by C. J. Harte
Teri stroked Mia’s hand. “You’re fine. Natalie was a nurse.”
Mia could almost hear Nat’s laughter, see her teasing brown eyes, hear her lilting, melodious voice. “I love you, and I know you haven’t forgotten Teri. Ten years from now, you’ll still be with me and we’ll both be saying ‘Teri who?’ I’ll be teasing you about your three gray hairs. And you will be as madly, deeply, hopelessly in love with me as I am with you right now.” She fought back the tears.
“She was the most giving, loving person I’ve ever known.” Mia began to cry. Teri moved closer on the bed.
“What happened?”
Mia shook her head. “She died.” Mia sniffed and tried to wipe her eyes. Her right hand was too heavy to lift more than three to four inches off the bed.
Teri brushed the tears away. “Can I hold you?”
What a strange request. Mia just nodded. Teri and Natalie were merging. She was having trouble separating them.
“When did she die?”
Teri’s body felt good next to her. “Eighteen months ago.” Mia sighed and closed her eyes. “I’m so lost without her.” Mia felt empty. She was afraid she was forgetting what Nat looked and felt like. She wasn’t the only one. “Michel cried every night. I would put him in my bed and rock him to sleep. It was three months before he could sleep in his own bed through the night.” Her voice betrayed her. She was back in Paris with Michel. “Now, sometimes, he asks me to tell him about his mother. He can’t remember what she looked like. So I show him the picture of the three of us.”
Mia turned her head and looked into Teri’s eyes. “She knew about my crush on you, but she loved me in spite of you. Unconditionally.”
“I don’t understand.”
Mia giggled. Was Teri really that dense? The pain medications were really kicking in. She was talking too much. “You were the first girl I had a crush on. From the first time Jeremy and I hid on the terrace, I thought you were the most beautiful, magical being in the whole world. I wanted to grow up and be beautiful and funny and sophisticated so that you would notice me. And one day, you would ask me to dance and kiss me under the stars.”
Mia’s speech was slurring. She was getting sleepy. “But you broke my heart and called me a liar.” Mia tried to raise her right hand. She wanted to touch Teri’s face. The hand wouldn’t move. “I don’t want to hurt anymore.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Pieces of her past came flying back. Teri had gotten so many things wrong. “I don’t want you to hurt anymore.” She gave Mia a gentle, lingering kiss, enjoying the softness and the connection. “I never knew. Mia, what do you need now?”
“Hold me.” The words were barely above a whisper. Mia was falling asleep. “I do love you, Nat.”
She thinks I’m Natalie. Her heart was in shreds.
Teri lay there for some time, holding Mia and replaying scenes in her head. She now understood Mia’s protests and Jeremy’s accusations when Mia’s family was sent to London. Mia was a teenager with a crush, but not on her brother. And I’m the one who shot her down. No wonder she didn’t want me to know about Pamela Milton. I wouldn’t have trusted me, either.
What surprised Teri the most was the recognition of the growing feelings she had for Mia and the nascent hope that it was mutual. After all these years. Yet, this Natalie had loved her in a way I don’t understand. Or could. And she still loves her.
A light came on, and Teri buried her thoughts and feelings. She wiped away a solitary tear.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was in here.” One of the nurses walked up to the bed. “I just need to take vitals. Are you her partner?”
Am I anything to Mia after the way I’ve treated her? “Yes.” Why did I say that? “Didn’t know if there are visiting hours?”
“Immediate family members can stay overnight if you want us to make arrangements. We do need to get some paperwork taken care of. She didn’t have any insurance information when she came in, but Dr. Crain said someone would be by to take care of that. I guess that’s you.”
Insurance, of course. Teri put her business face on. “Where do I need to go?” She stood and straightened out her clothes.
The nurse gave directions and Teri was gone. Thirty minutes later, she had a cup of coffee in hand and walked back into Mia’s room. The couch had been made into a bed and Teri sat down. She watched Mia sleep and wondered what life would have been like if she had taken a different road.
