by Jessica Gray
“Fernando, I’m proud of you for saying no to them. I know this isn’t easy.” She paused and blew an unruly strand from her forehead. “It’s super-important for you to stay away from these guys. Not only because it’s a requirement of your probation, but more importantly, every time you talk with them will test your will to abandon your criminal past. You might not believe me, but I see it happen all the time.”
“It’s kind of hard to avoid them; we all live in the same neighborhood.”
Gwen nodded. “I realize that, and that’s why it might be a good idea for you to start looking for another place to live. If you’re serious about making a fresh start, that will increase the odds in your favor dramatically.”
His eyes lost the shine as he said in a defeated voice, “Even if I wanted to, it’s not an option. We don’t have spare money to move, and besides, who would want to rent an apartment to me?”
“There are landlords willing to give people like you a second chance.” She tried to sound optimistic, but unfortunately, he was right.
Gwen had been lucky. She’d never needed to find a place to live, to jump through the hoops of a landlord. When her parents had moved to Alaska a few years back, they’d let her stay in her childhood home. She looked at Fernando again. Yes, she had been very lucky.
“Unlikely. Nobody seems to believe that I want to change. Except for Amada. She understands and is really supportive.”
“She sounds like an amazing young woman,” Gwen offered, feeling a slight flush creeping into her cheeks.
Fernando must have noticed it too because he grinned. “You would like her. She even offered to postpone going to college and work a full-time job until I can get back on my feet. Of course I wouldn’t let her make such a sacrifice. It’s my job to take care of her, not the other way round.”
He finished speaking, but Gwen didn’t notice. She was fixated on his moving lips. Oh so kissable lips. She licked her own in an unconscious attempt to relive the sensation of his mouth closing over hers. Her chest heaved with unfulfilled desire, and she wondered how long she’d be able to resist the lure. Eleven months and a week without succumbing to his charms seemed like an impossible task.
“Are you still listening to me, Gwen?” His voice rolled over her, lulling her as if he wanted her to crawl into his skin. Be united with him.
“Gwen?”
She met his incredible brown eyes. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
He lowered his voice. “I said you want me so badly, you can’t even listen to me without daydreaming about what I could do to you.”
She blushed furiously. “You didn’t say that. And you can’t say that. And I don’t want you. Not the slightest bit.”
“It’s the worst lie I’ve heard in my life.” He chuckled and stood up. “I better leave. See you next week.”
As soon as he’d closed the door, a hollow filled the room, leaving Gwen wondering how on earth she could survive another week without seeing him. She’d longed for him to at least shake her hand, had anticipated the tingling zings on her skin, the warmth of his rough palms. She sighed deeply. And now she was left with nothing but yearning.
She gathered her things and left the meeting room to go to her office. Fernando wasn’t an evil person. The more she got to know him, the more she was certain he’d just made some poor decisions as a teenager, and from there, had spiraled down the wrong path. A path he was trying to change. Maybe there was hope for them? If both of them made it through the next eleven months without combusting from pent up desire.
On her drive home, she was still mired in her thoughts of Fernando and her mental cinema showed X-rated movies starring her and Fernando crumbling the sheets. Until the movie blacked out with a bang as she crashed into a car that crossed in front of her illegally.
She’d seen it too late to react, and metal screamed as the cars collided. She was thrown violently forward, and the airbag deployed, slamming her back into her seat before her head could hit the windshield, knocking the air out of her lungs.
Dazed, she sat there for several minutes while the world righted itself. Her head hurt like hell, and a trickle of warm liquid ran down her temple. She wanted to wipe it away, but the instant pain in her right wrist made her shriek and forsake the intention.
She breathed a few times deeply and then wiped the trickle with her left hand. At least this one seemed unscathed. But as she gazed at her fingers, they were red with blood. Shit. She must have knocked her head against the side window.
As she was still contemplating her situation, the sirens of emergency vehicles became louder. She expected the sound to pass and was surprised when it stopped. They wouldn’t be here for her, would they? But soon enough, a paramedic opened her door, asking her some questions and then placed a C-collar around her neck. Why would he do that?
“I’m fine. My wrist hurts,” Gwen said, but nobody seemed to notice. Someone lifted her from the vehicle and placed her on a gurney and into the ambulance. She must have dozed off because she woke disoriented in the emergency room.
The emergency room doctor examined her. “Thanks to the safety belt and the airbag, you weren’t seriously injured, but you still hit your head hard enough to suffer a concussion. And your right wrist is broken, but I don’t believe it will require surgery. We’ll send you to x-ray and make the final decision tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, you’ll need to stay in the hospital under observation while we access the level of brain damage, if any.”
She wanted to nod, but the pain in her neck stopped her. “Ouch.”
“Your neck muscles were also strained in the accident. It’s called whiplash. Nothing to worry about, but don’t make harsh movements for the next twenty-four hours. It will take a few days for the pain to abate. If it doesn’t, we’ll need to re-look at it.”
She rubbed the sore muscles. “Okay.”
A nurse wheeled her upstairs to a patient room and gave her some pain meds. Once her headache subsided, she placed a call to her boss, Stephanie.
