REMEMBER ME (Secrets of Spirit Creek Book 1)

by Linda Style

  Now, she was as much in the dark about what had happened as Linc was. He had to wait to get the information from the court before he’d know any more.

  But she didn’t have to wait. She could ask Gordon for her files.

  A stitch in her side made her stop to catch her breath. Could she do that? Could she bring herself to relive every horrible moment? She started jogging again, her feet pounding the pavement like a judge’s gavel pounding in her head.

  Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.

  She had a choice to make. As hard as it would be to look at those files again, she had to do it. And if it would help Linc, she’d let him see them, too.

  ~~~

  LINC AWOKE disappointed to find Tori gone. She’d been there most of the night, he recalled, because he’d spent a lot of time just looking at her after she’d fallen asleep. It had been impossible for him to do the same. His brain might not remember ten years of abstinence, but his body sure did, and he’d wanted to make love with her over and over again.

  He couldn’t help smiling. He’d known after their first kiss that what he felt for Tori went deeper than just sex. Even without a memory, he was smart enough to know he wouldn’t be thinking about a future with her if all he wanted was to get laid. He’d thought a lot about the future since then. Even fantasized about a future with Tori. But every time, it came back to the same thing. He had to make a life before he could ever share it with someone else.

  Right now, he had nothing to give anyone. He was a penniless ex-con with a gimpy leg. Yet last night she’d made him feel whole again. And she didn’t seem concerned about his status, or whether he had money or not. Or his leg.

  But even if she didn’t care about those things, he did. He wanted to be the kind of man she deserved…because he loved her. And once he got on his feet, he’d spend the rest of his life proving it to her if she let him.

  And the sooner he got started, the better. Buoyed with positive energy, he got up and went to the bathroom to shower. Just as he was about to get in, the phone rang. He hop-stepped back to the bed and picked it up. “Hello.”

  There was a long pause, and then a male voice said, “I’m sorry. I must have the wrong room.”

  “Who did you want?”

  “Never mind. I’ve got the wrong number.”

  Just then Tori walked in. “Hi, you’re up.”

  Linc hung up the phone.

  “Yeah, just barely. I was about to take a shower and—”

  The phone rang again and Tori walked over. “I’ll get it. You go shower. Hello.” She gave Linc a quick glance, then waved him off.

  He closed the door but he could still hear her voice, low and muffled. A primitive warning rang in his head. She didn’t want him to hear what she had to say. A fragment of memory, a picture, flickered off and on. A woman. A man. In bed, kissing. He couldn’t see the faces…but he knew the guy wasn’t him. And the woman wasn’t Tori. Still, his nerves tensed and a ball of anger grew in his gut. The face flashed again…it was the woman in the photo in his old wallet. His fiancée. He had no clue what the vision was about, but he had a feeling it was important. Maybe that was why she’d broken off with him. Not because she’d believed him to be a rapist.

  He stepped into the shower and let the water pummel his face. He’d just spent the most incredible night of his life with the woman he loved, and his head was playing tricks on him. It was getting so he didn’t know what to expect of himself.

  An awful realization hit him. What if he did something to hurt Tori? He didn’t think he could do that, but what if his memory came back and he wasn’t the same person? What if he was hard and cold…an evil man like his father. How could he be with anyone when he didn’t know?

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  TORI TRIED TO MAKE conversation both on the plane to Phoenix and the drive back to Spirit Creek, but apparently Linc wasn’t in the mood. He answered questions when she asked, or he’d talk in generalities, but something was different. It almost felt as if something had happened between their lovemaking last night and this morning when she’d returned from jogging.

  “I’m going to drop you off first and then go get the dogs,” she said on their way through Spirit Creek. “They’ll be excited and I’ll need to calm them down before bringing them home.”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  When they arrived at her place, she pulled into the garage and they both got out. She went around and started to take his bag from the back when he said, “I’ll get it.”

  She smiled but felt the sting in his curt tone. “Okay. Force of habit, I guess.”

