I left Emily’s House around six the next morning. I awoke with the sunrise. Brooke and Ava were still fast asleep. I carefully slipped from her bed, grabbed my things, and tiptoed out to the living area. Donna was reading the morning paper and sipping coffee.
“I’ll tell her you had to leave.” Donna smirked as she took a sip from her mug.
“I’m coming back. We’re going to get a tree for in here today. I need to shower though. I worked a double before I came over here.” I yawned.
“Mmmhmm.” Donna nodded. “You don’t need to explain anything to me. I knew she was special the first night you treated her in the ER. You had that look.”
“I don’t have a look.” I scowled.
“You do with her. She’s gonna take a lot of time and patience. I hope you can handle that,” she warned.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m not letting go so easy with her.” I pointed at the hallway. “See you later. I need to get this hospital smell off me.” The truth was, I smelled like Brooke, and I needed to get home and take care of business before Donna saw just how much I liked her.
“You wanna leave a note?” Donna mused.
“Just tell her to dress warm, and I’ll be back around lunchtime.” I waved as I opened the front door to make my way over to my snow-covered car. We were getting a tree, and decorating it tonight. It was time I gave Brooke some memories to replace the ones that were currently filling her head.
Chapter 19
Blake
After cleaning up at home and putting on some warmer clothes, I called my brother. I wanted to borrow his truck, and see where things were going with Warren’s arrest. I didn’t get very far. He got all professional on me and told me he couldn’t discuss the case. I wasn’t part of it, so I didn’t have any right to know what was going on. He did leave his keys for me at the front desk in the station.
I was currently walking to the station. The snow was picking up again, and I didn’t want to risk ending up in the ditch or worse, plowing into another car. After grabbing the keys, I found the truck parked on the street a few spaces away. I climbed in, and turned the heat all the way up. It was cold today, and the sun was hiding.
I drove to pick up Brooke, and was surprised to find her waiting on the porch when I got there. I pulled up to the curb, and left the truck running while I hopped out. “It’s freezing! Why didn’t you wait inside?” I jogged toward the steps and almost wiped out on a patch of ice.
“It’s slippery out.” Brooke’s eyes went wide. “Be careful.”
“I can see that.” I cringed as I reached the steps. When I got to the top, I really looked at her. She looked beautiful sitting there on the porch swing. She was wearing a pair of dark jeans that tucked into her boots. Her purple coat was zipped up with a big pink scarf wrapped around her neck. It was partially covering her mouth. Her brown hair was pulled back loosely and a matching pink hat was tugged down over her ears. Her cheeks and nose were pink from the cold, and her arms were wrapped around herself. “I would’ve come in. You don’t have to wait outside for me.” I softened my voice.
“I know, but I wanted some fresh air. This seemed safe.” She shrugged.
“Where’s Ava?” I glanced around. Brooke has always been a very attentive mother. It surprised me that Ava wasn’t close by.
“Donna’s watching her. She said she missed spending time with her, and for me to enjoy myself today.” A small smile curved at the corner of her lips peeking out from the scarf.
“Well, if you’re ready, let’s get in the truck. It’s cold.” I shivered against the wind as I led her down to the passenger side.
“You have a truck too?” Her brow crinkled in confusion.
“It’s Cal’s. He owes me.” I chuckled.
“Where are we going?” She buckled her seat belt as I closed the door. I held up a finger as I jogged around to the driver’s side, almost falling on the ice once again.
“I thought we could grab some breakfast, and then we’re tree shopping.” I grinned.
“Tree shopping?” Her head jerked back.
“For a Christmas tree. There’s a lot just outside of town that always has nice trees. I thought we could pick one out for the house and decorate it tonight.” I pulled away from the curb and started heading to the diner I frequented sometimes.
“We never had a live tree, only artificial ones. Live ones drop a lot of needles.” Her face twisted as she said the words.
“Do you like the artificial ones better?” She was revealing more of her past, and I wanted to keep her talking, but I knew it must have been a painful memory.
