A Romance Rekindled (Heartsong Presents)

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  “I can’t.”

  “Why?”

  “Because, Blake, we have a trust issue.”

  “What are you talking about? I trust you completely.”

  “You may say that, but your actions show differently.” If he really trusted her he’d let her read his work. She held back a sob and yanked the door from his grasp, started the car and backed out. Her tires squealed as she peeled away. The screech echoed the cry in her heart. He didn’t trust her any more than she trusted him. Why couldn’t they get it right?

  * * *

  Blake slammed the front door to his house and paced across the room. What did she mean, no? Didn’t Susan hear what he said? Didn’t she feel what he felt? How could she turn her back on them?

  “What’s wrong?” Katie vaulted over the arm of the couch and landed in the center.

  “Save it for the gym,” he snapped.

  “What’s wrong? Why are you so grouchy? I thought you and Susan were—”

  “Nothing.”

  “Huh?”

  “Susan and I are nothing. Just mind your own business.” He stormed from the living room to his bedroom, ignoring the look of shock and hurt on his sister’s face. He shouldn’t have snapped. She was only curious. He owed her an apology, but the pain in his heart right now overwhelmed him. He lay prostrate across his bed and winced at the throbbing in his head. It didn’t matter—the pain fit his mood. “Lord, I don’t understand any of this. I still love her.” He rolled over and stared at the ceiling, easing the strain on his arm. He’d decided to stay here, Susan or no Susan. He would stay for Katie.

  A knock on his door made him jump. “Not now, Katie.”

  As time crept by, the shadows grew longer across the ceiling, and his eyelids drooped. He gave into the fatigue and slept.

  The next morning he woke early as the sun shone bright through the windows. He’d slept in his clothes on top of the covers. Rolling over he sat up. Birds chirped outside his window as the new day broke, but he couldn’t enjoy the happy sound. He should’ve apologized to Katie last night. Time to make apology pancakes for his sister, but first he needed a shower. She wouldn’t be up this early anyway. Hopefully, she’d found the lasagna in the fridge that Susan had left. Susan. His gut clenched at the thought of her. But he didn’t have time to wallow.

  He grabbed a fresh set of clothes then hustled to the bathroom. Maybe he’d fry up some bacon, too.

  Twenty minutes later Blake whipped up the pancake mix and heated the griddle. He formed three round circles then poured orange juice in two glasses. After flipping the pancakes, he went to Katie’s room and knocked. “Rise and shine!” He opened the door and stepped into her room. Sun poured through the windows, thanks to the open blinds. He turned and walked to the bathroom. Had she slipped past him?

  The bathroom stood empty. He opened the slider to the backyard. “Katie!” Where was she? He rushed back to her room. Her bed hadn’t been slept in. The odor of burning food filtered into the room. “Oh, no.” He ran to the kitchen, unplugged the griddle and clicked on the vent. “Great.”

  He grabbed his cell from the counter and tried Katie’s. The tune she’d assigned to his number played from her bedroom. He fought down rising panic. All the windows and doors were still locked, so no one had come in and taken her. Maybe she’d gone for a walk. But it was only seven-thirty in the morning. Katie would never voluntarily get out of bed that early.

  His heart thundered. Where could his sister have gone? Emily’s! He tried their number and got an error message. He tried again, but the call wouldn’t go through. He raked his hand through his hair. Maybe Susan would know what to do. He punched in her number which went straight to voice mail. Without leaving a message, he disconnected the call.

  Now what? He was stranded without his Jeep, but he still had his motorcycle. It was the only way. He removed the sling, grabbed his wallet and keys, then bolted. She had to be at Emily’s. She’d never run off before; then again, she’d never had any place to run to. Emily was the first friend she’d ever grown really close to.

  He mounted his bike. Seconds later he flew down the road. He downshifted and slowed for the turn ahead, but didn’t anticipate the piercing pain in his arm. He compensated with his right arm but he felt the wheels give. Gravel! The bike tipped. He tried to right it, but skidded across another patch. Pain seared through his body, then everything went black.