Doesn’t matter. I made my choices. Mia was a kid and the family deemed her unacceptable. I dealt with it. It’s obvious she’s still not acceptable even though she has the education and social skills to excel in so many different worlds. Then there’s Elaine. Father has hinted that relationship must be discouraged. I can see how happy Jeremy is. Would I give up so much to be with someone? Would I give this up for Mia?
Teri didn’t have an answer. For her brother, she would do whatever was necessary to support him and Elaine.
*
At six, the orthopedic surgeon came in and talked with Mia. Mia was more alert and was asking questions. Teri was grateful. It was obvious she was anxious to be back in France. The surgical procedure was explained, and she was reassured she would be able to resume her life soon and have all her follow-up at home. Mia signed the surgical consent forms. Teri’s head acknowledged the need for Mia to leave. Teri’s heart wanted her to stay.
After the surgeon left, Mia noticed her. “I didn’t know you were here. Have you been here all night or did you just get here?” She was friendly, but none of the intimacy of the previous evening was even hinted at.
“I came in last night and then came back.” Why am I lying? Why not talk about last night? Mia is the stronger person. You, Teri, are a coward. “How are you feeling?” Teri stood by the bed. She felt as if Mia was a stranger that she was meeting for the first time. A stranger she wanted to be close to. One she just lied to. Can I change?
“I think my toes and nose are the only parts of my body that don’t hurt.” Mia’s efforts to smile ended in a groan. “I don’t remember exactly what happened. I remember being at your party and being tired. After that, just brief images. I know I’m in a hospital, but how did I get here? I remember all of you being here for a while.”
Teri outlined the briefest details of her fall and being brought to the hospital. She didn’t mention Pamela. That would be saved for another day when they could have a longer talk.
“Is there anything I can do?”
Mia’s face scrunched up. “Did you ask me that last night? I get bits and pieces, but nothing makes sense.”
Teri brushed hair away from Mia’s face. “You’ll remember in time.”
Two people in scrubs wheeling a gurney came in. “We need to get you down to surgery.” The person speaking turned toward Teri. “You can follow us down to the surgical waiting area and we can let you know how she’s doing.”
Teri nodded and followed. As soon as Mia was wheeled away, she got out her phone and started making calls. She still had a business to run, and she wouldn’t rest until something was done about Pamela Milton.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Teri was almost manic in gathering every ounce of information she could on Pamela Milton, the Milton family, and their businesses. Integration of the Miltons’ company into her business could increase profitability. It could be worth billions. Stanton Enterprises could expand into Asia. They might even have taken the company public. Pamela Milton’s behavior had cast a pall on everything. She needed to be meticulous in handling this transaction.
She looked at her watch. She had time to run home, shower, change clothes, and still be at the office before eight. She wasted no time getting to her car. She left her morose thoughts about her relationship with Mia where they belonged—behind her. She surgically removed them and left them on the hospital floor.
*
Her senior staff were busily making notes. “We’ve been working on this acquisition for over a year, and we find
out today they have some major legal problems. Anyone want to explain?”
No one even made eye contact. Teri was furious. She wanted to rant and yell. She took a deep breath. “Pretend like we’re just starting out. I want every fact, every dollar, every product, and product recall rechecked. It’s three o’clock. I want an update by six. No one goes home until then.”
The room was vacated so fast Teri didn’t even have time to stand up before she was alone. “Fuck!” Teri slammed her hand on the table. No one had uncovered a small factory in India owned by the Miltons that burned down killing three hundred employees.
“Theresa!” Her father looked very unhappy. “Why are we stalling this takeover? This damn factory has nothing to do with us. We’re not purchasing that part of the business.”
How could she explain? Was she just looking for any excuse to break the deal, or was she frustrated because she hadn’t come up with a way to keep Pamela Milton out of the picture?
