Water's Threshold

by Jillian Jacobs

  Maya grabbed a tissue from a box on the side table and dabbed her nose. “He awakes and begins his perpetual round of questions.” Though the fact he could actually ask questions brought a surge of relief. Their link had saved him.

  “Questions that remain unanswered, Shoeless Girl.” He settled against the pillow and groaned while stretching his arms over his head.

  That sexy sound shot straight through Maya. She wanted to lie with her head upon his chest and feel that sound vibrate through his body every time he woke. After which she would mount him, lock his arms above his head, and torture him with her mouth and tongue. She squirmed in her seat and shook that carnal image from her mind. “How are you feeling this morning? Can you remember what happened?”

  After visibly running his tongue over the roof of his mouth, he wet his dry lips. “I suppose I’m not dead since I’m talking to you, but I have no idea how I arrived at the hospital. My mouth is so dry. Could I have some water, please?”

  Maya hid a smile while pouring a cup of water from the pitcher on the moveable tray.

  He drank like he was experiencing some kind of sexual peak. “Mmm…may I have some more?”

  Using the pitcher as a blind, she let her healing waters flow from her hand into the cup.

  In one greedy gulp, Terran drained it all, smacked his lips, and stretched with that groan again. He handed her his empty cup, smiling lazily.

  Drunk off the effects of Eau de Maya.

  “I had a strange dream. I was alone in the ocean, drowning, gasping for air, and then a calm came over me. I didn’t panic. I just floated along with the waves as they broke against me time and again. They struck my body as if they were washing straight through me. You were there, holding my hand and whispering in my ear. I felt you in every part of my body. How is that, Maya? How can you enter my dreams? Make me feel like every inch of me is tied to every inch of you with a force stronger than anything I understand?” He ran a hand through his blood-matted hair, wincing when he pulled and tried to break up a clump.

  Maya was unclear if he required a response. “Don’t pull at your hair, Fancy Man. You can wash it soon. They smashed your blinkers. Can you see without them? Your glasses?”

  “I can see a blurry you. That’s all that matters.” He stretched a hand toward her over the bed slats.

  How could such a simple thing almost liquefy her? It would be better if she were to reject his invitation. Find Nodin and Flint and watch him from afar.

  She took his hand, tracing the veins running under his wrist. The crisscrossed mix of blues and purples, pumped blood from his heart to his hands, warmed them, and proved he was alive. Human.

  He would not die or become Quint’s puppet as long as she was alive. She held tight, vowing not to allow that potent flow to end completely.

  She gleaned his thought patterns as they rumbled through his mind. People to contact, arrests to be made, experiments to conduct, legal action against Crowder, and, of course, he worried about calling his mother. In his vision, his father was leaning over his mother’s shoulder and listening in on the call. How sweet. Terran shook his head at the distress that conversation would cause his mother. She’d want to come straight to town.

  Maya’s watery heart bubbled, because Terran planned to ask her assistance with his recuperation, although his visions of her in a nurse’s outfit were naughty. Nurses didn’t dress like that anymore, but maybe a costume store—

  “I figured it out,” Terran announced.

  She jerked, startled by his abrupt verbal declaration when she’d been flowing through his thoughts. Privacy, Maya!

  He recited the history of finding a charred cow at the stream and confronting Crowder’s men. How they lied and he’d gone back to take a sample from the cow and run off wolves feeding on its flesh. His tests were inconclusive for BSE so he sent his findings to government agencies. He returned to take more samples and Crowder’s men caught him. After the men learned Terran was aware of their unlawful practices, they circled him like vultures, picking and jabbing until he’d fallen into oblivion.

  She straightened in her chair, grasping the cool metal armrests. “So, that’s why they tried to kill you? You told them what you knew.” She slowly shook her head. “That is the one thing you never do, Terran. Never give them your ace.”

  “They didn’t care about the repercussions of their actions. I regret instigating their physical response, but only because I almost died. I thought of you. I lay next to the water, pain searing through my body, and cool water lapping against me. I know now I won’t ever take anything for granted again. I won’t let them win, Maya. We have to make everyone aware of the danger.” He leaned forward and threw the blankets off his body.

