Chapter 1

Chapter

One

Darcy Saint stoodon a concrete dock in San Juan, Puerto Rico, trying to avoid looking at the high-dollar video camera pointed her direction. It was beyond awkward to realize every time she scratched her nose it would be recorded and possibly showed to the world.

She used to have cameras on her occasionally as the wife of the wealthy and prominent southern California businessman Johnathon Trattoria. She'd never fit into that world, probably one of the reasons Johnny had been so quick to divorce her. She didn't miss the wealth, the pressures, or her ex. He'd most likely cheated on her their entire marriage but had been caught and exposed by his mistress's husband in a very public display. Darcy had been devastated initially, but the loss of baby Avalyn far outweighed any mourning over her broken marriage.

Massive cruise ships were at port maybe half a mile away, but they towered above the ocean and seemed much closer. Her dock was quiet, and it wasn't helping her nerves to hear the water gently lapping against the concrete, seagulls squawking, and occasionally a dock worker calling to another.

Four young men hovered on the sidewalk next to the dock. They studied the quiet bay and snuck glances at her. She assumed they were workers waiting for the same boat she was, but it added to the awkwardness of the waiting period.

The billionaire heiress Mercedes Belle's assistant Julie Pandoran had picked her up at the San Juan Airport and taken her to a hotel suite where a makeup artist and hair stylist made her look prettier than she ever had in her life. She had been given a beautiful blue floral sundress and sandals to dress in and brought here. Julie had taken her purse and phone, hugged Darcy and wished her luck, and left her here. Alone. Except for the cameraman and four young men, none of whom had said a word to her.

She wasn't accustomed to being alone or the unnerving quiet. She was used to a baby in her arms at all times and the sounds of babies and toddlers laughing, crying, chattering, or babbling. How would she survive a week without Samuel, Izzy, Missy, and all of her little ones?

A sleek, dark-blue yacht sliced through the calm bay and approached her dock. It looked like something from a movie—beautiful, expensive, imposing. It was a testament to how different her current life of serving children in Tecate, Mexico was that a yacht easing toward her dock made her feel out of her element. She and Johnny had owned a yacht, albeit a quarter the size of this one, but she hadn't gone out on it much. Now she was far removed from such luxury. She didn't miss the opulence or the wasted time. Babies and a never-ending to do list were more her style.

Darcy fingered her locket, the only connection she'd ever had with her deceased mother and now with her deceased daughter. Inside, her mother's image was engraved on the left and on the right Johnny had commissioned an artist to sketch into the silver an engraving of Darcy holding Avalyn.

Her throat burned with withheld sorrow as she thought of all she'd lost. Four years ago, her baby had been born full term but never took a breath on her own. At the same time, her husband had been publicly exposed cheating on her with a married woman. Darcy had filed for divorce and had been stunned by how quick it had gone through and how large of a divorce settlement she'd been given. Even though Johnny wasn't much of a loss, she'd loved his family and they'd immediately cut all ties with her. It hurt to be truly alone in the world again. No baby. No husband. No family.

The people on the rear deck came into view and thankfully drew her attention away from the painful memories.

Darcy's jaw fell open as she looked over the beautiful group. Mercedes Belle; the heiress's blond Viking protector Shawn Holister; an ultra-handsome man with dark hair and a friendly smile; and Bridger Hawk.

TheBridger Hawk. Ultimate sports athlete extraordinaire, but more important to her, the husband of Avalyn Shaman, her inspiration, the woman who had created Health for All and changed the lives of millions of people in third world countries. The woman she had named her baby after.

The small group smiled in greeting. Well, everyone but Shawn. Mercedes waved. The large boat was feet away now, the captain expertly maneuvering it sideways toward the long dock. The four workers rushed down the sidewalk, across the dock, and around Darcy. Men from the boat's deck tossed ropes to them. It appeared orchestrated as they expertly caught the ropes and yanked them tight before weaving them around metal bars jutting out of the concrete dock.

"Darcy," Mercedes called out. "We're coming!" The group filed to the rear of the yacht and down steps to a lower back deck where they could easily step onto the concrete and approach her.

Darcy pivoted to face the group, but her feet backtracked. As the impressive party approached, she found herself moving backward even faster. It was too much. Bridger Hawk. Mercedes Belle. And that dark-haired hunk. Wow. She hadn't really noticed a man since her divorce four years ago. It was hard to notice a man when she spent her days around orphans and mostly female volunteers.

It would be impossible to miss this man. Tall and lean with a confident bearing and welcoming smile. His eyes reminded her of Orlando Bloom as Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean. She could get easily lost in eyes like that.

She should not get lost in eyes like that. Her husband had been a dark-haired, dark-eyed, Italian charmer. The man approaching her had similar characteristics and the aura of a charming playboy. No way would she fall for that. Not again.