“I don’t know.” She seemed confused. “I’ve never had a live one to compare it to. Maybe this is a good idea.” She bounced a little in her seat like she was having a revelation.
“Live tree it is then.” I laughed as I pulled into the parking lot of Fran’s Diner.
“Wait!” Brooke’s eyes darted around. “I’ve been here, I think.” She blinked a few times as she rubbed her temples.
“This place has been here forever. It wouldn’t surprise me if you had.” I attempted to soothe her.
“But I walked here; from my house; with Ava.” She shook her head and rubbed her temples again. “Maybe I haven’t been here; that didn’t make sense.” She released a frustrated sigh as she leaned back against the seat.
“It’s ok if you haven’t. We can try something new.” I smiled as I cut the engine and climbed out. After helping her out of the truck, we walked inside. “Wanna sit at the counter?” I motioned to some stools.
“Sure.” She had a tormented look on her face as we made our way to the stools and sat down.
It didn’t take long for a server to stop in front of us. “What can I get you?” She stood poised to take our order, but Brooke just stared off in the distance.
“We’ll take two specials and coffee.” I smiled and then reached over and rubbed my palm up and down Brooke’s back. She seemed so lost at the moment.
oooooooo
Brooke
Everything looked the same. The counter was the same; the stools; all the décor; it was all the same. The menu and the staff looked the same. I don’t ever remember coming here with Warren, and the fact that the diner was here, and not in my town was confusing. Was this place real?
I could hear Blake ordering food for us, but I just stared through the opening to the kitchen. Ava and I used to watch the cook make pancakes at my Fran’s. We’d sit here and watch as we drank our shakes after I picked her up from school. I couldn’t help but stare as the cook moved around, unknowingly giving me a headache.
“Are you ok?” Blake whispered as he leaned closer. “Was this a bad choice?”
“I’m fine,” I murmured as I twisted my hands together in my lap. “I’m just having a déjà vu moment. I’ll be fine.” I brushed him off. How could I tell him that I’ve been here, but I haven’t been here? How would he ever understand? I don’t even understand.
“Are you sure?” he pressed on as the waitress poured two coffees in front of us.
“Yes.” I nodded. I knew I couldn’t tell him that I was freaking out on the inside. I’d sound crazy. I reached to the left without even looking and my fingers wrapped around the container of sugar. As I poured some into my coffee, my vision went blurry. The room started spinning, and I knew I needed to get away. I need to process what was happening. “I’ll be right back,” I mumbled as I stood and turned in the direction of the bathroom.
“Ok.” Blake sounded confused, but I didn’t have time to check. I walked as fast as I could to the back corner. I knew the bathroom was there. It was there in my dreams. When I saw the door, my head spun a little more. I’d never been here. What was happening? My breathing picked up as I shoved at the door, and stepped inside.
I placed my hands on the counter by the sink and leaned forward, letting my head drop. I took a few deep breaths before glancing at my reflection in the mirror. The bathroom had red tile. The one in my dream wa
s black. The red glared back at me, mocking me. It was proving that my dream wasn’t real. “Get it together,” I whispered to myself. I turned the cold water on, and splashed my face a little. The cold helped with my little breakdown as I took more deep breaths. I told myself more than once that this was real, and my dream wasn’t, but for some reason my head didn’t want to listen. I washed my hands, and then turned to go back to my spot at the counter.
“Everything all right?” Blake smiled as I sat back down.
“Un huh.” I swallowed as I reached for the coffee. Within a few moments, our breakfast arrived.
“I wasn’t sure what you’d want, so I ordered you the special.” He offered me a napkin from the dispenser in front of him.
“This is fine.” I offered a tight smile as I poured syrup over my pancakes. To avoid having to explain myself anymore, I cut off a bite and shoveled it into my mouth. Blake seemed to understand because he too started eating and all conversation dropped. There were so many questions floating around in my head, but I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer to them. I knew one thing; I couldn’t ask Blake. I was becoming too attached to him and couldn’t do anything that might make him want to leave. I was falling fast and hard, and that part scared the crap outta me.
