Lily's Mirage (Hell Yeah! )

by Sable Hunter

  Once he was alone, Blade didn’t hesitate. Placing his crutches to one side, he eased up on the bed next to Lily, turning his big body to face and curl around hers. “Baby, it’s Blade. I’m here.” He kissed the side of her face, running a finger down her cheek. “I got here as fast as I could. I took a little detour off a bridge.” He laid there holding her, taking comfort from the rise and fall of her chest against his arm as he held her near. “You’ve got to wake up for me. Okay? I miss you. I need you.”

  When she didn’t respond, Blade felt dread slice through him. The only greater fear he’d ever known was when Katy had disappeared the day Ruth Carlton had snatched her away from him. “You’ve got to come back to me, Lily. I can’t make it without you.” He placed his head on the pillow next to hers, determined to will her to open her eyes.

  But before long, exhaustion overwhelmed him and Blade’s own eyes closed.

  Lily sighed with relief. She felt warm. Content. Safe.

  Her body knew, but her eyes needed confirmation.

  Without searching her memory, she just reacted to her own needs. Still groggy from the anesthesia, she slowly opened her eyes. The room swam before her, the light hurt her eyes. She wasn’t interested in the pattern of the wallpaper or the television hanging on the wall. What interested her was the large male lying next to her, the one who had her edged so close to the side of the bed that the only thing keeping her from falling was his powerful arm, molding her close. As her vision cleared, the details of his dear face became clear. “You’re here,” she whispered. “Blade?”

  Blade was dreaming.

  He was running along the beach, holding Lily’s hand. The waves were lapping at their feet and her laughter was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard. “Come here.” He pulled her close, looking down into her beautiful face. Behind them, the sun was setting, casting her face into a golden glow.

  “Blade?”

  In his dream, he looked down into her happy face. “I’ve never been happier.”

  Lily’s heart swelled. “I’ve never been happier than when I’m with you,” she whispered back, her breath fanning his face.

  Blade’s eyes opened and he was instantly awake. “Lily!” Their eyes met and locked. “You’re awake.” He smiled. “And you can see?”

  “Yes, I can see,” she whispered tremulously. “You’re here?” Before Lily thought twice about it, she reached out and pinched the firm flesh of his bicep.

  “Convinced?” He laughed, loving that the joy on her face knew no bounds. “Of course, I’m here. There’s nowhere else on earth I should be, just here with you.”

  “Kiss me, Blade, please.”

  He raised up just enough for their lips to meet and he kissed her with all the tenderness in his heart. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner.”

  Lily blinked, taking in his appearance for the first time. “Oh, Blade, what happened to you?”

  “I was hurrying to you and my phone rang and I lost control of the car. Ran off a damn bridge.”

  “Oh, no!” She began to run her hands over him. “Are you all right?”

  He gave her a quick kiss, levering himself from the bed. “I’m on the mend, the one I’m concerned about is you.” As soon as Blade’s feet were on the floor, he rang the buzzer. “Let’s tell the doctor.”

  When the nurse quickly came, the doctor was fast on her heels. Behind her came Flora, Glory, and Breck who’d been waiting down the hall. All wore huge smiles when they confirmed for themselves that Lily could indeed see.

  “Oh, thank goodness,” Flora cried, throwing her arms around her sister. “I’m sorry, so sorry, Calla Lily.”

  “What for?” she asked, a little overwhelmed by all the attention.

  “For doubting…this!” She pointed at Blade. “He’s real!”

  Blade couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yea, Lily pinched me just to be certain.”

  “I’m so relieved.” Glory came and hugged Lily. “I didn’t want to leave until I knew you were going to be okay, but I need to get home to T and Alice.”

  “Certainly, I understand. Thank you so much, I appreciate you coming and staying with me.”

  “I’ll be checking on you all along,” Glory promised.

  Dr. Fields had to elbow his way in to get close. As everyone talked around her, he looked into her eyes and checked Lily’s vitals. “We won’t know anything about the clinical trial results for a while, so I’m going to let you go home. But if I do, you’re going to need constant care and monitoring.”

