Cassandra groaned softly.
“Hey, baby, are you awake?” Chad moved to stand beside her. “God, you had me so worried.”
“My head hurts,” she said.
“You’re dehydrated, love. You passed out. I keep telling you … you have to drink and eat.”
Tears flooded her eyes. “Everything I eat comes right back up. I hate being sick. What happened? How did I get here?”
Chad dropped his head. “Tom brought you. I won’t go so far again, baby. I’ll find someone else to fill in, I promise. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
Her eyes fluttered as if she might pass out again. “It’s okay, Chad. It’s not your fault.”
He breathed deeply, distraught at what he had to admit.
Her eyes filled again. “What is it? What happened? Is everything okay with the baby?”
“Yes … shh...” He pressed his hands lightly against her face. “The baby is fine, strong heartbeat actually. But I kinda screwed up again. I’m sorry. Please don’t be angry.”
She sighed deeply. “What happened?”
“Cassandra, I acted like a child, and I’m sorry, but no one sees what I see. No one knows what a vile person Tom is.”
“Oh no, Chad, what did you do?” She closed her eyes, shaking her head and then opened them again, only to look at him intently with regret-filled eyes.
“We don’t have to talk about this now, Cassandra. You should rest.”
“Tell me, Chad … what did you do?” she insisted.
Chad huffed. He felt like a child … like a child who’d get punished for something he knew was wrong, but at the same time, didn’t feel wrong. “I may have broken his jaw … I heard it crack when I punched him.”
“Oh, Chad.” She released a long breath. “Why? Why can’t you see he means nothing to me? No matter what he did … and I’m not saying he didn’t deserve it. I know everything isn’t in your head, but it was still wrong, and you know it, don’t you? You’re supposed to turn the other cheek.”
“I know … but it wasn’t because he put his hands on you. I walked right past that, Cassandra. I swear I did. He was holding your hand when I entered, and I ignored it. But then, he started rambling how I’d left you. He’d insinuated a few weeks ago that I would leave you, and I ignored him then as well. He started telling me how I wasn’t good enough, that you deserved better. I’m sorry … I guess he’s right. I let him provoke me. He called me a walking time bomb.” Chad dropped his head to his chest.
“He’s not right, Chad. You are everything to me. But you were wrong too; you shouldn’t have hit him. You should care more about what I think than he does. It doesn’t matter what he intimates. You need to trust me. You need to understand that I would never do anything to hurt you, and I’m yours no matter what he may suggest or imply.”
He sat down beside her and rested his head on the side of her bed. “I know. Thank you, Cassandra. That means everything to me … you have no idea. Can you forgive me?” he asked emphatically, looking up at her.
“Chad, I won’t have you getting into fights over me … do you understand? Enough is enough. Yes, I forgive you, but it has to stop.”
“I’m sorry, baby, I really am … I swear to you. It won’t happen again. Unless someone is hurting you, you’d want me to protect you if that happened, right?”
She rolled her eyes and huffed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Chad. Of course, I want you to protect me. But what are the chances that something is going to happen here? I don’t want to be afraid to go out in public with you … that you’ll get in a tussle over me,” she reiterated.
“I swear I won’t do it again. Of course, I think I got my point across. I would hope Tom would back off now. I managed to keep myself out of skirmishes for a while. I’m sure I can manage. I just get so … I don’t know … defensive over you. I don’t want anyone to steal you from me.”
She made a face at his comment, shaking her head. “No one is going to steal me. I’m serious … cut it out. For such a confident man, you are certainly acting insecure.”
“I know.” He exhaled, slightly relieved. “I’m sorry … I’ll be on my best behavior from now on. I promise.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Today was the day. Soon they would find out if they were having a boy or a girl. Not that it mattered, Chad was ecstatic no matter what, but he couldn’t wait; he wanted to know. He wanted to prepare the baby’s room.
