by Sherri Hayes
Meeting her eyes, he sent her a smile that made her breath catch in her throat.
They didn’t speak, just watched each other. Cali forgot about her earlier discomfort, losing herself in Matthew and those crystal blue eyes.
Cali had no idea how long they stayed locked in their trance, but when the nurse came in to check her vitals, Matthew moved away. She instantly felt the emptiness of their separation. He stood on the opposite side of the room and watched her while the nurse worked, and Cali began asking questions. He didn’t understand much of it, and the he couldn’t help but chuckle to himself at the look on the nurse’s face. She was obviously trying to have patience with her doctor patient, and it reminded him that Cali was a real practicing doctor, one that had patients of her own a few weeks ago.
As the woman finished up, she placed Cali’s chart at the end of the bed.
Everything looked good. She was to stay overnight for observation, but should be able to go home in the morning if everything went well.
It was almost an hour later when Cali’s stomach started to growl, and she remembered neither one of them had eaten dinner. Matthew stood, told her he would be right back, and disappeared around the corner.
She took the opportunity to call her father. He picked up after just the first ring.
“Cali?”
“Hi, Dad.”
He released the deep breath he’d been holding. “Cali, honey, are you okay?”
It was so good to hear her dad’s voice on the other end of the line. “Yeah, they say everything’s okay, and I should get to go home tomorrow. They just want to keep me overnight for observation.”
Alvin was quiet for a minute, “I should be there.”
“Dad, I’m fine. Really. Besides…you have your own accident to recover from,” she said, trying to lighten the mood of the conversation.
“An accident? Cali, do you really think this was an accident?”
She paused and thought about it a minute. “I don’t know. I didn’t see the car coming at all.”
Alvin made a grunting noise into the phone just as Matthew appeared with a Wendy’s sack. “What does Matthew say?”
Cali bit her bottom lip and looked at the man in question. “I don’t know. We haven’t really talked about it yet.”
Her father didn’t seem to like that answer. “What do you mean you haven’t talked about it yet? Where is he? Have the police been by to take your statement? Is there a forensic team on the scene?” The volume of his voice increased with every sentence.
He was getting worked, and she calmly reminded him that wasn’t good given his condition. Then she added, “Matthew’s here. No the police haven’t been by to take my statement yet. And I have no idea about a forensic team.”
“Matthew’s there?” he sounded surprised.
“Yes.”
Alvin asked to talk to Matthew who quickly gave her father a run down of what was going on. Before Matthew gave the phone back to Cali, she heard him say, “Don’t worry. I’ll not let her out of my sight.”
Cali got back on the phone with her dad. And after several more reassurances that she was, in fact, okay, they said goodnight and disconnected.
***
Matthew placed a burger and fries on the tray in front of her before setting up a matching array on his own lap. Cali unwrapped her burger and took a bite. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until the greasy goodness of the meat and cheese filled her mouth. It was eleven o’clock, and she hadn’t eaten since lunch.
They each devoured their meals. “Thank you for dinner,” Cali said.
Matthew gathered up the trash and put it in the waste bin. “You’re welcome.” He smiled as settled back in his chair beside the bed. “You should get some rest.”
Cali watched as he leaned back in his chair, folded his arms across his broad chest, and closed his eyes. He was going to stay with her tonight. A part of Cali told her she should tell him it wasn’t necessary, that he should go home, and sleep in his own bed, but a larger part of her didn’t want him to. She felt safe with him there.
Slowly rolling to her side, she watched him for a while as his breathing evened out with sleep. Her eyes became heavier and began to close. She drifted off remembering the feel of his hand in hers.
Several times during the night, different hospital staff interrupted Cali’s sleep to take her vitals or worse, her blood. Every time she woke, Matthew was there.
Each time his eyes would hold hers for just a moment before closing again to give her privacy while she was poked and prodded. He wouldn’t drift off to sleep again, however, until they were once again alone. Cali didn’t know why, but this comforted her.
At eight o’clock, the doctor came bustling through the door. After reading over her chart and giving her a quick exam, he declared she was fit to go home. Thirty minutes later, the nurse arrived with discharge papers and a list of instructions for Cali.
Matthew ducked out into the hall as the aide helped Cali get dressed. It was another hour before they managed to get the all clear and she was actually able to leave. Jason had dropped Matthew’s car off during the night so they would have a vehicle. Bringing his car around to the front entrance, Matthew helped Cali inside. “Would you like to stop for breakfast, or do you want to go straight home?”
As much as Cali wanted to prolong her time with Matthew, she knew she needed to get home. Jessie would be worried sick. “Home, please. I’m sure Jessie is worried, and she’ll make me something.” Matthew just nodded and started driving.
Matthew had not yet cut the engine before Jessie came running out the door.
Within seconds of opening the car door, the woman wrapped her arms around Cali.
“Oh Cali!” Stepping back, Jessie took stock of her appearance. “Are you alright dear? Your dad called and told me what happened.”
Before anyone could react, Jessie pulled Cali toward the house. “Come. Let’s get you settled, and I’ll make you some breakfast. You must be starving. No one can eat what they call food in those hospitals.”
