His Harbor Girl

by Rekha Ambardar

  “Cody,” he said in a low voice as he moved toward him and knelt down. Cody licked his hand with a piteous look on his face and Leanna watched, feeling limp and helpless.

  “I did the best I could with the bandages.” She squatted on the floor beside Cody and patted his head while he looked up at her with a look of utter devotion, even through the pain.

  “We should get him to the vet. Is he open at this time?”

  “There’s an emergency number to call.” Leanna hurried to the phone and dialed the number. A cool female voice, utterly devoid of emotion, answered. But when Leanna told her the problem, a modicum of feeling and concern filtered through the phone line, and she told her to bring Cody right away.

  “The vet is there. We can take him now.” Leanna looked over her shoulder at Bryce.

  “Let’s get him to my jeep.” Bryce bent over him. “Come on, boy.”

  Leanna ran into the kitchen and groped in the treat jar for Cody’s favorite doggy treat in the shape of a bone. She brought it to the living room and held it in front of him.

  “Come on, sweetie, we’re going for a ride.”

  Cody raised himself with great effort and followed alongside of her. “That’s a good boy.”

  Bryce held the door open for them. “I’ll bring the jeep.”

  He hopped into the jeep and drove it as close to the front steps as he could manage.

  He got out and lifted Cody in, making sure his tail was out of the way of his grasp.

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  “There. Now he can lie down on the seat.”

  “He loves car rides.” Leanna, seated in the front, turned back to look at Cody, who had settled into the seat, obviously not interested in looking out the window today.

  Leanna sat staring out the window, grateful for the breeze on her face while they drove in the mellow embers of the evening. Her mind settled with a feeling of relief. Bryce was here. He was a thorough professional with wolves, and now he was gentle with Cody, just as she’d expected. He took charge of things without the slightest hesitation. How close she felt to him! When this was over she’d tell him so. Tell him? More like throw her arms around him and plant a kiss of thanks on that inviting mouth.

  “Tell me where to go,” Bryce said as he steered the jeep down the road that led from the hill onto the main highway.

  “We’ll have to pass the business district,” Leanna said, glancing back anxiously at Cody, who now lay with his face on his paws in the back seat.

  Bryce kept his eyes peeled on the curving road as they approached the business district then left it behind them.

  “The sooner he gets taken care of, the better.” He turned and threw Leanna a look of concern. “And how are you doing?”

  “Okay, I guess. To think I always worried he’d get a glass sliver in his paw running at the beach.”

  “Where’s Kai?”

  “At Cecily’s. Just as well. She’d cry her eyes out if she saw poor Cody in this condition.”

  They arrived at a low roofed brick building with a wooden statue of a dog by its entrance. A sign that said

  “Cole’s Vet Clinic” slid into view.

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  Bryce parked the jeep, jumped out and opened the back door. “Come on, baby.” Leanna coaxed Cody with a bit of dog biscuit.

  He got up, tottering a little.

  Bryce held out his hand to him. “Come on, Cody.

  There’s a good boy.”

  Cody got off the seat in one slow-motion jump and Bryce wrapped his arms around the length of him. “Hold still for me, Cody. I’m going to carry you in.”

  Dr. Cole waited near the reception counter.

  “I got here as soon as one of the veterinary technicians gave me the message. Bring him in here.” He opened one of the examination rooms.

  The vet put on his gloves and undid the bandage, now completely soaked. Holding it gently, he examined Cody’s tail. “There’s a deep cut that will require stitches under sedation. It’s better if he stays here overnight instead of going home with you,” he said. “Would you folks prefer to wait outside while I treat him?”

  Leanna nodded.

  “Do you want me to stay with Cody?” Bryce whispered to her.

  Her eyes brightened and she nodded. A wave of relief and warmth surged through her. Who better than Bryce to stay with Cody? She remembered the expert way in which he’d examined and vaccinated the wolves. He could easily double as a vet. Leanna put her hands on him and he encircled her with his arms.

