Leena’s Dream (3 page)

L
eena’s throat
tightened and anger sparked within her. She knew where he’d been headed before he stopped himself.
You wouldn’t, Mom, would you? Why?
She had grieved for this man, for the love she had for him. Always left wondering if he was alive. Her first album contained a song that she had written about them and to this day every time she sang the song it tore her heart. She had loved him and never really moved past him. There had been others in her life from time to time, but never anything long-term or serious. Her heart had always belonged to the sick boy she fell in love with.

“I grieved for you.” She glanced up at him and emotions rushed through her. “Damn it, I thought you were dead just like Meredith.”

“I’m sorry.” The coffee pot brewed, slurping in the background, left forgotten.

“If you knew that she…” She stopped, unable to bring herself to say that her mother had denied their friendship. “Why didn’t you come find me?”

“It took me time to put it together.” He took her hand into his, interlacing their fingers. “I wasn’t sure until your dedication.
Always in my heart, T.
And the songs on the album. That’s when it finally dawned on me, but that was almost two years later. You were making it in the country music scene and I was just starting college.”

“You bought my CD.” That touched her deeper than anything else. He had thought she had pushed him away and wanted to forget about them, and yet he still bought her CD.

“I have every one of them. Maybe you’ll sign them for me?” He grinned before his smile faded. “I regretted not trying to get back in touch with you when I realized what had happened, but so much time had passed by then. Hell, I was scared that I was wrong and didn’t want the rejection again.”

She took a step back and bumped into his desk, then leaned on the edge of it. “You wouldn’t have wanted to know me then. I was a different girl…I guess I’m a different woman now.”

“We all change,” he reasoned.

“It’s more than that. The business changes you. Or maybe I let it because I needed something to focus on.” She let out a soft chuckle. “You know my mother was livid when my first CD released. I didn’t let her listen to some of the cuts before it was done. She knew it was dedicated to you.”

Her mother’s words echoed through her thoughts.
Why are you dedicating this to him when he walked out of your life? You should be doing it in memory of your sister. Not that bastard. He broke your heart and this is how you repay that grief?
She hadn’t cared then what her mother thought, but now it was like another jagged edge.

“Normally, in a situation like this, I’d say she was just protecting you.”

“Do you find yourself in positons like this often? Got a string of girls hiding in your past that their mothers cut you off from?” She tried to make it a joke but her heart was breaking all over again. Her mother had watched while she suffered and said nothing.
It’s for the best.
How many times had she heard that? “Damn it, she should have let us have our chance.”

“Let me take you out for dinner.”

“What?” She pushed off the desk to stand straight.

“Dinner, just the two of us.” He stepped in front of her, sliding his hand up her arm. “You said we should have had our chance. Why not now? Unless you’re seeing someone.”

“No…I mean no, I’m not seeing anyone.”

“Then, dinner?”

His touch made it hard to focus. She wanted to close her eyes and just sink into the feeling. “It won’t be the two of us.”

“Yes, your guard dogs. Then my place instead of somewhere public. I’m sure we can find some alone time even if your men are there. We can grab Chinese from across the street and my place isn’t far from here. But it’s quiet and no one will even know you’re there.”

Temptation sparked within her. A normal night, having dinner with someone who wasn’t part of her crew, sounded heavenly. But there was one big issue that made her hesitate. “I can’t bring what’s happening to your front door. Can we eat here?”

“Sure.” He brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek. “But it’s going to cost you. I want to know what danger you’re in that you need the guard dogs for.”

“Oh, that’s nothing, just normal business bull crap.”

“You’re still a bad liar.” He reached behind her and grabbed the menu from beneath the phone where he kept it.

“I don’t need that.” She pushed the menu he offered her away. “General Tsao chicken and share an order of dumplings with me?”

“You haven’t changed.” He grabbed the receiver and called to place their order.

“I’ll send Matt over to get it.” She wasn’t sure Kendrick would like her sending one of her guards on a food run, but she didn’t care. They were a precaution, one her manager had forced on her, and she’d be happier as soon as she could get rid of constant guards.

