COWBOY ROMANCE: Justin (Western Contemporary Alpha Male Bride Romance) (The Steele Brothers Book 1) (114 page)

Like she wanted to stroll with some guy she didn’t know and talk as if life had handed her a billion dollars on a silver platter. Pasting a smile on her face, Karen played along. “Six months and two weeks to go and you’ll officially be Mrs. Crowley.”

“I’m already counting down,” Karen lied, putting more pep in her voice than she obviously felt. She turned away and rolled her eyes. It was all she could do to look at this man her sister was so in love with. She hadn’t thought about that when she’d decided to steal her sister’s identity. Now she was fitting herself into a life she didn’t want, all because she’d never had it easy and was so tired of working her ass off to have anything worth having. She wanted for once to know what is what like to be loved and accepted. To be successful and wanted. She couldn’t say the prospect of sleeping with Brody was a nice one, but it was obvious that he was crazy about Allison. If Karen could feel that for once, maybe it’d be the turning point in her life.

“I’m already picturing you in your dress. What’s it like?”

“Like a wedding dress. It’s beautiful and that’s all I’m saying about it mister,” Karen said, pouting as if she was offended he’d asked. In truth she couldn’t give two shits about a wedding dress or anything pertaining to a wedding. She wasn’t going to walk down the aisle and say “I do,” to a perfect stranger. He might be what Allison wanted, but Karen had different ideas about sex and the type of man she wanted.

Karen had no doubt though, that she could easily find a man on post who was her idea of nice and available. She wasn’t a homewrecker, well not for the most part. She, however, was not attracted to Brody in the least and keeping up the charade wasn’t something that intrigued her enough, especially when the benefits ran out.

“Are you staying with me tonight?”

“Actually I thought I’d head home. I’m exhausted from shopping and I’m already sleeping, I’m just good at talking and walking while I do it.”

Brody laughed, but something wasn’t quite right. Allison looked and smelled and felt the same, but Brody had a feeling that something was wrong. Whether or not she’d discuss it right now was the question. “Alright.”

“Really? I was prepared for more of a fight.”

“I can see the tiredness in your eyes. I’m not going to beg you to stay when you obviously need sleep. I’ll see you again tomorrow morning.”

“Thanks,” Allison smiled. Then there were the answers and expressions that weren’t quite right either. She was too blasé about everything. For a woman who’d been waiting nearly a year to get married, Allison was ecstatic to be down to the final six months. Now she seemed as if she couldn’t care less about any of it.

“Are you okay sweetheart?” Brody asked, befuddled by her seemingly Que Sera, Sera attitude about everything. The Allison he knew wanted everything down to the finest detail in writing. Now she seemed as if it wouldn’t matter to her if they eloped and married at a cheesy chapel in Las Vegas.

“I’m fine,” Karen smiled. She worked hard through the rest of their walk to be as close to what Allison had been, feeling as if Brody felt the difference even if he couldn’t figure it all out. She walked with him back to his apartment before saying goodnight. “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”

“Alright,” Brody smiled. “Sleep well.”

“Thank you,” Karen said, turning to go. Brody caught her hand and pulled her close. His lips took hers sinking into a pool of cool water. Unlike the heat he’d expected, Allison seemed aloof. Pulling back he eyed her suspiciously before deciding he was obviously reading into her relaxed state too much. “Good night Brody.”

Chapter Three: Memories

Allison woke to find herself in the hospital. She bolted upright and instantly felt the room spin around her. She lost the little bit that was left in her stomach and fell back on her pillow again. “Miss Dubarry?”

Allison turned her head toward the voice but didn’t respond. “You were found in a bathroom at a Citgo station. Do you remember anything about your attack?”

Allison couldn’t comprehend what the doctor was saying to her. Nothing sounded right. They were calling her Miss Dubarry and it sounded weird, but she couldn’t quite remember what her actual name was. She had no idea why her face felt so odd or hurt so bad. What had happened to her? “I don’t remember anything.”

“Your identification says your name is Karen Dubarry. You live about an hour and a half from here but there’s no emergency contact or important persons listed anywhere that we can find.”

“My name isn’t Karen Dubarry,” Allison said, her emotions all over the place.

“Do you know your name?”

“No, but Karen Dubarry isn’t it.”

