by Maggie Mundy
“Well, we are all here for you.” They hugged and Cassi went to bed in her new home.
That night, she cried herself to sleep. She was so tempted to call Declan and hear his voice. If she did, he would support her through this, but she needed to do it on her own. This needed to be the first time in her life she didn’t just run away, but outgrow her past so she could move on for good.
****
The next day there was a letter for her. When she opened it, an airline ticket for New Zealand fell out. Her breath caught in her throat as tears threatened to come again. There was a note and her hands trembled as she picked it up.
Cassi,
I heard you’re home from the hospital and hope you are all well. I want to let you know the house is up for sale. I don’t think any of us felt it was going to be a place we wanted to live in anymore. I know you’re trying to sort your life out and I respect that. If you decide I can be a part of it again, then get on a plane and come and see me. I’ll be waiting, always. If not, then cash the ticket in and use it for your business. You deserve to have a dream come true. What I had engraved on the necklace is still true.
Love, Declan
Cassi went into the bedroom and put the ticket in the bottom drawer of her dresser along with the note. She didn’t want to show the others as they would just tell her she was mad not to go yet again. She had to give herself time to make sure she could cope. If she lost him in the meantime to someone else, then maybe they were not meant to be. There was no way she was going to hurt him again. He deserved better than that.
Chapter Seventeen
The next three weeks passed, and thank goodness, she was no longer hounded by the press. For now, she was just another boring member of society. She put her heart and soul into the renovation. The bottom floor was now a gallery space at the front, plus a kitchen at the back. Still no fireman’s pole, thank God.
Every day she would make calls to suppliers and advertisers. The orders were coming in, and they were doing a wider range of themed baskets. Her favorite was the engagement basket. They provided a little box for them to hide the ring in, plus champagne, chocolates, and heart-shaped cookies with their names as extras. She was glad she didn’t do the drop-offs of the baskets, as seeing happy couples might still be a bit too much. They employed a young woman Deanna put them on to as well. She was from the refuge, and wanted to earn money to pay her way through chef school. It gave Cassi an idea she would mention to Deanna the next time she went to the refuge to help out.
The following day, she pulled up outside the large building that was the refuge in downtown L.A. It was an old converted apartment block. On the upper floors, were the women’s bedrooms, and on the lower floor, the women could mingle, get counseling, or study in groups. Deanna was there every Wednesday to help out. Cassi came and helped with the accounting or just was there for the women to talk to.
Cassi made two cups of coffee and went and sat with Deanna. “I wanted to talk to you about an idea I have. I reckon this place is fantastic because it gives people some place to go, but we need to do more to help people cope on their own. The self-defense classes are great, but I think we could do more to train people. Get a local café to teach them how to be a barista, or something. I was talking to a woman here the other day that makes beautiful christening gowns. Her husband broke her hand and set fire to her materials. She lost her business, but we could help her start up again. Sasha could do a session on cooking, and I can do budgeting.”
“I think it’s an excellent idea and will put it to the board at the meeting next week.”
“We would be willing to donate some money from each gourmet basket we do in our business to help.”
Deanna took Cassi’s hand in hers and squeezed. “You’ve been through so much and yet you’re always thinking of others.”
“I’ve been lucky that some angels have always been there in my life when I needed them. Including you. Some of these women haven’t been so lucky.”
Cassi could see the tears forming in Deanna’s eyes, and knew they were forming in her own. As she walked out of the refuge later, a woman called Sarah, came over and embraced her. Sarah was brilliant with figures and Cassi hoped they could get her into training somewhere. In another life, Sarah might have been an accountant, not a woman with a black eye staying at a refuge.
Sarah bit her lip and glanced down at the floor as though hesitant to speak. Cassi didn’t want her to feel nervous.
“I hope you don’t mind, but someone told me what happened to you. I don’t know what went on between you and your movie star, but go get him. I might not have one waiting, but it shows there can be a light at the end of the tunnel for some of us.”
Cassi considered she had another angel and she’d just received her sign she was waiting for. Today, seeing women moving on gave her the strength to know she could, too. Tommy was doing well. Like all kids, he was resilient and bouncing back. The flashbacks seemed to have stopped and her mind was finally hers again. There was just one person missing, and he was in New Zealand.
****
Audrey was coming for dinner with Tristin, and Cassi needed to help Sasha get ready. She would talk to them about Declan when they were all together later. As usual, the food was wonderful. Cassi reckoned something was going on though and she wasn’t the only one with a surprise. Audrey looked like the cat that licked up the cream with the grin on her face.
“Before you get the dessert out, we want to have a talk with you both,” Audrey said.
Cassi sat down as another glass of wine was poured, and Tommy wrangled another raspberry cordial out of her. Hopefully he would still sleep with all the red food coloring.
Tristin stood. “We wanted you to be the first to know before we say anything to anyone else. Audrey has done me the honor of agreeing to be my wife.”
Sasha screamed as she jumped up and danced about while Cassi went and embraced them both.
