He shrugged. “I’ve seen too many horror stories about people falling into that trap of addiction.” He shuddered. “And because of my birth parents I have a predisposition to addiction. I don’t want to tempt fate.”
Why had he said that? He never opened up with women. That was part of his problem with relationships. That and his tendency to end the relationship before things got serious. He’d never allowed himself to fall. And in the process he’d earned himself the title of heartbreaker. He’d been described that way by the media so many times it was beginning to sound ridiculous. Perhaps he was feeling comfortable around Kaitlyn because of their past history. Once upon a time Kaitlyn had saved him from being benched from the playing field due to his poor grades. Because of that he would always have a soft spot in his heart for her.
“There are many different ways to tackle pain. And they don’t all involve being on strong pain meds.” Kaitlyn studied him for a few minutes. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head. “I’d like to help you with your recovery and managing your pain levels, Wyatt. If you’ll let me.”
****
Kaitlyn wanted to help Wyatt more than she’d ever wanted to help any other patient she’d been hired to assist. He seemed defeated to her. It radiated off him in waves. This wasn’t the Wyatt Donahue she’d known so many years ago, nor was it the man who was so well -regarded by his teammates, the fans and the media. Not to mention that his family adored him. She still ran into Wyatt’s parents from time to time at church or when she had a hankering for cranberry chocolate chip cookies at Sweet Treats. Maggie and Alec’s pride for all their children ran deep.
More than most people, Kaitlyn understood Wyatt’s frustration. Pain messed with a person’s mind. And their heart and soul. It could take a person to the depths of despair. Add in the fact that Wyatt was on the brink of losing his pro baseball career if he didn’t recover and you had an explosive situation brewing.
“So, can you walk?” Kaitlyn asked.
“Hobble is more like it,” he admitted. “The wheelchair is just so I can get around the house more easily and for times when the pain is too much.” He let out a ragged sigh. “You know the saying that God doesn’t give us more than we can bear? There have been times since this whole odyssey began that I’ve seriously questioned that.”
Kaitlyn felt as if her heart was being painfully squeezed inside her chest. “It’s perfectly normal to question it. People go through incredibly difficult times. Sometimes it does seem unbearable.”
Wyatt shrugged. “I don’t want to come across as if I’m wallowing in this situation. I just wish that I didn’t feel so hopeless about my prognosis.” He bowed his head down and focused on the hardwood floors. “I’m pretty tight with the big guy upstairs, but lately He and I are not on the same page.”
She locked eyes with him. “Here’s the thing. I can help you get out of that chair and up and walking. Maybe even running. I’m good at my job. Really good. I specialize in sports injuries and accident victims. I’m sure you can afford to hire the best of the best, but humbly speaking, I get results. And from what I understand, you have a workout room we could do your rehab in. Nice and easy. I’d come to you three or four times a week, whatever you’re comfortable with scheduling.”
She told herself she wasn’t bragging by making such a bold statement about being a great physical therapist. In this moment it felt crucial for her to win him over. Seeing him chained to his misery and pain and his wheelchair seemed criminal. Wyatt Donahue was a fighter! If he set his mind to it, he could fly past all these obstacles and get back on the field. Maybe not in time for Spring Training, but she was a firm believer in miracles. Anything was possible.
And she wasn’t delusional. She knew he could probably afford to hire one of those really exclusive sports rehab professionals, but would Wyatt even have allowed them in his front door? The only reason he’d allowed her to come inside was due to their past friendship.
Wyatt grinned, causing butterflies to flip flop in her stomach. “You’ve always been good at things, haven’t you? Math. Science. Pi?” He let out a chuckle. She liked the sound of it. Nice and easy. This was the Wyatt she remembered. The golden boy with the handsome features and the fantastic sense of humor. It felt good to have made him smile.
“I’m good at some things. I wasn’t so good at the social stuff back in high school, although I’ve spent the last few years catching up,” she teased.
