“You’re right,” he hung his head. “That explains why I’m alone.”
His puppy-dog face didn’t fool her. “Quit the act. You’re just trying to make me feel sorry for you.”
“Is it working?” He gave her a lopsided grin.
Saul Sweeterman could be nice when he wanted. She chuckled and moved to undo his cast. She picked up his leg to give him a quick massage.
“So how come you’re alone?” she asked, shifting the conversation into less dangerous territory.
He rested his head back against the pillow. “Well, I wasn’t completely honest. I ran off all my buddies from the dealership with my bad attitude. No one’s been to see me for weeks at my insistence,” he said.
“So, your being alone is your own fault. You need to call your friends and apologize. You have a long road ahead and you can’t do it by yourself.”
He had the grace to blush. She watched the red splash across his cheeks and her hands stilled for a second. She made herself get back to work.
“I also have a daughter and a granddaughter,” he chattered.
“What? You’re not old enough to be a grandfather.”
“I’m forty-three. Let me spare you the mental math by saying I was a young father,” he drawled. His face depicted bliss from the work of her hands.
“Where do they live?” She switched to his other leg even though it didn’t need massaging. “Make sure to keep exercising this leg. The other one you do with me.”
He nodded and answered, “They’re here in town.”
“Really?” Her unspoken question hung in the air.
He must’ve been in need of a listening ear because Saul spilled. “I don’t have a relationship with them because of my own stupidity. I didn’t approve of the man she married and I allowed that to interfere with our relationship. I haven’t even met my granddaughter. Her name is Emily.”
She heard the regret in his tone but was surprised that he’d revealed so much of his business to a virtual stranger. “Why don’t you call her?”
“Believe me, I would, if she’d let me. She’s changed her number so I can’t call her. Cassandra, that’s her name—she blames me for her husband’s death.”
Chapter Three
Chanel No. 5. He’d recognize that scent anywhere.
“I didn’t think you’d be back,” Saul declared. In his mind, he pictured the willowy brunette with her body angled against the door. Macy Masters didn’t stand. A top model, she was always striking a pose.
He didn’t give her a chance to answer. “And, please don’t tell me you have your secret agents lurking about,” he added, referring to the dogged paparazzi men who popped up in the most unusual places.
“Don’t worry, I know how to ditch those eels. It’s just me, here. I value my privacy as much as you do,” she replied, not hiding her contempt.
Saul nodded knowing how Macy detested the downside of having a recognizable face. He teased, “Are you hiding under sunglasses with your hair stuffed under a hat? I’m surprised no one recognized you.”
Her laughter tickled his ears. “Don’t laugh at my inspector Gadget getup. It has done me well. I didn’t feel right leaving you here alone. If I have to come incognito, then so be it.”
Saul was touched, but he didn’t want to share his feelings. So he threw out a useless taunt. “Didn’t feel right leaving me alone while you spend my money?”
He heard a huge sigh and the clip-clop of her signature five-inch heels. Not that she needed them standing at five-eleven.
“Why is everything with us about money, Saul? Why does it have to be so cut and dry? I have money of my own. In fact, I have quadruple what you have so I don’t need your pittance.”
“Pittance? I’ve more than doubled my fortune since we met two years ago,” Saul bragged. Her hand grazed his cheek and he lifted his chin in her direction. He inhaled. She smelled so good.
“I’m here because I love you and you’re going to have to accept that,” she whispered in his ear.
Deep down, he knew she told the truth. Macy was a beauty inside and out. He hated that he didn’t return the sentiment. His accident had been the perfect excuse to push her away. He loved her but not in the way she craved.
When he didn’t respond in kind, she groaned and stepped away. He knew he needed to say something to counteract her disappointment.
“I’m sorry, Macy. I’ve made no secret about the fact that while I have feelings for you, I don’t feel the same.”
“I know,” she replied.
