Marching Orders. Delores Fossen

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      She swallowed hard. Even with the memory loss, he still felt the heat simmering between them. Heck, so did she. Anna cursed herself. Even now, she felt it. It was like a fire always smoldering inside her. That didn’t mean, however, she would give in to it. After all, he’d lied to her about one of the most important things a person could lie about.

      Colonel Shaw caught onto her hand. “We wouldn’t have done things this way if there weren’t so much at stake.”

      No, she didn’t imagine he would. But she could guess where the rest of this conversation was leading. “What do you want me to do—pretend I’m Mrs. Rafe McQuade?”

      “For starters,” the colonel said, “I need three days to put a plan into action. I can’t negotiate with Quivira. That’s against foreign policy. So, I’m stalling him, but he’s suspicious because he knows what those truth drugs are capable of doing. Even if Rafe’s memory returns, I probably can’t trade that information for the hostages. In other words, I need a way to get my men out of there and put Quivira out of commission. All I’m asking is that you give me some time.”

      It was essentially an ultimatum. One she couldn’t refuse. Either she continued this charade, or else she’d be responsible in part for those men’s deaths.

      Rafe was still at the window. He turned toward her and caught her gaze. The look that went through his eyes had her shivering. And aching.

      Rather than speculate with a dozen different scenarios, none of which she’d probably like, Anna took the direct approach. “There’s more?”

      Rafe took a deep breath and strolled toward her. “We have an informant within the rebels’ organization.”

      Anna shook her head. “Well, that doesn’t sound like bad news—”

      “The rebels plan to kidnap you,” Rafe interrupted. “They want to use you for leverage to make sure I cooperate.”

      That nearly knocked the breath out of her. “Oh, God.” Anna slid her hand protectively over her stomach. “When? How?”

      “They won’t get to you,” Rafe assured her.

      “That’s why we’re here. I won’t leave you unguarded until all of this is over.”

      It was too much for her to absorb. Anna blinked back the tears and cursed them. How had things gotten so twisted? A few hours ago, she was a happy bride. Now not only did her husband not remember her, they were all in danger. That included her baby.

      “I know this is a shock, but here’s what I need you to do,” the colonel explained. “Tomorrow afternoon, Rafe and you will drive out to his aunt and uncle’s cabin in the Hill Country near Canyon Lake. No one’s using the place so you’ll stay there until the situation with the hostages is contained.”