In Bed With The Devil

Twelve

Meri was thinking maybe she should get a dog. One of those small ones she could travel with. From her corner room at the Ritz-Carlton in Pasadena she could see down into a beautiful grassy area, with plants and paths where people walked their small dogs several times a day. At least then there would be something else alive in the room with her.

She glanced at her watch, then sighed. Her team wouldn’t arrive for another half hour, which meant time to kill. Maybe it was just her, but the days had gotten much longer in the past few weeks. The things she loved no longer made her as happy as they once had. She found it more difficult to laugh and sleep and be really excited about Colin and Betina’s announcement that they were getting married.

Not that she wasn’t thrilled for her friends. There was nothing she wanted more than their happiness. It was just…

She missed Jack. Yes, that was crazy and made her an idiot, but there it was. She missed him-his voice, his touch, his laugh. The way he took charge and wasn’t the least bit intimidated by her. She’d loved him most of her life. How was she supposed to stop loving him?

“Therapy,” she murmured as she continued to stare out the window. It had helped her before-to figure out what normal was. Maybe talking with a paid professional could help her get over Jack. Maybe she could find a really cute male therapist and do a little emotional transference, because getting over anyone else had to be so much easier than getting over Jack.

She closed her eyes against the pain. He would be gone by now. His month at Hunter’s house had ended at midnight. Had he already started back to Texas or was he just getting on the road? What was he thinking of her? Would she ever be the one who got away or was that just wishful thinking on her part? She knew he would come back for the reunion, but for now, he was gone.

There was a knock at the door. Housekeeping, she thought. Okay. That was fine. They could clean while she walked the grounds and made friends with the little dogs. Maybe an owner or two could give her some advice on which kind to get.

Jack would be a big-dog kind of guy, she thought absently. Of course, if she had his feelings to consider, she wouldn’t need a dog in the first place. She would have a husband and a family, although a dog would be nice, too. Maybe one of-

She opened the door and stood staring. “You’re not housekeeping.”

Jack pushed past her into the room and shrugged. “I can go get you more towels if you need them.”

“I don’t need towels.”

She stared at him, unable to believe he was here. He looked good-tired and maybe thinner but still powerful and sexy and the man of her dreams.

“You’re supposed to be heading home,” she said. “Your four weeks are up.”

He looked at her. “Is that what you think? That I’d put in my time, then walk away?”

“Sure.”

“Because it’s what I’ve always done. Put in my time, kept my distance, not gotten involved.”

Her stomach flipped over a couple of times. Okay, physically it couldn’t turn, but the churning caused by anxiety did a really great imitation.

She wanted to throw herself into his arms. She wanted him to hold her and tell her it was going to be all right. Only he wouldn’t, because nothing in her life had ever been that easy. She had no idea why he was here. Maybe to offer her some advice or something. She would smile politely, listen, push him out the door, then have a private breakdown. She was getting good at those.

“How did you find me?” she asked.

“Colin told me.”

“What? He didn’t.”

“Oh, yeah. But he did it in a way you can totally respect. He tortured me first. He called right after you left and said he knew where you were but he wasn’t going to tell me until my month was up. Something about a donation and that damn house.”

Colin had called Jack? She wasn’t sure if she should be happy or planning to return the engagement present she’d already bought.

“You were looking for me?” she asked cautiously.

Jack touched her face. “What do you think?”

“I don’t know.”

“You must have had an idea. You went to a lot of trouble to stay hidden.”

“I don’t want your pity,” she admitted. “I don’t want you watching over me anymore. I don’t want to be a project or Hunter’s little sister.”

His eyes were dark and unreadable. Something flashed through them.

“Would you settle for being the woman I love?”

She heard the words. The vibration of sound worked its way through her ears and was transmitted through her brain via-

“What?” she asked, suddenly not caring about the hows and whys of her body. “What?”

