Can't Get Enough of You (30 page)

Scott was wrong about one thing. She did love and trust him. It was no accident that she'd welcomed Scott's support or that he'd been the first person she'd told when the private investigator had found Lincoln. Scott had been there for her every time she'd needed him.

“Jenna? Are you still there?”

“Yes, I'm here. I was just thinking. Sherri Ann, do you believe what they say? That hindsight is always perfect?”

“Jenna, please stop beating yourself up about Scott. You had no way of knowing what he was thinking or feeling the morning you found him with Leah. You did your best under drastic circumstances. You weren't at fault!”

“I could have listened to—”

“Jenna! Forget it for one night,” Sherri Ann begged. “Please.”

“It's cold outside,” Jenna said halfheartedly. She wasn't eager to inflict her miserable mood on anyone else.

“It's winter in Michigan. It's supposed to be cold. Get dressed.”

“It's also snowing.”

Sherri Ann sighed. “Does that mean you aren't coming? Because I will come and get your uncooperative behind. I'm not letting you spend New Year's Eve alone.”

Jenna sighed. “You can't leave your own party to come after me.”

“Then I suggest you get your butt in gear. Or I'll bring Laura with me. You get yourself over here. You've got an hour and a half. If you're not here, expect us at your door, missy.”

Jenna laughed. “Missy? I'll get dressed. Has anyone told you that you're bossy?”

“Yeah, you. So what else is new? I mean it, Jenna Marie.”

“I'm coming. Give me an extra half hour. I need to take a shower first.”

“Not a minute longer. Bye.”

Still brooding, Jenna was slow to move. For weeks she had doubted her ability to hold onto him. Scott had come a long way from being the gangly young man she'd first fallen in love with. She'd had no defenses against the sophisticated, debonair man who had pursued her with intensity. He was an accomplished man with striking good looks, a great deal of masculine grace, and wealth. Naturally, he drew male and female attention wherever he went. Scott didn't have to do much—just show up and he was mobbed for autographs. It was the way women flocked to him that Jenna found particularly disturbing. He had been involved with some of the most glamorous women in the world.

That morning she'd been very close to accepting his proposal. Yet all the old insecurities had rushed back the moment she'd seen him in bed with Leah. Jenna knew she was pretty, but she wasn't outgoing or strikingly beautiful. She didn't spend hours on her hair, nails, and makeup. She didn't wear curve-hugging clothes, and her experiences with men were limited. She'd only slept with one man. It hadn't been a stretch for Jenna to believe he preferred her sexy, flamboyant twin.

Scott had assumed that her lack of faith in him proved she didn't love him. What Jenna lacked was confidence in her feminine appeal. It wasn't something she could gain from a textbook. Her problem had nothing to do with how she felt about him.

Jenna sighed. She didn't want to spend hours pretending to be excited about the upcoming year. It would be a year that wouldn't include Scott in her life. Despite all that they'd been through and all the hurtful things that they had both said and done to each other, she still loved him. And it hurt.

A glance at the bedside clock sent her hurrying to get ready. Hoping to at least look festive, Jenna teamed a glittery silver-beaded sweater with a long black velvet skirt. She'd just pulled on a knee-length black boot when the telephone rang.

Grabbing the telephone, she said, “Sherri Ann, I'm heading to the garage to warm up the car right now.”

“Hi, Sis. Looks like I was lucky to catch you at home.”

“Lincoln! It's good to hear your voice.” Jenna's voice wobbled. “How are you? Carolyn? And little Corrie?”

“Wonderful.”

Brother and sister visited for a few minutes. Then he insisted on knowing how she really was holding up. Brushing away a single tear, Jenna quickly recounted her meeting with Scott. She admitted to being a little down, but in the hope of ending their conversation on an upbeat note, she told Lincoln of her plans to ring in the new year with friends. After telling Jenna about his plans to spend a romantic evening at home with Carolyn, Lincoln told Jenna that Leah was going out with friends. Jenna held back an angry retort. She quickly ended the call, cheered by her brother's promise to phone the next day.

Bundled in a long wool coat, muffler, gloves, and hat, Jenna hurried out and nearly took a spill on an icy patch on her way into the detached garage. Grumbling all the while, she lifted the lid of the aluminum garbage can where she stored rock salt, then tossed some onto the spot.

