But then, this was not 2007, was it?
"Confused," he finally squeezed out of his rusty throat.
"I know." Chelsea half laid on him to hug him, her eyes wet with compassion. "You scared us there for a while."
"This feels strange." His hand got tangled up in her hair as tendrils of it draped all over his chest. "My mind is stuck in 2007."
The very day after cheating on you with Erin Irving. He wondered if he had told her. She wouldn't be here if he had, Troy concluded readily, looking at him with so much compassion. It was enough to make him feel like jumping out of bed and clutching her to him, marveling at the fact that she was actually with him in 2013.
"Your doctor said your memory loss should be temporary. Your scans did not reveal any blood in the brain."
Troy grabbed her hand and curled it with his. "I missed you."
Chelsea nodded, tears in her eyes. "I thought I had lost you. It would be so crazy if I had. "
"Chels," Troy swallowed. "I have something to tell you. Maybe this is long overdue..."
The confession stuck in his throat. He had to get this Erin situation off his chest. But why was he pushing to tell her now, anyway? To tell her six years after the fact would create a broken link in their relationship and knowing Chelsea, she would probably go off the rails. And it was six years for them but not for him. To him it was only yesterday.
But it was wrong to keep it from her. His mind was screaming at him to get the telling over and done.
"What is it?" Chelsea leaned over him. She traced the outline of his lips. "I guess when you get your memory back I have a whole ton of things to tell you too."
"I..." Troy cleared his throat. "I... had sex with Erin Irving."
Chelsea chuckled. "Wow. You look so serious saying that."
Troy frowned. "So I told you already?"
"Hmmm...Yes." Chelsea nodded. "I like this memory loss thing; it's like that do-over that I was thinking of us doing."
"I told you and we are still together?" Troy couldn't believe it. He tightened his hand around hers. This was way better than he had thought that it would go.
"Well, we did have a thing." Chelsea looked into his eyes solemnly. "Close to a year of issues. She had your son, a boy named Todd..."
Chelsea kissed him on the cheek. "I left you, went crazy for a while..."
Troy subsided in his pillow. "And you and I are fine now?"
"I think so." Chelsea nodded. "I am moving my stuff into your home and I am going to be a full-time mom for the foreseeable future. I had a job and had to quit. Another long story."
Troy frowned. "I feel so confused about all of this."
Chelsea squeezed his hand. "Well, when you are better and you get your memory back, you can personally tell me why is it that you forgot to tell me that you are now a man of means."
"What?" Troy frowned.
"Pops left you millions of dollars in his will," Chelsea said impishly.
"Pops is dead?" Troy asked, troubled by that revelation.
"Oh boy." Chelsea raised herself off him. "I am sorry I blurted that out."
"When?"
"Last year, summer." Chelsea caressed his cheek. "I am going to stop talking."
Troy nodded and then closed his eyes wearily.
"You rest, honey," Chelsea whispered. "I am not going anywhere."
*****
"He is awake." A nurse came to the door, a wide smile on her face. "You have another visitor."
Troy opened his eyes. He thought he was alone in the room. Chelsea had gone; his parents weren't there either.
A flash of red caught his eyes at the end of the room and he realized that Terri was there, standing by the window looking out. She spun around when the nurse spoke.
"Mr. Scarlett..." A pretty young woman was at the doorway wringing her hands. "I am so sorry about this. They wouldn't let me see you earlier to apologize."
"Who is she?" Troy whispered to Terri.
Terri smiled at him tremulously. "Hey. She was your housekeeper. Her boyfriend was the one who spazzed out and whacked you."
"I am so sorry, Mr. Scarlett," the lady said. "They have Greg in police custody."
None of it made any sense to him. Troy just nodded. At least his head didn't feel as sore anymore.
"I am going to stay with my grandmother in Hanover for a while. I already told the children goodbye. Your wife is at the house now; they will be fine."
Troy closed his eyes. "What is your name again?"
