Blue Roses (Reunited Series)

by Sharon C. Cooper

  Tyler leaned closer, affording her the pleasure of his fresh, masculine scent. She might’ve had a slight headache, but there was definitely nothing wrong with her sense of smell.

  “Can I do anything for you?”

  Yeah, you can move away from the bed, is what she wanted to say, his nearness wreaking havoc on her willpower – her desire to touch and kiss him was overwhelming. Instead she asked, “Can I have some water?”

  “Of course.” He poured her a cup from the pitcher sitting on the bedside table and brought the straw to her lips. “Anything else?”

  “When can I leave?”

  Tyler chuckled and stared down at her with eyes filled with compassion. “Girl, do you know what kind of condition you’re in?” He communicated everything that the doctor had shared, and told her about the surgery, which she didn’t remember. Within minutes, she’d fallen back to sleep.

  The next day Dallas awakened, again surprised to see Tyler sitting in a nearby corner. This time he was hunched over a small table with files spread out, talking quietly on his cell phone. She could watch him all day. His self-confidence, commanding presence, and take charge attitude were just a few of many things that had attracted her to him. After several moments, he looked over and saw that she was awake and quickly ended his call.

  “Ah, so sleeping beauty awakens.” He ambled over and sat in the chair next to the bed.

  “You didn’t have to stop what you were doing,” Dallas rasped.

  Tyler shrugged. “Just taking care of business, but it can wait. How do you feel or are you tired of everyone asking you that?”

  She grunted and gave a slight shrug, vaguely remembering much of anything from the past couple of days.

  “I talked with Tim and Simone yesterday,” he said, leaning on the bed. “Simone of course wanted to get on the next plane out here, but her doctor has threatened to put her on bed rest in light of a few concerns. And before you ask, she’s okay. I can’t believe she’s five months pregnant, seems like just yesterday they announced they were having a baby.”

  “Yes it does,” Dallas said, thinking about her best friend and happy she was living the life she’d always dreamed of.

  Tim Hollister, Tyler’s brother, married Simone, Dallas’s best friend over a year ago and moved to San Diego. Closer than most sisters, Dallas missed her like crazy and at the moment, wished Simone was the one sitting next to her instead of Tyler. Being near him made everything within Dallas come alive, and she hated it. They’d been apart for months, and she couldn’t understand why the sexual energy was just as strong as when they parted.

  Her thoughts were interupted when the door swung open.

  “Well, I see you’re awake,” the doctor said to Dallas when he walked in. He nodded at Tyler, and then turned back to Dallas. “How do you feel?”

  “Like I’ve been hit by a truck.”

  He smiled. “Almost.”

  “When can I leave?” She couldn’t tell which was worse, the shortness of breath or the pounding in her head, but she knew she didn’t want to be there. “I guess I should be thankful ... I’m alive, but I don’t know how ... much more of this I can take. Everything hurts.”

  “I’ll have the nurse bring you something for the pain,” the doctor said. “As far as you leaving - not just yet. But, since your husband agreed to take good care of you, I guess I can release you in about two days. Right now, try to get some rest. I’ll check on you a little later.”

  The doctor was barely out of the room before Dallas cut her eyes at Tyler and said, “Husband?” Each time she spoke she felt like her chest would explode.

  He stood over her. Noticing her discomfort, he caressed her cheek, immediately making her feel better. But she wanted to know what was going on.

  “We can talk about this when you’re feeling better.”

  “Now.”

  He released a loud sigh. “Okay. If you stop talking and relax, I’ll tell you everything.”

  She nodded.

  “Dallas, the only way they would give me any information on your condition, is if I were a relative. So I said the first thing that came to mind.”

  She squinted at him, trying hard not to snap, her voice raspy. “You couldn’t tell them... you were my brother?”

  “Baby, I didn’t think of that.”

  She stared at him until a soft knock at the door drew their attention.