Once the car was warm, she backed out of her recently shoveled driveway, thanks to the neighbor's teenage son. The snow was steadfastly falling, and the wind was fierce. She shook her head as she drove past the neighborhood liquor and convenience store. It was brightly lit, and, judging by the number of cars in the lot, the party was on.

As she maneuvered around a deserted car left on the side of the road, she took her foot off the accelerator. Rather than slowing, the car picked up speed as the tires spun on a sheet of black ice. Thanks to Scott's tutoring during their college days, she knew better than to apply the brakes. Instead, she focused on staying calm and loosening her death grip on the steering wheel.

“This makes no sense. I'd rather be at home in my nice, warm house celebrating with a pint of triple caramel chunk ice cream,” Jenna complained aloud.

The wind was howling and the snow wasn't letting up. Despite the front and rear defrosters going full blast and the windshield wipers moving at top speed, she was having trouble seeing.

“Oh, Scott . . .” she sighed, recalling the things they'd done together when they'd first fallen in love. Even though he'd given her driving lessons, he hadn't liked her being out alone at night. He'd often picked her up from her night class so she wouldn't have to take the bus home.

Deciding it was too slick to chance the steep incline at the entrance to the expressway, she stayed on the well-lit street, even though it would take twice as long. Jenna began to relax as she approached the Wayne State University area, still several blocks from Sherri Ann's condo. If she got stuck around here, she could get out and walk. She giggled. At this rate it might be after midnight by the time she got there.

As she neared the busy intersection, she began to slow even more, anticipating the traffic light changing to red. Suddenly an SUV moving too fast for the elements was behind her with horn blaring. Rather than decreasing speed, it seemed to pick up speed as the driver came barreling toward Jenna.

She tried to speed up, but her tires were unable to gain traction on the slick pavement. The SUV's brakes screeched as it plowed into the back of Jenna's dated compact car. The impact sent her car hurtling through the red light and into the intersection. She swerved to avoid hitting an oncoming car, while her car seemed to pick up even more speed on the ice. Struggling to gain control of the car, Jenna screamed as the car crashed into a lamppost.

Twenty-nine

“S
omething's wrong. She should be here by now,” Laura said as she listened to the repeated ring of Jenna's telephone.

“Stop that! You're scaring me, making me think something's really wrong,” Sherri Ann complained, her forehead creased in a frown.

Laura said, “It's not like her to say she's coming and then not show up! She hasn't answered her home or cell. It's nearly eleven.”

“Laura's right. Jenna should be here by now,” Maureen said.

“Maybe she and Scott made up? And she hasn't gotten around to calling,” Trenna suggested hopefully.

The ladies were seated around Sherri Ann's living room, with a bounty of food laid out on the large coffee table and the champagne chilling in an ice bucket.

Sherri Ann shook her head. “That's not likely, considering how she sounded earlier. She wasn't expecting him. But even if he had shown up at the last minute, she would have called.”

“Well, I can't just sit around, doing nothing but worrying. I'm going to drive over to her place to check on her.” Laura got up, heading into the foyer for her coat and boots.

“Wait! I'm going with you,” Sherri Ann called, then turned to her guests. “You don't . . .”

“Don't worry about us. You two go. Trenna and I will stay here in case Jenna suddenly calls or shows up,” Maureen volunteered. “She might be having car trouble, especially with the weather being so bad.”

“You don't mind waiting?” Sherri Ann straightened from putting on boots and reaching for her hooded coat.

Bundled up in a down-filled coat, Laura waited with car keys in her hand. “We'll call as soon as we get there,” Laura said.

“Drive carefully.” Trenna waved from the open doorway. “Don't forget to call!”

“We will,” Laura called back. While she started the car, Sherri Ann grabbed a long-handled snowbrush and scraper to clear away the snow.

Neither foster sister voiced her fears as they sat waiting for the defroster to clear the windows. They began to retrace the route Jenna normally took. They were nearing the busy intersection a few blocks away from Sherri Ann's condo when Sherri Ann shouted, “Slow down. There's been an accident. Oh, no! That looks like Jenna's car against that post!”

Shaking with fear, Laura managed to slow the car to a crawl and ease over to the side of the road. “Are you sure? I can't see anything!” Snow was falling, and the windshield wipers were going full blast.

“Come on, Laura. We've got to go see if it's our Jenna.”

A policeman was there directing traffic away from the accident while the approaching EMS vehicle blared in the background. Surrounded by sirens and a growing crowd, Laura and Sheri Ann hurried toward the dark blue car. Tears of fear and disbelief were racing down their cheeks as they neared the scene.

