Riley's Sleeping Beauty

by Sherryl Woods

  She shivered at the sudden intensity in his voice. “Better. You’re on the right track,” she taunted, though her voice had grown shaky.

  Riley shot her a look of disgruntlement. “You are determined to pry the precise words out of me, aren’t you?” he complained grumpily.

  She nodded, refusing to back down on the point. “Tradition says those three words ought to be part of any serious marriage proposal.”

  “But you are a most untraditional woman,” he reminded her. “I think you’ve proved that today beyond a shadow of a doubt.”

  Abby finally lost patience, for real. For a tough, hardened cowboy, Riley Walker had no more gumption than...words failed her. Than Martin, she decided finally. She shoved at his chest, trying to free herself from his embrace.

  “Untraditional or not, I want you to admit it, Riley Walker. I want you to tell me that you love me.”

  His expression sobered at once.

  “I am—” He kissed her softly.

  “—absolutely—”

  Abby’s pulse pounded.

  “—crazy—” He touched his tongue to the seam of her lips until they parted.

  “—in love—”

  Abby thought her heart was going to slam straight through the wall of her chest.

  “—with you.”

  A sigh of pure joy whispered through her. He loved her. Riley Walker actually loved her.

  With his words echoing in her heart, she knew without a doubt that no matter how much time or distance separated them, she would always do anything, anything, it took to get back to him.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “I’m not giving up on her, Mrs. Dennison,” Riley said late in the evening on Abby’s twelfth day in the hospital.

  He was exhausted, frustrated and angry. His emotions had had so many ups and downs he felt as if he’d been on the wildest roller coaster ride of his life. He had felt so hopeful the day before, when it had seemed Abby had finally awakened, when it had seemed she’d been aware of his presence, when she’d whispered that she loved him. Since then, nothing. She hadn’t spoken one single word, hadn’t so much as blinked.

  The doctors claimed, though, that there was some evidence that she was no longer actually in a coma, just sleeping very soundly. They’d said something about being able to rouse her, to get her to react to their neurological tests in a way she hadn’t before. Riley had paid scant attention to their claims, because the reality was smack in front of him. Abby was as still and silent as ever. He was determined, though, that he would not budge until that changed.

  He clutched the phone tightly and paced as far as the cord would allow. “Mrs. Dennison, I promise you that I will be with her for as long as it takes.”

  “Dear, I know you would never give up on her,” Abby’s mother responded with a touch of indignation. “You’ve never been a quitter. Do the doctors have any news at all?”

  “None,” he said tightly. “Maybe I’ve made a mistake in not having her transferred back to the States.”

  “Stop that,” she scolded. “You’ve done what you thought was best. Nobody could have been more loyal or patient.”

  He raked his hand through his hair. “All I’ve done is sit here. Maybe she should have been getting some kind of more aggressive treatment. I’ll never forgive myself....”

  “Riley Walker, stop borrowing trouble,” Mrs. Dennison ordered. “Abby will get through this ordeal. I know she will. And she is not going to blame you, so stop your worrying on that score, too. You know Abby was never one to hold a grudge against anybody, and she could always find it in her heart to forgive you anything.”

  She chuckled. “Remember that time you accidentally tore up her precious flower garden when you and her brother were playing football?”

  “Falling into a bed of flowers is not the same as risking her life,” he said, though he found himself grinning at the memory.

  Abby had been ready to tear him apart limb from limb when she’d found her piddling, already wilting plants squished beneath him. She hadn’t cared a whit that he’d made the best pass reception of his life. She’d accused him of being a clumsy oaf and thrown herself on top of him. When she’d realized his shoulders were heaving with silent laughter, she had pummeled his back with her fists until her arms grew tired.

  Legs straddling his waist, she’d demanded, “Say uncle.”

  “Uncle,” he’d repeated compliantly.

  “It’ll cost you twenty-two bucks to get up.”

  “Why twenty-two?”

  “That’s what the plants cost.” At his doubtful expression, she’d added airily, “Plus my labor.”

  “You’re an expensive gardener.”

  “Damn right.”

  “I’m surprised you’re not more successful.” He’d glanced pointedly at the drooping flowers that were no match for the desert heat.

  Abby had regarded him with such a hurt expression, he’d promptly said, “Okay, twenty-two bucks. Take it out of my wallet.”

  She had done just that without a moment’s hesitation, then asked, “How long was that reception, anyway?”

  “I’d say about seventy yards. Your brother was clear down at Marge Wilson’s when he threw it.”

  “Not bad.”

  Thoroughly indignant, he’d rolled over then, tumbling her onto the damp ground and crushed blossoms. “Not bad? Not bad!”

  She had been howling with laughter when he’d finally let her up.

  That had been the first time he’d ever kissed her, silencing those laughs by covering her mouth with his own. It began as a teasing gesture, but it hadn’t ended that way. It had ended with all the heart-stopping, breath-stealing passion possible between a man and a woman. She’d been seventeen. He’d been twenty-one and very much aware that she was too young to comprehend the kind of heat they’d generated.

