Cassie Moore
stared at the bubbles rising in the flute of champagne. The ephemeral globules
vanished like yesterday’s dreams. Rain pounded on the roof of the cabin in
upstate New York.
She’d borrowed the refuge from the senior partner of the cardiology group. The
secluded area offered an escape from the second most humiliating day of her
life. Memories of the first emerged and resisted her attempts to cram them into
a box labeled “gone but not forgotten.” Dark streaks from that day stained her
thoughts.
Thunder
rumbled. Lightning cracked. The gloomy atmosphere matched her mood. Emotions
roiled and changed with every sound. She refused to release the tears hovering
on the threshold. The snap of wood in the fireplace threatened to spark the
anger she held inside.
She raised the
glass. “Here’s to how a long engagement made sense. Let’s drink to waiting
until the residencies are completed. A toast to being established in the
medical practice before marriage. Here’s to tonight’s bridal shower and the
absent bride-who-won’t-be. Raise your glass to the fiancé who married the
office nurse on his regular Thursday off.”
In a single
swallow she drained the glass and tossed the flute engraved with his name into
the flames. A flare of color and a loud crack made her chuckle. So much for melodrama.
The buzz from
the champagne failed to raise her flagging spirits, or elevate her self-esteem.
What was wrong with her? Thoughts tumbled over each other. A father who hadn’t
wanted her or her mother, a first love turned into a teenage prank, a fiancé
who chose another woman. Had she loved Tim or had he been a habit she hadn’t
tried to break? She’d never said the L word to him. She hadn’t heard the
sentiment from him either. Had being married ruled her choice?
Cassie turned
from the fire. She sliced the negative thoughts and pushed them into that box. Shower, comfy clothes, chocolate and a movie
chosen to provide an excuse for tears were next on the agenda.
She hurried to
the bathroom, turned on the shower, undressed and stepped beneath the spray. A
short steam-filled time later with a towel wrapped around her body she scooted
to the bedroom she’d chosen for her stay. She opened the suitcase she’d grabbed
on her way out of the apartment.
“No!” A groan
rolled from her lips. She’d brought the bag she’d packed for the wedding night,
the plane trip to Hawaii
and for the first day on the island.
With a shrug
she slipped on the sheer nightgown and a short silk robe and wished for her
fleecy one. At least the slacks and sweater from today could be worn tomorrow
while she searched for a store to buy a few things. She lifted a white lace bra
and bikini and a red satin set. She had underwear. For tonight the green afghan
on the couch would provide warmth.
When Cassie
reached the main room she popped the movie disc in place, filled the second
flute with champagne and selected a truffle. As she savored the rich chocolate
she draped the afghan over her shoulders and reached for the remote.
A rumble of
thunder drowned the opening music of the movie. A loud crash made her jump. Had
lightning struck nearby? She crossed to the window and turned on the yard
lights.
A heap on the
ground near the end of the driveway caught her attention. A movement made her
realize she saw a body. She grabbed a
yellow slicker from a hook near the door, slipped on her sneakers and opened
the door.
Moments later she
clattered down the steps. Rain pelted her. She raced to the figure. As she drew
closer she saw a man wearing a helmet and leather jacket. A motorcycle rested
against the lone pine tree beside the drive.
Cassie crouched
and felt for a carotid pulse. The steady beat against her fingers reassured
her. When she grasped his shoulder he groaned. Her breath escaped on a sigh.
She needed to see if any bones had been broken and get him out of the storm.
While she was a doctor, hearts not bones were her specialty.
“Where do you
hurt?”
He groaned.
“Everywhere.”
“Can you move
your arms and legs?”
He complied.
This time his groan emerged louder and deeper.
“Try to sit
up.”
Slowly he eased
into a sitting position. “My bike?”
Cassie choked
back a laugh. How like a man. “Before
you worry about your wheels you need to get out of the rain and be checked for
other injuries. Can you stand?”
“Probably.”
With her help
he stood and swayed. He clutched Cassie’s shoulders. They nearly fell but she
steadied him.
“Easy.” She put
an arm around his waist. “Did you lose consciousness?”
“Don’t think
so. Had the breath knocked out. Stunned a bit.” He drew a breath. “Must have
been a deer.”
“What are you
talking about?”
“The thing on
the road. Big. Dark. Saw the creature in a flash of lightning. Couldn’t stop.”
