waste of her time. She had to break out of this holding pattern.

“Hey,” David said. “You okay in there?”

“Sorry.” She felt the heat climbing into her cheeks. The elevator chimed at her floor. “Just distracted...” The doors parted, and she stepped out, pausing in the doorway for a second. She needed to voice her new resolve. “I won’t be distracted tonight. I’m looking forward to it.”

David’s mouth tipped up at one corner. “Me, too.”

She held his gaze until the doors closed between them, feeling her mouth curve in an answering grin. She turned toward the staff area, her salad suddenly looking more appetizing. Tonight was as good a time as any to move forward with her life, and who better to take that step with than a nice new guy-friend like David?

No matter what her friends would say, he hadn’t invited her out on an actual real date. They were just friends. Right now it was enough to think of herself first for a change. David was attractive, thoughtful and fun. Tonight would be great, no specific definition required.

Chapter Three

7:10 p.m.

David set the laminated menu down and waited for Terri’s reaction. He’d chosen a small, quirky restaurant on King Street for dinner. He wasn’t quite sure how to play it—as a date or another outing with a friend. Typically they saw each other at work when her hair was pulled back and she wore shapeless scrubs and he was in the requisite logo-crested apparel. Tonight, she looked beautiful in dark jeans that hugged her fit body and a sage sweater that made her green eyes pop. She’d left her caramel-brown hair down, and the lights pulled out all those golden tones in the glossy, shoulder-length waves.

However she might be defining tonight, this place kept the mood light and easy for both of them. With nearly two dozen variations on classic mac and cheese, he’d wanted to give it a try for some time. Based on her smile and eager expression, he’d made the right call. “What do you think?”

“It’s like comfort food with a gourmet twist.” When she met his gaze, her eyes were dancing with mischief. “Anything I order will render my workout absolutely useless and I can’t wait. It all sounds delicious.”

“Good.” The dining area was small and casual, but David had felt weird about eating here alone. It was a quirky by-product of being the youngest of four kids. He’d been raised with loud, boisterous conversation around a dinner table loaded with food every night. Although he enjoyed quiet meals alone at home, eating out was somehow different. “Have you heard the Battery Lane band before?”

“Yes!” she said as her soft green eyes lit up. “Suzette and I caught them when they played one of the beach bars on Isle of Palms this summer.”

“They’re down at Benny’s tonight. I thought we could swing by for a bit after we eat.”

“Sounds great,” she agreed. “Be warned I turn into a pumpkin around midnight this week.”

“No problem. Shift work can be a bear. I did plenty of that in the Coast Guard.”

The waitress came by, and they placed their orders, each of them choosing a different gourmet combination.

“I took every shift I could get my hands on just out of nursing school,” she said when the waitress walked away. “Usually I adapt quickly. Or maybe my body’s resigned to getting fewer hours of sleep.”

He liked that she could laugh at herself. “Must have been hard times starting your career in the midst of losing your parents.”

“It wasn’t easy,” she admitted. “Trey’s injuries and the survivor guilt issues complicated things.” Her smile was a little sad. “But he’s fine,” she said, putting air quotes around the word. “Somehow we made it.”

David didn’t want to prod a sore spot, but with the holidays coming up, everyone concerned was hoping Trey would make contact with his sister. Human intel in Arizona had dried up and they really needed to figure out if Rediscover intended to make good on veiled threats against Dr. Palmer’s work. “That’s what counts. These past years couldn’t have been easy. I’m not sure how I’ll cope when we lose our parents.”

“I hope it’s a long ways off for you,” she said, her eyes going misty. “I miss them every day.” She traced the rim of her water glass with her fingertip. “Can we talk about something else? This close to the holidays...” Her voice trailed off and she wrinkled her nose.

“Sure.” His task of keeping an eye on Terri was progressing smoothly. He enjoyed her company, but Casey had alerted him this morning that Dr. Palmer would be moving a trial patient into MUSC for the final adjustments and testing. It would be a prime opportunity for Rediscover to strike. “Do you have your Christmas tree up yet?”

