Secret Memories

by Horsnell, Susan

  “Good morning. How are you feeling?”

  “Better now you’re with me,” she smiled. “I have a lot of pain in my foot and I’m worried about parts of it that are numb.”

  Rick made a decision, he sat her on the ground beside him and stood. “Would you like some water?”

  “Yes, please but I need to relieve myself first,” she said shyly.

  He scooped her up and sat her outside the cave. He hated leaving her alone while he gathered everything together. He was stuffing things into his backpack when Lyndsay called out, she was ready. He joined her outside and offered her a bottle of water. She drank her fill and handed it back. After taking a drink himself, he slipped the bottle into his pack.

  “I’m going to carry you back onto the main track so the medics can find us easier. It will get you out quicker,” he said firmly. After positioning his pack on his back, he swept her into his arms. She weighed no more than a feather.

  ***

  Lyndsay wrapped her arms around Rick’s neck and leaned into him as he trekked back up the mountain. He moved at a brisk pace, his footing so confident, she trusted his judgment and found herself drifting off.

  “Rick, over here.”

  Rick glanced up. It was Adam with a couple of medics who were carrying a stretcher and a medical bag. They were on the main track ahead.

  “Hold up there. I’ll come up to you.” The track was flatter and cleared.

  “Okay,” Adam called back.

  “The cavalry’s here,” Rick smiled down at Lyndsay. “You’ll be out of here in no time.” He climbed the last few steps to the track and laid her gently on the stretcher.

  Rick shook hands with Adam. “I thought I’d bring her up to save time.”

  “Good thinking,” Adam said. “This is John and Mark.”

  The two medics glanced up from where they were kneeling and checking their patient. They nodded at Rick and he nodded back. “Thanks guys.”

  “No problem,” John said as he positioned Lyndsay’s broken ankle into a plastic, blow up cast. It would keep it immobilized for the trip to the hospital.

  “Did you notify the police and her parents?” Rick asked Adam.

  “Her parents are up top in the carpark and the Detectives asked if you could contact them later.”

  “Sure, thanks for that.”

  The medics gave Lyndsay a painkilling dispenser to use and strapped her firmly into the stretcher. “We’re ready to go,” Mark said as both men stood.

  “Let’s get her out of here,” Rick said.

  Lyndsay held her hand out to Rick and he grasped it. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

  They started their slow, tortuous ascent back to the carpark.

  ***

  “Lyndsay.” Mrs. Richards rushed over as the stretcher was placed on the ground of the carpark. She dropped to her knees and Rick watched as she hugged her daughter firmly. Tears poured from both women’s eyes.

  Mr. Richards approached his wife and daughter. Dylan held his Grandfather’s hand, but was pale and scared looking.. As he neared his mother, he pulled his hand free and rushed towards Rick. Rick scooped him up.

  “You found my mummy. My mummy’s okay.” Rick almost lost it when Dylan placed his arms around his neck and smacked a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”

  Rick spoke around the lump in his throat, his voice hoarse. “Your mummy is okay but she has to go to the hospital because she has a sore foot.”

  “The hosipal will make it better, won’t they?” Dylan studied Rick’s face.

  “Yes, they will buddy. How about you give mummy a kiss before she goes?” Rick lowered the adorable little boy onto the ground and watched with a smile as his little legs scurried towards Lyndsay.

  Mark and John had the ambulance ready. “We’re ready. We need to get Miss Richards to the hospital now.” John said.

  “Where are you taking her?” Rick asked. His car was still in the carpark where he’d left it the previous day.

  “We notified Mona Vale and they have a theatre ready. The Orthopedic Specialist should be there when we arrive.” John told them.

  “We’ll follow you down.” Mr. and Mrs. Richards told Lyndsay.

  Lyndsay turned towards Rick. “Will you come with me?”

  “I’ll take your car if you like.” Adam offered. “I came with the medics so I’ll use it to get home. You can pick it up later.”

  “We can drop you off there when you’re ready,” Mr. Richards told Rick.