  When that kiss was over, they had stared at each other in stunned silence, both of them breathless, both of them shaken, both of them suddenly aware of possibilities they had never before considered.

  Even now, years later, just thinking about the potent impact of that first, devastating kiss made Riley’s pulse run wild. He doubted Mrs. Dennison knew all of the memories she’d stirred by bringing up that particular incident.

  “Riley? Are you still there?”

  “I’m here, Mrs. Dennison.”

  “Son, take care of yourself. I’m praying for both of you.”

  His heart swelled with emotion. Why hadn’t he seen before that though he had lost his own family long ago, he had still had Abby’s? Her parents loved him with the unconditional acceptance of his own mother and father, the beloved parents he had lost too soon, at a time in his life when he had most needed guidance and support and love. Most of all, he had always had Abby.

  And he knew from everything Mrs. Dennison had said and hinted during their phone conversations over the past two weeks that she believed totally in a future for him and Abby. Had always believed in it. Apparently he’d been the only one to come late to the realization that they belonged together.

  When he’d hung up, he looked over to see Jared standing in the doorway, studying him thoughtfully.

  “What’s on your mind?” he inquired grumpily.

  “Just trying to figure out what it’ll take to get you out of this room.”

  “I’ll leave when Abby does,” Riley said. He took a closer look at Jared and decided his associate had the appearance of a man with something heavy on his mind. “What’s up with you?”

  “I had a call from Mexico City this morning.”

  “Oh?”

  “The people who hired you to look for that Mayan temple are getting nervous. There are rumors that another team is right on the verge of pinning down the location. You know what’ll happen if they get there first.”

  Riley muttered a curse under his breath. “I know, all right. If Higgins is involved, he’ll rob the place blind, then tell the authorities where it is.”

  “Exactly. He’s n
ot known for his deep sense of civic obligation.”

  Riley drew in a deep breath. He knew what he had to do, the choice he had to make. He could no longer delay Jared. Nor could he go with him.

  “Take Manuel and go,” he said. “I don’t want that thief being the first person on the scene, especially if he’s the one who had anything to do with what happened to Abby.”

  “You don’t know he was anywhere near us that day,” Jared warned, regarding him worriedly.

  “I’ve got a sixth sense when it comes to that guy. He has the scruples of a street thug. He wouldn’t hesitate to kill someone to get what he wanted. He wanted those maps in the worst way.” He shrugged. “You don’t have to rely on my guesswork. Manuel will be able to identify him.”

  Jared nodded. “If he does, I will see that Higgins pays for hurting her. I’ll probably have to keep Manuel from shooting him on sight.”

  Riley grinned. “Don’t fight him too hard.”

  Jared squeezed his shoulder. “I know it wasn’t easy for you, but you’ve made the right choice,” he said lightly.

  “There was no choice,” Riley contradicted. “I belong with her. I always have.”

  Jared nodded approvingly. “It’s about time you came to that conclusion. I’ll stay in touch. The minute Abby gets out of here, I expect you to join us.”

  “Count on it.”

  “Both of you,” Jared added, in case he’d missed the point.

  “I doubt Abby would have it any other way,” Riley said dryly. “And I think if she pulls through, there won’t be anything I could ever deny her.”

  When Jared had gone, Riley pulled his chair closer to the bed. “I hope you heard some of that, Abby. That temple is out there somewhere just waiting for us. All you have to do is wake up and give me another chance. This time I promise you, we’ll find it together.”

  * * *

  “We’ll find it together.” Together. The word echoed in Abby’s head. This time when she blinked and opened her eyes, the world she awakened to was more familiar, though she had no idea how she had wound up in a hospital bed surrounded by all sorts of modern medical technology. Where was she exactly? She had a vague recollection of a trip to Mexico, of some sort of argument with Riley that had escalated out of control, of impetuously leaving him in the middle of nowhere.

  Maybe her presence here in this hospital had something to do with those wild, impossible dreams she’d had. Clearly something or someone had conked her on the head. And her shoulder felt like hell. She felt as if she’d lived through several very eventful lifetimes that had drained her of every last bit of energy. She promised herself that later, when she felt stronger, she would try to piece it all together.

  But though her memories now seemed thoroughly muddled, one thing did stand out distinctly. Riley. She recalled quite clearly that he had surfaced time and again. And each time it had seemed as if they had grown closer and closer to resolving the differences that had sent her off alone into the Mexican rain forest.

  In fact, it suddenly came to her, in the end he had shared his quest for gold with her, rather than sending her off when the going got tough. He admitted that they were destined to be a team. And finally, after what seemed like eons, he had openly declared his love for her. With a surge of pure joy, she recalled that he had actually asked her to marry him.

  Was any of that true? Or had she only dreamed it all?

  If only real life weren’t so much more complicated, she thought with a sigh of regret. If only Riley weren’t so bullheaded and obstinate about protecting her, instead of listening to her and respecting her yearning to share his adventures. But he was bullheaded and obstinate. That was real life, not these fantasies she’d had while she’d slept.

  Still groggy and aching all over, she cautiously shifted her head on the pillow, and that was when she saw him. Her heart thumped unsteadily at the sight of him. Her dear, precious Riley hadn’t abandoned her, after all. A tiny spark of hope flared to life somewhere deep inside her.

