Fateful (11 page)

But it didn’t help!

He was as cold as the damp air drifting
lazily around them. What? She’d touched him on their dates, but he
had never been this cold. Letting go, Danielle staggered back and
looked up into his face. “W-w-what are you? What j-j-just happened?
How—?” she stuttered through clattering teeth.

“I—” he began, but then stopped himself. “You
have hypothermia. I need to get you warm.” He lifted her into his
arms again and took her into a nearby pub.

Fog drifted in through the door as they
entered the dark establishment. The heads of the patrons turned in
their direction. Many of their faces looked startled, while others
didn’t seem to care. They may have been under the influence of
their alcoholic drinks.

Ethan hastened to a fireplace in the corner,
and seated her in a chair next to it.

She dropped to her knees and gravitated as
close as she could to the hot flames that licked and crackled
playfully, uncaring of anything else at that point. She wasn’t
intentionally ignoring him ... for him she had a lot of questions,
but she was just so cold. She sensed him standing near her until
suddenly he left. Looking back, Danielle noticed that he went to
the bar. Was he ordering something? Now? After a few moments, he
brought back a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

As the sweet scent of it rose to her nose,
Danielle couldn’t help but feel some gratitude for the small act as
she tried to take the mug, but was still jerking so hard she
couldn’t steady her hands enough to do so. Her teeth continued to
bang together loudly as she took in his expression. Ethan looked
deeply disturbed by the sight of her. He set the mug down on the
hearth and reached out to touch her coat. “It’s wet,” came his soft
voice, “you’ll never get warm in that.” With swift and precise
movements, he stripped her coat, gloves, scarf and hat off and laid
them next to the fire to dry.

When his fingers reached for the sleeve of
her sweater, she nearly panicked, but after finding that her
clothes were mostly dry, he pulled away. Relieved that he didn’t
begin stripping her down in the crowded bar, her gaze measured his
face again. He didn’t look angry anymore, just rather worried and a
little ... scared?

Ethan seated himself next to her, never
talking to her further, and certainly never looking directly at
her, he held the chocolate until she was steady enough to take it.
Without the wet coat on she warmed enough to finally hold it
without spilling it. She gratefully sipped at the drink. Its
decadent, smooth sweetness was like medicine, curing her insides of
the chill.

Drawing the cup to her mouth for another sip,
she noticed Ethan checking to see if her things were dry yet. He
never allowed her to have any eye contact, even as she studied his
face, trying to figure out the mystery.

As the fire and the hot chocolate warmed her,
and her trembling lessened, Danielle remembered Brianna. Her mind
had been so muddled by the gripping cold, she had forgotten her
cousin. She flashed a horrified look to Ethan. “Brianna! Ethan, she
was looking for me. She probably thinks I’m dead! We have to go
back! I need to call her.”

Setting the mug down, she started fumbling
for her phone. When she found it, she opened it, but didn’t dial
Brianna’s number. “Ethan, what do I tell her?” she asked in a
hushed voice.

His expression shifted, becoming intent and
calculating. “Tell her you went the wrong direction by mistake.
Tell her you were confused by the screaming coming from all
directions, and the fog, but that you’re okay.”

Danielle exhaled in relief. “She just might
fall for that.”

“She will if she knows about your lousy sense
of direction,” he announced lightheartedly with a smirk.

“Gee, thanks, Ethan,” her voice
seething with sarcasm. “Just remember, I’m
not
the one who fled the scene,” she reminded
him, her tone cross. That wiped the smirk off his face.

She dialed Brianna’s number and waited, then
snapped the phone shut and tossed it into her bag angrily. “She
didn’t answer.”

“I’ll check the scene to make sure she’s gone
home, and I’ll return with my car.” Ethan then stood and turned to
leave, but paused, turning back to her. “Danielle?”

She raised her eyebrows in reply, picking the
mug back up.

“Do
not
leave this place.”

Nodding in agreement, she sighed. She wanted
answers, but knew she’d have to wait for them.

