Wounded at the Lake

by Mitzi Pool Bridges

  “Can you wait until I shower?”

  Thor gave a low growl. Sitting on the floor, she gave him a hug. “My life is such a mess, Thor. I wish it were simpler. Then I could stay here with you and Coop.”

  She gave him one more pat before she went to take her shower. When she came out, the pants she’d had on when Coop found her were on the bed in a dry cleaning bag. Her boots had been cleaned and polished. A brand new pretty ecru blouse lay next to them.

  Shorty never ceased to amaze.

  A smile peeked through. She was going to church with the family. And it felt right.

  She dressed quickly and went to the kitchen, Thor right behind her. Shorty was dressed and laying out coffee, biscuits, and sausage. Lori went to give her a hug. “You’re too good to me.”

  “Merry Christmas, Lori. I’m so glad you’re with us.”

  Tears threatened again. Would she be like this all day? Weepy and longing for what would never be?

  Coop came into the kitchen at the same time the door opened for Dirk and Matt whose arms were filled with gifts. Calling out Merry Christmas, they went straight to the tree and piled their gifts along with the others, went to Shorty for a hug and kiss, then did the same to Lori.

  She laughed. Today she had a loving family and a man she adored. She vowed to enjoy every second.

  Coop let Thor in before he came to her, his blue eyes glinting with mischief. “My turn,” he said and kissed her on the cheek.

  He held her at arms’ length for a second before pulling her close for a hug. “Merry Christmas,” he whispered in her ear.

  “Same to you,” she said, doing her best to keep her vow and not cry.

  She looked around at the smiling faces. “Is this a tradition?”

  “The breakfast? Yes. So are going to church, the big meal, and opening gifts after. When the boys were younger, I dared not change a thing or they’d put up a howl.”

  “We like things the way they’ve always been.” Matt chuckled.

  “Still do,” Dirk agreed.

  “Eat up or we’ll be late.”

  The guys grabbed paper plates and went for it. Dirk managed to sneak a couple of cookies on his when he thought no one was watching.

  She loved this family. Shorty and her generosity; Dirk with his sweet tooth; Matt with his rigid disposition and amazing good looks; Coop who she loved with all her heart.

  Shorty hurried them through breakfast and to their cars, herding them like little children, who to her they probably still were.

  Lori smiled all the way through the service, enjoyed the customary Christmas music, and the familiar gospel.

  When they were back at the homestead, she grabbed an apron and went to work. By the time the house smelled of baking turkey and dressing, Carrie and Doc showed up dressed in Christmas sweaters and Santa hats. Laden with gifts, they went through the routine of kisses, hugs, and laughter, treating Lori no different than the rest of the family.

  Dinner was the same. The guys teased Carrie about her undercover outfits. She took their teasing with a shrug of her pretty shoulders. “Don’t tell me you guys didn’t like the black tights, form-fitting silver top, and knee-high boots. I got more propositions with that one than all the others put together. Plus, the bad guy confessed everything and you solved your case. What would you do without me?”

  They convulsed in laughter.

  They told stories of when they were young. Shorty interrupted. “You have to hear this one, Lori.” They quieted down. “Coop and Dirk were ten when Santa brought them B-B guns. They were over the moon. Gramps told them he’d teach them how to shoot the next day. I was busy cleaning up boxes, tissue, and ribbon. When I had a bag full I took it to the garbage can outside. Back then the cans were metal, not plastic as they are today. Anyway, I hear this ping…ping…ping, and wondered what was going on. I followed the pings and found the boys shooting at each other, using the garbage can lids as shields. I almost had a heart attack.”

  “We were perfectly safe, Shorty. We had protection.”

  Lori laughed so hard she had tears in her eyes.

  “That’s what you told me over twenty years ago. It didn’t hold water then, and doesn’t now.

  “SEALs in the making.” Carrie laughed.

  The stories continued through dinner. Coop was the quietest. Whenever she glanced his way, he was looking at her. This had to stop. Shorty and his brothers weren’t blind and she didn’t want them to ask questions neither she or Coop could answer.