“I didn’t notice a ring on her finger,” Cassi said as she raised an eyebrow.
Tristin stood up. “You’re quite right and I want to rectify that situation, but needed to wait until I had your approval, as you are family to Audrey.”
Tristin got down on one knee and pulled a little box out of his pocket. For the first time in ages, they saw Audrey lost for words.
“You said it wasn’t back from the jewelers yet. If we’re going to start this relationship off with deceit like this, I think we’re going to have lots of fun together.”
He put the ring on her finger and then Audrey helped him up off the floor.
“It does not bode well that I can’t get up off the floor, if I am to survive our wedding night.”
“Don’t worry, dear, we’ll be in bed.”
They all laughed and Sasha went to get the dessert.
After Tommy was settled in bed, champagne was opened and Cassi thought this was as good a time as any to tell them what she’d decided.
“I want to thank everyone for all the help you’ve given me over the past few months. A while back I got a letter from Declan with an airline ticket in it for New Zealand. I’ve made a decision and wanted to let you know I’m going to contact him. If he is still interested in trying, I think I’m ready to give it a go.”
Silence and awkward stares were not what she expected from her friends. She could guess what they were about to say though. Tristin was the first to speak.
“It seems he’s involved with Kirsten Jones, as they were thrown together on the set of the movie, or that is what the rumors are. I’m sorry, but look, it might not be true.”
If she was with people she didn’t know better, she might have screamed or cried, but she had cried enough in the past.
“Well, I reckon it was a great interlude while it lasted. Who would have thought I would have a famous guy for a lover anyway? It was a long shot he would hang around and wait.” She would not let this spoil the evening for Audrey and Tristin. “I believe we should have more champagne to celebrate y
ou two, and I can drown my sorrows on the one that got away.”
When the others left, she checked on Tommy to make sure he was asleep. She went to her room and lay on the bed, letting out a sigh. There was a knock on the door and Sasha strolled in and flopped down on the bed.
“How you holding up?”
“It’s funny, I thought I’d be really upset, but I think I’ve been through so much, just surviving is good. I still don’t really know if I would’ve coped, and maybe this is the best for him. They’re both in the business and know how to deal with it. I always felt he was too good for me anyway.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it. It was the other way 'round if you ask me. He was like his brother before he met you. Never one woman for long.”
“I know. Declan and Jack caught their Dad cheating on his mom, literally. Then Declan got screwed over by someone here. He never committed to anyone because he didn’t want to cheat on them. He hasn’t cheated on me, though, as I told him to be free. I said I didn’t know how long it would take to sort myself out.”
“You know I should be pissed off at you because I thought I might have a chance with Jack. Then again, after what you just told me, he might not be the best candidate.”
“I never knew you liked him.”
“He’s such an ass. I didn’t want his head to get any bigger. At least one out of the three of us got her man. Audrey seems really happy.”
“She does and I hear she wants you to make the cake. Yet another string to your bow and I’ll add it to the website.”
They talked on about the business and decided to keep men off the scene for now. The booze started to take effect and her eyes drooped. Sasha headed off to bed and Cassi drifted off to sleep and for once hoped she did not have a sexy dream about Declan.
Chapter Eighteen
Declan left the makeup trailer and headed out to the shoot. He was a medieval huntsman chasing down a knight who had turned evil and was killing the locals. The wig and makeup took a while to get on, but the effect was brilliant. Jack’s makeup would take longer and he wasn’t due on set ’til later. The scenery around the location near a town called Cromwell, was stunning. The mountaintops were still covered in snow and the air had a chill in it as he redid the fight scene again below a rocky outcrop.
The work would keep his mind off of Cassi in the day even if he checked his phone every time he got back to the trailer. Still no news. He hoped sending the airline ticket had not ruined his chance.
He was getting a work out as he swung his sword again. The scene had been meticulously choreographed and he needed to get it right or he would be exhausted if they had to do more takes.
This time, as he brought his sword down for the final blow, something landed on his head. Declan turned to look back up at the rock face. Rocks were falling as the ground beneath him rumbled and lifted. Declan turned to run, but a large slab of rock hit his leg, trapping him. More rocks came down as people scattered in all directions. He put up his arms as more rocks fell toward his head.
Jack was there next to him.
“Stay with me, bro.”
Declan wanted to, but the pain from his head and leg was overwhelming. As the world around him started to fade, he had only one regret if he was dying. He should have spent the time he had with Cassi.
Chapter Nineteen
Cassi jumped up with a start, her heart pounding. Something was wrong. Her gut was turning over, and it wasn’t the effects of the booze. She jumped out of bed and headed to Tommy’s room. He was fast asleep, and she couldn’t smell smoke or anything. What the hell was that about? She felt sick to her stomach. Was it the flashbacks, or part of the recovery? She went to the kitchen to make a hot chocolate. Her hands kept shaking and she could hardly hold the mug. It was almost six in the morning and she wasn’t going to get back to sleep anyway, so she might as well do some work on their orders. She would check her emails and see if there were any more bookings.