“Okay,” the doctor said, her eyes sympathetic, even though Allison could tell she wasn’t making much progress in getting anyone to believe her. “I’m going to go over your diagnosis and report with you, then we’ll see about your discharge and aftercare.”

“Alright,” Allison said.

“You suffered a concussion and massive swelling to your cheek and eye socket structure. The swelling, which was left unattended caused severe pressure to the optic nerve in your left eye. Unfortunately we weren’t able to undo that damage. We need to have you see an ophthalmologist to confirm the diagnosis, but I’m afraid at this point you’ll be permanently blind in that eye.”

“What?” Allison said, already disbelieving. “I can’t be blind doctor.” The laugh was full of bitterness and unrelenting anger. “You don’t understand I…” Tears welled in her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks as sobs began to shake through her body. They didn’t subside for a full five minutes as Allison tried to sort everything out.

“I understand that this is a lot to take in, especially in one night,” The doctor smiled. “We’re keeping you overnight for observation. Tomorrow you’ll see the eye doctor and we’ll run another series of scans to be absolutely sure of the results. Tonight the best thing you can do is try and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day, especially if you need to be discharged.”

Allison tossed and turned through the night, barely getting more than an hour of sleep at a time. Images flashed through her mind as her nightmare dragged on. By the time the sun came up though she had a plan. “I need a sketch artist. Someone who can take my ramblings and turn them into a picture.”

“I’ve got a friend who does that,” one of the nurses that was passing by Allison’s room said. “I’ll call him and see if he can come by.”

“Thank you,” Allison smiled. Two hours later she was describing a young man to the guy who was sketching for her. “He’s tall, maybe six foot, two inches or so. He’s got a crew cut and all I keep seeing is a white uniform cap and deep blue vest with a bunch of colored blocks on it. Allison touched her left shoulder and chest to indicate the placement of the blocks she saw.

“Do you think this man was a soldier?” the man asked.

“I don’t know,” Allison said clearly perplexed. “I just know what I saw. He’s handsome with a small cleft in his chin and beautiful hazel eyes.”

“Alright,” the man smiled. “What about the next person?”

“She looks like me,” Allison said, except she’s not me. “I know I remember her, but I have no details as to why. I don’t know her; that much is crystal clear. I have no idea why she and I look so much alike. It was like looking in a mirror.”

“I’m guessing I should take away the swelling and bruising?”

“Yes please,” Allison grinned. The effort hurt, but she couldn’t help it. The young man was kind and humorous. When he turned the photos around images flashed through her mind again, stealing her breath. “I know this man,” she said, grabbing the picture.

“A name?” the nurse asked, stepping into the room.

“I don’t know, but I know I know him. He’s a marine and I think we’re close.” Looking down at her hand she saw the faint ring indentation on her ring finger. “I think I was engaged or married.”

“Sure looks like a ring indentation to me,” the nurse smiled. “Good girl. I’ll start a search for a Mr. Dubarry and see what I can find.”

“My name isn’t Dubarry. I don’t know what it is, but I know that’s not it.”

“Alright,” the nurse said. “I’ll see if anyone’s posted a missing person’s for a woman that matches your description.”

“Thank you,” Allison said. “Can I keep this?”

“Sure,” the young man said. “Keep both of them if you want. I’m just glad I could help.”

Allison spent another day in the hospital before she got the news that she’d be discharged. “I don’t know where to go. I have no money and I don’t even know who I am.”

“I know sweetie, but we can’t keep your bed anymore. You’re not physically in need of a hospital,” the day nurse said. “Listen. I have some connections at a homeless shelter. I’ll call and get you settled for the next week. You’ll come see me every day rain or shine and we’ll see if we can’t get that memory of yours moving.”

“Thank you,” Allison said, tears of gratitude filling her eyes. The next week dragged on for Allison as she fought for the memories that always seemed just out of reach. She had a face, a handsome face, and nothing else. She couldn’t remember him, anything about him, except that deep down in her soul she knew him. If they were engaged, why wasn’t he looking for her? And why had she described herself when the man had done her sketches?

“Hey Karen,” the day nurse, who’d become a dear friend, called out.

“Hi Rosie,” Allison smiled. “I hate being called Karen. I know that’s what my ID said, but it sounds so odd and exhausting. “Who names their infant Karen?”