“Baxter residence.”
“Stephanie? This is Gwen.”
“Gwen, is something wrong? It’s almost eight o’clock.”
“Actually, that’s why I’m calling. I was in a car accident on the way home this evening, and I’m in the hospital.” She eased her head back into the pillows, careful not to move it rashly.
“Oh my God. Are you okay?”
“I have a broken wrist and a concussion. They’re keeping me in the hospital overnight. But I wanted to let you know that the doctor won’t release me back to work until they’re sure my head is okay.”
“How long will that be?”
“They don’t know. They said each case is different. Anywhere from one to three weeks I’m told.”
“I’m so sorry about the car accident, but I’m happy you’re not more seriously injured.”
“What will happen to my offenders?” Gwen asked.
“Well now, that is a good question. Leaving them without a probation officer for an unspecified amount of time is a bad idea.”
“Some of them need that weekly connection with me to keep trying.” Gwen felt sick at the thought of letting her probationers down.
“You’re right. I’ll transfer them one by one starting tomorrow. Where do you keep your files?”
“Files?” She shook her head to clear it and instantly regretted the movement. “Oh. In my desk. Nancy has a spare key.”
“Good. I think that’s the best solution for the moment. You concentrate on getting back on your feet, and once you’re cleared for work, I’ll assign you new clients. There’s never a shortage of probationers.”
“I’m so sorry for the trouble.”
“Nonsense. It was an accident, and the best you can do to heal fast is not worry about work. Get better and keep me in the loop,” Stephanie said. That woman might be strict at work, but she had a good heart.
“I will. Goodnight.” Gwen disconnected the call and closed her eyes. At least she woul
dn’t have to worry about how to handle the attraction she felt for Fernando. That notion consoled her for a moment before her eyes filled with tears when she recognized the full implication.
I won’t see him again!
A nurse with hip-length gorgeous black hair and a friendly smile walked into the room with a cup of medicine for Gwen. “Hi. I’m Marcela. How are you feeling, hon?”
“Like I got hit by a truck.”
“Well, since you got hit by a van, that’s close enough. Here, drink this, it will make you feel better.”
Gwen dutifully swallowed the bitter tasting medicine. Anything that made the dull ache in her head go away was welcome.
“Should I put your purse into the wardrobe? And do you want me to call anyone to bring you some personal effects?”
“Personal effects?” Her brain didn’t comprehend, and she stared at the nurse.
Marcela smiled. “Don’t worry. The concussion makes your thinking slow, but our doctors have everything under control. You have to stay here overnight for observation so you might ask a relative or friend to bring over a few necessities like a toothbrush, comb, and a nightgown. Unless you prefer the sexy hospital robe you’re wearing.”
Gwen looked down at the white hospital gown and shook her head. “Ouch.”
“Easy. Don’t move your head.”
“I noticed. Thanks for the offer; I’ll call a friend.” This time, she remembered to move her head slowly and gestured with her good hand to the cell phone on the nightstand. The nurse handed it to her.
“Well then, I’ll be back to check on you. If you fall asleep, I’ll wake you every two hours to make sure you awaken easily.”
Gwen wrinkled her nose, and the nurse laughed.
“I know. Not fun, but necessary. Head injuries need to be watched closely.”
Wonderful.
She thanked the nurse, then sent a quick text message to Vivian after the door had closed behind her.
Viv – was in car accident. Held hostage in the hospital, but ok. Concussion and broken wrist. Room 548. Visit tomorrow?
She pushed the send button, then leaned back and let her eyes close. Her eyelids simply refused to stay open a second longer.
Chapter 17
It was his first day off from work, and Fernando arrived at the probation office with his employment contract in hand, hoping to see Gwen and talk to her for a few minutes. “Good morning, I’m here to see Gwen Cohen.”
The receptionist looked at him. “Your name? Do you have an appointment?”
He lifted the work contract. “Fernando Garcia. I don’t have an appointment but needed to drop this off to her.” Truth be told, it was a lame excuse to see Gwen. The contract could have waited another week. Fernando not so much.
“You can give it to me. I’ll see that it gets to the right person.”
“The right person? I don’t understand. Gwen Cohen is the right person. She’s my probation officer.”
“Not as of this morning. You’ve been assigned to Gerald Peters. He’ll be contacting you to set up your next meeting.”
“Wait. Why have I been reassigned?” Disappointment settled in his stomach, followed closely by anguish.
“Miss Cohen is unavailable right now.” The receptionist furrowed her brows at his insistent questions, and Fernando felt his temper rise. What right did this woman have to dismiss him like that? He had a right to know!
“Why?” The question came out louder than he’d wanted and he closed his eyes for a moment to find his calm. It wouldn’t do any good to put up a fight, in the probation office of all places. “I’m sorry, but has something happened?”
The woman looked down her nose at him, even from her seated position. “Mr. Garcia. I’m not at liberty to give out that kind of information. Have a good day.”