Her voice sounded hollow to his ears. He knew that tone. Saul wished he could see her face but he had seen the woebegone expression so many times that it was committed to memory.
Moments passed before Saul asked, “What’s on your mind?”
“I’m thinking it’s time I moved out,” she said.
“If that’s what you feel you need to do…” He felt the opposite of the words. Saul wanted to beg her not to leave. He needed her now more than ever. How was he going to find his way around? But he knew if he uttered the words, she would take it a different way, and read more into his request.
“Stubborn man. I only said that because I hoped you would admit you needed me.”
“I do,” he conceded. “But, not in the way you want.” Even though he was on his face, he had to be honest with his feelings. He wasn’t about to lead her on. “You knew this from the get go. I told you Nora was the love of my life. There is no replacing her.”
“I’m not trying to replace your precious wife. But, frankly, she’s dead and I’m here.”
Her matter-of-fact statement jolted him. Saul knew he didn’t want to talk anymore. “I think you should leave,” he bit out.
“I didn’t come to upset you, although lately that’s all I seem to do.” He heard movements. She must be getting ready to leave. “I’ll be out of town on a modeling job. I tried to get out of it but that’s business for you. Signed contract and all. If you call me with your discharge date, I’ll make sure I’m here.”
“I understand. I’ll let you know when I know for sure,” Saul interjected, hoping his voice didn’t show the relief he felt. He puckered his lips and waited. Her lips touched his and they shared a brief kiss. As usual, it was pleasant but something was missing.
Was he still hooked on his wife?
Saul debated that question for hours after she left. He thought about Nora Sweeterman, the love of his life. High school sweethearts, they had chosen to marry after graduation, much to their parents chagrin. But, Saul had known she was the one.
Unfortunately, Nora died of an asthma attack when Cassandra was eight years old. Since then, he’d dated here and there. Macy had been his first real attempt at a relationship since Nora’s passing.
Macy was smart, beautiful and successful. She wanted more than Saul had to give. She wanted his love. Saul had nothing against falling in love. He just wasn’t sure he could.
Chapter Four
“Mr. Sweeterman?”
He smiled, recognizing Annie’s voice. “I’m sorry I must have drifted off. And, it’s Saul,” he insisted.
“Are you up to our session? I could reschedule?”
Hearing the question in her voice, he pushed himself up to a sitting position. “No, don’t reschedule. I…” He stopped. There was no way he was admitting that she was the high point of his hospital stay. Her presence was calming.
He heard a light chuckle before Annie got started. Five minutes passed as he reveled in the relief her hands brought. “You’re quiet tonight.”
“It’s actually early evening,” she corrected. “I have a lot on my mind.”
“Care to share?”
“I shouldn’t.” He heard the hesitation in her tone. Normally, he’d respect that and mind his business but he’d gotten used to her humming. Something was bothering Annie and it concerned him.
“My roommate’s getting married in a few months. I was thinking that instead of leasing another apartment, I’
d buy a home. But, I also need a new car, so…”
“I see.” Saul grimaced while she kneaded the knots in his legs. He had no idea he was so tense. Once she finished, he said, “Go with the home. It’s a lifetime investment. You can use your home to purchase a car. I know someone who can give you a good deal on a car when you’re ready,” he smiled.
She laughed, “Thanks, but I couldn’t do that.”
“If I could see, I’d hand you my business card. I’ll dictate my information to you instead.”
Her hands stilled.
Saul paused. This was the first time he’d mentioned his blindness without the usual flash of temper.
“I know it must be difficult losing your sight,” Annie stated.
“That’s an understatement,” he agreed, raking his hands through his hair. “Every morning I wake up and I forget that I can’t see anything but shadows. Then I open my eyes and it hits me all over again.”
“Mr. Sweeterman—I mean, Saul—I know what I’m about to say sounds trite, but you’re alive. You shattered your tibia and fibula bones when you collided with that semi. You hit your head hard during the collision, but thankfully, God spared your life.”