"Faye." Faye's voice wavered. "He really doesn't remember me?"
"No," Terri said, "but when he does remember I am sure the apology will be appreciated."
Faye left the room shortly after that.
Terri sat down beside him and grinned. "You just had to scare me, didn't you, Troy Scarlett? I'll just have you know that I was on my way here for Todd's birthday and your wedding anniversary when you took a bat to the head."
Troy smiled. "Thanks for coming, Terri."
Terri nodded. "I have a tiny little issue I’m dealing with. I was hoping that you would have your memory back for me to tell you."
"What is it?"
"When you are better," Terri said ruefully. "It won't make any sense until you are better."
"Doesn't matter. You look a little spooked." Troy frowned. "Talk to me."
Terri kissed him on his forehead. She leaned over him. She smelled expensive. She also looked different, with her hair framing her pretty face in waves. It looked like a deeper red than usual. She looked slightly different to him, just like everybody else, but there was something he couldn't put his finger on.
"I am pretty sure that you make a good counselor but I don't want to burden you; you have a head injury. This can wait."
"Talk," Troy said sternly.
"Okay already." Terri ran her finger through her hair and looked at him with a touch of panic in her eyes. "I introduced you to this girl that looked like me a couple of months ago. You took a picture of us. Where's your phone?"
"Don't know," Troy whispered.
"If I had the phone I could show you. I shouldn't be telling you this." Terri sighed. "This is irresponsible of me; you don't even remember your own children."
Troy chuckled. "That's true, but you look so tragic. I need to hear this."
"Lola, that's the girl. She got herself into some trouble," Terri said hoarsely. "She was supposed to be married to an Arab prince; her stepfather signed the contract and everything.
Troy raised his brow. "So?"
"They do things differently," Terri said, getting up and pacing. "Like in the Bible, you know: contract, consummation and then celebration."
" Ah." Troy nodded. "Like Jacob and Rebecca and..."
"Yup, all of them," Terri said impatiently. "Anyway, the contract is signed. Lola is supposed to be the third wife of this prince but she is in hiding. Nobody knows where she is."
"So what does this have to do with you?" Troy asked, confused.
"We look alike, Troy." Terri's eyes narrowed. "If you had your memory you'd remember. Anyway, a week ago two of the prince’s security guys showed up at my apartment in London. My flat mate said that they thought I was Lola. They've been tracking me."
"And?"
"Me," Terri said exasperatedly. "Me, Terri Scarlett. They are convinced that I dyed my hair and changed my name because I am running away from the marriage! The prince wants me for the consummation part, Troy. Get it now?"
"Oh." Troy looked at his very agitated sister. "This really has you upset, doesn't it?"
"You think?!" Terri wailed. "I quit my job yesterday. I might be sticking closer to home. My world traveling adventures are over. If I move out of my country, who knows what will happen?"
"Calm down, Terri. This will all work out."
A flash of memory of his sister with another girl sitting in a hotel came to him as he spoke. It was all coming back.
He slumped in the bed while the memories righted themselves in his brain. Everyt
hing was clear, as if it were never blocked.
He looked at Terri, who had her head down and was chewing her lips.
"That girl Lola was really flirtatious at the hotel. Remember she asked me if I would date her?"
"You remember?" Terri looked back at him gleefully. "You remember!" Terri threw herself over him and almost choked him to death.
Chapter Twenty-One
Chelsea stood nervously at the door. Dahlia and Todd were skipping around in excitement. They had been allowed to visit the hospital while they kept him for observation for the past week.
And now he was coming home. The family had gathered together for this happy occasion. They were going to have dinner. All his favorite foods were prepared and they'd talk and laugh and were just happy that he was home.
Chelsea was feeling uneasy. This past week was important for her. She had seamlessly transitioned into the household without Troy. Taking care of the two children and running a new house had kept her busy.
She was slowly gaining Todd's trust, but would she have Troy's trust? They hadn't spoken privately for days.
