Destiny's Woman

Destiny's Woman
Lindsay McKenna

She had never needed anyone before. Never ached for a man before.Until her latest mission put Apache pilot Akiva Redtail in the hot seat next to army officer Joe Calhoun. As they rode the thunderous skies, dodging danger at every turn, Akiva discovered a strength in Joe's arms, a fiery passion she was powerless to battle against. For only with this rugged soldier by her side could this Native American beauty fulfill the destiny she was born to. Only with Joe did she dare open her heart to love….

USA Today bestselling author LINDSAY MCKENNA brings you another action-packed, emotion-filled story featuring the men and women of MORGAN’S MERCENARIES!

“What’s happening?” Akiva asked unsteadily.

“Nothing that isn’t good, gal,” Joe whispered rawly, holding her hand up in his larger one. “You deserve some goodness in your life, Akiva. I’m sorry for what happened to you. I wish…well, if I’d been there…”

Warmth and happiness suffused her unexpectedly. Akiva pulled her hand free because she was suddenly frightened by how she was feeling. Wrestling with the happiness throbbing through her chest and warming her lower body, she folded her hands deep in her lap. The tender flame burning in Joe’s gray eyes nearly unstrung her. There was nothing, absolutely nothing, to dislike about this man. And that scared her badly.

“Lindsay McKenna continues to leave her distinctive mark on the romance genre with…timeless tales about the healing powers of love.”

—Affaire de Coeur

LINDSAY MCKENNA

Morgan’s Mercenaries: Ultimate Rescue

When an earthquake rocks Southern California to the core, it’s up to the men and women of Morgan’s team to save lives, conquer danger—and discover love!

The Heart Beneath

Destiny’s Woman

Lindsay McKenna

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

To KaraHand’s Home in Lower Hutt, New Zealand,

and the heart-centered women who care for those in need:

Helen Henderson, RN, homeopath, Deborah Mustard, RN,

Reiki healer, and Cathy Garton, RN, homeopath.

I salute the “Coyote Sisters,” who work with the disabled,

the mentally handicapped, the children who require

twenty-four-hour-a-day attention. Thank you for being

there to help so that the parents of these children can have

a day off from their labors of love. You are truly pioneers

in this area of help for such families. I honor your

compassion toward those in need. Truly, the three of you

are Jaguar Clan members in the finest tradition of healers

for our world. Thank you for being who you are—

great role models for the rest of us to follow.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Epilogue

Chapter 1

“Maya, you can’t ask me to go on a mission of this type with a male copilot in the back seat of my Apache helicopter,” Akiva said as she sat tensely in the chair before her commanding officer. Her words were low and tortured. Pleading. Without realizing it, Akiva curled her fingers into fists on her tense thighs. Anxiously, she searched her C.O.’s narrowed, emerald eyes for her reaction.