Momentous Kisses: Love in Sandy Beach

by Gray, Jessica

  Russell heard the blood rushing in his ears and felt a familiar pain creeping up into his head. He stared at her in disbelief. How could she refuse to talk about whatever was bothering her? He noticed the anger in her eyes fighting with a welling-up of sadness. Holy hell, what was wrong with that woman? Before he could lose control over his rising rage, he shook his head and stormed back out the door.

  He quickly drove out of town, wanting to get back to Chicago and on with his life. Allison had made her point. She wasn’t interested in him any longer, and he’d be damned if he’d fight her when she wasn’t even willing to discuss what was wrong.

  Halfway back to Chicago the drizzle intensified; he saw a flash of lightning ahead and counted the seconds until he heard the thunder. Five seconds. He calculated the distance to the storm center; it was still one mile away.

  But within minutes it was raining cats and dogs, and the deafening claps of thunder followed the lightning almost immediately. The windshield wipers couldn’t keep up with the downpour and Russell could barely see the middle line.

  He pulled over to the side of the road and waited for the thunderstorm to lighten up. Caught in the eye of the storm, his mind took a journey back to the dark place where he’d been for such a long time after his parents’ death. Toni, Joyce, and most of all Allison had helped him to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but now the entrance was blocked again. It seemed like his life had crumbled into pieces – once again.

  He didn’t know why he wasn't allowed to be happy; he just knew that every time in his life where he’d glimpsed happiness, things had taken a drastic change for the worse.

  The first time had been when he got notice he’d been accepted to medical school. His parents had died in an accident that very same week.

  The second time had come just as he finished his undergraduate degree. He’d been forced to kick out his sister. It had been the only way he saw to save her from tumbling into a full-blown depression, but nevertheless, it had torn his heart into pieces. Or what had been left of his heart.

  The third time was a few years later when he’d opened up enough to find a woman he wanted to have a relationship with. Sandrine. He clenched his teeth against the painful memories. They’d met at a medical congress and had kept things low-key, but when they’d finally decided to make their relationship official, she’d been diagnosed with a brain tumor and had died within weeks.

  He’d never mentioned Sandrine. To anyone. It was the final straw that had sent him running from anything that resembled a relationship. It was better not to get attached. No love – no pain.

  Now he had another example to add to the list. Against his better judgment he’d allowed himself to fall in love with Allison and sure enough, she’d left him. One more proof I am not supposed to be happy in this life.

  Her image flashed through her mind. Her strawberry blond curls, her cheerful giggle. The bliss and laughter she’d brought into his life. Now all of this was gone and the world felt like a dark and lonely place again. And I don’t even have a job anymore.

  Anger threatened to take over. Anger not only at Allison, but also at himself and life in general. He clenched his jaw and vowed to forget her – to forget love – and if that meant he had to get away from his newfound family so be it. The Armstrongs would just have to understand. Besides, who was to say they wouldn’t leave him next?

  The next day, Dex told him he’d found another doctor to buy out his part of the clinic. The deal could be finalized by the end of the month. “You’ll receive approximately twenty million dollars when all’s said and done. That should be enough money to keep you out of trouble.”

  Wow. That had been a lot faster than Russell had anticipated. He’d soon leave the non-fulfilling job in his clinic and have another twenty million dollars to put in the bank. But even the thought of the money didn’t cheer him up; he wanted to get away from everything and everyone for a while.

  He needed to get away from Chicago and any chance he might run into Allison again. She’d made it perfectly clear she never wanted to see him again, and he’d like nothing better than to make that happen. For both of them.

  As he sat at his desk, his gaze fell on his graduation picture from medical school. Beside him stood Cole, who was now the managing director for the US branch of Doctors Without Borders. It was an amazing program, providing medical assistance to Third World countries.

  He wasn’t sure if that was his answer, but if he could work for them a while, it might help take his mind off his pain and give his life purpose once again.

  Before he could have second thoughts he called Cole. After a few words of small talk he cut right to the chase and asked his buddy if it might be possible to work for them for a while.

  “Russell, that would be fantastic. I never thought you were game for that. You run a very successful private clinic.”

  Not anymore. “I might for a limited time, though.”

  “Sounds great. A good plastic surgeon is hard to come by, but one with your reputation almost never happens.

  “I’m in Chicago for a medical congress this week, as a matter of fact. Do you want to get together for a beer and I’ll tell you more?”

  “Sure. Where are you staying?”

  Cole named a hotel and Russell agreed to meet him there later that night for a drink.

  After catching up, Cole explained to him the details about working with his organization. They’d pay all his expenses, but he wouldn’t receive a salary for his services. Russell didn’t care. He wanted to get away. As soon as possible.

  “We have an opening in Angola for a three-month deployment. Many of the victims are survivors of landmine accidents and they are in desperate need of surgery. I think your skills would be a perfect match,” Cole said.

  Russell nodded. Angola? Is that in Africa? Who cares?

  In the hotel bar, Cole handed him a temporary contract to take home and read over. “Read it carefully, and let’s meet at the end of the week when you’ve made your decision.”