It took Ethan a lot less time to get back
than she thought it would. But then as she thought about how fast
he ran, she realized that maybe she shouldn’t be surprised at all.
Should she be freaking out right about now? What was going on with
this dream guy of hers? Seems she just found the elusive skeleton
in his closet. What was he? Could she still trust him?

“They’ve cleared out the damaged cars and the
lamppost, and Brianna has gone home,” he whispered as he reached
out to help Danielle from the floor.

Staring at his hand, she wondered for only a
moment if she should take it, if she should touch him. But for some
reason, and maybe it was because of the recognition between them,
she decided to trust him. Nodding, she took his hand then noticed
that it was warmer than before. Puzzling. He’d better start
explaining all of this very soon.

His Jaguar was also warm, and a low male
voice whispered out a calming string of romantic lyrics from the
radio. “Would you like me to put some of that screaming rock on for
you?” Ethan offered, clearly remembering how she’d said that
soothed her.

“No, this is fine.” She dropped her head back
against the seat. “But thanks.”

Even with the music in the background, the
car was filled with stifling silence as he drove her home. Danielle
decided she couldn’t stand the suspense any longer, and pleaded,
“Please tell me what’s going on.”

He glanced at her from under his
lashes, continuing to avoid direct eye contact.
That
was driving her crazy, and she lashed out
with more questions. “Why do you do that? Why won’t you make eye
contact? Why do I get dizzy when you do? Why do I feel like we’ve
met before? And how did you block that lamppost without breaking
your arm?” It all spilled out in a rush.

Ethan remained silent, his jaw forming a hard
line, his mouth tightening.

“Ethan, please,” she begged, her fingers
fisting into her hair with frustration.

He cursed to himself and spoke, “Tomorrow.
I’ll tell you everything tomorrow. I meant to tell you. I
just—”

“No! Please tell me now. I
need
to know,” she implored,
dropping her hands, tossing a look his way as she shoved her
chilled fingers under her thighs.

“No,” he said, then after a loaded pause,
“Danielle, I’ll tell you tomorrow. I promise.” His voice had
softened, but his features remained hard.

I want to know
now
, she thought angrily, and asked, “Can’t you just
tell me a little?”

Another heavy pause.

“I believe we have met before.”

“Where?”

Drawing in a measured breath, his nostrils
flared. “I need you to trust me just a little longer. I can’t tell
you now because there are things I need to show you.” When she
opened her mouth to argue, he held up one hand. “I can’t show you
those things now either. I just can’t. I know you have a lot of
questions, but we just don’t have time for the answers tonight. I’m
begging you, Danielle, please wait.”

The intensity of his plea made her realize
some of what he might be feeling right now. She took in his
expression again and realized he was afraid she’d reject him when
she knew. It couldn’t be that bad, could it? He’d never done
anything to hurt her, he’d always been a perfect gentleman, and she
highly doubted she was in any danger now either—mainly because he’d
just saved her from harm a second time.

Deciding to allow him this concession, and
pleased that he’d promised to tell her, even if she did have to
wait, she exhaled and nodded.

Her thoughts went over the events of the
evening and wandered back to Lucas. Was he stalking her? If he was,
then why? Realizing she owed Ethan her life, Danielle leaned toward
him, hesitated when he looked at her from under his lashes again,
then—deciding she should just do it—she planted one kiss upon his
cheek. “Thanks for stopping Lucas again, and thanks for the hot
chocolate.”

A tiny smile pulled at one corner of his
lips. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow, early again, at nine. Be
ready.”

“I will be.” Danielle mused quietly for a
moment…. But there was one more question niggling at her and she
needed to ask tonight. “Ethan, may I ask one more question?”

“That was a question.”

Startled, she shot a look at him and realized
by his smirk that he was teasing. “You know what I mean.” She
rolled her eyes.

“Very well, what is it?”

“Why did you run?” she asked gently.

