Going Going Gone (14 page)

“Oh, wait, here he comes.” Jill nodded toward the front of the club where there were still a number of patrons and guests mulling around.

Nell stood and met her ex with a brilliant smile. She noted that Mina wasn’t at his side.

“So, what did you think?”

Javier nodded shortly. “You are a shining star,” he replied and took her by the shoulders, kissing each cheek as if he felt a great fondness for her. It was all Nell could do not to pull away in disgust.

“Thank you. That means a lot coming from you. It’s a shame, you know, that you threw me over. So many of my designs could translate beautifully for your slimmer models, wouldn’t you say?”

He nodded, his dark eyes hardening. Still, he looked cool and beyond reproach.

“We both could have benefited,” she added. “Oh well, can’t go back, can we? I think I’m in a perfect place now. I was forced to let a bad apple, Adrianna, go. Seems she was helping a competitor to my designs. It’s a shame such slime exists in the industry.” She smiled at him again. “But at least I know it won’t happen again. Right?”

“You are right, darling,” Javier agreed, though his voice was a little tight and his eyes darted away from hers.

Nell felt like laughing. He was starting to squirm, not something this man did on a regular basis. If anything, he was usually on the giving end of such discomfort.

“I’m glad you and Milla could make it. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to rejoin my friends. Feel free to stay and enjoy the champagne and hors d'oeuvres.”

With that she turned her back on him, cutting off any further conversation.

By the time Nell made it back to her little apartment, it was nearly two in the morning. She was tired, but charged.
Damn, life is good.

As soon as that thought escaped her mind, she reined it back. Not so good as it could be. Professionally, it was great. Tonight she’d made the connections she’d longed for. Inner Goddess Fashions was on the brink of greatness.

Personally, however, things sucked. She couldn’t get Eli off her mind for more than a few hours at a time. She supposed there’d come a time when she wouldn’t think of him at all, but she had a feeling that day was a long time coming.

More than once she’d kicked herself for not being honest with him to begin with. If she’d been truthful, and nothing happened between them, then her heart wouldn’t be broken right now. Or if she’d told him and things progressed the way they had, then maybe they could have some kind of life together.

Now she was alone, and brokenhearted. Nell closed her eyes and rubbed them. “Move forward. Deal with the pain,” she muttered aloud.
It’s your fault anyway. Suck it up.

Throwing her pocketbook on the counter, she saw her answering machine blinking its red light. The last thing she wanted to do was listen, but the stupid, endlessly hopeful voice in her head told her it
had
to be Eli, forgiving her and begging her to come back. How could she not listen to the message?

The voice on the recording wasn’t Eli’s. It took several seconds to digest the words. “Nell, this is Lucy Demers, Mark’s mother. Honey, he asked me to call. Gwen is in the hospital, she went in about eight o’clock this evening. There were complications with the baby. I don’t know too much yet, but I think your sister would want you here, if you can get away. I’ll try to call you when I can. Or Mark will.”

Nell didn’t take the time to stop the recording. She grabbed her pocketbook and keys and ran for the door. Now completely awake, her brain raced at the same speed of her heart. What was going on? Eight o’clock? That meant Gwen had been in the hospital for six hours.

A million questions raged through her head as she headed out of the city, stopping only long enough to fill the tank of her Mustang. She pushed the speed limit and hoped she wouldn’t be caught, but she had to get back to Harper’s Grove as soon as she could. On an average day the drive would take nearly five hours, but tonight wasn’t average and she meant to cut that time by an hour if she could.

Several times along the way she tried to reach Mark’s cell with no luck. Of course, at the hospital his cell would be turned off.

“I’m coming, Gwen.” She tightened her hold on the steering wheel, pressing the gas pedal down further. Most of the ride was a straight shot and free of traffic, but once she reached New Hampshire the route became narrower and winding. Still, her Mustang hugged the curves well and she allowed herself to relax somewhat. Adrenaline kept her wide awake. If circumstances had been different she might even enjoy the ride. She opened her window and let chilly air rush in. Mist clung low to the pavement, adding to what could’ve been a beautiful night, if only she knew what was going on with Gwen.

Crossing over the Harper’s Grove town line brought Eli’s face to mind. No, she had no reason to bump into him while in town. Why should she? He wouldn’t be hanging around the hospital and she doubted he’d be knocking down her door if he knew she was back. She had to concentrate on her sister. Gwen, Mark, and their kids needed her. Now wasn’t time to be thinking of her own failed love life.

