by Candy Caine
Lauryn tried hard to console her, but she was far too miserable. She’d learned a new meaning to “the truth hurts”. She tried to convince herself she was upset because she’d lost his friendship and that nothing else mattered. However, she was miserable and found her own behavior strange. Why should he mean so much? He was just a man.
Robert never returned any of her phone calls and was never home when she stopped by his new apartment. She went by his favorite haunts, and even that proved to be in vain. The man seemed to have disappeared into thin air. She had to console herself with the notion she’d be able to talk to him when classes began.
No matter what, Claudia still had Cory to delight her with all his discoveries. Watching a child change and grow was such a marvelous delight. Ironically, she’d often found herself thinking how Robert would laugh if he saw Cory do something in particular. In actuality, though, it seemed that Robert no longer wanted her to be a part of his life. And she was miserable because of it.
Chapter Thirteen
Cory loved to go riding in the car. From the moment she’d strap him into his seat, until the time she took him out, he’d make happy baby noises. She’d glance in her rear view mirror and see him looking out the window pointing or clapping his chubby little hands.
One Saturday Claudia dressed Cory and carried him out to the car.
“Ca! Ca! Ca!” he chanted excitedly.
“Yes, sweetheart. We’re driving to the supermarket.”
Nearly halfway there, it began to rain. By the time they reached the shopping center, it was pouring. Claudia was about to turn into the entrance when a woman driving a dark colored SUV darted out of the parking lot, cutting off a delivery truck. The driver of the truck hit his brakes hard to avoid hitting the SUV. In doing so, he swerved into Claudia’s car which was a sitting duck. There was nothing she could do to avoid that truck ramming her. Her last thoughts were on Cory as her entire world went dark.
* * *
Claudia came to as she was being lifted into the ambulance. She screamed for Cory.
“He’s okay, ma’am. Take it easy…” was all she heard before losing consciousness again.
* * *
Her eyelids felt as if they were held down by weights. When she was finally able to open them, everything in her head swam around and around. She felt sick to her stomach and couldn’t focus well. Even though she saw double, she knew she was in a hospital bed. Her entire body felt like one giant throb. Whatever painkillers they’d given her felt as if they were wearing off. Her left arm was in a cast and her right one was hooked up to an IV. She couldn’t see her feet under the sheet, but they felt just as immobile.
A nurse came over to Claudia when she noticed she was awake.
“Welcome back. An orderly will take you to your room soon.”
“Where’s my baby—where’s Cory?”
“Your baby’s just fine. Not a scratch on him. He’s with your friend.”
She nodded. Now that she knew Cory was all right and in Lauryn’s care, she could rest easy. Thank God she had the foresight to purchase a decent car seat. That was her last thought before she drifted off again.
When she reopened her eyes she was in a hospital room. Someone was sitting in a chair watching her. She struggled to focus her eyes. Omigod! It was Robert! And he was holding Cory who looked asleep in his lap.
“Where’s Lauryn?”she croaked.
“On her way. The police called me when they couldn’t reach her. I found that strange if you hadn’t wanted me to know about Cory.”
“I’m sorry they bothered you. I had needed two names and never thought Lauryn wouldn’t be available.”
“Bothered me? Lady, you’re one screwed-up broad. It’s one thing to have my kid and not tell me. But it’s another thing to try and die on me.”
“I’m sorry,” Claudia repeated, as her tears began to fall.
“Tears won’t help you. I’m not letting you off so easily.”
He took a tissue from the box on the counter and gently wiped her eyes.
“Thank you.”
“Since I’m such a prince of a guy, I’m going to give you a chance to make it all up to me. But, of course, you have to get out of here first.”
It was at that moment that Lauryn came rushing into the room, breathless.
“Just…got…home. How is she?”
“I’m going to live,” Claudia said, as Lauryn turned to face her.
“She’d better,” Robert added. “I’m not finished with her yet. I’m in the middle of reaming her a new one, so to speak. You’ll have to wait your turn. She does stupid things sometimes.”
“You’re telling me!”
It wasn’t fair; they were ganging up on her.
“When she gets out of here I intend to become her shadow. I’m going to grow on her like moss until she agrees to marry me. Her days of independence are over.”
That was quite a speech. Even through her drugged haze Claudia heard everything he said, but could hardly trust her ears. How could he say such a thing after all that she’d done? But, she had heard him actually say he wanted to marry her. She must be delirious, for the “m” word suddenly didn’t sound half bad.
Claudia realized that she’d been given another wakeup call and had the distinct feeling she wasn’t going to get another. Watching how Robert held Cory, it was obvious that he cared for the child. He was a good man and would most likely be a good dad. Lauryn may have been right. She shouldn’t tar all men with the same brush. Her dad hadn’t been the epitome of a good man. And maybe there were worse things in the world than marriage. Yes, she was delirious, but she didn’t think it was only because of the medications. Hearing Robert say he loved her was music to her ears. And wasn’t that what she needed all along? Didn’t she want to be loved and give love in return? She was just too stubbornly stupid and too myopic to see that. Perhaps, she had just stumbled onto discovering the true meaning of life. Suddenly, she couldn’t wait to get out of that hospital bed and find out.