  “That’s what I’m here for,” Blade announced before anyone else could get a word in edgewise. “I’ll take care of my girl.”

  Lily didn’t argue, she wanted Blade with her more than anything. She just hoped she wasn’t being selfish. Hurting him was the last thing she wanted to do.

  During the next hour, she was released from the hospital and Breck drove them from the hospital to the Quarter, leaving them at the gallery. She’d assured Flora they would be fine and turned down her offer to come and wait on them both. “No, we’ll be fine. We can wait on one another,” Lily assured her sister, knowing that time alone together was what they needed the most.

  The hour wasn’t late, but business hours were over and Dinah had gone home for the day. “Tomorrow, I’ll show you all my treasures. Tonight, I just want to rest and be glad you’re here with me.”

  As Lily led him to the back and into the courtyard, Blade felt like he was stepping back in time. “This is amazing. I’d heard a lot of these French Quarter homes had hidden gardens, but this is incredible.”

  Lily felt a sense of pride as Blade took in the secret haven she’d created for herself. “This place has been my sanctuary.”

  He understood. “My ranch was once my sanctuary.” Now, Lily was his safe place and he wanted more than anything to be hers.

  “Watch your step, the paving stones are a little uneven.” She looked back to make sure he was placing the tips of his crutches on even ground. “I’m so sorry you had the accident.” Noticing his face was pale and his breathing a little fast, she became worried. “You aren’t really able to be here, are you? You’re in pain!”

  “I’m fine. I just need to rewrap my ribs.” Blade vowed to not let on how much he hurt. “I feel a lot better here than somewhere else where I would just worry about you.”

  “Oh, Blade, I have stairs.” She fretted for a moment. “No worries, we’ll sleep in the downstairs guest room until you’re mended.”

  “So long as you’re in the bed with me, I don’t care if we sleep in the barn.”

  “Good thing I don’t have a barn.” Lily opened the door and stepped through ahead of Blade. “I want you to feel welcome here, I want you to treat this house as if it’s your own.”

  Stepping over the threshold, Blade was hit with a wave of homecoming so great he almost went to his knees. Glancing around, he tried to fathom why this would be so. He’d never been here before, yet he felt as if he belonged, as if he’d always belonged…

  With Lily.

  11

  “I can’t eat another bite!” Blade pushed his plate to one side. “Your friends are trying to make me fat.” He’d just consumed a large helping of shrimp Creole and spicy jambalaya that Bliss had brought over to them for supper.

  “They’re just taking care of us.” Lily lay on her side on the blue chintz couch, snuggled up to a pillow, her eyes watching Blade as he rose to his feet and picked up their plates to carry to the kitchen. He was walking without crutches now. “How do you feel?”

  “I’m great,” he answered as he placed the dishes in the sink. “How about you? Any nausea, dizziness, headache?”

  Stretching her arms over her head, Lily surveyed her physical well-being. “I feel good.” She giggled. “We sound like two old fogeys.” Sitting up, she swung her feet out and looked at her newly painted pink toe nails. “I think we should get out and do something. How about you?”

  Her suggestion filled Blade with sweet relief. “I’m game
for anything you feel up to doing, kitten.” For the past few days, they’d stayed close to home, allowing themselves to regain their strength. Their only excursions had been moonlight walks in the Quarter, a horse drawn carriage ride to the river, and a streetcar trip through the Garden District. Lily worked a few hours at the gallery every day, with Dinah filling in to make things easier for her. Blade basked in Lily’s nearness, spellbound by every new facet of her life and personality he uncovered. Their nights were spent in one another’s arms, full of tender caresses and passionate kisses.

  “How about a ride on one of the riverboats?” she asked. “The Delta Princess docks down near Jackson Square.”

  His face brightened. “I love that idea, I’ve been anxious to get out on the river.”

  “Great, I’ll give them a ring and check the times for the tours.”