Morning light glowed weakly through the trees that bowed over the road overhead. She glanced at her cell phone. Just after six a.m. Not bad. Again, she considered calling Mark. Maybe they were home already. Maybe they just had a false alarm and forgot to call and let her know. With one hand, she typed out the numbers on the keypad.

Horror filled her when she glanced back to the road in front of her. Suddenly she wasn’t alone. Larger than she would have thought possible, the dark hulking mass of a moose stood directly in the middle of the pavement. She was going too fast to neatly maneuver around it and the animal seemed to be oblivious of the danger it was in.

Nell hit the brakes and turned the steering wheel sharply to the right. Squealing tires filled the night and the little car went into a spin. Her phone flew into the backseat with Nell thrown against the door. She held to the wheel with all her strength, but she couldn’t control the Mustang. Whether she hit the moose or something else, she didn’t know.

The last thing she heard, her own scream, joined with the sound of the tires and the crunch of metal. Pain, exquisite and all-encompassing, claimed her before blackness swallowed her whole.

Chapter 14

Eli could have left the hospital. There was no reason to be sitting here in the waiting room, but he couldn’t bring his legs to stand and walk. He buried his face in his hands as his mind conjured up the accident scene one more time. Car versus moose. Happened all the time and usually both would come up on the losing end. When he saw what remained of the little red Mustang, he knew the car took the brunt of the damage. Didn’t help that it went into a tree after taking out the moose.

He knew, even without seeing the New York plates on the car, who the driver was. Shock nearly left him frozen, followed by a roar of panic that took him like a storm. But then his training and level head rose through the fear. Even when he saw her in the twisted wreckage, he pushed back on the emotions that fought hard against his cool reserve. He wouldn’t do her any good otherwise.

But as soon as they transported her to the hospital, his emotions took over. Now, three hours later, he sat and waited for some kind of news. Since he wasn’t family he couldn’t go in there. Gwen and Mark, just one floor up in maternity, were dealing with their own issues. He hadn’t known whether to tell them, though he’d found Mark’s mother in the waiting room and filled her in.

God, how he hated waiting. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was her limp and broken body in the wrecked Mustang, unconscious and bloody. He’d thought for sure when he saw her she was dead already and his whole world caved in. This wasn’t fair; he loved her so damned much. It didn’t matter that she lied to him. Seeing her like this brought that fact home brutally. He needed her.

He’d only cried twice in his adult life, at the birth of each of his children, but now he felt tears burning in his eyes and let them fall.

Around ten o’clock, Howie and Paula came into the waiting room. Eli glanced up without a word. Both took a seat on each side of him. Paula put an arm around him. Some of her comfort reached him.

“Any word yet?” she asked softly.

Eli shook his head. “They won’t tell me much anyway, because I’m not family. Of course her family is upstairs dealing with their own troubles.”

“Dr. Covington is on duty. Maybe he’ll take some pity on you.”

Eli looked over at Howie. He’d been on the scene as well, and saw how bad off Nell had been. That concern reflected in his eyes.

“I can’t lose her, man. She’s got to be okay.”

“She’ll be fine,” Paula replied solidly. “And when you get to talk to her, you’re going to apologize for being such a jerk and I’m sure she’ll apologize for lying to you. Then the two of you can get on with your lives. Together.”

Eli chuckled humorlessly. Paula sounded so certain Nell would just naturally take him back, just like that. He didn’t have the same confidence, but right now the only thing that mattered was her waking up and being fine. Afterwards he’d cross any bridge when he came to it—as long as he hadn’t burned that bridge down.

“Why don’t you go get a coffee or something? You look like crap.” Howie wasn’t as kind as his wife.

Eli didn’t particularly want to leave, but stood anyway. “Maybe I’ll go upstairs and see how things are there. Let me know if something happens with Nell.”

Paula gave him a little push. “Go. And give Mark and Gwen our love, if you can.”

The moment he stepped out of the waiting room, Eli wanted to turn around and go back. He was certain the moment he was out of earshot, someone would be out with news. But when he hesitated and glanced back, Paula pointed toward the hallway. He gave her a half salute and continued down the hall to the stairs.

In maternity, he found Mark’s mother, Lucy, sitting, a Styrofoam cup of coffee in her hands. She looked as tired as he felt; pale and drawn, but with dark circles under her faded gray eyes. She smiled anyway when she saw Eli. A real smile.

“They just moved Gwen into a private room,” she told him and patted the seat next to her.