“Ready?” Kendrick asked as she stepped into the hallway.

“No.” She turned to the younger guard. “Matt, take the elevator down to the first floor and when you step off turn right instead of going through the lobby. Follow the hallway to the end and out that door. Directly across the street is a Chinese restaurant and they have an order for us.”

“This is out of the question.” Kendrick stepped closer to her. “We are here to guard you, not make food runs.”

“Would you prefer that we all make the trip down and venture out of the hospital to grab some food? You know I’m safer up here than I would be out there or in a public restaurant. I’m hungry and we’re going to eat one way or another. So the choice is yours.”

“You’re making it hard to guard you,” Kendrick bitched.

“If it was supposed to be easy you wouldn’t get the salary you get.” She turned back to Matt, who was still standing there waiting for orders. “Go, Matt.”

He glanced at Kendrick, who nodded.

She waited until Matt had left before she let her attention return to Kendrick. “You’re the best, Kendrick. It’s why I relented and I’m dealing with being shadowed. But you’ve got to give me some leeway. I’m not used to being followed around or having my movements limited.”

“I’m here to keep you alive, not to keep you happy.” He looked past her to Turner, who had hung up the phone and was pouring them coffee. Kendrick leaned a little closer and kept his voice low. “You want someone to make you happy, you’d better get back in there.”

“Huh?” Her eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

“I’ve been around long enough to know the signs. You’ve been depressed lately. Maybe some of that is from having us follow you everywhere, and maybe some of it is from being here, but something changed when you ran into him. I haven’t seen you smile in days.”

“It’s been years since I’ve seen him.”

“Time apart only makes the heart grow fonder.” When her mouth hung open, he added, “That’s what my daughter says. Every time I get back in town to see her, she tells me that. I think she’s hoping that her mother and I can patch things up, but that’s not going to happen. You don’t have to let the same thing happen to you. Go in there and see what the future might hold.”

Like it could even work. In a few days I’ll be leaving town.
Instead of saying that she didn’t have the same opportunities as he might if he wanted to fix things with his ex, she turned on her heels and strolled back into Turner’s office.

He stood near the buffet with two mugs of coffee in hand. “Now it’s your turn. Why the guards?”

“You’re not going to let it go, are you?” She took the mug from him and strolled over to one of the chairs near his desk.

“No. So you can tell me or I can pull out the whiskey and get you drunk enough to spill all your secrets.” He sat down at the second chair in front of the desk.

“Wow, and both choices sound so delightful. How will I choose?” She took a sip of the coffee and set it aside. “Lately there’s been some contact from an overeager fan. He believes we’re destined to be together and has expressed that he will do whatever he has to in order to make me his. My manager has been handling the mail I’ve received from him and each letter grows more desperate. The last one said he’d be here waiting to claim me. Now because of some asshole I’m stuck with Kendrick and Matt.” She managed to explain without her heart beating out of her chest with fear.

“Have you gone to the police?”

“Reports have been filed, but he’s careful.” She wiped her hands on the legs of her jeans. “We’ve kept it quiet so that we don’t ruin this event. I spoke to Nora and Chelsea about it and they’ve added extra security. Everyone is sure it’s going to go off without any problems.”

“Except you?”

“Am I that easy to read?”

“To me.” He set his coffee aside and leaned forward to lay his hand over hers. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Thanks, but no. All anyone can do is wait until either the police figure out who he is or he makes a move.” She let out a deep sigh and closed her eyes. “I’m tired of living with this hanging over my head. I’m tired of being afraid to leave my house because he might be watching.”

“Watching? Has he been stalking you?” The alarm in his voice made her open her eyes.

“It’s nothing.”

“Bullshit, Leena. If he’s been watching you that’s not just nothing.”

She rose from the chair and went to the window. Darkness had fallen and the twinkling lights of the town below and the stars above called to her. She wished she could disappear into the darkness and forget about her stalker. “He believes we’re in love. His letters talk about things he believes we’ve done and he thinks the songs I sing are about him.”

“Erotomania.” His voice was rough and full of emotion.

