Stupid Cupid

by Liz Hunter, Aka Mennen, Phyllis Campbell

  She pulled her hand away and tucked it in her lap. “I came here today to get to know you, and to tell you what I’m doing.”

  “How will you keep all of this from Terrel?”

  She shrugged. “Eventually he’ll find out, but I hope by that time, it’ll be too late. My father knows a few people on the Medical Board of Directors who will look into Doctor Goodwin’s past. We know Terrel is paying him to keep you here, but there’s got to be a reason the doctor is willing to jeopardize his practice.”

  He nodded. “You’re right. But how will your father accomplish this?”

  “He was the former senator of New York. He has connections and can help us.”

  “Have your father check out a couple of names. They’re connected to Terrel one way or another.”

  “Who are they?”

  “Thomas Pett and Lance Monroe.”

  “I will, I promise.”

  Joshua swiped his fingers through his hair. In the back of her memory, she could see Eli doing this very thing. Why did she have to compare the two?

  He shook his head. “I don’t know how I became so lucky all of a sudden. You’re a walking dream, Miss Kenya Whitaker … it is Miss, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, I’m single.” As soon as she breaks off her engagement to Terrel, anyway.

  Joshua smiled again, and her heart jumped.

  When the guard walked by again, Kenya pushed away from the desk. “Of course I’ll come see you again, Joshua. Is tomorrow all right?”

  He raised his gaze, his deep green eyes penetrating into hers, and she almost melted. He nodded.

  It wasn’t until the older nurse touched her elbow she realized the woman had walked behind her. “Ms. Whitaker, I must say what a remarkable difference you’ve made. Why, Joshua rarely smiles and he never speaks.”

  Kenya let her grin widen as she continued to gaze into his warm eyes. “Good, because this man needs to smile a lot more.”

  The nurse moved around Kenya, helped Joshua up, then led him back out of the game room. He didn’t look over his shoulder at her, but she didn’t mind. She partook of the magnificently built man as he left the room, wishing he were Eli instead.

  Nine

  The next time she visited Joshua, she stayed a little longer. They could not go outside the game room, so they strolled around the mostly empty space. She couldn’t stop comparing him to his son, especially when she realized Joshua was as tall.

  It was nearly impossible not to look at him and see Eli, but sometimes she didn’t see the future-man. Joshua acted more reserved, and didn’t have the nutty humor his son had. Of course, being cooped up in a mental ward for five years, she didn’t blame him for not being as spontaneous.

  Although she could visit, there was still a guard or a nurse looming near, which meant they couldn’t talk serious for very long.

  After their little stroll around the room, they sat at a table, and set up the checkers game. She teased him about how she was going to whip his butt, and it took him a few minutes, but he soon returned her taunt. She loved to make him grin just to see the adorable dimple on his chin. Whether Eli had a dimple there, she didn’t know because of his goatee. But it didn’t matter. This was the very thing that helped her separate the two men. Too bad it didn’t work all the time.

  “Kenya,” Joshua whispered. “Has your father found out anything about Doctor Goodwin yet?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Because he’s been acting different lately.”

  She arched her brows. “What’s he doing?”

  “He’s treating me differently. He hasn’t really talked to me for a few months anyway, but suddenly he thinks he needs to do more tests on me. He hinted around about my visitor last night, but he never really said anything.”

  She sucked in a quick breath. “Is he here now?”

  “No. He leaves to go home around five o’clock, unless he decided to stay to check things out.”

  Fear lodged in her chest and her hands turned cold. “Do you think he stayed after today?”

  “No, but I’m sure once he learns of your visit today, he just might stick around tomorrow.”

  She fumbled with the game pieces. “Then, perhaps I shouldn’t come tomorrow.”

  He grasped her hand and squeezed. “I don’t want you to get hurt, but it makes my day when you come.”

  She gave him a shaky smile. “It makes my day to see you, too.”