He was, however, rather perturbed that it was on the exact day as the Cheoah River run. There were only seventeen days a year the river was open for rafting, and it happened to coincide with the sonogram appointment. He’d planned to bow out, but Cassandra had insisted he go and meet her afterward. She knew he loved it.
The Cheoah River was the closest thing to a western rafting experience. Most of the rapids in the South East were class II and III rapids, but the Cheoah was nine miles of consistent class III and IV rapids with continuous ledge drops and at one point, even a twelve-foot vertical drop over Bear Creek Falls. He looked forward to this river more than any other run their company offered and tried not to ever miss a trip. Not only because he enjoyed the ride, but he felt safer guiding the raft.
Content in the fact that at least Cassandra had been feeling better since the doctor finally put her on the cancer medication Zofran, he agreed to go this morning. Turned out that Cassandra had something the doctor referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum, typically present in less than two percent of all pregnant women. If left untreated, it was possible for the mother and unborn child to suffer life-threatening complications. So, her obstetrician finally suggested Zofran — a drug initially developed for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The physician assured them it had been used in pregnant women since the early 1990’s with no adverse side effects. Chad’s question was, why had the doctor waited so long? Why had he let his wife end up dehydrated and hospitalized before finally suggesting the medicine?
Insurance, the doctor had admitted. The medication was extremely expensive, and most carriers wouldn’t approve prescribing for pregnant women, except in rare situations, like Cassandra’s condition. The prescription had been a miracle worker. Cassandra had literally felt better within hours of her first dose and only had a few minor incidents when they had taken a trip one weekend and the road was winding entirely too much for her stomach to handle.
Chad loaded his gear on the bus and then made his way to his truck. Andrews, North Carolina was a short trip from the Cheoah River Outpost, and she’d insisted that she would just meet him at the doctor’s office.
His blood pumped fiercely through his veins. He wasn’t certain if it was leftover adrenaline from the rafting trip or because he was getting ready to see an image of his unborn child or just the idea of seeing his wife, but he could barely contain the thrill soaring through his entire being. He simply couldn’t wait to get to his wife. Thankfully, the clinic was only about fifteen minutes away. If he’d had to return to Nantahala, he didn’t think he would have made it intact.
As he pulled into the parking area of the clinic, he searched for her Mustang. She hadn’t arrived yet. Good, he was early. He’d worried that they might get caught up and run late when he’d agreed to go this morning.
It was four o’clock. She’d said three forty-five; maybe she’d just given him a little leeway. She’d pull in any moment. Though, she was never late … even if she’d told him fifteen minutes earlier, she’d have been here before four.
He glanced around the parking area to see if maybe she’d brought a different vehicle. Maybe she hadn’t felt well and Brandy had brought her. Nothing looked familiar.
He dialed Cassandra’s mobile, but it went straight to voicemail. Not unusual, service was touch and go in the mountains. He dialed the main desk at the store. Diana answered.
“Hey, Diana, it’s Chad. Do you know when Cassie left?”
“Oh … gosh, Chad, I don’t know … hours ago, before I came back from lunch, I think.”
“What time was that?”
“Um...Brandy went about twelve, right after Cassie, and then I left around one thirty when Leslie arrived … so I returned about two thirty, I guess. I don’t remember seeing Cassie when I returned, though. Why?”
“I’ll talk to you later, Diana.” He hung up as he jumped out of the truck and headed for the building. His heart raced, only this time it was fear. Had she passed out again? Had she wrecked? He shouldn’t have gone today. He should have driven her, but she’d been fine lately.
He swung open the door a little too hard. It swung back against the wall, threatening to smack back against him, but he was already through the door.
The receptionist said nothing after looking at him but turned back to her computer. Evidently, he was supposed to sign his name and sit like a good little lamb. He hated people who treated customers like that; he would not allow it in his business.
He knocked on the glass wall over her desk to get her attention, even though the sliding window was open. “Excuse me, ma’am. Has my wife Cassandra Wilkinson called in late or canceled her appointment?”