Matthew followed them inside the house. Cali looked a bit overwhelmed by the attention, but still happy.
Jessie stopped just inside the kitchen. “We should probably get you into bed. You must be tired, trying to sleep in hospitals is impossible. I can bring your breakfast there. Anything you want, you just name it.”
“I’m fine. Really. I can eat in the kitchen,” Cali said, but when she saw Jessie open her mouth to protest, she added, “but maybe at the table today instead of the counter.”
Jessie brushed a hand down Cali’s face, a comforting maternal gesture. “Sure. What would you like?”
Matthew saw Cali’s lips turn up with a smile. She obviously had great love for this woman. “Pancakes?”
Beaming, Jessie disappeared inside the pantry and called out, “Have a seat and I’ll have them ready in a jiffy.” She quickly stuck her head back out with a chagrinned look on her face and asked, “Will you be staying, too, Mr. Andersen?”
“Yes. Please. If you don’t mind?”
Quickly Jessie turned her attention back to making pancakes while Matthew and Cali stepped over to the table. As Cali took her seat, he saw her wince. No matter how tough she acted, she was still sore, and his desire to take care of her skyrocketed.
He didn’t want to leave her, but he knew he would have to, at least for a little while. “I need to go into the office today and get an update on what’s going on.”
Cali’s hands were in her lap, but he could see her fidgeting. “I understand. Jessie and I will be fine.”
Matthew glanced up at the older woman. He didn’t think anyone would try something with witnesses in the house, but he couldn’t be sure. He would have to make his errands quick. “How long is Jessie here today?”
Cali looked up at him and then over her shoulder at Jessie. “Oh. Um…she’s usually here in the mornings. I think she leaves around noon?”
Matthew nodded and leaned back as
Jessie brought them each a plate of pancakes. It was already ten, and there was no way he could make it back to the office, to his apartment, and back here in less than two hours. Smiling up at the woman, he said, “Jessie?”
“Hm?”
“Do you think it’s possible for you to stay a little later today? I really don’t want Cali to be alone in the house, and I have a few things I have to do.”
Cali’s heart leaped in her chest just a bit. He’d called her Cali. Matthew had never called her Cali. It was always Ms. Stanton or, at the very least, both her first and last name’s together. She stared at him while he focused on Jessie. Did he even realize he’d said it? Did it actually mean anything, or was she just reading too much into it?
Matthew caught her staring at him and smiled before turning his attention back to his pancakes. Cali felt silly that Jessie and Matthew were rearranging their schedules for her. What happened last night could have very well just been an accident. Whoever it was might not have seen her.
But why hadn’t they stopped then? And what about… She didn’t want to think about that now.
Quietly she ate her food. Matthew was finished and got up to leave. “I’ll be back in a few hours.”
She looked up at him, “You don’t have to babysit me, you know.”
Cali saw his hand reach for her and then stop. Matthew’s eyes were a darker blue than normal as he looked at her. “I promised your father I would take care of you, and I will.” With that, he turned around a walked out the door.
Chapter 24
Matthew stopped at home first to shower, change clothes, and pack a suitcase.
He had no idea how long he would be staying at the Stanton home, but he figured it would be a few days at least. He was completely truthful with Alvin. He did not intend to be very far from Cali until he could be sure she was no longer in danger.
Once things were secure at home, he went to the office and found crime scene tape still surrounded Cali’s car. He wondered if they’d found anything last night.
Parking his own vehicle, he walked to the elevators and felt a sense of déjà vu as a shiver ran up his spine. Matthew never wanted to relive last night. Ever.
It was a smooth ride to the thirtieth floor. As soon as the doors opened, he saw his brother waiting for him. Neither spoke as they walked to Matthew’s office.
Shutting the door and locking it, Jason turned to his brother. “How is she?”
Matthew went straight to his desk and booted up his computer. “She’s alright. Bruises mostly.” Finding the camera feed with the correct time stamp, he brought it up on the large screen behind his desk and turned. Nothing but static. He turned back to his computer and began checking the settings.
“It’s no use. Martinez and I were up half the night going through the security tapes. All the ones that matter weren’t working,” Jason said with a sarcastic edge.
Matthew’s head snapped up. “What do you mean, not working? How could they not be working? We check them every day.”
Then it hit him. “The mole.” Suddenly he felt the need to be where Cali was. He needed to keep her safe.
Edging past Jason, his brother caught his arm. “Matthew, there’s more you need to hear.”
He stopped, took in the seriousness in his brother’s eyes, and took a deep breath preparing for the next bombshell. “Tell me.”
Jason didn’t hesitate. He pulled out several sheets of folded paper from his jacket pocket and handed them to Matthew. “Martinez’s got the originals, but he made me copies. I knew you’d want to see them.”
Quickly, Matthew flipped open the pages and nearly fell into the seat behind him.
They were pictures of Cali; pictures of her here in Chicago, in outfits he’d seen her wear. These were recent photos.
As he flipped to the last one, he saw the outfit she’d worn last Thursday, the one that had made a star appearance in his dream Friday morning.
Matthew sat stunned for several minutes before his brain kicked into high gear.
