“Damn, I thought something was fishy,” the cabbie said, pulling over. “Okay, Ma’am. I don’t know who the hell you are and I don’t care. Just pay me the ten dollars for your ride this far and get the hell out. You can call some other company to pick you up.”
At the cabbie’s harsh tones, the baby’s wails rose a notch. His face grew darker. Dorrie fumbled in her purse and pulled out one of the twenties from the cash machine. Hopefully, the tip would insure his silence. “You can keep the change. I’m terribly sorry. I know I got into the wrong cab and I was too embarrassed to admit it. I don’t know where my mind is lately.”
He gave her a skeptical look. “Sure, and you’d have gone all the way to the airport? Lady, I don’t know what your game is, but I want no part of it. You could have cost me my job.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said again, as she fumbled with the door handle, and stumbled out, clutching the baby, the kit and her purse which had again slipped off her shoulder. Her pad felt wet and messy, but nothing dripped down her legs, so hopefully she wasn’t hemorrhaging.
Once the cab had sped away, she took note of her surroundings. It appeared she’d been left at the corner of a small subdivision on the outskirts of Flagstaff. A glance at her watch surprisingly showed only nine-thirty.
Hopefully, she still had time to catch Steve before he got to the hospital to pick her up. If he happened to arrive at her room and was questioned, Lord knows what would happen.
She walked a few houses down, so no passersby or cars on the main drag could spot her, then shifted the baby in her arms, and put the kit down. She opened her purse and pulled out her cell.
With each ring of the phone, her alarm heightened. If Steve had been picked up for questioning, the call could lead the authorities straight to her. Still, she had to take the chance.
She heard a click, then Steve’s voice. “Hi Dorrie, I just pulled into the parking lot. I’ll be right up.”
“No, whatever you do, don’t go in. Back out and head away. Call me back after a few blocks.”
No questions asked, he hung up. A few minutes later, her phone rang. “Okay, what’s up?”
“Someone figured out who I was, so I had to leave the hospital. The cops were coming in while I was going out. I just got away in the nick of time. What a nightmare!”
“Holy cripes. Good thing you caught me or it would have been a real fiasco. Where are you now? Give me some street names so I can Google and find you.”
“I’m a few doors down from the intersection of Grape and Vine, on the northeast side.”
“Okay, I’ll get there as soon as I can. Look for a dark blue Chrysler van.”
***
It had taken more than ten minutes for the cabbie to get to where he dropped her off, so Dorrie knew Steve couldn’t make it much faster. Also, with the snow thickening, it could take even longer.
Shivering and wishing she had a coat, Dorrie kept shifting the baby’s weight, which seemed to be doubling with every passing moment from her original seven pounds, nine ounces. Thank goodness, she’d thought to bring those covers from the bassinet to protect her child from the elements.
As she waited, she couldn’t shake off hallucinations of stepping into a warm, inviting tub. Dream on. That wouldn’t happen for many miles, or was it moons? Would Steve ever get here?
Finally, she spied a dark van slushing down the street in her direction. When it pulled up, snowflakes obscured the windows.
The driver pulled his window down. She blinked fast. Was that Steve? The last time she’d seen him he’d not had long hair, a beard or a mustache. Still, he did look familiar.
He flashed a smile. “Harry Manning at your service.”
Relief flooded through her at the familiar sound of his voice. She heard Steve open his door, as with stiff legs she stumbled to the van. The steps were kind of steep. How could she get Juliana up there and keep her balance at the same time? As if reading her mind, Steve said, “Here, let me take the little one and buckle her up nice and safe.”
She carefully handed her precious cargo over. Once Juliana had been safely secured, Steve sprang down to join her.
She smiled ruefully. “I’m glad someone remembered a baby seat. I’m a terrible mother. I didn’t even think of it.”
“Don’t put yourself down. If I know you, you’ll be the best mother alive.”
She glanced at Steve in appreciation. Beneath the tall, solid frame, full beard, bushy mustache and long black hair beat the heart of a teddy bear.
She only hoped his generous spirit would not be his downfall. If her actions hurt him, emotionally or otherwise, she’d never forgive herself. Was it Divine Providence that he’d not found someone special after all these years, or his bad luck he’d been available in her time of need?