Her cheeks heated at the memory of how nerdy she’d been back in the day. Her acne issue had given her low self-esteem even though her parents always had made a point to tell her she was beautiful. Her older sister Lacey had been no help. She’d always gone out of her way to undermine her self-confidence. Kaitlyn hadn’t had a single date in high school, nor had she attended one school dance. Not even the prom, although as a junior she’d harbored a few fantasies about Wyatt Donahue asking her to go as his date. As if he ever would have!
Wyatt had attended the prom with popular cheerleader, Cindy Lovett, while Kaitlyn had stayed at home watching her favorite TV show, Full House, and eating a pint of Ben and Jerry’s cherry Garcia ice cream. It had been no big surprise when Kaitlyn had discovered Monday morning that Wyatt and Cindy had been voted Prom King and Queen. It had been difficult not to feel jealous of easy breezy beauties like Cindy who waltzed through life as if the world were their oyster. It was amazing how easy it was for her to slip back into the past and feel the agony she had once felt. Ugh. How annoying that she hadn’t gotten over it yet.
She fished in her back pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. “And by the way, here’s your check. While it’s tempting, I like to earn my pay the old-fashioned way. Through hard work and putting in the hours.”
Wyatt nodded at her, a small smile hovering on his lips. He reached out and took the check from her. “I respect that. It’s how I came up in the world of pro baseball. I utilize those very same principles.”
She nodded, fully aware of how hard Wyatt had worked to reach the upper echelons of the world of professional sports. “I’ve followed your career some. You should be very proud of yourself, Wyatt. No matter how this all ends up.” She watched as a shadow crossed his face, which lent a harsh appearance to his features. He quickly covered it up with a smile. She had to remind herself to breathe normally. Boy did Wyatt have charisma in spades. Matter of fact, he always had. But the adult, manly version of Wyatt was tantamount to feeling the heat of the sun beating down on you.
“So, Kaitlyn. Are you going to put in the hours with me? Are you going to try to get me walking again without a cane or pain wracking my body?”
She met his gaze head-on without wavering. “Are you willing to work hard? Possibly harder than you ever have before?”
“Yes,” he said, his voice emphatic. “If you’re telling me that you can help me, I’ll put in the work.” There was a glint in his blue eyes, one that spoke of desire and ambition and will. Wyatt Donahue was in this to win this. “I just need to know that it’s possible. All I’ve been hearing from my doctors about a full recovery is doom and gloom.”
She wasn’t going to promise him the moon, but her personal beliefs told her that hope was ever present. Wyatt may have gotten discouraged with his prayers not being answered, but it didn’t mean that God didn’t intend to grant them in His time.
“Nobody can promise you that you’ll ever be back in a Bay State Bombers uniform. But I do believe it’s highly likely. With your history of sports conditioning, the fact that you’re in excellent health combined with that determined streak of yours, the sky is the limit. I’ve worked with clients who’ve been exactly in your shoes.” She let out a little laugh. “Except for them being superstar baseball players. You’re my first client of that variety.”
Wyatt grinned. “My mother always tells me I’m an original,” he teased. “Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad one to hear her tell it.”
Kaitlyn smiled. Maggie Donahue sure hadn’t told her son any lie
s. Wyatt Donahue was the most unique person she’d ever met in this world. Uh oh. Was she crushing on Wyatt? No way! She’d buried those feelings a long time ago. She was simply happy that she’d managed to turn his cantankerous, foul outlook into something resembling cautious optimism. Her joy stemmed from professional pride rather than emotion.
“Then I’ll be here bright and early tomorrow morning. Nine am sharp.” She made sure to keep her voice crisp and professional.
Wyatt frowned. “Nine? I sleep in late in the mornings, Kaitlyn. How about eleven-thirty?”
“Ten o’clock sharp,” Kaitlyn countered. “And by sharp I mean dressed and ready to rock n’ roll.”
He let out a groan then nodded his head. “Deal.”
