Wyatt hung up then quickly redialed his mother’s line. He then placed his phone on the passenger side seat and got his Mustang back on the road. The phone rang six times then went to voice mail. Not being able to reach her caused his panic to kick up a few notches. Sweat was pooling on his forehead.
Please, Lord. Please help me get to her as soon as I possibly can.
**
Kaitlyn navigated the windy roads adjacent to Breezy Beach as she headed back toward the center of town after leaving Wyatt’s house. She took her time, stopping a few times to check out the view from the bluff. The fresh air blew straight through her, which was a good thing under the circumstances. Her cheeks still felt flushed after being in his presence. She let out a throaty chuckle as she got back into her car. It ought to be illegal to be as handsome and appealing as Wyatt Donahue. God sure had blessed him with an abundance of attributes.
“He could charm the birds out of the trees.” Her mother, Maisie, had always described Wyatt using that particular phrase. What would her mother say when she told her Wyatt was her newest client? Back in the day she’d raved about his exploits on the baseball field and his status as golden boy of Breeze Point High. Matter of fact, her mother had always been a big fan of all the Donahue boys. Kaitlyn thought her mother secretly harbored dreams of her marrying one of them, since it was her belief that “Maggie and Alec Donahue raised those boys right.”
She slowed her car down as she reached her favorite stretch of Breezy Beach. There was a little bridge up ahead. In spring and summer, crabbers gathered underneath the bridge with their nets to catch their lunch or supper. Kaitlyn had fond memories of crabbing with her father in that particular spot as the blistering Cape Cod sun had shined down on them. Each and every time she’d landed a crab in her net she’d been tempted to deliver it back to the ocean. “You’re too tender hearted, Kaitlyn,” her father had always said with a rueful shake of his head. “That might get you into trouble someday.”
Up ahead sat the big gray house that used to serve frozen lemonade, curly fries and chili cheese dogs. The attractive lifeguards had hung out there during their off hours, looking glamorous and youthful in their red lifeguard suits. She’d loved those carefree days at the beach when the moments had been blissful and full of nothing but sunshine and the tangy feel of the salty ocean on her skin. Someday her own children would frolic on this beach and build sandcastles and memories.
On this blustery January afternoon the beach was desolate. The only person she spotted was walking back and forth in front of the gray beach house. With just a glance, Kaitlyn sensed that something wasn’t right. It was a woman. She was all alone. Her movements were agitated and she kept glancing around as if she was looking for someone.
She chewed her lip. Perhaps the woman needed help. She’d never been able to turn away from a person in need. On impulse, Kaitlyn put her blinker on and entered the lot designated for beach visitors.
When she was within five feet of the woman, she immediately recognized her. It was Maggie Donahue! She was still wearing her Sweet Treats apron and there was a look of confusion etched on her face. Kaitlyn didn’t see another car in the lot other than her own. When she pulled up she waved to Maggie out her window. Maggie gaped at her with a look of bewilderment. Although she waved back at her, Kaitlyn had the feeling she didn’t fully recognize her. Keeping the car idling, Kaitlyn hopped out and walked toward her.
“Maggie! Is everything okay? I spotted you over here and wondered if you needed any help.”
“Hi. I’m sorry. You look so familiar but I can’t…I’m terrible with names,” Maggie said, her movements jittery.
Maggie wasn’t terrible with names. She knew that for a fact. Every time Kaitlyn went to Sweet Treats Maggie greeted her warmly by her first name. And she seemed to be on a first name basis with all her customers. It made no sense to her that Maggie had forgotten her name. Hadn’t she just ran in to her a few weeks ago at the fruit market?
“I’m Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn O’Malley. Maisie and Bill’s daughter. I was Wyatt’s tutor back in high school.”
Maggie raised her hands to her cheeks. “Kaitlyn. Of course. I’m so sorry. I’ve been waiting here and it’s so cold.”
For the first time she realized that Maggie wasn’t wearing a coat. “Oh, Maggie. Where’s your coat? It’s frigid out here.”
Tears gathered in Maggie’s eyes. “I-I don’t know. At the bakery I think.”
