Bright Tomorrow

by Linda Wisdom

  "Deb?" Her voice came out in a croaking whisper.

  Debra rose swiftly and came to Lisa's bedside. "How do you feel?" she asked, looking down with a smile.

  "As if my mouth had been stuffed with cotton and they forgot to take it out." Lisa grimaced.

  Debra poured some water into a plastic cup, then held it to Lisa's lips, supporting the back of her head as she lifted her up.

  "Do they know how it happened?" Lisa asked after Debra set the cup down.

  "A drunk driver." Debra looked disgusted. "Of course, he didn't have a scratch on him. The police have him in custody. You were lucky in being thrown clear, though. The car burned completely. The gash on your arm took eight stitches, but there won't be any scar to speak of."

  "How is Dan doing?" Lisa asked hoarsely.

  "He's listed in critical condition, Lee. It looks like he won't be back to work for awhile."

  "All because he wanted to show me his house," Lisa whispered to herself.

  "His house?" Debra looked puzzled, then she decided the medication must still be affecting Lisa's thought processes. "The doctor said I'm not to stay very long because I'll overtire you. I brought you a couple of nightgowns and some make-up. Also some magazines and books." She smiled fondly at Lisa. "Look at the bright side, Lee. Three doors down this hall you have a captive audience to work your charm on. Take advantage of it. Full advantage. I'd better go before the nurse comes in and throws me out. I'll be back tomorrow."

  Surprising herself, Lisa easily fell asleep again. When she woke up that afternoon, the doctor was entering her room with a nurse.

  "Well, you certainly look much better than you did last evening when you were brought in." He smiled at her. "How are you feeling?"

  "My head still aches a little, and I feel as if my throat was lined with cotton wool," she admitted.

  The doctor adjusted his stethoscope, listening to Lisa's heart, then checked her pulse. "You're a very lucky young woman," he commented, making notes on her medical chart. "In fact, if the tests and X-rays come out the way I expect them to, I'll discharge you the day after tomorrow."

  Lisa shook her head, uninterested in her own well-being. "How is Mr. Nolan doing?" she asked. "Is there a chance that I could see him? Talk to him?"

  "He's been taking a long nap. You can see him tomorrow for a few minutes. He's been asking for you." The doctor smiled. "Right now he still needs peace and quiet. You can get up tomorrow for some exercise, but don't go running in any marathons for awhile."

  After a light dinner, Lisa lay back against her pillow, leafing idly through a magazine. She was unused to lying around and doing nothing. The accident now seemed a hazy dream to her, except for the throbbing of her arm and the ache at her temples. Then she remembered Dan lying motionless near the burning car. The ugly wounds. She shuddered, remembering the frightening scene.

  The following morning, with the assistance of a kindly nurse, Lisa took a shower and washed her hair. Then she changed out of her cotton hospital gown and into one of her own nightgowns and a powder blue robe. A touch of make-up helped hide the paleness of her features. Because of the pain in her arm, Lisa settled for just brushing her hair away from her face, securing it with a clip.

  "Think you'd like to take a short walk now?" the nurse smilingly suggested. "At least down the hall a little ways?"

  "I'd like to very much." Lisa's face lit up.

  Quietly entering a hospital room very much like her own, Lisa viewed the patient in the bed with growing alarm. An i.v. bottle was set up next to the bed, with a tube leading down to Dan's arm. A white bandage was over one eye. His head slowly turned at the sound of a visitor, and a faint smile broke over his pale features.

  "Hi," Dan greeted her in a voice huskier than usual. "I'm sorry that I'm causing you to use your sick leave sooner than expected."

  "I'm just glad you're all right." Lisa's voice throbbed with concern. "They wouldn't tell me very much. I was so worried about you."

  "I'm doing fine. Do you think they'll let you stay for awhile?" Dan gestured weakly toward the chair near the bed. His eyes strayed toward the bandage on Lisa's arm, visible just below the short sleeve of her robe, then upward to her face, with a questioning look.

  "Eight stitches." Lisa laughed it off. "They're only keeping me for some tests today." Her voice dropped to a low whisper. "They said that you were critical. That you had been badly hurt. You were so still out there."

  Dan's eyes caught her in a compelling gaze. "I'll be fine," he said quietly.