  Russell glanced over the contract, not really reading it. He was looking for an escape and Cole was offering it up on a silver platter. He took the pen lying on the table, scrawled his signature across the bottom of the contract, and handed it to a very surprised Cole. “When do I leave?”

  Chapter 23

  Allison patiently listened to all of the sisterly advice directed her way.

  “You need to go see a doctor,” Reese told her.

  “I’m not going to go see Dr. Sanders,” Allison answered.

  Sandy Beach was small town and while she normally loved living here, now she was scared. An unwanted pregnancy wasn’t what she wanted to hear being discussed by everyone and their dog. Dr. Sanders was the only obstetrician in town – and a close friend of her father.

  “Ally, you need to go see him about that morning sickness. I’m sure they have things you can take to help get rid of it. And what do you have against Dr. Sanders?”

  “How do I know he won’t accidentally leak something to Mom or Dad?”

  “Ever heard of patient confidentiality?” Reese countered immediately.

  “Of course I have, but… And also I have known him since I was ten. He’s bound to ask a lot of questions I don’t want to answer.” I’m sure he’d be more than willing to share his opinion of being single and pregnant. No, thank you.

  “You need to go,” Reese insisted.

  “Fine. I’ll drive into the city and see someone at the community hospital. Happy?”

  “Very. Call me and let me know what he says, will ya?”

  Allison sighed, “Sure.”

  Two days later, she had the day off and drove to Chicago bright and early. On the way, she thought about the last time she’d made this drive. Then she’d been full of hope and love.

  What had changed? Nothing. Everything.

  She was still convinced her decision was for the best when she arrived at the hospital. There she sat in the waiting room to see the re
sident obstetrician, Dr. Bartel.

  Allison tried to distract herself by reading a magazine, but her thoughts kept whirling around at full speed. When she was finally called into the exam room, her hands broke out in a cold sweat and her heart was racing.

  The female doctor confirmed Allison was pregnant and explained that morning sickness during the first trimester was perfectly normal, as was her fatigue.

  “You might try homeopathic medicines, add ginger to your diet, and drink lots of water with a bit of honey. There’s not much more I’m aware of that helps without going to pharmaceuticals.”

  “I’d rather not take any type of medications if it can be avoided,” Allison said.

  “Exactly what I would do. But you need to get a handle on the nausea and drink more fluids. If you get any worse, you’ll have to be admitted so we can administer IV fluids to keep you hydrated.”

  “I’ll do better and I’ll push more water.”

  Dr. Bartel nodded and then asked her questions about her medical history. After a few minutes of explanations, the doctor nodded and said, “I want to see you again four weeks from now, and we’ll schedule an ultrasound at that time.”

  Allison agreed and rushed out, relieved to be done with the exam. On the way out of the door she bumped into a person rushing down the hall.

  “Sorry,” the person mumbled, grabbing her elbows and setting her to rights.

  Allison looked up, and her heart stood still. She stared right into the steel blue eyes of Russell.

  Chapter 24

  Russell’s mind was on his next patient, but the afternoon had been so tedious, he needed to get his energy level back up. He hurried to his office, intending to go for a short run in the little time he had.

  He rounded the corner without slowing down, but a door opened and the next thing he knew, he was colliding with a woman – one who felt strangely familiar as he reached out hands to stop them both from tumbling to the floor.

  When she raised her head, a pair of brown eyes with green flecks in them pierced him with a look as sharp and painful as a sword. Allison. What’s she doing here?

  Judging by the shocked expression on her face, she hadn’t expected to find him here.

  Having his hands on her again sent hot and cold shivers across his body, despite his determination to forget her. His body betrayed him and reacted with a desire that threatened to steal away his common sense. That’s the last thing I need. A hard-on in the hallway of the hospital.

  He cursed himself, her, and his life in general before asking the obvious, “Ally, what are you doing here?”

  “I…”

  She didn’t finish her sentence, and the pain in her eyes intensified, if that was even possible. He grabbed her elbow tighter, his heart breaking at the agony in her gaze. He was about to usher her down the hallway to his office when his gaze fell on the nameplate next to the door she’d just stepped out of. Dr. Bartel – Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

  His mind swam with questions. Why would she come visit a doctor here in Chicago? Why wouldn’t she visit the doctor in Sandy Beach if she were ill?

  Suddenly, the importance of the type of doctor she’d been to see hit him, and the jumbled pieces of their recent lives fell into place. The slipped condom. The stickiness he’d wiped from between her legs and her stomach. Her stomach sickness. Rushing away without explanation.

  He grabbed her by both shoulders and pinned her with his stare, voicing his suspicions, “Are you pregnant?”

  She stared at the floor and shuffled her feet, but the embarrassed blush on her cheeks was enough of an answer.

  He slid an arm around her shoulders and softly, but determinedly, pushed her the remaining distance down the hallway until they reached his office. He escorted her inside, pushing her down on the padded bench that was the only other piece of furniture in the room aside from his desk and office chair.

  He sat down beside her and listened to her heavy breathing, at a loss for what to say next.