“Couldn’t tell you doll,” Rosie smiled. “But I do have an idea as to how we can jog your memory.”

“Tell me,” Allison said, taking a seat in the cafeteria with her coffee. She waited for Rosie to join her and then she sighed. “I’m desperate. Nothing’s right. I can’t say why, but it’s just not right.”

“You’re going to tell me a story. A story about yourself. All I want you to do is keep talking. Close your eyes, start at point A and go full steam ahead to Point B. Don’t think about what you’re going to say or how it sounds, just talk.”

“Okay,” Allison smiled. “I was once a little girl and I wanted more than anything for my sister and I to get adopted. We were glued to each other and I knew that whoever took me would also love her. We’d grow up to be the best of friends and everything would be peachy. Then the day finally came when I got adopted, but they didn’t take both of us. They only took me and I cried and cried for my sister. She was my best friend and they’d ripped us apart.

Eventually I grew up and memories of my sister faded to the back of my cluttered mind. I’m getting ready for a flight to visit the college I want to attend when a soldier bumps into me. He apologizes and I can’t stop staring. He’s so damn good looking, all dressed up in his uniform. His white hat tucked under his arm. He’s extends his hand and says, “I’m really very sorry ma’am. Private First Class Brody Crowley at your service.”

I thanked him for his sacrifice and before I knew it we were exchanging emails. He said he had to be gone for a year on deployment or he’d take me out to dinner to make up for almost trampling him. I told him I’d take him up on it when he returned.

“Stop Karen,” Rosie said, smiling. “I think you found the Marine you remember.”

“Brody Crowley,” Allison whispered. “I don’t know where he is though.”

“Well, seems to me he’d be close by if you’re here.”

“Camp Lejeune is the only military installment that’s even remotely close to here.”

“It’s worth a try don’t you think?”

Allison smiled. With Rosie’s help, Allison called the main office headquarters for Camp Lejeune and requested a connection to Brody Crowley’s room.

“May I ask whose calling ma’am?” the young woman asked. “It’s a matter of formality.”

“Tell him it’s an old friend.” Allison tapped her foot in a nervous rhythm as she waited.

“Brody Crowley,” came a voice on the phone.

“Brody, you’re Brody Crowley?” Allison asked, her voice trembling.

“Allison?” Brody said into the phone. “What’s the matter sweetheart? Are you in trouble?”

“My name’s Allison?” she asked, her mind racing to catch up.

“Where are you darling?” Allison told Brody where she was and that she’d be waiting in the cafeteria. “You stay right there. I’m coming to get you.”

Allison hung up and turned to Rosie who was smiling. “I knew we’d figure it out. Now that doesn’t mean that all your memories will come back this fast, if they come back at all.”

“Will you wait with me?”

“If he makes it here within the next thirty minutes, I’ll be here girl.” Rosie managed to squeak by and was holding Allison’s hand when Brody stepped through the door. He was in his fatigues and instantly knew Allison.

“God look at you,” Brody said, his eyes furious. “What happened sweetheart?”

“I don’t know,” Allison said, taking in his face. She reached out and gently touched his cheek as a flood of memories washed over her. When Brody’s arms came around her to steady her she giggled. “Oh god it’s so nice to remember you.”

“I could say the same thing,” Brody smiled. “When you left last night I couldn’t figure out why everything seemed so off.”

“Brody,” Allison said, her eyes dark, serious. “Whoever you were with last night wasn’t me. I’ve been here for two days and three nights.” She didn’t miss how he looked over her head at Rosie to confirm what she’d said.

“No,” Brody said, patiently holding her hand. “You and I, we…”

“I’m telling you, whoever it was that was with you, wasn’t me. I’m still trembling from meeting you. Did I seem this nervous last night?”

“No, but you did seem a little too relaxed.”

“I’m never relaxed,” Allison smiled. “Especially with the wedding coming up.”

“What did I give you when I got back this time around Ally?”

“From Afghanistan?” Allison said. “You bought me a computer, said it was top of the line so I could finally do my writing without losing my work over and over again.”

“Oh thank god!” Brody said, yanking Allison close to him. He bent his head and kissed her, relishing the shaking in her muscles. “I’m right here sweetheart. I’m never letting you go again.”

“Good, because whatever happened to me was bad, really bad.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Brody promised.

***