She stuck out her hand, earning her a raised eyebrow from Wyatt.
With a disbelieving shake of his head, Wyatt slid his hand into hers and shook it vigorously. “I haven’t shaken on a deal since middle school.”
Kaitlyn felt tiny little sparks the moment her flesh touched Wyatt’s palm. Unnerved, she ended the handshake. “I-I should be going now. I’ll see you tomorrow, Wyatt.” She quickly moved towards the front door, suddenly eager to shake off this overwhelming feeling that had enveloped her. A cold blast of wintry air jolted her the moment she opened up his front door and headed towards her car.
“Wait!” He sat in the doorway of his home, calling out to her. “You never did say who hired you?”
She turned back toward him and grinned. What was the harm? He was bound to find out sooner or later. “Why the Donahue boys of course. Your brothers. All six of them.”
It took every ounce of self-control she possessed not to start laughing out loud at the stunned look etched on his face. Once she was inside her car she roared off, her explosive laughter filling up the silence. This assignment was promising to be way more fun than she was used to having as a physical therapist. She just needed to be careful of allowing herself to fall for Wyatt again. She’d been down that particular road before and ended up with nothing but heartache.
“People always ask your Dad and me why we adopted seven children. The truth is, I think you boys were always in my heart. Bringing you home with us was just our reunion.”
Maggie Donahue
Chapter Three
Wyatt should have known that his brothers were responsible for hiring Kaitlyn as his physical therapist. It was a classic, Donahue brothers move. He laughed out loud at the symmetry of it. He and Kaitlyn’s high school student-tutor relationship had been based on the vast wealth of knowledge she’d imparted on him in order for him to stay afloat with his studies. History was about to repeat itself. And he couldn’t be happier. He’d laughed this afternoon more than he’d laughed in weeks. Kaitlyn was a known entity. They shared a history. And even though they hadn’t been close friends, they’d been buddies. Sort of.
He felt guilty about not recognizing her, not even when she’d told him her name. Sure, it had been twelve years ago, but she’d been instrumental in his academic survival.
Why hadn’t he kept in touch with her? Why had it been so easy to let go of someone who’d helped him along the way? He wondered if he’d ever properly thanked her for all she’d done to assist him with his failing grades.
She’d been a junior to his senior, so when he’d graduated from Breeze Point High she’d still had one more year to go. He frowned as other memories rose to the surface. Kaitlyn hadn’t hung out with any particular crowd or attended the parties held on weekends. She had always walked around with her nose stuck firmly in a book. And he didn’t remember her dating or having much of a social life. Had she been happy? Was there a best friend with whom she’d been joined at the hip? And what about her life in the here and now?
He wondered if she had a boyfriend. She was quite the looker. Shapely. Glossy hair. Beautiful skin. A gorgeous smile. With her intelligence and kindness she was the entire package. He hadn’t thought of dating anyone for quite a while. His love life had always been complicated. And he respected Kaitlyn O’Malley way too much to drag her down that path. Things never ended well in his relationships. Even though he was tempted to ask Kaitlyn out to dinner or to the movies, he knew it was a terrible idea. His life was complicated enough as it was. There really wasn’t any room for blue-eyed physical therapists who might knock him off his game. He needed to focus on getting back to the Bay State Bombers and his team. They needed him. And he needed to feel whole again.
It was a shame about Kaitlyn though, considering all she brought to the table.
His cell phone began ringing to the tune of “Sweet Caroline” and he reached for it, quickly scanning the caller ID to see who it was. A picture of his mother popped up on the screen. “Hi, beautiful,” he said into the phone. “I thought you were working today. Things must be a little slow since you’re calling me.”
His mother began mumbling a string of incoherent words alternated with sobbing. He couldn’t make out a word she was saying.
“Wait, Ma. Slow down. What happened? Who did what? Where are you?”
“I’m at the beach, Wyatt. I just went out for some fresh air and now I’m here. My head feels so fuzzy. I don’t know which direction will take me back to town.”