The woman looked at her calendar. “She had an appointment for three forty-five. No, I’ve not received a cancelation and that really messes up our day. Is she still coming?”
Chad turned away from the woman in disgust, charging out of the building. He made a call to the house. Again, no answer. He called her mobile again, nothing. Now what? What else was there to do?
He ran his hands through his hair. If he left … she could show up. Or, she could be in a ditch somewhere. Decision made, he jumped in his truck. He’d keep a look out the entire way, hoping she’d pass him. He watched the entire trip back to the store … there was only one main road. He would have passed her if she’d been driving.
He stormed through the parking lot of the ROCK, but her car wasn’t out front. He parked his truck sideways in a no-parking zone and jumped out of the truck, charging into the building.
Brandy was gathering up her purse and keys, preparing to leave, but must have noticed the look on his face. “Is everything all right, Chad? Why are you back? Where’s Cassandra?” she fired out the questions faster than he could answer.
He whipped his head around as if he might see her coming down the stairs. “I have to check home. She didn’t arrive for her appointment for the ultrasound. Did anything happen this morning that I should know about?”
Brandy bit her cheek and shook her head. “No. She was ecstatic when she received the flowers. She took them upstairs, then said she needed to go.”
“What flowers?” Chad asked gruffly.
Brandy tilted her head, her eyes widening. “The roses … weren’t they from you?”
Chad bolted upstairs to the office. Someone had sent her flowers? He unlocked the office door. Sure enough … they were beautiful. At least two dozen long-stemmed red roses sat on the desk. He searched through the arrangement for a card indicating whom they were from. A clear stick that would normally hold a card was in the middle, but it was empty. Evidently, she’d taken it.
He rushed downstairs, nearly toppling Brandy over as he descended them two at a time. Why would she leave a bouquet of roses for him to see if they were from someone else? Who would have sent her roses?
“Chad?” He ignored Brandy’s call as he stormed out the door.
Back in his truck, he took his first breath, trying to calm himself. Something wasn’t right. Calm yourself, Chad. Count to ten and take deep breaths. Nothing is wrong. Cassandra is not cheating — this is a mistake. Someone sent flowers to the wrong place, and she only thought they were from him. The reason she was so happy and had to leave.
He saw Brandy in his rearview mirror as he pulled out of the parking lot. She had a terrified look on her face. Did she suspect he would find something out that he shouldn’t? Did she know something?
Deep breaths … everything is going to be okay. He drove the thirty-minute drive, chanting the words continuously, praying that everything was okay and that he wouldn’t witness anything he didn’t want to see.
He pulled in the driveway, not sure if he was relieved or upset that her car wasn’t there. He realized he was only content with the knowledge she wasn’t in their home with someone else. He was more upset that she wasn’t there. He suddenly knew he’d rather she be cheating on him than dead somewhere. He couldn’t handle it if something happened to Cassandra. He’d lost too many people. He knew the pain; he couldn’t lose Cassandra.
Hesitantly, he went inside, unsure what to do next. Call the police … he needed to call the police. His gaze fell on the counter … to her wedding ring and necklace. What the — he rushed upstairs. Her dresser drawers were pulled out … emptied of their contents. The closet. Again, a wide section had been removed. The bathroom … most of her toiletries were missing.
She’d left him. Why? Nothing had happened. They’d been doing great … she’d been so excited this morning.
He fell to the floor, his hands covering his face. She wasn’t dead … but she’d left him … why? “Why?” he screamed at the top of his lungs, but there was no answer. It just didn’t make sense. They had just made love this morning … everything had been fine. She’d told him repeatedly she’d never leave … why now? It didn’t make sense. Tears filled his eyes, and he saw no way to pull himself off the floor ever again. Why?
His baby … she took his baby … why? She wouldn’t do it; she was angry with Jasmine for keeping her away from her father. Why now?
