Accidental Love (22 page)

"Ronnie…"

"Barnes…Barnes…there's no Barnes listed. I'll try the hospital." More pages flipped, more torn.

"Ronnie…"

"It'll be all right, Rose. We'll get a new prescription and you'll be all set in no time."

"Ronnie!"

"What?" She finally looked up from her frantic searching.

"Stop."

"But-"

"It's too late to do anything now. I'll have to wait until morning."

"Rose, you can't wait until morning." She looked back down at the yellow pages. "Look, there's an all-night pharmacy less than five miles from here."

"You can't go out now."

"Sure I can. I can be there and back within a half hour." She reached for the phone.

"Ronnie, no." She shifted, well aware of the pain in her legs. "It's starting to snow out there."

"So? I've driven in snow before." Her hand rested on the phone but did not pick it up. "Rose, you need the Percocet, you know that. How are you going to make it through the night without it?"

"I'll have to manage. Ronnie, I don't want you to drive tonight. It's snowing and you've been drinking."

"I haven't had that much. I'm fine to drive." She rose to her feet, fully intending to change into more suitable clothes to go out.

"I'm sure the person who hit me felt the same way." Rose said quietly, causing Ronnie to stop and look at her, the words hitting home harder than she realized. "I don't ever want you to have to go through that."

Even though Ronnie knew she was unable to argue the point, she hesitated before lowering her head. "Are you sure that's what you want? I could take a cab," she offered.

"No. It's too late. Please, I can make it through one night." Even as she said the words, Rose was not at all sure. The pain had been steadily increasing and she really wished she had a pill at that moment. "Maybe you have some Tylenol or Advil?"

"You know they won't touch the pain."

"It's better than nothing."

Ronnie left and returned a minute later with several bottles of over-the-counter pain-killers from her medicine cabinet. While upstairs collecting them, she also grabbed her sweats and T-shirt to sleep in, knowing the couch would be her bed tonight. There was no way she was going to leave Rose all alone downstairs. She went into the bathroom and changed while Rose sifted through the various products promising to relieve pain and took three pills.

"You need anything else?" Ronnie asked when she returned.

"No, I think I'm all set." She reached for the covers, but her benefactor was faster.

"I got it. Move, Tabitha." The feline protested but moved out of the way. Ronnie tucked the blanket around Rose's body. "There you go."

"Thanks." The orange and white cat jumped back up and resumed her position on the bed.

"If you need anything, I'll be out on the couch."

"Oh Ronnie, you don't have to do that. I'm sure your bed is much more comfortable."

"No, really, the couch is fine. I'll leave the door open in case fuzzball needs to get out." She reached over and petted the purring feline. "Do you need anything else?"

"No, I think I'm all set."

"Okay then, I guess it's time to say good night."

"Good night, Ronnie."

"Good night, Rose." She smoothed an imaginary wrinkle in the blanket before heading to the door. "Remember, if you need anything, just call out. I'm a light sleeper."

"I will," the young woman promised as the light was shut off and Ronnie left the room.

part 6

Swirling memories of Christmases past danced in the wealthy woman's dreamscape; presents wished for and received, laughter and merriment, wrapping paper ripped apart in anticipation of the treasures hidden within. The sound of someone crying slowly broke through the fog, pulling Ronnie away from her childhood and back to the present. Her eyes opened to the darkness of night and it took her a moment to realize where she was and what she was hearing. "Rose," she whispered to herself, shaking off the weight of sleep and getting up.

"Rose?" she called from the doorway.

"Did I wake you? I'm sorry," the young woman choked, grateful the darkness kept her tears hidden from her friend's gaze.

"I knew the stuff I had wouldn't do any good," Ronnie said as she entered the room and sat down on the bed. "You want me to run out now? I'm completely sober."

Rose shook her head. "No, please don't leave." The pain was practically unbearable but the thought of suffering through it without Ronnie was even worse. "Please." She reached out and gripped the larger hand with her own. "Can you…can you stay here with me?" There was a shift in weight as the taller woman slipped under the covers.

"I'm right here." Ronnie moved as close as she dared, telling herself it was for Rose's comfort and not her own. She was surprised when she felt the soft cheek press up against her shoulder.

