A Romance Rekindled (Heartsong Presents)

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  Incessant knocking rankled him. He just wanted to sleep. “Go away,” he mumbled. The sound continued. He raised his head and moaned at the pounding in his skull. His eyes shot open when reality dawned. The repeated knocking on the passenger window pulsed through the silence. He lifted his eyes in that direction, but the rest of his body didn’t respond.

  “Help is on the way!” a male voice shouted. To say the man looked shaken was an understatement. He turned and ran to a car positioned in front of the Jeep, only that vehicle was wrapped around a huge fir.

  Blake’s whole body began to shake.

  A groan from the back seat—Katie!

  “Blake?”

  He met her eyes in the rearview mirror. She unbuckled her seat belt and leaned into the front seat. “You’re bleeding! Someone help! Help us!” Tears choked her speech.

  “You’ve got to stop freaking out at a little blood.” He tried to smile, but his face hurt. Had she slept through the accident or been knocked unconscious?

  She sniffled and hugged him from behind. “I can’t lose you, too.” Her sobs filled the Jeep, and the wail of sirens ripped through the air. Although it seemed like an eternity, in reality it was probably only minutes before a firefighter stood at the passenger door, and Katie popped the lock. The door opened, and fresh, hot air rushed in.

  “Help my brother.”

  “We’re going to take care of you both.” The firefighter reached for Katie. “Come on, you first.”

  “No! I can’t leave Blake.”

  The tremble in his sister’s voice tore at his gut. He hated for her to go through another trauma. “It’s okay, Katie. Listen to the firefighter. He’s here to help.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. Please.”

  Katie clamped her lips tight and climbed out, then disappeared from his view as the firefighter leaned in the open door.

  Blake tried to see Katie through the front window, but lost track of her. “Is she okay? She’s really freaked out. Please make sure someone is with her.”

  “Peggy is taking care of your sister, but she looks unharmed. We’ll take her in to make sure though. Are you able to get out on this side?”

  Blake shifted and groaned. His leg was pinned. “No.”

  “Okay. Hang tight.

  A little while later they had his door cut off and got to work getting him out of the mess. After the paramedic cleared him, he stood. Relief washed through him. When he realized his leg was pinned he’d imagined the worst. But he could walk, with only a slight limp. That had to be a good sign. In fact other than his arm, a pounding headache and sore face from where the air bag hit, he felt okay.

  He looked around the scene. Glass covered the roadway and the driver’s side of his Jeep was mangled. The rest of the vehicle remained unharmed. He spotted the other vehicle wrapped around a huge pine tree. “How is the driver who hit me?”

  “Alive.”

  “Thank God.” His hands shook as he sat on the gurney the medic insisted he use. A moment later he was in the ambulance with Katie and the medic. “What about my Jeep?”

  “It’ll be taken care of. An officer will talk with you at the hospital.”

  “But—”

  “No buts, remember?” Katie squeezed his hand.

  He remembered. How about what-ifs? What if she’d been sitting behind him where the impact was, instead of behind the passenger seat? From the look of the Jeep he was lucky to be alive and relatively unharmed. Unlike his parents, whose lives had been cut short by an accident. What if he hadn’t been so fortunate? Katie would be orphaned. The thought put him over the edge, and a groan escaped his lips.

  “You okay?” Concern edged Katie’s voice.

  “Fine. You?”

  “I slept through the whole thing. I was dreaming about riding a roller coaster and it went off the tracks. We fell to the ground and crashed.” She held her arms out in front of him. “See, not even a scratch. But I was so afraid when I woke up and saw you bleeding again and not moving. I thought my dream had been real and that you were dead...” Her last sentence came out as a whisper.

  “I know.” He smiled to reassure her. “It was frightening, but I’m not hurt that bad, and I’m very much alive. I’m so thankful you’re okay.” But Katie was right. The whole thing scared some sense into him. No way was he going to give up on Susan. He’d been fooling himself thinking he could walk away without trying to win her back. But more than that he loved her—and realized now that he’d never stopped loving her.

