by Adam (lit)
Adam’s expression showed nothing as he listened to the doctor. When Dr. Jakes finished speaking, he nodded. “If you think it’s safe to take her that far from the hospital, and she’s able to make the trip, I can live with your conditions.”
The doctor turned back to his patient. “Tomorrow morning then. I’ll leave paperwork at the nurse’s station along with a prescription for pain. You’re a registered nurse, so you know how important it is to obey your doctor. Right?”
Surprised, she looked at Adam. “I didn’t realize that I’m a nurse.”
“I know. I keep forgetting you don’t know much about yourself. I’ll try to remedy that after we get home.” He thanked the doctor and they shook hands. Adam leaned over the bed. “Are you sure you feel well enough to make a two-hour trip in a car? Of course, we can let the seat back and you can relax most of the way.”
“Oh, Adam, I’ll be so glad to get out of here.”
“You have to agree to remember what the doctor said about being careful of the ribs and bruises.”
“I will. But then you’re the one who’ll have to put up with my moans and groans if I move the wrong way.”
“I think we can manage. Garth and Hana will be there to aid and abet. Right now, I’ll say goodnight and see you in the morning.” He brushed his lips over her cheek and walked away.
She watched him go with the oddest feeling that things weren’t exactly what they seemed to be. Of course, they weren’t. She didn’t know who she was, where she was from, not even that she was a nurse. How could she not know that when she was in a hospital with doctors and nurses? It seems the surroundings would bring back her memory. Evidently that didn’t work in this case.
Tomorrow might bring a change and, hopefully, a return of her memory.
Chapter Thirteen
Adam climbed into the SUV and settled behind the wheel.
“Are you comfortable?” He reached over and tucked a brightly colored afghan over her knees.
She sighed. “Yes. Much more so than in that hospital bed.”
“Look, Kara.” Adam hesitated. “You’re going to have to really take it easy. The weather’s cold, way below freezing in the mountains where we’re going. You’ll have to stay inside of necessity. The view’s pretty, but snow becomes the same color after you look at it for so long.”
She laughed. “I think I can remember that much.”
* * * *
Adam blinked. He didn’t recall hearing her laugh out loud before the accident. Mostly, she’d been musing and pensive and, sometimes, he admitted, angry at the situation she’d found herself in. Kara didn’t realize she’d been a virtual prisoner for almost two weeks before the accident. And she would continue to be one until her memory returned, and she revealed all she knew about Aaron’s failure to communicate. There had to be solid reasoning behind his disappearance. The two of them had always kept in touch. At least, until Aaron married Kara, and even then, nothing seemed to have changed. Now, something had.
She gazed out the window. “It’s snowing.”
“Not really news since it’s December, and we’re in the mountains of New Mexico.” He glanced at her to see if that triggered any memories.
“It’s beautiful even if you are used to it.” She yawned and put her head back.
“Use the button on the right side of the seat and adjust it so you can rest. We have a couple of hours of riding, longer if this snow gets any worse.” He looked over when she had reclined the seat. “Better?”
“Yes. Lots.” Her even breathing a few minutes later told him she was sleeping.
Damn it. He had been hoping to get good information from the private detective this week, and with Kara’s help, trace Aaron’s whereabouts. She wasn’t going to be any help until she regained her memory. Not that she’d helped any before the accident. Why wouldn’t she tell him anything? Why deny she was Kara when her picture on the driver’s license was as good a likeness as those pictures ever got?
He had too many questions and not one damned answer.
* * * *
“Kara?” He touched her shoulder. She jerked awake and her head came around, eyes wide. He thought for a moment he saw fear in them, but then, she shook her head, blinked and gave him a tentative smile.
“Sorry. Guess I slept, didn’t I?” She looked around. “Oh, how lovely.” She took in the Christmas card setting in front of them. The stone and log house with its gabled roofs, three chimneys with smoke swirling through the snow. The walkway had been shoveled and there were Christmas lights strung around the porch that covered the front and sides of the house.