"Is this all right?" the young woman whispered. Ronnie felt the tears soak through her cotton tee and realized Rose must have been crying for quite a while before she had been awakened.

"It's fine," Ronnie answered, moving a bit closer.

"It hurts," Rose admitted, lifting her head to allow Ronnie's arm to slip underneath. They shifted their bodies into more comfortable positions, at least as comfortable as they could considering the injured woman could not roll onto her side because of her broken legs. Ronnie managed to bury her face into the soft golden hair, breathing in the gentle scent. Rose found herself snuggled into the crook of the older woman's shoulder, a place far more comfortable to her than the softest pillow could ever be. In Ronnie's arms she felt safe, protected, cared for. The throbbing pain was still there, yet somehow it seemed bearable now. Within moments both women were fast asleep.

***************

Rose awoke to throbbing pain in her legs and the sound of Ronnie clacking away on the computer. "Good morning," she yawned, snuggling back into the warmth of her pillow.

"Morning. Your pills are there on the stand." The executive stopped typing and turned around to face her. It was then that Rose noticed Ronnie was dressed for work, a tailored gray skirt and blazer combination accented by a cream colored blouse.

"You went out already?" The young woman sat up slowly, clearly surprised.

"I called the hospital as soon as I woke up and explained the situation to them." She moved her chair closer and poured a glass of water from the pitcher. "Doctor Barnes was there and had another prescription in for you right away," she said while handing the cup to Rose. "Then it was just a matter of running out and picking it up." She watched the young woman take her pills before she turned and pressed a few more keys. "I've got to get going. Do you need anything before I leave?"

"No, I'm sure Karen will be here soon. Is Maria here?"

"Yeah, she got here about a half hour ago. I'll let her know you're awake." Ronnie stood up and shut the computer off. "Are you sure I can't get you anything?"

"No, really, I'm all set. You have a good day at work. Do you think Tommy will be there?"

"I doubt it. He said something last night about not being in the office today." A flash of anger over last night's events clouded her features. "He'd better not show up either." She reached over and gave Tabitha a quick pet. "My office number is two on the speed dial if you want to give me a call."

"Oh, I wouldn't want to bother you or anything." Rose silently wished Ronnie would give her a hug goodbye but could not bring herself to ask for one.

"If you feel like calling, you just do it. Don't worry about bothering me because you won't." She hesitated for a moment. "It's kinda nice to hear a friendly voice in the middle of the day."

"Okay then. I'll call you later." She set the glass down and looked at her friend. "Ronnie?"

"Mmm?"

"Thank you for running out this morning. I really appreciate it."

Ronnie smiled. "You're welcome." She reached out and gave Rose's hand a squeeze. "Now I really do have to get to work. Call me later, okay?"

"Okay."

********************

It was late afternoon when the door to Ronnie's office opened and Susan entered, carrying a manila folder. "I was right," the redhead said triumphantly as she tossed the folder onto the desk.

"You were right about what?" Ronnie asked disinterestedly, not bothering to turn away from her computer.

"Your guest." She picked up the folder and opened it, reviewing the information she had acquired. "Rose Grayson graduated from Albany High School. There is no record of her ever having attending college anywhere or owning a credit card. She doesn't even have a driver's license."

Ronnie stood up quickly, sending her chair rolling back as she grabbed the folder out of Susan's hands. "You investigated her?"

"I had to," the younger sister protested. "You obviously believe everything she says."

"And what does it matter to you?"

"Ronnie, she obviously has nothing and saw a good meal ticket."

"You have no idea what you're talking about." She slammed the folder down on her desk. "Rose is not using me."

"No? Do you know where she was employed before you gave her a job?"

"Money Slasher, I know. She was a cashier there."

"A part time cashier," Susan corrected, "making minimum wage. From what I can tell, before that she bussed tables at a diner."

"What is your point?"

"My point is why are you doing this? Why are you letting some poor white trash live off of you?"

"Don't…you…EVER call her that again!" Ronnie roared. "You have no idea what you're talking about, and as far as 'white trash' goes, have you taken a good look at Tommy lately?"

