The Protective Warrior Page 12

  MacKenzie woke to a banging on the door. A glance at the clock showed 6:23 a.m. Her limbs were heavy and her head felt like it’d been smacked with a club repeatedly. Three hours of sleep was not enough. She slipped out of bed and forced one foot in front of the other to the front door. Then the realization of who it must be brought her more awake and a smile to her face.

  “Isaac,” she said, swinging the door wide. Her smile dropped. “Agent Klein?”

  He chuckled. “Happy to see me?”

  MacKenzie glanced around in confusion. There was an agency car waiting, but she didn’t see Isaac, Trevor, or any of her friends’ husbands. “What’s going on?”

  “I told you we could get you back to Chicago, but the plane leaves from Gunnison in an hour.”

  “It’s 6:23 in the morning.”

  “Yep.”

  “No wonder I feel like somebody beat me with a baseball bat.”

  He smiled. “I should’ve called, but I didn’t have a number for you. You want to go home?”

  MacKenzie debated for half a second. Home. The very word sounded wonderful. Her parents. Her sisters. Her training partners. Her friends. Her students. But this little town in Colorado and a large, dark-haired man had her heart. She wanted to stay, but then her parent’s faces flashed into her mind. They needed to hug her, talk to her, see for themselves she was okay. She should go home and figure some things out.

  “Yeah.” She nodded. “Give me a minute.” She raced into the bedroom, but there was nothing of hers. She’d been borrowing Haley’s clothes and everything else. After making the bed and quickly wiping down the bathroom, she washed her face, brushed her teeth, and hurried back to the living area. Klein still waited outside the open front door.

  She wanted to wake Isaac up and explain why she had to go and that she’d be back soon, but he’d done so much for her and the poor man needed to sleep. She settled for a note.

  Isaac,

  Thank you for everything. You saved my life and gave me some wonderful memories. I’m going to Chicago to see my parents and figure out some things with school and my training partners. I’ll be back for Haley’s wedding. Can’t wait to be with you again.

  Thanks,

  MacKenzie

  She debated over scratching out the thanks and putting, love, but that seemed a little forward. They’d shared a lot and she wasn’t sure where they stood. She hated to leave without saying goodbye, but she’d be back in a few days.

  Running past Klein, she put the note on Isaac’s windshield. Hopefully he wouldn’t think she’d ditched him and hate her.

  Isaac woke late. His body hurt from all the hiking, fighting, and not sleeping well. MacKenzie. The thought of the raven-haired beauty set his pulse skittering. He jumped out of bed, took a quick shower, not bothering to shave, brushed his teeth, and was out the door. They were going to talk today. Did he dare tell her he loved her again? The words spoken last night as he scurried away to try and save her didn’t seem to be validated as she hadn’t responded like she’d even heard him. Yet he still felt those words inside. It was real and he wanted to tell her. He wanted to go to Chicago with her and meet her family, then pack up her stuff and bring her back here. Home. With him.

  He knocked on Haley’s front door, but there was no response. Waiting for what he hoped was an appropriate lapse, he knocked twice more before twisting the doorknob and pushing it open. “Mac?” he called out, his voice echoing strangely in the small house.

  He walked through the rooms, but he already knew she wasn’t there. Maybe she’d gone for a run or … what? Striding out of the house, he paced the yard then went to his truck, ready to go search for her. A white piece of paper fluttered underneath his wipers. As if in a trance, he pulled it out, read it, then crumpled it up. Back to Chicago? Without saying goodbye? It was a punch in the gut.

  He paced around the yard, the note clutched in his hand. His dad walked out of the barn and eyed him strangely. “What’s in your craw?”

  Swallowing hard, Isaac formed the words. “MacKenzie,” he cleared his throat, “went back to Chicago.”

  His dad stared at him for several seconds then shrugged. “So go after her. You don’t win the girl by being a wuss.” Then he walked back into the barn.

  Isaac sat there, a plan forming in his head. She said she was coming back for the wedding, but he wanted to be with her now. Was it too bold? Him going to Chicago? Maybe, but in his dad’s words, You don’t win the girl by being a wuss.