“I love you, Meri. I have for a long time. I always thought…” He shrugged. “I thought there was something between us back then. But you were young and I was young and then Hunter got sick. I couldn’t deal, so I ran. You know all this. I ran, but I couldn’t let go. I took the coward’s way out. I spied on you. You were right to call it that. I kept track from a distance, where it was safe. Where I was safe.”

She had to sit down. Her legs felt weak and the room was spinning. Instead she reached for him, and he caught her and held her as if he might never let go.

“I missed you,” he murmured, speaking into her hair. “I missed you so much. Not just the past three weeks, although they were hell, but for the past eleven years. I’m sorry I didn’t know before. I love you, Meri. I want to be with you. I want to make this right.”

He grabbed her by her upper arms and held her in front of him. “Can you forgive me? Can you tell me what to do to make it right? Can you ever care about me?”

She began to laugh and cry and went back into his arms, where he held her so tight she couldn’t breathe.

It felt good. It felt right.

“Of course I love you,” she said, her voice shaking. “What did you think all this was about?”

“You’re a complicated woman. I had no idea. You left. That confused me.”

“I wanted to leave before you could dump me. I couldn’t have my heart broken again.”

“I’ll never leave you,” he promised. “I love you. I want to be with you always. Marry me?”

It was as if someone had injected fizz into her blood. She felt light and bubbly and more happy than she’d ever been.

“What kind of dogs do you like?” she asked.

“Whichever ones makes you happy.”

She smiled. “Good answer.”

The first time Hunter Palmer had gone into the light, he hadn’t known what to expect. Until he’d been diagnosed and told he had weeks to live, he’d never thought about having a soul or what it meant to die. Now, ten years later, he had all the answers. But there were still questions. Questions only his friends could answer.

He moved through the reception celebrating the dedication of Hunter’s House, unseen, unfelt but very much there-for his friends. Once they had been the Seven Samurai-men who had vowed friendship forever. After he’d died, they’d gotten lost. Now they’d found their way back.

Hunter moved close to Nathan Barrister.

Six months ago Nathan had never heard of Hunter’s Landing. Now he was married to Keira, the mayor of Hunter’s Landing, and dividing his time between a house in Knightsbridge, London, and Keira’s house here in the mountains.

His life was rich and full and more than he could have ever imagined. And he owed it all to Hunter. All of them did. Nathan closed his eyes and whispered his thanks to the friend who had somehow made all of this possible. And somehow he was sure Hunter heard him.

“What’re you smiling about?” Keira asked, leaning into his shoulder, tipping her face up to his.

“You,” he said, wrapping his arm around her and holding on tightly. “I’m smiling because of you.”

“Ooh, that’s what I like to hear.” She turned to look at the remaining Samurai and the women who had saved them-loved them. “It’s a wonderful day. I think your friend Hunter would have approved.”

“Are you kidding? He would have loved this. All of us together again. Whole again.” With Keira in his arms, Nathan looked out at his friends and the women who had become the heart of the Samurai. They weren’t the same, any of them. Somehow, through the magic of this place, they’d all become more. Smiling down at his wife, Nathan said, “I just don’t think it’s possible to be any happier than I am at this moment.”

“Wanna bet? I have a surprise for you,” she said, wrapping her arms around his middle and staring up into his eyes. “And I think today is the perfect day for this announcement.”

“Yeah?” He looked at her and thought about the coming night, when he could hold her close in their bed, lose himself in the wonder of loving and being loved. “I love a good surprise.”

“We’re going to have a baby.”

“We’re what?”

“You’re going to be a daddy.”

“When?” His heart jolted, then kicked into a gallop. “How? What?”

“Surprise!”

She looked so happy. So beautiful. And she’d given him everything.

“I love you,” he said, cupping her face between his palms. “Thanks for loving me back.”

“My pleasure. Believe me.”

He did. He believed her. Just as he believed that his life, his world, was only going to get better and better. Holding on to his wife, he tipped his head back, looked to heaven and said again, “Thanks, Hunter. I really owe you for this.”

Hunter touched his friend’s shoulder and moved on…to Luke.

It was just the kind of event Hunter would have enjoyed, Luke thought. Plenty of cold beer, good food and beautiful girls.