"You're trying to change the subject."

"Am I? You're judging her because she doesn't have the money you and I do. How fair is that?" She walked over to the window and looked out at the dreary gray sky. "Did you take the time to talk to her? To find out what kind of a person she is? No. Not everyone who doesn't have money is scum and not everyone who is rich is a good person."

"I'm not saying that."

"You're not? You find out she wasn't born to privilege and right away you assume she's a gold digger."

"Then what is she, Ronnie? Help me understand because right now I don't," Susan challenged.

"Try looking at it from the family's point of view. A woman we've never heard of suddenly moves into your home, complete with a cat and obvious medical problems and you expect us to just sit back and not be concerned?"

"Yes, I do. It's my life, Susan. Who stays in my home is my concern, not yours. I didn't run an investigation on Jack when you announced you were going to marry him."

"Are you planning on marrying her?"

"You still won't accept that she is just a friend, will you?" She crossed the room and flopped down on the black leather couch. "Why does it bother you so much?"

"I just don't want to see you hurt…again."

"This is not like Christine, I told you that before."

"You may not think so, but from what I see…"

"Then you had better look again. Rose doesn't want anything from me. She's just a friend. Stop trying to make this into something more than it is." She kicked her shoes off and tucked her feet up under her legs. "You don't know her, Susan. You don't know what she's like. Last night her bottle of Percocet was stolen. I offered to go get more but she didn't want me to. Does that sound like someone who is only interested in my money? She hasn't once asked me to buy her a damn thing. Everything I do, I do because I want to, not because she asks me to." She waved her hand dismissively. "You don't understand, forget it."

"Look. You're an adult. You have to make your own decisions. I ran every check I could on her today. All the info is in that file. Do with it what you want." Susan headed for the door. "Ronnie, don't forget dinner tomorrow at Mother's."

"Oh, I'm looking forward to it," she said sarcastically. "Did you fax her a copy of your precious report? Or did you just take an ad out in the Times Useless?"

"That wasn't necessary, Ronnie. I'm just looking out for you."

"Last time I looked, I was taking care of myself just fine. I don't recall asking you to baby-sit me."

"Fine. Do what you want, you will anyway." Susan left, not bothering to close the door. Laura, who had been listening to the raised voices, discreetly closed it and returned to her desk, knowing the intercom would buzz in a few seconds.

"Laura, hold my calls." A second later, line two lit up and the young administrative assistant would have bet her entire paycheck that she knew who her boss was calling.

"Cartwright Residence," Maria answered.

"Hi Maria, may I speak with Rose please?" Ronnie was still sitting on her couch in the office, the block multi-line phone sitting on the floor next to her. It was at times like this she appreciated the extra length in the gray phone cord, even if it did get tangled up in her feet under the desk from time to time.

"Hello?"

"Hi there." At the sound of Rose's voice, Ronnie smiled, the stress of her conversation with Susan melting away. "How was Judge Judy today?"

"Oh, you wouldn't believe the cases she had."

"Tell me about them," she urged, settling back into a comfortable position. Ronnie could not explain it but the sound of Rose's voice had a soothing effect on her and, at the moment, she needed that comfort.

*******************

A few days later, Rose was at the hospital to get her stitches removed and to have new X-rays taken of her legs. Ronnie sat in the waiting area, reading six-month old magazines to pass the time.

"Almost finished," Doctor Barnes said, removing the last of the stitches on Rose's cheek. She stepped back and threw her latex gloves in the red waste receptacle. "Looks good. I don't think you'll have a scar. Remember to keep it out of the sun until it's fully healed. Not that that is a problem this time of year." She made a notation on Rose's chart. "You're recovering splendidly. At the rate you're going, I see no reason why you won't be on crutches by late Spring."

"Late Spring?"

"Late Spring," the doctor repeated. "Your body suffered a severe trauma. Your ankle alone was broken in seven places. It's going to take time to heal. Understand this, Miss Grayson, we're talking months of therapy, not weeks." The young woman's heart sank at the words. She knew it would take time, just not that long. How would Ronnie react? Surely that would be too long to stay at the place she was quickly thinking of as home.