He had not mentioned her almost-affair with Kadeem or the hurt it caused. He was grateful to be alive and thankful that she was around to pick up the slack for him, but was he really fine with her or would he give her the old heave-ho as soon as he stepped into the house?
She didn't have long to wait, as he walked in with his father.
They had shaved off all his hair. He was sporting the bald look. It looked good on him. Apart from the bruise at the back of his head, he looked fine.
The children were the first ones to greet him. She stood back and watched as Yuri and Terri crowded around him and hugged him too. He walked farther into the room, his eyes seeking her out.
She straightened up from the kitchen wall.
"Give me a half hour, guys, while I settle in. I missed this place and I need to reacquaint myself with that gorgeous woman over here."
He headed for her and pulled her with him up the stairs, to the chuckles of his family.
He pulled her into the room and closed the door and locked it.
"Hey." His voice was husky.
"Hey." Chelsea cleared her throat.
"Do you have any idea how much I have wanted to do this?"
"What?" Chelsea swallowed.
"Have you here in this room?" Troy grinned at her, "Have you move in with me? Are all your clothes in the closet, squeezing out mine?"
"Yep." Chelsea grinned. She had no reason to worry. Troy looked happy at the prospect of having her around.
Troy cupped her chin and looked into her eyes. "Did I tell you sorry for derailing our marriage?"
"You did," Chelsea said solemnly. "Did I tell you sorry for contributing?"
"I can't recall," Troy said vaguely, "but I had a head injury so you might have to repeat it."
"I am serious, Troy. I am sorry for the whole Kadeem issue and for going slightly over the top about Todd. You know, this week I got a chance to see how it is going to be with us. I like him. I am warming up to outright love, and I have made my peace with the whole Erin thing and reluctantly accepted that I may have contributed to driving you into her arms back then."
Troy sighed. "That's a relief to hear. You know, when I lost my memory and then heard that we were in 2013 my first thought was, ‘Did I end up with Chelsea?’ I couldn't imagine being with anyone else."
"I heard and I am flattered." Chelsea smiled. "After all the hell I have put you through in college."
"I don't ever want us to be apart, Chels…never again. We stay and we fight together, okay? We trust each other. We tell each other everything that could hurt us as a couple. No surprises. No burying information. No affairs. No contemplating affairs."
He lowered his lips to hers.
"That is fine by me." Chelsea wound her hand around his shoulders. "About dinner..."
"It can wait," Troy whispered. "I need to reaffirm my love to my wife."
And he did.
Author's Notes
Dear Reader,
THANK YOU for reading Scarlett Sinner! The second book in the Scarlett Series. If you enjoyed this novel, I hope you'll consider leaving a review at your favorite retailer.
The next book in the series will be SCARLETT SECRET, Terri's story. You can scroll down for an excerpt from this book.
Also below, is my BOOK LIST, of titles.
If you have comments or suggestions, I welcome them. You can reach me and receive a reply at [email protected].
You can be among the first to hear when I have special prices and new book releases by signing up for my mailing list. It will take you less than 50 seconds to signup. Click here to signup.
Thanks again. All the best,
Brenda
Here is an excerpt from
SCARLETT SECRET
"That was a good party, wasn't it?" Reuben grinned at Terri in the half dark. They were driving home after the party they had to welcome home Troy from the hospital. It was a little past eight o’clock and the rain was drizzling lightly outside.
Terri snorted. "Some party. He couldn't wait to be alone with Chelsea. And after they came downstairs grinning like Cheshire cats, they couldn't wait to kick us out. I didn't even get any of Mama's pudding."
Reuben hooted with laughter. "At least they worked out their differences and are happy again. Child number three should be in the works now."
"Yeah, I am happy for them." Terri sighed and pushed herself back in the car seat.
Reuben glanced at her. "You don't look happy."
