by Freda, Paula
Strong hands were suddenly lifting her. She shivered, despite the heat, but at least she was not alone any longer. She couldn't see past the blur, but she recognized his voice, and the concern and the caring. He always kept his promises.
"Macey, sweets!" Cal cried her name as he lifted her shoulders from the pillow and cradled her against his chest. She was shivering and burning up with fever.
Earlier that morning, he'd made breakfast, hoping to wake Macey with the tantalizing smells of sizzling bacon and eggs, and toasted English Muffins. His mother had made a point of teaching her children how to at least make a good meal to start off their day.
Not a stir from the guest bedroom had him surprised. As lunchtime approached, he knocked on the door. No answer. Gingerly, he tried the knob. It wasn't locked. He opened it a crack and called her name. That's when he heard her moan, and flung the door open to find her raging with fever and on the point of convulsing. He didn't waste time wondering what was happening. Just gathered her in his arms, blankets and all, and rushed from the apartment. He took the elevator to the main lobby, hoping the guard was there to call for help, or direct him to a hospital. He was frantic, and not thinking as clearly as he should.
The moment he reached the lobby, the guard assessed the situation and immediately called 911.
Within the hour, Cal was arguing with the nurses and the doctor in the emergency room to let him remain at her side while they brought her fever down to stop the uncontrollable trembling. They finally convinced him to wait outside by leaving the door open so he could see within, while they administered medications and connected her to monitors to follow her progress.
After what felt like hours, but was merely thirty minutes, the doctor and the nurse stepped away from Macey and the gurney. Her trembling had stopped. The doctor came out. "She's okay. She was on the verge of a febrile convulsion. Has she been ill recently prior to this? A virus, or trauma, or undue stress?"
"She did get caught in a terrible storm a week ago, drenched to the bone, and suffered light hypothermia. But she recovered within a few hours." As for undue stress, Cal thought, definitely, but it would take too long to explain, and the doctor might recommend a psychologist for both of them. He added simply, "We just landed in New York, yesterday, from southwest Montana. I can vouch for the jet lag."
The doctor nodded. She may not have recovered as quickly from the hypothermia as you thought. I'd like her to stay a couple of days for observation. But she's responding favorably to the fever suppressants. She needs to rest and I'll start her on antibiotics just in case. I know you were asked this on the admitting questionnaire, but I need to make doubly sure that she's not allergic to any medications or antibiotics."
Cal reassured him. "I've known Macey since we were children. Our families are close, and we shared the same pediatrician and family MD. She's never been allergic to anything." except, he thought, shaking his head, good ole' common sense. "I included in the questionnaire the family doctor's number back home, as well as that of Macey's parents and next of kin."
"Yes, I saw the information, but the nurse can't get a hold of them, except for their answering machines. She left a message."
Cal explained, "The doctor who took over his father's practice when he retired, carries on his dad's custom of making house calls. He's probably out visiting a patient. And Macey's parents are usually out during the day working their horse ranch. They placed Macey in my care while she settles in New York." Cal frowned. "Some job I'm doing!" he added wryly.
"From what I'm seeing and hearing, you're doing a fine job. If you hadn't acted as quickly as you did, your lady friend might have lapsed into convulsions and coma. Well, let's see how she does these next forty-eight hours. I suggest you take care of your own health so you can be there for her."
Cal nodded his appreciation. "Thanks, Doc. Will she be staying in the Emergency Room?"
"If she continues stabilizing, we'll move her to a private room."
"When she wakes up," Cal said, "make sure you tell her I'm here."
"She might not wake up for hours."
"That's okay, doc. I can wait."
CHAPTER SEVEN
Macey sat on her mare enjoying the early Fall wind rustling the wheat fields and strumming their song through the meadow. Cool wind blew playfully through her long yellow hair, lifting the silky strands and creating a comet's tail behind her head. She loved this time of year, before the workers gathered the wheat and bundled it for harvesting.
