REMEMBER ME (Secrets of Spirit Creek Book 1)

by Linda Style

  Her breath felt as if it were drawn from deep in her lungs, and even though it was cool outside, her skin was on fire. Passion burned in her belly, blotting out logic and reason. She wanted immediate gratification. Because if she waited, it would be too late.

  Linc crushed her in his arms, his desire mirroring hers. A noise sounded behind her. She jumped. A car door. No…Bruno would bark. Something snapped, like a twig, and she jerked back, turning to see if someone had pulled in. “Did you hear that?” She glanced everywhere, but saw nothing.

  “Hear what?” he asked, his eyelids at half-mast, the corners of his mouth teasing upward. “I was too preoccupied to hear anything. Is something wrong?”

  “No.” She shook her head, and quickly rising, she scanned the parking lot, the road, the bushes. Nothing. Her vehicle was less than six feet away and she could see Bruno’s head. If someone had been there, he would have barked.

  “Must’ve been my imagination,” she said, yet the uneasy feeling persisted. Slowly, she lowered to her knees on the blanket.

  “I was imagining all kinds of other things,” Linc said, reaching up to gently touch her cheek.

  The distraction took just enough time to allow Tori to regain her senses. “I think you better put your imagination to rest if you want to have lunch and get back in time for your appointment.” She picked up a knife, began to cut up one of the apples.

  “And if I said I don’t care about lunch or the appointment?” Mischief glinted in his eyes.

  Tori’s stomach actually fluttered. She quickly finished the apple, laid out the pieces on one of the paper plates she’d purchased, snatched up her wineglass and gulped down a swig. The tangy warmth slid down her throat…and almost instantly out to her limbs. “Well, I do, and you should. Otherwise, you’ll never get better and—”

  He placed two fingers over her lips. “It was a joke. I do care. But I can’t say I didn’t like kissing you.”

  She glanced away. Oh, boy. “It’s…it’s not a good idea.”

  She’d barely said the words when he sat back, picked up a piece of cheese and took a bite. He kept watching her, and when he finished chewing, he said softly, “It was just a kiss, Tori. I’m very attracted to you, and I like you a lot…but it was just a kiss.”

  Just a kiss. Not for her. Not at all.

  “I know my situation. I have no money, no home, no job, no education or skills that I remember, and an injury that will prevent me from getting a job anytime soon. I’m not a good prospect for much of anything. I know that, and I know you know it. But,” he said softly, and ran his fingertips down her arm, “I really did enjoy kissing you.”

  His gentle, sensual touch literally took her breath away. She’d enjoyed kissing him, too. More than she’d ever admit. “For what it’s worth, your situation has nothing to do with it. It’s me. It’s not a good idea for me.” She took another sip of wine. “But I really liked kissing you, too.”

  Smiling, he picked up the baguette, pulled off a hunk and handed it to her. “Let’s eat and then head back for my appointment. I’ve just realized how important it is to get my life back on track.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  THEY SAT FACING EACH OTHER, Linc in a worn leather chair and Dr. Lawton—a middle-aged man with a stack of wheat-colored hair that defied his occasional efforts to tame it—on the couch. “Shouldn’t I be over there and you over here?” Linc asked.

  The psychiatrist lowered his notebook and peered, stone-cold sober, over his glasses at Linc. “Why?”

  Linc shrugged. The guy had no sense of humor.

  “Have you decided to try hypnosis yet?” the doctor asked.

  Linc shook his head. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Dr. Lawton leaned forward, one hand on his knee. “Yes, you do.”

  Linc scoffed, folded his arms across his chest. “If I knew, I’d tell you.”

  “Not if you don’t tell yourself. You’ll just continue to block out everything you don’t want to think about.”

  Linc grabbed one crutch and levered to his feet. “You think this is an act? That I’m playing some kind of game with you?”

  The doctor waited, pursed his lips. “No, I think you’re playing a game with yourself.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “There’s a reason you don’t want to be hypnotized and I think you know what it is.”