Chapter 20
Brooke
We didn’t really talk during our meal. The sizzle of the flat top grill, and the ringing of the bell over the door filled the silence. There was a low hum of conversation that filled the diner, and at times it almost drowned out the rambling going on in my head.
When we finished, Blake paid, and held out his arm for me to head to the door. “Are you sure you’re ok?” he whispered in my ear. “You’ve been really quiet since we got here. Did Warren bring you here or something?” His eyes softened as he held open the door and we stepped out onto the sidewalk. He led us toward the truck, and I fought to figure out how to explain this.
“It’s not you, it’s me,” I growled in frustration. “I know that’s a lame excuse. Warren never brought me here. As far as I know, I’ve never eaten here. It’s just…” I sighed.
“What? You can talk to me,” he coaxed as he opened my door. I climbed in, he shut the door, and rushed around to his side.
As he shut his door and cranked the engine, I closed my eyes and pictured my town. “Have you ever had a dream that seemed real? I don’t mean like it could happen, but one where you believed it did happen?”
“Sure, I guess.” Blake let the truck idle, and turned to face me more.
“I don’t know when all of this happened, or how long it took.” I shook my head as images of the white farm house came flitting through my head. The beach, Ava’s first Christmas, the tree house, Officer Blake, all the home repairs, it was endless. “The first time we met, in the hospital, wasn’t the first time for me. While I was unconscious, I ran away from Warren. I had Ava, and we ran. We ran all over the country. When we found safety, it was in a little country town. You were there, but you were a cop. You fixed my house. You built stuff for Ava. You wanted to be our friend. We walked everywhere, and there was a diner in town. It was called Fran’s Diner, and it looked just like this one only different colors.” I turned to stare out the window. “I get it if you think I’m crazy. I would too.”
“I don’t think you’re crazy.” His voice was soft.
I turned to face him, “You don’t?”
“I think you’re amazing. You had a brain injury. It’s common for parts of the brain to not remember trauma. It’s also normal for an injured brain to come up with its own reality. There’s nothing happening right now that’s not normal. I promise.” He cupped my cheek. “You’re talking about my job. I study the brain, and yours has been through a lot.” He leaned closer. “Please don’t ever feel like you can’t tell me something.”
“Ok.” I let my gaze dip. “I think you’re pretty amazing too,” I murmured as I refused to look up.
I heard him swallow. I heard him shift in the seat. I heard every movement that happened over the next few seconds. It was a memory that I’d hold onto for years to come. Aside from our morning on the beach, this was the next most important moment. Blake leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine. This wasn’t the sweet innocent kiss we shared on the beach. This was Blake kissing my soul. His head tipped to the side as his tongue ran across the seam of my lips. I let him in. I let him in willingly as I sighed and leaned closer. It was like my body knew exactly what it wanted, and it wanted Blake.
We moved closer as his fingers threaded in the hair on the back of my head. I braced myself on the seat as I leaned in. His tongue licked at the inside of my mouth softly, swiping and exploring. He was nothing like Warren. Warren was all business and never romance. Blake was showing me that I was in control. He never pushed further; never tried to touch me. He groaned as I pressed myself against his chest, looping my arms around his neck. We stayed locked like that, just softly exploring one another’s mouths until finally he pulled back. “I need to stop while I still can,” he mumbled as he righted himself in his seat. “Let’s go get that tree before I change my mind.”
“Sure.” I smiled.
“God, you’re beautiful. I don’t even think you know how beautiful, and that makes it even more dangerous,” he growled as he shifted the truck in drive and pulled out onto the road.
oooooooo
Blake
As I drove out of town, I kept glancing over at her. I tried to take as many peeks as I could without her noticing. I didn’t want to scare her, but I couldn’t help myself. There was still a blush on her cheeks from our kiss, and every once in a while, she’d get this far away look. I wondered if she was thinking of me like I was of her.