“No. You?”

He shook his head. “I’m trying to decide if I’ll go artificial or real or skip it altogether this year.” He shrugged. “I’ll be going to Georgia, so the tree would be just for me, y’know?”

“Don’t skip it,” she said. “Which were you raised with?”

“Artificial. My mom squeezes out every minute of the holiday season. She puts the tree up bright and early the Friday after Thanksgiving. The high could be eighty and she’ll have Christmas carols cranked up and a vat of hot cocoa going all day.” He leaned forward. “I nearly resigned when my department gave us all a four-day weekend. I had no excuses. Everyone who’s home for more than Thanksgiving Day gets sucked into her decorating vortex.”

As he’d hoped, Terri laughed along with him. “You love it,” she accused.

“I love my mom,” he agreed. “I’ll admit the holiday chaos is more fun now that there’s a few nieces and nephews underfoot.”

“I bet.” Her gaze drifted away and her smile faded.

“Hey.” He waved his hand in front of her face. “Did I bum you out?”

“Not at all. I was just imagining how it must be for you.”

She tried to cover it, but her stiff, stubborn smile was proof the conversation was a downer. The expression was too similar to the one she wore in the photo on her employee badge. The picture had been taken just ten days after her parents died. Though he wanted to know about her traditions and holiday plans, he didn’t want to ruin the entire evening just because he had a job to do. Information collecting was, unfortunately, necessary.

“When will Trey be home for the holidays?”

“Well.” She tilted her head side to side and took too much interest in the placement of her fork. “I’m not exactly sure.”

“He is coming home?”

She cleared her throat and reached for her water, her gaze roaming over the eclectic decor. “He tells me he really likes Arizona and he’s making friends. I think the distance is good for him this year. Maybe for me, too.”

She still didn’t trust him enough to share her concerns about her missing brother. “You should be together,” David said.

“We’ve been almost inseparable thanks to our circumstances. It’s possible he’s trying to help by staying out there.”

“How so?”

“By not expecting me to come up with airfare.”

“That makes sense, I guess.” Except money wasn’t the real issue. David wanted to find Trey and jerk him up by his ears and tell him to treat his sister with more respect. Too bad he couldn’t reveal his protective streak as her newest friend. Even without the background and intel, he’d heard plenty about Terri’s rough time with Trey. The stories of her devotion to his recovery and her never-quit work ethic were common knowledge around the hospital.

David made a decision on the spot. Assuming his assignment didn’t change, he promised himself that whether or not Trey posed a threat to Dr. Palmer’s research project, he wouldn’t let him take advantage of Terri or continue to run roughshod over her feelings. After everything she’d been through, everything she’d overcome, she deserved better.

Like a spy pretending to be her pal? The annoying little voice in his head had been nagging him almost since the beginning. The trouble was, he liked Terri more with every passing conversation. She was a kind person and a damn fine nurse. If anyone needed a break from trouble, it was her. Too bad her brother wasn’t on the same page.

David told himself he and Trey were nothing alike. Neither of them was being completely honest with her, but David wasn’t running around with a bunch of extremists who spouted peace and delivered violence.

“It sounds like you have a great family,” Terri said as their salads were delivered.

“Believe me, there were plenty of days I wished I was an only child,” he said with a wink. He’d told her about his older sisters and the blind date fiasco they’d arranged during his Thanksgiving visit.

She’d laughed long and hard at that one. “You know your sisters mean well.”

He rolled his eyes and groaned. “The matchmaking meddlers need to find a different hobby. Maybe you could give them a course in minding their own business. You never talk about setting up blind dates for your brother.”

Oops. He noticed immediately he’d taken the wrong tack. He gave himself a mental kick as her eyes clouded with worry. She poked at her salad for a few minutes and changed the subject. He didn’t know if he should apologize or just let it go.