  Linc took a deep breath. “That’s not true.” He sat down again. “Not entirely.”

  “What part is true?”

  “The part about not wanting to be hypnotized. I don’t. But you’re wrong about the other. I don’t know why I’m resisting it. I just know the idea bothers me. A lot.” Whenever he thought about hypnosis, a lightning bolt of panic shot through him.

  “Well, let’s discuss the possibilities then. What reasons might you have for not wanting to know who you are?”

  “That’s just it. I want to know.” Linc’s hands got clammy, the collar of his polo shirt felt tight. “But…what if it doesn’t work? What do I do then?”

  “The same thing you are now.”

  “But it wouldn’t be the same. Once I knew it didn’t work, I’d have nothing left. I’d know it was hopeless.”

  “And you don’t feel that way now?”

  “No. Because right now I know if I work really hard, I can get back in shape and start making a life for myself. My memory might return, but in the meantime, I’d still have something to look forward to.”

  “And if it did work, you’d have a life to go back to.”

  “Yeah,” Linc said. And that was another problem. “What if I don’t like the life I had?”

  The other man stood. Pondered. “You don’t want to lose control, do you?”

  The skin on the back of Linc’s neck prickled. “Excuse me?” Linc clenched his hands into fists. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  Smiling, the doctor said, “Call me when you’re ready.”

  ~~~

  Linc drifted in and out of sleep, unable to get the shrink’s assessment out of his head. Was he afraid of losing control? Afraid of what he’d find out? That he might be someone he didn’t want to be? No. He’d already wondered about those things. That wasn’t it. What could be worse than being the person who spent ten years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit?

  He looked at the time. Two a.m. Crap. He’d had heavy physical therapy every day this week and his leg ached. He needed a pain pill. Maybe a sleeping pill. But that meant getting to the bathroom.

  He sat up, turned on the bedside lamp, and threw his feet over the edge of the bed. Grabbing one of his crutches, he propped himself up before he rose to a standing position. Though he ached right now, he’d made progress during the past week and was doing pretty well getting around on crutches. He almost never used the wheelchair—only when he knew he had to walk a long distance. And every day in his room, where Tori couldn’t see him, he tested his leg to see how much weight he could actually put on it. So far, he hadn’t been successful at much more than two steps before the pain engulfed him. But it was getting better.

  In the past three weeks, he’d gone into Spirit Creek with Tori a few times, and he liked most of the people he’d met. It was when they started asking questions―like where he was from and what did he do for a living―that he wanted to get the hell out of there. He didn’t have answers to their questions and always avoided a direct answer, saying he was on a medical leave. Most people just left it at that. Which made him like Spirit Creek even more.

  On his way to the bathroom, he opened the laptop on the table and flipped it on. He was glad he and Tori worked so well together and had gotten into a semi-comfortable routine. He spent his time doing therapy exercises and most of the cooking, while she either painted in her studio or worked on a project for the jazz festival and another project for her friend Serena.

  They’d spent a few evenings watching movies on HBO or some other channel he didn’t recognize.
Technology had improved a lot during the time he was gone. She seemed to like movies a lot and he did, too, but he would rather spend the time talking with Tori, finding out more about her. But whenever he asked her questions, she pulled away.

  He’d told her he thought it was a bit of overkill when she’d asked the handyman about putting in extra cameras to cover all entry points to her house, she’d clammed up and went into her studio for the rest of the afternoon. When they’d picked up Cleo, the vet had said the tests showed she’d ingested something that had a tranquilizing effect, but there wasn’t enough of whatever it was in her blood to be conclusive. It could’ve been something as benign as a poisonous plant. But the dog was fine, and no worse for the wear. The sheriff chalked up the gate vandalism to teenagers having fun, but Tori’s nervousness about both incidents had him wondering what she wasn’t telling him.

  She hadn’t mentioned the kiss they’d shared, but it was always on his mind. He got a rush every time he thought about it. Like now. He grinned. No question about what he wanted where Tori was concerned. Sex. Yeah. He’d be on it in a nanosecond if she was willing. But even his blank slate of a mind knew that sex for its own sake could mess things up royally. And messing things up with Tori was the last thing he wanted to do. He wanted more than sex, and when he got his act together, he’d pursue it. Until then, it was one day at a time.

  He’d read through the small file his attorney had given him at the hospital…the police report and a few newspaper articles about his arrest and the trial. He’d contacted several people from those sources and had gotten bits and pieces of information on the Internet, but nothing to hang a life on.

  In the bathroom, he flipped on the light and took a pain pill. Staring at himself in the mirror as he swallowed, he realized he was getting accustomed to seeing himself. He used to be just the man in the mirror—a stranger. Now he was a man who liked small towns and dogs and mountains and country music. He was a man who could make Tori Amhearst laugh. And…most importantly, he’d solidified his goals and had started working toward them.

