In a different drawer, she flipped through the files and came across the name of a hospital. St. Benedict’s. Could this be where they held Joshua prisoner? Her heart leaped with hope.
Because of her shaky hands, it was hard to read the label, and now, her teeth chattered, making the flashlight slip. She took the flashlight out of her mouth and focused on the file as she pulled it out and opened it. Invoices. She glanced over at the figure column. One hundred thousand dollars? She raised her eyebrows in suspicion as she turned over the invoices. They dated back for five years.
Five years.
This had to be what she was looking for.
A noise from out in the lobby stopped her. She froze, except for her heart beating out of control. Somebody was here. She was going to get caught! Prison—and orange jumpsuits—were just around the corner, she just knew it!
She closed the file and slipped it in her jacket, pushing the drawer closed with her foot as gently as she could. She turned off the flashlight then searched the darkness for someplace to hide. The only place was underneath Terrel’s desk. She was too far away to hide in his adjoining bathroom.
Without another thought, she fell to her knees and scooted under his desk. A stream of light from the lobby came through as the door slowly opened. Someone wearing a pair of black shoes stood just outside the office. She held her breath, praying whoever it was couldn’t know she was there.
The feet came closer to the desk.
“Kendra, are you here? It’s me, Eli.”
She sighed with relief and crawled out. “Oh, Eli. You scared me to death.”
He chuckled as he grasped her hand and pulled her to her feet. “I hadn’t planned on you being here, but I smelled your perfume.”
She propped her hands on her hips. “I have more right to be here than you. And what if Terrel saw you? You know how much you resemble your father.”
“Yes, I know, but—”
“There are no buts. You should have stayed home.”
He circled his arms around her and pulled her against his chest. A grin stole across his face. “Thank you for caring. And thank you for being on the same brain-waves.” He shrugged. “I had no idea you’d search through his office, too.”
She rested her face on his chest. “I want to help your father. I’m beginning to realize exactly what kind of person Terrel is, and he’s not the kind of person that should be running a multi-million dollar company.”
“No, he’s not.” He kissed the top of her head. “Did you find anything?”
She looked up at him. “Yes. It’s under my jacket. Let’s hurry and get home and I’ll show you what I found.”
She pulled away and turned toward the door, but he grabbed her arm to stop her. “Wait, Kendra. Do you have something that Terrel might miss if it’s gone?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you have?”
“A file.”
He pulled her to the copy machine against the far wall. “Let’s make copies. I don’t want to alert Terrel just in case he finds the folder missing.”
She exhaled a rush of air. “I never thought about that.” She handed over the manila folder.
“Why don’t you stand by the door and be our lookout, and I’ll make the copies.”
Although it seemed forever, her heart beating a million miles a minute, Eli finally finished and they were able to walk out of the office.
Once inside the car, he grabbed her hand and squeezed. “You’ll never guess who I talked to today.”
“Who?”
“I found Adam and Joshua’s driver. Lamont Waters.”
She gasped and took a quick glance his way. “And he’s still alive?”
“He’s been at a retirement home for five years. Apparently, Lamont was the one who drove Joshua to the mental hospital. Afterwards, Terrel and Lisa gave Lamont a choice. He could either die a slow, painful death, or be holed away for the rest of his life in an old folks home, as long as he forgot everything that happened.”
She cringed. “Poor man.”
He held up a min-voice recorder. “And it’s all right here on tape.”
“Thank goodness. This will really help when we try to prove your father’s mental stability.”
He squeezed her hand again. “Thanks for believing in me. I don’t know how to repay you for your kindness.”
Emotion tugged at her heart. Repay me? He could stay by her side...forever. But if he was really a future-man—and she was beginning to think he was because he knew about Terrels’ dealings—that could never happen.
* * * *
“I want to visit your father.”
Eli smiled, his heart jumping to his throat. He reached across the table and took hold of Kendra’s hands. Since they’d returned, they’d been at the kitchen table discussing what they found in Terrel’s office.
“You will, eventually.”
“I know, but I want to do it now.”
He shook his head. “What are you going to say to him? Are you going to tell him you’re helping his son?” He chuckled. “He doesn’t know he has a son yet.”
“No, of course I won’t tell him that. I thought about telling him I know he was put into the hospital under false pretenses, and I’m going to try to release him.”
He squeezed her hands. “That’s a good idea, but I don’t know if you’ll be able to make it past the doctor. His particular doctor is being paid quite nicely to keep Joshua inside. Doctor Goodwin isn’t going to just let anyone in to see him.”
She shrugged. “There’s got to be a way. Maybe I could go when the doctor leaves to return home.”
“Only if you have a way to talk the nurses into letting you in.” He tightened his hold on her hand. “And remember, my father isn’t listed under Joshua Montgomery.”
“He’s not?”
“No. Terrel made sure every little thing was covered so people wouldn’t recognize him.”
“Then what’s his name?”
“He’s still Joshua, but they used Smith for his last name.”
She scrunched her nose. “Smith? That’s a regular name, for heaven’s sake.”