  Too bad it had taken an accident for him to realize how he felt. They needed Susan—he needed her, and they were staying in Leavenworth. This accident showed him that some things were too important to brush aside—good friends and love couldn’t be passed by, just because they had another life in Maine.

  * * *

  Susan slowed at the scene of an accident. Both directions of traffic squeezed through the equivalent of a lane and the shoulder, while a cleanup crew swept up glass, and a tow truck loaded a Jeep. Her heart jolted and she did a double take staring at the vehicle. It was hard to tell because the driver’s side was missing the door, but that looked a lot like Blake’s.

  Then she zeroed in on the Maine license plate. Her stomach tightened, and her body shook. If Blake had been driving... Her throat burned from unshed tears and she swallowed hard, blinking rapidly. She couldn’t jump to conclusions.

  Her hands had a mind of their own, and before she realized it, she was parking in an empty spot at the hospital. Her fingers tightened around the wheel. A tear slipped out the corner of her eye, and she shuddered.

  She’d heard through the grapevine that Blake and his sister had gone to Seattle, so that would mean that Katie was with him. Katie had to be the reason she was freaking out. She loved kids and hated to see one hurt—not that she wished harm on Blake. And besides, Katie and Blake had both been through so much already. Oh, she wasn’t making any sense.

  Someone knocked on her window. “You okay, lady?” An older gentleman peered through the glass. He wore a ball cap and a dirty T-shirt.

  “Yes. Thank you.” She waited for him to move on before opening the door. As long as she was here she could at least find out if Blake or Katie had been admitted. She got out and rushed to the entrance.

  The sliding door whooshed open, and cool air swept over her as she stepped into the cavernous lobby. This place didn’t look like any hospital she’d ever seen with its rustic beams and open space. She approached one of the front desks. “Excuse me. I believe a friend of mine was brought in. Is there a way to find out if he was admitted?”

  “Susan?”

  She sought the owner of the voice and spotted Blake and Katie walking in her direction. “Blake.” Her heart thundered and tears pricked at her eyes. She took a bracing breath, and hustled over to him and his sister. His left arm hung limp in a sling, his face was bruised and swollen, but otherwise he looked oh-so-good. “I saw your Jeep. Are you both okay?”

  “Yeah. I can only imagine what you thought.” He patted his sister’s shoulder. “We’re tough, though. Right, kiddo?”

  “Right.” Katie grinned.

  “Are you hurt, sweetie?” Susan lightly touched the girl’s shoulder.

  “I’m a little sore now, but I actually slept through the whole thing.”

  “Well, that’s a blessing.” She looked at Blake again. “Do you need a ride home?” She noticed the shock in Blake’s eyes. “What?”

  “Nothing.” He quickly added, “We’d love a ride. I was just about to call Julia and see if she or Mitch were free. Thanks.”

  Susan nodded. “I’ll pick you up out front.” She rushed out the doors into the heat, ran to her car and started it. As she backed out she opened the windows to cool down the already hot interior.

  She’d spent
the past month going out of her way to avoid Blake, and here she was offering to help him. So much for remaining distant. Well, she didn’t hate him—she just couldn’t trust him with her heart. But she could hardly turn her back on him when he was injured and in need of help. That would just be unkind.

  She stopped in front of Blake and Katie, who sat on a bench outside the main doors. Katie slid in behind her, and Blake took the passenger seat. He struggled with the seat belt. She took it from him and snapped it in place, ignoring the surprise on his face.

  “I can’t thank you enough for the ride.”

  “You’re welcome. That’s what friends are for.”

  “We’re friends?”