  “What do you think you’re doing? Lie down,” she ordered and gave thought to compelling him to rest.

  He fisted his hands in the white sheets. “I’m not going to sit here while that disease spreads. We have to contain it. Now.”

  Chapter 21

  Terran’s empty stomach churned and dizziness cloaked his vision. Or is that due to lack of glasses? Nope. Not when black patches danced before his eyes. He waited for the room to stop spinning then attempted to move his legs to the side of the bed. Not happening. He slowly angled back down on his pillow.

  A caffeine-deprivation headache, along with having his face used as a punching bag, was not conducive to rising quickly.

  Maya squeezed his hand and gently pushed against his chest. “Terran, please lie back.”

  He closed his eyes, and took slow even breaths until the nausea subsided. “I need coffee.”

  “That sort of defeats the whole rest scenario.”

  He shot her a sideways glance. “My head is pounding. Coffee is the only medicine I need right now. Can you rustle up some?” Maybe he could talk her into massaging his temples.

  “It’s before visiting hours. I’m not even supposed to be here.”

  “Maya, my life depends on it.” He offered a pleading smile. “Please, I’ll buy you all the shoes you need.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I can think of other things I need more.”

  “Get me coffee, my little lily, and I’ll see what I can do.”

  “In your condition, I doubt you could do much of anything.”

  He chuckled. “You’re probably right. I’m covered in dried blood, ache all over, and I need coffee.” He kicked the blankets off his feet. The air seemed a bit muggy.

  “Your poor face. How’s your head feeling?” She stood and massaged his temples.

  The girl must have read my mind. “That’s heaven, but I still need caffeine.”

  A wide smile lit her face before she kissed his forehead and walked out.

  Hopefully on a coffee-finding mission.

  Maya’s absence since their moonlight drive had troubled him. He had stopped at the library and Mo-swa’s, but she hadn’t been around. The night at the lake remained on his mind. The way she fit next to him, her beautiful fluid body, was something he was anxious to experience again. He hadn’t wanted to leave her with Nodin, but their mother was ill. Maya’s relationship with Nodin continued to puzzle him. When she returned, he’d inquire after her mother’s health, along with finding out her plan for the next couple days.

  When he’d first opened his eyes, he thought her presence was a dream. Her head was tilted back, her eyes closed, and tears streamed down her cheeks. His heart wrenched at her sorrow. He hoped she was not crying over him.

  The woman drove him mad, but she was here now, and they would be discussing the fact that he didn’t want her disappearing again. An inner sense of purpose and peace came from being in her presence. He craved that feeling, almost needed it to survive. Rationally, a relationship took time, but his mind refused to follow his normal thought patterns when it came to Miss Maya Conway. How she managed to make him feel so much in such a short time baffled, but the forward motion of his life would roll along much smoother with her alongside.

  Maya would com
e to understand no more questions would be left unanswered, and no more taking off to who knew where. He would build a dam around her and lock her down.

  He glanced around the room for a mirror and a bathroom. He sighed as he realized it was too far to go without help. Running a hand over his unshaven cheeks, he rotated his jaw back and forth. His body ached all over, but thankfully, he had no broken bones. The fight had started when he’d been struck from behind. He’d rallied, but lost ground when they all attacked at once. How had he escaped any internal bleeding? However it happened, he had no time to lose. A new mission formed in his mind. He needed a pen and a notepad to write everything out, or his laptop.

  He groaned and rubbed his temples. Even thinking hurt. He really did drink too much coffee. Funny how he could be beat by four men, yet his caffeine addiction was what would kill him.

  # # #

  After three life-altering cups of coffee and a round of helpful nurses, Terran drifted into a peaceful mid-morning nap.

  He awoke to a blurry Maya quietly sitting in a chair by his bed. New glasses—priority one. The TV was on and she seemed mesmerized by a talk show with four fuzzy women sitting together at a table. She must have sensed he was awake because she turned and smiled. “Nice nap?”