Because of the fear that she would fall to such an appealing male, she couldn't stop her feet from moving in the opposite direction.

"Darcy!" Mercedes cried out, her blue eyes lit with concern now instead of welcome.

The three men all surged forward as Darcy's back foot met nothing but air. She tried to lean forward, milling her arms frantically, but her body was airborne. A woman screamed—maybe her, maybe Mercedes—then she plunged through empty air and into the lukewarm salt water. Down she went. She had no idea how to swim. She kicked, but the sandals felt heavy and seemed to drag her down. Her dress ballooned around her.

It was a surreal moment, like Elizabeth in Pirates when she fell into the ocean and Jack Sparrow had to save her, the cursed pirate gold dubloon around her neck pulsating and calling to the pirates.

Darcy's eyes were open, stinging with salt water, and she watched her locket lift in the water and float up. She grasped it, terrified of losing it. What if the salt water ruined her locket and the precious images inside?

"No!" she screamed into the water, earning herself a lungful of salty brine. She coughed and spit and knew she was going to drown.

A body dove into the water and Will Turner himself angled down to her. He wrapped his hands underneath her armpits and swooped her up toward the light. They broke the surface and she gasped for air, coughing to expel the salt water and dragging in fresh air.

"Are you all right?" the man asked urgently, blinking sea water out of his brown eyes. His dark lashes and brows became even more pronounced with moisture clinging to them.

"Will Turner," she breathed out. He held her up with one arm securing her to his body. His free hand and powerful kicks were the only reason she wasn't sinking again.

He grinned. "You know, I get that a lot."

Darcy stared at him. Awed. Impressed. Captivated. She should be humiliated at falling in the water. She should be leery of the exact thing that was happening—she was drawn to his warm grin, deep-brown eyes, and strong, protective frame. She could easily fall under his charming spell.

With him looking at her as if he were equally concerned about her well-being and enthralled with her personally, it was difficult to hold on to any concerns. She was grateful that he'd saved her and that he was here for her. With this man holding her, nothing could hurt her and she would never be alone ever again.

Coughing, she turned her head so she wouldn't spray sea water on him.

"You're all right?" he asked, his voice more urgent.

"I … yes. Thank you for rescuing me."

"Part of the job," he said, winking at her as he tugged her toward the dock. Hands reached down and Bridger Hawk himself plucked her out of the water and set her onto the concrete. Shawn offered her rescuer a hand and Will Turner easily launched out of the water.

Part of the job?

Oh. Reality slapped her in the face. For a moment, she'd let her guard down and imagined she was Elizabeth and this man was her long-lost hero. He was only here for a job, for the reality show. She knew that…so why did it hurt?

Water trailed from her hair and her dress. It dripped down her face, back, abdomen, and legs. She created a puddle on the dock. The sultry heat of the air kept her warm, but she'd lived in tropical areas long enough to know she wouldn't dry out for a very long time.

"Oh my!" Mercedes cried out, hands clasped together at her generous chest. Her bosom was the only part of her that wasn't emaciated. Her face was still lovely, even though her cheeks looked sunken and her eyes red-rimmed. What was wrong with the billionaire heiress? Rumors were circulating that she had a life-threatening illness, but nothing had been confirmed.

"Are you all right, Darcy? Shoot, you're all wet and a mess," Mercedes fretted.

Darcy tried to discreetly wipe the makeup she was certain was under her eyes. She rarely wore makeup, but Julie had insisted earlier today. Great.

She glanced down. The dress clung to her, and her cheeks flushed hotter as she realized her lack of womanly curves was on display. She had never minded having the body of a teenage girl until her husband had started complaining about it and then cheated with a woman so voluptuous she made Mercedes look flat.

"That was brilliant, Nick," Mercedes gushed. "You dove in like her rescuing hero."

Darcy glanced at him. He looked like a rescuing hero. Being wet and dripping only enhanced his beauty. He grinned at her, and she looked away quick.

A young man came off the back deck of the boat and handed Darcy and her rescuer large beach towels.

"Thank you," Darcy said.

"Gracias," her rescuer said.

The young man nodded to her and said, "De nada," to her Will Turner, then disappeared. Darcy wiped under her eyes, hopefully removing the makeup, squeezed the excess moisture out of her hair, then wrapped the towel around her chest and tucked the corner to secure it. Her rescuer scrubbed at his hair and face with the towel, blotting at his shirt and shorts, then set the towel on the dock.

"Ah! This is going to be a perfect match." Mercedes beamed up at Shawn.

"Match?" Darcy's brow wrinkled with confusion. She was to be matched with a military protector for the week to earn a million dollars for her Open Arms houses, four homes in Central America currently housing babies through toddlers. She needed money to keep providing for the children and expand to make room for more little ones.