  “I hope so.” She offered a small grin. “After all, I did help you choose the wall color for Katie’s room.” She kept both hands on the wheel and stared out the windshield. She’d been so awful to Blake and could have lost him today. She should’ve been kinder. So he hadn’t loved her enough to marry her, but he was still a good man with a big heart. Heat surged to her face. Maybe she could lighten up a little. Not too much—she didn’t want to give him false hope, but they could at least be friends—good friends.

  She glanced his way. He rested his head against the seat back, his eyes closed. “You doing okay, Blake?” She forced her voice to remain calm.

  His eyes shot open. “I’ve been better and worse. Guess I’m somewhere in the middle.”

  Katie snickered. “He’s not a good patient. You should see him when he gets sick.”

  Susan’s eyes met Katie’s in the mirror, and she grinned. The child spoke with authority, making her sound older than her years. Of course in many ways she was, thanks to circumstances beyond her control.

  Right then and there, Susan determined to help this girl be a child, and to enjoy life without worrying about or being responsible for the adults in her world. Susan had not had a real childhood, but Katie would if she had anything to say about it.

  She pulled into Blake’s driveway. “Home sweet home.” She turned off the car and debated whether to follow them into the house. Would they find her presence an intrusion? But if she didn’t go in, how would she find out what she could do to ease things for Katie? Plus, Blake probably needed help getting settled. With one arm in a sling, things would be tough for him.

  Blake pulled a set of keys from his pocket. “Good thing an officer thought to grab these from the ignition. Otherwise we’d be camping in the backyard.”

  “Probably not a good prescription for recovery.” Susan snapped her fingers. “Do you have a prescription that needs to be filled?”

  “Yeah, but I was hoping to go without it. I don’t like to take strong painkillers.”

  “You may regret that decision. If you change your mind, let me know, and I’ll get it filled for you.”

  “Thanks.”

  Susan looked over her shoulder. “Come on, Katie, let’s make sure the house is fit for the invalid.”

  “Who are you calling an invalid?” Blake strode ahead of them, albeit slowly and with a slight limp, and opened the door.

  Susan followed him in and looked around the space. Although the air was a little stuffy, everything was clean and tidy. “I heard you went to Seattle. Do you need me to pick up anything at the grocery store?”

  “You’ve done enough, Susan.”

  She frowned at him. “I’m offering. No one is twisting my arm. Do you need anything or not?” She softened her voice to balance out the toughness of her words. “Katie can help me get what you need.”

  With a sigh, he pulled his wallet from his back pocket. “I don’t think I’m going to be much use in the kitchen for a few days. Maybe just a few frozen entrées and some fresh produce.” He handed her several twenties. “Katie can pick out what she wants.”

  “Cool! Can I get sweet cereal, too?”

  Susan covered the smile that lifted her lips. No reason to make him regret allowing her to help.

  “One box.” He suddenly looked like the walking dead and swayed.

  Susan rushed to his side and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Careful. How about you park yourself on the couch?” She helped him ease down. “We won’t be long.” Maybe taking Katie wasn’t a good idea. Should he be alone? Of course the hospital wouldn’t have released him if he wasn’t all right.

  He lay back on a few throw pillows and closed his eyes. Susan hovered over him.

  “I’m fine, Susan. Go.”

  She took a step back and tucked her shaky hand into her pocket. “Grouchy. Grouchy. We’ll be quick.” With one last fleeting look, she closed the door and left with Katie in tow. She told herself she only felt sorry for him, but seeing him injured stirred something in her she hadn’t allowed herself to feel. Maybe she cared for him more than she was willing to admit. Even so, she was committed to helping his sister, and if that meant helping him in the process, so be it.

  Chapter 13

  The next day, a quiet knock on the door drew Blake from the couch where he’d been pecking one-handed at the computer. He had to work on Susan’s special book while it churned in his mind. If he waited until he could remove the sling it might be too late. He finally had the words he wanted to write for her.

  He pulled the door open. “Susan. What brings you by?” She looked so good. Her hair hung loose to her shoulders, and she wore a pair of denim capris with a black tank top. He ached to hold her, but ignored the longing.