Even though he’d been sitting for far too long, Eli took it. “They doing okay?”

Lucy sighed. “It was a battle. Her doctor wanted her to go naturally, but finally they realized it was no good, so they did a C-section. I tell you, I’ve never seen Mark so scared. Kind of how you look now. How is Nell?”

Eli shrugged. “No word. Not sure if they’d tell me anything anyway. So, do we have a boy or girl?” He wanted to think of something happy for a moment.

“We have a boy. William Marcus Demers. Bouncing at five pounds, eight ounces. Not bad for an early baby.”

Eli smiled, but it died quickly. Nell’s condition weighed too heavily on him. “Do they know about Nell yet?”

Lucy shook her head. “I couldn’t tell them. I didn’t want to add to their stress, but I will, as soon as I see them.”

That was the best he could expect. Eli stood slowly. Maybe he would go get coffee and return downstairs to wait for word on Nell.

Word finally came, ten minutes after he got back. Paula and Howie remained at his side when Rod Covington came out. He’d known Eli for years. They played golf together on occasion and both volunteered for Special Olympics.

“You know I’m not supposed to give you any information, but you’re close to the Demers and I know they’re going through their own situation right now. I spoke to Nell’s mother and she’s on her way, but won’t be here for a few more hours so I’ll consider you next of kin.”

Relief mixed with apprehension in a tumultuous swirl. It gripped Eli right in the belly, then enveloped his heart. “How is she doing?” He was so afraid of the answer. His entire body tensed, prepared for the worst, praying for the best.

“She’s out of surgery. She took quite a beating.”

Understatement.
It was going to be a long time before Eli got the picture of her crushed Mustang out of his head.

“I won’t go into too many details with you, Eli. I’ve got to give those to a family member.” He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck as he glanced around the room. “But I can say she has two facial lacerations, four fractured ribs, a torn spleen, a fractured pelvis and her left leg was broken in three places.”

Oh God, so much. Eli wanted to sit because his stomach suddenly felt like it was going to erupt right into his throat. But he stood still and nodded. Even that small movement made him want to throw up.

“She’s going to be spending some time with us, and after that, it’ll be a long time before she’s back on her feet.”

“But she’ll be all right?”
Please tell me she’s going to be all right.

“Right now she’s in critical but stable condition. You know I can’t give you a definitive answer. It’s too early for that, but if I were a betting man, Eli, I’d give her good odds. She’s young and healthy, so barring any unforeseen complications, I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

Eli let out a quick rush of breath in relief. “Can I see her?”

Dr. Covington shook his head. “She’s not awake right now and honestly, unless she wakes and asks for you, I have to say no. Not until her mother or sister sees her. Why don’t you go home and get some rest. You look like you could use it.”

Eli raked a hand through his hair and closed his eyes. Leaving was the last thing he wanted to do. He shook his head wearily. “Not yet. Someone should be here when one of her family members arrives. Gwen is getting settled. Maybe Mark—”

He hadn’t finished his thought when Mark ran into the room. As exhausted as Eli knew he looked, he had nothing on Mark. The man, usually cheerful and well put-together, was a wreck, with hair sticking out in fifteen directions. The beginnings of a beard shadowed his jaw and chin, only slightly darker than the circles under his red eyes.

“What the hell?” he asked as soon as he got to Eli and the doctor’s side. “What the hell is going on?”

Dr. Covington repeated Nell’s condition, this time going into slightly more detail that turned Eli’s stomach in a sick tumble. How in God’s name had she made it through such an ordeal? Would she survive? Obviously she wasn’t out of the woods yet.

Before he realized what was happening, Mark had him by the arm and was pulling him toward Nell’s room.

Nell opened her eyes and instantly closed them. The dim light brought on more pain than she could deal with. Unfortunately, closing her eyes didn't send the hurt fleeing into the darkness. No matter how still she remained, it was there, all over, seeping into every cell of her body. Not that she could move if she’d wanted to. And she wanted to. The need filled her like a rage, angry and hot, but it just added to the pain.

She tried to call out but her mouth felt pasted shut. It took all her effort just to brush her tongue over her dry lips. If she spoke, maybe someone would be there to help her.

With a slow intake of breath that brought more hurt, Nell opened her eyes again. Her surroundings were a gray blur of shapes and shadows. Slowly, some color seeped in and edges sharpened until she could make out a few of the objects in her limited range of sight. Some kind of machine stood near her head, a green jagged line running along its screen along with numbers her fuzzy mind couldn’t make out. A window to her right let in watery light.