“Did you drive? Or walk?”
“I walked. I don’t know how to drive.”
Fear kicked him right in the gut. She wasn’t making sense. She’d been driving ever since she was a teenager growing up in Ireland. When they were teens she’d encouraged all of her sons to learn to drive as soon as they were able. “Driving gives you a sense of freedom, and as long as you’re responsible, it can be the best feeling in the world to be out on the open road.” Those had been her words.
And he couldn’t believe she’d walked all the way to Breezy Beach. Who was at the bakery? Why hadn’t anybody been keeping an eye on her?
“Ma, stay on the phone with me, okay. I’m going to head over to get you right now.” He didn’t dare hang up the phone to call one of his brothers.
“I’m at a little house, Ryder. A gray house.” She’d just called him Ryder, although she’d been able to tell him where she was located. In summer months the gray house served as a concession stand, a locker room for the lifeguards and bathrooms for the public. Everything was locked up in the fall, winter and spring months.
“Stay at the little house, okay? Sit down on the white bench, okay?”
“Yes. Yes, I’ll do that,” she said in a quiet voice. “I see it.”
He hadn’t driven in months due to his leg. His car service was on call 24/7 to take him wherever he wanted to go. But he didn’t dare hang up the call with his mother so that he could call his driver, Anton. She wasn’t acting like herself. He feared that it was yet another progression of this insidious disease. He grabbed his keys and cane and flew to the front door, for once feeling grateful for the electric wheelchair. Wrenching open the door he wheeled down the ramp and headed towards his garage. Walking up to the keypad he said a silent prayer that his red sports car was still running. When his code quickly opened the garage he started talking to his mother again, his adrenaline pumping. “You still there? Stay with me, okay?” He placed the call on speaker.
“Okay.” Her voice sounded so muffled and small. She seemed so lost. Almost childlike. And it broke his heart to hear it in her voice. His sweet, brave mother. Maggie had been through so much tragedy in her life, yet she’d persevered and thrived and made a wonderful life for their family. Donahue strong! Maggie Donahue exemplified the family motto in every word and deed.
He pulled open the driver’s door of his car. With a wild cry of pain he shifted himself from the seat of his wheelchair into the driver’s seat. In the process he banged his leg against the door. With pain searing through him, he dropped his head down on to the steering wheel and moaned.
“Wyatt? Are you almost here?” his mother’s voice came across the line.
“Almost, Ma,” he said, as he revved the engine of the Mustang. He said a prayer of than
ks as the car came to life. He reversed the car out of his garage and took off down the beach road, his tires spewing dirt and rocks as he sped off.
Suddenly, the line went dead, plunging him headlong into terror. He quickly dialed her back, only to be met with her voice mail message. His house was located on Crestview Lane. His property overlooked Breezy Beach, but the beach extended for miles and there was no telling if his mother was sitting by the gray house as she’d promised.
God, please watch over her. Please protect her until I can get to her side.
Wyatt pulled the car over to the side of the road. He pressed his contacts and dialed Blue’s number. “C’mon. Pick up,” he yelled into the phone.
“Hey, Wyatt. What’s up?” Blue’s relaxed voice rang out through the receiver.
“Blue. Get to Breezy Beach as fast as you can. It’s Mom. She called me a few minutes ago saying she wandered over there. She’s disoriented. I’m trying to get there as fast as I can. I’m driving the Mustang. I might need some help if she’s down on the beach somewhere.” His voice cracked under the strain of heavy emotion.
“Okay. Got it. I’m leaving my office now,” Blue said in a tight voice. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.” Relief flooded him at the realization that he wasn’t alone in this. Blue was headed toward Breezy Beach, and if necessary, he could walk the beach looking for her. His biggest fear at this moment was that his physical limitations would limit his ability to find her if she’d wandered along the beach. At this point he’d crawl if necessary in order to get to her.
Baby It's You (Seven Brides Seven Brothers Book 6) Page 4