  She held up a grocery bag. “Provisions, and I thought your sister might enjoy a few books to read while she’s stuck at home with you.”

  He gave her a wry grin. She made it sound like being with him was a bad thing. “Thanks for the food, but you didn’t have to do that.” Why was she being so nice? Had the accident jolted something in her like it had him? Whatever the reason, he was pleased and didn’t want to mess up a good thing.

  “I know. It’s nothing big. I made lasagna, and it’s way too much for one person. There’s a salad and a half loaf of French bread in there, too.”

  He opened the door wider and smiled. “Come in. I’ll put the food away. Katie’s in her room if you want to give her the books. She loves reading.” He took the bag with his good arm and went into the kitchen.

  After depositing the food, he found the girls in Katie’s room talking. His sister and the woman he loved sat on the edge of the bed looking at the books. He stood silently in the doorway.

  Katie’s eyes gleamed. “I haven’t read any of these. Thanks!”

  “I thought you might need a distraction since you don’t have a TV.”

  “Back in Maine, I didn’t have time for television anyway. It was gymnastics, school and drawing all the time. It was even hard to find time to read. I sure am glad we came here.”

  Feeling guilty for eavesdropping, Blake almost slipped away, but he wanted to hear his sister’s heartfelt words. They confirmed what he had been feeling for a while now—Leavenworth was where they belonged. He shifted, and Susan glanced his way.

  “Hey there.” She stood and walked toward him. “Enjoy, Katie.”

  Susan brushed past him, and Katie waggled her brows and waved her hand, motioning for him to follow.

  Blake two-stepped after Susan, who stood at the computer looking at his work.

  He eased up beside her and gently closed the laptop. “You want to stay for dinner?”

  “Thanks, but I can’t. Rain check?”

  “Sure. I’ll walk you out.”

  She crossed her arms, and walked slowly beside him out to her car, which she’d parked in the driveway. “How’s your arm?”

  “Sore, but it’s only a sprain.”

  “Good.” She gave him a warm smile and moved to open her car door.

  “Wait.” He stepped closer and reached out his good arm to stop her.

  She paused
and raised a brow, her fingers still on the handle.

  “I was thinking maybe we could go out for dinner sometime.”

  Her gaze slammed into his, and she licked her full lips. “I don’t know, Blake.”

  “Come on, Susan. Give me a chance. Give us a chance.” He took another step closer, resting a hand on the roof, invading her space and pinning her to the car.

  * * *

  Susan’s heart beat a rapid staccato. Blake stood so close, his warm breath touching her cheek. She wanted to give him what he asked for—to feel his arms around her again, the touch of his lips on hers. It’d be so easy to let herself love him again. She closed her eyes, indecision clouding her focus. What should I do, Lord?

  Blake’s hand cradled her cheek. She pressed into his palm, her emotions warring. She couldn’t look at him. The memory of his lips on hers at her birthday brought a smile, but just as quickly it left.

  “Susan,” he whispered her name, and his lips brushed her mouth with butterfly kisses.

  Her insides thrilled at his kiss, but too fast, he pulled back.

  “Give us a chance. Life is too short to waste any more time playing cat and mouse.”

  Her eyes shot open, and she took a step back. “Cat and mouse?” She glared at him.

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m confused. Why are you angry?”

  “You think I’m playing games with you. Is that all I am to you—a game?”

  “What? That’s not what I said or meant!” He gentled his voice, closed the gap between them and ran his hand up and down her arm. “I’m not playing games with you, Susan.”

  A shiver ran through her even though it was hot out. “I have to go. I’m sorry, but I don’t see how you and I could ever get back to where we once were. Too much has happened.” She pulled the car door open.

  He held on, preventing her from closing it. “Then let’s start fresh. Forget our past. Let me take you to dinner. We can get to know each other again.”