Forgotten Dreams

by Janet Lane-Walters

  “You’ll be no trouble.” Rob shook his head. “There’s a nanny for Tammy. I work from nine to noon. Break for lunch and back from one to three.” He laughed. “The mite will enjoy having another man to enchant.”

  Perhaps this would work. “Let me look into the Rehab place first.” Being at Rob’s would give them time to discuss the movie. “I’ll be here for awhile so we have time to work out a plan.”

  Rob rose. “You’re coming. I’ll start arranging things.”

  “If you have my duffle, there’s a script for your book in there.” He groaned. “I need something to occupy my time. There’s not much on TV during the day. A book or two would be great.”

  “That can be arranged. Tonight’s dinner will be delivered. Food from Tony’s. There’ll be enough for you and your guard.”

  “My stomach thanks you.”

  Rob walked to the window. “You’ll have a great view of the fireworks on the Fourth.”

  Chad’s brow wrinkled. Today was the second. His mind wandered to other July Fourths in Fern Lake. The town’s display had always been wonderful. He and Emma had sat on her dad’s front porch to watch. She had allowed him to steal kisses between the bursts of color. Could he persuade her to watch them with him this year?

  At five thirty, after sending the hospital dinner away, Chad waited for the Italian feast. He’d only eaten at the local five star restaurant once as a guest of Emma’s father. The owner had been introduced as an uncle. Chad salivated as he remembered the great food.

  From the anteroom, he heard a commotion. He turned to look through the glass panel of the door. His guard tried to accept the bags a delivery person held. Three men with cameras attempted to push past.

  One photographer oozed into the room. Chad pulled the sheet to cover his head. A flash went off. More flashes exploded. Several Security men from the hospital arrived and herded the paparazzi away.

  The guard carried the large bags into the room. “Sorry about that.”

  “I’m amazed this hadn’t happened before. I wonder who leaked the news about my location.”

  “Could be anyone of a thousand,” Jeff said. “I saved our meal.”

  “Let’s see what they sent. Don’t feel bad about the breach. Once they invaded my house and caught me in the shower. Thank heavens I was alone and behind semi-opaque glass. I had to build an electrified wall around the property.”

  “Must be a pain having no privacy.”

  “You’ve got that.” As Jeff passed the containers, Chad opened them and inhaled the garlicky aroma. “There’s enough food to feed a dozen. We’ll make our choices and make a plate for the night man. We’ll give the rest to the nurses.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Chad laughed. “Why a dozen cannoli?”

  “I have no idea. The nurses will love them.

  The rest of the evening was spent watching TV and wondering when the pins would be removed so he could leave the bed.

  The next morning brought a visit from a physical therapist and some upper body exercises. Chad was able to use the dangling triangular bar to lift while his sheets were being changed. He also learned some exercises for his right leg.

  When Dr. Markham visited, Chad learned the left leg cast would extend above his knee while the right didn’t. This news made him growl but there was no choice.

  As he drifted to sleep, he thought about Emma. Would she stop by tomorrow or not? Was not visiting today deliberate, or had she just been too busy? Was she avoiding him? That thought bothered him. Since the kiss, he’d wanted more.

  He woke to voices. “Then I won’t bother him. Let him know I stopped by.”

  “Emma, I’m awake.” He rubbed his eyes and elevated the head of the bed.

  Emma stepped into the room and paused at the foot of the bed. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better now you’re here. Missed you yesterday.”

  “Yesterday was crazy. I was held up doing a physical on a new patient and was late for office hours.”

  “Surely you’re off today.”

  “After rounds I am.”

  “Why don’t you come back this evening and watch the fireworks with me? I have a great view.”

  She walked to the window and then returned to the bedside. Chad waited for her answer. “Sorry, my day is booked.”

  He clasped her hands. “Surely not for the entire day.”

  “Afraid so. After I go home, Claire and I are taking Brian to the fair. Can’t wait to watch him on the rides.”