She scanned the surrounding plain, searching for Cal in his favorite spot, under the bordering trees that gave way to the woodlands and the springs that fed the streams and the river. She spotted him, sitting on the ground, arms resting on upraised knees, grey green eyes fixed pensively on snow-capped mountains in the distance. She kneed her mare to ride swiftly toward him. The sun blinded her and she blinked several times to clear her vision.
Macey opened her eyes to find the meadows and her horse gone, and pale green walls and a hospital bed in their place. “Where—?" Despite the weakness, she managed to turn her head and saw Cal, sleeping on a metal armchair, his long legs stretched out before him. The last thing she remembered was going to bed in the Nelsons' apartment, feeling exhausted and a bit warm. Jet lag, she thought. A good night's rest would put her to rights. But she woke to find herself in a hospital.
She tried to lift her shoulders. Her body balked. "Cal ... Cal!"
He stirred, opened his eyes and saw her struggling to sit up. "Take it easy," he advised, hurrying to her side to support her shoulders. "Lie back, I'll raise the bed for you." When he'd done so, he rang for the nurse.
"What happened to me?" she asked.
"You spiked a fever, 106."
"How?" she asked, flabbergasted.
"Apparently you hadn't fully recovered from the hypothermia, as we all thought. That, coupled with stress and jet lag, took its toll. You have been on fever suppressants and antibiotics, and asleep for the past eight hours since you were admitted. How do you feel?"
"Don't call my parents."
"Too late. I already did."
"Oh, great. I can just hear them lamenting how they should have kept me home. One day away, and I've already caused trouble."
"On the contrary, Macey. They were sincerely worried about you. They'd be here by now, if I hadn't reassured them that you were on the mend. They want you to make it on your own."
Macey sighed. "Oh, I know they love me. I'm sorry I made that remark. It's just that it's a lousy beginning for the first day of my independence."
"Well, that's why they sent me along. To make it a bit safer as you strike out on your own."
"I don't think I've thanked you yet for your help.”
"No thanks necessary. Doin' what comes natural to me when it concerns you."
"Why do you do it, when I've turned you down so many times?"
"Macey, I'm not here to win your heart. I know I don't fit your image of your Mr. Right. I just want to see you start out on the right foot, and maybe even find that Mr. Right."
Macey glanced away. Cal was partially wrong about not fitting her image of the one she was searching for. Morally, he was everything she wanted that man to be. Cal was tall, strong, kind, and by no means ugly. She couldn't help it if the spark was missing. If physically, he did not fit the image she had nurtured since the first time she felt interest in the opposite gender.
The door opened and the Nelsons walked in. JoAnn hurried to her side. "Macey, how are you feeling?"
"I'm better, thank you."
Jim came up next to his wife. "Thank God, Cal found you when he did."
"Yeah," Macey murmured. "Guess I possibly owe him my life."
"If the fever had continued to rise, you might have suffered brain damage by the time we came home after work."
Cal said, "Let's change the subject. I don't think Macey wants to hear anymore about it. The doctor said if she continues as is, she can go home tomorrow with a clean bill of health. As
long as she takes it easy for the next few days, she can start her new job at your firm by next week."
Macey glanced askance at JoAnn.
"That's right," JoAnn said. "You're all signed up. A clerical position is waiting for you at our office."
Macey smiled. It was good news. She gazed from Cal to the Nelsons. "Thank you. Thank you all." There was hope for her, after all.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The following two months were a flurry of activity as Macey became dutifully employed as a filing clerk in Jim's law firm. JoAnn, his secretary and wife, guided her through learning her clerical duties. She was pleased to see that Macey was a quick learner and enjoyed the work. Anyone over-qualified might have found the sorting and filing tedious. But Macey appeared to fit the job. She was very much, as Cal described her, an innocent, simple soul, with a mischievous streak.
