The Storm You Chase (Hell Yeah!)

by Sable Hunter

  “That didn’t really count, she and Libby are friends.”

  “No matter. This is something you should do sooner rather than later.”

  “I will. As soon as I get the ring on her finger, we’ll have a party. How does that sound?”

  “Good.” Kyd gave his brother a sly smile. “We might make it a double engagement party.”

  “Why? Who else is engaged?”

  “Me.”

  Clint almost fell over. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  Kyd laughed. “I’m getting married.”

  “To whom?”

  “I’m not prepared to say at the moment. I think I’ll keep her identity a secret for a little longer.”

  “At least you knew about Jensen. Have you been seeing someone secretly? And why would you do that?”

  Kyd held up both hands as if creating a stopgap. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you everything soon. There’s a reason I haven’t been open about it.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s okay. Just know that I’m happy.”

  Clint was flummoxed. “Well, all right. I guess that’s all that matters.” He shook a finger in his brother’s face. “Just don’t give me a hard time about Jensen. I’d say your situation takes the cake.”

  They spent a few more minutes inspecting the building site before Clint headed toward his neck of the woods. His thoughts were full of Kyd’s shocking announcement. Truly, he had no clue what was going on with his brother. He’d driven no more than five miles before his phone rang. Picking it up, he hoped to see Jensen’s name appear – but no, it was a strange name. A Japanese name. “Hello, this is Clint Wilder. May I help you?”

  A few minutes later, he closed his phone and let out a war whoop that could’ve been heard to Waco. “Hot-dog! Whoo-eee!” The news was good. Very good. The Japanese firm had agreed to manufacture his turbine. His chest swelled with happiness as he considered the endless possibilities before him. With the real estate agent’s good news about Safe Haven and the prospect of his invention becoming reality – he didn’t necessarily have to play football anymore. Knowing how the love of his life felt about his playing, this gave him a helluva idea what to give Jensen for an engagement present.

  * * *

  “How did you hear about the clinical trial?” Jensen asked the young man sitting in front of her.

  “Does it matter? Am I right? Aren’t you conducting one?”

  Jensen hesitated to answer. The rules and regulations governing clinical trials were so strict and uncompromising they didn’t allow much, if any, leeway concerning patient participation. Any discrepancy, any hint of impropriety could negate all of their efforts so far. Still, she could understand William Bails desire to take part. At this stage in the progression of his condition, his participation could make the difference between living a productive life and early onset dementia.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m begging you to help me. My memory is beginning to fail. I have trouble reading a map. I lose track of time.” He grasped the edge of Jensen’s desk. “The really crazy thing is that I saw this coming. My uncle developed CTE. I know the symptoms. I studied the statistics.” William laughed harshly. “I don’t remember them now, but I do know I’m fading by the day. You’re my only chance, please. I know you can get me in this clinical trial. I’ll do anything. I have money saved.”

  Jensen held up her hand. “I don’t want your money.” She bowed her head, resting it on the tips of her fingers. “Let me talk to the team who’s conducting the trial. If possible, I’ll have them get in touch with you. I need to maintain a certain distance, just to insure all the criteria are met.”

  “I understand. Just…please. I don’t want to lose my faculties before I’m thirty.”

  Jensen felt a tremendous weight settle on her shoulders. If it were up to her, no one would ever suffer from this dread condition. “Let me see what I can do. Just…don’t get your hopes up.” She didn’t want to make a promise she couldn’t keep.

  “All right. Thank you so much.” He stood and leaned across the desk to grasp her hands. “I know this is a lot to ask. I’m just so scared. So very scared.”

  “I know you are.” Jensen’s heart went out to him. “Just take care. Please.” She stood up to walk him to her door. Once he was gone, she turned to fulfill her promise by contacting the management of the newest clinical trial. After a rather tense conversation, the lead doctor conducting the trial agreed to call William. Having done all she could, Jensen retreated to the lab to review a blood work-up on a new patient. As she walked, she slipped on her white coat, dipping her fingers into her pocket to find the keycard to gain admittance to the lab. In addition to the keycard, she found the note where Joseph had written the number of the clinic in Montana. “Oh, fiddlesticks. I might as well take care of this before I forget again.” Turning around, she retreated to her office to have a bit of privacy to make the call.