  Rick took his keys from his pocket and, after removing the car key, he handed it to Adam. “Thanks, I’ll call later and let you know what’s happening.” He waited while the medics lifted Lyndsay into the ambulance. Her parents hovered nearby.

  “We’ll see you there darling,” Mrs. Richards called out to her daughter as Rick climbed into the back of the vehicle. The doors were closed firmly and the journey down to the hospital began.

  Lyndsay clutched Rick’s hand as the ambulance sped through the streets.

  ***

  Rick paced the floor of the hospital waiting room while Lyndsay was in surgery. It had been almost six hours since she’d been taken in to the theatre.

  Mrs. Richards had taken Dylan home but Mr. Richards had remained. “You’re gonna wear a hole in the floor if you don’t sit down soon, son.”

  Rick flopped into a chair. “She should have been out by now. Why has she been in there for so long?”

  “You heard the doctor. It was a very bad break and he said it would be a long surgery.”

  Rick dragged his hand through his hair. He was tired and desperately needed a shower but he wasn’t leaving until he knew Lyndsay was out of surgery and okay. “I know but it doesn’t make the waiting any easier.”

  Alex chuckled. “No it doesn’t. We’re so grateful to you, Rick. I don’t know how we would have coped if …if…” Tears filled his eyes.

  Rick placed his hand on the older man’s shoulder. “I’m glad I could help.”

  A doctor in scrubs pushed through the double doors which led from the theatre suite. Rick and Alex jumped to their feet.

  “Mr. Richards?” The doctor asked as he came closer.

  “Yes,” Alex answered.

  “Your daughter is doing well. We have had to insert a plate and some pins in her ankle. She will have to wear a cast for about eight weeks and then she will need some Physio. We expect she will be able to walk on it normally in time. She is very lucky that the foot didn’t have to be amputated.”

  “She stayed off it so she didn’t add to the damage,” Rick said.

  “It’s probably what saved her foot.” The doctor advised.

  “When can we see my daughter?”

  “The nurses are getting her settled in recovery and then you can go in. I’ll let them know you’re waiting.” The doctor removed his cap.

  “Thank you.” Mr. Richards and Rick shook the doctor’s hand before he again left them alone.

  Chapter Five

  Lyndsay’s eyes were closed when her father and Rick entered the recovery ward and hurried over to her bed. Mr. Richards bent over and kissed his daughter’s forehead. Her eyes fluttered open. “Hi Dad,” she said sleepily.

  “Hi Sweetheart, how are you?”

  “Tired and a bit sore. I need a shower.”

  Rick chuckled. “You and me both, babe.”

  Lyndsay held her hand out and Rick took it gently. “You didn’t have to stay but I’m glad you did.”

  “I wanted to make sure you came through the surgery okay before I went home. I didn’t know it was gonna take so long though. I could have been home and back three times.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “Don’t be. Your dad and I kept each other company while we waited.”

  “Where’s mum and Dylan?” Lyndsay asked.

  “The doctor said the surgery would be a long one so your mother took him home. I have to call her now and let her know she can come and see
you.”

  “Ask her to bring Dylan, please.”

  “Of course, sweetheart. He will want to see you as much as you want to see him.” He father kissed her again and shook Rick’s hand. “Thanks again Rick. I hope we’ll get to see more of you.”

  Rick watched as Mr. Richards left. If I have any say in it you’ll be seeing a lot more of me.

  “Why don’t you go too, Rick? There’s nothing you can do here and you must be awfully tired.”

  “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

  “No, of course not but you don’t really have any reason to stay.”

  “I have a very good reason to stay.”

  The expression on her face showed she was puzzled.

  “I like you Lyndsay. I always have. I hope you’ll allow me to see you, take you out for dinner, to the movies, dancing. I want to be with you, get to know you better.”

  A shadow passed over her beautiful face. “What about my son?”

