Sound of Summer

by Annette Broadrick

  Everyone had been so kind. The doctor assured her she was progressing satisfactorily, so she couldn't understand why she was so depressed.

  Her mind continued to dredge up memories of Adam. Why couldn't she forget him? He'd watched out for her, taken care of her, and according to the hospital staff, rushed her to emergency and sat with her until she was safely out of danger.

  Then he'd left.

  She couldn't understand why she'd grown so close to him in such a short time, but she felt as though she'd known him forever. He'd made it clear he wasn't affected in the same way.

  The door quietly opened and a young woman with short, black hair and sparkling, black eyes peered around the door.

  Selena smiled, glad to have her thoughts interrupted. "Come on in, Carolyn. It's good to see you."

  Carolyn's warm smile lit up the room. "It's great to see you looking so good. Clay said you really scared him when he first saw you— you were so pale."

  "The trouble with Clay is, he's never seen me without my makeup. That's my usual early-morning look—as though I'm ready to take my last breath." She took in Carolyn's radiant look. "For someone suffering from morning sickness you look remarkably healthy."

  Carolyn perched on the chair by the bed. "Oh, I'm doing better. The doctor gave me some medicine to take."

  "Well, I want you to know I'm pleased for you two."

  "Thank you. Clay took the news better than I expected."

  "Don't kid yourself. That man is so proud, the buttons on his shirt kept threatening to explode when he told me." She watched the woman who'd managed to wrap the elusive Clay Kenniwick around her little finger and was amazed that Carolyn still didn't recognize the power she had over trim. Selena had enjoyed watching their courtship and marriage these past two years and was determined not to settle for less than what those two shared.

  Adam's face appeared in her mind and she almost groaned. Will you go away and quit haunting me?

  "Are you still in much pain?" Carolyn asked sympathetically, and Selena realized she must have been scowling.

  "No, not really. I asked them not to give me any more shots for pain—I felt too disoriented. But the tablets take care of it."

  "The news media is reporting that you were shot in a hunting accident. What happened?"

  "I really don't know. I had intended to ask Adam but he never came back to the hospital."

  "Who's Adam?"

  "The man I was with."

  "Sounds interesting, tell me more."

  "I don't think I can talk about him right now, Carolyn. Someday, maybe."

  "Oh my. You must have really fallen for him."

  "'Fraid so. You'd think I'd have more sense."

  "If you love him, he must be quite a man. You don't give your love lightly."

  Selena stared at Carolyn in confusion. Where had she gained that insight about her? Perhaps she was right. She had met men who were suitably eligible and who confessed to worshiping her and wanting to marry her—but she could never commit herself.

  What had been so different about Adam?

  She didn't understand it herself, and she found it downright aggravating.

  "I know you're tired, and I need to run a couple of errands. Take care and I'll be in to see you tomorrow." Carolyn paused by the door. "Do you know when they intend to release you?"

  "Toward the end of the week, I understand."

  "Sounds good. See you later."

  Selena lay there staring at the door for a long time after Carolyn had left, wishing she could get excited about going home, going back to work, returning to her life-style. Somehow, none of it seemed to matter anymore.

  Clay hung up the phone and turned to Carolyn who was next to him, curled up in their massive bed.

  "You'll never guess who that was."

  Carolyn yawned. It was almost eleven. Normally she'd still be wide awake but her pregnancy kept her chronically drowsy.

  "Who?"

  "Adam."

  Carolyn sat up with a bounce. "Selena's Adam?"

  "Yep."

  "What did he want?"

  "He wanted to know how Selena was doing."

  "And you told him..."

  "I told him her recovery had been slow and that we were concerned about her."

  "But Clay, she's making an excellent recovery, you know that!"

  He grinned. "Physically, yes."

  "Oh ho. Now who's playing matchmaker?"

  "Not me. I just think it's interesting that he's so concerned. He filled me in on what happened up there. What he didn't tell me was even more interesting."

  "Are you sure you're not reading something into the situation?"

  "Hardly. The man I knew would never have bothered to check on anyone, once he knew she was going to survive."

  "I didn't realize you knew him."

  "That's because I knew him under another name. You don't forget a person who once saved your life."

  He reached over and flicked off the lamp, then stretched out beside Carolyn, wrapping his arms about her.

  "When was this?"

  "Oh, several years ago."

  "Maybe it's better if I don't ask for details."

  He kissed her. "You're probably right."

  "That was great, Selena," the director said. "All right, everybody. We'll be filming the next scene at two o'clock." He waved his hand at the assembled group and walked off the set.

  Wearily Selena slipped a robe over the frothy gown she'd worn for the scene. She'd been expected to be her most seductive, alluring self, and she wondered if being able to perform on a regular basis was worth having to do the type of scenes that were expected of her.

  Her character had very little depth—she was merely a foil for the hero, a light comedy relief at times—and the director used her flair for comedy. But oh, how she'd love to have a part with some depth to it—a chance to show another side of her talent, besides her legs and cleavage.

  She opened the door to her dressing room and stopped in surprise. Clay sat there waiting for her.