  “Kalispell Care. May I help you?”

  “Yes, this is Jensen Wilder. I was a patient there a few weeks ago. I’ve been receiving phone calls from this number…”

  “Hold on one moment, please.”

  In a few seconds, another woman came on the line. “Ms. Wilder, this is Bettina.”

  “Oh Bettina, how are you?”

  “Good. I’m glad you called. We’ve really been anxious to talk to you. If you’ll give me a second, I’ll find the doctor.”

  “What is this about, Bettina? If it’s to settle the bill…”

  “No, it’s not about the bill.”

  When she was put on hold, Jensen took a seat. She couldn’t imagine what was wrong. As far as she was concerned, she was fully recovered from her injuries.

  “Dr. Mistretta?”

  “Yes?”

  “This is Dr. Bushnell. I’m so sorry it’s taken us so long to get in contact with you.”

  “I lost my phone, then I didn’t recognize the number. My mistake.”

  “Well, I was concerned.”

  A chill enveloped Jensen. “About what?”

  “According to your records, you’ve had breast cancer.”

  “Yes.” Her stomach fell like an out-of-control elevator. She knew that tone. The sympathetic, solemn evenness that belied the seriousness of the situation. She’d heard it before. Heck, she’d used it before.

  He sighed heavily. “In light of that fact, I am concerned about a shadow on your lung we discovered on one of your X-rays.”

  He kept speaking about the likelihood of breast cancer metastasis to the lungs – percentages and survival rates. “Uh…” She didn’t know what to say. Her mind refused to formulate thoughts.

  “I wanted your permission to forward these findings to your oncologist. Could you give me the address?”

  Jensen did as he asked, repeating the address mechanically.

  “Fine. Thank you for getting in contact with me. Of course, this could be nothing and I hope that’s the case. Regardless, I do wish you well and I’m so sorry for the delay.”

  “No problem.” She hung up, her body tense, her eyes stinging with tears. “Oh, please, God. No. Not now.” This wasn’t fair! She was happy She was in love!

  Maybe it was nothing – like the doctor said.

  Her heart sank when she considered the odds. If this was cancer, she was in for another helping of misery and hell. More so than concern for her own well-being – one thought plagued her mind and heart.

  What was she going to do about Clint?

  * * *

  “I can’t believe you’re even considering this, Clint.” James stood next to the shower as Clint toweled off. “So, what was today – your swan song?”

  “I just thought I’d give you fair warning. Nothing is a done deal, yet. I have to get out of my contract. I’m not sure what that’ll entail.”

  “Well, I think you’re crazy. You’re at the top of your game. You’ve got another decade of good playing years to go. What are you going to do wh
en you retire? Chase storms?”

  As if in answer, the boom of a lightning bolt shook the windows. A storm was on the way.

  “Probably. Some. Frankly, I’ve got a lot of living to do.” And a lot of loving. “My interests are varied. I plan to do more with the Search and Rescue. I also plan on starting a family with Jensen. Football served its purpose, but I don’t intend to give it anymore of my time and energy than I already have.”

  “I still say it’s a mistake.” James went to gather his things. “I think I’ll get out of here while the getting is good.” A rolling rumble of thunder told them the rain was about to come pouring down.

  “Drive safely – and we’ll be talking. Whatever happens, I’ll let you know the outcome.”

  “Yea. Yea. There’s no reasoning with some people.”

  Clint listened to him grumble as he made his way out the door.

  No matter. He hated to disappoint the man, but Clint had his own priorities. And his number one prime concern was waiting for him next door.