“Christmas?” She glanced at Adam.
His mouth tightened, and the dark gray eyes chilled right in front of her.
“Five days till Christmas, Kara.” His expression was unreadable.
“Have we shopped?” Curious, she stared into cold gray eyes. What had she done to have him look at her that way? “Are you all right?”
His eyes shuttered as he looked down at her. “I’m fine. How about you?”
“Ready to get out and see what this beautiful house looks like on the inside.”
Adam wondered what she would say when she found out she’d been there nearly two weeks and had never been anywhere in the house except for the dining room, kitchen and the bedroom suite she occupied. As a prisoner. It was going to be an interesting revelation, if and when it came about.
They walked up to the porch just as the door opened. The man introduced to her as Garth came onto the porch. His grin was wide to match those shoulders.
“Good afternoon, Boss. Hey, Kara, how’s it going?”
“Good, I think.” She turned to Adam. “Isn’t it?” There was an odd air of intense observance about Adam, as though he expected her to do or say something important. She couldn’t help him by remembering anything, at least, not yet.
“The trip was uneventful. Roads are clear until we got about two miles up the mountain, then it got kinda dicey.”
“Come on in. Hana kept the casserole warm, and there’s fresh coffee.” Garth held the door open as they walked through, but he kept his eyes on Adam. Adam shook his head and shrugged.
“Let me show Kara to her room, and we’ll be back to have lunch or whatever Hana’s fixed.”
He took her arm and moved with her down a wide, lighted hallway. He stopped at an open door and moved aside to motion her in.
She stood just inside the room and looked around. Space was what she saw. Lots of uncluttered space in what must be a sitting room. A fire blazed in the river stone fireplace. A tiny ceramic Christmas tree with miniature flashing lights stood on the mantel.
She grinned. “Is that all the Christmas decorating I do?”
“Hana did that.” He turned her to him and pressed a light kiss on her mouth. “I’ll meet you in ten minutes in the breakfast nook.” He watched her but saw only the blank look. He sighed. “I’ll wait for you to wash up and lead you to lunch. I forget you don’t know your way around the house.”
The fact hit home that she didn’t know who she was or why she was here or if she belonged. There was the feeling that this wasn’t home. She frowned. But why did she have that feeling?
Confused, knowing it was going to be like that until she remembered something, she went into the bathroom. A few minutes later, she returned to find Adam leaning against the door facing. He smiled and held out his hand. She went to him, took his hand, and walked with him back down the hall to a door on the right. They entered to find Garth standing by a counter talking to a short, sturdily built woman.
Garth smiled. The woman didn’t.
“Kara, this is Hana, the one who keeps us in line, well fed and clean.”
She smiled. “Hello, Hana.”
Hana didn’t smile, just nodded and turned abruptly to the stove.
Why doesn’t she like me? It really isn’t my fault that I don’t know her. Is it?
Adam touched her arm and led her to the table set in front of a bay
window. The view was picture perfect. The window framed the blue-white snow blanket against the dark color of the evergreens lining the yard.
Garth came around and sat opposite Adam. “So what’s the prognosis?”
“Kara doesn’t remember anything yet. It’s a wait and see proposition.”
“I’m sorry, Kara. That must be frustrating.”
“It is. And scary. I feel like I might fall into that awful blank space at any minute and wonder how long it’ll take to hit the bottom.”
“That is bad. How’d you get them to let you leave the hospital so quickly?”
“I promised she’d behave herself,” Adam said. “You and Hana will have to make sure she doesn’t overdo, that she eats regularly, and does light therapy they showed her.”
“Are you going to see Iverson?” Garth studied Adam’s expression.
“No. He’s going to call if there’s any news. I have to go back into town tomorrow, though, to take care of the charges coming from the accident.”
“Charges?” She leaned forward. “You said the lady had a heart attack and had died. Why would there be charges?”