  He took his bag and slung it over his shoulder, then grabbed her suitcase in his other hand, keeping his right hand free to use the cane. She didn’t know why all of a sudden he had to be macho man, but if that’s what he wanted to do, fine with her. She just hoped that’s all it was.

  “I’m going to call Mac to find out when he can get back,” Linc said as he headed into the house.

  “Good.” She gave a tentative wave. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be.”

  “No rush. I’m good.”

  Tori left feeling empty and at a loss. He’d been fine when they’d made love and when they’d talked afterward. Maybe the meeting with his father had gotten to him. A delayed reaction. If it wasn’t that, she had no idea what was going on.

  If he’d remembered anything to do with her, she couldn’t imagine him keeping it to himself. Unless it was like before. A flashback. Things that didn’t make sense. Maybe that was it. Maybe he was putting things together and just hadn’t said anything? As hard as it would be for her, she wanted it to happen for him. She wanted him to get on with his life…and be happy. Even if it wasn’t with her.

  Reaching the Bean, Tori saw Natalia’s Mustang and pulled in next to it. She was glad both of her friends were there. She wouldn’t have to repeat herself. As she entered the gate, Bruno and Cleo bounded toward her. She knelt down and hugged them. “Good dogs,” she said, praising them, and pulled out a treat for each. “Good dogs. I missed both of you.”

  They played for a few minutes and she gave them more treats. Then with their attention elsewhere, Tori went inside and found both women waiting in the café…and an extra latte on the counter.

  “I saw you whiz by earlier,” Serena said, coming over to give Tori a hug. Natalia came over and did the same.

  “What’s going on down the street at Ry’s old place? I saw Quint’s truck.”

  Serena and Natalia looked at each other. Natalia deferred to Serena, who said, “Someone bought the place.”

  No one offered anything more, so Tori asked. “Do you know who?”

  “No one important,” Serena said. “Let’s leave it at that.”

  Natalia rolled her eyes. “Everyone knows.”

  “Everyone but me,” Tori said.

  “It’s Cole—Cole St. Germaine,” Serena blurted out. “No big deal.” She walked over to the glass case on one side of the room where she kept her homemade bakery products and took out a scone.

  Tori stared at Serena. “No big deal?” Serena’s old boyfriend, the love of her life, was a big deal. But Tori wasn’t going to ask anything more and open old wounds. It was enough that Cole had returned.

  “So, how was the trip?” Natalia asked, changing the awkward subject.

  “Good,” she said. She’d been so busy worrying about Linc and his father and the sudden moodiness, she hadn’t had time to reflect. “Actually, it was wonderful. Magical. Exciting.” She couldn’t help smiling, but a second later, her smile faded. “And horrible and frustrating.”

  “Well,” Natalia deadpanned, “it’s nice to have variety.”

  “I’d ask you to elaborate, but then you might ask me to do the same.” Serena sat at the closest table and patted the chair next to her.

  Tori slid into the seat, doctored her latte with a little sugar, then took a sip. “I won’t ask.” She sighed, needing to get her own problems off her chest…and get objective input.
“My life is a mess, that’s all. Linc’s life is a mess.”

  Serena frowned. “Are you…involved?”

  “Of course she is,” Natalia answered for Tori. “She just went to California with a guy, comes back and gushes all over, then says it’s a mess. Can’t get much more involved than that.”

  “That’s not what’s bothering me,” Tori said. No regrets there at all. It’s Linc.” She told them what had happened with his friend and with his father. “I don’t know exactly what it is, but I have this gut feeling about Linc’s former friend. Why would he lie on the stand?”

  “How do you know he was the one who lied?” Natalia took the adversarial role. “Maybe it was Linc who lied, and he doesn’t know it.”

  Her instant reaction was to defend Linc, but she realized that maybe what Natalia said could be true. Only in a different way. But then…“Oh!” Tori practically shouted. “That’s it. Why didn’t I realize…” She jumped up. “I’ve got to go.”