  “Would you? That would be helpful.” Leanna felt her body go slack with gratitude.

  Helpful for whom? Not for Cody. He’d be under sedation. And Dr. Cole would probably have an assistant in 154

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  with him to help him. But it relieved her mind to know that Bryce would be there as well. She needed that assurance.

  “I’ll see you later,” he was saying, but she barely heard him.

  Leanna moved to a chair in the waiting area and, as she sank gratefully into it, she scanned the notices on the bulletin board. A German shepherd with puppies waited to be bought, a collie needed a new home because his owner was moving away. And Cody was in the examination room getting stitches on his tail because she hadn’t watched her step. How fortuitous that Bryce had showed up. His gentleness and concern were a salve to her now, just when she could use it.

  Leanna let her head rest against the high back of the chair as she waited. Maybe she could tell him about Kai today. He’d changed a great deal more than she’d realized, not just in his appearance, but also in the surprising sensitivity he showed when dealing with sick animals, and herself.

  But was she ready to share Kai with him yet? Something held her back. Mother love, possessiveness, whatever. The days and nights she’d watched Kai play, sleep, talk to her dolls, and wondered if she’d ever know her father were too numerous to count. The chance to bring them together stared her in the face now. Leanna’s eyes closed, heavy with tiredness and from crying. Silence reigned in the small clinic, except for the muffled sounds of Dr. Cole talking to his assistant. Leanna heard a series of short yelps from Cody, and then, silence. A shot of sedative had obviously quieted him.

  Leanna’s head lolled to one side on the back of the chair and she shut her eyes as images of Bryce’s quick action and loving care for Cody swept through her mind. Leanna’s pulse quickened. Maybe she could trust him with her heart, and maybe it was time to tell him about Kai. Guilt from keeping this secret was eating her up inside and she couldn’t let that go 155

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  on. She rubbed her aching temples trying to come to a decision. It would be the right thing to do, she thought finally.

  Telling Bryce about Kai.

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  Chapter 10

  “Leanna, wake up.” Bryce’s deep, velvety voice penetrated the waves of sleep that had overcome her, and she shook herself awake.

  “What?”

  Dr. Cole stood behind Bryce, smiling at her. “Cody’s doing fine. It was a deep cut, and from the bandage, I see that he lost a lot of blood. I had to put in nine stitches. He’ll be a little groggy tomorrow, but otherwise all right after a night’s sleep.” He looked at Leanna, kindness radiating from his eyes under ragged white eyebrows. “You can stop worrying and get some rest.”

  “Thanks for your help. I’ll pick him up tomorrow.”

  Leanna followed Bryce out the door to the jeep. Darkness had fallen and lights winked on either side of the road as Bryce put the jeep into gear and backed out of the parking lot. The inky blue air felt crisp and dry.

  “After I drop you off, I have to meet Kip at the Park Service office,” Bryce said.

  Somewhere in the back of Leanna’s mind, a question popped up. “Lucky for me you happened to come by.”

  “Actually, I couldn’t find a file. I came to ask you about it.”

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  “I combined a couple of files so you’d have the text and the diagrams all in one packet.”

  He nodded, his eyes scanning the road. “It’s okay. I’ll check on that later.”

  “Do you want me to come over and find it?” Leanna didn’t want him to think she was sloppy in her work.

  “No, I’ll look for it. Besides, I’ll have to unhook and dismantle the computer soon. There’s no point in your coming to the island, just as long as I know where to look for the file.”

  He turned to look at her. Aided by the white streetlights whizzing by, she could see the finely drawn set of his face.

  “How’s your father? I haven’t seen him since he took us to the island when we first got here.”

  The question jolted her, coming suddenly as it did. “He’s doing very well, as long as he has carpentry projects to work on. He loves keeping busy.”

  “He dotes on you. I could tell even talking to him that first time.”