  * * *

  Susan walked toward the river and spotted Emily and Katie at a picnic table. Angry, loud voices drifted her way. Changing course slightly she veered to the right and approached the preteens. “Hi, girls.” Susan gave Emily a side hug. “Mind if I join you?”

  The girls shook their heads, but she didn’t miss the glare Emily shot Katie.

  “What are you doing down here?” Emily took a bite of her sandwich.

  Susan sat across from them. “Going for a walk. It helps clear my head. How about the two of you? I don’t see either your mom or your brother around.”

  “My mom is at Keira’s, dropping off my little brother. She left us down here to eat.”

  “I see. I couldn’t help overhearing the two of you arguing. Is there anything I can help you with?”

  Katie frowned and looked down. “Emily thinks I should call Blake and tell him where I am.”

  Susan sucked in a sharp breath. “What do you mean? He doesn’t know you’re with Emily, or that you’re by the river?”

  “Both. I ran away last night, but don’t freak out. I called Emily and stayed at her house.”

  Alarm shot through her—the early-morning phone call from Blake that she ignored suddenly made sense. Guilt for not answering devoured her. “Wow. That’s pretty serious. Care to talk about why?”

  “Not really.”

  “Does your mom know about this, Emily?”

  Emily shook her head.

  “Seems to me you girls have a lot of explaining to do, but let’s start with giving your brother a call. I imagine he’s worried sick.”

  “He could’ve called.” Katie crossed her arms and jutted out her chin.

  Sounded familiar. “That’s true, but maybe he’s hoping you will call him. Sweetie, I really think you need to let your brother know where you are. Even if you don’t go home just yet.”

  “But he yelled at me!”

  Susan snapped her head back and blinked. The child left because he yelled? If Susan had run every time her mother yelled at her she’d have been all the way to Texas by the time she was twelve. “Umm. Being yelled at by a parent is normal. Doesn’t Blake ever raise his voice at you?”

  “No. After you left yesterday he was supercrabby and told me to mind my own business.” She licked her lips. “I suppose he didn’t really yell at me, but he snapped, and it hurt my feelings.”

  “Then you need to tell him that.” Susan worried her bottom lip. Blake must be going crazy trying to find his sister.

  “Fine.” With a sigh, Katie reached into her backpack and felt around. Panic covered her face, and she dug deeper. “My phone’s not here.”

  Emily took the pack from Katie and peered inside. “You’re right. No wonder he didn’t call.”

  “I was in such a rush to leave I must’ve left it in my room.”

  Susan handed her cell over. “Use mine.”

  Katie held the phone to her ear and blinked back tears. “He’s not picking up. He must be superangry.”

  Susan frowned. She should’ve known better than to give his sister her phone. Blake was angry with her, not Katie. “Emily, can she use your phone? Blake probably won’t answer because it’s my number calling.”

  Katie’s face brightened. “I didn’t think of that.” She narrowed her eyes at Susan. “What did you do to him yesterday?”

  “Please don’t take this the wrong way, bu
t like your brother said, it’s between him and me.”

  “Harsh,” Emily said, then patted Katie’s hand. “Don’t feel bad. When my parents argue, they don’t tell me about it, either.” She gave Katie her phone.

  Katie pressed in the number and waited. Her eyes widened and this time tears pooled and dropped. “He didn’t answer this time, either.” She buried her head in her arms.

  Emily hugged her, and Susan stood when she spotted Julia headed their way. She met her halfway and explained what had happened.

  “Oh, no.” Julia held her hand to her mouth. “I can’t believe that little stinker ran away. I had no idea!” She looked at her wristwatch. “This really puts a damper on my plans. I was going to take the girls for ice cream and then swimming, but I can’t reward that kind of behavior. Emily should’ve told me as soon as she knew what was going on.” She shook her head. “I’m so angry with her for not telling me the truth.”