  Serena clamped a hand on her friend’s arm and said, “Oh, no. You can’t just tell us half of it and leave. You got some ‘splainin’ to do, girlfriend. Blood promise, pinky swear and all that. Remember?”

  Tori laughed. She and Serena had been eight years old when they’d pricked their little fingers with a pin and smeared their blood together, making a promise that they’d always tell each other everything, no matter what. So far, they had.

  “Natalia said it could be Linc who lied and he just doesn’t know it. Well, I know he didn’t, but I think that’s what’s bothering him. He doesn’t know if he lied or not. He thinks he could be this bad person, and the meeting with his dad confirmed it.”

  “I hate to say this, Tori,” Natalia said. “But he might be.”

  “No. No, he’s not. I know he’s not. And now I’ve got to go.” She hugged both her friends, thanked Serena profusely for caring for the dogs, then went to herd them into the car.

  It was even more important to get the files she’d requested from Gordon when she was out jogging. She’d called him and told him where she was staying, never expecting he’d call the room.

  Driving home, she felt a sense of resolution…and dread. When she got the files, she’d tell Linc everything. That would be it. Her point of no return. And whatever would be, would be.

  As she pulled into the garage, her phone rang. A quick glance at the phone indicated it was her mother, and it was better to answer now than when she got inside. “Hi, Mom. What’s up?” She slid out of the car and let the dogs go into the yard.

  “I spoke with Gordon,” her mother said stiffly. “What’s going on?”

  Gordon had been concerned when she’d asked about seeing her file. She should’ve known he’d tell her parents. She hadn’t told him not to. “Nothing.”

  “Has something happened? Did he contact you?”

  “Mother. I’m fine. Nothing has happened. I’m just doing what I should have done a long time ago.”

  For the first time, Tori realized there were many more reasons to read the complete case file. Not just for Linc, but for herself. “I need to do it.”

  “But we protected you from all that. Why do you want to dig around in things that can only hurt you? You’ve come so far in your…recovery. It will set you back. I don’t want to see that happen.”

  Tori heard the hurt in her mother’s voice. All her mother wanted was to protect Tori. And that was the problem. She’d been too protected. “You’re right. It might set me back. But I have to do it.”

  “Tell me one good reason. One good reason.”

  “Closure. I need to do it to get closure.” She turned to go inside and saw Linc standing behind her. “I’ve got to go now. I’ll call you later.” She clicked off.

  Linc walked toward her. “Is something wrong? Are you okay?”

  Her hands trembled. “I’m okay.” She started to leave.

  “I don’t think you are,” Linc said, blocking her path. He reached out and held her at arm’s length, sympathy in his eyes. “Look at me and tell me you’re fine.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. Her bottom lip quivered. “It was just a disagreement with my mother.”

  He gently pulled her closer, and she melted into his arms. She had no defenses left and her heart felt as if it were tearing into tiny little pieces. She didn’t know what to do, or where to turn. Linc was offering comfort and she wanted more than anything to take it. If she could only blot out the past…

  But she couldn’t. She could never blot out the past. It would always be there between them no matter what. Forcing back her tears, she steeled herself and pushed away. “Thanks, Linc. I’m okay now.”

  She backed up, then nearly sprinted to her bedroom.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  WHAT THE HELL? Linc stood there, mouth agape wondering what had just happened. But maybe he should ask himself what he’d expected? Did he think that because they’d had one night together they’d magically be together every night afterward? It was a great thought, but not exactly realistic. What would she want with a man who had no past and no future?

  Not to mention her family would croak. Hell, he’d feel the same way if he had a daughter doing what she was. Maybe that’s what the argument with her mother was about?

  He had no frame of reference when it came to family relationships. Even when he’d had one, it apparently sucked. But if he was causing her problems with her parents, it was even more important for him to get out of here and be on his own.

  He went back into the house to finish making dinner. While Tori was picking up the dogs, he’d had time to reflect, and he knew that whatever happened, he couldn’t keep hoping things would change…hoping he’d remember his old life and all would be swell. He needed to forget in order to begin anew.