Something was terribly wrong. Kaitlyn didn’t know exactly what was going on but all her senses were pointing toward a possible medical crisis or an emotional breakdown. She needed to get Maggie warmed up and call 911. Or call Wyatt or another family member. Shoot! It just occurred to her that she and Wyatt had never exchanged phone numbers. 911 might be the best way to go.
“Maggie, please come sit in my car and get warm. You’ll freeze out here.” Kaitlyn reached out and touched Maggie’s hands. She winced at the icy cold feel of her skin. Gently she tugged at her wrist. She didn’t seem to want to budge an inch.
“My son is coming to get me. He said to stay by the house, so I need to stay by the house.”
Kaitlyn took hold of her hand and gently pulled her toward her car. “It will be okay,” she said in a gentle voice. “I’ll keep an eye out for him. Who’s coming to get you?”
Her lip began to quiver. She began to slowly walk with Kaitlyn. “I don’t know. I can’t remember…maybe Remy or Ryder. I don’t know.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a cell phone. “I was talking to him and my phone died. I must have forgotten to charge it last night.”
Kaitlyn opened the passenger side door and helped Maggie inside. Just as she was making her way to the driver’s side a car came speeding into the lot. Kaitlyn wondered if it was one of the Donahue boys coming to pick up Maggie.
As soon as the car drew closer, Kaitlyn recognized Wyatt behind the wheel. She almost did a double take. He was driving? And he’d somehow managed to ditch his wheelchair. Judging by the way he’d barreled into the lot at breakneck speed, there was an urgent situation at hand. Just as he came to a halt beside her another car came zooming into the lot. Wyatt rolled down his window and asked, “Kaitlyn. Have you seen my mother?”
“Yes. She’s sitting in my car warming up. When I spoke to her something just didn’t seem right. She wasn’t even wearing a coat.”
Wyatt heaved a sigh of relief and dropped his head down onto his forearm on the window ledge. When he swung his head back up she could see the fear and anxiety emanating from his eyes.
“Thank you,” he said, his breathing choppy. He flashed her a tight smile that didn’t make its way up to his eyes.
“What’s going on, Wyatt? I happened to spot your mother from the road,” Kaitlyn explained. “She seems out of it. Disoriented. I was about to call 911. She may have had a stroke.”
Wyatt was shaking his head. “No, she didn’t have a stroke. She has dementia, Kaitlyn.”
Dementia. Just hearing the word sent shivers racing down her back. Through her work at the hospital she was acquainted with many patients who were living with dementia. Maggie Donahue was such a sweet, vital woman. The news was stunning and heartbreaking.
“Oh, Wyatt. I-I’m so sorry to hear that. I had no idea. Now it all makes sense.”
“So there’s no need to call 911. I just need to get her back to the house.” Wyatt glanced in his rearview mirror. “I called Blue for some backup. That’s his car right behind me. Things have been fairly stable for a while, but in the last few weeks everything has begun to unravel.”
“I’ve heard that’s how dementia works,” Kaitlyn said. “Unpredictable. Chaotic.”
Blue had gotten out of his car and was now walking towards them. He craned his neck to look into Wyatt’s vehicle. “Did you find her?” he asked, his features clenched.
Wyatt jutted his chin in her direction. “She’s safe and sound, Blue. We have Kaitlyn to thank for that. She’s sitting in her car over there getting warmed up. C
an you imagine she was out here without a jacket?”
Blue looked over at Kaitlyn. A relieved expression was now stamped on his face. He reached out and hugged her. “Thank you so much. I’m going to go get her and take her home.” He looked back at Wyatt. “You okay? You want to come back with us to the house?”
“I’ll follow you there,” Wyatt said, wincing and sucking in air.
“You’re not okay,” Kaitlyn said as soon as Blue walked away. “Are you?”
A hissing sound escaped from his lips. His features were pinched. “The whole ride here I was pumped up from adrenaline so I didn’t feel any pain. But as soon as I reached the lot I came crashing down. I’m not sure I could have gotten out of this car if I was on fire. It’s like my leg has cramped up and it won’t ease up.” He turned to look at her and their gazes held and locked. “I’ve never been so happy to see someone as I was when I realized it was you standing there.”
