Four Steps

by Wendy Hudson

  “Sorry love, you might be a Hunter but your sister will always be my number one.”

  Scott dropped his shoulders and poked his bottom lip out. “I fly thousands of miles with only you on my mind and you ditch me for my sister? That’s just flipping charming.” He stomped to the living room, throwing himself on the sofa like a five-year-old. “You can see Lori anytime. Couldn’t you put her off a couple of days?”

  Stella followed him to the sofa, climbed on, and straddled his lap. “You know very well how much I’ve been looking forward to you being here this weekend, but she said it was important and she sounded kind of nervous, jittery almost. I haven’t seen her in nearly two weeks. In fact, I think she’s been avoiding me, and considering everything that’s just happened with Andrew, and then there’s this new guy Alex who’s appeared from nowhere—”

  “Alex? You didn’t mention she’d met someone else.” Scott leant forward in a move to get up, clearly annoyed he’d been kept in the dark.

  Stella pinned him back, wrapping her arms around his neck and pecking his lips. “She hasn’t. At least not in that way. Well actually maybe it is in that way and that’s why she’s been avoiding me. I’m not sure what’s going on, only that she seemed excited and was talking all stardust and unicorns about him the last time I saw her.”

  “And you didn’t think this was information I might like? All the calls I’ve been getting from Andrew and she’s already moving on?”

  She frowned down at him, leaning back. “I didn’t say she was moving on. I said there was a guy and she was showing an interest. If you were a better brother and called her once in a while, maybe she’d have told you about him herself.”

  He huffed again. “I call, but it’s hard on the road. Time differences, signal—”

  Stella held a hand up. “Stop. I’m not asking for your excuses because I know they’re bullshit. I’m just saying she needs more than me in her life right now, so some extra effort on your part wouldn’t go amiss.”

  He sank back into the sofa and conceded her point. “I know, you’re right. I should let her know I’m in town and try to arrange a catch up. But I will remind you that it’s your decision to keep our steamy romance a secret from her. Otherwise I could be going to dinner with you both.”

  Stella sighed. “Scott, we agreed. Until we figure out what we’re doing, why involve others and complicate the situation? Do you really think I like keeping this from Lori?”

  “No, of course not, and I hate it as well.” He wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her closer.

  “So while we’re on the subject, what exactly are we doing, Scott? Apart from having all the sex.”

  “You mean the hot, passionate, earth shattering sex.”

  “Hmm… The adjectives are debatable, but I’ll agree we are having sex.”

  He tickled her side. “You’re cruel.”

  “And you’re avoiding the question.”

  He threw up his hands. “Stella, what can I say? You know me. You know my job and you know my lifestyle.You knew it before we got involved.”

  She moved off him, putting distance between them on the sofa. “Yes, ‘before’ we got involved. Now we are involved, Scott. Doesn’t that make you want to change any of those things? Or am I just sex to you?”

  “You forgot hot, passionate, and earth shattering.” He tried a cheeky grin.

  She glared at him.

  He moved to close the gap. “I’m sorry. Of course not, sweetheart. After all the years I’ve known you, do you really think you mean so little to me?”

  “That’s the problem, Scott. I don’t know what I mean to you at all.”

  He gave her the same look Lori did when she was in the bad books. Damn, it always worked for her, as well. She could feel herself thawing but didn’t want to let him off so easy.

  “Stella, I think you are wonderful and funny and beautiful and the thought of seeing you has dragged my sorry ass back to London more times this past six months than the previous six years combined.” He stroked some loose curls gently from her face and held her gaze. “But I’ve been stuck in my carefree ways for a very long time and I’m just asking for a little more time to figure things out.”

  She pressed her cheek into his palm, closing her eyes to consider his words. It had been six months since they’d had a drunken fumble after one too many cocktails. Scott had offered to get her home and in return she’d offered him her sofa.

