by S. L. Scott
“I promise.” She walked to him and hugged him. Was it professional? No. But she didn’t care. This man was helping to get her life back. A hug of thanks felt necessary. “Thank you so much for believing me.”
“I believe in you.”
Lacy and Jude left the psychiatrist’s office and walked with purpose a few blocks farther to a tall glass building. Lacy hugged Jude, and said, “I think you’re ready for this.”
“You’re not coming with me?”
“Nope. You’ve got this!”
Jude had come to rely on Lacy for so much, but she was right. She needed to stand on her own by taking these final steps on her own. “Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need it. Call me later though and fill me in on the plan.”
Jude hugged her once more, grateful for her support, but even more so for her friendship. “I will. Thank you for everything, but especially for being my friend.”
Lacy embraced her just as tightly. “Thank you for being mine. Now go. I want to save my mushy tears for when you walk out of that courthouse. Then we’ll go celebrate.”
Nodding, Jude stepped toward the door. “I’ll call you soon.” She turned from her friend and walked inside the building. Excitement built as she took the elevator up. When she was led down the hall to her lawyer’s office, her nerves kicked in.
Caleb Monroe had taken Jude Boehler on pro bono. He had worked with Taylor Barrett a few months back, and taken an interest in her case. After his client had previously lost and the appeal was denied, Caleb was determined to right things for the both of them. He and Jude sat at a small round table piled high with files. She set the letter down and he smiled. “This is a victory. You understand, Jude? Take everything else we’re fighting for off the table, and this doctor’s letter alone can get your rights back. Don’t get me wrong. We’re still going to take them for everything they own, but this will be enough to get your freedom back.”
Music to Jude’s ears. A sense of amazement came over her and her heart filled with joy. Jude sat on her hands to help contain her eagerness. “I don’t care about the money. I just want…” She stopped to gather her emotions—happiness, hope, faith. She was just given a gift of all of those. But wanting to know his intention for her family, she asked, “What will the final petition say?”
He grabbed a thick file and set it in front of her. “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but there’s no way the Boehlers can fight against this much evidence. At the forefront, we want you to be able to make your own decisions regarding your well-being. We want no ties to them in any way—financially, medically, or emotionally. They will pay you all monies owed, in full, from your inheritance that they stole from you under duress from the estate of Merwyn Boehler, your step-uncle. Or all monies that remain in their accounts currently, if less than the overall inheritance.”
Jude would normally feel sympathetic for purposely hurting others, but not them. She would hurt them where they would feel it the most—their bank accounts. If only she would have meant as much to them as money did, things would be so different. Her life would have been so different.
“Dr. Conroy will be charged with extortion of a patient as well as medical misconduct.” He pulled another large file across the table. “The staff has been more than happy to help the case. He’s a hated man. He’ll lose his medical license, everything he has, and spend time in jail if we win.”
“When are you filing?”
“I was only waiting on Doctor Robert’s counsel and recommendation. Now that we have it, there’s no reason to wait. I can start the paperwork today. It can be filed tomorrow morning.”
“How long do you think it will take to get a court date?”
Caleb tilted his head in thought. “I wouldn’t think more than two weeks. I’m listing that it’s a concern to be under their care any longer. We could luck out and get something early next week. You have your private phone still?”
She pulled the phone that Lacy had bought her from her pocket and set it on the table. “I do.”
“I’ll call you as soon as I hear anything. Until then, you should be prepared to leave the premises of that home. Get anything you want to hang on to and get out before they’re served. It won’t be safe for you to stay there.”
There was nothing left. Hazel had everything of hers that mattered—a picture of her brother, a smattering of clothes. The rest was replaceable.
Caleb dropped his shoulders and got personal. “I’m not sure if I should tell you or not, and that always means I should. I’m going to be straightforward with you. Taylor is in the hospital. I thought you should know.”
“I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but what’s the worst that can happen anymore? I saw him last night.”
The lawyer looked surprised. “You saw him?”
“I did, but I didn’t speak to him. He was sleeping.”
Caleb processed what she was saying, and added, “I got word he’s okay and will be released today.” He stacked the folders and then turned back to her. “How’d you know he was in the hospital?”
She didn’t want to admit that she had done a bit—okay a lot—of stalking, but how else would she know? “I was at the same fundraiser.”
He raised an eyebrow and asked, “By invitation orrr?” He stamped down the folders to align them. “You know what? Don’t tell me.”
Laughing, she replied, “Probably best.”
He stood and she followed. His smile was comforting and gave her courage. “Prepare yourself. Once this is put into motion, there’s no going back even if you do drop the case. Are you up for this?”
“I am,” she said without hesitation. “I’m ready.”
“Let’s do this.”
JUDE WALKED INTO the hospital shortly after leaving Caleb’s office. It was only a detour, she convinced herself. Just a peek to make sure what Caleb said was true. She hoped Hazel was strong enough to leave today. One quick walk-by and then she would leave as well, her mind at ease. This was her plan—to make sure he hadn’t relapsed since she checked on him the night before. It was a good plan. Solid. Hazel would never be the wiser.