  Leanna smiled. “We’re a lot closer since Mom died.”

  “You’re lucky.” He let a sigh escape his lips. “I think I told you I never knew my dad.” When Leanna nodded he said, “He left us, my mother, kid brother and me, one fine day. He just walked out of our lives. And I thought that sort of thing happened only in the soap operas. I was only eleven, but even then, I decided to take over as head of the family. Mom had to take what work she could get to keep us fed and clothed.” His voice trailed away, his left hand resting on the steering wheel, and his right on the gearshift.

  A sudden charge of sympathy billowed out of her.

  Obviously, he’d been carrying the memory of his early years for a long time.

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  “You told me some of it, but not how you felt.” A note of regret colored her voice. Why didn’t he confide in her those times they’d been together?

  Now they sat side by side, a pair of strangers trying to know one another all over again, as if those in between years hadn’t happened.

  “Seeing Mom slave like that was too much for me. I vowed then that I’d work as hard as I could, and take care of her and my kid brother, too.”

  Leanna heard the undercurrent of hurt in his voice, and her own reaction of admiration surprised her. She watched him, wonderstruck. “But why didn’t you say something?

  Anything.”

  “I suppose bitterness and resentment held me back. I still had to get over that.” He forced the words out in a low whisper.

  The road slowly traversed uphill and it curved toward the lane that led to Leanna’s house. Lights glistened like gems in between the foliage far to the left, the side of the hill that rolled away to the lake, now calm under the clear night sky.

  Leanna felt a strange tug at her heart and she stared unseeing at the dark road in front of them. She’d never seen Bryce like this before, never knew what he’d carried around with him in his innermost mind. If only she’d known, she’d have understood him a little better, been less self-centered.

  “It meant a lot to me to finally give Mom the nice things she’d been doing without when Ray and I were growing up.

  And she never complained.”

  He slowed the jeep and turned a sharp corner. Ahead, Leanna saw her house, where she’d set the living room lights to go on at dusk.

  “What was your mom like?”

  “Hard working, ambitious for us kids.”

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  “Like you.”

  “She was both mom and dad to us. God knows we needed it. Surprising how she kept her sense of humor during the hard times.”

  He slowed down the jeep, swung into the short driveway, and parked it at an angle.

  “Thank you for helping with Cody.” Embarrassment filled her when she thought of her reaction to Cody’s affectionate behavior with Bryce and the childish scene she’d made. Her voice grated with tiredness and she pulled herself out of the jeep.

  “You sound dead tired. Need any help?” Bryce said.

  “No, I’m fine…er, would you like something to drink?”

  Cola, lemonade, an apology? She scolded herself mentally for lacking the foresight to restrain herself from past outbursts with him.

  Bryce pressed his watch to check the time and Leanna saw the pinhead glow of its face. “I have about half an hour before I meet Kip at the Park Service Office.”

  He picked up his cell phone tucked in the holder between the two front seats. He put it into his shirt pocket, got out of the jeep, and followed her up the steps.

  Leanna dug her hand into her jeans pocket and, fishing out her keys, opened the front door. The living room was lit.

  “The lights are set to come on after dark,” she explained, smiling at Bryce’s surprise.

  “Good idea.”

  “Please make yourself comfortable. What would you like to drink?”

  “A pop, if you have any.”

  Leanna left the living room, catching a glimpse of Bryce looking around the room with growing interest. She opened the refrigerator door and peered inside. Covered Tupperware 160

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  bowls and assortments of breads and flavored yogurt cartons met her eye. But no cans of cola lay in the jumble of bowls, cartons and plastic bags. She’d forgotten to buy some after she and Kai had finished the last one yesterday, and she hadn’t had time to run to the supermarket.

  She glanced at the one-gallon carton of milk. He could have milk. That would constitute a nice, cold drink. She poured out a tall glass of milk and returned to the living room.

  “I’m, sorry, but there’s only milk,” she said handing the glass to him.