“What?”

“Erotomania. It’s the delusion where a person believes that another is in love with them. Normally someone famous or of a higher social status, but typically it’s women not men who are doing the stalking.” He went to her and laid his hand on her shoulder. “He will attempt to get close enough to you to act out his fantasy in real life and he will expect you to return his affection.”

“How do you know so much about this?”

“I’m a lawyer. While I mostly deal with the hospital’s legal issues, I also take on pro bono cases and many of them are from the women’s shelter. I’ve handled my fair share of stalker cases and abuse victims.”

“It doesn’t normally end well for the victim.” She leaned back against him and tried to breathe through the fears that were trying to drown her.

“We’re going to make sure you’re safe.” He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight against him. “Besides contacting the police, what else have you done?”

“Extended my security, both at work and at home. I thought about going to the media and trying to send a direct message to him. To let him know that I was flattered but not interested. Or to go out on a few dates with someone. I could have gotten a friend to play along or something, but my manager thought it would enrage him.”

“There’s no reasoning with him.” He ran his hand down her arm. “Trying to deliver a message to him wouldn’t work. He would believe that you’re only saying it because someone is forcing you. Appearing with another guy would most certainly enrage him and most likely cause him to take further steps.”

“Further steps might get him caught.”
Or I could end up dead.

“It’s too risky.”

“Maybe it’s time to take some risks instead of living in fear.” She closed her eyes and let his embrace keep her terror at bay.

“Give me some time and I’ll figure out something to keep you safe.” He pressed his lips to her temple. “We’ll fix this.”

We?
She told herself not to get caught up on a single word, or how good it felt to have his arms around her. They were from two different worlds and even if the feelings were still there, it couldn’t work. She wanted a husband and a family…but he was her past, not her future.

T
urner stood
on his porch watching the sun peek over the horizon and sipped his coffee. While most of his coworkers chose houses close to the hospital, he preferred the solitude of the country. He could look out any window in the house and see rolling land and trees. Peace and quiet. And his two story log home took advantage of the views.

That morning, the view did nothing to relax him. His thoughts were full of Leena and what to do about her stalker. The idea of her being in danger didn’t sit well with him and brought out the protector in him. He wanted her with him so he could shield her. Instead, she was camped out in her bus at a hotel near the hospital with her crew inside. He didn’t like that she was alone on the bus. It was dangerous and he was surprised Kendrick had agreed to it.

A cloud of dust spilling up from the road caught his attention. “I knew he’d come,” he said to himself. He polished off his coffee and headed around the house to greet his visitor.

He turned the corner of the house just as the undercover police cruiser came to a stop at the bottom of the steps of his front deck. Detective Mason Hazelwood stepped out in plainclothes, but his gun was clearly visible and his badge hung on the belt of his jeans. Mason was one of the most dedicated police officers Turner had ever met. He did what he could to make the community a better place.
I hope he can help Leena.

“Not everyone loves mornings as much as you.” Mason pushed the car door shut with a bang. “How about some coffee?”

“Come on in. There’s a pot with your name on it.” He climbed the steps and opened the door before he glanced back at the detective. “Thanks for coming.”

“It better be good. I worked the night shift and have to be back on in a few hours. I need some sleep.”

“Just ten minutes of your time and you can go home to your bed.”

“My lonely bed,” Mason complained, following him into the kitchen. “Tina’s gone. It wasn’t working.”

“Sorry, man.” Turner poured the coffee and kept from looking back at his friend. Tina wasn’t worth Mason’s time. She was trouble and he’d gotten tired of seeing his friend angry over the latest stunt she pulled.

“Yeah.” Mason pulled out one of the bar stools and sat down with a huff. “She went back to Ohio to her ex, but that’s okay. Anyway, what was so important that I had to stop over after going off the clock?”

“You’ve heard about the charity event this weekend, right?”

“Oh, yeah. I’ve heard nothing else. My niece is a huge fan of Leena’s and my boss is pissed I’ve requested off for the day so I can take her. If I wasn’t a doting uncle, I’d be working that mess and I’ve spent enough time doing crowd control.”