She pushed her half-eaten salad aside with a sigh. “The truth is I may never have that chance.”

“What do you mean?”

“My brother dropped out of college.” She bit her lip before continuing. “He hasn’t contacted me at all in months. I don’t have any idea where he is or if he ever plans to come home.”

David didn’t have to fake the surprise. He couldn’t believe she was telling him this. Despite what it meant for the case, he hated that she suffered over it. “Terri, I’m sorry.”

She swallowed. “Me, too. I won’t bore you with all the gory details and I don’t want to dwell on it tonight. I just thought you should know in case... I don’t know.” She sucked in a breath. “In case I seem sad over the next couple of weeks.”

He nodded, wishing he felt as though she’d welcome his touch. She looked like a woman who could use a hug. They’d shared coffee breaks, lunches and various activities around town, but they’d kept it completely platonic. “Come spend Christmas with us.”

“Pardon?”

Good Lord, had he really just said that? Casey wanted him to get close to her, not adopt her. “I’m serious.” He had to be. It was too late to back down. “We’re crazy, sure, but we’re fun. You’ll have a blast.”

“Your sisters will really ramp up the matchmaking attempts if you bring a woman home.”

“Let’s burn that bridge when we get there.” He wasn’t about to let this go, but he waited while the waitress delivered Terri’s choice of steak and bleu cheese and his bowl of lobster mac and cheese in front of him.

“Oh, wow.” She picked up her fork and assembled a bite of cheesy pasta and sliced beef. “This smells delicious.”

“I second that.” He scooped up lobster mac and cheese from his wide bowl. “This is amazing. How’s yours?”

“Fabulous,” she said. “Try a bite.” She nudged her bowl his way.

He indulged her before returning to the previous topic. “What would you tell a patient facing the holidays alone?”

She shook her head. “I’ve never worked the psych ward.”

“No, but you’ve worked every other ward.”

“Almost.”

“Just answer the question.”

“Eat your dinner,” she countered, leading by example and closing her lips around a bite of her cheesy pasta. She pointed to his plate when he hesitated. “Eat.”

He did as she said, and all thought of conversation halted while they enjoyed the excellent food. “This has ruined me for normal mac and cheese,” he said after a few minutes.

“Definitely.” She ate a few more bites of her food, then leaned back and blotted her lips with the napkin. “I’d tell a patient to go be with friends,” she said abruptly. “That doesn’t mean I’ll go to Georgia with you. It’s not the same thing. But I do appreciate the invitation.”

“It’s exactly the same thing.”

She rolled her eyes. “What if your sisters think I’m more than your friend?”

He exaggerated a contemplative expression. “That could have some happy side effects. Think of all the blind dates I wouldn’t have to endure.”

She laughed. “I’m thinking of all the heartbroken women who were looking forward to an evening out with you.”

“Well, you can write up a report of our evening and my sisters can distribute it. Those heartbroken women can live vicariously.” He signaled for the check. “We have a band to catch.”

She reached for her purse to help with the check, but he took care of it. “Chivalry may be dead in some places, but my mama would kill me if I let you pay.”

She held up her hands, surrendering. “I don’t want to be the cause of your demise,” she said, chuckling.

After he’d paid the bill, they headed down the street toward the bar. One of his favorite things about this part of the country was the reliable weather. They had a clear night, with a moon just past full hanging in the sky and an interesting woman at his side. Life was good.

“Thanks for a fantastic dinner,” she said as they walked down King Street toward the bar.

“My pleasure. I’m glad you came with me. It bugs me to eat alone in public,” he confessed.

She glanced up at him. “You must do a lot of cooking, then.”

“I’ve learned a few skills. A guy’s gotta eat.”

“A girl, too,” she said with a grin. “Cooking for one can get old in a hurry, though.”

They joined the line of music fans waiting to enter Benny’s. “Is that a subtle way of inviting me to dinner at your place?”

Her smile stretched wide. “Maybe.”

“Thought so. I eat anything and everything except Brussels sprouts.”