“Fix this.” It was an order. “And I want this Elaine person gone. Why isn’t Jeremy here today?” Her father walked out. He didn’t want an answer. He wanted action.
Teri realized how much she was becoming her father. Was this the road she wanted to continue on? She turned her computer on and checked her e-mail. Nothing yet on Pamela Milton.
She turned the computer off. She wanted to run to the hospital and be with Mia. She needed to run the company. Of the two, running the business was the one she was more comfortable with, and more familiar. This is how I got where I am. Making the sacrifices. Including your soul? Come on, Teri. Aren’t you being a little dramatic?
It was almost six. Her staff floated back in. She shut down mentally—everything except what she needed to run the meeting. She could deal with the abstract later.
“All right. Who wants to start?” She listened to each person’s report. “I want all this in writing by nine tomorrow.” Not much new. She sent her staff home. “Maybe I should check on Mia.”
Teri drove to the hospital, her mind going around in circles. Mia. Work. Mia. Work. Then, for some diversion, she threw in some guilt. It was getting her nowhere. Being around Mia was making her crazy. She stopped the car and briefly thought about turning around and driving back to the house. She could work at home just as easily. But she wouldn’t see Mia.
It was getting late. Maybe she could see her tomorrow. No, I need to see her now. Teri kept driving.
*
Mia was laughing. She looked much better. She was easily entertained by Bren, Jeremy, and Elaine. “How are you feeling?”
“Teri! I’m fine.” Mia was obviously surprised. There was something else. She looked puzzled. Maybe it was that the room had become quiet.
“You left the office early,” Bren reminded her. “Does this mean you came here since I didn’t come to the office?”
“Actually, I came to see Mia.” She joined the conversation around the bed. Even banged up, Mia was still beautiful.
Bren and Mia began telling stories about Jeremy growing up, much to his chagrin. “Okay, enough. Elaine thinks I’m a great person, and now you’re telling her all my secrets.” Jeremy put his arm around Elaine. “I assure you they’re exaggerating. I’ve always been an angel.”
Teri humphed. “What my little brother means is that he pretended to be an angel and hoped he didn’t get caught. The only reason he had such good grades was because Mia was so studious and she made him study with her.”
“How did you know?” Mia and Jeremy asked in unison.
“The oldest knows.” Teri didn’t try to hide a smug smile. “You’d be surprised at the things I knew you three were into.” She looked at Bren. “I even followed Bren and Mia when you two decided to run away from home.”
“Oops,” Mia said. “Guess we weren’t as sneaky as we thought.” Her smile was amazing and welcoming. Teri hoped it was meant for her. No wonder she was having so much trouble focusing on work. Again, she stayed after the others left.
“How did your surgery go?”
“It’s over. I couldn’t move my hand much before. Now I can’t move it at all. Swollen. Everything’s fixed. Whatever that means. How’s work? Real work, that is.”
“Nothing seems to be going right, but I don’t think you really want to talk about that.” She talked about anything but work. Anything to get Mia to smile. Finally, she became more somber. “Mia, I want to make up for so much.”
“I’m sorry if I…when Bren was talking about last night, I started remembering pieces of what happened. As soon as I get some paperwork I’m waiting for, I’ll be going back to Paris. I won’t cause any problems.”
“Mia, stop. You haven’t done anything wrong. I know you’re waiting for Michel’s passport. You’re welcome to stay at my place, if you choose, for as long as you need or want.”
“I told you about Michel, didn’t I?” Teri nodded. “Ugh, I thought I had dreamt that conversation.” Mia picked at her blanket. “I’m embarrassed. I don’t usually dump my personal life on someone.” She turned away and stared out the window.
Teri sat on the edge of the bed and turned Mia’s face back toward her. “Please don’t. I’m glad you had someone who loved you that much. I’m the one who needs to apologize, but we can talk about it some other time.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Mia had no doubt that Teri was sincere in apologizing, but she was puzzled by her unwillingness to talk about what happened. She had remembered telling Teri about Natalie, Michel, and, worst of all, her crush on Teri. Was this making Teri uncomfortable? The kiss seemed very natural and comfortable. Was she again regretting kissing?