  “Hi. I’m Officer Logan, may I come in?”

  Tyler moved forward. “Sure, I’m Tyler Hollister.” He shook the officer’s extended hand. “May I help you?”

  “I was hoping to ask Ms. Marcel a few questions about the accident.” He walked further into the room. His deep set eyes and strong facial features made him look authoritarian. At least six-three, with wide shoulders that tapered down to a narrow waist and 200 plus pounds of leanness, Dallas was sure criminals submitted to whatever he commanded.

  “I’m not sure now is a good time. Besides, we both have already talked to cops.”

  “It’s okay.” Dallas gingerly eased the covers up over her chest. “What do you ... want to know?” The officer, who questioned her the day before, told her that although witnesses were consistent with the color and make of the car that hit her, none could remember seeing plates on the vehicle.

  “I promise this won’t take long.” The officer pulled out his notepad. “But first, I have some conflicting information so let me ask you. What’s the relationship between you two?”

  Good question, Dallas thought. She shared a long look with Tyler before saying, “We’re friends.” Tyler nodded a confirmation. Despite his good reason for telling the hospital staff they were married, she definitely didn’t want to give that information to a cop.

  The officer raised an eyebrow, looked at Tyler, and then back at her apparently noticing the silent exchanged between them.

  “Alright.” He jotted something down on his pad. “Ms. Marcel, I understand you live in Chicago. What are you doing in Milwaukee?”

  “I have clients here.”

  “What type of work do you do?”

  “I’m an investment manager. I come here periodically ... to meet with clients, which is where ... I was headed before the accident.”

  The officer asked questions for nearly ten minutes and Dallas didn’t know how much longer she could stay awake. Besides that, she felt like she’d run a marathon with all of the talking.

  “I think that’s enough for today,” Tyler said.

  “Last question. Can you think of any reason why someone would want to hurt you?”

  “What?” She and Tyler asked in unison.

  The officer held up a hand. “Hear me out. Mr. Hollister, I didn’t see this in your report, but a witness said the crash looked intentional. And since the accident was a hit and run, I have to ask these questions. You’d be surprised how domestic disputes turn in—”

  “What are you implying?” Tyler asked and moved closer to the officer. “Is there something you’re not telling us?”

  “I’m not implying anything. I’m just asking questions.”

  “Go on,” Dallas said. She didn’t know what the witness saw, but she wasn’t currently in a relationship and couldn’t imagine anyone ramming a car into her on purpose.

  “Did you have an argument with anyone lately?”

  “No.”

  “Is something going on at work? Did a client lose a lot of money?”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “Are you in a relationship that might not be going well, causing somebody to seek revenge?”

  Dallas popped up in bed. “No, of course not!” The quick move made her clutch her aching ribs and she fell back against the pillows.

  “All right, that’s enough. She’s in no condition to be badgered like this.”

  “Sorry. I’m just doing my job.” He closed his notepad and reached into his pocket. “I’ll leave my card, in case you think of anything.” He backed his way to the door. “I apologize if I upset you,
but we have to make sure we check everything out.”

  When the door swung shut behind him, Tyler turned to her. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded. There was no way the accident could’ve been deliberate, could it? As far as she knew, she didn’t have any enemies.

  “Why don’t you try to get some sleep?”

  She slid further down under the covers. “I don’t know what hurts the most, my head or my ribs,” she moaned. Maybe taking it upon herself to decrease her medication wasn’t the best idea.

  “Let me get the nurse so she can give you something for the pain.” He turned to leave, but she reached out and touched his arm.

  “No. Don’t. I’m tired of ... drug-induced sleep. Just stay with me.”

  Tyler leaned against the bed and cradled her hand. “I’m not going anywhere. Now close those beautiful eyes and get some rest.”

  ****

  The next morning Tyler sat in his home office trying to review the documents that Quinn had sent over for his review. But with his sister-in-law, Simone, on the telephone yapping in his ear about how he should let Dallas move in with him, he wasn’t getting very far.