“Let us through!” Laura yelled over the din of sirens and curious onlookers. “That's our sister!” They pushed their way to the front of the crowd.

“She's not moving! Laura, she's not moving!” Sherri Ann sobbed, unaware that they were clinging to each other for support.

“She's going to be alright! She has to be!” Laura insisted, wiping away blinding tears. “That's our sister! We have to get to her!” She tried to rush past the authorities blocking the way. “Why aren't they doing anything to help her?”

“Ladies, you have to stay back. They're doing everything they can to get her out of the car.”

“What if she's . . .” Sherri Ann broke off, unable to say the word.

The two foster sisters hung on each other, quietly praying. They watched anxiously as the men went to work. They had to pry the car open in order to reach her. The paramedics quickly checked her out and soon were wheeling her into the flashing lights of the waiting ambulance. Through it all, Jenna never moved or opened her eyes.

“Come on, Sherri Ann. We've got to follow them to the hospital.”

While Laura drove, Sherri Ann called Maureen and Trenna. They agreed to meet them at the hospital. Then she reluctantly called Leah on her cell phone. She told her what had happened and asked her to relay the message to her brother, Lincoln.

Laura asked, “Why did you call her instead of Lincoln?”

“She's here and she has a right to know. Besides, we may need a blood relative to authorize treatment,” Sherri Ann pointed out.

“Always the lawyer. Who are you calling now?”

Sherri Ann said into the phone, “Hello, Scott. This is Sherri Ann. Jenna's been in a car crash.”

Laura listened as Sherri Ann answered one question after another. When she broke the connection, Laura prompted, “Well?”

“He sounded as upset as the rest of us. He's meeting us at the hospital.”

“I don't know, Sherri Ann. Jenna's going to be upset when she finds out that both Leah and Scott are at the hospital.”

“Sounds good to me. She was too still. I can't wait to hear her yelling at us. Maybe that will mean she won't be badly hurt.”

S
printing through the snow-covered parking lot, Scott entered the emergency room with a gut-wrenching fear unlike anything he'd ever experienced. It was an all-consuming fear that dominated every thought and emotion.

While his family had been busy celebrating the holiday, he'd been home brooding, actively nursing his righteous anger and feeling justified for every harsh truth he'd thrown her way two days ago. He'd kept a mental tally, recalling in detail the smallest slight she'd shown him since the day he'd paid for her lunch in the cafe. He'd been determined to prove to himself that he was right, and she was wrong.

One telephone call and that unrelenting anger had been instantly shoved aside.

The news had come out of nowhere and struck with an incredible force that had left him reeling from the impact. The crushing weight had momentarily cut off his ability to breathe. No! Not his beautiful, sweet Jenna. She had to pull through this. She just had to!

“How is she?” he asked without preamble when he spotted Laura and Sherri Ann in the crowded waiting room.

Jenna's foster sisters were dressed for an evening out on the town, while others, like Scott, were dressed casually in jeans and turtleneck sweater. Judging by the hoopla being broadcast over the TV, the glittery ball had dropped in New York. It was after midnight.

“Look, that's Scott Hendricks!” a teen fan shouted, then rushed over for an autograph.

For the first time in memory, Scott ignored the fan. “How is she? Laura? Sherri Ann? Has she regained consciousness?”

“She's with the doctor. So we're still waiting for news,” Sherri Ann volunteered.

Dejected, he scowled. He'd been hoping for word, some news. He yanked off a knit cap and shoved it into the pocket of his heavy jacket.

“You might as well take a load off and relax. It's gonna be awhile,” Laura advised.

Scott nodded, then suddenly recalled the teen he'd brushed off. He crossed the room to the embarrassed teen. “Sorry about that.” After offering his hand, he reached into his inside pocket and pulled out one of the postcard-size basketball cards he always carried. Pen in hand, he signed the card.

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”

“No problem,” Scott murmured.

He took the empty seat beside Laura. He nodded, acknowledging the other friends he remembered meeting at various functions. When his eyes touched on Leah, he bristled.

He glared at Jenna's twin. “Who called her?”

“I did,” Sherri Ann said tiredly. “Like it or not, she's Jenna's twin and has a right to be here.”

Scott dismissed her. Shoving himself to his feet, he shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it over the back of the chair. Restless, he began pacing the short hall outside the waiting area.

“Would anyone care for coffee or something to drink from the cafeteria?” Maureen asked.