  He was actually there, sitting in a chair beside the bed, rumpled and clearly exhausted, his head sagging. His cheeks were shadowed by the beginnings of a beard. His streaked blond hair was mussed. She smiled as she visualized him raking his fingers through it. His brow was creased by a frown, as if his worries had followed him into sleep. One tanned, callused hand rested on the bed beside her. She wondered if he’d unconsciously reached for her.

  Slowly, warning herself that what happened in a dream couldn’t be counted on in real life, she lifted his hand and entwined her fingers with his. Suddenly, with her hand enveloped in his warmth, she felt safe and secure, just as she had in those wild, unlikely dreams.

  At her touch, Riley awoke with a start, his gaze immediately fastening on her face.

  “You’re back,” he said, a smile spreading slowly across his face.

  “You’re here,” she said.

  Both spoke with an air of wonder.

  “How long have I been unconscious?” she asked, aware with every fiber of her being that he continued to hold her hand as if it were the most natural gesture in the world, almost as if he were afraid to let her go.

  “Nearly two weeks. The worst two weeks of my life,” he said.

  Abby was startled by the depth of emotion in his voice. In the past, Riley had always been so careful to avoid showing any hint of his real feelings. Only she, because she knew him so well, because she loved him, had ever guessed how deeply he was affected by things.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “You don’t remember?”

  “Not everything. In fact, very little. I had all of these dreams. I’m not sure I can sort them out from what actually happened.”

  He told her quite bluntly what he knew about the events from the time she had walked off and left their camp with only Manuel for protection. Though he didn’t say as much, she could tell from his tone he was still angry that she had run off as she had. Yet underlying that fury, she sensed a level of fear and despair that was only just now beginning to dissipate.

  “I’m sorry I frightened you,” she said quietly.

  “Frightened doesn’t begin to cover it,” he said, his voice tight. “You took ten years off my life. When I realized you had left camp, I thought I’d go crazy.”

  “But you said I took Manuel.”

  “Was that supposed to reassure me?”

  An image suddenly formed in her head. She remembered exactly how hard Manuel had fought to protect her from the three men who had attacked them. “He was very brave.”

  “I’m sure he was. That didn’t keep you from nearly getting yourself killed.”

  “How did you find me?”

  “Jared and I searched for two days. We finally came across Manuel. He told us the guerrillas had brought you here.”

  “I’m surprised you didn’t go on looking for the temple once you knew I was in the hospital,” she said, watching his face closely. “I know you were under a deadline.”

  He stared at her angrily. “How the hell was I supposed to go on with the search until I knew whether you were going to live? What kind of man do you take me for, Abby?”

  “A few years ago that’s what you would have done,” she reminded him. “You would have called and turned me over to my parents. You would have let them sit here and worry about me, while you got on with the job you were being paid to do.”

  To her surprise, after an instant’s indignation, he grinned ruefully. “I tried that,” he admitted. “Your mother wouldn’t let me get away with it. She said there was no need for them to fly down. She said I was all the family you needed.”

  Abby tightened her grip on his hand. “You always have been,” she said softly. “I still can’t quite believe you stayed all this time. Why did you?”

  He shrugged. “Because you needed me. They said you seemed more at peace when I talked to you.”

  Abigail thought of the times in her dreams when Riley’s presence had saved her, of the times when
she’d been reassured, and knew then that it was his presence here, by her bedside, that had really been the comfort. Even though he claimed he’d made the choice only after gentle coercion by her parents, the fact that he had put his work aside to be with her told her a lot.

  “Riley, I—”

  “Abby, I—” He grinned, then gestured for her to speak first.

  “Why did you stay all this time? The whole truth this time, okay?”

  He looked uneasy, as if she were cutting too close to a truth he would have preferred to keep hidden.

  “You’ve already asked me that once and I answered you. I stayed because you needed me,” he said stiffly.

  She kept her gaze pinned on him and waited.

  Finally he sighed. “And because I couldn’t bear it if anything had happened to you and I hadn’t been here.” He leveled a look straight at her then. “There’s something we need to talk about.”

  “My going home,” she said with an air of resignation. He still wasn’t willing to admit to his real feelings for her, after all. He would only confess to a sense of responsibility for her well-being. She knew exactly where that sort of commitment led. She prepared herself for being ordered back to Phoenix once again.

  “We’ll get to that,” he said. “First I want you to tell me about your engagement.”

  She stared at him in astonishment. This was the last topic she would ever have expected him to bring up. In all of the weeks after he’d learned of her engagement, he’d mentioned Martin only when absolutely necessary. “You want to talk about Martin? Now?”

  He nodded. “Talk, Abby. What’s the deal between you two?”

  She looked away for a minute, then turned to face him. It was time to go for broke here, time to lay all of her cards on the table and see if Riley would ever become a part of her future.

  “It’s over between Martin and me,” she said candidly. “There never should have been an engagement. I knew that even before I came on this trip with you.”

  “Which explains why you left your engagement ring behind,” he said.

  “You noticed?”