Ever After (6 page)

“Hate the sight of blood?” I tried to joke, but laughing hurt my ribs too much.

“Yeah… something like that.” He swallowed hard, and gave me a weak smile. He seemed to be holding his breath as he removed his scarf quickly, and wrapped my head, so carefully it didn’t even hurt. “This should help.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m William Darcy.” He flashed a brilliant smile, and my heart did a flutter catching me completely off-guard. I thought my days of “fluttering” were over…well they never actually began truthfully.

“Corrine Whitmore. Uh, I live just across the field.”

“I know, our ever helpful real estate agent told us our new neighbors had a beautiful single daughter my age.” He smiled again, laughing.

“She did?” I smiled.

“Yes, she told me all of the girls who lived nearby in fact, by name and age. I figured she ran a dating service on the side or something.”

“Oh… she’s just like that, just a really a nosy gossip.” I laughed. I tried to hide the fact that it hurt to do so. “Her daughter’s my best friend.” I smiled. “So I can say that.” He nodded still smiling. “I had heard someone moved in a few days ago.” He seemed puzzled as he looked at me just then.

“I haven’t seen you at school. Are you in college?”

I tensed at the question. I didn’t want to tell him
why
I wasn’t there, not yet anyway or maybe ever.

“I’m doing some correspondence courses. We had some family things going on so I don’t go to classes right now, but I will be next semester.” I couldn’t chance this drop-dead gorgeous guy knowing I was a total nut job. I couldn’t believe I cared. Suddenly it felt like a light came on inside me, when I looked into his eyes. The fact William Darcy had his arms around me, smelled better than chocolate and made my stomach feel like butterflies got in it, did not make me want to run away. I could not even begin to explain it.

He gave off a warm safe vibe. The way he looked into my eyes made me never want to leave. I had never expected to let any guy near me ever in my life after what Todd did. Now all that had suddenly changed.

“I’m going to need to pick you up now. We can ride my horse back to your place; we can’t stay out here much longer. A storm is moving in fast and I think you need to see a doctor right away. The cut on the back of your head is very bad.” He looked around for my horse. “I’ll catch your horse and tie her to my saddle really quick and we can get you home.” He gently put me down. I watched him call to Windy and she came to him, which shocked me. She was fussy about people. I admired him for a second as he tied her up. He had on black leather riding boots and dark jeans with a black turtleneck. He looked like he stepped out of
GQ
magazine. I sighed. Maybe my luck was getting better… just maybe. I had spoken too soon though. Pain crept into my head again and it felt harder to breathe. William instantly somehow sensed my distress and knelt down swiftly, taking me in his arms.

I didn’t even have time to think before he carried me to his horse, a really beautiful black thoroughbred. I had no idea how he got us up in the saddle so easily. He was very strong I guessed. I curled myself into his chest as the wind picked up. He pulled his coat tighter around me. He smelled so incredible, but it was hard to think of anything but the increasing pain in my stupid head.

“If you’re in any pain let me know and we’ll stop for a sec. I’m not certain what other injuries you’ve got so try not to move much okay?”

I nodded.
No
problem,
I thought to myself. I didn’t want to move anyway. I was perfectly fine right here in his arms.

“I wasn’t sure about moving here at first, but now,” he took a deep breath. “I think it may have been a very good idea.” I smiled to myself thinking how glad I was that he moved here too.

“It was a very good idea.” I said aloud which I hadn’t meant too.

“Yes it was.” He laughed under his breath. The ride was smooth except for the wind getting colder and stronger. “We’re going to have to move faster if we’re going to beat the rain.” I felt him kick the horse slightly and we moved into a jog, and this sparked pain in my head and legs.

“William,” I gasped. “It hurts.” I cried. The horse stopped right away as he pulled up sharply on the reins.

“Hold on, we’ll slow down. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have tried to go faster.” I could feel him pull me closer; he was looking down at me, the blue in his eyes seemed so dark. “Hold still for a second.” He put his hand on my forehead gently. “Take a deep breath and try to relax.” I did and it seemed to help a little. The wind was so much stronger now and I could feel rain, freezing little drops hit my cheek. I felt so bad for William. He had to be freezing to death without his coat, but he never said one word about the cold. We arrived to the stable. I could hear ambulance sirens in the distance heading for our house.

“How did they know?” I poked my head out of William’s coat.

“I called 911 at the river as soon as my signal came in.” His voice was totally calm and collected.

Sam came running out. “What’s happened, is she okay?” he yelled.

“It’s okay. I called an ambulance for her. She fell off her horse by the river.” William assured him.

“Oh good Lord, how bad is she hurt?” Sam’s eyes were wide with concern and fear.

“Head injury and she’s cut her leg and head. I’m not sure what else.”

“Her daddy’s going to have my hide. I should have gone out with her.” Sam fretted as he took the reins from William. “Are you Mr. Darcy’s boy from next door?” Sam questioned, looking William over. Concern was filling his dark brown eyes.

“Yes. We just moved in not long ago. I was out riding the property lines when I came up on Corrine.”

“Thank the Lord for that. She's been sick lately, it's no good her being out in this weather.” Sam patted my hand. “You’ll be alright sweetie. That ambulance is coming fast.”

“I can’t thank you enough for helping out Corrine; her daddy’s going to want to thank you himself.” The ambulance pulled up and before I knew it, I was taken from William’s arms, our eyes locked on each other one last time, before the paramedics took me away.

“Thanks.” I whispered. He simply nodded, winking at me. I felt an oxygen mask cover my face and pain ripped through my head again. I closed my eyes and groaned as the pain sent me unconscious once again.