“Even if I roast them in coconut oil?”

“Veggies scented with suntan lotion.” He winced. “That doesn’t sound like a good plan.”

“Then I’ll come up with something better, I promise.”

“Thanks,” he said as they entered the bar and joined the fans eager for Battery Lane to get started. He caught her watching him and asked about it.

“Sorry. I pegged you for more Beach Boys and less Garth Brooks.”

“You think you’re the only one allowed to have eclectic tastes? I like a lot of things,” he teased as he smiled into her pretty face.

The comment brought a warm blush to her cheeks, or maybe that was just the crowd packed tightly all around them. Regardless, it looked good on her. The band took the stage to an enthusiastic roar from the crowd. David was able to relax and enjoy the music and the woman beside him.

Knowing she had an early shift, he kept an eye on the time. He paid their tab and led her outside after the second set. “Want to take a walk down by the water?”

“I’d like that,” she said, turning with him toward the Battery. “It’s a nice evening.”

They strolled past historic mansions glowing with holiday lights until they reached the park at the peninsula. The sound of the water and the gentle breeze coming in off the harbor put a nice cap on what amounted to a perfect evening.

“Did you have fun?”

“I must not have shown it well if you have to ask.” She paused, leaning back against the rail and gazing up into the sky. “I’ve had the best time, David. Thank you. Next time, dinner is on me.”

“That depends,” he hedged.

“On what?”

“On whether the next time we go out it’s a date.”

“Oh.”

He waited for more of a reaction, but she walked on in silence, her face turned away from him, looking at something out in the harbor.

“Did I make you uncomfortable?”

“No. It’s just me,” she said quietly. “Between work and Trey, I haven’t taken much time to socialize.”

“You and I have socialized quite a bit,” he pointed out.

“As friends,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed it.”

“Fair enough.” He let it go, for now. “We don’t have to decide anything tonight.”

Her footsteps slowed, and she pulled her jacket tight across her body. He suddenly wanted to wrap her in his arms and shelter her from the cool breeze and anything else taking aim at her. He shook off the feeling. Friendship was one thing. If he started believing the role he was playing, he was doomed to fail the mission and the woman.

Except this wasn’t just a role, this was his new life. “It should be a date,” he blurted. They stopped again and he studied her face in the moonlight, wishing for some insight.

“It can’t be,” she said.

The depth of his disappointment surprised him. “Why not?”

“Because if this was a date, I’d be nervous and that would ruin it. It’s been ages since I was on a date. Out with a friend is better.”

“All right.” They walked on in silence as he contemplated her logic. “Would you agree that we’re two unattached people taking a stroll that might be interpreted as romantic?”

“By whom?” She glanced around, and the wind caught her hair. She shook it back from her face. “Stop teasing. Let’s just enjoy the moment.”

“I don’t know if I can.” He liked teasing her, liked the sparkle it put in her soft green eyes. “Not having a precise definition for tonight might ruin the evening for me.”

She laughed, giving him a light elbow jab to his side. “That ballad in the last set warped your brain.”

He denied the accusation and changed the subject. “Would you like to go out with me on the boat sometime?”

“As friends?”

That definition was better than pushing for something more that appeared to be destined to backfire. Having spent so much time avoiding serious relationships, he’d never had a girlfriend on his boat. Only guys and family had joined him for fishing or diving. “Friends bring the bait,” he warned as they turned back toward the garage on King Street where he’d parked his car. “That’s my rule.”

“You just made that up.”

He draped an arm over her shoulders. “You’ll never prove it.” They both chuckled. “Do you like to fish?”

“I’m not sure I remember how. It’s been a long time.”

“Not for me. I’ll give you a refresher course.”

“I’d like that.”

“I guarantee you’ll have a great time.”

* * *

TERRI BELIEVED HIM. Somewhere in the past few weeks David had become the balance her life needed. She couldn’t be all about the work, and she’d vowed to stop worrying over her brother. Or at least she’d vowed to worry less about him.

