“I must tell Rob. His omelets are good but not like this.”
When they finished, she cleaned the table and counters. “I’m off to the hospital. I’ll see you around two this afternoon. There’s leftover pizza for lunch. Heat it in the microwave.”
“Will do.” He clasped her hand. “You’re not leaving without a kiss or two.”
She laughed and lightly touched his lips with hers. “Until later.”
The temptation to kiss her until they finished what they’d started this morning took hold. He couldn’t. He must get used to patients needing her. “See you later.”
He spent the rest of the morning creating lists of names of potential employees and salaries. He also studied the script and listed the characters with thoughts of who he might convince to take the roles of the three female characters.
At noon, he zapped the pizza and ate the two remaining slices. He had just finished when he heard the doorbell. He went to the door and let Emma, Claire and Brian in.
The dark haired boy grinned. “Aunt Emma and Mom said you were a movie star.”
“I am.”
“I couldn’t tell my friends at school about you.” He studied the casts. “How come no one wrote on them?”
“No one asked.”
“Could I?”
“Sure, but I don’t know where there are any markers.”
The boy looked at his mother. She reached into the huge purse she carried and handed him a package. “Here you are.”
Chad laughed. “Amazing. Are you prepared for everything?”
“Close to. A mother’s survival kit for those times when boredom or restlessness strikes.”
Brian opened the pack and chose a color. He printed his name.
Emma carried a huge canvas bag into the kitchen. She loaded a number of containers into the fridge. She winked. “That’s for dinner.”
“Can we swim now?” Brian patted Chad’s cast. “Bet you wish you could swim.”
“You’re so right. With luck it won’t be long before I can.”
“What will you do while we’re swimming? Won’t you get bored?”
Chad laughed. “I’ll ask your mom for something from the magic bag. I’ll watch you swim so you can show me all you’ve learned.” He started down the path to the pool. Brian pulled off his shirt and sandals.
“Wait for us.” Emma’s clothes joined Brian’s on a chair.
Chad admired the way her one piece suit hugged her body. His hands itched to caress the curves. Last night had been great but his body pulsed with need. Today would be long.
Brian jumped into the pool. “Watch me.” He swam across the shallow end. “I did it. This is farther than I ever swam at school.”
Chad clapped. “Before long you’ll be able to swim to the diving board and back.” His thoughts centered on what might have been. If he hadn’t neglected Emma and kept the lines of communication open to push for closeness, they could have married and had a son by now.
He groaned. Dwelling on regrets brought nothing but sadness.
After an hour in the pool, Emma stretched out on a chaise. Chad settled his wheelchair beside her. “Brian is a great kid. Where is his father?”
“Far from here, I hope.”
His forehead wrinkled. ‘Why?”
“Long story.”
“Tell me.”
“Claire met Kevin in college. He convinced her to drop out and work. She did. He continued at school until he earned a MBA. She got pregnant, had Brian and continued to work. Kevin had a roving eye and a heavy hand. She put up with this until the night he hit her and Brian tried to stop him and he slammed the child into a wall.”
“Sorry to hear that. She’s better out of the relationship.”
“They’re both recovering, with help.” She sucked in a breath. “If he stays away they’ll be fine.” She rolled on her stomach.
Chad closed his eyes. How could a man beat his wife and harm his son? His admiration for Claire grew. He would be glad to have her for a sister. All he had to do was convince Emma to marry him.
Emma stretched and rose. “I’m heading to the house to start dinner.” She pulled on her shorts and top. “The lasagna will need oven time.”
Though he could have followed her, he brought the wheelchair to the side of the pool and watched Brian bating a huge ball and then swimming after it.”
“Where’s Emma?” Claire asked.
“Making dinner.”
She paused at the side of the pool. “Brian, come out and dry yourself. Time to help your aunt with dinner.”
A short time later, Chad followed the pair up the path to the cabin. When he opened the door, the aroma of garlic filled the air. His stomach growled. Emma stood at the stove doing something to a loaf of bread. Claire and Brian took vegetables from the refrigerator.
“What can I do?” Chad asked.
“Show Brian where the silverware and paper napkins are. Then you can take drink orders. There’s iced tea and iced coffee ready.”
Before long they sat at the table. Chad took a bite of the lasagna. “This is wonderful.”
“Thanks,” Claire said. “It’s easy to make.”
They finished dinner and went for a walk. Then they returned to the living room to watch a movie while they ate cannoli.
Brian yawned. Claire rose. “Emma, he needs to go home.”
Emma nodded. “I’m coming.” She turned to Chad. “I’ll see you later. Save my cannoli.” She grabbed her shoulder bag and followed her sister and nephew outside.
After they left he turned off the television. Would she return? If she chose not to that would be fitting. He sat near the window and stared at the moon. When he saw her car he relaxed. He switched on the TV, No sense letting her know how much he wanted her. They couldn’t do much until Jeff had come and left.
* * *
On Tuesday Emma left to make rounds. She thought of the time spent with Chad. There had been much talk, enough so they seemed to be on their old footing. There’d also been the best sex she’d ever experienced. Her emotions remained mixed. She admitted to herself she still loved him but she didn’t trust this to last. Not completely. She returned to her routine.