  As Lily made the phone call, Blade changed shirts. He still wasn’t a hundred percent, health-wise, but he felt better. If he could manage to sleep through the night, he’d probably mend faster. For the past few nights, he found himself just lying next to Lily and watching her sleep. He wanted to talk to her about their situation, about her condition, and about the woman he’d put behind bars with his testimony, but they seemed to both be avoiding any topic that was too serious. Blade feared Lily felt the same way he did, that the bubble of their happiness was so fragile, neither wanted to do anything that might pop it. “But that’s no way to live,” he mumbled as he pulled the blue polo over his head. They needed to talk, they needed to make some plans.

  “I booked us for the three o’clock cruise, so we have almost two hours to get there. It’s only a few blocks away. Do you feel like walking? We could grab a bite on the way, do a little sightseeing.”

  “I feel great, how about you?” Blade studied her face. “Are you up to it?”

  Lily nodded. “I think so.” She gave him a bright smile. “No symptoms, let’s just hope that polio virus is doing its job.”

  Blade couldn’t stand it, he’d held all of this in too long. “Come here.” He pulled Lily close and wrapped her securely in his arms. Her body trembled slightly next to his. “I have faith, everything is going to be all right. I can feel it. Can’t you?”

  Lily wanted desperately to believe. She was just afraid. “I hope so.”

  “Not hope, Lily-mine. Faith.” He touched her forehead with his, then moved his head from side to side gently, never breaking contact. “One-eye, one-eye, one-eye.”

  Lily giggled. “What are you doing?”

  Blade smiled one of his sexiest man on earth smiles. “When we’re this close and we stare at one another, our two eyes look like one.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I got that from Katy, she used to say that when we were so close like this.”

  “Oh, Blade.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tight as his body jerked in her arms. “I know you miss her so much.”

  “When I looked at Ruth Carlton’s face in that line-up, I tried to conceive how a woman, hell – a human being, could hurt an innocent like Katy. Why? What was going through her head?”

  “She was crazy, baby. Insane. She wasn’t human, she was an animal.” Lily stroked his back. “She will pay now, she’ll rot in prison, if she doesn’t get the death penalty.”

  “It all depends on where the trial is held. I thought once she was in custody, I’d feel relief, closure.” Blade buried his face in her neck. “I don’t.”

  Lily tangled her fingers into his hair, rubbing the nape of his neck. “She was your baby, your little girl. This was the one thing you could do for her and you did it, your testimony will ensure this woman never hurts another child.”

  “I want her back, Lily. I want her back,” he whispered.

  “I know you do.” She rubbed his shoulders, wishing she could give him what he so dearly desired.

  “Losing her nearly killed me.” Blade raised his head and took her by the shoulders. “And that’s why I can’t lose you too. I can’t.”

  “Blade, you are so amazing. There’s so much life waiting for you to live, you have the world at your fingertips.” She wouldn’t make promises she couldn’t keep.

  “I want to live that life with you, Lily.” He kissed her tenderly on the lips. “With you.”

  Lily’s chest ached with unshed tears. “Let’s live today, Blade. We’re together today.”

  Blade closed his eyes briefly, knowing this wasn’t the time to push the subject, especially when there was still a purchase he needed to make. “You’re right. Let’s go paint the town red.”

  In no time, they were strolling arm in arm heading north on Royal. Maybe they weren’t moving as fast as everyone else, but why rush? Trying to blend in, Blade had taken to wearing aviators with his cowboy hat. Lily didn’t think it was much in the way of a disguise, but if they kept their heads together, most people left them alone.

  “You know, I thought Texas was hot.” Blade wiped a bead of sweat from just underneath the golden curl laying damply on his forehead. “I was wrong, New Orleans is hot as hell and that isn’t even an exaggeration.”

  “Oh, poor baby,” Lily cooed to him. I’ve lived here so long, it’s doesn’t bother me so much anymore.”

  “Oh, it’s not bad right now, but the last time I was here, every time I stepped out of my trailer and away from the air conditioning, it felt like I’d been slapped in the face by a wet blanket of steam.”

  “The humidity is terrible, I agree.” Lily waved at Bliss as they passed The Curiosity Shop. She, along with Flora, had checked on them at least once a day. Dinah had been busy with a customer when they left the gallery, so Lily and Blade had slipped by them, not wanting to get caught up in the conversation and miss their excursion. All in all, they’d been well looked after. “When we come back, we’ll grab a bite of something to eat on the way home.” Lily was anxious to do some normal things with Blade – like make love. They’d cuddled and necked since she’d left the hospital, but nothing more. “And after that…” She gave him what she thought might be a sultry wink.

