But Lurleen’s voice continued regardless of Sam’s disinterest. She wished her friend would just shut up.
Sam suspected the meds were all that were keeping her from screaming. They didn’t block the pain in the back of her head, but made her not care that it was there. But she still cared about the pain in her heart. If Frank and Lurleen didn’t leave soon, she was going to break down and cry right in front of them.
The nurse reappeared and noted her pallor and the tremor in her voice and hands. Sam could tell the woman attributed it to stress and exhaustion. She frowned at Sam’s visitors. She didn’t seem very impressed by Lurleen’s flamboyant club clothes or Frank’s broken-down cowboy scruffiness. “Ms. Bailey needs to rest.”
Visibly concerned for her patient, she politely requested the visitors leave as she dimmed the lights, promising they could resume their questioning when Sam had rested. Lurleen protested and the nurse reluctantly agreed they could stay if they refrained from talking and let Sam rest. “You need to let her rest. Don’t get her excited. Just calm conversation once in a while, nothing emotional or overly stimulating.”
Sam lay unmoving, letting the nurse do her interminable tests and measurements. She could think of nothing but Cole. Being able to supply a rational reason for her delusion and knowing he was only a fantasy didn’t make her feel any better. She loved him and saw him die and now she was alone.
She blinked against stinging eyes and even the narcotics couldn’t keep tears from trickling down her temples and onto her pillow.
Sam paid no attention when the nurse gathered up her accoutrements and prepared to leave. She likewise ignored the soft-voiced conversation the nurse had with Lurleen and Frank. More instructions on what they needed to do to assure Sam was okay. A soft knock on the door couldn’t distract her attention from the blank ceiling above her. She closed her eyes. If she concentrated hard enough, she could nearly see Cole smiling. If she didn’t, she could see him dying.
“I’m looking for Samantha Bailey. Is she here? Is she alright?”
Sam’s thoughts froze. She hadn’t heard correctly. It sounded like…She didn’t dare look toward the source of that voice.
“Yes. She was awake a little bit ago. The doc says she’s going to be okay.” Lurleen’s whisper was too loud and the nurse shushed her.
“Thank God.” It was all there in two simple words: the layers of culture covering a faint Irish lilt. It was beautiful...and impossible.
Sam’s eyes snapped open. A form as well loved as the voice she thought she’d never hear again stood outlined against the light coming through the partially open door. “Cole?”
“I don’t think I know you. Are you a friend of...”
He was beside her instantly, ignoring Lurleen’s half-formed questions.
Sam sat up, grabbing him, heedless of the IVs, electrodes, and sensors attacked to various spots on her body. “Cole!” she breathed. “Oh, God! Cole. It really is you.”
“Well, of course. Didn’t I promise I’d always be with you?” He enveloped her in a crushing embrace. “You look wonderful, my dearest darling. And I’ve never been so glad to hear anyone say my name in my entire life.” His mouth roved over her hair, her face, covering her with delicate, desperate kisses.
His arms had never felt stronger or more wonderful wrapped around her. His voice, whispering in her ear, had never sounded so good. And his kisses had never tasted sweeter. It was a long time before his mouth left hers.
Finally, afraid he’d overtax her very weak, very human body, he laid her gently back on her pillow. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere. You were unconscious when they took you away. I was terrified you wouldn’t come around,” he said. “Thank God you’re awake and lucid.” He drew a deep breath. “I was afraid you wouldn’t know me.”
Her giggle was weak and watery. She held tightly to his hand as he settled himself more comfortable beside her on the bed, one lean hip propped on the rails. “Of course I know you. What’s going on, Cole?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. I woke up in the wreckage of your office. It took me a few minutes but I dug you from under a pile of ceiling tiles. There were already emergency crews all over the place. They put you on a stretcher and brought you here. They wouldn’t let me ride in the ambulance with you. It took forever to get here and then I couldn’t find you. This place is a maze.” He kissed her hand. “But that’s alright now. I’m alive and you’re alive. We’re together and nothing else matters.”
She nodded. “I thought… I saw…”
He put a finger over her lips. “I know. I remember being shot,” he whispered. He blew out a long breath. “It’s been damnably frightening wondering if you were going to be alright.”
She squeezed his fingers weakly. “I was sure it was all a coma-induced dream,” she admitted. “Oh God, Cole! I’ve been so scared since I woke up! I couldn’t feel you.”
He nodded and squeezed her fingers. “I was afraid that would happen when you awakened. I haven’t been able to feel you, either. It’s hellish.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “But that’s neither here nor there. I’m here. You’re here. You’re going to fine. Anything else is incidental.”
She nodded. He was right. It didn’t matter how he ended up alive with her. She had never figured out how she fell into his world. It even made sense somehow that he was in hers. If it was her wish to help him when he was just a character in a novel that sent her into his life, then her far stronger need to erase his murder when he was her lover surely could transport them both here where they could love in safety. Whatever it was, they would figure it out together. In all honestly, she didn’t care if they figured it out or not.
He leaned down and kissed her again, soft strong lips melding to hers before his tongue slipped easily into her mouth. She tasted him then, sparkling blood tinkling on her taste buds. He must have nicked his tongue before he kissed her.
And it’s far past time that you felt me and I you.
His thoughts settled familiarly into hers and all her fears melted away. His plans for their future flowed into her. The diamonds he insisted they both carry even after she had a new credit card were safe in his pocket. They could go anywhere, do anything they wanted. But first he wanted to stand before a judge and swear he’d be her husband. It wasn’t so much a proposal as an embodiment of what they both knew had to be.
It seems the Powers above believe that even romance-novel vampires deserve a second chance, my darling. He broke their kiss with lavender fire dancing in his eyes.
Lurleen made some small noise. He drew away and grinned a blinding smile that could only appear when the gravest of situations had been overcome. “Hello. You must be Lurleen.” He held out his hand. “I’m Cole Grayson, Samantha’s fiancé.”
Her friend goggled while Frank frowned slightly and surveyed Cole closely. “Fiancé?” Frank’s eyes were as big and round as Lurleen’s. “I didn’t think she even had a boyfriend.”
Sam grinned as Lurleen opened her mouth and closed it a few times before she managed to squeak, “C…Cole Grayson?”
“Yes, exactly.” He winked. “You were quite right when you spoke with her earlier this evening. Despite her protests to the contrary, Samantha was and is very much in love with me.”
“But...but...we were talking about a book and you’re obviously not a figment of someone’s imagination.” Lurleen made vague motions with her hands.
“No, I’m not, not anymore.” Cole brought Sam’s fingers to his lips for a brief kiss before he addressed Lurleen again though his eyes lingered on Sam. “You should be quite happy. Samantha took your advice to heart.” His smile promised an eternity of kisses and shared thoughts. “After all, you told her she needed a real man.”
About the Author
T. D. McKinney lives in north Texas with her husband and young daughter. Artist, author, career woman, web designer, mother, and wife, she manages keep busy. In her spare time, she shares her husb
and’s interest in vampires, the Internet, science fiction, collecting swords, and all things Japanese.
Vampire Encounters - Second Chances Page 17