He sighed, but spoke after a short pause. “I
caused quite a scene back there. I’ve never done anything like that
before. Luckily no one was injured. They’re going to have a time of
it trying to figure out how that lamppost wound up in the street.
And I didn’t want to be interrogated by the police.”

“How did you know I was there? How did you
know Lucas—?”

“That’s more than one question. I promise, I
will tell you tomorrow.”

She sighed. “Okay.”

* * * * *

When he pulled up to her house, she realized
Brianna hadn’t gone home alone when she saw the police car in the
driveway. She looked to Ethan with fear in her eyes. He answered
before she had a chance to say anything. “Don’t worry. Just tell
them you got lost. You got confused and went the wrong direction by
mistake. The commotion at that accident along with the fog makes
that very believable. They will believe you, and they’ll be
relieved to see you.”

Feeling horribly guilty, Danielle realized
she had caused them a great deal of worry for over two hours. Ethan
had gotten out of the car and now held the door open for her. “I
hate to lie, and I’m a really bad liar. They’ll suspect me,” she
complained.

His Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed,
and he passed a nervous look toward the house. “I’ll stay by your
side,” he said, very slowly, like he really didn’t think that was a
good idea even though he was the one suggesting it. “You can’t keep
them worrying any longer.”

Knowing he was right, she took his hand as
they began toward the front door.

When they entered ten eyes turned in their
direction. Brianna screamed and ran to her, wrapping her arms
tightly around Danielle. “We thought you were in the crosswalk when
the accident happened. But no one could find your—” She couldn’t
say the last word, her lip was quivering, and she hiccupped. Her
face was red and tearstained from crying.

They all stared at her waiting for her
explanation. The policemen looked suspicious of Ethan who was now
avoiding eye contact with everyone in the room.

Danielle’s aunt had clearly been crying along
with Brianna, and her uncle looked incredibly confused and even
more distraught.

She gulped and glanced at Ethan for strength,
then began, “I—I got so confused in the commotion.” She sighed,
because she was trembling again and it could be heard in her voice.
Smiling weakly, she forced herself to go on, “You know how easily I
get lost, my directions get all mixed up, and I get disoriented …
I’m sorry, I tried to call Bri, but she didn’t answer.”

Again meeting their gazes she realized she
must not have been very coherent because they all continued to look
confused.

“I just happened to be at Gunther’s, a
bookstore near that intersection, and noticed Danielle,” Ethan
said, apparently stepping in to save her from herself “She told me
what happened and how she tried to find Brianna. She thought she’d
run toward her, but had actually gone the opposite direction.
People were screaming on both sides of the street, and when I met
up with her, she seemed to be in shock. I brought her here as soon
as I found her.”

Danielle found herself believing his story,
knowing it wasn’t true. Lights went on in the faces of the others.
It obviously made perfect sense to them. Ethan was a really good
liar, which was a bit daunting.

Charlotte responded first, “Thank you, Ethan,
thank you for bringing her home safely.”

“You’re welcome,” he said softly, while he
stared at a spot on the floor.

“Well, I guess we’re done here then,” one of
the policemen said. He turned to her. “Glad you made it home,
miss.”

“Thank you, sir,” she replied softly. Her
trembling continued and was getting worse.

“Danielle, are you cold?” Uncle Nick asked,
sounding concerned.

“Mm. I-I’m f-f-freezing. Could I please go
t-t-take a bath?” She seemed to be having a hypothermic flash
back.

“Of course!” answered Charlotte.

She turned to Ethan, who sort of looked at
her, and tossed her arms around his shoulders so she could whisper,
“Tomorrow,” then released him and made her way up the stairs to the
bathroom.

Chapter 7

Once Upon a Time

Danielle stretched her stiff muscles,
arched her back, and groaned as she awoke. It seemed her body was
still complaining about freezing. Colorado could get plenty cold in
the winter, still, she had never been
that
cold before. Ever.

The memory of last night’s shocking events
flooded back to her. Her eyes snapped open.

One glance out the window told her the fog
from last night was completely gone. Good, she thought, she didn’t
much like that creepy soup.