Chapter Fourteen
A week later, she was home. Robert had practically moved into her apartment to take care of her and Cory. She was certain he expected her to have a few choice words about his bold move. Actually, she did, but they were far from the ones he’d expected. When she didn’t openly protest or blow up at the initial discovery, Lauryn thought she was still shell-shocked from the accident. Robert most likely agreed with her. Oh, Claudia was shocked all right, but it was into realizing what an idiot she’d been. By sheer, dumb luck—or kismet—she’d found one good man and she had nearly kicked him to the curb. The car accident acted like the proverbial lightning scenario. She realized she could actually mold her lips and utter the “L” word. She loved Robert and could say it without cringing. However, she was aware of having hurt him rather badly and knew she had a great deal of making up to do.
She didn’t really need a nurse maid because all she now sported was a broken arm. The rest of her was bruised, but workable. She just couldn’t lift Cory, which in itself, would have been a major problem had Robert not stepped in to help. She figured he and Lauryn cooked up this scheme to put them together because she knew darn well Lauryn would have taken care of Cory for her until she could manage. That girl was a born mother and adored kids—the more the merrier. Secretly, Claudia was glad Robert was going to be there with her.
She watched him play with Cory. He fed him and gave him his bath. The way he acted around him, you’d think he’d raised three kids. Cory lit up whenever he saw him enter the room. He was giving Robert the greeting she thought was reserved for her. She found herself feeling jealous.
Though she desired to make amends with Robert, he seemed not to care. For a man who told her that he intended to marry her, he certainly wasn’t spreading his love. Then it dawned on Claudia as she recalled his words. He hadn’t actually said he loved her. She’d only inferred it. He just spoke of his intentions to marry her. Was he merely doing the right thing in his mind because
he’d gotten her pregnant? Wouldn’t that be a kicker? She finally falls in love with someone and he doesn’t love her. Then she replayed that thought again in her mind. Above all things, she didn’t want to enter into a loveless marriage. She didn’t need a man to bring up her child. Then she realized she’d lost control of the entire situation. Not liking that one bit, she decided it was time to settle this. They were going to talk whether Robert wanted to or not.
Robert had just come from putting Cory in for a nap. As he headed toward the kitchen Claudia stopped him. “We’ve got to talk.”
He turned to face her. “About what?”
“Us.”
“We’re getting married. What’s there to say?” he replied, and began to walk away.
She grabbed his arm to stop him. “Robert, please stay and talk to me.”
“What do you want me to say?”
Without warning, the words, “Tell me you love me,” tumbled from her mouth. They probably shocked him as much as they did her.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but the last time I told you I was falling in love with you, weren’t you the one who didn’t want a relationship?”
“Yes.”
“Did the accident knock some sense into that stubborn head of yours?”
“I deserve all that, but I didn’t become this way out of choice. It was necessity.”
Robert’s expression softened as he sat down next to her. “Tell me what happened.”
Through many tears and tissues, she told him about her childhood and Jerome. When she was finished, he held her close as she sobbed into his chest. “I’d never hurt you,” he said, stroking her back.
“I know that now.”
He brushed the hair out of her eyes and kissed them. “I do love you, Claudia. Always have for a very long time.”
“You and Cory make me whole.”
He smiled down at her. And in his beautiful teal-green eyes she saw a thousand tomorrows all blessed with love.
“I love you so, Robert.”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With nearly 200 short stories and her fifth novel soon to be in print, Sweet and Spicy Candy Caine keeps her husband, Robert, on his toes in their Long Island, NY, home. Supportive with her writing career, he's always willing to help her make certain the scenes in her stories are authentic. After all, technique is so important for good writing. When asked why she began to write, Candy says, "I've always loved books, and my biggest thrill is to bring the joy of reading to others. That's what writing is all about."
Stop by her website, www.candycaine.com or write her at [email protected].
JUST RELEASED
The Reconstruction of Carla Millhouse
By Candy Caine
Carla Millhouse was on a mission. So her blue-eyed hunk of a husband didn’t want her? She’d see about that! She would “reconstruct” herself into a leaner, meaner, fighting machine. She’d make Martin’s eyes pop and maybe even make him a little jealous, too. When she was through with him he’d be begging to make love to her again.
Martin didn’t know what had come over his comfortable, dowdy wife. But one thing was for sure, thoughts of the new Carla made him squirm in his seat and made his pulse race. Only…though she gave him smoldering looks, she sometimes didn’t seem interested when he took her into his arms. It was driving him crazy!
It’s Love That Really Counts
By Candy Caine
If you had to choose between your family and your last chance at love—which would you choose?
OTHER BOOKS BY CANDY CAINE
Christmas with a Stranger
Two days before Christmas, sassy Allie Benson found herself stranded in a wintry wilderness with wealthy, sexy, Roy Colby. Staying warm was a priority. But the heat their bodies generated went way beyond what either of them had ever dreamed.
Dangerous Attraction
Can a trailer park blonde beauty overcome her sordid past to not only find herself living the life of a privileged princess, but finding true love in the arms of a lusty, tender, bronze-skinned man?
Never Is Not Forever
Claudia Brown didn’t want marriage. But she wanted a baby. So she set out to find the perfect sperm donor—someone who wouldn’t be around later to even know he had fathered a child. Falling in love with the man was not in the game plan.