“I'll go with you,” Trenna offered.

Scott shook his head, unwilling to move from the area.

“I'm going to see if they've forgotten we're out here waiting,” Laura said, jumping to her feet.

Scott said nothing, but walked with her to the front desk.

Laura smiled at the receptionist. “We're part of the Gaines family. Can you please tell me if there's been any update in Jenna's condition?”

“Sorry, no. The doctor is still in with her, Ms. Murdock. Hopefully it won't be too much longer.”

“Thank you, Anita,” Laura forced a smile.

Scott wasn't surprised that Laura knew her name. Laura was no stranger to the city's emergency rooms because of her work with rape victims.

“Does anyone know how this happened?” he asked.

“She was on her way to Sherri Ann's to ring in the new year with friends. The police and eye witnesses said it wasn't her fault. She was hit from behind. An SUV was driving too fast for the road conditions and plowed into her, sending her through the intersection and into the lamppost. It's a miracle she didn't hit anyone else. She's lucky to be alive.”

Scott swore, then caught himself. “Sorry. She didn't deserve this.”

“She hasn't deserved a lot of things she's had to deal with lately,” Laura said pointedly. Then she walked off in a huff.

Scott swallowed a bitter retort. This wasn't the time or place to get into an argument with Jenna's foster sister. He was lucky they'd called him. Maureen and Trenna returned with the drinks.

A doctor dressed in scrubs entered the waiting area. “Jenna Gaines's family, please?”

They all came forward. No one bothered to mention that Leah was the only genuine Gaines family member present.

“Hello, Dr. Andrew,” Laura said as she came forward. She quickly introduced the others. Finally she introduced Scott as their brother.

Impatient, Scott quizzed, “How is she?”

Dr. Andrew shook his head. “Ms. Gaines came in with head trauma, a broken left arm, and a great deal of bruising to her shoulder and face. We've only been able to set the arm and make her comfortable. The head injury is what concerns us. She hasn't regained consciousness. We can't treat the head trauma until she wakes up. We're going to admit her into the hospital. We need someone to complete the paperwork and a family member signature. Most of the information was gained from the contents of her purse.”

Scott flexed his hands, feeling helpless and hating that he had no rights where Jenna was concerned. He'd had to stand there and lie about being her brother just to hear how she was doing. Not so long ago, he'd asked her to be his wife. Right about now he'd trade everything he owned just for the right to see her.

“I'll do it,” Sherri Ann volunteered.

“How long until she wakes up?” Leah began crying. “She's going to wake up, isn't she?”

The doctor looked stunned when he said, “I didn't realize she had an identical twin. We can't say how long she'll be unconscious. There was no air bag to cushion the impact. She hit her head hard. She may have a concussion, but we won't know until she wakes up. We're hoping it will be soon.”

“When can we see her?” Laura asked anxiously.

“Not until she's been settled into a room.” After fielding a few more questions, Dr. Andrew excused himself and left.

It was four o'clock in the morning before Jenna had been given a room and the family was allowed to see her. She still hadn't regained consciousness.

Scott was the first one to go in to see her, as if he had the right. He walked in with his heart aching from a combination of dread and anticipation. He didn't bother trying to analyze his emotions. They were all over the place. It didn't matter—nothing mattered but seeing for himself that she was still among the living.

Overwhelmed with relief, he stared at Jenna from the foot of the bed. He marveled at her incredibly beautiful face despite the bruises and swelling and the cast encasing her upper left arm, cradled against her side in a sling.

He was deeply thankful that she'd been wearing her seat belt, since her car hadn't been equipped with air bags. She could have been killed instantly by the impact.

As he stood staring at her, he didn't say a word. He couldn't get a sound past the constriction in his throat. He longed to cradle her close to his heart and simply hold her until the fear of her dying finally went away. He didn't dare so much as reach out a hand to touch her as he fought to control conflicting emotions.

This wasn't about them and what had gone wrong between them. It was so much bigger than that. It was about Jenna. All he wanted was for her to open those gorgeous hazel eyes. Then everything would be alright again, and he could breathe easy.

As the others came in one by one, he settled into the corner of the room. From there he could wait and watch over her as he silently chanted, “Wake up, sweet love.”

The first day of the new year passed painfully slowly without any change in Jenna's condition. The hours seemed to drag as one day slipped into the next. The ladies took turns sitting at her bedside, holding her hand. They softly pleaded with her to open her eyes.