  Pulling her hand away, she concentrated on the checkers again. Once they were all set up, she lifted her gaze. His eyes met hers, and the tender emotion in his green stare nearly shattered her.

  “Kenya, can I ask you a personal question?”

  She shrugged. “Depends how personal it is.”

  He chuckled. “Will you tell me how you know so much about my family? About me?”

  As much as she wanted to tell him all about his wonderful son, the fact still remained—Eli hadn’t even been born yet. How could she talk about a man from the future? But she didn’t want to tell him about Terrel either. There was no other choice. Joshua would eventually find out, and she wanted to be the person to tell him.

  She nodded and licked her lips. His attention dropped to her mouth, the color of his eyes darkening. Her heart thumped crazily. There was another similarity between him and his son. They could both make her quiver by one look of their passionate gaze.

  “Well, I was engaged to Terrel.”

  His smile disappeared and his jaw hardened. “Really?”

  “Yes. I didn’t know what a terrible person he was at that time.” She picked up a checker piece and rolled it between her finger and thumb. “Since then, I’ve discovered his deception.” She met his gaze. “He not only lied to me, but to others, and he ruined the life of one terrific man.”

  The anger lines in his face quickly disappeared, and a smile touched his mouth. “I guess I can be happy you finally saw the light.”

  She nodded. “I was finally shown the light.”

  “So, are you ever going to tell me who it was that led you in my direction?”

  “Not yet. Maybe someday.”

  He chuckled. “If you keep that up, you’ll be the one driving me insane.”

  She laughed with him.

  When the guard came back, they were playing checkers and not talking about anything personal. She found Joshua as delightful as his son, but thankfully, he wasn’t as flirtatious. She didn’t know what her reaction would be if Joshua did start charming her as his son had done. Already, she had a soft spot in her heart for Joshua. But was it only because he was helpless and needed her assistance? Or was it because of what Eli meant to her?

  She rubbed her forehead. Everything was so very confusing, especially her feelings. She could never have Eli. He was in a different time. What about Joshua? Could she ever have feelings for him like she had for Eli?

  Most importantly—would it be right if she did?

  Perhaps Eli’s purpose for coming into her life was to lead her to Joshua. But, if that were so, why did he make her fall in love with him? Why did he make incredible love to her—something she would never forget?

  Unless he didn’t know what his true purpose of coming would be … She rubbed her forehead again, the headache she thought had disappeared was returning. She needed to get rid of this extra stress in her life.

  “Are you all right?” Joshua asked.

  She smiled at him. “Yes. I’m just developing a headache.”

  He slipped his hand over the top of hers, his thumb gently stroking her skin. “You don’t need to stay and keep me company. I’ll be all right.”

  “Nonsense. I enjoy being with you.”

  He squeezed her hand. “And I enjoy being with you.”

  She sighed heavily. “I was just thinking of everything ahead of us—everything that has to be accomplished before we can get you out of here.”

  “I wish I could help you. Unfortunately, everyone in this facility thinks I’m crazy. Doctor Goodwin is the only person
who knows the truth.”

  Once again, his eyes misted over and heaviness gathered in her chest. “Joshua, we will get you out of here. Soon.”

  He nodded and rubbed his eyes. When he met her gaze again, he smiled. “Is it too soon to tell you I think I’m falling in love with you?”

  Humor laced the tone of his voice and, although heat rushed to her cheeks, she laughed. “I think you’re getting that emotion confused with gratitude.”

  “Maybe … maybe not.”

  He winked, and she cursed herself for thinking of Eli in that instant.

  The next morning, Kenya opened her front door to find her father standing there, his face void of color and worry etched in his eyes.

  “We need to talk.” He pushed past her and walked into the apartment.

  She closed the door and met him in the living room. “What’s wrong, Dad?”

  “I don’t want you going near Terrel ever again. Is that clear?”

  Suffocation tightened her chest. “Why? What did you find out?”

  “My FBI friends are still checking things out, but if it’s as bad as it looks, Terrel isn’t a very good person at all. He just might have connections to the Mafia.”