She was fast approaching the door up ahead on the right, so she slowed her steps. Just as she walked by, she looked into the room, but then stopped. The room was empty. Her first reaction was relief. He’d gone home. Her second reaction was that dreaded what-if scenario that started playing on a loop in her head.
What if he relapsed?
What if he was rushed into emergency?
What if he was unconscious and they had moved him to another room?
What if…
What if…
What if…
She walked inside the room and touched the unmade bed, hoping it would give her guidance, a clue to where he was or if he was returning. The door shut behind her and she whirled around. She came face to face with Hazel himself, who was particularly smirky at the moment. “Looking for someone?” he asked.
Jude’s mouth opened, then closed, and opened again. “No. No one in particular.” She followed her heart and started for him, momentarily forgetting they weren’t together. Then detoured toward the door, but he leaned against it, blocking her from exiting.
“I think you were looking for me. I mean, why else would you be inside my hospital room?”
Yep, no getting out of it, so she confessed half-truths. She had no option but to face the man she let go months earlier because she loved him too much. She tried for casual. “I heard you were in the hospital and I was worried. So I was checking on you.”
While he stared at the one woman he loved, the only woman he would love long after this life, guilt overwhelmed him. “Jude?” he started, but stopped. He took a deep breath. “I tried to do what you wanted, but I can’t. I don’t love her.”
“I know.”
His hazel eyes pierced her heart, letting the rest of her truths bleed. “How do you know?”
“Because I saw you last night. I see you every day. Sometimes
twice, if I was lucky.”
He restrained the huge grin that wanted to surface and gave her a smaller one instead, hoping to make her feel safe. “The whole time?”
“The whole time.”
As much as he loved to hear this revelation, now he felt bad. “I’m sorry.”
“For what? I just told you I’ve been stalking your every move and you’re apologizing to me?”
“The stalking, I’m not complaining, but I’m sorry for dating her, for thinking I could.”
“You don’t have to be. You were free to do so. You were trying to rebuild your life after I destroyed it.” She turned, putting her back to him and looked out the window with a heavy sigh. She didn’t love that he’d dated someone else, but she couldn’t blame him either. She’d practically set them up by pushing him away. And whether that was for his benefit or hers at the time, she refused to hold it against him. Anyway, she knew where his allegiance lay. Beyond what she felt deep inside, a bond that was never broken, she saw it with her own two eyes.
“But I know you don’t love her.” She turned around to face him again. “I know because I saw you together.” She reached out and touched the front of his suit, then took the jacket in her hand and fisted, pulling him closer. “I saw. I saw everything, then and now.”
His voice was but a whisper. “What do you see, Jude? Tell me.”
“I see your love for me.”
Abruptly moving forward, he grabbed her and kissed her. The stubble on his face grazed her skin, tickling and scratching. His warm, soft, but determined lips captured hers along with her heart and she kissed him just as eagerly.
A gasp broke the two apart and they twisted around toward the door. Katherine stood there with a hand over her mouth and shock in her eyes. “Taylor!” Fury took over her refined features and she spat, “Is this revenge?” When he didn’t reply, her hands went to her hips. “Fine. You win. We’re even. Now get away from her this instant.”
He didn’t move. He wouldn’t. Not again. Not from Jude. Not ever. “No.”
“What do you mean, ‘no’?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. I’m in love with her. I was from the moment I saw her. I was forced to leave the battlefield before. I’m not leaving her again without a full-on war.”
Katherine held her large purse in her hands and squeezed. “Taylor, what are you doing? Are you on drugs? Is the medicine messing with your head?”
“No,” he replied, smiling. “I’ve never been more aware in my life. And that’s because I’m with her.”
“But she’s crazy!”
In unison, Hazel gritted the words, “Don’t call her crazy!” while Jude said, “Don’t call me crazy!” They looked at each other and in that moment, when their true colors united once again, they both started to laugh. Maybe it was the kiss that had just tickled their lips, or the honesty that poured so freely from their hearts. Or maybe they were both just too tired to argue anymore. Taylor took Jude’s hand and held it. He turned back to Katherine, and said, “I’ll take her kind of crazy any day, over yours.”
Taylor walked with purpose, his hand tightly around Jude’s, and out the door. Katherine had stepped aside, too appalled to say another word. “But I brought you clothes.”
“Keep them.”
In the wide, sterile hospital hallway, Jude quick-stepped next to him and looked up. She had a million questions, but none of them seemed important right then. The man she loved was on a mission and she was the beneficiary of it. This is what she would take any day over the loveless days that had preceded it.
The sun hit their faces as they exited the building and Taylor didn’t ask which way or if she wanted to come at all. He knew where he was going all along. And once they took two corners and three blocks, she did too. He stopped once, to ask, “Why did you come back?”
“Because they were changing who you were. And you were perfect before.”
He seemed okay with this answer and they continued on. Ten more minutes without either of them offering anything more had led them to this point, and her feet slowed until they stopped. “I can’t go to your apartment, Hazel.”