Frustration took over, and he longed for either a good fight or a cold shower. As neither was available, he opted for a glass of water and stopped at the water cooler on his way out. Just when he gulped down his second glass, he heard someone mention Gwen’s name and choked on the water. Coughing, he only caught fragments of the conversation between two of her colleagues passing by.
“…hospital…car accident…concussion.”
His stomach clenched, and he forced himself to stop coughing and quietly followed the two women along the hallway. “She’s at La Selva Hospital?”
“Yes. We could drop by after work and see how she’s doing.”
“I think they’re releasing her today.”
Fernando had heard enough and bypassed them, rushing down the stairs, taking three steps at once. He had to see Gwen and make sure she was okay.
Walking across town, his mind went in a hundred different directions. I’ve never visited a girl in the hospital before. Am I supposed to bring her something? And if so, what?
Not coming up with an answer, he called Amada. “Hey, sis. I’m going to the hospital to visit a friend. Should I take her something?”
“A friend? You mean as in girlfriend?” Amada answered, but he didn’t have time for her inquisition.
“Maybe. But can you please answer my questions first?”
“If there’s the slightest romantic interest from your side, then, of course you should take her something.”
“Okay. What?”
“Well, flowers are a definite, but to really impress her, you should also bring some sweets. Fancy chocolates always work well.”
He nodded. “Okay, I can do that. Flowers and chocolates. Thanks, sis.”
“No problem. When will I get the detailed gossip?”
“Knowing my nosy sister,” he smirked, “as soon as I walk in the door tonight.” He hung up on her laughter.
He bought the gifts, then hopped on the bus, and twenty minutes later stood in front of the hospital. Right now, it didn’t seem like such a good idea anymore. Holding onto the flowers in his hand, he stepped through the sliding door and headed to the receptionist encased in a glass booth.
“Gwen Cowen, please.”
“Are you a relative?” the receptionist asked pleasantly enough.
“No, a friend.”
“I’m sorry, due to HIPPA laws, I’m only able to provide patient information to…”
“Fernando?”
He turned to see an attractive young woman with auburn hair and blue eyes staring at him. “Did you just call my name?”
She nodded. “Yes. You’re Fernando Garcia, right?”
He bristled, suspicion tightening his skin. “I am. Who are you?”
“Vivian.”
Fernando didn’t know anyone named Vivian. At least, not that he could recall. “Do I know you?”
She laughed. “No.” She gave him a glance over, and he fidgeted, unsure of how to act. “Why are you here?”
“Uhm...well, I’m here to visit a friend. She was in a car accident.”
“Gwen?” Her eyes observed him with more scrutiny than any police officer or judge had ever done.
“H-How do you know?” he stuttered, feeling like an insect under a microscope.
“She’s my best friend.”
Relief washed over him, then he grew excited at the prospect of some answers. “Is she okay? She wasn’t at work today, and the receptionist wouldn’t tell me why…”
Vivian’s expression softened. “Considering the circumstances, she’s fine.”
He exhaled a harsh breath of relief and expected the interrogation to be over, but Vivian took a step toward him, eyebrows raised, her blue eyes boring into him. “Mind if I ask about your intentions with Gwen?”
That woman had guts. He hid an amused smile. “Are you trying to protect her honor?”
“Yep. Now answer my question.”
“How about this?” he gestured toward the cafeteria on the other side of the entrance hall. “We go sit over there, and I’ll answer your questions. And when you’re satisfied with my answers, you tell me her room number. Deal?”
Vivian grinned. “You’ll answer a
ll of my questions?”
“I didn’t say all, but I’ll answer some of them.”
“Good enough. Follow me, I need caffeine.”
He followed her to the hospital cafeteria where she ordered a pot of coffee. Not a cup, an entire pot. Once she’d doctored it with cream, sugar, and a fancy flavoring she pulled from her purse, she started grilling him.
“So, you and Gwen? You two like each other?”
“You could say that, but she has to stay away from me. She is – no was – my probation officer.”
“What crime did you commit?”
“Armed robbery.” It sounded awful, and he expected her to at least widen her eyes, but nothing. She already knows the whole story and just wants to test me. Her next question confirmed his suspicion.
“You’re part of a gang?”
“I was. I’ve changed. Am changing.”
She finally showed a sign of surprise, her face softening a little. “And how’s that going?”
“It’s been tough. But since I found a job, it’s getting easier by the day.” It was the truth. The work at the fitness studio kept him too occupied to fall back into old habits. And the thought of an irate Ben if Fernando violated his “rules” did the rest.
“So, you really like my friend?”
Something twisted deep inside him. “I really, really like your friend.”
Vivian nodded and then lowered her voice. “I should warn you that if you break her heart, not only will you have to contend with me, but also with my five brothers who love Gwen like she was their second sister. Do we understand one another?”
Fernando couldn’t hold back his grin. “I would say the same thing to any guy trying to date my sister. Yes, we understand one another. And I promise not to break Gwen’s heart.” He used a finger to cross his own.
Vivian laughed. “Good, then you should have nothing to worry about.”
As if I would. He wasn’t afraid of her brothers, even if there were five of them. He’d dealt with worse guys than they could ever think to be.