“Exactly. Harder to track that way.”
She frowned and slumped her shoulders. “You’re not doing a great job of encouraging me, you know.”
He laughed, pulled away from the table, and stood. Keeping her hands in his, he lifted her up with him. After wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her close. “There are other ways to encourage you, my dear.”
She smiled and stroked his goatee. “I just want to help you out any way I can before you leave.” The smile disappeared; even the sparkle left her eyes. “Which reminds me...when are you supposed to leave?”
“I’ll be gone tomorrow morning.”
She frowned. “So soon?”
“Yes.” He sighed. “I don’t want to leave yet, but I have to.”
She nodded. “Then we have a few more things to do before you leave.”
“Like what?”
“Like contacting my father.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Why?”
“Because my father will know what we need to do to get Doctor Goodwin checked out. Apparently he’s not a very good physician, and the mental hospital needs to know this.”
“This is true.” He rubbed his hands slowly over her back, loving how she fit so perfect in his arms. “Then let’s hurry and get a hold of him. I want to spend the last little while we have holding each other.”
She tilted her head. “Hmmm…what a wonderful idea.”
Bending his head, he pressed his lips to her neck. His tongue teased her sensitive spot, and she giggled.
She pulled away and walked to the wall where her keys hung. “That will have to wait until after I talk to my father. It won’t take long, I promise.”
He frowned, folding his arms over his chest and leaning against the wall. “I’m holding you to that promise, because if you’re not back here within an hour, I’m coming a
fter you. And I don’t think your father will like the way I kiss his little girl in front of him.”
She laughed and blew him a kiss, then hurried out of the room.
His heart tightened. How could he walk out of her life tomorrow? In the past week, she’d found a place in his heart, and he didn’t want to let it go. Since meeting her, life had more meaning, and to think that might be taken away nearly stopped his heart from beating…for she had somehow become his life.
But, he had no other choice. He had to return.
* * * *
Kendra took a deep breath and walked into her parents’ house. “Hello?”
Her father walked out of his study and hugged her. “What a surprise to see you. If you’ve come to discuss wedding details with your mother, she’s at her friend’s house right now.” He pulled out his cell. “Let me call her—”
“No, Dad. I came to talk to you.”
“Well, certainly, my dear.”
He pulled her to the green and pink sofa—her mother’s favorite chair—and sat. She twisted her hands in her lap until realizing her father noticed her discomfort. Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself. Swallowing, she moistened her dry throat.
“Dad, I came to talk to you about Terrel. I…found some things that have me very confused, and extremely worried.”
“What did you find?”
“In doing some research the other day, I came across some old newspaper articles.” She explained to him about what the articles were about. “I think he’s been lying to me all this time.” She shook her head. “Actually, I know he’s been lying to me.”
Frowning, her father patted her hand, but kept quiet, which was what she wanted from him at this moment.
“And I think he has Joshua Montgomery locked away in a mental institution.” She explained about the file and Doctor Goodwin being paid so much.
Her father’s forehead creased as his expression turned dark. “That does sound fishy, doesn’t it?”
“That’s what I thought, too.”
“Not to worry, dear daughter. I know a few members who are on the state’s medical board, I’ll make sure Doctor Goodwin’s history is researched thoroughly.”
Her father studied her closely through a narrowed gaze. “There is more, isn’t there?”
She nodded and began twisting her hands again. “I’m canceling the wedding.” Tears gathered in her eyes, but relief flooded through her.
“You know your mother and I will support you in this decision.” He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.
She cried on his shoulder, enjoying the closeness she had always shared with her father. It was times like this she knew would stay in her mind forever.
“I will have Terrel checked out as well. I have connections with the Feds, and I could get a tail put on Terrel since you think he’s into drugs.”
She pulled back and sniffled. “No, not yet. I’ll let you know first.”
“Whatever you wish, my dear.” He kissed her forehead.
After she said goodbye to him, she walked back out to her car and drove home. Little by little, the tight knot around her heart had disappeared. Ever since she’d doubted her feelings for Terrel, she’d been getting headaches. Now the stress had been relieved. She’d definitely made the right decision.
Eli greeted her at the door when she walked in. She didn’t have to say a word. Neither did he. They fell into each other’s arms as if kismet controlled everything.
When his mouth captured hers, all problems ceased to exist. Tonight all that mattered was being in his arms.
For a while they held and kissed on the couch, and also talked about their lives. She actually did more talking, but Eli was a great listener.
Pulling back, she gazed into his amazing green eyes. “This feels so nice right now—just us holding each other.”
He smiled. “Nothing will ever compare to this feeling I’m experiencing right now.”
“I know.”
“Kendra, in such a short time, you’ve created a permanent place in my heart.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Once again, I feel the same.” She pushed his long hair out of his face, realizing that she didn’t care how shaggy and unkempt it was. He was still the most handsome man she’d ever known and ever loved. “I know I shouldn’t be feeling this so soon, but I think...I think I’m in love with you.”