For the next two weeks, she spent only a few evenings with him.
On the last Wednesday in July, Emma joined Chad for dinner. “Your casts should be off soon.”
He nodded. “I have an appointment with Dr. Markham next week. He wants X-rays.” He scowled. “Means I have to go to the hospital for them. I’m sure someone will tell the press and they will come.”
Emma straightened. “I have an idea you could run past Markham. Manon rents the basement of our offices to a radiologist. There’s an entrance with a ramp from the parking lot. I imagine he can do the X-rays.”
He reached for his cell and laughed. “Can’t call this evening but I will tomorrow.’ He kissed her hand. “Thanks.”
She laughed. “Let me know when and I’ll come down and help you onto the table.”
“Will do.”
They waved to Rob and Andi and went outside to walk. They stopped at their usual place. The sultry summer night settled around them. “You’ll soon be cast free. What then?”
“A ton of physical therapy to regain my strength. I’ll do as much as I can here. Rob knows a physical therapist who’ll come to the house.”
Emma closed her eyes and listened to the rustling leaves. Soon the time would end and he would return to his old life. An ache built in her chest. She bit her lower lip. No tears. She had always known this wouldn’t last. She needed to distance herself.
The next evening when she reached the cabin, Chad clasped her hands. “Talked to Markham this morning. He’s happy about the X-ray. I’m scheduled for Monday at ten AM. With luck, I’ll return on Wednesday without these casts.”
“I’ll keep my fingers crossed.”
He pulled her close for a heated kiss. She swallowed. She refused to cry.
On Monday morning Emma had s
cheduled her patients so she could help with Chad from the wheelchair onto the examining table. Rob and Simon arrived with Chad and Jeff. Jeff took the lead. He had placed a folded sheet on the chair to be used as a lift.
“Simon and I will use the lift sheet. Emma, can you do the legs? Rob, you’ll need to put your arms under his. When I count to three, we’ll lift.”
Emma took her place at the foot of the wheelchair. She slid her arms under the casts. Jeff stood on the far side of the table and grasped the end of the sheet. Simon and Rob took their places.
“On the count,” Jeff said. “One. Two. Three.”
Surprisingly the transfer went smoothly. As the radiologist placed the plates beneath Chad’s legs, he ordered the others from the room.
Emma chuckled. “Teamwork at its best.”
“And we only have to do this once more,” Rob said. “I hope Wednesday really happens for him.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Chad called. “I’m free.”
“No casts. That’s great,” Emma said.
“There’s a brace for the left leg and two canes.” He groaned. “I managed to stand for a few seconds. The physical therapist will be here soon to start exercises.”
“You’ll do fine.”
“Come to dinner tonight. To celebrate.”
“Will do.”
When Emma finished office hours, she hurried home. The dog days of August had arrived. She dressed in shorts and a sleeveless shirt. After telling Claire and Brian good evening, she drove to Rob’s. When she used the number at the gate nothing happened. She tried again.
She reached for her cell. The moment she heard Chad’s voice, she spoke. “The gate numbers didn’t work.”
“Sorry. I’ll open the gate for you. Evidently the numbers are changed every month.”
“Interesting.”
“I’ll give you the new code after I twist Rob’s arm.”
The gate opened. Emma drove through and parked in the circle. Andi and Tammy waited near the path to the pool. “We’re eating out tonight. Rob’s grilling chicken and corn on the cob. Summer’s my favorite time. There are also great tomatoes.”
“Where’s Chad?”
“In the pool. The therapist came this afternoon and gave him some exercises for the pool as well as in his room.” She shook her head. “He’s trying for instant recovery.”
“Sounds like him. He was like that as a teen when he set out to learn all kinds of martial art systems. That was beside his studies, track, part-time jobs and the local theater. I doubt he slept more than four hours a night.”
When they reached the pool area, Emma pulled a chaise to the poolside and watched Chad. He stood in the shallow end and braced one arm on the edge of the pool. He slowly walked forward. When he reached the end, he turned and started back.
He paused at the area where she sat. “I have another round to complete. Did you bring your suit?”
She shook her head. “Never thought to do that.”
“Then I’ll continue alone.”
When he finished the next tour, he pulled himself onto the edge. She watched his arm muscles bunch. “Now you have to watch while I stand. It’s not a pretty sight.”
Emma stood. “I’ll help.”
“I need the wheelchair and the thing.”
“What thing?”
“It’s a triangle that looks like steps.”
Emma left to find the sort of ladder. Andi steered the wheelchair toward Chad. Tammy sat in the seat. “I ride,” the toddler exclaimed.
Emma laughed. “Looks like you do.” She found the contraption and carried it to where Chad now knelt. He put his hands on the third step. As he moved his hands from step to step, he began to stand. Andi pushed the wheelchair behind him. He sank onto the seat.”
“How’s dinner coming?” he called. “I’m starved.”
Emma pointed to where Rob waved a huge fork. “Looks like food is ready.” She walked beside the chair to the wooden table set beneath an awning. Chad stopped the chair at the end. She slid onto a bench beside him. “How are you?”