With gentle, yet firm hands, he helped her up the stairs to her seat next to Juliana. Blessed warmth enveloped her.
Embarrassment followed relief at being in his care. It would be a long ride. What could she possibly say to someone she’d avoided for so long? After they took off, politeness dictated she state the obvious. “I can’t thank you enough, Steve. You really don’t have to do this.”
“Hey, don’t mention it. That’s what friends are for. We had some great times together.”
“That we did, and I must say, we both looked a lot different then.”
He chuckled. “I thought you’d get a kick out of my Hairy Man moniker and look, and I must stay you look quite smashing in that punk cut.”
“Oh, please, don’t rub it in. It’s the best I could do on the spur of the moment.”
“No, I mean it, you look great. Then again, you’d look great in any color.”
Was he for real? She glanced up into his rear view mirror and their gazes locked. The smile he returned looked genuine and sweet, just as she remembered. Wow, he really knew how to boost a girl’s self esteem.
A few blocks away, he pulled over and reached in the glove compartment. “Remember, I said you look good in any color? Here’s that red wig you ordered.”
“Thanks, Harry Manning.”
She adjusted the wig onto her head, and checked the results in her hand mirror. Well, at least it was a better cut than the one she’d done herself. The red didn’t look half bad with her natural complexion. Maybe it would work. The main thing was it should keep her safe from any prying eyes who’d be looking for either a brown eyed blond or a black haired, punk cut renegade.
“Told you, you’d look good in it,” he piped in.
“I bet you say that to every girl you buy a wig for.”
“You’re the only one, so I guess that’s true.”
Ignoring the double meaning behind his words, she laughingly described her trip to Wal-Mart and how she came upon her punk cut.
After some easy bantering, they went on to share bits and pieces of their lives, catching up on their years apart. He regaled her with tales of the varied jobs he’d held before finding his niche in the technological field, where he now set up and maintained websites and blogs. “The great advantage of this job is I can do it wherever I can get connected.”
It didn’t take long before she again grew comfortable in his company, almost as if the years hadn’t passed since they’d dated.
Along the way, they stopped at fast food restaurants for carryouts and ate them in the van. When it grew late, Steve booked a two bedroom suite at a respectable looking motel.
***
After visits from various plastic surgeons plus a few internists, Roman was discharged with instructions to follow up with his own doctor. Understood was the fact that despite any care he’d take to ward off infection, and no matter how well the skin healed, the looks he’d previously enjoyed would never return. They’d be gone forever, unless the squat man took pity on him.
Roman held no hopes of that happening anytime soon. Not after what he’d done.
He stepped out of the hospital into the blinding sunlight, with half his face swathed in bandages
. Fear, embarrassment, horror and anger warred inside him as, in plain view of the public, he awaited his ride.
Finally, the black Mercedes pulled up, and his nemesis rolled down the window. “Diablo, get in. Don’t dawdle.”
Resignedly, Roman opened the passenger door and climbed inside.
“No more coddling. We’ve got work ahead and I expect you to do your share. There’s that unfinished business with the widow and child to attend to, the test markets to run, a pill to sell, and most importantly, my imminent coming out.”
“Do we really need to go after the woman and child? Why not leave them alone?”
“For one thing, we can’t take chances. For another, I want that child.”
“It’s mine. That was the deal.”
“Not any more. You broke your end of it, so that deal is off. The new one is the kid’s mine to do with as I please. I don’t need to remind you about sticking to the story, if you know what’s good for you. Is that clear?”
Roman nodded, wincing in pain and frustration.
***
“Tell me about the friends’ place you’re watching.”
“I think you’ll like it. It’s a log cabin, kind of big for Wisconsin standards, set back in the woods, but close enough to the main road to easily get around. Expect plenty of deer, chipmunks, birds, squirrels, an occasional bear, and lots of snow in the winter.”
Dorrie sighed. “Sounds like heaven. I know I’ll love it.”
Not once on the way to the cabin did Steve bring up his feelings about her marriage to Larry, though she knew her decision had to have devastated him. Before Larry, he’d hinted about settling down together, and she’d led him to believe it could be so. It might have been, if not for that chance meeting at Keith’s barbecue.