  “I understand. Would you mind if I take Katie home to her brother? He’s got to be out of his mind with worry. I’m afraid I’m the reason for this mess, and I’d like to make it right.”

  “Are you sure? I feel bad involving you.”

  “Don’t be. I’m in this deeper than you realize. Please let me take her.”

  “Okay. I hope you and Blake can work out your differences. Katie tells me that he’s pretty crazy about you.”

  Susan’s eyes widened.

  “Don’t tell me you didn’t know.” Shock registered in her eyes.

  She shrugged. He’d been clear that he wanted to see where things would go between them. He’d even kissed her—twice, but she hadn’t considered how deep his feelings went. “I don’t know what I know anymore. Don’t worry about Katie. I’ll take care of her.”

  Chapter 14

  Susan watched from her car as Katie tried the front door, then rang the doorbell. The girl stood there for several minutes then turned and lifted her arms.

  Susan opened the door and stepped out. “Come on, Katie. He’s probably out looking for you. Let’s go visit my friend Keira.”

  “That’s where Emily’s little brother is, right?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” Susan noted that Blake’s motorcycle was gone. He wouldn’t try to ride that thing with a sprained arm would he? But he must have—Katie was missing. What else would he have done? It wasn’t like he had anyone to help him. A sick feeling gripped her stomach. She’d noticed a spot on the roadway on the way there where it looked like there’d been an accident. No, she wouldn’t go there. There was no reason to believe he was involved in another mishap. Blake was an exceptional driver, and he was always careful on his motorcycle.

  “Where is Blake, Susan?” Katie looked at her with puppy-dog eyes.

  “I’m sure he’s out looking for you.”

  “But his arm... He’s supposed to be resting.”

  Susan reached over, grasped the child’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I know that, but when someone we love is missing, we do things we shouldn’t to find them. Your brother loves you very much, Katie. I have no doubt he’s looking everywhere he can think of for you.”

  “Why didn’t he just call Emily? Uh-oh. I remember. The phone wasn’t working at her house, and her mom had to borrow Emily’s cell because her cell battery was dead and she couldn’t find the charger.”

  Susan focused on driving and took the turn at the end with care. No sense in skidding off the road on loose gravel. Five minutes later she parked behind Keira’s apartment. The two walked up the back stairs together.

  Susan knocked and a moment later Cody answered. “Hi, Aunt Susan. Mom!” He ran around the corner.

  Susan and Katie stepped inside and closed the door.

  Keira walked out of the bathroom, and her eyes widened. “This is a surprise. Hi, Katie. What are the two of you up to?”

  Susan suggested Katie play with the boys while she filled Keira in. “This is such a mess. I told Julia I’d get her home, and now I can’t find Blake. His motorcycle isn’t in the driveway, either. I can’t believe this is happening. What should I do?”

  Keira looked at her with pursed lips and fear-filled eyes. Susan knew exactly where her friend’s thoughts had gone, and she refused to go there again.

  Blake was fine.

  He had to be.

  * * *

  Blake blinked his eyes open and looked around. His gaze rested on a sage-green wall straight ahead with a mounted television. He turned his head. A large window to his left looked out onto a massive hotel.

  A knock sounded on his door and it opened. “You’re awake.” A nurse walked across the short space and took his pulse.

  “How long have I been out?”

  “You were brought in this morning.”

  “What time is it now?”

  “Two-twenty in the afternoon. How are you feeling?”

  “Everything hurts.”

  “That’s to be expected. I’ll be right back.”

  “Before you leave. My cell phone?”

  She picked it up off a table and handed it to him. “I’m surprised it’s still intact, considering. I heard your bike wasn’t so lucky.” She left and the door closed behind her leaving him alone.

  He found Julia’s number in his phone book and called. Her voice mail picked up. “Hi, Julia. It’s Blake. I’m looking for Katie, and I’m hoping she’s with you. Give me a call back, please. I hit gravel on my motorcycle, and I’m in the hospital. Please call as soon as you get this message. Thanks, bye.”