  Her heart lodged in her throat. She held onto the corner of the wall to keep from collapsing to the floor. “Are you serious?”

  “It’s looking that way. Remember those names you gave me the other day? Thomas Pett and Lance Monroe?”

  She nodded.

  “This morning, I received a call from my friend and he told me to warn you. Pett and Monroe are linked to the Mafia. If Terrel connects with them, shit could hit the fan when his illegal operations are revealed. The FBI will not only arrest him, but others linked to him.”

  She covered her face with her hands. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “It is.”

  “Does Terrel know he’s being investigated?”

  “Not yet. But he will soon.” He wrapped his arms around her. “So please be careful.”

  “I will, I promise.” She paused, then asked, “What about Doctor Goodwin?”

  “He’s also being investigated. I think he’ll be losing his job here shortly, poor bastard.”

  “Why did he put his job on the line for Terrel?”

  He patted her cheek. “Are you sure you want to know?”

  “I think I already do.”

  “Doctor Goodwin is a cocaine addict. Terrel is his supplier.”

  She shook her head. “Figured.”

  “Kenya, honey, I’ve decided to hire a bodyguard for you. I don’t trust Terrel.”

  “Do you really think he’s going to hurt me?”

  “I don’t know, and I’m not going to find out.” He motioned his head toward her front window. “Outside in an unmarked vehicle is a man I’ve hired to protect you.”

  “Do you think all of this is necessary?”

  “Do this for your old man. Once this is all taken care of with Terrel, I’ll let Shane go, but for now Shane is here to protect you.”

  He kissed the top her head, turned, and left. She let out a ragged sigh and leaned her forehead against the cold wall. What had she done in her life to become involved with such a man as Terrel Montgomery? Had they met by chance, or had he sought her out because of her father? It didn’t matter any longer. She must break it off with him immediately.

  With a bodyguard around, how could she do it?

  There was only one way. She had to try to lose her bodyguard. Somehow, she had to give him the slip—just long enough to talk with Terrel anyway.

  With her heart beating like an Indian drum, she hurried and readied herself for the day, preparing to tackle the Terrel problem. It had to be done today, no matter how frightened she was of telling him.

  She called George at the office to let him know she’d be coming in later. Thankfully, her friend understood. When she hung up the phone, her hand shook. She clasped it with her other and held it to her jumping stomach. She closed her eyes and breathed slow and deep, fighting for control.

  This must be done. Today.

  She called the cab company and gave them an address one block away from her house. She slipped out of the window of her bedroom and fell into the bushes. Cursing, she jumped up and wiped the small branches off her clothes.

  She peeked around the corner of the house and, thankfully, Shane still sat in the white Ford Taurus, acting as if he were reading the newspaper.

  So far, so good.

  It didn’t take long for the cab to pick her up. She gave the cabbie directions and told him to drive slowly. Peeking over her shoulder every other mile, she checked to see if Shane was following. Once again, she was in luck.

  They arrived at the Montgomery Mansion within twenty minutes. She paid the cabbie, climbed out, and walked up to the front door on shaky legs. Within seconds, the butler came to the door.

  “I need to speak with Terrel. Is he here?”

  “Yes. I’ll let him know you’re here.”

  With a ragged sigh, she wandered into the parlor and to the liquor bar. She should pour herself a good amount of whiskey, but decided against it. She needed a level head right now, and although the alcohol would calm her nerves, she needed to think clearly.

  The tile outside the parlor thudded from someone’s shoes, and she turned just in time to see Terrel strolling through the double doors. Wearing a three-piece, pinstriped gray suit, he looked as if he were on his way to work … or running for President of the United States. He smiled as he walked up to her and wrapped her in his arms. Hard to believe she preferred the gruffy look of Eli compared to Terrel’s perfect appearance.

  “It’s about time you came out of your hole.” He kissed her lips, but she turned her head.

  “What do you mean by that?” she asked.