  When dinner was over, the guys took over and cleared the table. When Lori tried to help, Coop guided her to a chair in the den close to the tree. “Sit. You and Shorty have worked two days on this meal. This is the least we can do.”

  “Don’t argue.” Carrie laughed. “They do this every year. It’s another family tradition.”

  “I really like this one.” She liked them all. Everything they did as a family soothed her soul. Did she have anything in her past she could call a tradition? If so, it was a blank.

  When the guys joined them, she asked, “Do you have dessert first or open gifts?”

  “Open gifts,” Dirk replied, rubbing his hands together. “Whose turn is it to hand them out?”

  “As if you don’t know?” Matt laughed. “Get busy. I can’t wait.”

  It took forever, but no one seemed to mind. Her pile of gifts was just as high as everyone else’s. She couldn’t believe it. As the pile grew, she tried not to feel guilty. These people were wonderful. What would they think of her if her past was murky? Or worse? Would they still take her into their hearts as they did now? Or shun her? For that matter, what would she think about herself?

  “That’s it,” Dirk beamed once the last gift was handed out. “Another tradition,” he told Lori. “We can’t open gifts until Shorty tells us.”

  “If not.” Shorty laughed. “The noise would be deafening.” She paused a minute to sweep a glance over her kids. “Go for it.”

  There was tearing paper, squeals of delight, oohs, and aahs along with thank yous. Lori watched, unable to believe the generosity of this family. Coop looked at her. “Open your gifts, Lori.”

  “I’m having too much fun watching everybody else.” But she took the first gift and opened it. By the time she was half finished, she had a beautiful scarf, a new blouse, and a pair of matching gloves and sock hat. “This is too much, guys. You shouldn’t have.”

  Carrie let out a squeal and ran over to Lori. “This is the nicest gift.”

  “What is it?” Shorty asked.

  “Remember when I found a small box in the closet in my room and asked if I could have it? It was just the right size for the cards where I printed out a few recipes. Carrie was always so interested in them, and since I know she’s a good cook, I thought she might want them.”

  “Want them! I’m going to love trying each and every one. Thank you.” And she kissed Lori on the cheek.

  Lori felt heat rise as they watched her open the last of her gifts. There was another scarf, and a pretty windbreaker from Shorty. “Thank you. I love everything all of you gave me.”

  Coop handed her a small gift bag. Her heart thudded in her chest when she opened it. “Oh! It’s beautiful.” She pulled a silver charm bracelet from a jeweler’s box

  “There’s a charm with a German Shepherd on it. I couldn’t find one for a Belgian Malinois, but they look almost the same. Thor’s name is on the back.”

  “Coop, this is wonderful.” That wasn’t all. “Wow, there’s a charm with each of you guys names, one for Shorty, and another that has the outline of a house with The Homestead written on the back! I promised myself I wouldn’t cry today, but I’m about to break that promise.” She put the bracelet on her arm, went to Coop, and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll cherish this forever.”

  The look in his eyes made her want to revisit last night.

  Coop handed Shorty a bag. “I thought I opened all my gifts.”

  “Not this one.”

  She op
ened it and glowed. “A mother’s ring. I love it.”

  There were three birthstones—one for each of her three boys on a gold band. Lori looked at Coop and gave him a thumbs-up. Perfect.

  “Like Lori said, I’ll cherish this forever.”

  “Good call, Bro. You outdid us all,” Matt said. “I know I’m impressed with my antique Swiss model 7.5 caliber revolver and its 1902-dated holster, not to mention my new rod and reel. Where in the world did you find that gun?”

  Dirk was only too willing to tell him what a difficult time they’d had searching the Net until they found something he didn’t have. “If we didn’t have a list of the guns in your collection, you would get duplicates.”

  “Wouldn’t matter. I have a thing for guns.”

  Everyone laughed. “The family calls his gun collection, Matt’s obsession.”

  “And I have one for earrings,” Carrie said. “Look what I got?” She held up two gaudy pairs. One with sparkles, another, at least six inches long with red, white, and blue stripes. “I love them.”