Chapter 5

“
William’s Point of view”

I knew it was wrong to be here, as I sat at Corrine’s bedside, watching and waiting for her to wake up. I knew I’d fallen hopelessly in love with her from the moment our eyes met. I had no explanation for any of it. I just knew I had to be here by her side. Somehow, I just knew she needed me. I knew I should have left already; my presence here would look strange to her family and friends. I didn’t know any of them, and I didn’t even really know Corrine for that matter.

I myself couldn’t even explain it. I did try to leave not long after her father thanked me profusely. Mr. Whitmore promised me he would call and let me know how Corrine was doing. He and his wife seemed very grateful that I happened to be in the woods and find Corrine. I shook his hand, headed to the elevator but I couldn’t make myself get on it.

This was going to cause major problems and I knew it. My family would not be happy at all with me falling in love with Corrine. I was fairly certain they would oppose any kind of relationship with her. It simply was unacceptable for someone like me to be with someone like her. I knew I was expected to keep with people that were like me. I knew I was breaking the rules and I didn’t care. I wasn’t exactly like any of the people in my family anyway.

I had seen the kind of look Corrine gave me in other people’s eyes before. I had seen it more than I care to admit. It was a harsh mix of fear and confusion. Corrine was much the same but in a split second, the look in her eyes changed. She stared at me as if she’d known me forever, as if I was familiar to her. The way she clung to me when I took her home was an amazing feeling. I could tell she felt safe and secure in my arms as if nothing could ever harm her. I just hoped it wasn’t me who would end up harming her in the end.

I would wait forever for her to wake up if I had to. It would be worth every second of waiting to look into her beautiful eyes just one more time. I would wait an eternity just to see that look of acceptance and desire. I was also desperately hoping the other thing I saw in her eyes was love. Our differences be damned. I could keep myself in check even though to be so close to her would no doubt be very difficult for me. I was willing to try… well, scratch that. I had no choice. I was in love with her and I had to be with her, it was beyond my control. I would only leave her if she told me to and I was wrong about the way she looked at me.

Chapter 6

Awakening

William studied me for a minute as I slowly woke up. I wasn’t even sure what to think of him being in my hospital room, at first. If it had been any other guy, just sitting there while I slept I would have freaked out. It wasn’t that way with William though; it made me happy to see him again. I didn’t feel awkward or self-conscious with him, which for me was very rare.

“Are you feeling okay?” He asked as he got up, stretching his arms out.

“I guess I’m sort of stiff.” I moved my shoulders and they felt like I had been laying there for years. “Gosh.” I whispered as I rubbed my stiff neck.

“The doctors want to do some more tests. They can’t figure out what caused you to black out.” Concern filled his eyes. “You were really dehydrated too.” He noticed me eyeing the tubes in my arm with disgust.

“What else is wrong with me?” I hated even to ask.

“I was here for all of it so here it is,” he sighed. “They found four bruised ribs and of course a bad cut on your head. You got stitches in the back of your head and a cut on your left leg.”

“I’m in bad shape then, and you said I have to have more tests to see what caused me to pass out by the river?”

“Afraid so, they were waiting for you to wake up before they did anything more.”

“Well, it could be worse.” I looked down at my hands, a bit embarrassed. “I could have woke up and you wouldn’t have been here.”

“That wasn’t going to happen.” He smiled. “I knew since that day by the river that you needed me in your life. I hope that doesn’t sound weird. I don’t want to freak you out or anything.” He shook his head slightly. “I cannot explain it all really.” I could only smile and enjoy the fact that he was feeling exactly how I was.

The same pull I felt toward him was affecting both of us. I had been afraid the feelings I was having now were merely one-sided. The intense, deep look in his eyes told me this was no game. The feelings returned seconds after I woke up. He was here and he needed me as much as I needed him. I didn’t even know his last name or where he was born, but I did know I loved him. I knew then, Gram’s vision had been right all along. Fate had definitely stepped in, and he was sitting right next to me.

“I was afraid you’d think I was a stalker or something. I mean, your mom has been giving me some dirty looks. I get the feeling she wants’ me to leave.”

“Oh no way she’s not my real mom.” I gasped, the thought made me sick. “She’s my stepmother; she is half crazy and so self-absorbed it’s not even funny.” I frowned. “That explains it,” he smirked. “I’ve been avoiding her, but your dad’s really cool. He’s even invited me over for supper when you get home.”

“Wow, he must really like you. He’s never asked anyone I know over. I hope you accepted the invite?” I winked at him.

“No way would I miss that in a million years.”

The next week I felt like a lab rat, blood tests, and scans of all kinds. It was like some kind of modern-day torture. William was with me through it all, except the times I had my blood taken. He left in a hurry when the needles came out. The whole squeamish at the sight of blood thing again, he would say.

William or as I now affectionately called him, “
Will
” spent that entire week at my side. He brought me my favorite magazines, snuck in Taco Bell (the hospital food sucked) and Dairy Queen Blizzards. The days sped by as we talked for hours and really got to know one another better. I woke up to my room filled with roses one day and get-well balloons by the dozens the next. I was never sure what he would do and I loved every minute.

I finally was released, on the following Friday. By that time, I had learned two things. I was apparently very sick and the doctors had no idea why, and I was hopelessly in love with William Darcy. I knew I should have been more upset about not knowing what caused my headaches, but with Will there, it all just didn’t really matter to me. He made it all okay somehow. I knew the doctors would figure out what to do about my stupid headaches, so I didn’t think about it too much