“Not charges per se, Kara. Her insurance company needs more information before they settle the hospital bill, which they’ll pay.”
“Oh. It’s sad.”
“But you’re the one who got hurt,” Garth said.
“It wasn’t her fault. It was just circumstances that had me standing in the line of fire, so to speak.”
Adam flinched. If he hadn’t demanded she stay where he could see her while he parked the car, she wouldn’t have been there. If he hadn’t yelled, she might have been able to move. But those were ifs he couldn’t change. He would, if he could.
Hana brought a platter of eggs over medium, one of sausage and bacon, hash browns and biscuits. “Breakfast is easier to fix on short notice,” she said and plunked the dishes in the center of the table.
“Thank you, Hana. Breakfast is good any time. Kara?” He held out the platter of meat to her.
Her gaze had followed Hana away from the table, puzzled as to why the woman gave her such a look of dislike. Taking the plate from Adam, she used her fork to take a piece of bacon and one of sausage. Garth passed the other dishes.
“That’s not much food for someone trying to regain strength,” Adam said.
“If I need more, I’ll ask.” She concentrated on eating, half listening to Adam and Garth discuss the day’s chores, the weather, and someone named Iverson. Her mind centered on Hana and her obvious dislike. Wonder what I’ve done to make her look at me that way?
Breakfast finished, Adam pushed back his chair. “You’re to rest, Kara.” When she opened her mouth to object, he held up a finger. “Do I need to remind you of what I promised Dr. Jakes? You don’t behave, back you go to the hospital.”
“Blackmail,” she muttered.
He grinned. “Sure enough, that’s what it is, and it had better work.”
Back in what he called her ‘suite,’ big enough for a family to live in a week without bumping into each other, she wandered around and finally stood by the sliding glass doors.
Wonder what it looks like in the spring and fall? Gorgeous, I’ll bet. All white was lovely, but a profusion of color would be scrumptious, she was certain.
She stretched out on the bed, thought of turning on the radio, gave it up and went to sleep.
* * * *
He stood by the bed and watched her for several minutes. She lay on her side with the injured arm stretched out from her body, the other hand tucked beneath her cheek. Facial bruises were mostly healed with only a shadow left behind. A small scar ran along her hairline but would soon be unnoticed. She had been injured, still suffered from the concussion, but luck had been with her. With him. If she had been killed, he never would have forgiven himself. Neither would Aaron.
At the thought of Aaron, Adam stiffened. He leaned over and brushed his lips over her cheek. The heavy lashes fluttered and then lifted. She turned her head and his mouth covered hers. Heat smoldered and burst into flame. He dropped to the bed, held her chin in his hand, and crushed her mouth.
Her free hand went up behind his head to hold him closer. Tormenting needs ripped through her. She wasn’t prepared for that.
Neither was Adam. He pulled her up into his arms and devoured. He couldn’t get enough of her, there would never be enough of her to fill him completely. Her whimper brought him abruptly to what he was doing. And who she was.
He pulled away and looked down at her swollen mouth. Good God, what had he done? She’s still hurting from her injuries and I’m about to ravish her. Even Kara deserves better than that.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes.” She reached to touch his cheek. “Adam. Have we made love?”
He stiffened. No, they hadn’t made love. They’d had sex. That was all it was, just sex. And that was for revenge, not for their pleasure.
“Yes. Yes, we have.”
“Do you want to again?” She was puzzled by her feelings, by what she perceived were his feelings. The uncertainty, his look that said he wasn’t pleased with what was going on.
What is going on? She wondered.
“You’re hurt, Kara. I don’t want to be the cause of your not healing.” He passed his hand over her chin. “We can wait.” He stood. “Do you want to stay here or go into the other living room? We can watch a movie or television.”
“Other living room?”
“This a separate suite that has its own living room. When we’re all together, we use the great room.”
“I don’t remember.” She closed her eyes and punished herself by straining to see into her blank mind.