  Lisa's hand tentatively reached out, gently touching the scratches on Dan's exposed arm. "They said it was a drunk driver." Her voice could barely be heard. "He didn't even get hurt."

  "Just think of the beautiful day we had," Dan told her. "I'm just glad you're all right." The expression on his face changed abruptly. "I wouldn't have wanted anything to happen to you."

  "I think you better let Mr. Nolan get some rest," the nurse said, quietly entering the room. "You also have to go down to have some X-rays taken now."

  Lisa stood up and impulsively leaned down, dropping a light kiss on Dan's lips.

  "I'll enjoy being an invalid if I can keep getting attention like this," he murmured as she straightened up.

  "I'll see if I can come back later," she promised with a smile.

  "Don't worry. I won't be going anywhere," he said wryly.

  Glad that Dan felt well enough to joke, Lisa was able to smile more naturally at him.

  She was eating her dinner later when the doctor walked in with a broad smile on his face. "Good news," he greeted her. "No signs of internal injuries. I don't see any reason why you can't leave tomorrow as long as you make sure to take it easy when you're home."

  "I'm glad to hear it. But what about Mr. Nolan? I know he'll have to stay here longer, but is he doing all right?"

  "He's doing just fine, but he'll be here for at least ten more days. Of course," he grinned, "from the looks of his visitor he may get better a lot sooner. The blonde in there with him now doesn't seem the type to play nurse for too long."

  Lisa's spirits sank; the doctor had to be talking about Morgan Grant. She certainly hadn't wasted any time!

  Dinner suddenly seemed very unappetizing. She had thought of going down to visit Dan after she had finished eating. Now it was the last thing she wanted to do. She couldn't bear to see Morgan Grant hovering over Dan, speaking to him in that seductive voice of hers.

  After trying to concentrate on a television program she didn't care for, Lisa finally switched off her light. It was a long time before she fell asleep, and even then there were tears on her face.

  The following morning, Lisa was up early, dressed and ready to leave before Debra arrived. She had just finished packing her overnight case when someone appeared in the doorway.

  "Hello, Miss Winters." Morgan's voice was cool and distant. "I understand that you were with Dan in the accident. I must say, you were very lucky."

  "Yes, I guess I was," Lisa said matter-of-factly, snapping the case shut and turning to face the other woman.

  Morgan stood at ease, cool and elegant in a silver-blue suit of raw silk. "I've known Dan for a long time, Miss Winters." Her voice was conversational, as if they were discussing nothing more important than the weather. "And I won't allow some little nobody of a secretary to take him away from me. Dan and I have an excellent relationship. Stick with that Mr. Connors. He seems to be more than interested in you. Dan isn't for you."

  "I think I'll just leave that decision to Dan, if you don't mind," Lisa said calmly.

  "As far as I'm concerned, there will be no repeat of this conversation. The next time I'll take more drastic action." Morgan turned and left the room.

  Lisa sat down on the bed before her trembling legs could collapse beneath her. She now knew that war had been declared. She also knew that Morgan would do anything in her power to discredit Lisa in Dan's eyes, if Lisa didn't follow the other woman's advice. The implications were frightening.
r />   "Ready to go?" Debra asked gaily, breezing into the room with a nurse pushing a wheelchair behind her.

  "Definitely," Lisa said fervently.

  Debra picked up Lisa's suitcase. "Do you want to stop by to see Dan before you leave?"

  "No, I believe he's occupied right now." Lisa's voice sounded cool, and she was amazed at her own self-control.

  "I peeked in his room on my way over here, and he was all by himself." Debra was surprised by Lisa's sudden change.

  Lisa chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip. She glanced up at the nurse. "Would you mind waiting a few moments?"

  "Of course not." The nurse smiled cheerfully.

  Lisa hurried down the hall, afraid, now, of finding Morgan in the hospital room. She heaved a sigh of relief on seeing that Dan was alone.

  "So they're going to let you out?" Dan greeted her with a smile.

  "Yes, Deb's here to take me home." She returned his smile. "I just thought I'd come in to say goodbye."

  "I should think that would be a little difficult since we do happen to work together," he said dryly. "Perhaps you could find the time to visit your old boss before he gets discharged."