“Oh, Kendra—” He cupped her face and brought it down to his as his mouth captured hers.
He didn’t kiss her passionately as they had before, but more meaningfully. Love burst in her chest, making tears fall from her eyes. She broke the kiss and held him tight.
Why did the most wonderful man in the world come into her life for so short a time?
Chapter Eight
When Kendra awoke the next morning, Eli was gone. She found it strange that his belongings were still here. Perhaps he couldn’t take them back…however he traveled to the future since she know he didn’t come in a car.
Sighing deeply, she held back the tears, knowing they’d come forth at any moment. How could she go on without him? Knowing she would never see him again broke her down, and she sobbed. Her heavy chest and throbbing head made it so she couldn’t go to work.
The day passed slowly, and the night was just as bad. Memories from when they’d spent time together came tumbling back, and the pain of missing him filled her greater than before. Although she didn’t think she had tears left to shed, she cried a bucket-full.
The next morning she forced herself to go to work, even with puffy eyes. When she entered through the front door, George’s eyes widened, his mouth gaping. “Good heavens, woman. What’s wrong?”
She opened up and told him everything, even about Eli being from the future, and especially about Terrel. George remained supportive and encouraged her to continue in her pursuit in helping out Joshua.
After a long day at work, she closed the shop and returned home. Loneliness overwhelmed her. She couldn’t stay in this apartment one minute longer without going crazy.
Her gaze fell on the stack of papers she and Eli had copied from Terrel’s secret folder.
Joshua Smith.
Yes, she could go see him. The mental institution was only an hour’s drive away, so she still had time.
She ran in to fix her hair and make-up, then hurried out to the car. Excitement made her heart leap and gave her a brighter outlook. She tried to tell herself she didn’t want to see Joshua just because Eli resembled him...but wasn’t that the main reason for her enthusiasm?
No. Joshua was a completely different person. He wasn’t Eli.
Although...what if he was just as charming as his son? She grinned. Eli certainly took the prize for sweeping her off her feet in such a short amount of time. Eli had even mentioned his father had been a sweet-talker in his younger years, which were really these years in her time.
Moisture gathered in her palms the closer she came to the hospital. Joshua Smith. She had to remember this was the name they listed him under.
When she parked her car and walked through the front doors, her legs shook. Even her knees knocked together. She wrung her hands against her stomach and held her shoulders straight as she made her way to the receptionist desk.
An older, silver-haired woman looked up from the book she was reading and smiled.
“Hello,” Kendra greeted. “I hope visiting hours are not over. I’ve traveled quite a ways to see someone.”
The other woman shook her head. “There’s still another hour to go before we close the doors.”
Kendra sighed, placing her hand on her chest. “Good.”
“Who is it you’re here to see?”
“Joshua Smith.”
The lady’s white bushy eyebrows drew together, and she opened the patient logbook and thumbed through it. “Really? In the three years I’ve worked here, I’ve not known one time when someone came to visit Joshua.”
Kendra’s heartbeat hammered against her ribs, the beat p
ounding through her head just as fast. “Why?”
The woman met her stare. “I don’t know. I thought he didn’t have any family.” She smiled. “But I guess I was wrong. You are family, aren’t you?”
Kendra tried not to let out a relived sigh. “Yes. I’m his first cousin on his mother’s side, Kendra Whitaker.”
The other woman snapped the book closed and stood. “Then I’m certain Joshua will be thrilled to see someone.” She walked behind the desk. “Like I said, he hasn’t had any visitors for as long as I can remember.”
“That’s just sad. I know his parents are dead, but his brother does live close by. Well…last I heard, he lived close by.” She talked so fast, she hoped the nurse didn’t suspect something was wrong.
Kendra held her shaky hands together and followed the nurse down the hall. The older woman withdrew a set of rings and inserted one in the keyhole of a door, then opened it. The large room looked to be a game room of sorts. She arched a brow. Probably where the patients spend most of their time. Five or so patients dressed in the hospital’s light gray colors were scattered in the room, and people dressed in street clothes sat beside them. If she could get Joshua in a corner, they could speak in private.
Her heart quickened. What could she say? She couldn’t tell him about Eli. She chuckled. Joshua would think she had escaped from a mental hospital.
The nurse stopped at a table and motioned to the chair. “Have a seat, and I will get him.”
Kendra nodded and sat, clamping her hands between her knees. Curse her nerves!
She glanced at the others. It was easy to identify the patients. Even if they hadn’t been wearing their gray, scrub-like clothes, their expressions were absent as they stared into space. A few played with checker pieces on the tables, or continually shook dice in a cup. Her heart went out to these poor, unfortunate souls.
The squeaky hinges of the door drew her attention to the nurse coming through. Shuffling behind her came a tall man with very short, brown hair. His head lowered as his eyes aimed toward his bare feet. His hands clasped together in back of him.
Her heart leapt to her throat. Even from over here, she recognized the resemblances he had with Eli. Of course, they were father and son. Why wouldn’t they look alike?
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