  “It’d be better if you were in here with me.”

  “Hmmm…men always have a one-track mind.” She rolled her eyes, and then pointed to the TV. “Look at this woman. She’s addicted to plastic surgery. Just imagine when a thousand years from now, someone digs up her body and wonders what she did to herself. I mean look at her …ah… enhanced chest. Do you find that attractive?”

  “Maya, I can’t even see the screen. I prefer a more natural body. Yours comes to mind.” Terran took her hand and lined their palms together then linked their fingers. How could he make her understand he wanted her to stay? “Would you mind—”

  “Good afternoon.” A cheery nurse came in to poke and prod, which prevented him from asking Maya her plans.

  A few moments after the nurse left, he straightened as Sheriff Cody entered the room. “Mr. Forrester. I understand there was a spot of trouble.”

  How would this interrogation work since Cody was in Crowder’s pocket? Terran didn’t trust him to follow through.

  “Sheriff Cody, may I get you something to drink?” Maya released Terran’s hand and padded toward the door.

  Cody nodded and placed his hat on the food tray next to the water pitcher. “Sure. Coffee. Black. Thank you, miss.”

  “Me too.” Terran piped.

  Maya shook her head. “Terran, Terran, what shall we do about your fluid intake? Drink the water I left on the tray. I’ll be back with your coffee.”

  He downed the water as she disappeared into the hallway.

  Sheriff Cody took her chair.

  Terran gave an account of the attack, as well as the names of the men involved. He told the Sheriff to expect contact from the CDC and National Animal Disease Center. They would explain the proper protocol to initiate quarantine now that his suspicions about Mad Cow were verified. The ranch hands had taunted him with their secrets, never expecting him to survive.

  Cody stood and tapped his hat against the table. “We’ll look into your allegations. Have a word with Crowder and his men.”

  Clay dropped by during his lunch hour and brought Terran’s lab glasses.

  After the barrage of visitors, Terran could barely keep his eyes open.

  His mind, however, refused to rest. How he had arrived at the hospital? The last thing he remembered was unbearable pain and lying by the stream. Thoughts of Maya had flashed through his mind as his body drifted in and out of consciousness.

  A headache threatened to return as he turned these questions over in his mind. His lids drew heavier and sleep eased the bewilderment plaguing his mind.

  A whispered argument woke him.

  Nodin and Maya stood at the foot of his bed. Nodin swiped his hand in the air, cutting her off.

  She stepped back, glanced over, and noticed him watching her.

  “What are you two fighting about?”

  “Nodin wants me to go home, but I want to stay. He’s always forcing me to do things before I’m ready. It’s good you’re awake. I believe you’ll be checking out soon.” She walked over to the side of the bed and placed her cool hand across his forehead. “How are you feeling?”

  He kissed her palm and placed her hand on his chest. “Much better, thanks.” Surprisingly, his body felt rejuvenated. A slight twinge remained along his right jaw and rib cage, but that last nap must have done the trick.

  Nodin grabbed the rail at the end of the bed. “Those boys sure did a number on you, brother. Glad you’re recuperating. I’ll let the nurse know you’re awake so you can go home.”

  The TV glared bright in the dark room, causing Terran to blink against the flashing pictures on the screen. The title of the person standing behind a podium and the news ticker below were blurred due to his near-sightedness.

  “Maya, do you know where my glasses went?”

  “I removed them while you slept.” She still seemed perturbed. The food tray squeaked as the plastic caster wheels attempted to go sideways before she yanked the table toward her and grabbed his glasses off the faux-wood top.

  Ah, the clarity of vision.

  “Can you unmute the TV, please?” He adjusted the frames on his nose, and the man behind the podium came into focus.

  The man standing to the side of the speaker looked like Carlyle Crowder, and beside him stood the renowned Virologist, Neb Aether. “Is that Carlyle Crowder?”