Make that beautiful women. Their time in the house had brought each of the remaining Samurai a lover with whom the men intended to spend the rest of their lives. Hunter couldn’t have known that would happen…or could he?

Luke grinned at his fanciful thought, then caught Lauren’s eye. “Hey, do you think we’ll have time later for a round or two at the Game Palace?”

“Pool during the reunion?” She twisted one of her blond curls around her finger.

“Why not? We’ll invite Matt and Kendall along and we can kick their butts. How much do you want to bet she’s never played?”

Lauren frowned. “I thought you were giving up your competitive ways.”

Luke snagged her in one arm and drew her close. “You know that won’t happen. I’ve just learned to temper them with a little perspective. And with a lotta love from you, honey.”

“And from Matt.”

Luke gazed over the top of her head at his twin brother, who looked equally relaxed and equally loved by his Kendall. He and Matt had spent a lot of their lives as each other’s enemies, but their time at Hunter’s House had resolved their conflicts and returned them to a brotherhood that Luke appreciated more each day.

From across the room Matt looked up as if he’d heard Luke’s thoughts. Like many twins, they could communicate without a sound. His brother lifted his sweating beer in a little toast, and Luke returned it. Then he directed another toast heavenward.

Thank you, Hunter. I vow to live a better, fuller life.

Then he looked back down at the woman who owned his heart. “Speaking of vows…”

She tilted her head. “What?”

“A little birdie told me that a couple in this room is planning on sneaking off to Reno on Sunday to tie the knot.”

“Really?”

He nodded, then captured her left hand so he could rub his thumb over the engagement ring he’d placed there. Yes, he was living a better, fuller life, but oh, how he still enjoyed winning. “Now, if we make a quick dash tonight, my sweet, sweet Lauren, we could just beat them to the altar…”

Hunter laughed quietly as he moved away. Luke would never change. Of course, Lauren didn’t want him to, which was why they were so happy together.

He looked around the room and saw Devlin Campbell looking uncharacteristically worried.

As happy as Devlin was to see his old friends, he was more anxious to get home. Nicole’s obstetrician had forbidden her to travel by plane with the baby so close to being born, and he missed her.

Ryan wandered over, Devlin’s best man and the same guy who had declared he was swearing off women for the month he was to be at the lodge. But the Love Shack had weaved its magic on Ryan as it had the rest of them. He’d found true love, too.

“What’s right with this picture?” Devlin asked Ryan as they glanced around the room.

Ryan smiled. “Yeah. Amazing. And you’re missing Nicole, I’ll bet.”

“As much as I’ve liked getting together with all the Samurai, I want to be home.”

“Think we’ll do this again sometime? A gathering of the clan?”

“We should. Maybe a golf weekend somewhere once a year.”

“It would take some doing, coordinating our schedules.”

“One thing I’ve learned, Ryan-you have to make time for what’s important. My wife, the Samurai. You’re important.”

“Let’s go propose the idea while the wives are around to hear. They’ll force the issue. Women like that kind of bonding stuff.”

As if on cue, Devlin’s cell phone rang. Panic struck him full force when he saw it was Nicole. Had she gone into labor without him?

“You okay?” he asked.

“I love you. I miss you. That’s all.”

He relaxed. She loved him and missed him. That’s all. Such an elemental part of his life now. His beautiful wife, her love and devotion. But that’s all?

On second thought, maybe it was that simple. Maybe that was the secret of life. The best things weren’t complicated.

Hunter nodded. He touched Devlin’s arm to ease his worry. Nicole would be fine. Then he followed Ryan across the room.

His arm draped around Kelly’s shoulders, Ryan looked around at the Seven Samurai who’d finally gathered together again. He said seven because he knew Hunter was here in spirit. In fact, Hunter had brought about this reunion, thanks to his will.

Hunter had always been the glue that had bound them together, and now they were his legacy.

Ryan looked down at Kelly. They’d been married just weeks, but they’d been the best damn weeks he’d had in a long time. Since before his mother and Hunter had died, in fact. He felt alive again.