  Blade, as well as his cock, immediately caught her drift. With heat in his eyes, he whispered into her ear, “After that, I’ll rock your world.”

  “If you feel up to it.” Lily gave him a mischievous grin.

  “Oh, I think I’ll be up to it.” He put the emphasis on the word up.

  “Promises, promises,” she teased, squeezing his arm and gazing in the windows of the shops they passed. Royal was famous for their high-end antique stores as well as the many art galleries and restaurants. One display caught her eye and she slowed to take a closer look. “How beautiful,” she whispered, entranced by the display of antique amethyst jewelry, “I love the color, it’s so rich and alive.”

  Blade watched her face while she studied the pieces, noticing that her eye kept returning to one particular ring with a center stone of rich purple, flanked by smaller diamonds. “Pick out anything you want, let me buy it for you,” he encouraged. “The painting I bought you was washed away when the car went in the river. I lost it, your camera, and the sand piper.”

  “So long as I didn’t lose you, the rest is unimportant.” Lily shuddered. “You know, when you first told me about the wreck, it didn’t hit me what had happened. I guess my brain wasn’t working right and I was a little tore up over the whole optic nerve thing.” She cupped the side of his face. “I didn’t know where you were, Flora and her wild ideas confused me. But if I’d had any idea you were hurt, I would’ve left the hospital to come find you.” Tears began to flow from her eyes.

  “Oh, sweetheart, I’m the one who’s supposed to take care of you. If I’d been watching what I was doing…”

  She leaned into him. “If anything would’ve happened to you, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

  “I know the feeling,” he whispered against her hair. Seeing her distress, Blade led her to a nearby wrought iron bench. “Sit here, let me get you something to drink.”

  “Don’t be gone long.” S
he smiled at him, then let her attention be captured by a man playing a trumpet on the next street corner.

  In a few minutes, he was back with a cup of cool water. “Drink up,” he instructed, sitting down next to her. “We don’t have to go to the river, you know. I’d be just as happy to sit at home with you.” Home. There, he’d said it. The eerie feeling that swamped him on his first visit to the Creole cottage had taken a backseat to the day-to-day joy of being with Lily, but he still felt odd flashes of déjà vu at times. He kept imagining different furniture in the rooms, a different scene out the window. Blade had no clue what it all meant. As far as he was concerned, home was where Lily was. Period.

  “No, I’m doing better. I just haven’t been drinking enough water.” She downed the cup and he threw it in the trash. Glancing at his watch, he told her they were still good for time. “We’ve still got forty-five minutes to get there.”

  “Perfect, we’re just a hop, skip, and a jump from there anyway.” Lily took his hand and then guided him to make a turn at the next corner to head toward the river.

  “Look, you can see the top of the smokestack.” In a few minutes, they made their way through Jackson Square and on down to the waterfront. Soon, the red paddle wheel of the Delta Princess came into view. She felt a rush of excitement and nostalgia. “I love this old boat. She’s so regal and romantic. I’ve ridden her a few times, but never with someone like you.”

  “Make note of this,” Blade said. “This is just one of the many things we’ll do together. We’re going to take the world by storm.”

  As they approached the dock, Lily took in the sight. Flags fluttered along the top tier and red, white, and blue bunting decorated the rails. Four great, gleaming, white levels were highlighted with red trim. “At night, all the decks are ablaze with light, making the boat appear like a child’s tiered birthday cake alight with candles.” The music from the calliope was subdued but audible, lending the atmosphere a festive air.

  Holding tight to Lily’s hand, Blade made his way up the gangplank and onto the boat. “If it wasn’t for the modern cars in the parking lot, I’d feel like we were stepping into another era,” Blade commented as he took in the sight. Polished wood gleamed richly in the stairwell leading to the second deck of the boat where they joined the other passengers to mill around and take in the view of Jackson Square and the Moonwalk.