David’s arm around her shoulders felt nice. Like his friendship, his arm was solid and steady and warm without the weight of pressure or expectations. On the way to the parking garage, they chatted more about fishing and his love of underwater diving. She loved to listen to him. His passion was contagious and he made her want to take a class and get certified. It would be a good, healthy hobby and something completely new.

She needed new and healthy things to start closing the gaps of her fractured family. It was frustrating to think about her first Christmas alone in the house where she’d grown up. She needed someone to share all those memories of her family traditions with. Maybe she should take David up on his outrageous offer and immerse herself in the happy chaos with his family. He didn’t say things he didn’t mean, she knew that, and his family sounded like good, fun people. Trying something new, if only for a day or two, would be healthier than her original plan of taking on extra shifts over the holiday week.

“Is it work?” he asked as he merged with the light traffic on the interstate. “Something has you distracted.”

“Kind of.” She paused for courage, holding her chilled hands in front of the heating vent. “I’d planned to work extra shifts, but if you were serious about the Christmas invitation, I’d like to accept it.”

“Fantastic,” he replied, sounding as sincere now as he had when he’d extended the invite. “My mom will be thrilled.”

“You’re sure it won’t throw everyone into a tizzy?”

“In my house the philosophy is always the more the merrier. I’ll be sure they understand we’re not...you know.”

“Not what?” she asked, wanting to tease him a little. The way he said it, she had one of those rare and forbidden images of something physical with David. He might be handsome and sexy, but that didn’t make it any more appropriate to imagine jumping her new friend. The last thing she wanted to do was to botch a friendship that was working so well. This wasn’t the right time for serious or involved. Maybe it was finally her time—her time to discover what she wanted beyond work and responsibilities.

“Dating.”

Oh, how she wished he’d never brought up the dating question. None of these thoughts would be plaguing her if the conversation hadn’t come up. When he pulled into her driveway a few minutes later, she hurried to find her house key. She turned to thank him for a fun night, only to see he was coming around to open her car door.

Like a date.

“I can be a gentleman even if this isn’t a date,” he reminded her.

She thanked him and climbed out. He walked her all the way to the door. On the porch, key in hand, she suddenly didn’t want to unlock the door. The moment she did that, this wonderful evening impersonating a normal woman not on a date would be over.

“If this was a date,” she began, not quite able to look him in the eye, “I’d be getting butterflies right now.”

“Butterflies?” He tucked his hands in his pockets. “Over me?”

“You know, about the...kiss.” She did not just say that. Humiliation crowded into her throat.

“Ah...the kiss.”

She looked up and the grin on his face, as much as the twinkle of mischief in his eyes, made her relax. Thank goodness, he wasn’t reading too much into her silly confession. She’d let herself get carried away. They were friends. Friends who shared a taste for loud music, cheese-covered pasta, the ocean and excellent craft beer. The truth was she needed a friend more than a lover.

“Thanks for a great night, David.”

“I’m glad we did this,” he said. “It was almost perfect.”

A frown tugged at her brow. “Almost?”

His gray eyes were dark as his gaze dropped to her mouth. He leaned in and his warm hands rested lightly on her shoulders. Her breath caught and she knew with a sudden and lovely clarity that this night truly was moving into date territory. The butterflies that had been swirling in her belly moments before quieted as his lips met hers.

The kiss, sweet and gentle, was full of promise and over too soon. The brisk night air rushed between them, cooling her lips, but it couldn’t erase the underlying heat that set her body tingling.

“Good night, Terri.” He stepped back.

“Good night, David.”

She slipped inside and leaned back against the door, content to wait there until her knees stopped quaking. She licked her lips, catching the subtle taste of him there.

“Oh, my,” she whispered when she heard his car leaving the driveway. Moving forward with her life, putting herself first, had some definite perks.

Suddenly, she couldn’t recall why on earth she’d been so reluctant to make that move.

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