Her fingers crawled slowly over the sheet covering her body. Even without seeing them she knew she had tubes attached to the back of her hand. She could feel them pull slightly when she moved.

"Drink." She thought she said the word aloud, but wasn't sure. At least she meant to.

Out of her range of vision she heard the scurrying and then a voice. "Nell?"

Nell forced her eyes open further. She didn't have to be fully awake to recognize her mother's voice. Her brain didn't want to question why her mother was there. She was supposed to be in Florida. But when Nell's eye caught sight of the machine as pain radiated across her lower body, she knew. She remembered.

"Mom?"

Suddenly her mother's face came into view and a comforting hand covered hers, warm and soft. "Oh, Nell, thank God. Shh honey, I'm going to call a nurse."

Nell managed a nod before she slipped off into sleep.

When she woke again, the world outside the window was darker, but everything seemed more in focus. Pale green curtains at the window, and several bouquets of flowers. As much as she could, she scanned the rest of the room in her range. A bouquet of balloons floated listlessly in the corner. She could see the top of a dark head, but couldn't make out who it was. Mark, maybe?

At least she didn't feel that desperate thirst anymore. This time when she ran her tongue over her lips, they were smooth and moist and tasted faintly of strawberries. It reminded her of her mother. Of course, Mom had been there. Before dropping off the cliff of consciousness, she remembered seeing her mother's face, the touch of her hand. It was the only comfort she felt.

Though the pain wasn't nearly as bad as earlier, there was still discomfort. She wanted to move, swing her legs over the bed and stretch them out but realized, even without seeing it, at least one leg was encased in plaster. In fact, it felt as if her whole lower body was entombed, immobile.

Good Lord, what had happened?

"Hello?" Her voice sounded rusty, gravelly with lack of use, but the dark head lifted and she was astonished to recognize the face. "Eli?"

What in the world was he doing there? He hated her.

He was out of his seat in a flash and at her side, gathering her hand gently in his. "Nell?"

"What are you doing here?" She blinked rapidly, trying to clear the last of the fog from her vision so she could see him clearly.

"Waiting for you to wake up, sweetheart." His voice was as gentle as the fingers that stroked her cheek. Hardly the same voice she heard the last time. Everything about him was different. Her vision cleared and she focused on his face. None of that cold accusation remained in his eyes, just concern and—if she dared to believe it—love.

Did he really call her ‘sweetheart?’ Her mind was still too fuzzy to comprehend anything beyond the fact she hurt like hell and he was sitting there, holding her hand as though they'd never had their blowout.

"How long have I been here?" She wanted to sit up, but when she tried, he held her in place.

"Don't move. You've been here since yesterday. Early yesterday morning."

"I was driving here to get to Gwen. A moose . . . that's the last thing—oh my God, Gwen." Again she tried to sit up, but this time more than Eli's hand stopped her. The pain from her waist down surged up and nearly strangled her. She squeezed her eyes shut and rode the swell until the worst of it passed.

"Nell, don't move. Try to relax. Gwen is fine. You are not."

Nell drew in a deep breath and nodded. She kept her eyes closed and clutched Eli's fingers. "Did she have the baby?"

"Yeah. You have a nephew. William Marcus."

She managed a smile. "Thank God. Mark must be a proud daddy."

"He is. Listen, I'm going to leave you for a few minutes. Your mom is in maternity visiting your sister but I'm sure she'll want to come and see you. You gonna be okay for a little while?"

She didn't release her hold on his hand. "Just tell me, why are you still here? You hated me when I left."

"I don't hate you and I was an idiot to send you away like that. When we found you and your car, oh God, Nell, when I thought I'd lost you . . .” He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a hard kiss onto her fingers. “I love you. I'm so sorry for what I said."

All she wanted to do was to gather him in her arms, to feel his lips against hers, but she knew she'd have to wait.

"I'm sorry, too. For lying to you. I should never have done that. Especially when I fell in love with you. I made such a mess out of everything just to boost my stupid ego."

Eli leaned down and kissed away anything else she was going to say. His lips on hers lessened the pain for a moment. She clung to the familiar euphoria that his touch created, hoping he wouldn’t pull back too soon. Carefully she opened her mouth to him, inviting him to deepen the kiss. Delight spilled throughout her battered body when his tongue traced hers ever so gently. She sighed lightly and he pulled away, but pressed his forehead against hers for a bit longer.