This man wasn't her match like Mercedes was intoning. Darcy had gaped over her military counterpart, but that was only because he reminded her of Will Turner and because he'd saved her.

She let herself take one more long look.

Nick. Her rescuer was studying her with those irresistible eyes. Was he interested in a ‘match'? He was equal parts beautiful and manly. A few scratches on his face and a bruise on his right cheek made him look tough. Those deep-brown eyes, a dark beard shadowing his strong jaw, firm lips, and his T-shirt clung to his well-formed upper body. Under his shirt, she spied a round medallion of sorts on a necklace. How intriguing. Maybe he truly was Will Turner.

The necklace reminded her of her own. She tugged it open and was relieved that no water was inside. The engravings looked fine. Covering it with her hand, she focused back on Nick. She liked that name almost as much as Will Turner. He was grinning and giving her a smoldering look with his dark eyes that made her want to fall back off the dock so he would have a reason to rescue her again. Oh my. Why did this man's shape displayed by the wet T-shirt clinging to his chest and shoulders make her pulse race? She had to stop her wandering thoughts.

"Your match for this week," Mercedes explained. "Lieutenant Nicholas Jacobs, retired Marine and Captain Aiden Porter's number one man. This incredible hero will protect you and help you win the million dollars for Open Arms."

Darcy's eyes widened. A Marine? No wonder he was so fit and had so easily rescued her in the water. She knew who Captain Aiden Porter was. Who didn't?

Social media was her one connection with the outside world. She'd unfollowed anyone associated with Johnny, but she did let herself scroll through Instagram after she helped get all the babies and toddlers to sleep at night. She'd seen videos of this Aiden Porter fighting, rescuing, and associating with the Sutton Smith. He'd recently been part of a gallant rescue of Thomas Oliver, aka Captain Quaid Raven, from Thomas's own mother, the famous Catherine Oliver. It had caused quite an uproar as everyone had believed Catherine was a benevolent billionaire, not a secret murderer and manipulator. Mercedes and Sutton had been part of the rescue too.

"Wow," she breathed out. "I'm honored to meet you. Thank you for your service."

Nick's smile captivated her. He was close by, but he eased closer and extended his hand. She didn't know if she could handle him touching her again, but it would be rude not to shake.

She placed her hand in his. Instead of shaking her hand, he gently cradled it, trailing his thumb across the sensitive skin on the inside of her wrist and producing a tingly warmth.

What on earth? She'd held hands with Johnny thousands of times. Maybe initially it had been exciting, but for the most part she'd always felt … a hand. This handholding was more than just newness or excitement. It was a bonding and warmth that she had lacked her entire life.

"I am honored to meet you," Nick said, his deep voice and the interest in his dark eyes a communication all their own. "Mercedes shared your charity's vision and accomplishments on the ride over here. I am in awe of what you've accomplished and grateful for your charitable heart."

He seemed to mean his words. Deeply. And he still hadn't released her hand. The more worrisome part was that she didn't want him to release her hand—or to stop looking at her like that. She forgot anyone else in the world existed as they stared into each other's eyes. He was the most incredible man she had ever met in her life.

And she had gone through a horrific divorce and promised herself to never fall for a handsome, charming man again.

She couldn't keep letting down her guard with him. She yanked her hand away, turned to Mercedes and Bridger Hawk, and gushed, "You're Bridger Hawk. You and Avalyn Shaman are my inspiration and heroes."

Bridger laughed easily at that as Mercedes looked from Darcy to Nick and back again. Her blue gaze was far too perceptive. Did she know how deeply that touch of the hands and meeting of the eyes had affected Darcy? Nick had saved her. That was the reason his touch had affected her so deeply.

"Thank you." Bridger was a thirty-something man with a handsome face and arresting blue eyes. "Avalyn would've loved to meet you, but she's thirty-nine weeks with our second baby, and traveling anywhere but the hospital isn't an option."

"I understand." Of course Darcy knew that. She followed them both and their organization Health for All on social media. "Please tell her she's my idol."

"I will." He dipped his chin.

"Okay!" Mercedes cried out, clasping her hands together. "Who's ready to hear why my dear friend Bridger Hawk is gracing us with his presence?"

Bridger smirked at that. Darcy didn't let herself look at Nick, but she could feel him close by her side. His arm brushed hers, and heat and attraction and that sense of rightness filled her.

Darcy raised a hand and inched away from Nick. "Me, please. Well … maybe. Please say I'm not going on an extreme adventure like you do on social media."

Bridger and Nick both chuckled at that.

"Hey," Bridger protested, raising his hands. "I've calmed down since I became a husband and dad."

"Your stunts are calm?" Nick whistled. "You're the most impressive daredevil I've ever seen."