  Selena wondered what she would have done without Clay and Carolyn during the six weeks since she'd left the hospital. They'd insisted she convalesce at their home, and they'd kept her entertained while she fought the depression that seemed to have overcome her.

  Clay had been on the set earlier, but she hadn't seen him for the past hour and assumed he'd already left

  "How about having lunch with me?" he asked.

  Selena felt almost embarrassed that she felt such a need to be alone. But it was no use-she knew she made rotten company.

  "Maybe another time. I brought an apple and a piece of cheese to munch on while I reviewed my lines for the afternoon."

  Clay's eyes narrowed slightly. "Come on, Selena, you never come in without knowing your lines backward and forward. If you don't want to have lunch with me, why don't you say so?"

  "It isn't that, Clay. I...maybe you're right. I probably should get out"

  "Great I'll meet you in the lobby as soon as you change."

  But when Selena walked into the lobby, she discovered Clay wasn't alone. A tall, sable-haired man in a well cut, charcoal-gray suit had his back to her, speaking to Clay. When Clay saw her, he said something to the man, who turned around. "Adam!"

  His smile lit up the lobby, and Selena wondered what happened to the starch in her knees—they suddenly felt as though they could no longer support her.

  She held her hand out to him, but instead of shaking it, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. Pulling back slightly, he whispered, "Hello."

  Clay stood watching the two of them with a mischievous grin. After a series of phone calls from Adam, Clay had gone up to the cabin to visit him. They'd spent several hours catching up on the years since they'd last met.

  When Clay had finally introduced the subject of Selena, he knew his instincts had been right.

  "Is she doing better?" The intensity of Adam's expression had given him away. Clay felt no qualms when h
e told him she wasn't recovering as well as they'd hoped—which was true. He just didn't tell him his suspicions why.

  When Clay invited Adam to come to Los Angeles, Adam explained that he probably wouldn't be going there for several months, not until fall at least. Yet three weeks later he'd called him to say he was in town and asked Clay how to contact Selena. So Clay had brought him to the studio.

  "It's good to see you, Adam. I almost didn't recognize you."

  "I thought it would be a good idea to see if I could still function in the civilized world, so I came down for a few days."

  Her eyes shone. "I'm so glad you did."

  Never had Clay felt quite so invisible. "Are you ready? I have reservations for twelve o'clock."

  They both looked around at him as though startled to find him there. It was almost impossible for him not to laugh. Each of them had been so careful not to discuss the other one except in the most general terms, but since seeing them together he knew that these two were very much in love. It would be interesting to find out if either of them were aware of it

  The booth was small and Selena felt the length of Adam's thigh against hers. She had no more room to slide away and, at least being honest with herself, admitted that she wanted to stay right there beside him.

  His arm brushed against her and she felt it tense. "I'm sorry to crowd you. I'm surprised they sat us here. The table was obviously meant for two people."

  She smiled up at him, her eyes dancing. "I'm not complaining."

  Her smile hit him like a blow to the stomach. God, how he'd missed her! He'd lost count of the sleepless nights he'd spent, trying to purge her memory from his mind. That smile was one reason he hadn't been successful. "I'm glad to hear it."

  "You know, I can't get over how you two managed to meet each other. Adam filled me in on some of the details since you weren't too forthcoming," Clay complained to Selena.

  Selena glanced up from her salad. "I thought you said you didn't remember him."

  The men exchanged glances. "Well, I've never been that great with names, but I never forget a face!" He leaned back in a relaxed manner and smiled benignly. "How could I possibly forget the man who inspired me to invent Derringer Drake!"

  The twin looks of shocked surprise caused him to burst out laughing. It had been worth giving away his closely held secret.

  "You mean Adam was—"

  "Are you saying that—"

  Clay held up his hand.''Wait a minute. One at a time, please." He glanced at Adam. "I'm surprised you didn't recognize yourself."

  Selena's gaze fell on Adam as well and her mind quickly reviewed all she'd read. "You mean to tell me that Adam actually lived that sort of life?"

  "Let's just say I merely embellished a few facts—changed names and locations to protect the guilty and to avoid a lawsuit, but basically, it was a fairly accurate account of his fife-style."

  "Oh my God," she whispered.

  Adam shook his head. "I'll admit I've been impressed with the technical correctness of your writing, but I had no idea you had based your character on a real person." He grinned slightly. "But I know I never had the women around me that Derringer always seems to collect."

  "I said you inspired me to write about the character; I had to add a few extras of my own."

  "Yes," Selena agreed. "His character's romantic entanglements are all based on Clay's exploits."

  "Now cut it out, Selena. You've given me enough trouble with that kind of remark." He looked at Adam. "When you meet Carolyn, you'll understand why I discovered I couldn't be happy without her."

  Adam smiled. "I believe I understand the feeling."

  He didn't look at Selena nor she at him, but her heart started racing at his comment. Was it possible he shared her feelings? She was afraid to hope, but a singing sensation of anticipation swept over her all the same.

  "When are you going home?" she asked.

  Almost reluctantly, it seemed, Adam turned his head and looked intently into her eyes. "That depends."

  "On what?"

  "On whether you will see me tonight."