  He’d been gone in the morning and she’d resolved to forget about it, as he so clearly wanted to. But three weeks later, he appeared at her door as he’d now done another half a dozen or more times since then.

  They hadn’t put a label on their time together, only agreeing that Lori didn’t need to know until they had. It wasn’t just Scott keeping his cards close to his chest, Stella had her own career and independence that she wasn’t going to give up for just anyone. She had to be sure Scott meant business.

  She was reluctant to waste the precious time they had arguing, so took him at his word that he only needed time and this wasn’t just a meaningless fling. He’d done nothing to make her mistrust him.

  She moved closer again and smiled before planting a soft kiss on his lips. “I guess you’re not so bad yourself, but I’m still ditching you for your sister Friday night.”

  “Damn it.” But he was smiling. “Okay, well I plan on waiting up for you so don’t hit the wine too hard.” He got up and headed to the fridge for a couple of beers. Plonking back down on the sofa, he handed her one. “Now, tell me all you know about this Alex.”

  Chapter 30

  Female voices broke through the fog and John thought he recognised one of them. Was that his sister? He opened his eyes and tried to move but a sharp pain up his side caught his breath, forcing him to remain still until it passed.

  He pulled open the white gown and ran a hand over the tight bandages around his ribcage, outlining the purple and green bruising that spread out from them. A flashback came then. His son dragging him, kicking him, the sound of the key in the lock of his bedroom door.

  The door to his room was partway open and he heard the voices again. He closed his eyes, trying to concentrate, remember how he’d gotten here. It was obvious he was in a hospital bed and had been taken care of. He remembered being cold, so cold. There was a young girl who looked so familiar. Had she been a copper? That was the voice he could hear? Yes, it was her, not his sister.

  The voices became louder and a male voice joined them, moving closer to his door. He flinched for a moment, expecting his son but it was deeper, mellow, and sounded concerned.

  “I thought I might find you here.”

  The girl’s voice returned. “Evening Sergeant, just thought I’d check on him.”

  “Given I know you’re meant to be off duty, and it’s after midnight, let’s forget formalities.”

  John heard her laugh. “Does that mean I can get a hug off my favourite uncle then, because it’s been a bitch of a day?”

  There was quiet for a moment and John assumed the girl was getting her hug. “Ah, Hannah, why on earth did I ever let you get involved in the police, eh?”

  “I wonder that myself every day.”

  John smiled to himself. Hannah. That was her name. He remembered her putting a blanket around him and promising to help. He remembered now. She was going to find the farm.

  “So any change in his condition? Has he woken up?”

  He heard her sigh and wanted to call out, he was here, he was awake, but they continued before he could and he realised his voice was failing him, dry and raw with thirst. He moved slowly, reaching for the cup of water on his bedside, continuing to listen to them talk.

  “Not that I’m aware. I’m just waiting for the nurse to come and check his vitals before I head off, but he was asleep when I left the room earlier and I haven’t seen him awake what with all the pain medication he’s on.”

  “Anything on missing persons?”

  “I checked this afte
rnoon again, but still nothing matching his description. It’s been days now so he either lived alone and there’s no family around, or they aren’t sorry he’s missing. It makes me sad.”

  “Well, if there is family, I’d be asking questions about that bruising. Someone physically assaulted that old man and, out in the cold the way he was, you could have easily come across a corpse.”

  “I know. It makes me furious to see him in that state. I keep thinking of granddad.”

  John felt warm at the kindness in her voice. It had been so long since someone had cared. He knew then this was the girl to help him find the farm. She would help and she wouldn’t call his son.

  “I don’t want to wake him tonight so I’ll pop back tomorrow before my shift. In the meantime, I’ve been trying to piece together all the little things he does say when he has moments of lucidity, I asked the nurses to note them down.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well, they’ve run some scans and unfortunately the doctor found multiple tumours on his brain. We’ll need to wait for the specialist tomorrow to confirm a diagnosis, but she said it would explain his confusion, it may be he’s jumping from the present to the past, having dreams that feel real, and it would also account for memory loss. The farm and girl he keeps talking about is more than likely something from his past. He keeps saying he needs to help her. Maybe there was an incident long ago that’s stuck with him? He still thinks he can help fix it? Like maybe a daughter or granddaughter?”