Wyatt’s gratitude sent her spirits soaring. Her heart began beating in double time. “What can I do to help?” she asked, noticing the tiny beads of sweat on his forehead.
“You’ve already done it by finding her and keeping her safe and warm until we could get here. And for that,” he said, pressing his right hand over his heart, “I will always be eternally grateful.”
Blue walked over to them accompanied by Maggie. She was now wearing his jacket and appeared to be calmer and more collected. She leaned in through the car window and pressed a kiss against Wyatt’s cheek. “Thanks for riding to my rescue, sweetheart. Blue’s going to take me home so I can unwind in a nice long bath and read one of my mystery novels.”
“I’ll swing by, Mom,” Wyatt said, gritting his teeth.
“Not a chance,” Blue said, his brows knitted together. “You look like you’re going to pass out or something. Go home, Wyatt. I’ve got this.”
“But I’m fine,” Wyatt protested. “I had a cramp in my leg, but it’s gone now.”
“Listen to your big brother,” Maggie said in a weary voice. “I may be coming apart at the seams these days, but even I can see that you need to go home and rest.” She reached out and squeezed Kaitlyn’s hand. “Thank you for your kindness, sweet girl.”
Blue walked Maggie toward his SUV and took her arm as she stepped into the vehicle. Wyatt had been muttering ever since they walked away.
“Can’t even take care of my Mom properly,” he said, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
“It seems to me you took care of her very nicely, Wyatt. You got here, didn’t you? And you made sure Blue made it here as well.”
“What if you hadn’t been here? What if I’d had to go get her on the beach? Me, my bum leg, a cane and endless miles of sandy beach. It could have been disastrous.”
“And what if a sea gull had swooped down and bit you on the nose?”
He drew his brows together. “What are you talking about?’
She giggled at the perplexed expression on his face. “I’ve never been one for what ifs. My point is you could go on and on with what ifs. Sometimes you just have to feel happy with what is. Enjoy the blessings.” She reached out and squeezed his arm.
“You’re right. The Donahue family is very blessed. Even though I’m a little out of sorts, I can’t lose sight of that.”
“Well, that’s nice to hear.” She rubbed her hands together. The cold was whipping through her body. She’d been so focused on Maggie and Wyatt, as well as the revelation about Maggie’s dementia, that she’d forgotten how cold it was outside.
“I need to get back to work before I’m late for my next client,” Kaitlyn said, wishing she could hang out with Wyatt a little more. It was a bit unsettling how happy she felt being in his presence. Staring into those brilliant eyes of his was like looking directly into the sun.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, bright and early.” He winked at her. “And thanks again for being part of the cavalry. I owe you one.”
With a wave, Kaitlyn headed toward the warmth of her car. She noticed that Wyatt had waited until she’d reached the comfort of her vehicle until he drove off. Kaitlyn found herself touched by the small, gentlemanly gesture. It had been a long time since she’d felt anything quite like this. A warmth had settled in her chest, along with a host of butterflies that were now fluttering in her belly.
It was ridiculous. It was one thing to have felt this way as a giddy teenager. But she was a mature adult now with plenty of common sense and life experience. Kaitlyn reminded herself that having feelings for Wyatt wasn’t smart. “He’s your client,” she reminded herself. “Off limits.” With a strangled cry of frustration she roared out of the lot, wishing that things in her life hadn’t become so complicated.
“Hope is such a fragile thing. But if we feed it and nurture it and treat it like a precious gift, it will blossom into something amazing.”
Sarah Dalton
Chapter Four
Wyatt was standing in the infield, his body primed for action. His team mate and friend, Chip Hayes, was covering second base while Alejandro Vega was covering third. Doug Healey stood on the pitcher’s mound, his head bowed while his arms were crossed in front of him. Wyatt knew Doug well enough to know he was deep in prayer. At the moment they needed all the prayers they could get. Bases were loaded in the final inning of the championship game. The Miami Rockets had two outs. The score was tight with the Bay State Bombers leading by only a single run. Rowdy Gates was up at bat for the Miami Rockets. His batting average was the best in the league at .324. In the last five years he’d led the Rockets to two World Series Championships. Rowdy would make the record books and the Hall of Fame, but Wyatt was hoping that it wouldn’t be based on the outcome of today’s game.