  “Lori,” Doc called out. “How did you know I needed this?” She held up a top-of-the-line stethoscope. “Did you see that mine was on its last leg?”

  “You had that old thing in Afghanistan,” Matt reminded her. “It’s time to put it in a museum.”

  “I’m so glad you like it.” It was as much fun to give a just-right gift as it was to receive one. She fingered her bracelet. Every time she looked at it her heart swelled.

  “This is for you.” Lori handed Coop a bag when everyone else was busy showing off gifts. “I hope you like it.”

  “You gave me a pair of gloves.” He opened the bag and pulled out a framed photo of Lori with Thor and gave a gasp of shocked approval.

  “Shorty took the picture with her phone when I wasn’t looking and took it to be enlarged.”

  Coop clutched it to his chest. “I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

  “Let me see,” Doc called out.

  He held it up.

  “It’s beautiful.”

  Shorty had caught her one morning playing on the floor with Thor. She’d captured the image of Lori laughing, holding Thor’s head with both hands and looking into his eyes.

  “Now I have something to cherish as well,” Coop whispered so only she could hear.

  Lori stood and went to the kitchen. Yesterday she’d wrapped the small, loaf-pan-size apple cakes in bright red cellophane and tied them with a red and gold bow. Taking the tray she walked around the room to hand them out.

  “This is special.” Matt smiled his thanks.

  “They’re delicious.” Dirk grinned. “Lori gave me one yesterday.”

  “You’re spoiled,” Coop grunted. “Lori spoils you just like she spoils the dogs.”

  “I’m not complaining.”

  The family spent the next half hour gloating over their gifts.

  “Time for dessert,” Dirk called out.

  “Of course it is.” Shorty beamed.

  Lori made her way to the kitchen while the guys cleaned up the mess of papers and ribbon. It didn’t take long to slice the cakes and pies, and put out the trifle.

  Shorty put on the new red apron Lori had given her that had Santas embroidered on the hem. They exchanged smiles.

  In minutes, everyone was huddled around the table, taking their pick. Dirk exchanged his small plate for a larger one and took one of everything. Lori couldn’t hold back a laugh.

  Coop scooped out a large helping of the trifle. “This looks amazing.” He took a bite. “And it is.”

  The men went back for seconds. Including Dirk. She didn’t know where he put it. Like his brothers, he had broad shoulders, a flat belly, and biceps to cry over.

  It was getting late when Doc told her it was time to leave. Lori didn’t want to. She wanted to stay and spend another night in Coop’s arms. Make love. Stay forever.

  It took a while to say her goodbyes. “Thank you for everything, Shorty. This has been a wonderful Christmas and one I’ll never forget.”

  “I hope you’re here for a lot more of them,” the motherly woman whispered.

  She hugged Dirk and Matt who gave and received more thank yous.

  Carrie came over to give her a hug. “I can’t wait to try one of your recipes.”

  “Let me know when. I’m coming over,” Dirk called out.

  “And he will.”

  There was no one left but Coop. “Thank you, Coop. I meant it when I told you I would cherish my gift forever.”

  “I know you did.”

  His eyes held regret. The same had to show in hers.

  She took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

  “I have a bag for Thor. Don’t forget to take it,” Coop reminded her.

  “I wouldn’t dare.”

  He took the duffel bag Shorty had loaned her, while she took Thor’s food, and followed Doc out the door.

  Lori looked around at the familiar house, the open fields. She wanted with everything in her to come back here.

  “I see you brought your baby.” Coop laughed, as Thor jumped into the back seat.

  Lori brought herself back from her thoughts to see Coop putting her bag next to Thor who was sitting like a king in a sleek, nineteen fifty-two candy-apple red, two-door Cadillac convertible. She couldn’t hold back the gasp. “This is the most gorgeous car I’ve ever seen.”

  “The car is tradition as well. Doc doesn’t take this baby on the road very often, but Christmas day is one of them.”

  “I love it,” she exclaimed as she crawled into the like-new passenger seat and rubbed her hand over the smooth leather.