“Impatient. There are parallel bars in my room. I’ll show you later.” He touched her hand. “My sense of balance is messed up. I feel like a toddler except Tammy walks better than I can. Then there’s the brace.”
She met his gaze. “You’ve been castless for a few hours. Be patient.”
Chad’s grip on her hand tightened. “I’ve little of that. I have plans I want to put in motion. I need to return, sell my house and hire some people who could make the movie work.”
Emma laughed. How much he sounded like the teenage boy who had constantly spoken of his plans for Hollywood and stardom. He had achieved those goals. Perhaps his new ones would be reached.
Would he stay in Fern Lake or would making Rob’s book into a movie catapult him into a new path to fame? If that happened, he would head for California. Their time together was ending. She would again face the loss of him, this time forever.
He lifted her hand and kissed the palm ,closing her fingers over the mark. She drew a deep breath and prayed for a life with him. Deep inside, she knew the dream would again be forgotten.
Chad tugged on her hand. “Why the wrinkled brow?”
She shrugged. “Just thinking of the future.”
“And that worries you?”
How could she respond? She wanted no more promises he would break. “I’m not sure.”
“Emma, I love you. We’ll have the life we’ve planned.”
“Will we?”
“I love you. Do you love me?”
“I do but…I loved you years ago. Then I hated you. I can’t think beyond the day you stopped calling.”
“I’ve changed. You’ll see.”
She couldn’t be sure. At the moment he planned to stay in Fern Lake but he had to return to Hollywood where temptation abounded. She bent and kissed him. Dare she hope?
* * *
Chad settled back. He must find a way to persuade Emma he had changed. He loved her. He wanted to live with her forever. To achieve that meant a quick trip to Hollywood to sell the house, deal with Gregson and return. To make that happen he had to build his strength and convince her to come with him. She would be the perfect buffer against his agent and his promo ops. That was the plan.
For the next two weeks he worked as hard as he could. He even persuaded his friends to help him with extra time on the parallel bars.
One afternoon Dr. Markham made a house call. “I’m pleased with your progress.”
“Can I travel to California to take care of business?”
“When you can walk with a single cane.”
Those words produced a goal. As the days of August moved forward, he worked harder.
As Labor Day neared, he and Emma walked along the path near the pool. When they reached the clearing he sank on the bench. Emma sat beside him.
Chad released a held breath. “That’s the farthest I’ve walked. Another week and I’ll be ready to move ahead.”
“I’m glad you’re improving.”
He pulled her into an embrace and kissed her. “I’ve got to deal with matters in California. Has your partner returned to work yet?”
“She has.”
“Then you can take time off and come with me.”
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Manon is only there for half days until September. The doctor who helped out is away until sometime after Labor Day. Not sure exactly when but he’ll work while I go on vacation.”
He scowled. “I want to finish as quickly as I can so I can return and start production.”
Emma pulled back. ‘I have my responsibilities. I can’t just take off on a whim. Being in practice is my life. I’m not about to give it up.”
His expression turned so glum she wanted to comfort him. She couldn’t toss her life away. She’d spent too much time developing her skills. Whether he stayed or not she had to keep her obligations.
/> Chad stared at his hands. Was this the end? He clasped her hand. “I love you. I don’t want to be away from you for weeks.”
She paused and he knew what she wanted to say. She wanted to bring up the past and how he had disappointed her.
Days later he walked using one cane. He wore the leg brace for long distances. Simon had smuggled him into the studio. He’s seen the alterations being made and had unpacked some boxes of equipment. The security system was state of the art. He set his plans for the trip.
He had Simon ease him into the jewelry store. He spent an hour choosing a ring for Emma. A ruby in the center and a pair of onyx for the sides.
In three days Labor Day would be celebrated. He had reserved a room at a local upscale hotel using his alias. The jeweler promised the ring would be delivered that afternoon.
At five on Labor Day, Chad waited for Emma to arrive for their stay at the hotel. His body pulsed with an eagerness to be alone with her. When he saw her car crest the rise, he grinned.
Rob turned from the stove. “Good luck.”
“I’ll need all I can find.” With one overnight case in hand and his cane in the other, he left the house. Emma stepped from her car. Chad’s mouth went dry. The dress she wore caressed her curves the way he wanted to stroke her body.
She opened the trunk. He tossed his bag inside. Before she stepped away he pulled her into his arms. “I’ve been waiting for this seems like forever.” He brushed his lips over hers.
She winked. “Why stand here? Let’s go.”
“Right.” He put on his dark glasses and got into the car.
Emma slid into the driver’s seat, fastened her seatbelt and started the car. “Seems silly going to a hotel in town.”
“Can you think of an alternative? Here or at your place there are people.”
She nodded. “Curious ones.”
“If you would come with me we could have every night and most days.”
She laughed. “We could also have flashing cameras and more reporters dogging us.”
He nodded. “You’re right but think of the fun we could have.”
She paused at the gates. “I really have no desire to be featured in the tabloids.”
Forgotten Dreams Page 11