“Not today,” he said out loud, earning himself a grin from Alejandro.
Doug assumed the pose. He wound up and threw a fastball toward Rowdy. Rowdy swung, hitting the ball perfectly and sending it straight in Wyatt’s direction. As if in slow motion, Wyatt watched the ball sliding to his right. Using every ounce of his agility, Wyatt moved to the right with his glove extended. Crack. The sound of the ball landing safely in his glove sent all his senses into orbit.
The crowd was going wild. World Champs! They’d done it. He couldn’t believe it. Finally. A World Series banner would be going up in Brimley Park. The Bay State Bombers had won the World Series.
He glanced over at the dugout. The entire Donahue family was seated nearby. He’d done it on purpose, giving them seats that were close to the action and in his line of sight. Every time he’d been in need of fortitude during the game he had been able to look over at them and gain strength of purpose from their presence here. His brothers raised their arms in triumph. AJ was waving a sign that read, Wyatt Rocks The Field. His mother was crying tears of joy while Pops was giving everyone high fives. Gabrielle, Sarah, Tess, Rose and Layla were all screaming his name like lunatics. And someone was standing next to them blowing him kisses. Her golden hair shimmered. It was Kaitlyn!
A blaring sound jolted Wyatt from slumber. He rolled over and pressed hard on the snooze button, desperate to stop the grating sound of the alarm. Just ten more minutes, he told himself. What a glorious dream he’d been having. They’d won the World Series. All the Donahues had been there to witness it and share in his triumph. And Kaitlyn. She’d been there also. Blowing him kisses?
He sat up straight in bed. He’d just had the most awesome dream of his entire life. And for some reason his subconscious had placed Kaitlyn in the dream.
Reaching for his cane, he brought himself to a standing position. He didn’t have time to sleep in. Kaitlyn would be at his place in forty minutes or so. Judging by her personality, she would be arriving on the dot. Not a minute too early. Not a second past ten o’clock. Right on time.
After a quick, hot shower during which he used his shower chair to lessen the possibility of slipping and further injuring himself, he put a short sleeved T-shirt and a pair of sweats. When he was able to make his way to the kitchen w
ith no pain in his leg he considered it a major accomplishment. Perhaps all his movement yesterday had loosened up his joints.
He scrambled up some eggs, adding cheddar cheese, diced onions and green pepper. He tossed in some slices of ham and folded the meat into the eggs. The toaster dinged, letting him know his two pieces of whole wheat toast were ready. He took a seat at his kitchen table and poured himself a tall glass of orange juice. A quick glance at the clock told him he had ten minutes before his appointment with Kaitlyn. Within eight minutes he’d downed his eggs and toast. Balancing himself carefully, he placed his glass on top of his plate and opened the dishwasher with his free hand. He shut the dish washer just as the front doorbell pealed. A trickle of excitement rushed through him. There would be no wheelchair today. Yesterday’s little adventure had shown him that he could do so much more than he’d allowed himself to believe lately.
When he opened the front door he had to steady himself against the rush of feeling that rose up inside him at the sight of Kaitlyn standing at his door.
“Heaven help me,” he muttered, earning himself a raised eyebrow from Kaitlyn.
“Good morning to you too, Donahue,” she said as he ushered her inside his home.
Kaitlyn was decked out in blue scrubs, a thermal t shirt and her winter coat. She pointed at her boots. “Is it okay if I take these off? I don’t want to mess up your hardwood floors. Plus, I like working in my socks.”
“Go for it. Make yourself at home,” Wyatt said with a wave of his hand. He wasn’t fussy about his hardwood floors, but he liked the idea of seeing Kaitlyn in her socks.
Kaitlyn tugged off her boots and turned back toward him. She began sniffing the air around her. “What is that smell? Was that breakfast?”
“Yep. Eggs a la Wyatt.”
Kaitlyn groaned. “Eggs are my favorite. I’m impressed that someone as famous as you cooks.”
Baby It's You (Seven Brides Seven Brothers Book 6) Page 5