Her father …
Chad bolted from the floor and ran back down the stairs. Her father, she loved her father. He picked up the necklace from the counter. Why would she leave the necklace? She never took it off; she’d said it was all she had left of her father.
Cassandra hadn’t left him … she hadn’t left him.
Chad picked up the phone, dialing 911.
The call lasted twenty minutes and ended up being for nothing.
As many times as Chad pleaded with the detective, he got the same answer. After hearing the entire story, the cop surmised that Cassandra had simply left him. The roses, the jewelry, the missing clothes, and luggage, there was no other explanation. His wife had walked out.
Chad hung up the phone and sank onto the sofa. The house was unbearably quiet. What was he going to do? He just sat there, unable to cry, unable to scream, unable to move. How would he manage? What would he do? He didn’t even know where to begin.
If she’d told him she was going to leave him, at least he could be angry, but not knowing was worse. Why would she do this? His mind went back and forth between hatred and concern. It wasn’t possible for Cassandra to be so cold … but then again, he’d only known her less than four months. If she wanted to leave … why not wait two more months … there was still a great deal of money.
Then again … they were married, she would still obtain half if they divorced, wouldn’t she? Or maybe not, she would forfeit her inheritance and the money was rightly his, what judge would award her the money if she’d left? Then again, she could claim that she was in fear of her life. Chad had certainly left that door wide open. Even though it wasn’t true, she knew he would never hurt her.
She was smart. She was an attorney, even if she hadn’t taken the bar exam yet. She could have been reading up on this for months. She’d said she was drawing up new waivers for the company, but maybe she’d been studying something else.
But why … he just couldn’t wrap his head around why she would have pretended all this time? Unless she wanted everything … with a child and accusing him of being a menace, maybe she could take everything. How could he have been so stupid? Maybe she’d been pregnant when she moved here and knew the ultrasound would prove how far along she was? No, no, it wasn’t possible. But she’d left him …
There was no reason left to live. No wife, no child, no business … nothing.
He picked up the phone and made a call. He shouldn’t be alone … he was starting to th
ink crazy thoughts.
She picked up after the first ring. “Can you come over, please? Cassandra left me.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
As difficult as it was, Chad managed to pull himself out of bed the next morning. He’d finally fallen asleep after taking a Valium, something he never did. His past had been too shaky with drugs and alcohol to ever take a chance on doing drugs, but she’d assured him it was a light dosage and would only take the edge off.
To his surprise, it’d worked. When he finally crawled into bed and allowed himself to cry, he’d fallen asleep almost immediately.
She was asleep on the sofa when he came down from the loft, but sat up quickly when the last step creaked as he stepped on the floorboard. “How are you doing? Maybe you shouldn’t go to work today?”
He rubbed his head as he walked into the kitchen. “No … I need to go. I can’t stay here all day, thinking about her, but maybe I’ll stay at the store. I probably shouldn’t be leading a rafting trip in my condition.” He also wanted to do some investigating on the computer, to see what Cassandra had been researching so he would have an idea what he was up against when she contacted him.
“So where do you think she went?”
He just shook his head as he felt the tears well up again. “I don’t know. I just can’t figure it out … it doesn’t make sense. No matter how hard I try to wrap my head around her leaving me, I just can’t.”
“Me either. I thought Cassie loved you.”
“Believe it or not, you’re not helping, Brandy. Please stop talking about her. It doesn’t make sense to me either.”
She stood up and started folding the sheet and blanket he’d given her. He’d offered her his bed downstairs, but she’d refused. “Will you go back with Michelle? You know she’ll be on your doorstep as soon as she finds out, don’t you?”
Chad just stared at the coffee pot. How could a stupid thing like a coffee maker cause him to tear up? “No, I’m not an idiot.” Deciding against coffee, he turned back around and faced Brandy. “And could you do me a favor? Don’t tell anyone. If anyone asks, just say she’s sick.”
Southern Romantic-Suspense Boxed Set (Southern Romantic-Suspense Novel Book 0) Page 88