“Yes, I should be grateful to be alive,” he interjected, “I know all that. But, losing my sight is a huge challenge. It’s overwhelming. I didn’t realize how much I used it until I lost it. Nothing is the same.”
She tapped his side and helped him shift positions. “Have you thought of seeing a therapist?”
Macy had been nagging him to see a professional. Whenever she brought it up, he usually had a smart rebuff. He relayed the same sentiment to Annie in gentler terms. “Unless talking to one will restore my sight, I’ll pass.”
She giggled at his sarcasm. “There are emotional and psychological effects that a therapist can help you work through.”
He relaxed. “You’re all the therapy I need at the moment. Thanks.”
She didn’t push. “Think about it.”
By now, Saul knew her routine. She was almost finished. He realized he didn’t want her to go just yet. He had to think of something to stall her leaving. “Can you read to me?”
“What do you want me to read?”
He shrugged; glad to hear the shuffling of pages.
“I’ll read Psalm 91.”
Saul nodded. She could’ve been reading the telephone book and he wouldn’t have cared. With a sigh, he adjusted his pillow to listen to her melodious voice.
Chapter Five
“Saul Sweeterman is feeding you lies,” Sari stated as she dug into her Santa Fe salad at Chili’s.
“What do you mean?” Annie asked, taking a sip of her lemonade.
“He’s not alone. I think he has a girlfriend.”
Her heart skipped a beat but Annie strove for nonchalance. No way was she letting on that she even cared. “Why do you say that?” she ducked her head to stab her fork into her salad.
“Because I overheard the nurses saying that he had a lady friend come sit with him and this woman has called more than once to check on him.”
Annie took a careful bite but she shrugged. “Okay? And, you’re telling me this because…”
Sari curled her lips. “This is me you’re talking to, your best friend since college. I know when you like someone.”
Annie and Sari had met as classmates in college in their hometown of Jacksonville. They’d had an instant connection and their friendship had remained intact through Annie’s broken engagement and Sari’s marriage, divorce and the drowning of her only child, Lucas. Sari had found peace and a new boyfriend when she’d given her life to Christ.
“I’ve gotten to know Saul a little bit over the past couple of weeks, but that’s all there is to it,” Annie assured her, before taking a bite of the quesadilla she ordered as an appetizer to go along with her salad. She wasn’t ready to admit to herself or her best friend how much she looked forward to her visits with Saul.
“Well, he has a mystery woman in his life,” Sari reiterated. “What you need to do is take Ahmad up on his offer to set you up.”
She spoke loud enough to attract the attention of an elderly couple behind them. Annie could’ve sunk into the floor. She gestured to Sari to lower her voice.
“I don’t need your boyfriend pimping me out to his friends,” Annie whispered. Ahmad Givens was a pediatrician with offices near them on Caring Way. Sari had met him online and relocated to Port Charlotte from Jacksonville to be closer to him. Annie followed her friend.
When Sari became saved, Annie had been her first convert. Ahmad was her second.
“Dr. Baxter Reynolds doesn’t need a pimp,” Sari bristled. “He’s a man of God and all the ladies at church are swooning over him.”
“Tell Ahmad no thanks. I don’t need a snaggletooth physician any time soon.” Dr. Reynolds was extremely handsome but his jagged front teeth were distracting. When she met him briefly before, all Annie could think was, with all his money, why can’t he fix his teeth?
Sari reached for a tortilla chip and threw it at her in jest. “God’s going to get you for that.”
“I know you and Ahmad mean well, but I’m good. Jesus is my boyfriend for now.”
“Hmmm.”
“What does hmmm mean?”
“Don’t throw Jesus in the mix. For one thing, since we call God, Father, that makes Jesus our brother so He can’t be anybody’s boyfriend.” She waved her fork around in circles. “You’re not interested because of Saul. Normally, you would’ve given someone like Baxter a chance, but you’re all caught up with Meanerman.”