  No one would call Isaac a wuss. He hurried toward to his trailer to pack a bag. This was going to cut into his savings for his business, but if it showed MacKenzie how much she meant to him, it would be worth it.

  “Isaac,” Cal’s voice rang through the yard.

  Isaac turned and waited for his brother-in-law, though he didn’t want the delay. Who knew what kind of flight he could get out of Gunnison or Montrose, both smaller airports. It was a five hour drive to Denver. “Are Haley and Taz coming in today?” he asked.

  “Yeah. They’re flying into Gunnison on Tuck’s plane.”

  Isaac smiled. “All the ladies coming with them to get ready for the big day?”

  “Yep. More of their friends will be rolling in Wednesday.”

  “Haley’s so weird wanting to get married on a Thursday.”

  Cal smirked. “She wants to marry me. We can get married anywhere, anytime she wants.”

  Isaac shook his head, still a little shocked that his sister was getting married, but his brother-in-law was a great guy and treated Haley and Taz fabulous.

  “Hey, Tuck and I browsed through your shop last night.” Cal folded his arms across his chest.

  “Okay.” His stomach rolled a bit. He didn’t need anyone’s approval, but he looked up to Cal and Tucker.

  “He loves your work. Like, wants you to sign autographs kind of loves.”

  Tuck was a really laidback, non-excitable guy. His wife on the other hand, Haley’s friend, Maryn, was bouncing-off-the-walls-hilarious, and talked enough to make up for the two of them. Tuck’s admiration meant a lot. “Um, thanks.”

  “We want to invest in you.”

  Isaac straightened, blinking. “Come again?”

  “We both think you should be doing metal work full time.” He paused, waiting, gauging Isaac’s expression.

  Isaac swallowed and admitted, “That’s the dream.”

  “I thought so. Why didn’t you just ask me?”

  “That’s not the way I work.” Isaac shrugged, not liking the perceptive way Cal was studying him.

  “I get ya.” Cal nodded. “Write me up a business plan. I’m thinking your own land and shop, hire someone to clean, ship, do the paperwork. We’ll find the right people for marketing and accounting. Oh, and Tuck also liked the idea of finding some high school or college kids to apprentice with you so we can grow it beyond what you can produce.”

  Isaac knew his mouth was hanging open. Every dream he’d had, and more, right in front of him. “You … Tuck …” He shook his head, hoping to clear it. “I’m not a charity case, Cal.”

  “Didn’t say you were. We’ll make back what we’ve invested in you and more.” Cal slapped him on the shoulder. “Get the business plan to me and we’ll crunch some numbers. I’m excited about this, so don’t even think about talking me out of it.”

  Isaac barely resisted grabbing Cal in a bear hug, afraid a tear might spill if he didn’t close his eyes tight. After a couple of slow breaths, he focused in on his future brother-in-law. “Thanks, man. This means a lot.”

  “It’s going to be great.” Cal cleared his throat. “I’m going to meet Haley at the airport. You want to come?”

  “I’ll drive with you. I’m hoping Gunnison will have a flight to Chicago so I don’t have to drive to Montrose or Denver.”

  “Chicago?” Cal’s brow wrinkled and his blue eyes were much too penetrating. “MacKenzie?”

  “Left this morning,” Isaac grunted out. The joy over this new business prospec
t dimmed as MacKenzie being gone washed over him again.

  “She’s coming back.”

  “She said she’d be back for the wedding, but, I need to, well, you know.”

  Cal nodded. “I do. Been there, buddy. Hurry and pack. You can take Tuck’s plane to Chicago and it’ll wait there for you and MacKenzie to come back.”

  “I can’t.” He shook his head and a strangled laugh escaped. “Just take Tucker’s plane. You’re joking, right?”

  “We’re partners now, bro. Tuck would agree with me.”

  “Agree with what?” A low, almost grumbly voice came from behind Isaac.

  “Isaac needs your pilot to fly him to Chicago and pick up MacKenzie.”

  Tucker considered Isaac for a few seconds and must’ve seen the desperation written on his face. “Sounds great. Let’s go.”

  Beck pulled up in a Lexus sport utility.

  “Go, pack. We’ll wait for you,” Cal said.

  “Not waiting too long,” Beck called out of the open window. “I’m missing my girl.”