  “That makes sense and might be worth looking into, but I don’t want you spending too much time on it. You have other duties, you know.”

  “Yeah, I know, but I don’t want to abandon the old guy. Plus, my gut says there’s more to this and we should stick around until we at least identify him.”

  A nurse came in then to check his vital signs and the door stayed open. He pointed to the water, and she produced a straw to help him drink. He called out for the girl. “Hannah?”

  Hannah appeared in the doorway, and the nurse left. She smiled at him, and asked if she could come in. He recognised his sister in her once again.

  He gestured her over to the bed, and another figure filled the doorway, a bear of a man with a friendly smile of his own.

  “Good to see you awake.” She sat on the edge of the bed, and took his hand. “Can you tell me your name, sir?”

  He patted her hand. “You can call me John, young lady. Now when are we going to help Beth?”

  Chapter 31

  Lori was nervous.

  She was also forty-five minutes early getting ready which meant more time to think about how nervous she was. There was only one thing for it. Wine.

  She headed to the fridge and shakily poured a glass of white, forcing herself to sit at the kitchen island and take a breath.

  Okay, pep talk time. She spoke to her reflection in the darkened kitchen window, “She’s your best friend, Lori, she loves you, she will support you, she will not hate you, she is an open-minded, caring person, and she will not judge you.”

  Right, much better.

  Oh, God, but what if she does?

  She groaned, gulped back the wine, and began pacing. The beep of her phone drew her into the living room.

  Alex.

  Even the anticipation of opening a text from Alex made her giddy.

  She smiled as she opened the message.

  What are you wearing? x

  She laughed at the cheesy line. It had become almost a competition who could come up with the worst. Much to her own surprise and Alex’s amusement, it turned out Lori was an outrageous flirt too. They’d exchanged numerous texts, calls, e-mails, and a couple of Skypes in what had felt like the longest two weeks of Lori’s life.

  Of course, she hadn’t yet admitted that fact to Alex.

  Each time they spoke, it was easy going and light, well, at least, it was until the moment that it wasn’t.

  She could never quite pinpoint when the conversation would turn, but suddenly being four hundred miles apart felt like a distance some words shouldn’t have to travel.

  She tapped back a response, feeling the Alex-effect calm her.

  A red, tartan onesie and Christmas socks with candy canes on them x

  The doorbell rang and she glanced at her watch, Stella wasn’t due for another half an hour. She’d obviously had a bad week and wanted to get started on the wine early.

  Lori headed to the hall pressing send on her phone as she pulled open the large front door. Instead of Stella, she was looking down at green eyes and dimples.

  Alex.

  “Liar.” She held up her phone and laughed before throwing her arms around Lori with an excited giggle.

  Lori pulled away and held her at arm’s length, she couldn’t take it in. Alex was here in her doorway, in London, and she looked stunning.

  Gone was the woolly jumper and boots, instead, a gorgeous woman stood before her dressed for a night on the town in slate grey, skinny-fit trousers, leather boots that gave her an extra few inches, and a simple, black scoop neck top with a jacket to match the boots. She’d finished the sophisticated look subtly with a delicate silver pendant and diamond stud earrings and had let her hair fall softly in waves onto her shoulders.

  Lori stepped aside and ushered her in. “What are you doing here?”

  Alex dropped her bag in the hall, grinning from ear to ear. “For a Lady your manners are somewhat lacking. Don’t I even get a hello?”

  “Sorry, I’m just so shocked. Let’s try again,” she smiled widely. “Hey, Alex.”

  “Hey, Lori,” she smirked. “Much better.”