“You’re not. You’re going home.”
“Semantics.”
“Our hearts don’t know the variances of words. Our hearts only know what they feel.” He kissed her again, simply because he could. If it reassured her, all the better.
When their lips parted, she said, “I don’t want to cause you harm or pain, or worry. Give it time, and I’ll come back.”
“I feel those things now,” he insisted. “Time won’t fix this. Time spends every second torturing me while we’re apart. Do you not feel that already? It overrides everything in my life.”
His hands were cupping her cheeks, so she covered them. The intense focus he had on her was felt like an explosion inside, reviving her latent heart. She relented, for him, for herself, and they started walking again.
Entering that apartment was like hugging an old friend—warm and comforting. The smell made her smile and the place made her happy. Hazel locked the door behind him and leaned against it. “I’m never letting you go.” Then a smile appeared and he added, “That’s not creepy in the least, is it?”
It wasn’t. Not in the least. Not to Jude. She stood with nothing but herself to offer him and the way he looked at her, that was enough.
Looking around, she saw the photo of her brother on the bookcase and went to it. It had been a while since she’d seen him, and through her soon-to-be freedom found in her new eyes, she saw his happiness. The sadness she once felt looking at it was gone.
Hazel and Ryan were a lot alike. Both gentle souls with passionate sides for the things and people they loved. She set the frame on the shelf and sat down at Hazel’s drafting table.
It felt like Christmas, and all the small memories wrapped in the apartment were like gifts to her soul. Sketches she thought he might not want her to see were scattered across the white surface. House plans mixed with familiar lips, eyes, a nose, hair, and a dress that when pieced together could have been a mirror. “These are beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful.” He moved around her, giving her space though not much. Peering over her shoulder, he felt no shame in his pastime. “So tell me, Jude Barrett, why did you give up?”
“I didn’t give up. I let you be by setting you free. Isn’t that what the selfless do?”
“I didn’t want to be set free. I’ll happily be grounded to you forever.”
“I know. That’s why I had to do it.” She spun around and faced him as he sat on the couch. “You were going to fight until your last breath, but we were losing. You heard them—my sickness for yours. Yours for mine. Nothing could have changed their minds. Hazel,” she pleaded, “you have to start thinking of yourself. I loved that you were fighting for me, that I wasn’t alone, but it would be no victory if it came at the expense of your health.”
“I was fine until you ’set me free.’ Because don’t you see? It was never about you being sick or me fighting my disease. It was always about being together for as long as we both shall live.”
He sat back, crossed his leg over his knee, and said, “You once told me you married me despite my illness. Now you’re telling me you left me because of it. But I don’t see it. I don’t see it in your eyes. I don’t hear it in your words. I don’t feel it when we kiss. You love me. You love me no matter what my health because that’s what love is. Love bends and folds, straightens and secures itself to the one it cares about.” Sitting up, his enthusiasm was contagious and Jude smiled at his architectural references. “We’re tied together, fastened, and bonded. They can take away that piece of governmental paper, but we remain married in the eyes of God and in my heart.”
He was so easy to believe with his grand statements and flattering declarations. He was easy to believe because she agreed. “Our marriage can be annulled, but our love remains. Always.”
“Our commitment is still there.”
“
You didn’t have sex with her, did you?” Jude might have been smiling to control her jealousy, but she was still hoping for only one answer.
Taylor admired Jude’s eyes that were persuasively blue today, against the backdrop of the light blue dress she wore. “No. But you know that already. You know what we have doesn’t go away because you convinced yourself you had to set it free.”
“I knew. I just thought maybe I should ask anyway. Isn’t that what normal girls would do? Ask if you did?”
“There’s nothing normal about you, Jude, which is exactly why I like you.”
She got up and settled onto his lap, tired of fighting the inevitable, and just not wanting to anymore. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he rubbed her hip and back. “And I thought it was because I gave you my virginity.”
With a big cocky grin, he popped an imaginary collar. “I will proudly carry that V card of yours right here in my wallet.”
“Hazel?”
“Yeah?”
“We live in an impossible world,” she said, astonished she was back where she wanted to be. She was home. “Impossible like your eyes.”
“We’ll get through it together.” He leaned his head on her shoulder and she tilted hers to him. “Stay.”
THE SUN WAS setting and Jude could see the last of the rays disappearing between the buildings outside the window. The tea she had made earlier was now cold and she debated warming it up. But she didn’t want to move from Hazel’s arms, so she scooted closer to him and his arms tightened around her.
Hazel was right. That paper didn’t represent who they were to each other. Their souls were eternally bonded, and so here she would stay, his arms her safe haven.
“You’re not going back,” he breathed against her shoulder blade.
“There’s nothing there that matters to me.” She thought of Roman, but he wanted her to be free. Once she was, she’d find him to say goodbye. In the meantime, she rolled over to face Hazel. She looked at him. Really looked at him and leaned her head against his. “I will love you long after this life and into the next.”