Darcy let her eyes dart to Nick. She'd categorized him as a charming flirt like Johnny, but Johnny would never have complimented another man unless he wanted a business deal with him.

She shouldn't have looked at him. He was breathtaking. They needed to get through introductions and into dry clothes. She couldn't keep gaping at Nick all handsome and clingy-clothed like he was. She pushed her heavy, damp hair away from her face. Mercedes had said she was a mess and Mercedes was one of those full of sunshine people. Darcy must look a fright. How awkward. She prayed, straightened her shoulders, and remembered she was here for her little ones, so she didn't have to find them unsuitable homes when they aged out of the space she had to offer currently or turn away new babies and toddlers who needed a safe home.

"Well, thank you." Bridger had a devilish glint in his eyes. "I hope you're both fans of extreme sports adventures, because this week you'll get the chance to have several of your own."

Darcy's heart raced out of control, and this time it had nothing to do with the hunky hero standing next to her. "I'm actually not that fabulous at sports," she admitted. She couldn't even swim, for heaven's sake.

"No worries," Bridger said. "Most of the sports expertise is going to be required of Nick, and we all know this tough and talented guy can handle it."

"What's a challenge and where do I find it?" Nick quoted Bridger's famous line.

Bridger threw back his head and laughed. Even Shawn smiled. "I love that attitude and I think you will love this week's challenge." He paused for effect. "Darcy and Nick. You are going to replicate the adventures—or maybe nightmares is a more accurate term—Avalyn and I experienced seven years ago. You may remember the highly publicized death-defying stunts I performed to rescue Avalyn from my insane but well-meaning friend Ramsey?"

"Pardon me?" Darcy couldn't even concentrate on one of her personal heroes standing in front of her, or the ultra-handsome Nick Jacobs. She felt cold chills wash over her, made worse by the wet clothing. Even the warm humidity couldn't override the fear tightening her throat. She had seen those insane challenges when the dying and crazy Ramsey had made the classy and revered Avalyn Shaman into a prize to be won. Ramsey and Bridger had to compete to rescue her each day. Darcy had thought the entire thing was horrifying, but admittedly terribly romantic as Bridger saved her and they fell in love.

"Avalyn agreed to this?" she asked.

"‘Only a friend as dear to me as Mercedes could talk me into using that unsettling experience for a television show. Thank heavens it's for a brilliant cause,'" Bridger said in a higher-pitched voice. "That's a direct quote."

"Ah." Mercedes made a heart with her hands. "Avalyn's an angel."

"She is." Bridger looked at Darcy. "Truly, that week was a nightmare in a lot of ways for both of us."

Darcy could see in his eyes that the stress over potentially losing Avalyn to death or to Ramsey had taken a toll on the devil-may-care athlete and former playboy. If only Johnny would've been a former playboy, not an un-loyal and too-wealthy philanderer.

"But Ramsey was right that we never would've gotten Avalyn to admit how much she loved me without such an extreme ploy."

It was touching that the experienced and well-known man would share personal details with her, with all of them. The camera and show's producers would love it.

She risked a glance at Nick. He seemed like a Bridger Hawk type of guy—brave, irresistibly handsome, talented, sought after by women, but she feared he was a Johnny type instead. Most charming womanizers were, in her experience.

"Someday, when our children are old enough, Avalyn and I will tell them our story and about their nut-job Uncle Ramsey who terrified their mama into admitting she loved me. Our story has the best ending possible." He splayed his hands. "But enough about us. Now it's time for your story."

Darcy swallowed. She'd rather hear more about Bridger and Avalyn. Would she and Nick someday tell their children ‘their story'? The soft glance Nick gave her made her heart thud out of control. Those deep-brown eyes seemed somehow vulnerable and fully invested in her.

She whipped to face Bridger, Mercedes, and Shawn. She and Nick wouldn't have a story to tell their children someday. She had seventy-six children to care for currently. They were her purpose, and she couldn't be distracted by the first handsome guy she interacted with.

Bridger smiled knowingly, as if he could see something she couldn't. "Welcome to episode six of A Chance for Charity, ‘Impossible Thrills.'"

Bridger acted like the impossible challenges would be thrilling. Darcy thought they'd only be impossible and possibly end in her death.

A warm hand brushed against hers. She glanced up into the soulful and mesmerizing eyes of Lieutenant Nicholas Jacobs. He smiled softly and whispered, "Don't worry. I'll keep you safe and we'll win any challenge they throw at us."

Darcy wanted to trust him and found herself inching closer. She should run off the dock instead. She didn't even know this man.

She thought about what she did know. He worked for the illustrious Captain Aiden Porter, a legend all his own. Nick was a former Marine, which was singularly impressive. He'd dived in to rescue her for which she was grateful.

She fingered her locket. How could she not trust a man with eyes like Will Turner's?

Because she couldn't trust any man.