  “I love you,” Coop whispered in her ear and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

  He loved her!

  Her head whirling with Christmas cheer and Coop’s profession of love, she floated all the way to Doc’s house—in a classic Cadillac convertible, no less. Even though the top was up because of the cold, the ride was wonderful.

  If she carried on a conversation, she had no idea what was said.

  Chapter Eighteen

  It was still dark when Coop crawled out of bed. It wasn’t even four o’clock. Since he hadn’t slept a wink, why not get up?

  He couldn’t believe he’d been so caught up with the holiday spirit that he’d told Lori he loved her. He’d fought the idea all night. Did he mean it? Or was it because he was being mellow with good cheer? Did he really love her like a man loved a woman and wanted her in his life forever? Maybe he just loved the sex. Hell, yeah. He was a man, after all. But sex with Lori was beyond anything he’d ever experienced.

  Did that mean he was ready for the forever thing? Was he ready to forget his years-long vow to stay a bachelor?

  Did he love Lori or just want her? Did he want to think about a future with a woman who had no idea who she was? Were words spoken that shouldn’t have been?

  He looked at her photo where he’d placed it by his bed. One glance at her smiling face and his heart turned over. I’m afraid this is the real deal.

  Today she would find out if there was a physical reason for her amnesia. If not, her memory could return at any time. Would she want to go back to her former life? Why would she if there was someone in it who wanted her dead? Though he couldn’t think of a single reason for no missing person’s report, maybe there was one.

  His mind had struggled with the seriousness of her predicament all night. It was still there.

  No one lived in a vacuum. Someone knew her.

  Dirk met him at the dog pens.

  Coop muttered a greeting. “You’re early.”

  “I plan on being at the Internet Coffee shop when they open. Why are you up and about at this hour?”

  “Couldn’t sleep.”

  “Dreaming of Lori?”

  “Why would you say that?”

  Dirk just grinned.

  Coop took all of the dogs except the one Dirk was going to train to the exercise area. They could wait their turn. Each would sit un
til told otherwise.

  He took them back one at a time until finished. Dirk was giving short lessons.

  Just as Coop penned the last dog his cell phone pealed. “I’ll take your shift, don’t worry about it. Just take care of her.”

  “What was that about?” Dirk lifted a brow.

  “Stan. His wife has a swollen jaw from a toothache. She suffered through the holiday, but can’t handle the pain any longer. He has to drive her to the dentist.”

  “Then Ajax is going to miss his lesson. I have to get to the Internet café. Who’s going to cover for Stan?”

  “I will. His schedule doesn’t start until ten when Bill’s opens, so I have plenty of time to take care of Ajax.”

  “See you later.”

  “Keep me posted,” Coop called out, as Dirk headed for his pickup.

  Coop finished with the dogs and spent the ride into town wondering what Lori was doing. Were her tests over? No. She’d promised to call him. He called the office and found that everyone was out searching for Dirk’s missing person. The only one on duty was Buster, and his hands were full with computer work.

  Coop opted to go straight to Bill’s. He’d be early, but what the hell? If today was like all the others, it would be a wasted one. Not so. He could spend the time thinking of Lori.

  It was nine-thirty when he parked across the street from Bill’s. He walked over to tell Jackson, who was on surveillance, to go home. If the sisters showed up, maybe he could get this case off the list. It was past time.

  ****

  Lori may have been floating on the drive to Doc’s house last night, but right now she was firmly planted in reality. The CT scan she was about to take would show if there was something wrong in her head. What if it was serious? What if she had a tumor?

  They walked into the clinic. Nice. Clean. It had a large waiting room with colorful Monet reproductions on the wall.

  “I’ll show you my office.” Doc sailed down the hall, opened a door, and went in.

  There was a mahogany desk, a couple of comfortable leather chairs, a computer, and a credenza. A man came to the door and knocked.

  “This is Leonard,” Doc introduced the thirty-something young man. “He was kind enough to take part of his holiday to run the test. This is Lori.” She pointed. “And this is Thor, her shadow.”