  After dressing and shutting off the lights, he went to tend the horses. Rain was peppering down, so he jogged the distance from the gym to the barn. Once Sun and Moon were watered and fed, he headed on to the house. The lights were on, so she was home. He hoped she hadn’t gone to a lot of trouble for dinner. Like him, she’d had a full day. He’d forgotten to tell her his mom had sent over a pan of lasagna. All they needed to do was pop it in the oven with some garlic bread – and voila – dinner would be served.

  In a super good mood, he shook the rain from his shoulders and let himself in the front door – and froze.

  What were her suitcases doing at the foot of the stairs? Was something wrong? “Jensen?”

  Gathering the last of her things from his bathroom and slipping them inside her make-up case, Jensen inhaled a deep breath and answered him, “I’m here.” Rose was sitting on the bed, staring at her human. “It’s going to be okay. You’ll be fine.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  She could hear his footsteps bounding up the stairs.

  “Are you going somewhere? Has something happened? Is there a problem with the drug trial?”

  A huge lump in her throat made it hard for Jensen to say anything.

  He came barreling into the room. “Honey, what’s going on?” Seeing the worried look on her face, Clint immediately went to her and drew her into his arms. “What can I do?”

  Jensen finally found her voice. “Nothing. I have to go.”

  “Go where?” He rubbed her back. “Wherever it is, I’ll take you. You don’t have to go by yourself.”

  “Yes. I do.” She eased away from him. Once again, she’d considered trying to hide the truth from him, but knowing how that turned out, she nixed the idea. “I have to work this out on my own.”

  “Work what out?” Clint didn’t know what was happening. A rising sense of concern was very nearly paralyzing him. “Talk to me, baby.”

  Jensen put a hand to her forehead, like she was checking for a fever. It made her sick to her stomach to know this was going to hurt him as much as it did her. Maybe more. She looked to the right and then to the left. Almost, she went to sit on the bed, but she knew if she did – he’d come to hold her – and she’d never get out the door. “Those phone calls from the clinic in Kalispell, they…”

  He waited – impatiently. “They weren’t about insurance?”

  “No. When they did the x-rays, they found a spot on my lung.” She could tell by his face that he still wasn’t comprehending what she was trying to say. “Knowing my history, the doctor thinks I should be checked out. He sent the x-rays and scans to MD Anderson.”

  Not until she uttered the name of the infamous cancer hospital in Houston did it dawn on Clint what was going on. When it did – Clint staggered like he’d been tackled on the field. “No. No. No,” he muttered the word over and over. “You’re fine. You’re okay.”

  She could tell by the way the color was draining from his face that the news was overwhelming for him. Unable to resist, she held out her arms. “Come here.”

  He was at her side so fast; it was almost as if he hadn’t moved. Clasping her close, he bound his arms around her as if holding her this tight would ensure she went nowhere without him. “It’s going to be okay.”

  She rubbed his back, loving his solid strength. How wonderful it would be to lean on him in this time of trouble. And how utterly selfish. “I need to go to Houston to be checked out.”

  “I’m going with you.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  He stiffened in her arms. “I’m going with you,” he repeated evenly.

  “Clint. Listen.” She placed her palms on his hard pecs and pushed. “I’ve got to get my head wrapped around this. I have to prepare. Mentally. I need to go home and take care of some things I can’t leave hanging.”

  “Why can’t you do those things from here? I’ll help you. I’ll do anything.”

  “I need my space.”

  “Space?” he repeated disbelievingly. “You need me. That’s what you need.” He was adamant. Emphatic. Desperate.

  “Please. Just let me go.” She picked up her bag. “Help me to the car and let me go home. I need to be alone.”

  Clint felt his world falling apart. Like trying to hold tiny grains of sand in his hand, he felt the most precious thing in his life slipping through his fingers – and he didn’t know how to stop it. “You’ll come back?”

  “I’ll let you know what the tests show.”

  “How long will that be?” When she began to move down the hall, he was right behind her. “Please don’t do this. Let me take care of you. I can make this right; I know I can.”