  “Apart from the dancing, he’s included. I’d love for the three of us to go out together but, now and again, it would be nice to spend time alone.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely. Your parents said Dylan’s father didn’t want anything to do with him, I’d like to show him not all men are selfish ratbags.”

  Lyndsay squeezed his hand and smiled. Her whole face lit up and her eyes sparkled. “I’d love that but we might have to put the dancing on hold for a while.” She pointed to her ankle which was encased in white plaster.

  “I can wait.” I’ve waited this long.

  Where has this man been? Why wasn’t I dating him instead of all the other jerks?

  Despite himself, Rick yawned.

  “Go home, have a shower and get some sleep.” Lyndsay said.

  “I’ll come back in tomorrow morning but if you need me before then, call me.” He scribbled his mobile number on the back of one of his Police business cards and handed it to her.

  “Thank you.”

  Rick leaned forward to give her a kiss on the cheek. Lyndsay placed a hand on the back of his head and pulled him towards her. She captured his lips in a soul searing kiss. Their tongues twisted and danced as he held her close.

  When they separated, their eyes locked.

  “Wow,” she exclaimed.

  “Wow, is right,” he smiled. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Lyndsay watched as he left, her fingers lightly brushed over her lips.

  ***

  Rick’s mobile rang as he locked the door to his unit. “Masters,” he answered while he fiddled with getting the key out of the lock.

  “Rick, it’s Alex Richards.”

  “Mr. Richards, what can I do for you?”

  “Lyndsay asked me to give you a call and let you know the doctor is allowing her to come home.”

  “I was just leaving to go there. I thought they were going to keep her for a couple of days.” Rick was disappointed he wouldn’t be seeing her.

  “Lyndsay refused to stay. She wants to get home to Dylan. She promised the doctor she would stay with us until she was able to get around by herself. That seemed to satisfy him. Would you like to pick her up?”

  “I would love to, if you don’t mind.”

  “No, that will be fine. You’ll need to swing past her house and pick up a few things for her. We have everything we need for Dylan.”

  “That won’t be a problem, sir.”

  “Call me, Alex. We’ll see you both here a bit later then.”

  “Okay si..Alex.”

  Rick disconnected the call and descended the staircase with a spring in his step.

  ***

  Lyndsay was dressed in a pretty blue dress which matched her eyes and she was seated in a wheelchair next to her bed when Rick arrived. He leaned over and kissed her cheek gently. “Good morning. I hear you are ready to get out of here?”

  “Yes, have you come to take me home?”

  “Your dad rang to tell me you were being turned loose and asked if I would like to come and get you. I said I would, so I’m here. At your service, ma’am.” He stumbled over a dropped pill container as he bowed low, causing Lyndsay to laugh. It was the most musical laugh he’d ever heard. He straightened and smiled at her. “Good to see you find humor in my clumsiness.”

  “I’m sorry,” she laughed.

  “Hmmm, doesn’t sound like it. Shall we fly this coop?”

  “Yes, please. Could you get the nurse and tell her. I’ve signed all the papers and my meds are in my bag.” She pointed to a small bag on the bed.

  “Be right back.” He disappeared to the nurse’s station.

  Lyndsay sighed. Despite her broken ankle and various other aches and pains, she was the happiest she had been in years. Was it because of Rick? Was she attracted to him? You bet I’m attracted to him, she told herself as he sauntered back to her.

  “Okay sweetheart, we’re out of here.” He placed the crutches provided by the hospital across her lap and her bag over the handle of the chair. After releasing the brake, he pushed her towards the lift.

  The lift stopped on the ground floor with a jolt and Rick wheeled Lyndsay over to the entry door in the foyer. He applied the brake. “Wait here and I’ll bring the car up.”

  “I’ll be here. I can’t exactly run away.” She laughed.

  Rick darted through the doors to recover his car from the carpark.

  There was a long circular drive up to the entry where patients could be dropped off and collected. He stopped the car and sprinted inside. Lyndsay was talking to a nurse while she waited.

  “Ready?”

  “Very,” she answered and she attempted to push herself up.