Sari had a point. Annie sighed. “I do like Saul. Something about him pulls at me.”
“I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that he’s fine as ever,” she teased.
“That doesn’t hurt,” Annie confessed with a wide grin. “But, I feel a connection.”
“Well before there’s any connecting going on, you make sure you ask him about a woman in his life.”
Annie didn’t want to dwell on that possibility. “He does have a daughter and a granddaughter.”
Sari leaned closer. “He comes with baggage?”
She bit her lip. “Not really. They’re estranged.”
Her friend’s eyes popped wide with curiosity. “Why doesn’t he have a relationship with his own child?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask. He confessed that he hasn’t spoken to her in a few years. Her name’s Cassandra—and get this, she was involved in the accident as well. She was admitted to the hospital but was released either the same day or the next day.” Annie waved her hand, dismissively, “I forget which…”
Annie cracked up as Sari was salivating from the tidbit of gossip. She wouldn’t divulge that she had a secret motive for sharing Saul’s personal information.
“You should’ve asked. I’m concerned. A man who isn’t in his child’s life is a warning sign. Don’t you hear the warning bells?”
Annie gulped. Her friend was poking holes into her happy balloon. “That is strange, but from what I know of Saul, he must have a good reason.”
Sari gave her a pointed look. “You’re farther gone than I realized. You’re defending him.”
“I’m not…” Annie stopped, realizing she was doing just that. She was defending a man she barely knew. Her heart rate increased.
Sari grabbed her bag to pull out her iPhone. “What’s her name again? I want to program it in my phone. I’ve got to look her up so we can see what she looks like.”
Mission accomplished. Annie relaxed into her seat to finish her meal. If her plan worked, she would have what she needed to help Saul reunite with his daughter.
That was her first move.
Then she would find out about this mystery woman.
Chapter Six
Seven digits.
These numbers were all it took to change Saul’s life and she had them written on a small piece of paper, between her fingertips. Annie had looked at the paper so many times th
at she had the number memorized. Should she call?
She came from a close-knit family, so Saul’s estrangement with this daughter tore at her heart. Sari had been more than willing to help her play the heroine. A few clicks were all it took for Annie to have what she needed. According to the screen, Cassandra had been admitted, treated and released the next day. Her contact information was there for all to see.
Now all Annie had to do was call, or give Saul the number to call. Unsure, she paced outside his hospital room while she debated. “He needs this,” she decided, and entered his room.
“Saul, I have it,” she whispered looking towards the door. She knew it was her overactive imagination at work, but Annie felt guilty about what she’d made Sari do. Any moment, she expected to see her friend walking out the building with two beefy security guards trailing behind for breaking patient confidentiality.
“What do you have?” he asked.
“Your daughter’s number,” she supplied, gripping the small paper with sweaty palms.
“How did you get it?”
“I asked a friend to look her up,” she replied. No way was she telling how curious about him they’d been.
He creased his brows. “Can you do that?” he asked.
Knowing he was right to question her made her defensive. “Do you want it or not?”
“Uh—I can’t see it.”
Oh yeah. She hadn’t thought of that. Some people weren’t cut out for crime. Annie was sweating cats, dogs and elephants. “I’ll program it in your phone. Then you can use your voice dialing to call her.”
Saul was dressed in street clothes. Annie had to admit, he looked good in those dark, blue jeans. It took effort, but she willed her eyes up to his face, glad he couldn’t see her ogling him. Saul pushed his hand into his pocket and retrieved his phone. He held it out to her.
Their hands connected. Magnetized energy discharged between them catching her by surprise.
“Uh—thanks,” he said.
Not missing the lowered decibels in his voice, Annie withdrew her hand as if she’d been stung. She cleared her throat. “It’s no problem. I just want you and your daughter reunited.” She took the phone out of his hand.
Color Blind Page 2