This visit had not been what she planned, but she was glad it happened the way it had. The next page of her life was calling.
“Bren has already offered her place. It probably would be easier if I didn’t run into your parents or the Miltons.”
“Are you determined to turn down all my offers?” Her face was serious, but there was teasing in her voice. “That’s fine. If you’ll feel more comfortable. The Miltons left today, and we don’t expect them to be back any time soon.”
“Jeremy didn’t expect you to be home the day I arrived.”
“Again, you’re right.” Teri smiled, and this time it reached her eyes.
“You’re attractive when you smile. You really should do it more often.”
Teri reached for her good hand. “Maybe I don’t often have a reason to smile. I should let you get some sleep.” She kissed Mia on the cheek and quickly left.
“Why is it you change the subject or run away any time we start personal conversation? Is that why you disappeared this morning?” Maybe someday she might be able to actually ask Teri, but she doubted it.
*
At six in the morning, Teri was back. Mia was determined to keep the conversation on friendly, but neutral terms. “Good news today. I can leave tomorrow. The surgeon wants to see me in seven to ten days, check on the swelling, and then put a hard cast on. Hopefully, I’ll be gone by then.”
“Are you that anxious to leave?”
“I didn’t plan on being in this area this long. I came to see Jeremy and Bren. Then I wanted to go look at places to live.”
“Are you moving back to the States?”
“I’d like to move back with my parents and Michel. Just haven’t quite figured out how yet. How’s work? You seemed distracted earlier.”
“Work is good. Well, mostly. A part of my life that is definitely controllable.” Teri sat on the bed. “I feel like I have a half dozen fires that I’m trying to deal with at the same time.”
“Am I one of the fires? Bren reminded me of my encounter with Pamela Milton.”
Teri’s fists tightened. “She shouldn’t have.”
Mia grabbed one of Teri’s fists, rubbing it until her hand relaxed. “Teri, why not? I had bits and pieces of the evening, and she filled in the blanks. I couldn’t remember what happened right before my fall. I know now it was an accident.”
&
nbsp; “It was not an accident. She should never have touched you, especially when you told her to leave you alone.” Teri’s voice was strained. She was obviously struggling for control. Control must be Teri’s mantra, Mia decided.
“It was an accident.” Teri just glared at her. There was no way Mia was going to convince her otherwise. No need trying. “Anyway, I’m getting out of here sometime tomorrow.” Mia smoothed out her blanket. “Teri, what’s going on between us?”
“What do you mean?” A brief look of fear passed across her face before Teri put on her unreadable expression.
“You’ve kissed me. More than once. You bought a very expensive, and lovely, dress for me.”
“One you haven’t worn.”
“One I haven’t worn. You spent the night in the hospital with me. You actually were lying in bed next to me but lied to me about it.” Teri stared down at their hands and pulled hers away.
“Mia, there’s nothing going on. I’ve just been concerned about you.”
“Are you afraid I’m going to sue you?” Mia wasn’t sure she wanted an answer. She prayed the answer was no, but she needed to know.
“No. What makes you think I even believe that?”
“Bren said that was the first question you asked her when she told you what happened.”
Teri began to pace. “My sister can have a perverse sense of humor. I practically had to beg to find out what happened. Brenna, in her most regal and legal voice, informed me what had happened. I briefly wondered if she was trying to tell me that you planned on suing. I didn’t believe it, but I had to ask.” She returned to sit beside Mia. “I don’t believe you’re that kind of person.”
“What kind of person am I?”
“Do you need me to tell you?”
Mia’s gaze was steady. “Yes.”
“You’re an amazing, talented, beautiful woman. Whether it’s a result of your liberal arts education”—here, Teri smiled—“or just who you are, I’ve never met anyone quite like you.”