  Isaac jogged for his trailer. These men were handing out incredible opportunities like Tic Tacs and in a few hours he’d see MacKenzie. No one was going to be waiting on him.

  16

  MacKenzie had called ahead on Klein’s phone and her parents were waiting for her at the airport Monday morning. Her sisters were both at work so she’d have to catch up with them tonight. Her dad drove her to her apartment. There was a lot of crying and retelling of every detail. She made the mistake of saying too much about Isaac. Her dad was scowling as her mom beamed.

  “When do we get to meet this boy?” her mom asked.

  “Yeah, when?” Her dad punched a freckled right fist into his large left palm.

  MacKenzie laughed. “Maybe after I go back for the wedding. It’s not like we have some commitment. I just like him.” A lot.

  “We’ll see if you like him after I meet him,” her dad grumbled, but MacKenzie could tell it was for show.

  She hugged them both and promised to visit before she flew back to Crested Butte on Wednesday for the Thursday wedding. After they left she wandered around her apartment. It didn’t feel like her spot anymore. She’d lived alone for years, but she didn’t want to be alone right now. She changed into workout clothes and ran the mile and a half through the humidity to the gym. Crested Butte and cooler weather as she hiked through gorgeous terrain with Isaac seemed very far away. Her training group met at the gym most afternoons after work, so hopefully they’d be here.

  She walked in and the front desk girl squealed, “MacKenzie. You’re back! Are you okay? We heard you died or something.”

  MacKenzie forced a laugh. Or something. “I’m still alive.”

  “I’m so glad!”

  “Thanks. Is any of the group here?”

  “Peter and Lexi.”

  “Okay. Thanks. Good to see you.”

  “You too.”

  MacKenzie made her way to the training room, relieved that Vince wasn’t here. She’d never appreciated his extra touchiness, but after having Isaac touch her, she knew she’d be even more repelled by Vince. He was a nice guy so she hated to be mean and tell him to back off, but she needed to soon. It wasn’t fair to him when all she could think about was Isaac and was already counting down—two more days and she’d be back in Crested Butte. Hopefully Isaac wouldn’t be upset that she left, but he should understand that she needed to see her parents and friends.

  Peter and Lexi were all hugs, exclamations, and grins when MacKenzie walked in. She finally got them to settle down enough to work with her on some strength training. She hadn’t done anything but hike since she’d been gone and didn’t want to lose her strength. They were doing dead lifts when the door opened. MacKenzie dropped the weighted bar and whipped around. For one insane moment, she thought the tall, broad, dark-haired man was Isaac, then he came out of the shadows.

  “MacKenzie,” Vince whispered her name almost reverently. He hurried across the floor and stopped in front of her. “I thought you were dead. The police said you were missing. Are you okay?”

  MacKenzie was touched by the sincerity in his handsome face and grateful he hadn’t grabbed her or anything.

  “I’m okay. Crazy, scary story, but I’m excited to move past it and get back to life.” Life meaning hurrying back to Crested Butte to determine if anything was going to happen with her and Isaac.

  “I’m all for getting back to life.” Vince grinned, wrapped his arms around her, and whipped her off of her feet.

  “Vince,” she protested.

  He whirled her around like she was the prize at the fair then pulled her in and pressed a kiss to her lips. The door slammed. MacKenzie had no clue if someone had come in or left. She only knew she had to stop this now.

  She used all of her strength to strong arm him away from her. “Vince. Stop.”

  He pulled back and she took a huge step away. Peter and Lexi were watching the two of them with unabashed interest.

  “I met someone.”

  Vince’s eyebrows dipped together and Peter and Lexi took a step closer.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know if you meant anything by that kiss, but I met someone who I am very interested in and I …” This was getting uncomfortable, especially with the scowl on Vince’s face. Was she assuming too much or not enough? “I’m going back to Colorado to be with him in a couple of days.”

  Lexi lit up. “You have to tell us the story.”

  Peter nodded his agreement. They all looked to Vince. His shoulders slowly relaxed. “I’m sorry, Kenzie. I always kind of hoped.”

  “I know.” She wished she could lie to spare his feelings and say she’d hoped for something too, but she wasn’t going to lie again, ever. “But I really fell hard for Isaac.”