During this time, a couple of affordable studio apartments became available in the same hi-rise building, and with the Nelsons' reference backing, Macey and Cal signed short-term leases to rent with the option to renew. As luck would have it, and perhaps a Heavenly answer to a mother and father's prayer, Macey's apartment turned out to be on the same floor as Cal's.
Cal expressed his surprise to Tanner, during a phone conversation, shortly after he and Macey had each moved into their new dwelling.
"I honestly believed she'd give me hell when she learned my studio was only a few doors away from hers," he said to Tanner. "But all she did was give me a half-smile and a resigned sigh that told me she wasn't thrilled at the news, but it was okay with her for the time being."
"No doubt, she feels beholden to you," Tanner said. "She's mentioned it often enough that she owes you her life, or at least for saving her from possible brain damage from the raging fever. The balking will come when you begin interfering if she meets up with the wrong crowd and starts to lose her way."
Cal said, "The weather bureau has predicted a bad winter for NYC. I bought thicker lined boots for the frigid weather and heavy snowfall anticipated. They'll also protect my shins when your daughter starts balking and kicking."
Cal heard Tanner control a chuckle and clear his throat. It wasn't a laughing matter. His daughter's future and well-being were at stake. All the same, Cal thought, pulling a face, Tanner must be glad he wasn't standing in his place.
It took Macey exactly another month, to find and place them both into trouble.
CHAPTER NINE
Macey sat at the bar, relishing her newfound freedom. She was on her own, living in her own apartment, doing well at her clerical job, and approaching her twenty-first birthday. Cal sometimes joined her here. He had procured temporary employment as a sales clerk in a men's wear store. A college graduate, he could have found a better job, Macey thought, although his explanation made sense. "I won't be here that long," he told her when she made a face at the position he'd accepted via the employment agency.
He had been working there steadily for the past six weeks. Of course, the management liked him, Macey reasoned. Cal had a pleasant personality and a kind heart to go with it. She enjoyed their after-work conversations, trading stories about their day and sometimes reminiscing as they compared the differences between their lifestyles in Montana and New York.
She glanced at the entrance, wondering if Cal would show today. The glass paned door opened and the Englishman entered. Their gazes met. She smiled, recognizing him immediately and waved to him. He waved back and hurried toward her.
“Well, hello again,” he said, settling on the empty stool beside her. “What a pleasant surprise.”
“Yes, for me as well. I have been hoping to see you again.”
“Have you, now?” he said, with an inquisitive grin.
The corner of his mouth quirked in a way that fit her idea of a hero in a romance novel. Macey's heart beat quickened.
“We never got the chance to introduce each other,” Macey said, hopefully.
“No, unfortunately. But your husband was in a hurry to move on.”
“Oh,” she laughed. “He's not really my husband. Just an over-protective friend.
“Well, I can't say that I'm not glad to hear that. You're much too lively to be married to someone that stoic.”
She wasn't quite sure what he meant by stoic in regard to Cal. Probably that Cal was too reserved for someone as out-going as herself. “Well, he's not here now. So … my name is Macey. What's yours?”
“I like you,” he said. “My name is Lucas.”
“Lucas — ? Lucas what?” she asked.
“You didn't give me your surname?”
Her mother had taught her that a lady doesn't give her surname, until she knows for sure that she can trust the recipient. Macey didn't want to appear rude, but at the same time there might be some wisdom in waiting. “All right, let's leave it at that,” she said. “I'm Macey, you're Lucas,” she chuckled. “So, do you come here often?”
Lucas nodded, laughing along with her. “Occasionally,” he replied. “I've only been in this country for a year and my family resides in England. I like to canvass the neighboring bars and meet new … people.”
She attributed his pause to the differences in their native languages. “I understand. My kin are in Montana and I'm eager to make friends in my new world.”
“New men friends?” he asked, intrigued.
“Men and women,” Macey replied. “I only know a handful of folks in New York, so far.”
Lucas leaned forward confidently. “Perhaps we can expand our list of friends together.”