  “Terran, no need to get your blood pressure up.” Maya ran her hand up and down his arm. “You aren’t completely healed.”

  He cast her a glance and thought about mentioning his blood pressure had been fine until she touched him.

  Nodin returned and glared at the screen.

  Maya pushed the button on the side of the bed, raising the volume. “Do you want to sit up?”

  Terran nodded.

  She pushed another button, which elevated his back.

  The man behind the podium was Dr. Veimhet Schwarz. He announced Aether Pharmaceuticals had created a vaccine to cure BSE, the prion causing Mad Cow disease. Three eminent scientists debated this astonishing announcement, which must have been recorded earlier today. Their heads appeared in square boxes on the screen. The newsman focused on Dr. Dennis Houser, the head research scientist at The National Prion Clinic.

  “All right, Mr. Forrester, let’s get you checked out.” The nurse’s voice overlapped comments made by Houser. She placed a folder on the table and pointed to the places requiring his signature.

  Impatient to leave, he read through the papers quickly and signed off.

  The nurse shuffled the signed sheets together, returned her copies to a folder, and handed him a large manila envelope. “I’ll be back with a wheelchair to see you out.”

  Terran’s focus returned to the news channel as Houser explained his doubts and expressed his wish to visit Aether Pharmaceuticals to review the results of this supposed cure. “What is Crowder doing there? Does he own that company?” He questioned Maya who had moved to the other side of the bed when the nurse entered.

  Nodin responded, “Yes, Crowder owns Aether. He hopes to gain prestige and money with this move. I don’t trust this information. He lies.”

  A breeze disturbed the room, rustling the napkins left on Terran’s tray.

  Odd, no windows are open.

  “Nodin,” Maya said. Her tone was even, but with a hint of something Terran couldn’t distinguish.

  Nodin turned his steely blue gaze on her. “Are you ready now?”

  The nurse returned with Terran’s wheelchair. “Mr. Forrester, let’s get you over to the bathroom so you can get dressed and on your way home.”

  Terran swung his legs to the side of the bed, no longer impeded by dizziness. Maya stood in front of Nodin. They made an odd picture as she stared into his eyes before he
threw up his hands and left the room.

  She followed.

  “Maya?” Terran didn’t want her to leave. Not yet. They were way overdue for a long, informative, and very private conversation.

  At the doorway, she sank her fingers in her hair and wrapped the golden strands into some sort of bun on the top of her head. “I’ll be right back. Don’t worry.”

  After getting dressed and using a damp paper towel to wipe off his face, he stepped out of the bathroom.

  Maya waited behind the wheelchair. “Let’s get you home.”

  “How are you planning on doing that?” Winking as he eased into the seat, he said, “Gonna put me on your handlebars?”

  She gently tugged his earlobe. “I just might.”

  After wheeling down the hall, they rode the elevator to the lobby.

  Once outside, he hopped out of the wheelchair, wrapped Maya in his arms, and twirled. Blue skies, crisp summer air, he breathed everything in, grateful for the sensations of the sun’s warmth against his skin, the warbling of a Mountain Bluebird, and the tickling brush of Maya’s hair against his chin.

  “Come on, happy feet.” She wrapped an arm around his waist and led him to his truck.

  He stopped in the middle of the parking lot. “Maya, how did my truck get here?”

  “I drove it.”

  “When? From where?”

  “The stream.”

  “But how did you know it was at the stream?” Did I tell her I was at the stream? The past day and a half was jumbled in his mind.

  “The day you were injured.”

  “Maya, please start making sense. I’m not having another unexplainable and exhausting conversation with you. How did my truck get here? Answer the question, please.” He leaned against his truck and tipped her chin with his forefinger.

  “I was out looking for you. Moose said you’d been by to see me, so I went on a search.” She removed his hand from under her chin and brushed her fingers over his bruised knuckles. “I found you bloody and beaten by the stream, so I hauled you into your truck and drove you here.”

  “Thank you. I can’t imagine how hard it was to get me into the truck. Do you have super strength or something?”