  “You’ve been holed up in your apartment for the past several days. Have you been sick?”

  How does he know I’ve been in my apartment? “Uh, yes, I was having my migraines again.”

  “You’re feeling better, I hope.”

  “Yes.” She stepped away from him and over to his sofa. “Terrel, I think we need to talk about the wedding.”

  He lowered to the sofa, pulling her with him. “All right, honey-bear.”

  She cringed, hating when he called her that name.

  “What is it you need to talk about? Aren’t the plans going on schedule? Are you having a problem with the wedding planner? Do you need me to fire anybody?” He chuckled.

  She rolled her eyes. He was so full of himself, thinking he had to do everything for her. She cocked her head to the side. “Actually, there is someone you could fire for me.”

  His brows rose. “Really? Who is that?”

  Here was her chance—she had to take it. “My fiancé.”

  It only took a second before he laughed out loud. He took her hand and stroked it. “Oh, honey-bear, I know I haven’t been very attentive lately, but the company has picked up business and we’re getting ready—”

  “I don’t care about how inattentive you’ve been lately, Terrel.” She took a deep breath. “The reason I’m here is to … to … to cancel our engagement. To stop everything.”

  The laugh lines around his eyes and mouth disappeared, his brown eyes turning icy. “This is a little sudden. Are you getting cold feet perhaps?”

  She moved to the window. Pulling back the white lace curtains, she gazed out to the green lawn and manicured hedges. She’d always thought this was a beautiful home. If it weren’t for Lisa and Terrel living here … but then Joshua would take over his house once he got out of the hospital.

  She cleared her throat. “At first I thought I was getting cold feet, but the more I pondered about it, the more I realized—” She looked back at him. “I realized I didn’t really love you.” She shrugged. “I don’t believe I was in love with you before.”

  A nerve on his cheek jumped, and his hands balled into fists but his expression remained calm. Too bad she couldn’t feel th
at emotion right now. Her heart was leaping so frantically, she thought she might have a heart attack.

  Finally, after several earth-shattering silent minutes passed, he sat back on the sofa and rubbed his chin. “What made you decide this?”

  She sighed heavily. “Oh, Terrel. Everything made me decide that. I’d been having really bad headaches, and I knew I wasn’t happy. I don’t like the way you belittle me, and I especially don’t like the way you never put me first in your life. All you and your mother wanted to do was control me, and I can’t have that kind of marriage.”

  He stood and walked over to her, his gaze burning right through her. “So, there’s no other man in your life that helped you come to this decision?”

  Her heart jumped to her throat. She hoped he didn’t know about Eli. “No, Terrel.”

  He nodded and folded his arms, wearing that all-too-familiar cocky, smug expression. “My brother Joshua didn’t sway you at all, huh?”

  She sucked in a quick breath, and the blood drained from her face. Her tight throat made it impossible to swallow, so she gritted her teeth and held onto the edge of the window. “Joshua?” She shouldn’t have said anything, because she knew the quiver in her voice would tell him the true story.

  It had. He arched a condemning eyebrow. “Yes, Joshua. You know, my brother.”

  “The brother that died right after your father did?”

  He reached out and took a lock of her hair, rubbing it through his finger and thumb. She tried not to flinch, but her body stiffened automatically.

  “You know Joshua isn’t dead.”

  She tried to steady her quick breaths. “Terrel? What are you saying?”

  He narrowed his eyes on her. “Doctor Goodwin recognized you from our engagement photo. He thought I might like to know my future wife is visiting my loony brother.”

  She slapped his hand away from her hair and scowled. “If anyone is loony, it’s you, Terrel. You know as well as I do Joshua isn’t crazy.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe what a greedy son-of-a-bitch you really are. All of this because you had to be the president of your stepfather’s company. All of this because you couldn’t stand to be second best.”

  He released a growl before his claw-like fingers bit into her shoulders. He shook her. “Don’t ever talk to me like that. I deserve more respect.”