  A smile curved Lisa's lips. "If you'd like me to."

  "I would—very much," Dan said quietly.

  "I'll be able to go back to the office a week from Monday, so I'll try to hold things together," she told him, aware of the rapid way her heart was pounding. "I better go before Deb comes looking for me." She turned to leave.

  "Lee?" She turned at his questioning tone. "No good-bye kiss?" There was a hint of a wicked gleam in his blue eyes.

  Flushing deeply, Lisa leaned down and dropped a kiss on Dan's cheek.

  "I know you can do better than that, but I'm afraid I'm not in a position to argue," he said wryly.

  "Take care, Dan," she said softly, before leaving the room.

  Lisa was quiet during the drive back to the apartment. Her thoughts were back with the man lying in the hospital bed, and with the blonde-haired woman who would make sure to be with him, keeping anyone away who might distract his attention from her.

  During the next few days, Lisa discovered that she still needed to rest. The day after she came home from the hospital, she was lying on the couch, reading, when the doorbell rang. Puzzled as to who it could be, she was surprised to find a delivery boy, who handed her a colorful bouquet of flowers arranged in a straw basket.

  She slit open the envelope and read the card with a smile.

  From one comfortable teddy bear.

  After raising the bouquet to inhale the sweet fragrance, Lisa set the flowers down on the table where she could easily see them during the course of the day.

  Chapter Six

  That Saturday, Lisa drove to the hospital to see Dan. Unsure whether Morgan might be there, and not wanting another confrontation with her, Lisa cautiously peeked around the door.

  "Why not come in all the way?" Dan's amused voice called out.

  Lisa's startled eyes darted over to the window, where Dan was seated in a chair, a book in his lap. "You're up," she said inanely.

  "They don't believe you should lie around too much after surgery," he explained. "Don't worry, I'm not able to chase you around the bed yet."

  "Thank you for the flowers," she said softly. "But don't you think that I should be sending them to you?"

  "I'd feel pretty silly getting flowers." Dan grinned, then sobered. "How's your arm?"

  "It's stopped throbbing." She sat down in a nearby chair. "Have they said when you can go home yet?"

  "The end of next week," he replied, grimacing as he shifted his position. "The first thing I'll have to do is look for another car. Mine isn't fit for more than the junkyard anymore."

  "Is there anything you need?" Lisa asked.

  "No, thanks; I've got a supply of murder mysteries to keep me occupied." Dan gestured toward a small stack of paperback books. "What have you been up to?"

  "I'm trying to get my energy back. I feel ridiculous getting tired so easily," she admitted. "I'll be glad to get back to work on Monday." Her voice drifted off, as she realized that Dan wouldn't be there.

  "I guess I'll have to keep in touch by phone until they let me go back to work again," he told her, then launched into a series of instructions for Lisa to follow during the next week.

  "Trust you to keep on working no matter where you are." Morgan's throaty voice came from the doorway. Her eyes were as cold as ice as they rested on Lisa. "You must be very conscientious to come out here on a Saturday, Miss Winters."

  Only Lisa could hear the faint mocking undertones in Morgan's voice. "I'm sure Mr. Nolan will tell you that we have a very heavy workload," Lisa murmured, hurriedly rising to leave. "Well, I'll be going. I'll keep you informed of anything important that may come up, Mr. Nolan," she said formally.

  Dan's eyes were puzzled as he looked up at her set features.

  "Now, darling, you're supposed to be convalescing, not worrying about your work," Morgan scolded prettily, entering the room. "Miss Winters should be ashamed of herself." She turned to Lisa with false solicitude. "You're looking quite pale yourself, dear."

  "Yes, I'm sure I am." Lisa's eyes refused to waver from the other woman's steady gaze. "Good-bye, Mr. Nolan. I'll be sure to keep the office in good order for you." She turned to leave.

  "Good-bye, Lisa." Dan's quiet voice followed her out of the room.

  When Lisa reached her car, she sat behind the wheel, unsure whether to cry or laugh. It appeared that Morgan would get her way after all. Lisa suspected that she was a vindictive enough woman to do whatever was necessary to achieve her aim.

  Lisa was glad to get back to work on Monday, even without Dan there. When she arrived at her desk, she found Mark there ahead of her.