“I know, Kara. I know it’s frustrating and hard to deal with, but you’ll get better. Just don’t worry about it. I don’t think that will help.” He took her hand and pulled her to a sitting position. She was fully dressed, but in his mind, he saw the lithe slenderness that tormented him. He resented that all to hell, but she couldn’t know that. Couldn’t know how much he wanted his brother’s wife.
God! How contemptible that sounds.
She ran her hands through her hair and sighed. “I guess not, but it’s difficult not to worry.” She looked at him. “Am I a nice person?” She thought of Hana. “Why doesn’t Hana like me?”
His eyebrows peaked. “Why do you think she doesn’t?” Kara might not know who she was, but her perception was still intact.
She hesitated, and then shrugged. “I don’t know. Just a feeling. The way she looks at me and doesn’t care to talk to me.”
“You’ve just gotten home, and I’m sure she doesn’t know exactly how to address you.”
“I haven’t been around her long?”
“Only a couple of weeks.”
“Oh.” She swung her feet over the side of the bed. “Guess we don’t know each other well enough.”
He wasn’t going into that. “Do you feel dizzy?”
“No. I’m tired.” She stood and he put his arm around her. Because she wanted to be close to him, she leaned into him. It felt good; it felt right.
Why do I know it isn’t?
* * * *
No one could look after her more closely than Adam during the next two days. He insisted she rest and take the medications Dr. Jakes prescribed. Even Hana did special things for her and once, when she gave her a tentative smile, Hana almost smiled back. That, it seemed, was as good as she was going to get from the stand-offish woman.
Adam was gone a lot during the day but was almost always back by seven in the evening. That was the usual dinner time for them. Garth helped in the kitchen, emptying garbage, setting the table, carrying things from the pantry to the kitchen. He chopped wood almost every day, and he was quick to offer his help if she hesitated about taking a step. Sometimes, a twinge in her ribs caused her to wince, and Garth was there to see if she needed him.
All in all, it was rather nice to be looked after. If she only knew who she was, and h
ow these people she had grown so fond of, fit into her life.
Chapter Fourteen
They had just finished dinner, and she was dreading going to her suite just to sit and stare at four walls or the ceiling or outside into the snow. She hated having to depend on the others to keep her entertained.
“I have some old movies you haven’t seen, Kara,” Adam said. “Want to take a chance on one?” When she looked at him, he added, “You shouldn’t go to your suite every night and just sit there.” He held out his hand. “Come on, let’s find a golden oldie and relax.”
She smiled. “I’d like that a lot.”
“How about it, Garth? Game to watch a movie with us?”
“I’ll take a rain check, Boss. I haven’t had a chance to look through the new Hunting Guide.” He rose. “I’ll help Hana finish in here, and I’ll say goodnight.”
“All right. See you tomorrow.”
The musical sound track on the movie had just about put her to sleep. Adam felt her relax against him and entertained himself by playing with her fingers. They were long and slim, like those of a musician or artist. He turned the hand over and frowned at the rough skin along the outside of her little finger. When had Kara ever worked hard enough, even as a nurse, to cause a corn or callus? Certainly not since her wedding to Aaron over two years ago.
And where were her wedding rings? He’d ask, but she wouldn’t have any idea.
Against his better judgment, he ran a hand down the thigh next to him. She was still dressed in the pantsuit he’d taken to the hospital. It was some sort of silky material Hana thought would slide onto her legs easily and not be rough on her tender skin. Hana was thoughtful and usually kind, but Kara was right, she didn’t care for Aaron’s wife. She didn’t know her that well, it was just the fact she resented anyone hurting the ‘boys’ she’d known most of their lives.
Of its own accord, his hand slid across the bottom of her stomach, pausing at the juncture of her thighs. His breath caught as spread fingers touched her center. Heat shot into his loins and filled them with lust. Using his chin, he pushed her head back and before her eyes opened, he covered her mouth, swallowing her surprised gasp.