They’d gotten married in an intimate ceremony in California’s Napa Valley. Erica and Greg had served as the matron of honor and best man. Because it was summer break, he’d been able to fly them in, along with their kids, for a family vacation. He grinned thinking about how thrilled Kelly’s friends had been to get away to a romantic place, even if it was with the kids in tow.

He and Kelly would be in the same situation in a few years, especially if they kept having the same steamy nights they’d been having the past few weeks.

Kelly glanced up at him. “Why are you grinning?”

He bent and murmured something sinful in her ear.

She went still, looked embarrassed, then swatted him playfully. “Behave.”

He laughed as he straightened because she’d given him exactly the reaction he would have predicted.

“Impossible with you, Venus,” he responded irrepressibly.

Hunter chuckled, patted his friend on the back, then walked toward Luke’s twin.

It was strange, Matthias thought, seeing all six of them together again after so many years. Even stranger that they were here without Hunter. Though, in a way, maybe Hunter was here with them. Maybe he’d been with them all along. And it was fitting that Hunter had been the one to bring them all together again, since he’d been the one who’d united them in college. They were still the Seven Samurai, Matthias supposed, but now one was missing. And somehow the Six Samurai just didn’t seem right.

Then he realized they weren’t six anymore. They were twelve. And they weren’t Samurai anymore, either. Samurai were warriors, always prepared for death. Matthias, Luke, Ryan, Jack, Nathan and Devlin were family men now, focused on their lives ahead with the women who had made them complete.

That was what Kendall had done for him, anyway. Completed him. Filled in all the empty places that he hadn’t wanted to admit were empty.

As if she’d sensed something, Kendall looked up at him, narrowing her gaze thoughtfully. “What are you thinking about?” she asked. “You look…happy.”

“That’s what I’m thinking about.”

“Not the Perkins contract?”

“Nope.”

“Not the Endicott merger?”

“No.”

“Not the Sacramento conference?”

He tightened his fingers around hers. “I’m thinking about our life together. And I’m thinking about how we need to get right to work on that.”

“You’re the boss.”

He shook his head. “No. We’re a newly announced partnership. One that’s going to take the world by storm.”

She pushed herself up on tiptoe and brushed her lips over his. “I’ll prepare the memo at once.”

“We’d better make it a PowerPoint demonstration,” he told her. “This is going to be big.”

Hunter nodded with pleasure. Everything had turned out the way he’d hoped. The possibilities had been there, of course, but his friends had been the ones to take the right steps.

Last he turned to Meri, his sister. He’d missed her, but he was proud of the woman she’d become. It had taken her and Jack far too long to find each other, but at last they had.

He eased close, wishing he could hug her and tell her how much he loved them both.

“There’s something about the house,” Meri told Jack. “All these people falling in love. It’s almost scary.”

“You scared to be in love with me?”

She smiled. “Never. I’m used to it. I’ve loved you a lot longer than you’ve loved me.”

“Have not.”

“Have to.”

Jack grinned. “Are all our fights going to be this mature?”

“I hope so.” She leaned close to him. “I love you, Jack. I think Hunter would be very happy to know we’re together.”

Jack nodded. “I agree. I know it’s strange, but there’s a part of me that thinks he wanted this all along.”

If Hunter had eyes to roll, he would have done it. Then he cuffed his friend on the shoulder. What else would he have been talking about when he’d made Jack promise to take care of his sister?

It had all worked out in the end. For each of his friends. When he’d known he was dying, he’d vowed to find some way to make sure they stayed together-brothers. He’d been afraid that guilt and time and distance would pull them apart. On a sleepless night weeks before his death, the idea of the house had been born.

Now, ten years later, he was content. His sister was finally where she belonged and his brothers had become the men he knew they could be. He would tell them everything…eventually.

He smiled at them. His work here was done. He would wait for them on the other side, in a better place than they could begin to imagine. Hunter turned then, moving into the light…this time to stay.