  The door opened, and the nurse handed him a water bottle. “Here you go. I imagine your throat is rather dry.”

  “Thanks.” He placed the straw between his lips. Ahh, cool liquid trickled down his parched throat, and he sighed. “When can I get out of here? My sister is missing, and I need to find her.”

  The nurse looked at him like he was a loon. “I’ll check with your doctor, and let you know. He’ll be doing evening rounds in a couple of hours.” She reached up and adjusted the IV.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Adjusting your pain medication. Your doctor said to make you comfortable.”

  “But I need to get out of here.”

  “Not until the doctor releases you.”

  “What am I supposed to do in the meantime?”

  “Rest.” She walked out again.

  “But my sister...” His shout filled the silent room. He had to find her, and he couldn’t do that lying here. He yawned, and his eyelids grew heavy. Katie. He fought the painkiller and forced his eyes open. He flipped the covers back and winced as pain sliced through his arm. He swung his legs to the floor and stood. The room swam and he wobbled as everything grew dark.

  * * *

  Susan paced her friend’s small apartment.

  “Will you stop?” Keira whispered. “You’re making Katie nervous, and me, too. Have you tried calling him?”

  “Yes! Of course. I’ve tried at least a dozen times.”

  “Keep trying, and stop pacing.” Keira wrung her hands. “I can’t help but think the worst. What if he’s been in another accident?” she said quietly so the children wouldn’t hear.

  “Don’t say that! He’s fine.” All she’d have to do was walk across the street to the hospital and find out if Blake was there, but the fear that her friend could be right held her in place. They said knowing was better than not knowing something, but in this case she was too terrified to seek answers. Besides, Keira’s mind always jumped to the worst-case scenario since her husband was killed in a car accident. Her fear was probably the only reason Susan was freaking out.

  Susan plopped down on the chaise and looked out the window onto the crowded sidewalks below. No way would Blake be involved in two accidents in the same week. When she reached the man, she’d give him a piece of
her mind. What was he thinking traipsing off without telling anyone where he was going? She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Guilt ripped her insides—he’d tried calling and she’d ignored him.

  She had to get her mind onto something besides Blake. She looked to her friend who seemed stressed to the max. “Keira? Did you close your shop today?”

  “No. Holly’s filling in for a couple hours before she heads over to the hospital. Then my regular employee will be in.”

  “Oh? Why’s Holly going to the hospital?”

  “She works there several hours a week as part of her nursing-degree training.”

  Susan just nodded. She should’ve figured that out without asking. Where was Blake? He would never abandon his sister. Even though she wanted to be angry with him, she couldn’t be. Her cell rang, and she snatched it up. “Hello.” She winced at the anxiety in her voice.

  “Susan, it’s me. Blake.”

  “Where are you? I’ve been calling for hours.”

  “The hospital. They gave me a painkiller that knocked me out. I just woke and saw you’d called. Is everything okay?”

  “You didn’t listen to my messages? Why are you in the hospital?”

  “I wrecked my bike while looking for Katie. When I saw you’d called, I figured it’d be best to just call you first. Do you know where my sister is?”

  He’d crashed again! This couldn’t be real. “She’s with me, and I’m at Keira’s.” Her heart raced—he really was in the hospital. But he had to be okay, or he wouldn’t be calling—right?

  “Thank God!” He blew out a loud sigh. “That’s the best news I’ve heard since I came to town. Will you bring her to me? Oh, wait, hold on a sec.”

  She heard him talking to someone. “Hello? Blake?”

  “Blake’s on the phone?” Katie rushed to her and reached for the phone.

  Susan let her take it.

  “Blake!”

  Susan couldn’t hear him, but Katie’s eyes glistened, and she nodded. “Okay. We’ll be right there.” She thrust the phone at Susan. “Blake said he has to spend the night at the hospital, but wants me with him. Come on.” She pulled on Susan’s arm.