  Kissing Tori had pushed him to take a good look at himself. Once he knew what he wanted and who he had to be to get it, he’d felt better. He had a plan. He’d do everything in his power to regain his memory, and if that didn’t work, he wasn’t going to waste any more time on it. Either way, he’d carve out a new life for himself—right here in Spirit Creek.

  He smiled at his image. Not bad. His teeth were even and whiter now that Tori had given him some strips, and his hair― A piercing scream rent the air. Tori. Then another scream.

  He whirled around, dropped the crutch, stumbled, but caught himself on the tub. Hurrying, he picked up the crutch, then angling it, thumped across the room and down the hall to Tori’s room, adrenaline pumping through his veins.

  More screaming, dogs barking and growling.

  He banged his fist against the door. “Tori, it’s Linc. Tori!” He rammed the door with his shoulder. “Tori!” Then suddenly he heard her voice, soothing and low, talking to the dogs, and a few seconds later the door opened. Her face was ashen and wet with tears. Stark fear glistened in her eyes.

  He huffed. “Are you okay?”

  He’d barely uttered the words when she moved into his arms. As he enveloped her, muffled sobs shook her entire body. He wrapped her tighter to ease whatever had frightened her, scanning the room as he did. “It’s okay,” he soothed. “It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m here. You’re not alone.” He rested his chin on the top of her head as she clung to him. “You’re safe. Shh. It’s okay now.” When she quieted a little, he gently guided her to the bed.

  They sat on the edge and he continued to hold her until her sobs turned to hiccups. Finally she straightened and brushed her cheeks with the back of one hand. “I—I’m sorry I disturbed you.” Her voice was barely audible.

  “Disturbed me? You scared the hell out of me. I thought something happened to you.” The words came out harsh, which he hadn’t intended. “Are you okay?” he asked softening his tone.

  She nodded. Sniffled some more, then drew back.

  Her long rumpled hair fell in loose curls that framed high cheekbones still wet with tears. She wore a small yellow tank top and bikini underpants, and as she reached to push the hair from her eyes, he wanted to hold her and never let her go. Damn she was sexy. Beautiful in fact. And she was upset. Frightened and scared. She needed understanding, not some horny bastard who wanted to jump her bones.

  He reached for a tissue from the box on the night table next to her glasses and a book. Ah, that’s why she looked different. She wasn’t wearing her glasses. He pulled out a tissue and handed it to her. “What happened?”

  She leaned closer, her thigh touching his. Instant hard-on. He gritted his teeth. Forced thoughts of liver and onions. Rotten eggs. Repulsive things. Snot, a hot, steaming pile of…

  Nothing worked. With Tori’s naked leg touching his, every cell in his body prodded him to kiss her tearstained cheeks, kiss her full, lush lips…kiss the smooth, silky skin on the inside of her thigh―

  He grabbed a robe laying on the end of the bed. “Here,” he said, and wrapped it around her.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “WAS IT A NIGHTMARE?”

  Tori nodded. “I think. I only remember being scared.” What else could she say? She couldn’t tell him that since finding out her rapist was still walking free, she’d been plagued with nightmares of the assault. A continual horror show replay of the attack, over and over. But, as far as she knew, she hadn’t screamed out loud before.

  “They say talking about it helps.”

  She blotted her eyes with another tissue. “Where’d you hear that?”

  He shrugged. “They told me that in the hospital.”

  “Oh.”

  “So, tell me what it was about and maybe it will stop.”

  If only she could.

  “C’mon. It’ll help. Really it will. It helped me.”

  “I don’t know what it was about,” she repeated. “It could be the same one I had when I was a little kid. My parents had a burglary. I saw the man taking things and I’ve had nightmares about that, off and on, ever since.”

  “Is he taking things in the current dream?”

  She stood. “He?”

  “The burglar.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Does he do anything?”

  A cold shiver crawled up her spine. “No!” She clenched her hands, bolted to her feet and walked across the room, her back to him. “I told you I don’t remember. And…I don’t want to talk about it. I want to forget it.” Crossing her arms, she pulled into herself.

  Then she felt him behind her, his hands on her shoulders, gentle, comforting. She turned. “I’m fine now! Really. It was just a dream.”

  He dropped his hands, a hurt puppy dog look on his face.

  “Oh, gosh.” She covered her face with her hands. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go off like that.” Tears welled, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make them stop. “Oh, God,” she sniffled. “I’m such a…a freaking mess.”

  “No apologies,” he said sternly. “It’s totally unnecessary. C’mon. Lie down. I’ll stay here with you.”

  She slid into bed under the covers, curled up on her side. He went around the bed and then lay next to her, close, but on top of the covers. He wrapped an arm around her and took her hand, holding her softly, yet firm enough to make her feel…safe. “You can go to sleep now. I’ll be here until you wake up.”

  Safe. She was safe. With his hand on hers, she felt his pulse beating time with hers, almost as if his blood was flowing into her veins, giving her some of his courage and strength. At that moment, she believed he would protect her. For tonight anyway. She closed her eyes and let silent tears moisten her pillow.