  He took it and threw back his head and guffawed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I’m right about you. You never fail to surprise me.”

  Leanna smiled. “A good surprise, I hope. I remembered you like milk.”

  “Thanks to Mom, who dinned it into my head that milk is the most nourishing drink.” He finished it in one swig and placed the glass on the coffee table.

  “You must have been thirsty.”

  He walked to the tall window overlooking the lake. “I’ve never seen the lake from a distance like this.”

  Leanna walked up beside him and followed his gaze toward the lake. “Yes, it’s free and it’s beautiful.”

  He turned toward her and moved closer, so that she could feel his sweet breath on her. “Like you. Maybe, that’s why you still intrigue me so much.”

  He held her gently by the shoulders and drew her closer and lowered his mouth onto hers and took her breath away in one long, demanding kiss. Surprise quickly changed as Bryce held her close. All her previous longing flooded her as she slowly entwined her arms about his strong shoulders and returned his kiss with fervor. As much as she fought herself, 161

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  Leanna knew this was what she had wanted ever since Bryce swept back into her life. It was crazy, but somehow she couldn’t make herself react sensibly. She wanted Bryce with her whole being.

  He led her to the couch in the living room. It stood there, inviting, coaxing. She froze.

  “Don’t fight it, Leanna.” Bryce’s voice assumed a new tenderness as he pulled her down.

  Fighting this feeling was the farthest thing from her mind.

  Leanna knew her emotions were out of control. For so long she’d fought against loving Bryce. Would it hurt anyone but maybe herself if she gave in tonight?

  She laid her head back on the soft cushions and ran her fingers through his hair, felt his mouth seeking hers. She’d forgotten the number of times she’d wanted to feel the thickness of his hair between her fingers. The spicy soap he’d obviously used filled her with unabashed desire. For once in her life, Leanna decided she would be selfish and take the love Bryce was offering, even if it were only for this small moment in time.

  “You’re really something, Bryce Robert
son.” Leanna felt her heart beat to a new refrain. Slowly, she unbuttoned her blouse and felt his hands move along her skin. She loved him and she was darned if she was going to restrain herself any longer. His hands found her jeans buttons first, and then, his belt buckle.

  Her hand reached out to dim the lamp near the head of the sofa. His hard body was atop hers and she welcomed him.

  They made love as they had never before, listening to each other’s rhythmic breathing intermingled with the sounds of birds settling for the night outside. His ardor was touchingly restrained and she gasped in sweet agony as she writhed beneath him, eager to touch his skin.

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  Out of nowhere, it seemed, a phone rang. Leanna knew it wasn’t hers.

  “My cell phone.” Bryce got up and moved to the armchair where he’d thrown his shirt. Fumbling in the pocket, he drew out his cell phone.

  Awkwardly, Leanna pushed herself up from the couch.

  The euphoria of moments before slowly faded into cold reality. Bryce’s abrupt switch from lover to scientist brought a chill to her skin. It just proved to her that as strong as her love for him was, he hadn’t changed. He still put his work first.

  Now what she had to decide was whether she could live with that. Regretfully, she didn’t think she could.

  “Yes.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ll be there in a few minutes,” he said snapping the phone shut. “That was Kip. He’s ready to go.”

  Bryce walked back to her, pulling her to him, caressing her hair and body. “God, I don’t want to leave you. For the first time, I don’t want to go back to work. That’s the effect you have on me.”

  Leanna winced. As much as she wanted to believe him, the proof was in the fact that he was leaving.

  “That’s an achievement for me—distracting a workaholic like you. Something I never expected to hear.” She knew she shouldn’t consider it a triumph, but she couldn’t help it. Their lovemaking had been sweet and she reveled in the thought of it and didn’t want to let him go. But, this time, a toughness steeled her. As sweet as it had been, she wasn’t about to hold him with any strings just because she had been hypnotized by his touch and the memory of his fiery kisses.