When she went to Facebook, she found herself going to Declan’s page. It was silly to punish herself, but she couldn’t help it. The page opened and she dropped her mug, spilling the hot chocolate on her pajamas.
“Shit,” she yelled and ran into the bathroom. Pulling her clothes off, she jumped in the shower, letting the cold water flow over her burning skin. All she could picture was Declan under a pile of rubble. She needed to get back to the computer, but common sense said she needed to cool her skin or she would blister. Sasha was at the door.
“What the hell’s going on? I heard you scream and you’re in the shower in your undies. Is that water cold?”
“I spilled my hot drink on me, but that doesn’t matter. I’ll be fine. The redness is going away.” She climbed out of the shower and grabbed a towel. “There’s been an earthquake in New Zealand.”
“What the fuck? What about Declan?”
“I was on his Facebook page. There were all these messages from people saying they hoped he’s okay. I’ll grab some clothes. Go and check and see if you can find out anything else.”
Sasha was sitting at the computer trying to search online for any information she could. Cassi grabbed a cold pack from the freezer, wrapped it in a towel, and placed it on her thigh.
“It confirms he’s been hurt, and is in the hospital. It seems the epicenter was near where they were filming on the South Island.”
Cassi’s stomach turned and she was glad she hadn’t drank any of the hot chocolate, because she was sure she would bring it up.
“I woke up and felt sick as though something was wrong. I thought it was me, just being crazy again with everything going on. I came online and now I feel like I’m going to pass out. This can’t be happening.” Cassi sat down on the couch before her legs gave out.
“I’ll put the kettle on.”
“All this time I was wondering if I should try again. I had this thing in my head, I didn’t deserve happiness, and then last night I thought what the hell, I’ll try. Then when Tristin said Declan had someone new, I thought I’d blown it. Now with the thought that I might never see him again, I know I love him no matter what.”
“You should go and see him. You said he sent you a ticket you had hidden away.”
“He has someone new. What would we do? Sit on either side of the bed, holding a hand each? I’d only be in the way.”
“It doesn’t matter. You would be going there as a friend who cares about him, even if you can’t be together. You can’t let it finish like this.”
It was true. Cassi didn’t care. She wanted him to be happy, and if that meant him being with someone else, then so be it. She just wanted him to be alive.
“We need to find out more. Have you tried ringing him?” Sasha said.
Cassi phoned his number, but it didn’t answer.
“Try Jack. It said he wasn’t hurt badly. Then we can try James or his agent, Sally.”
“It’s ringing. Please, dear God, pick it up,” Cassi said.
A part of her wanted to know what was happening, but she also couldn’t stand the thought Declan might be dying. At this point she only knew Jack wasn’t hurt too badly. Jack answered.
“Jack. It’s Cassi. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m at the hospital in ER. I just broke my arm.”
Hearing his voice was one of the best moments of her life. “How’s Declan? I read he’s been hurt.” She tried to be calm and keep the panic out of her voice, but she wasn’t succeeding. Her hand shook so much she thought she would drop the phone.
“They took him to the operating room. His ankle was busted up and he bumped his head. I’m sorry, Cassi. I don’t know any more.”
Cassi took a deep breath and said what she needed to before she wimped out. “I want to see him, Jack, but I don’t want to be in the way. I know he has someone new now.”
“That’s all bullshit. The papers made it up. You come here and see him, and if he says he doesn’t want to see you, I’ll hurt him some more until he changes his mind. I ha
ve to go. The doctor’s coming back. Let me know when you get here.”
The phone went dead. Cassi took a deep breath and tried to think clearly. She was going to do this. Her life had been crap and she was going to grab onto any chance of happiness she could. Then a small voice broke into her thoughts.
“Mommy. I’m hungry.” Tommy was rubbing his eyes as he walked across the room.
Cassi picked her him up and gave him a hug. At this moment, she was grateful for everything in life. Her beautiful little boy and the fact Declan was still alive, and she just might have another chance.
“I think we should make pancakes. What do you think?” Sasha said.
“Yeah, pancakes.”
Within half an hour, there was flour all over the counter, plus on Tommy’s face. As they sat down to eat, Sasha gave her the look with a raised eyebrow and indicated with her head toward Tommy.
“Tommy. I need to take a trip to see Declan. He has been in an accident. Sasha will look after you and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Cassi held her breath waiting for his response. He coped when she was sick, but she didn’t want to upset him again.
“Can I have pancakes when you’re away?”
“Yes, you can, but you have to always help clean up,” Sasha said.
“I should give you one of my toys. He gave me one when I was hurt.”
Cassi didn’t think she could love her little boy any more than she did at that moment.
Chapter Twenty
Five hours later, the taxi stopped outside the airport and Cassi got out excited but nervous. No one was with her at the airport, which was what she wanted, even though her friends had offered. There was no way she could cope with goodbyes right now. She grabbed her suitcase, paid the driver, and walked in. Her mouth went dry at the thought of doing the long journey. She was going to the other side of the world. At least she had a passport from her one trip to Canada.