It didn’t take us long to reach the tree lot. It was a small lot in front of a local farm that was right outside the city limits. It was one of those places that you’d drive right by if you didn’t know about it. “We’re here.” I smiled as I made the final turn into the gravel parking lot. There was a tractor parked off to the side of the freshly plowed driveway and lot.
“Carson’s Tree Farm. I’ve never heard of this place.” Brooke leaned forward and read the name off the sign a few feet away.
“I’ve been getting Donna’s trees here for the last few years. Old man Carson was happy to donate one when he found out what Donna was doing for everyone at the house.” I climbed out of the truck, and pulled my coat tighter around me. The wind was blowing snow, and the ground was slippery. I made my way to Brooke’s door, helped her out, and then led her over to where the trees were. “We get our pick of any of these with a red tag.” I pointed to a row near the back. They were all around eight feet tall.
“Will this fit in the house?” Brooke tipped her head back to look up at the tree. Snow started falling again and began landing on her eyelashes.
“Sure.” I laughed. “The house has ten-foot ceilings.”
“Oh.” Her mouth formed a little O and she looked slightly embarrassed.
“Which one do you like?” I motioned to several in front of us.
“This one has a nice shape.” She smiled as she reached out and ran her fingers down one of the branches. She drew her hand back quickly. “That one pricked me.”
“That is the difference between real and fake.” I couldn’t help but grin. “Does this mean you don’t like the real ones?”
“They smell good.” She leaned closer to the tree.
“Just wait until we get this in the house. The whole house will smell like it.” I waved to one of the farmhands who was standing a little ways away. “We’ll take this one.” I pointed to the tree Brooke had picked out.
He nodded as he moved close. “Would you like it wrapped?”
“Yes.” I reached for Brooke’s hand and started leading her over to where we parked.
“Wrapped?” Her nose scrunched up.
“They put netting around it. It makes it easier to carry and get in the house.” I pointed to the machine that our tree was currently bein
g shoved through.
“Oh. That makes sense.” She nodded before glancing at the truck. “Won’t the needles scratch up your brother’s truck?”
“Nah, and if they do, he owes me.” I laughed as she frowned. “Something wrong?” I was confused. Why would she care about me scratching Cal’s truck?
“No, it’s just that he was nice to let you use it. I wouldn’t want to mess it up or anything.” She shrugged.
“Cal has broken plenty of things that were mine. I’m not worried.” I chuckled as the farmhand tossed the tree in the back, and I helped Brooke back inside.
“I’m gonna drop you and the tree off at the house, and then I’m going to take Cal’s truck back. After I drop it off, I’ll be back to help with the tree.” I pulled back into traffic and headed toward Emily’s House.
“Ok.” Brooke’s voice was quiet as she stared out the window. I wasn’t sure if something was wrong, but I wasn’t going to ask now. I knew it had been a crazy day for her, and I didn’t want to add to it. We’d talk tonight after we decorated the tree, and I’d find out what was up then.
oooooooo
When we arrived at the house, one of the girls was sitting on the porch much like Brooke was the first time I arrived. She waved as I parked on the street and left the truck running. I waved back as I helped Brooke out. “I’ll be back in a bit. I’m going to stand the tree up on the porch. Donna can show you where the decorations are, and you guys can get them ready. Ok?” I bent my knees so I could look directly in her eyes. She smiled and nodded as she pressed her lips together. “Ok. Give me an hour, then I’m all yours.”
As she walked up the steps, I grabbed the tree and carried it on my shoulder up to the porch. I propped it up against the house, and turned to head back to the truck. Just as I was pulling away from the curb, Brooke turned at the front door and waved. She was chatting with the other girl, and I could only imagine what they were talking about. I’d hoped it was something happy. Brooke laughed and then glanced back at me and it looked as if she was blushing again. Part of me hoped she was reliving our kiss, but the other part of me was just happy to see her smile. As much pain as she’d endured over the course of the last several years, she deserved to be happy. I only hoped that I could one day be the source of that happiness.
Enduring Act (The Survivor's duet Book 2) Page 11