  His senseless assertion angered her. “No. You can’t make this right. It is what it is. I was in remission, temporary recovery. Temporary. Now, maybe I’m not. The temporary recovery may have ended. If it has…”

  “If it has – we’ll fight it. Together. And we’ll win.”

  “This isn’t a game, Clint. There’s not a Team Jensen.”

  “Oh, yes there is. The doctors. The nurses. You and me. I’ll always be on Team Jensen.”

  As she descended the stairs, her heart was breaking. “You’re making this hard on me. Please don’t.”

  There was nothing else she could’ve said to stop his pleas – but this. “I don’t want to make things worse for you. Never.”

  When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she put a hand on her rolling case. “Then don’t. Let me go.”

  Let her go. Let her leave him. Again. How could this be happening? “All right. I won’t stand in your way.” He stepped aside. “If I can’t drive you, please let me follow you home. You’re upset and I need to know you’re going to get there okay.”

  “Fine.” She was exhausted. Frightened. Tired of making her case. “Let’s go.”

  Clint loaded her things in her car, then held an umbrella over her as she got behind the wheel. Once she was safely inside, he hurried to climb into his own vehicle. The Stingray was closest, so that was the one he took. Once he had it backed around, she was already heading down his driveway toward Nameless Road.

  The twenty-mile trip seemed to last forever and every inch of the way, Clint suffered. His heart ached. He was scared. He hadn’t been this scared since he’d run across the field with his family, trying to outrun an F-5 tornado. The farther he went, the louder the thunder rolled. Lightning lit up the sky. Clint wanted to bellow his frustration. Why wouldn’t she let him take care of her? Didn’t she understand that she was his world?

  As they neared the city limits – it hit him. Maybe she didn’t know. He’d said the words once or twice. He’d put her first, he lived for her – but he’d never told her in so many words that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He’d been putting off the proposal until the perfect time. Well, maybe now was that perfect time.

  When they entered her neighborhood, he pulled into the alley behind her house. As she drove through the g
ate, he dashed out with the umbrella, ready to help her in.

  By the time he reached the garage, he had to bend over and rush to get under the closing door before it shut completely.

  “Clint, I didn’t intend for you to get out. I’ve got this.”

  “I want to help. I just want to make sure you get in safely.”

  Jensen made a frustrated noise, but she didn’t fight him about it. Instead, she took the opportunity to say a couple of things she’d forgotten. “Remember, Rose likes apple slices for breakfast. And don’t forget to give Sun and Moon their sugar cubes in the evenings. They love that.”

  “Always worrying about the animals,” he said as he unloaded her things from the rear. “How about me, Jensen? Who’s going to worry about me?”

  His uncharacteristic concern for himself made her feel funny. “I’ll worry about you. I’ll always worry about you – but you’ll be fine. You’re one of the most self-sufficient people I know.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong.” He followed along behind her as she moved beneath the covered walkway leading from the garage to the house. “I’m completely dependent on you. For my happiness. For my peace of mind. For my future.”

  Jensen didn’t say anything as she unlocked the door. Once they were inside, she pivoted to face him and was shocked to find him on one knee. “Clint…”

  “Jensen, I planned on proposing this weekend. I made reservations at Mattie’s. Things were coming together. My building project looks like it’s going to be a success and a Japanese firm has made an offer to manufacture my turbine. I’m going to quit the team. I won’t be playing football anymore. All I want to do is love you. Marry you. Have babies with you. Build my life with you.”

  “Oh, God. Those are wonderful things. I’m so proud of you – but…don’t. Please.” Jensen couldn’t stand it. She was seeing what could’ve been her future. “Clint. Don’t.”

  He held out his hand. “Please, Jensen. Be my wife. I want to be where you are. I want to be by your side – whatever you’re going through. Marry me. Please.”

  Backing away, Jensen held out her hand in a ‘stop’ gesture. “I can’t. Not now. It wouldn’t be fair. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”