  ~~~

  IT HAD TO BE MORNING, Linc decided. Light filtered through some kind of sheer blinds covering the windows, bathing the room in a soft golden glow. He was still holdi
ng Tori’s hand, but instead of his covering hers, their fingers were intertwined. With as little movement as possible, he rose on one elbow.

  Tori’s face was partially hidden by her hair. She was beautiful. Vulnerable. She’d seemed so strong and in charge. So together. He was almost glad to know that, like him, she had her fears, real or not…and he wanted to protect her. Take care of her. Keep her safe.

  She lay curled in a spoon position, her only movement the slow deliberate breathing of sleep. She looked at peace and he felt good that he’d been able to help her in some small way. Offering comfort to ease a nightmare wasn’t a big deal, but it was something. So far, all he’d done was take from her.

  She was so good, so caring and so unselfish. While that was admirable, it could also make her a target for others who liked to take advantage of generous people like her. And he’d met enough of those creeps to last a lifetime.

  The realization surprised him. Was it something he’d learned in prison, or before that?

  He searched for a memory—any memory—but as usual, the door to his past was still firmly shut.

  “Linc.” Tori’s soft whisper brought him to attention. The warmth of her hand left his as she rolled to her back and looked at him.

  “You’re still here.”

  “I am. I said I’d stay until you awakened.”

  She pushed the hair from her face and sat up. “What are you doing?”

  “Nothing. Just waiting.” He moved to get up. “Are you okay now?”

  “I’m fine. Just feeling a little foolish. But thanks for staying.”

  Taking that as his cue to leave, he found his crutch, got up and started for the door. Once there, he turned. “It was my pleasure.”

  Her gaze traveled from his head to his toes, and he realized he was wearing only boxer shorts. He’d been in such a hurry to get to her, getting dressed wasn’t even a thought.

  “Weren’t you cold during the night?”

  Yeah, like that would happen when he was sleeping next to her. “I didn’t notice, so I guess not. I didn’t have a chance to get dressed before I nearly broke down your door.”