Macey nodded, her demeanor eager and enthusiastic. He definitely appeared interested in her.
“May I buy you a drink,” he asked.
“Oh, thank you, but I already have one.” Macey pointed to her glass of wine.
“Wine?” he asked, puzzled.
“I'm not much into hard liquor. I stick to beer and wine, and those in moderation. I learned the hard way, some months back,” she said, recalling the cave-in and the beer she had over-imbibed resulting in her foolish behavior that had almost cost her life and Chris', the young man who had dated her on the rebound from Cal's sister, Lexie.
“A wise choice,” Lucas said. “It's good to keep one's mind clear, and be completely self-aware.”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Well, perhaps you can introduce me to those friends you have made?”
“Oh, my pleasure,” she answered eagerly.
He seemed to be waiting for her to say something more.
She eyed him quizzically.
“Do you have some names for me?” he inquired, a sudden touch of impatience in his tone.
“Names?” she said, puzzled, aware they no longer were on the same wavelength.
“No, she doesn't!” Cal's voice startled her and she turned and nearly fell off the stool.
Cal caught her about the waist and held her in place, but his eyes remained fixed on Lucas.
Macey glanced from one to the other. The corner of Lucas' mouth quirked. Somehow the action no longer appealed. In fact, it appeared sinister.”
“I don't know what it's like in your town,” Lucas said, “but here we have rules and territories, and it can prove dangerous to intrude … unless, of course, arrangements are made—“
The subject matter hit her like a ton of bricks. “God almighty!” Macey's eyes nearly bulged. “What the … who … what do you think I am?” she demanded of Lucas.
Lucas scanned her face, saw clearly the indignant surprise. He looked at Cal, about ready to pummel him into mush. “I beg your pardon,” he said, with as much suavity as he could muster. My error. A gentleman always apologizes.” He slid off the bar stool and started to leave. Turning, he glanced at Cal. “I advise you to marry her quickly and take her back to Montana. She's far too naïve an angel to let loose in the City,” he smirked. He gave a quick sigh, then walked out of the bar.
Macey's face had warmed to a scarlet red. Embarrassed, ashamed, feeling two inches tall, she could no
t bring herself to meet Cal's gaze. Her dialogue with Lucas kept repeating in her mind, and the suggestive meaning of each question and answer, suddenly clear and frightening. If Cal hadn't shown up when he did, Lord knows what she might have gotten herself into. She wanted to throw her arms about him and thank him once again for saving her, but one glance at his face, and she knew what he must be thinking. Macey has done it again. Made a complete fool of herself and placed herself and everyone associated with her, in the path of danger. Flushed, tears brimmed in her eyes. She slid off the stool. Gathering her deflated ego, she looked up at Cal. “Thank you,” she said, simply, and headed for the exit. Cal followed her, keeping a few steps behind, as though he instinctually knew how foolish she felt, and didn't need his hovering above her to remind her.
He said nothing to her until they had reached her apartment. She stood in front of the door, eyes cast down, scoffing at herself. Perhaps they were all right. She shouldn't be on her own. She was too stupid and too full of herself. Cal stood behind her. His arms gently enclosed her waist and his breath tickled the curve of her neck. “It's all right, sweets. It's all new to you. Just chuck it up to life experience.” She felt his lips brush the side of her neck. Then he let go and walked past the few doors to his own studio.
CHAPTER TEN
A few days later, Cal met her in the hallway as she returned from work.
"How was your day?" he asked.
"Hectic," she answered, truthfully. This had been a busy week as several of the firm's cases were ready for trial. "You look as tired as I do," she said in earnest.
"It's almost Christmas," he said, "and the store has been flooded with more women than men."
Macey chuckled. She, herself, had visited the store on Cal's day off and purchased a Christmas gift for him. "Christmas shoppers," she consoled. Most forget the real meaning of the word Christmas. It's Christ's birth day."