Standing up, he refolded the papers and stuck them in his own jacket pocket.
Fixing firm eyes on Jason, he said, “Someone needs to go through every single tape from this building for the last twenty-four hours. We need to know who went in and out and when.”
Jason nodded his agreement. “I’ll get on it today.” Giving one quick nod with his head, Matthew made for the door again.
Jason watched as his brother strode down the hall. He didn’t need to ask where Matthew was going, he already knew. And even though they were no closer to finding the mole and Cali’s life now appeared to be in danger, Jason’s step was just a little lighter. Even if he didn’t know it, Matthew was head over heels for Cali Stanton.
***
In Matthew’s rush to get back to Cali, he almost forgot to pick up the pain medication the doctor had prescribed. Enough meds were sent home with her to get her through today, but after that, she’d need more. He pulled into the parking lot of the corner drug store and made his way inside.
It was the middle of the day so they weren’t busy. Matthew walked directly to the pharmacy counter and handed the pharmacy technician a slip of paper with tiny scrawl. He hoped she could read it because he sure couldn’t.
Taking a seat in the small waiting area, he pulled out his cell phone. Jessie picked up after the third ring. He explained the situation briefly, and she agreed to stay close to Cali until he got there.
The fifteen minutes it took before the pharmacist told him the medicine was ready was almost unbearable. He’d never been more nervous in his life, and that was saying something, considering some of the past situations he’d been in.
Finally, he was out the door and back on his way.
He felt a surge of relief as he pulled up to the house. Parking his car around the back, he grabbed his things and made his way inside.
Jessie met him as he came through the door, and he followed her upstairs. They stopped for a minute outside of Cali’s bedroom. She was curled into herself, lying on her side. Her hair brushed the pillow and her cheeks were slightly flushed.
Matthew’s eyes were riveted on her face, exploring every detail when Jessie’s voice interrupted him. “She was so tired. After you left, she came up to lie down.”
He shifted his bag further up his shoulder. “She needs her rest.” Turning to face Jessie, he asked, “Were you able to get a room ready for me?”
She nodded motioning for him to follow. “Yes. I thought you’d want to be close to her,” she said, walking into a large room only two doors away from Cali’s. “This used to be Cali’s play room years ago but Alvin had it turned into a bedroom.” She looked up at him. “Will this work?”
Laying his bag on the bed, he nodded. “Yes, thank you.” Jessie smiled, and for a second, Matthew thought he saw something more behind it than just natural happiness at choosing a bedroom that met with his satisfaction. He brushed that thought aside as her expression changed. “Did you need anything before I go?”
He walked over to the window on the far side of the room and looked out. The backyard was as he remembered from when he’d come to supervise the security installation. Placing his hands in his pockets, he turned. “No. I think that’s everything, Jessie. Thank you again for staying.”
“I would do anything for her. She’s like a daughter to me. You have my number if you need anything.”
Matthew walked Jessie to the door and thanked her again. He watched her get into her car and drive away before he walked back up the stairs.
On the way to his room, he paused again at Cali’s door to watch her sleep. She was still on her side much as she’d been before, but now her arm was outstretched, almost reaching. He didn’t realize what he was doing until he was standing beside her bed. Kneeling down, he brought his face level with hers. He took her hand in his and with his thumb, rubbed small comforting circles on her palm. A small smile tugged at her lips, and a soft sigh escaped her mouth.
Matthew had
no idea what he was going to do now. No matter how many times he told himself it was inappropriate, his feelings for her grew stronger. As he watched her sleep, he couldn’t find an answer to his situation. All he knew now was that he would do everything in his power to make sure she was safe.
He couldn’t do what he wanted to do, so a few minutes later, he forced himself to leave. It was just better to remove himself from temptation.
Making his way down the hall to his own room, he walked to his duffle bag and began to unpack his things. This was going to be his home for the foreseeable future, so he might as well get comfortable.
***
Cali slept until almost five. She wasn’t overly shocked to see Matthew there after his comment this morning. What surprised her was that he’d apparently moved in. A part of her was touched by his obvious concern for her, but she was also a little upset that he felt she couldn’t take care of herself in her own house.
He’d insisted on making dinner for her when she’d mentioned she was hungry, and she voiced her opinion to him on the subject. Matthew listened quietly as he cooked. She had valid points, he admitted to himself. While she was inside the house, the chances of someone harming her were very small; the security was state of the art.
Matthew wasn’t taking chances though; not when it came to her. He set her plate in front of her and then took a seat himself. After a few bites, he noticed she wasn’t eating. Cali was obviously waiting for him to respond. Setting his fork down, he folded his hands up under his chin and faced her. He would as honest as he could be.
“Someone wants to hurt you. I don’t know who, but I will find out.” In a softer tone, “Let me make sure you stay safe.”
Cali was lost once again in the blue eyes staring back at her. His face was pleading.
All the fight she had left her. “Okay,” she whispered.
Neither moved for a minute. Matthew finally cleared his throat and picked up his fork again. He didn’t want to bring this up now, but he knew he must. “Jason and Martinez found something by your car.” She stiffened.