Cassie peered
toward the road. If he’d broadsided a deer, the animal would be on the road
either dead or badly injured. She saw no sign of one. The motorcycle had
crashed into the tree where the road curved. Had he been more than stunned? Was
he drunk? Was she a fool for taking a stranger into the cabin?
She could leave
him at her car and run inside for her keys. They could drive to town. Except
she wasn’t dressed for going to town or for entertaining a guest.
“Where are we
going?”
“To the cabin
so I can check you for injuries.”
“Sounds like a
plan.”
His deep voice
held a quality that sent heat rushing through her veins. She faltered. Why the
reaction? With all the recent developments she should avoid thinking of any man
as attractive until she recovered from the pain of Tim’s rejection.
She helped the
stranger through the wind driven rain to the roofed porch. The protection from
the steady downpour was welcome. She opened the door and they stepped inside.
Water beaded on her yellow slicker and his leather jacket. Pools collected on
the slate foyer floor.
She shivered.
“Cold.”
“Makes two of
us.”
Cassie released
her hold on him and dragged a metal kitchen chair with a padded seat and back
into the entrance. She wished for her medical bag so she could do a complete
assessment but the bag was at her apartment. While she couldn’t check his blood
pressure or listen to his heart his pulse beat strong and steady. For the rest
of the exam she could improvise.
“What year is
it?” She asked the first question to check his mental status.
He answered
with month, day and year.
“Where are
you?”
“Who knows. In
a cabin in the woods with a nosy woman. Why the grilling?”
“To make sure
you don’t have a concussion.”
“I don’t.”
“Are you a
doctor?” She strode to the kitchen and returned with a flashlight. “Take the
helmet off. I need to check your eyes.”
“Are you a
nurse?”
“A doctor.”
While she
clicked the flashlight to make sure it worked he removed his helmet and jacket.
Her mouth gaped. A moment of recognition stunned her.
Couldn’t be him. But he was. Blond hair,
blue eyes, handsome. The class jock. Her first crush.
Cassis gulped a
breath. So much for a complete physical. There was no way she could touch his
skin and not fall into those memories of yearning and humiliation. She shone
the light into one eye and then the other. “Pupils equal and reactive. That’s
good. You’ve escaped a concussion. You’ll be sore and develop a collection of
bruises. You were lucky to escape serious injury.”
He bent to pull
off a boot. “A hot shower will help.”
She studied his
soaked slacks. Granted there was a washer and dryer but she couldn’t imagine
the man from her past wearing just a towel while his clothes dried. “I doubt
there’s anything for you to wear here.”
He reached for
the boot he’d removed. “I’ve clothes.”
“Where are you
going?”
“To my bike.
The saddlebags have several changes there. And I need to see the damage.”
She shook her
head. “Not a good idea for you to go out. Your balance wasn’t great when you
came in.” She dashed to the door. “I’ll go.”
Cassie crossed
the porch and sloshed to where the bike nosed into the pine. After removing the
leather saddlebags and before heading to the house she assessed the damage. The
front tire had blown and she feared the crash had twisted the frame. She
carried the saddlebags to the cabin.
She had a house
guest, a stranger who belonged in her past. She paused beside her car. If she’d
had the keys she would leave. Knowing who he was stirred memories of that day
and also of the nights she had dreamed of him.
If she took the
only transportation what would he do? The motorcycle wouldn’t run. He would be
stranded here. Town was five miles away, a long walk in the rain.
As she dashed
to the cabin she recalled what she knew about him. She’d had a major crush on
the sports’ star. Football, basketball, baseball and track. He’d excelled in
them all. She hadn’t been the only girl who had followed him. He’d always
seemed nice. Until the day she’d believed the pair of cheerleaders and followed
their advice. His rejection and laughter had hurt. Unfortunately what he’d said
to her had been true.
Cassie stood on
the porch. With those memories so clear how could she face him? Did he know who
she was? Would he remember that dreadful day? Though remnants remained she
wasn’t that girl now. She opened the door. He rose.
Cassie
swallowed. His shoulders seemed broader without the jacket and his chest more
muscular than she remembered. She shoved the saddlebag into his hands.
“Aren’t you
going to take off your coat?”
Her face
flamed. “No.” She scooted past him. “Bathroom is this way.”
As soon as the
door closed behind him she bolted to the bedroom. She removed the raincoat and
searched for her clothes. Would have to be something she’d packed for the
flight to Hawaii.
Silk dress or shorts and a knit top. The clothes she’d worn today were for
tomorrow’s shopping trip. She chose the short set. Thank heavens the cabin had
central heat.