  “Simone, I can’t,” he said for the third time. He placed the unread report on his desk, leaned back in his chair and glanced around his spacious office. His suburban home was his pride and joy, but his office provided a sense of calm that was often needed after willing and dealing all day. He noted the curtains on the wall-to-wall windows had been opened, letting in much needed sunlight for the plants his housekeeper insisted he needed.

  “Please, Tyler. Who’s going to help her? You know she’s not going to agree to come to San Diego and stay with us. And my doctor has already told me no more traveling. Dallas will be all alone in Chicago. Just let her stay with you. You have more than enough space in that mini-mansion. At least let her stay until she gets back on her feet,” Simone begged. “It’s only for six weeks.”

  Only six weeks. Tyler loved his sister-in-law, but right now she was asking a lot. He had already spent too much time with Dallas. There were moments he had to remind himself that she was his ex, not his woman. He stood and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcases near the fireplace as he half-listened. Replacing several construction books he’d used days ago he asked, “Why can’t she stay with one of her sisters?”

  “The only sister Dallas still has in Milwaukee is, Harmony. She can barely take care of herself. And when I talked with her sister that lives in L.A, she said there was no way she could get away right now. And her oldest sister is stationed in Germany, so that rules her out.”

  Tyler hesitated. “I don’t know, Simone.” He leaned against the mantle and gave her his full attention. “I don’t think her staying here will be a good idea. Besides, you know Dallas. There is no way she’ll agree to this type of arrangement.”

  Sure he was concerned about her well being, but after spending days with her, he knew he wouldn’t be able to handle being around her much longer. They had a history. A very passionate history that he didn’t want to risk revisiting.

  “Well, she doesn’t have a choice. With a broken leg, she can’t drive, let alone maneuver around her house alone. She needs you!” Simone’s voice rose with every word.

  She needs me? Yeah right. Tyler thought about the many times Dallas had told him flat out that she didn’t need him. She never wanted him to do anything for her.

  “Tyler,” his brother got on the line, “is there anything you can do? I know Simone is not going to let this go until she knows that Dallas is going to be taken care of.”

  A moment passed before Tyler spoke. He still remembered the first time he laid eyes on Dallas. She projected a powerful energy that sucked the breath out of him. She could walk into a room and attract attention from both men and women. The men wanted to take her home and the women hated her at first glance. She oozed poise and self-confidence from every pore of her body. If it were up to him, he would’ve spent every waken hour with her. A frustrated sigh past through his lips before he said, “Tim…I thought I was over her. But I don’t think I am. I won’t put myself through this again. And I can’t believe you’re even asking me to consider it. You, more than anyone, know what I’ve been through with her.”

  “I know, I know.” Tim said. “Ty, will you really be able to let her go back to Chicago, by herself? Aren’t you going to worry about her just as much as Simone? Why not just let her stay with you, at least until she can get back on her feet?”

  “Why don’t I just get her a nurse? I can have someone at her place by the time she’s released from the hospital.”

  “And you wouldn’t worry about her?”

  He was right. Tyler knew he’d be consumed with thoughts of Dallas, wondering if she was okay, if she was eating, or if she was in any pain. Even though she drove him nuts while they were dating, he missed her like crazy these last six months. But could he live in the same house with her for weeks? “I don’t know, Tim,” he walked back to his desk and reclaimed his seat.

  “Just think about it,” his brother said.

  “All right.” Tyler disconnected, leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, enjoying the stillness in the room. He had once dreamed of the day when he and Dallas could live under the same roof. This wasn’t how he envisioned it. He thought they’d be married and maybe have a child by now. If only she wasn’t so stubborn and obsessed with making partner, they’d be together.

  Chapter Three

  “Tyler, I don’t care what you say. I’m not going home with you!” Dallas spat. “I think you’re taking this pretend husband thing a little too far.”

