Chapter Nine

W es had pulled out every photo album he had and answered all of Ellie’s questions. And, while she started out enthusiastic, after a couple of hours, he noticed her mood waning. She flipped the pages quicker, like she wasn’t really looking at them, just going through the motions, her questions tapered off, and she seemed to deflate in front of him. When she started chewing her lower lip as she looked from the open album in front of her to the closed one in front of him, he decided she’d probably had enough.

“Are you okay?” he asked, closing the yellowed wedding album she just finished looking through.

“I’m just…” Her words faded along with her earlier smile that had been so full of hope. “Frustrated. I had such a beautiful life and I can’t remember any of it.”

“It’ll come back to you.” He would do everything in his power to reassure and encourage her. But what if it doesn’t? It was a very real possibility. Optimism could only get them so far.

“What if it doesn’t?” she whispered, echoing his thoughts.

He was transported back to the moment she marched into his hospital room after they’d amputated his lower leg. She’d been so confident that they would make it through the darkness and uncertainty together. They’d done it once, and he knew they could do it again.

“We’re gonna be okay,” he said. “That’s what you told me once upon a time when I was ready to give up hope, and now that’s what I’m telling you.”

Although he yearned to lean in and kiss her like she had kissed him, he held himself back. With a sad, soft smile, Ellie absently reached for a handful of jelly beans. After popping one in her mouth, she stood up and wandered over to the side table.

Oh, shit. Wes tensed up as she finished the jelly beans and gingerly picked up the ceramic jar on the side table.

“Are these my—ashes?” Her questioning gaze collided with his and he lurched up off the couch.

Fuck. He should’ve hidden them from her. The last thing he wanted was for her to get upset or have some kind of episode. “That’s what I was told,” he said carefully, reaching out. “Give it to me, Ellie. I’ll take care of it.”

“If it’s not me, then who is it?”

He released a frustrated sigh, dropping his hands, and frowned at the urn she held. “I have no idea. They weren’t very helpful when I went to the morgue, demanding answers. For all I know, there could be a family dog in there.”

For a long moment she studied the urn thoughtfully. “I think we should spread the ashes somewhere nice.” She looked up at him through a fringe of dark lashes, looking so shy and small that his chest tightened. “Can we do that?”

He nodded. His sweet Ellie, always thinking of others. “We can do whatever you want.”

“Do you know somewhere nice?”

“I know the perfect spot.”

Wes drove them up to the quiet place where he liked to hang out when life became too much. They walked to the edge of the cliff and it hit him that less than one week ago, he’d been contemplating letting himself go over the side. Fuck. If he’d have done that, she’d still be lost in Indonesia and he’d be dead. Probably raising hell in the afterlife the moment he discovered Ellie was still alive.

Ellie sucked in a breath at the majestic view. “God, it’s beautiful up here. How did you find this place?”

“Just sort of stumbled onto it when I was out driving one day.” He moved up beside her, his arm brushing against hers. Warmth infused him and he savored the tenuous connection. He also noticed that she didn’t move away.

“This is perfect.” Ellie lifted the urn and twisted the lid off.

“Let me help.” After thanking God Ellie was standing there beside him, he reached inside and removed the plastic bag, unsealed, lifted and shook it. They watched the ashes get caught on the breeze and blow away, scattering over the forest below.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Then Ellie turned to face him and he had to clench his fists and force himself not to embrace her. They were so damn close. He swallowed hard as her soft, flowery scent surrounded him. She smelled exactly the same—like the sweetest honeysuckle.

“Tell me something I don’t know, but should,” she whispered, looking up at him, her blue-green eyes shining in the sunlight.

There were so many things he could’ve told her. How he fell in love with her on their first date after she snort-laughed into her Coke at his lame joke. And how after losing her, he ran away from Michigan and moved to Cielo Springs to escape the memories, all because she’d always wanted to visit Montana. Or how his heart beat only and completely for her and he would’ve rather cut his finger off than ever remove his wedding ring.

But he’d always been a man of action rather than words. So instead, he cupped her face, leaned down and gently kissed her lips. And she didn’t pull away. Not even close. Her arms came up, circling around him, and her fingers lightly brushed the back of his neck. Electric tingles shot down his spine, and when she opened her mouth in welcome, he nearly groaned.

Trying to hold himself in check, but burning up for her, his hands wrapped around her waist and his tongue swept between her parted lips. And fuck if he wasn’t home.

She tasted as sweet as she always did and he swore he would never take another kiss with her for granted. He was going to treasure her like never before, living each moment as if it could be their last together. Because he knew how quickly it could all be snatched away.

Wes broke the kiss off before it got to be too much. He knew how strange and overwhelming things must be for her right now, and he didn’t want to do anything to make her regret moving forward with him.

She was staring up at him, face flushed and lips slightly swollen. “Well, that was a mouthful and you didn’t even say anything.”

That adorable snort-laugh erupted from her like it always did when she was nervous, and when she covered her mouth, Wes’ heart melted. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I missed you, Ellie-Bean. More than words can ever express.”

His admission came out low and far raspier than he intended, but Ellie had that effect on him. For a moment, he thought about kissing her again, but he knew better and didn’t want to push her too fast. Love and desire were pounding through his veins, but he was worried she wasn’t ready for more. Not yet, but he held out hope that her memory would come back and they could move forward together.

If it didn’t…

Well, they could cross that bridge if and when they came to it.

“I keep picturing something,” she said softly, “and I’m not sure why.”

“What?”

“I know it sounds silly, but did we ever…make snow angels?”