  They all gathered around and forgot about strength training for a while as MacKenzie shared her story of the past few weeks. Reliving it again was both terrifying and wonderful. Her longing for Isaac kept growing and growing. She hoped she could make it through the next few days so she could be with him again.

  Isaac exited the plane later that afternoon with MacKenzie’s apartment address programmed in his phone and a growing hope in his heart. He was going to see her soon. How would she react? He was more nervous than a first-time bull rider.

  He used the Uber app and within minutes a driver had picked him up and they were cruising toward MacKenzie’s apartment. Tucker’s pilot had told him he’d refuel and wait until Isaac told him if they were going back tonight or tomorrow. The pilot said it was no worry and just to keep him informed. What a crazy life his brother-in-law and friends lived. To have a jet and a pilot at your disposal? Isaac didn’t know that he’d ever have that kind of money, but that was fine. The thought of finally being able to go full time with his business was enough for him.

  He arrived at MacKenzie’s apartment. It was nice, just a little north of downtown. She had a doorman who welcomed him in and asked who he wanted to visit.

  “MacKenzie Gunthrie,” his voice felt raw and he swallowed hard.

  “Oh, our sweet MacKenzie. You just missed her, young man. Can I leave her a message?”

  Isaac’s shoulders fell. He’d missed her. Haley had given him MacKenzie’s cell number. Would she have her cell back after all she’d gone through or would the FBI have it? “Do you know where she’s gone?”

  “Ah. I can’t give out information like that.”

  Isaac nodded. “Of course. Sorry. I’ll check back in a little while.”

  “Did you come from far away, son?”

  “Just flew in from Colorado.”

  “To see MacKenzie?” A bushy white eyebrow rose.

  “Yes. She’s been staying at my family’s ranch the past few weeks.”

  “Are you Isaac?”

  He jolted. “Yes.”

  The older man smiled. “That girl’s a spot of sunshine for me. She told me a bit about what happened and how Isaac saved her.”

  Isaac’s
heart picked up. She’d talked about him with her doorman. That had to mean something.

  “Now, I’m not saying where she is, but she was wearing some of those spandex clothes.”

  Isaac smiled at the thought of seeing MacKenzie in spandex.

  “And she really likes to train for those Spartan races at some gym called Reach. Corner of Chicago Avenue and Paulina,” he whispered out of the side of his mouth.

  “Thank you.” Isaac wanted to hug the old man. He settled for a hand shake then he hurried out of the door and put the address and gym name into his phone. A mile and a half. He should get another Uber, but he set off on foot instead. He could probably beat an Uber, the way he was soaring. He made it to the gym and was sweating from the humidity. He was accustomed to Crested Butte’s cooler temperatures. The air conditioned interior was a relief.

  A young blonde perched over the front desk. “Can I help you?” Her eyes trailed over him as her tongue trailed over her lips. Oh, no.

  “I’m here to see MacKenzie Gunthrie.”

  “Really?” Her unnaturally dark eyebrows arched up. “Why?”

  “Can you please tell me where she is?”

  “Sure, honey, I’ll tell you whatever you want.”

  Isaac waited. “MacKenzie?” he asked again.

  The girl pointed, red lips pouting from him obviously not taking the bait. “Through that door is where they train for Spartan.”

  “Thanks.” He gave her a genuine smile and she sighed dreamily. Isaac turned and hurried for the door before she got any ideas. He swung it open to see MacKenzie being whirled in some dude’s arms. The guy lowered her to him and kissed her. Isaac’s heart stopped. No. MacKenzie had a boyfriend. No! Why hadn’t she told him?

  He let the door fall closed and turned, slowly making his way back past the receptionist. “Did you find her?”

  He shook his head, unable to talk, and walked back into the oppressive air. Something inside begged him to wait and talk to MacKenzie, but he couldn’t handle seeing her with that guy. Isaac had assumed she was unattached and had fallen for him and only him. The fact of the matter was she’d been scared and Isaac had been there. He didn’t think MacKenzie was the type for casual relationships, but that was another stupid assumption. Isaac had told her he loved her and she hadn’t responded. She obviously had a boyfriend and at the first opportunity had flown back to Chicago to be with him.