  After a few minutes, she moved her tiny hand into his big hand and his heart broke a bit more. She looked so fragile it hurt him deep down. He squeezed her hand in an attempt to convey comfort.

  She spoke in a tear-laden voice, struggling to try and keep her composure: “Yes. And before you ask, it’s your baby.”

  Russell swallowed. Hard. Having a suspicion had been one thing, but hearing her confirm it shocked him to the bone.

  He wasn’t cut out for a relationship, much less being a father. Fear rushed down his spine at the enormous responsibility a child would mean, but in the same instant a warmth spread, starting from his chest, as images formed in his mind.

  An image of Allison playing with their baby on the beach. Allison nursing their infant. Allison playing in the garden with their child.

  He wanted to be part of that. If she’d let him.

  Russell didn’t say a word, but moved to face her and used his free hand to tug a strand of hair behind her ear. God, is she beautiful.

  Even now, sad and desperate, Allison brought sunshine into his empty life. In this very moment he made a decision that would change both of their lives. He was going to fight for her and for his baby. To hell with his fears.

  He was a grown-up man and he could do this. He had as much right as anyone else on this planet to be happy, and he was going to do everything within his power to see that Allison and their child would be part of his life.

  I love her and our baby!

  Chapter 25

  Allison couldn’t quit sobbing. Of course, I’d have to run into him of all people. It was as if her life was out to get her.

  With his arm around her shoulders, she felt the sexual attraction between them spring to life and wondered for the thousandth time if running away had truly been the best option. She’d been so afraid to tell him she was pregnant, more so because she herself hadn’t wanted to face it. It had all been too much to take in and she’d run away from dealing with it.

  But this problem wasn’t going to go away. At least not for another nine months or so.

  Russell stared at her, complete shock on his face as she stammered out an explanation. “I wanted to tell you, but then I was afraid of how you’d react. I didn’t want you to think I’d planned this all along.”

  He let her finish without interruption, and then he pulled her against his chest and kissed her in a tender, yet passionate way. She gave herself up to his kiss, to the soft slide of his tongue. Her tears dried up and by the time he raised his head, crying was the last thing on her mind.

  “That day you left,” he said, “I came home to tell you I had made several decisions. I was ready to give our relationship a try and had a special evening planned out for us. Your leaving broke my heart. But I haven’t changed my mind. I still want to be with you. If you’ll let me.”

  Allison searching his eyes, and the honesty she found softened her resolve. He pulled her against his chest and soothed her with gentle words and hands upon her spine.

  They sat like that until her tears finally ran dry and she relaxed into his arms. I could stay right here in his arms for the rest of my life.

  The alarm on his phone broke their embrace.

  “Sorry,” he told her, moving her back a bit and turning off the offending device. “That was reality reminding me I’m due in surgery in ten minutes. As much as I hate to leave you, I have to go.

  “Do you want to go to my place and wait for me? I’ll come home right after this surgery and we can talk some more and decide what to do next.”

  Allison nodded her head.

  He pinned her with his blue eyes. “You’re not going to run away again, are you?”

  “No. I’ll be waiting for you when you get home.”

  Russell kissed her on the forehead and then smiled at her. “Good. God, I wish I didn’t have to go to surgery right now. But reality is a cruel mistress. See you in a few hours?”

  She nodded and waited until he’d left his office before fixing her fac
e as best as she could and leaving the hospital. She’d barely arrived at Russell’s apartment when her cell phone rang with the family ring tone, and she answered it without glancing at the caller ID, expecting Reese to check in on her. “Sis?”

  “Allison? Hey, it’s Grant.”

  “Grant? What’s up?”

  “I was wondering if Russell had gotten ahold of you.”

  All of the peace Allison had been feeling moments before vanished. “Uhm…why? What did he tell you?”

  “Uh-uh. Slow, sister. Is there anything I should know about?”

  “No,” she snapped. Okay, now he would know for sure she was hiding something from him.

  His next question confirmed her belief. “I know when you’re lying, little sis. Don’t tell me you got involved with him.”

  “What would be wrong if I did? And why is that any of your business anyways?”

  Another mistake. Grant would rightly assume she had something with Russell and would keep pestering her with his questions. To avoid that, she said, “Sorry, I’ve had a bad day. So why did Russell need to talk to me?”

  Grant probably saw right through her lines of defense, and she could just about hear his grin on the phone. “Ally, do you really think I can’t see through your deflection technique? Where are you, by the way? I passed by Lake Memories but they told me you had the day off. And Reese didn’t know anything either.”

  At least her sister had kept quiet. Sometimes she hated her tight-knit family. They were always sticking their noses into each other’s business. Most of the time she was grateful for them and loved their caring ways, but not right now.

  She didn’t want them interfering between her and Russell. This was something she needed to straighten out on her own.

  When Allison didn’t answer, Grant continued, “Russell called me because he’d been trying to get ahold of you and your cell phone wasn’t picking up.”

  “Hmm… that’s strange. I wonder if he’s been dialing the right number?”

  “I don’t know. I did give it to him again.”