  “Okay, now formalities are out of the way. What are you doing here?”

  Alex looked her up and down then, giving a low whistle under her breath. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re all dressed up for a date?” She quirked an eyebrow inquisitively, waiting for an answer, and still not giving one to Lori’s question.

  “No, no date.” She glanced down at her watch anxiously.

  She silently started to panic and Alex must have caught the look on her face. “Oh crap, I’m sorry, Lori. Have I busted in on a date?”

  She looked crestfallen and Lori was shaking her head, trying to reassure her, but Alex continued, flustered, “When we spoke last night you said you didn’t have anything special planned for tonight. Then my reason for not being able to visit this weekend didn’t exist anymore, so I thought I’d surprise you and let you take me to dinner. We’d have this whole sophisticated night in the city and—”

  “Alex.” Lori placed reassuring hands on both her shoulders, stopping her worried rant. “Please, don’t be sorry for coming. It’s an amazing surprise. You’re an amazing surprise and I would love nothing more than to take you to dinner. But right now, it’s me that’s about to freak out because my best friend will be here in approximately twenty-five minutes and she still thinks you’re a bloke.”

  Alex’s eyes widened and Lori hated that she felt anything but happy to be here with her. “Exactly. This is not how I envisaged introducing you and I’m not sure how happy she’ll be getting ambushed. I really want her to like you, Alex.”

  Her face took on a pensive look. “Can I ask why it’s so important that Stella likes me? And why she still thinks I’m a bloke? I mean we’re just friends aren’t we? Not all friends have to get on with each other.”

  Lori held her eye, she hadn’t expected this moment so soon. This question. But Alex stood before her asking and she couldn’t lie. “Is friends all you want?”

  “Oh no.” Alex shook her head. “That’s no fair. You can’t turn it back on me.”

  Lori shrugged, trying her best at nonchalance. “Worth a try.”

  Alex took her hand and tugged her closer. “Same question back at you. Is friends all you want, Lori?”

  Lori held her gaze, the space between them palpable with energy. She felt her throat constrict and ran her tongue over now dry lips. It was a one word answer. That’s all the question
needed. One word. Her life was about to change. “No.”

  Alex’s smile was slow, but quickly spread to her eyes. “Good answer.”

  She stepped away suddenly, breaking the moment. Lori felt the air fill her lungs again as the room around her rematerialised.

  Alex was still smiling. “Okay then, what should I do? Tell me what to do. Should I leave? Hide in the cupboard? Crawl under the bed? What?”

  Lori laughed as Alex crouched down and darted her eyes around comically looking for her best form of escape.

  The panic left her then as she realised she had absolutely nothing to worry about when it came to introducing Stella to Alex. She didn’t like side swiping Stella like this but, bar sending Alex on her way, she had no choice. “How about you follow me to the kitchen so I can pour us both a large wine?”

  Alex looked up to the heavens. “Oh Lord, thank you for the French and all their wine. Lead the way, Lady Hunter.”

  * * *

  The buzzer sounded again just as they settled on the sofa. Lori’s eyes widened anxiously and she took a deep breath. “Okay, here goes.” She pulled a face at Alex before heading to answer the door.

  They’d agreed she would steer Stella into the kitchen and get a wine in her hand, allowing a couple of minutes to give Stella some kind of explanation before meeting Alex. As she did just that, she noticed Alex’s jacket draped over the back of a stool. Mistake.

  “Wow, nice jacket,” Stella exclaimed holding it up, feeling the soft leather. “I never had you down as a leather girl. Does Alex like his girls a little bit naughty?” She winked suggestively in Lori’s direction, causing her to cringe and blush all at the same time.

  Conscious that Alex could hear every word, she cleared her throat noisily and headed for the fridge. “Seriously, Stella, try to allow more than that one subject to cross your mind occasionally.” She heard the edginess in her tone and was immediately sorry for speaking to her in that way.