  He grinned. “You going to ride the Ferris wheel?”

  “Never.”

  Chad knew why. She and her sister had been stuck at the top of a Ferris wheel when it had broken down. Hours had passed before the repair allowed them to reach the ground.

  He squeezed her hand. “That’s only part of your day.”

  “We’re going to a barbeque at my partner’s house after. It’s a Cancer birthday celebration. Then it’s off to watch the fireworks.”

  His spirits thudded to the ground. “Are you avoiding me?”

  She met his gaze. “What we had can never come again. You should realize that.”

  He scowled. “I don’t believe you. I’m willing to tell you what happened.”

  She shook her head. “I know what happened.”

  Damn, Chad thought. He would show her the old magic remained. He released her hand and pulled her against his chest. He captured her mouth. The rise of desire began. His tongue slid along her lips with teasing touches, He ran a hand over her back. In an instant, her lips parted as his tongue slid into her mouth, tasting.

  When the need for a breath arrived, he freed her mouth. “Tell me you felt nothing.”

  She backed away. “I can’t. Thinking about a future would be a dumb move on my part. I want you but I don’t need you. I can never forget you dropped me for affair after affair. You only want me because for a short time I’m here and so are you.” She opened the door.

  Chad stared at the closing door. He slumped against the pillows. He’d been a fool. When Gregson had taken over his career goals, Emma had been pigeon holed for later. He’s always believed when the time was right, she would be there. He wanted to shout, to slam his fist against the wall…to cry.

  * * *

  Emma wanted to run but she walked casually from Chad’s room. What was wrong with her? The kiss had brought her old feelings for him to the surface. She had vowed not to fall for his line or his kisses. She wasn’t sure why she had stopped to see him this morning.

  Liar! The word revolved in her thoughts. Visiting him had been a dumb move. As long as being around him sent desire soaring, she couldn’t move forward. Oh, for indifference!

  She left the hospital and drove home. Brian danced around the porch. “Hurry, Aunt Emma. We’re going to the fair.”

  She laughed. “So we are.” She dashed upstairs and changed into shorts and a top.

  Claire met her at the foot of the stairs. “He’s so excited.”

  “So I see. He needs to have fun.”

  “You’re right. Until we left Kevin, Brian was on edge all the time. I so blame myself, especially when Kevin slammed him into a wall.”

  “That’s over.” Emma slung her small bag across her body.

  Fifteen minutes later they reached the fair grounds. Brian rode a miniature rollercoaster, circling cars and airplanes. He ran to the merry-go-round. Emma joined him on a horse and pretended to race him.

  After the ride finished, they walked and paused to let Brian play a few games. He carried a stuffed cat he’d won in the fish pond. They stopped at the hot dog truck usually found near the lake and ordered their lunch.

  Claire took a bite of her chili dog. “These are wonderful. I missed them.”

  “We’ll go to the lake someday and rent a rowboat,” Emma said.

  “And swim?” Brian asked. “I’m learning how to swim at school camp.”

  When they finished, Emma suggested they tour the booths the town’s merchants
set up. There, she bought some scented soap, lotion, some blackberry jam and cookies. Claire found matching tee shirts for the three of them.

  They walked to the car. “We’ve time to stop at the house to leave our spoils and change shirts.” She shook her head. “You and Brian have chili on yours.”

  After the short stop at the house, they drove to Manon’s. Brian was excited to find his friend, Jamie, and a girl from his class at the Academy. The three children ran off.

  Emma introduced her sister to Rafe, Manon’s brother Jay, Maria and Brad Markham. She was surprised to see the doctor here. “Day off, Dr. Markham?”

  He nodded and pointed to the children. “That’s my Amy with the boys. They’re in the same Academy summer class.”

  Jay grasped their hands. “Good to see you. Maria’s with Manon talking about babies.”

  “Claire and I will join them and leave you men to the grill.”

  Rafe laughed. “Wait until you see the cake Maria made. Cannolis abound.”