  "You're looking fine, Lee." He smiled warmly. "I'm sorry I didn't get to come by and see you. You know how hectic things get around here."

  "I'm afraid I spent a great deal of time sleeping, anyway," Lisa replied. "The pain pills the doctors give you these days can really knock you out."

  Mark glanced around, as if to make sure that there was no one within earshot. "It's surprising that you and Nolan were together that day."

  "You don't have any claim on me, Mark." Lisa's voice was a warning.

  "I just don't want to see you get hurt, Lee," Mark said quietly.

  Lisa smothered a laugh. Those were the exact words Dan had used regarding Mark. Was either of them truly concerned about her welfare? She was beginning to doubt it.

  "We heard that Nolan will be discharged a week from Friday if all goes well. He'll rest at home for a while before returning to work though." Mark added sarcastically, "I guess he'll want, you to work there during that time."

  Lisa looked down at the week's accumulation of mail on her desk. She was anxious to get rid of Mark and get back to work.

  "I think I'd better get back to earning my salary." Her crisp voice was a dismissal. "It's amazing how things pile up when you're away for more than a couple of days. I'm afraid Mr. Nolan is going to have his work cut out for him when he returns." She sat down in her chair.

  "I'll see you later, Lee," Mark said, and left her alone.

  Lisa found the office quiet with Dan not there. Her only contact with him was over the telephone several times a day. Although he hinted that she should come down for a visit, Lisa chose to ignore him. She didn't care to run into Morgan again, not so soon anyway.

  Anxious to keep her thoughts away from Dan, Lisa accepted several lunch and dinner invitations from Mark, much to his surprise and delight.

  "I have a special place I'd like to take you to this evening for dinner," Mark told her one Friday over lunch. "I think you'll enjoy it."

  "Then I'll make doubly sure to look extra special for you," Lisa said lightly, as she glanced at her watch. "Oh, oh; I'd better get back to the office. I'm late now."

  When Lisa arrived back at work, she found a message telling her to call Dan at an unfamiliar telephone numb
er. She dialed; the line rang only twice before it was picked up.

  "Nolan here."

  "Dan, it's Lisa. I got your message." How could she sound so calm when her pulses were pounding just at the sound of his voice?

  "They finally turned me loose," he told her. "I thought that you would take pity on me and come over and cook dinner."

  "I'm sorry, Dan, but I have a date this evening," Lisa tried to keep her voice light when all she felt inside was dismay.

  "Oh? With Connors?" Dan asked sharply.

  "Yes." To keep her hands from trembling, she picked up a pencil and idly doodled on a scrap of paper.

  "I see," he said flatly.

  No, you don't see at all, Lisa thought miserably to herself.

  "I'd appreciate it if you'd come over here for a few hours on Monday afternoon," Dan said crisply. "About one."

  "I'll be there," she said softly.

  "Have a good weekend, Lee." Dan hung up.

  Lisa set the receiver down, feeling oddly like crying. She had a good idea that Morgan would gladly go over to Dan's and fix dinner for him instead. An intimate dinner for two.

  "I hope she's a horrible cook," Lisa whispered miserably to herself by way of consolation.

  She felt curiously flat that evening, as she dressed for her dinner date with Mark.

  "I've seen more enthusiasm for your semiannual trip to the dentist," Debra commented, watching Lisa apply her make-up.

  "I'm just tired, that's all." Lisa moved to the closet to take out a floor-length skirt with its blue-gray and matching print chiffon blouse.

  "How's Dan doing?" Debra asked deliberately.

  Lisa's fingers hesitated momentarily before they continued buttoning the tiny pearl-gray buttons on the front of the blouse. "He was discharged from the hospital today," she said, finally.

  "Why didn't you go back again to see him at the hospital, Lee?" Debra asked. "You said he asked you to."

  "It was very hectic at the office, trying to get caught up with all the work," Lisa said unconvincingly.

  "Dan wouldn't have minded if you got a little further behind with your work. Besides, you had the time to go out with Mark, and you haven't been staying late at the office," Debra quietly pointed out. "And I know it can't be because of Morgan Grant. You've never been worried all that much about competition before. And you can't say that the chemistry isn't there between you and Dan."