"I am happy for them," Terri said tiredly. "Not me…"
"Why?" Reuben asked. "What kinds of issues can a young lady like yourself have? You are beautiful, talented, have a job that takes you all over the world. You'll meet somebody very soon."
Terri laughed dryly. "I doubt that. I quit the job couple weeks ago. It’s just that seeing Troy and Yuri settled is weighing on me. I guess I am just feeling broody. You know how Yuri has always had Marla as his soul mate and Troy married Chelsea. I have never liked anyone enough to even date."
Reuben nodded. "Yup. I know. Imagine, I am thirty-eight, Yuri and Troy are my younger cousins and they are doing all the things that I should have done years ago. But you have no reason to feel broody, Terri. You will not be single for long, I can guarantee that."
Terri grimaced. "There are not many prospects in Treasure Beach, Reuben. No prospects at all. The guys I grew up with are too goofy. The ones I didn't grow up with, who could be even remotely good potential partners, are too old or too young or too crazy, like Ricky."
Terri straightened up and looked at him. "It's a pity you are my cousin, you'd make a fine catch for some lucky girl."
Reuben snorted.
"Seriously, Ru," Terri laughed. "You are handsome and intelligent and you are very wise in the ways of women."
"Maybe that is why I am single," Reuben grunted. "I know too much about women."
Terri chuckled. "How are Faith, Hope and Joy these days?"
"Fine." Reuben shook his head. "Faith got herself a boyfriend who my mother describes as Satan's helper. Hope got through for law school and Joy recently opened a hair salon."
"I must stop by." Terri nodded. "Then again maybe not. Joy has always had a thing for my hair. She wants to see it black."
Reuben laughed. "She loves to experiment. Don't let her mess with your hair."
"Maybe I should let her mess with it." Terri sighed. "I have the same style and color for years. I have never done a thing with it. I am like one of those people who are stagnant. Nothing changes for me, It was amazing that I ever left the nest to go see the world. Staying at home is encoded in my DNA. See, I quit my job and here I am in Treasure Beach. I could live anywhere else but I chose the familiar. Maybe I should live a little. Mom and Dad are having more fun than me these days. They are always going off somewhere. This summer they are going to take a tour and what will I be doing? House sitting!"
&
nbsp; "Here we go," Reuben muttered. "Terri, you are twenty-four years old, aren't you a little too young to be feeling like you are stagnating?"
"No," Terri straightened the chair and gave him one of her assessing looks. "You should feel the same way too. As a matter of fact, you should feel worse than me, you have lived in Treasure Beach all your life with your mother and sisters!"
Reuben smiled dryly. "When my stepfather died I couldn't move out and leave my mother with three young girls to take care of. I had to stay with them. Besides, I don't live with my mother anymore. I bought a house over at Lovers Leap, nice sea view, good flat land, almost two acres. It is pretty close to the infamous Lovers Leap attraction. I am spending most of my time over there fixing it up by myself."
"Go Ru!" Terri squealed and clapped her hands. "You putting that inheritance to use!"
"And most importantly I am no longer living with my mother."
"Sorry about that," Terri said sheepishly. "I didn't mean to make it sound like a bad thing. I know Aunt Fan and Faith, Hope, and Joy depend on you."
"No need to apologize." Reuben slowed the vehicle to a crawl behind a market truck that was loaded with cabbages. "To be honest, I think that contributed to my single state and my lack of female companionship. There was this girl I met online a little before Pops died. We talked to each other over the phone and everything, but after Pops death I went a little crazy. I got the money and I thought why not meet my online girlfriend. I am no longer poor farmer Reuben who still lives with his mother. I had options and I was going to take the world by storm, I was going to follow my dreams."
"What happened?" Terri asked.
"We arranged to meet in Florida."
"And?" Terri hated to wait for information.
Reuben had this way of slowly talking and drawing out a conversation like he was considering every word.
"She was a guy," Reuben said quickly. "You are never to tell anybody about this."
Scarlett Sinner (The Scarletts Page 14