  Rick swooped in, placed an arm under her knees and another around her back. The crutches clattered to the floor as he lifted her against his broad chest.

  “Oops,” he looked sheepishly at the nurse who stood nearby. “I’ll come back for those and the bag.”

  “I’ll bring them out,” the nurse offered as she stooped and picked them up before taking the bag from the back of the chair. She followed him out through the doors and stood patiently while he lowered Lyndsay into the passenger seat of his car.

  Rick recovered the items from the nurse, thanked her and placed them into the back seat. He climbed behind the wheel and drove off.

  “Nice car,” Lyndsay commented as she glanced at her surroundings.

  “I like it. Always wanted one and so I saved the money I earned working at Maccas while I was at school, added money I saved working as a cop, and bought it about three months ago. Better than the old beat up Holden I was driving around.”

  “Better than my old Ford Fiesta that’s for sure.”

  “I saw it in the carpark on the day I came to search for you. It looked like it belongs on the scrapheap.” Rick drove down the traffic laden Pittwater Road towards Lyndsay’s house.

  “When you have a child, you have other priorities but I guess I’ll have to bite the bullet and get something a bit safer.”

  “As a cop I would recommend it. I don’t know how you passed rego. As a person who likes you and your son, I would plead with you to get something safer.”

  She laughed. “You sound like mum and dad. Where are we going?”

  “Your dad asked me to take you to your place first so you could pick up a few things.”

  “How do you know where I live?”

  “You told me during the night we were in the cave.”

  “Oh, I don’t remember. I do remember you saying you have a unit in Collaroy that overlooks the beach. I would love to see it one day.”

  You will babe. If it’s up to me you will. “I would love to have you and Dylan over for a barbeque lunch or dinner. I have a Barbie out on the balcony which faces over the beach. I could sit there for hours and watch the waves crash onto the shore.”

  “Sounds perfect,” she sighed.

  “Here we are.” Rick pulled the car into the driveway of a brick Victorian house with a bea
utiful cottage garden. He jumped out, rushed around the back of the car and opened Lyndsay’s door.

  “I need my bag. The keys to the house are in there,” she said.

  Rick grabbed the bag from the back seat and waited while she rummaged around for her keys. She held them up in the air, triumphant. “Found them.”

  He carefully lifted her into his arms and stride to the front door. Lyndsay inserted the key and threw the door open.

  “Where to?” he asked.

  “Down that hall, first door on the left.”

  Rick followed her directions and deposited her onto a large four posted bed. He glanced at his surroundings. The room definitely belonged to a girl. The bed was draped in a soft lilac cover with matching pillows, a white woven blanket was draped over the base. The linen window curtains were white trimmed with lilac. The room was accented with white. White chest of drawers, wardrobes and carpet. A large lilac rug lay on the floor by the bed. It was a tastefully decorated, very feminine room.

  Lyndsay blushed. She was embarrassed to have this gorgeous hunk witnessing her most private of rooms. She had brought no-one in here, slept with no-one since Dylan’s father, he’d been a one night stand at a girlfriends. It was probably why her last relationships had soured. She had promised herself, the next time she took a man into her bed, he would be her husband.

  Rick felt a stab of jealousy. “How many other men have been in this room?”

  Lyndsay’s head snapped up. “You’re the first,” she said gruffly. “Except for dad.” What did he think she was, a loose woman?

  Rick looked embarrassed. “Sorry, I didn’t realize I’d said that out loud. I really didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I know you’re not that kind of girl. I just hate that others have been in here. I mean…”

  He’s jealous! “Rick, stop now before you dig yourself a hole too deep to climb out of.”

  His face reddened.

  “There’s a suitcase in the bottom of the wardrobe if you could pull it out and place it on the bed for me.” Rick jumped at the opportunity to diffuse the situation and pulled a large black case from the wardrobe. He set it on the bed, pulled the zippers around and lay it open.

  “Can you open both lots of doors so I can make a decision about what I want?”