Steve put on a good front, going out of his way to make her comfortable in his company, yet deep down she suspected he’d never gotten over her rejection of him. He was such a nice guy, and she hoped the present arrangement wouldn’t result in his being hurt again. Bad enough she’d done it once.
They pulled up to the log cabin, which looked as heavenly as Steve had described. She hoped its owners would stay away a long time, since this was the kind of place she’d love to call home.
Stepping across the threshold into a new life, Dorrie turned to glance into Steve’s warm eyes. For a moment, time spun backward. They were together again, and she thought she loved him.
Returning to the present, she shook away the flashback. She had no idea if she could recapture her old feelings, or if they’d even be enough.
Only time would tell.
### The End###
Don’t Go Away - There’s More To See
Blessing or Curse: A Forever Young Anthology
Remember those test subjects? You’ll learn what happens to them in Blessing or Curse: a Forever Young Anthology by Morgan Mandel, coming soon to Amazon. They each have a story to tell. Here’s a peek, along with a few excerpts:
Consuela and Diego – He’s got Parkinson’s. She’s desperate to get back the husband she had, but will he be the same man she fell in love with?
Excerpt:
Ah, the wonderful love they’d shared. Why must it end this way?
“Diego, eat,” Consuela Morales said, holding out a spoonful of puree to her shrunken, wheelchair-bound husband. His dry parched lips remained obstinately shut, his gray eyebrows furrowed. He wanted to die and she didn’t blame him. God help her, sometimes she wanted him dead too. Till death do us part seemed a long time to live with half a man. Placing the spoon into the jar with a klunk, Consuela gazed morosely at her husband. Mamacita, God rest her soul, had warned her not to marry a man twenty years younger, but the ripe, chestnut-haired Consuela had paid no heed, choosing passion over common sense.
Diego of the raised eyebrows, straight black hair and cocky mannerisms fevered her blood, making her come alive as no other man could.
Ezekiel (EZ) Steadway – He’s a 50 year old African-American man riddled with performance anxiety. How far will he go to restore his manhood?
Excerpt:
The male enhancement pill had not done the trick, so neither could he.
Ezekiel rolled off the water bed. “Be right back.”
She flashed a smile. “I’m not going anywhere, big boy.”
Wincing at her choice of words, he stumbled into the bathroom and shut the door.
Dee Dee Marshall – She’s a 60 year old doormat whose husband has left her for a younger woman. Can she learn to assert herself and start over?
Mike Walinski – He’s a Chicago cop who’s out of shape, but must pass a physical to stay on the force. Will he win the race against time, or is it already too late?
Sherri Cartland – She’s a model/actress too old by Hollywood standards. She’ll do anything to look young, but are looks everything?
Next Page – Read About the Author, Morgan Mandel
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Morgan Mandel is a former freelancer for the Daily Herald newspaper, a prior president of Chicago-North Romance Writers of America and once served as Library Liaison for Midwest
Mystery Writers of America. Her romantic suspense, Killer Career, and her debut mystery, Two Wrongs, are both set in Chicago, while her romantic comedy, Girl of My Dreams, travels the globe. You can find all of Morgan’s books at Amazon.com.
Morgan’s website is: http://www.morganmandel.com. She’s an avid networker, and would love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Youtube and more. She belongs to tons of e-groups, maintains a personal blog at Double M’s Take on Books, Blogs, Dogs, Networking and Life, and also appears at the group blogs: Acme Authors Link, Make Mine Mystery and The Blood-Red Pencil.
Morgan lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband, affectionately known as Good Paul, plus their lovable pit bull, Rascal, who lives up to her name. When Morgan’s not reading or writing, she enjoys going on long walks, attending local events, watching romances and mystery movies, as well as hunting for finds at garage and rummage sales. Her vices are: pizza, ice cream, chocolate, and a propensity for playing slot machines.
And Now, Here’s A Short Message to Readers
This book was written for people like me who wish they were young, and also for those who still are. I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for purchasing Forever Young: Blessing or Curse.
Morgan Mandel
Table of Contents
DEDICATION
Copyright
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
CHAPTER FORTY
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
C
HAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
CHAPTER FIFTY
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Blessing or Curse: A Forever Young Anthology
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Forever Young: Blessing or Curse (Always Young Trilogy) Page 25