  Dressed and ready to leave the hospital, she had every intention of going back to Chicago. But between Simone’s call, telling her that going home alone wasn’t a good idea, and Tyler’s insistence for her to stay with him, she wasn’t sure what to do. Her head pounded and she still felt weak, but no way was she going home with him.

  “I’m not letting you go back to Chicago in this condition.”

  She glared at him. “What do you mean you’re not letting me? I’m a grown ass woman, capable of taking care of myself. I don’t need you or Simone telling me what I can or cannot do.”

  “Dallas, you can hardly walk and you wince every time you move. How are you going to take care of yourself?”

  She hated when he got like this. Thinking he knew what was best for her. It didn’t help that he was standing across the room looking confident and gorgeous in that tailored dark brown suit. And he probably intentionally wore her favorite paisley tie today.

  She rolled her eyes at him and leaned back against the pillow. Getting around would be hard, but not impossible. She had to get back to work. Besides, moving in with him would be too much of a distraction.

  “I’m going to make some other arrangements,” she said. “I’ll call Harmony to see if I can stay with her for a little while.”

  “Simone said that your sister can barely take care of herself. Besides, don’t you think it would be a little cramped in her studio apartment?”

  Dallas didn’t respond. What was she thinking? Staying with Harmony wasn’t an option. Her self-absorbed sister was probably shacked up with some loser anyway. There had to be some other place she could go or something else she could do. Working and attending meetings weren’t going to be a problem; thanks to technology. Walking around on a busted up leg, was another story. She gingerly moved her legs over the edge of the bed. The smallest movement seemed to take all the energy she had.

  “Dallas.” Tyler sat on the bed next to her and took her hand. “I don’t want to argue with you, and I’m not trying to cause you any more stress. Like you, I want you back on your feet and well. That’s all.”

  She studied him, surprised by his kindness through this whole ordeal, considering they hadn’t parted on the best of terms. Thankfully he didn’t realize how irresistible he was. How would she be able to focus on getting better and getting her work done with him around?
/>   “Tyler, I appreciate the offer, it’s just…”

  “It’s just what?”

  “I … I don’t think it’s a good idea,” she said, her words barely audible.

  A slow, cocky smile spread across his face. “Ohhh, so now I get it. You’re afraid you won’t be able to control yourself.” He stood facing her and folded his arms across his wide chest.

  Dallas waved him off. “Oh, whatever. Don’t go getting a big head, ‘cause you ain’t all that.” She lied.

  “All right, ready to go?” The nurse interrupted and rolled the wheelchair into the room. “Since your husband signed your release papers and the doctor already talked to you about your follow-up visits, you’re free to leave.”

  Dallas looked up at Tyler. Overwhelmed feelings of gratitude welled up in her chest. What would she have done without him this past week? Maybe she’d stay with him for a few days until she could make other arrangements. They were adults. Surely she could live under the same roof with him.

  “Thanks for taking care of everything,” she said.

  He bent and rested his hands on the bed on each side of her, bringing them face to face. The smile in his eyes contained a sumptuous flame. “My pleasure.”

  Ugh, you’re not helping here, she cringed. I can’t go backwards. We can’t go back.

  “I’m going to get the truck. I’ll meet you out front.”

  “Oh, before I forget,” the nurse said and held out an envelope to Dallas. “A guy dropped this off for you. I told him he could come in and see you, but he said he didn’t want to disturb you.”

  Dallas opened the envelope and pulled out a beautiful card with blue roses gracing the front. Sorry to hear you’ve been in the hospital. Get well soon.

  She frowned. “It’s not signed.”

  “Let me see it,” Tyler said, and Dallas handed him the card. “Did this person ask for Dallas, or just give you the card?”

  Dallas eyed him suspiciously, noting the concerned look on his face. Ever since the visit from the cop, he’d been glued to her. “It’s just a card, Tyler. I doubt if there’s anything behind it.”