  Oddly, he felt a sense of resolve in that. Maybe now that he knew what a screwed up childhood he’d had, he could make a new life without the constant need to know more about his past. So far, it seemed to be a past that had no good in it.

  He picked up the phone and called Mac. He wasn’t home when Linc had called earlier and didn’t answer now. He left another message telling Mac he wanted the name and number to call about the bartender job. His leg was much improved and he was sure he could handle being on his feet with the help of his cane.

  Remembering he still needed to go to the bank, he decided he’d talk to Tori about it as soon as she felt better.

  When dinner was ready, he went to her room and knocked on the door. “Tori, would you like me to bring you something to eat?”

  She cracked the door a few inches. “I’ll get something later,” she said. “I’m not very hungry right now.”

  Linc ate alone and went to bed. Maybe she needed time away from him? With the exception of his therapy and her painting, they’d been together 24/7 the entire time he’d been there. Stretching out in the bed, he smiled to himself. If it were up to him, he’d be with her all the time. His body instantly responded to the thought. Yeah, like he needed that right now. He flicked on the TV.

  He was watching some CSI show when a face flashed in his head. Tori’s mother’s face…only she was older than the picture he’d seen of her. Tori’s argument with her mother must have prompted the image. He continued watching. Another flash. A man’s face. But no one he recognized. Every few minutes he’d have another flash of different faces, places and odd things like stacks of papers and yellow notepads, but nothing meshed. Like a puzzle, he tried to piece together the disjointed images, to no avail. Frustrated, he shut off the TV and tried to sleep.

  It was early when he woke, and he knew Tori was still asleep because the dogs weren’t around when he went to the kitchen. He grabbed a beer, crossed to the Arcadia doors and went out on the patio. Sitting there, he took in the panorama that lay before him. Mountains, wide-open spaces, bluer than blue sky and fresh, pine-scented air.

  Spirit Creek was a great place to live. No matter what happened, he would stay here. He liked Spirit Creek, the small town ambie
nce, and the people he’d met so far.

  As he looked around, he saw a path outside Tori’s wall. A walking path. He got up, took his cane and walked down to the entry. As he neared, the sensors detected him and the gates swung open.

  He walked around the perimeter of the fence to get to the path and on the way saw a jackrabbit and two baby jackrabbits. The green needles of the piñon pine seemed even darker next to the red rock and clay-colored earth. Iron. He’d heard the red was from iron in the soil. He didn’t walk too far, but found a rock to sit on. He had some decisions to make. Before he could tell Tori his plan, he wanted to tell her how he felt about her—even though he couldn’t do anything about it right now.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  TORI HEADED for the kitchen with a new slant on a new day. She’d made some decisions last night and would implement them as soon as she could.

  Seeing Linc’s bed empty when she went by, she checked the patio and saw him on the footpath outside the gate. Now that he could get around better, she couldn’t blame him for wanting to explore the area.

  She remembered doing that as a kid, she and Serena and Serena’s brother, Ryan, playing bandits and having shoot-outs while hiding in the rocks near her parent’s cabin. Later, as teens, they’d discovered more remote areas that made great parking spots for making out. The memory reminded her that Cole was back. She wanted to talk to Serena about Cole’s return, but she didn’t sense that Serena was ready to do that just yet.

  When the coffee finished, Tori went over to pour a cup and heard the front gate buzzer go off. Linc. She went to the intercom and pressed the button to speak. “You have to promise to be really nice today or I won’t let you in,” she joked.

  “Tori. It’s your mother and father. Please open the gate.”

  Holy crap. Tori hit the open button with lightning speed. They were supposed to be out of the country. Gordon. This had to be Gordon’s doing. She rushed to the door. Maybe she could get them in and out before Linc returned. She wasn’t prepared to tell them about Linc just yet. She had to get the files and read through them, then talk to Linc—tell him who she was—and then she’d tell her parents. She opened the door to find them standing on the steps.