  Once again Clay felt invisible as he watched the two across the table from him. He'd never before enjoyed the sensation quite so much.

  "I'd like that very much."

  "When?"

  "About seven, if that's all right."

  "That's fine."

  The messages going between them had nothing to do with the words they spoke, and Selena could feel her heart slamming against her chest. If she didn't calm down, there was a strong possibility she'd go into cardiac arrest!

  "Guess we'd better get back to the studio, right?" Clay asked.

  Selena looked around her with wide-open eyes as though surprised to find herself in a crowded room. "Sure."

  Adam obligingly slid out of the leather-covered bench seat and helped her to stand.

  When they dropped her off at the studio, Adam had the directions to her home tucked safely in his pocket.

  She gave them both a wave and hurried into the building. She only hoped she could remember her lines for the afternoon's scenes!

  Chapter Ten

  Selena decided to have dinner waiting when Adam arrived. She wanted to be alone with him—to talk with him without the noise of others around. Her living room, which had a view of the Pacific Ocean, was washed in warm colors, and she placed a small table in front of the glass wall, overlooking the beach.

  Her hands shook so that she could scarcely light the peach-colored candles that matched the place mats on the mahogany table. Dinner was simple—salad and a main dish—as she hadn't had time to prepare anything more elaborate.

  When the doorbell rang she was convinced her heart stopped beating. She was getting irritated with that irresponsible organ that refused to operate in a normal, consistent manner. After taking two slow, deep breaths, she smoothed the front of the hostess gown she wore and walked to the door.

  Adam had changed to a dark suit and he look absolutely marvelous. Selena had known men more handsome, with a distinctive flair for clothes, and with sparkling personalities and great charm and wit. But for some reason this man had stolen her heart, if he but knew it. And if the darned thing didn't start behaving, she was about ready to get rid of it anyway.

  "You're very prompt, Adam, come in." Was that her voice sounding so calm and relaxed? She couldn't believe it. Her years of training had obviously paid off.

  Adam had seen Selena in a dress for the first time at lunch. The soft, satiny material of the dress she now wore demurely fell to her toes but lovingly emphasized every curve of her body.

  He almost groaned at the reaction he was having just looking at her. The sooner they found a nice, public restaurant the better. He paused in the archway of the living room, his gaze falling on the carefully arranged dinner table.

  "Oh, if you don't mind, I thought we might eat here. It will be so much more quiet and give us a chance to talk without interruption."

  Exactly what I was afraid of I need constant interruption or my thoughts are going to get me in trouble before the evening is over.

  ''I didn't want you to go to the trouble to prepare a meal. You had a hard day and I thought you'd want to relax and be waited on for a change."

  "My dinner isn't fancy but it was quick. However, if you'd rather eat out—"

  "Oh, no. I've never enjoyed crowds that much."

  "Neither have I," she murmured.

  Oh, hell. How was he going to get through an entire evening alone with her? You spent several days alone with her. True, and he'd already used up all of his restraint.

  "Would you like a drink?"

  "Sounds fine."

  "Wine or—"

  "Whatever you're having."

  She couldn't remember a time when they'd been so polite to each other. She didn't know how to break the tension that had entered the room with him. Should she be honest and admit how much she'd missed him?

  Selena poured two glasses of white wine and offered him
one, motioning for him to sit down. The view from her living room was spectacular—guaranteed to soothe the most tumultuous case of nerves. As they sat there sipping their wine and gazing at the tranquil scene, Selena could see that Adam was slowly being drawn into that serenity.

  "You have a beautiful place here. It's hard for me to understand why you needed to leave it."

  Selena smiled. "Perhaps so that I could better appreciate it when I came home."

  "I've never told you how sorry I was you were hurt."

  His eyes seemed to peer deeply into her soul.

  She felt as though he knew what she was thinking, so she might as well give voice to it. "Why did you leave?"

  He heard the soft hesitancy, the overtone of pain, and recognized for the first time that she was equally involved with him, whether she wanted to be or not. Whether he wanted her to be or not. They might as well face it together.

  "I was scared."

  "Scared? You? Of what?"

  "Of what I was feeling."

  They continued to stare at each other and Selena felt the strong surge of feeling he was always able to provoke within her, only this time she didn't fight it. "What were you feeling?"

  He shrugged. "As though I had a right to be there, as though you really were mine to protect...and love."

  "I wanted you to come back so much. I pleaded with Clay to leave me there, but he wouldn't."

  "I know. He explained to me the reasoning for transferring you. It made sense."

  "Did you ever go back to the hospital?"

  "I called. I didn't intend to see you again but I wanted to be sure you were all right. They told me you'd left."

  "If you didn't want to see me again, why are you here?"

  "I would think that's obvious... I couldn't help myself. I had to see you."

  Selena's hand was trembling so, she was afraid of spilling her wine. She carefully set it down on the table beside her, absently noting that Adam had drained his glass and had also act it down.

  Taking a deep breath Selena stood up and crossed over to the large, overstuffed chair that Adam occupied and knelt down in front of him. "I'm so glad you did. I've missed you very much." She rested her hand on his knee and felt the muscle tense.