  “That will be a treat.”

  She and Claire walked to the women seated beneath a canvas overhang. Emma introduced Claire to Maria. “How have you been?” She studied the dark haired woman and noticed the small belly budge. Emma sighed. Another friend would soon have a baby.

  Claire held Rafe Junior. “He’s adorable.”

  Manon smiled. “And growing rapidly. How’s our star patient?’

  Emma shrugged. “I saw him this morning. I think he’s bored.”

  “Do you know who he is?” Maria asked. “I spent some time with him yesterday.”

  Emma looked up. “He’s an old friend.”

  “I wonder what he’ll do when he’s discharged,” Maria said.

  “Fly to California. I’m sure he can find a doctor there and plenty of women to fawn over him.” Emma wanted to bite her tongue. She shouldn’t sound so bitter.

  “Maybe he’ll stay,” Claire said.

  “Where? He hates any publicity showing him as less than an action figure,” Emma said. “Fern Lane Nursing home doesn’t restrict visitors.”

  * * *

  Chad finished the second chili dog Rob had had delivered for his dinner. Memories of days at the lake surfaced. He wondered if the area remained divided between town and prep school sides. There had been times when the division had caused fights.

  Jeff, his evening guard, gathered the leftovers of the meal. “Fireworks in a couple of hours.”

  Chad looked at the darkening sky. “You can come in and watch.”

  “Tempting but this would be a good time for some of those lurkers to attempt trying for pictures.”

  “Guess you’re right.” Chad turned on the TV.

  Time seemed to crawl but the sky finally grew dark. Fireworks began on the television. He snapped off the set and stared at the night sky. He couldn’t stop wishing Emma would change her mind and join him.

  The murmur of voices from the anteroom caught his attention. Was this an invasion attempt? He stared at the window and didn’t turn to the door. If an invasion, Jeff would send them away.

  “I can’t do that,” Jeff said.

  Chad heard the door close. Footsteps clicked on the tile floor. Emma. His heart skipped a beat. The steps paused. He heard a sound he didn’t recognize.

  Someone touched his arm and massaged. “Surprise.”

  He pulled his arm away. “What are you doing here?”

  Sandra pursed her lips. “I thought we could make our own fireworks.”

  Chad sucked in a breath tainted by her cloying perfume. Though she wore a lab coat, the dress beneath shouted seduction. Short skirt, tight bodice and a low scooped neckline revealed she wore no bra.

  “Not happening,” he said.

  She ran her tongue over her fleshy red lips. “I don’t see why not. You’re known as a man who enjoys women.” She leaned toward him. “You’ve been a week without one.” She ran her hands over his chest and downward.

  Before she reached her destination, he grasped her wrists. “Don’t go there. I’m not interested.” Her predatory smile caused him to tighten his grip.

  “I could find ways to raise your interest,” she drawled.

  Chad sucked in a breath to calm anger simmering to a rolling boil. “I don’t want to be rude but I will. I’m not interested in you. You’re not my type. I choose the women in my life. I’ve been tempted by women who make you look like an amateur, and I suggest you leave. I want to watch the fireworks in peace.”

  He released her wrists with a little push. She straightened. “You don’t know what you’re missing.” She left and slammed the door behind her.

  That was fun…not. The fireworks began and he lost himself in the bursts of color filling the dark sky. When the display ended, Jeff entered.

  “You all right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Glad you sent the lady away. She tried to persuade me to leave my post so she and you could be alone.”

  “Glad you stayed. I might have needed a rescue.”

  “You would have. Caught a couple of guys with cameras lurking in the hall. I believe she had a plan.”

  “Thanks.”

  The guard grinned. “I’ll miss this job when you leave. Brings back my days as a medic.”

  “Why didn’t you go for more medical education?”

  Jeff shrugged. “Thoughts of school turned me off. I’m doing extra training on the computer but that’s fun.” He straightened Chad’s bed. “When are you leaving?”

  “I have no idea. Depends on how fast I heal. See you tomorrow evening.”