The memory of that night returned in blazing technicolor glory. “Yeah,” he said, unable to hide the smile that took over his face. “Me, you and way too much hot chocolate spiked with peppermint schnapps led to some shenanigans in the snow.”

A pretty blush stole over her cheeks, and he couldn’t drag his eyes off her. Not for anything. His wife was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known, and with every glimmer of a memory she mentioned, he was more determined than ever to help her through this dark moment and guide her back into the sunshine.

◆◆◆

It seemed like every time Wes kissed her, a memory came back. The image was so clear, Ellie could taste the chocolate and peppermint on her tongue; smell the fresh, icy air laced with snowflakes and pine; feel the weight of Wes’ heavy body covering hers, pressing her down into the snow, kissing her into oblivion.

His brown eyes were staring intently at her again. He watched her so closely all the time. It felt good to know he was always looking out for her, ready to jump in and protect her if necessary. When his phone beeped with a text, Ellie cleared her throat and shifted.

“It’s Brand,” he told her. “Mitch wants to move our meeting up. Must’ve found something important.”

“Can I come?”

Wes didn’t even hesitate. “Of course. C’mon.”

Without thinking, they both reached for each other’s hand and walked back to the car. It felt so natural that Ellie didn’t question it. She just laced her fingers through his and followed him. She had an innate feeling she would follow this man anywhere.

As they drove to Old Glory, Ellie couldn’t stop sneaking peeks at the attractive man beside her. A stranger and her husband. The irony of the situation was a bit too much and she was trying to figure out the best way to navigate these uncharted waters. Half of her wanted to take things slowly while the other half of her wondered what would happen if she threw caution to the wind and jumped him. Would her memory come rushing back? Because she desperately wanted that. She needed that.

Once they reached Brandon’s bar, Ellie hesitated. Wes picked up on her doubt and turned toward her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here? I know you mentioned what your team does is secret.”

“Wherever I go, you go. And they all know it.” He sent her a devastating smile and she could’ve sworn her world tilted.

Once again Wes took her hand and she held on tightly as he opened the door and led her inside. The whole crew was already there, gathered around a corner table, and friendly greetings filled the air. Relaxing at the warm welcome, Ellie smiled shyly. She couldn’t miss how everyone seemed to zero in on the way she and Wes were holding hands.

“How are you guys doing?” Corey, the one with the stunning ice-blue eyes, got up and walked over. She appreciated how he had helped keep her calm after they’d found her in Indonesia. He had a tranquil air about him—almost peaceful—that made her comfortable.

“Good,” Wes answered, squeezing her hand.

“You must be Ellie,” a woman said, moving up beside her. She looked to be around Ellie’s age and had pretty red-gold hair and friendly dark brown eyes. “It’s so wonderful to meet you. I’m Julia Evans.”

“My fiancée,” Brand said, coming up behind Julia and possessively wrapping his arms around her waist. He pressed a kiss to her head and she laughed. They looked incredibly good together and seemed so comfortable in each other’s arms.

Ellie’s attention flicked over to Wes. Had they been like that, too?

“Congratulations,” Ellie said. “Have you set a date yet?”

They exchanged smirks. “We’re working on it,” Brand murmured.

“I’d like a spring wedding,” Julia stated. “And this guy…well, he wants tomorrow.”

“That’s right. The sooner the better, baby.”

“Yeah, Ward,” Chaz called out, “you better make it official before she comes to her senses and runs off with someone else.”

Brand kept his arms around Julia and guided her over to the table where everyone sat, kissing her temple and flipping Chaz off. “Watch it, Madden, or I’m going to tell Lottie to refuse you service.”

“And what a shame that would be,” Lex said, bright blue eyes filled with mirth. “Because we all know Chaz dreams about getting serviced by Lottie.”

The men erupted in laughter, and Julia looked over at Ellie and rolled her eyes.

“Fuck off,” the big man grumbled, but Ellie could see how color rose in his cheeks. Whoever Lottie was, it couldn’t be more clear that Chaz Madden was crushing on her big-time.

Wes tugged Ellie over to the table by the fireplace and she sat down across from Julia. Having another woman in the room gave her a sense of comfort. While Wes lowered himself down beside her on the left and adjusted his prosthetic, Corey sat down on her right. Tucked between the two large men, Ellie felt more safe than ever before.

“Okay, fellas, I should have Mitch online in a minute,” Jayson announced.

Xander rolled his broad shoulders back and crossed his arms. “What’s the big news? Anyone know?”

“They found something on the laptop we retrieved,” Brand said, sitting down next to Julia. “Sounds like we’re going to have a new mission.”

“Bring it on,” Lex said. “I’m ready to blow this pop stand.”

“We just got back from Indonesia,” Jayson stated. “I barely saw Emma and you’re ready to go already?”

Lex shrugged a shoulder. “What can I say? I’m a rolling stone.”

“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” a deep voice said and all attention turned to the monitor Jayson spun around. Mitch Evans, though clearly in his sixties, was still a very attractive man with silver hair, the same brown eyes as his daughter Julia, and a serious edge that warned others he was a man to be reckoned with. His face softened as he added, “And ladies. Hello, Julia, honey. And, Wes, I’m happy you got your wife back.”

“Thank you,” Wes said, and Ellie sent their handler a small smile.

“So, as you know, the CIA was keen on retrieving that laptop because it held an encrypted file. To be more precise, a map.”

“What kind of map?” Brand asked, leaning forward.

“One that leads to buried treasure?” Chaz joked.

“Not exactly. More like a Broken Arrow.”