  The next morning, just after his bed bath and breakfast, his phone chimed. Thinking Rob had news about a place for him to stay when he left the hospital, he answered.

  “Chad, where are you?”

  Chad roiled his eyes. “I’m fine.”

  “There are rumors you’re a paraplegic or that one or both of your legs have been amputated.”

  “Gregson, I’ll be out of action for the rest of the summer. Both legs were broken. One is in a cast. The other needed surgery and I have to wait for the wound to heal before they put it in a cast, too. I’m in the hospital and not seeing anyone but a few old friends.”

  “What friends?”

  “Did you forget I grew up here?”

  “Then the rumors are true. You’re in Fern Lake.”

  “I am.”

  “I saw pictures of your Ferrari. Are you sure there aren’t other injuries?”

  Chad laughed. “Other than my legs, I’m great.”

  Gregson groaned. “It’s July. Surely by September you’ll be back to work.”

  “Maybe. Tell the studio my future plans depend on how well I heal. I may need to use a cane. The doctor is concerned about my action life.”

  “How do you know this doctor knows his business? I can pull some strings and have you seen by the best in the world.”

  “Goodbye, Gregson. I’ll call you when I know what I’m doing.”

  “Don’t hang up. I’m coming to Fern Lake. I’ll make nice with the studio and have new contracts when I arrive.”

  Chad slumped against the pillows. He prayed he would escape before his agent arrived. At least the man couldn’t get into his room here without his okay.

  That evening Simon arrived before Rob. He sat on the chair beside the bed. “I looked into Fern Lake Nursing and Rehab facility. The place won’t work. There are no private rooms and they also refuse to curtail visitors.”

  Rob stuck his head inside. “No need to look elsewhere. He’s coming to my house. I’ve ordered a hospital bed and a motorized wheelchair to be delivered when I know you’re leaving. All we’ll need is someone to come mornings and evenings to help you.”

  Simon nodded. “I have the perfect man.” He turned to Chad. “We’ve planned to start Jeff on learning computer surveillance so he’ll be tied up during the day. He can come in the morning and get you settled and then come back in the evening.”

  Chad nodded. “I like the idea.
Now all I need is for the wound to heal and an escape plan.”

  “We’ll devise one,” Simon said.

  * * *

  Time dragged like a slug creeping across the lawn. Chad read the galley for Rob’s second book and the idea excited him. He asked Rob to keep him in mind for the movie rights. He spent time writing things he needed to discover for setting up a company to make Rob’s book into a movie. He wished he had his computer with all the notes he had from the courses he’d taken. Though he had enough money to finance the first, he didn’t want to put everything on one chance. He needed other investors.

  Emma hadn’t done more than pop in on rounds and dash away. Days had passed since he’d told her they needed to talk.

  His hands fisted. He had to tell her how he felt. The short visits had raised his desire to hold her close. He wanted to convince her he wanted no one but her. He’d been a fool, a child eating flattery and excitement. The time had come to put his life in order and set his plans.

  On the morning of the eleventh day of his stay, Dr. Markham arrived. “Time to remove the pins and stitches. A partial cast will be applied for a day. Then a full one. You can leave after that. Any idea where you’re going?”

  “To Rob Grantlan’s and stay until the casts are off.”

  “Good.”

  That afternoon after the partial cast was in place, the physical therapist arrived. So did an interesting machine and a wheelchair.

  “Grab the bar and lift your tush,” the therapist said.

  Chad followed the instructions. A pad was slid beneath him. “What now?” he asked.

  “We’ll use the Hoyer lift to move you into the wheelchair.”

  A nurse arrived to manipulate the lift while the PT supported his legs. Before long, Chad sat in the wheelchair. The therapist lowered the right leg so the cast rested on the foot rest.

  He laughed. “This is great. I may not want to return to bed.” He moved to the window. “Looks like the vultures remain.”

  The PT nodded. “Makes coming to work interesting.”