Turner set a mug in front of Mason before refilling his own. “Then you know who Leena is.”

Mason’s eyebrow shot up and he shook his head, grinning. “Man, she’s out of your league.”

“We’re old friends—”

“Sure.” Mason’s doubt coated the word as he brought the mug to his lips. “You’ve been working too many hours.”

“This is serious, Mason.” He set his coffee aside and eyed his friend. “She’s in trouble. She’s got a stalker who thinks they’re in love.”

“She needs to make a report.” His attention piqued. “Does she know who it is?”

“No.” If he knew who it was, he wouldn’t have invited Mason over so he could tell him. Instead, he’d be dealing with it in his own way. “There have been letters and calls. She’s taken some precautions and has a team of guard dogs.”

“Sounds like she has it under control. Why inform me?”

“Because he said he’d be here and then they could finally be together. Chelsea and Nora have already added to the security and they’ve kept it out of the media, but it puts a sensitive twist on this.”

“Sensitive, my ass,” Mason bitched. “The officers on duty for the event need to be warned. Any details that are known about this stalker need to be relayed to them. Do you realize the damage it could do to the hospital if something happened? What it could do to Hope’s Toy Chest?”

“I’m all too aware of the legal aspects of this, which is why we need to make sure nothing goes wrong. Otherwise my ass is on the line too.”

“What?” Mason glared at him. “Shit, don’t tell me that you’re not going to tell the hospital administration.”

“I’ve made my decision.” He’d struggled with it until the early morning hours, but he planned to stick to it. If he told Annabell Booth or any of the administration, the event would be cancelled. They were endorsing the event and it would be a nightmare if something happened.

“You’re insane. A woman you barely know means enough to you that you’d risk your job?”

“I love her, always have, so yes.” A weight was lifted off his shoulders as he admitted for the first time he still had feelings for her. “That’s beside the point. We’re going to make sure nothing happens.”

“How do you expect us to do that?” Mason rose from the stool and paced. “If you’re not going to tell the hospital, how can I tell my commander? He’s Annabell’s fucking brother. You’re putting me in one hell of a spot.”

“I know.” He sighed. They were friends, but what he was asking went beyond a normal favor for a friend. “You can walk away now and you’re entitled to do whatever you feel is right, but I must ask you as a friend to consider what this means to Hope’s Toy Chest. They have put in a lot of work to make this event happen. The organization does so much for the children at the hospital.”

“Fuck, Turner.” Mason slammed his hand on the counter. “I know. Shelby goes to their playgroup every month and Chelsea brought her this doll when she finished her last chemo treatment. The organization is great but is this concert worth our careers, the hospital’s reputation, and possibly Leena’s safety?”

“She’s adamant about going forth with it and Chelsea is supporting her decision.”

“What about you?”

Turner gripped the counter, the granite cool under his touch. “If I have to go out on the stage and stand in front of her, I’ll make sure she’s safe.”

“My sister would say you’ve fallen hard for her.” Mason squeezed the bridge of his nose. “That’s going to make this more difficult.”

“How so?”

“If he believes she has affections for you, that could make you a target as well,” Mason explained, slipping into cop mode with ease.

“Let’s not make this more difficult. Just focus on her. She’s the one we need to keep safe.” He wasn’t concerned with his own safety and would prefer for that asshole to come after him instead of Leena. His
Leena.
Oh shit, I am falling hard.

“I’m on duty at six tonight until six tomorrow morning. Get her and her guards here at five and make damn sure no one else knows. We’ll put together a plan.” He grabbed his coffee and took a deep drink. “You’re going to owe me but you can start by getting Leena’s autograph for Shelby.”

“You keep her safe and I’ll do one better. I’ll get Leena to meet her and sign it personally in front of her.” He doubted it would take little convincing for Leena to agree to that, and he was deeply in Mason’s debt.

“You do that.” He set the mug down and headed for the door. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Now he just had to tell Leena what he had done.
Now or never.
He snatched his keys off the counter and headed to the garage.
I’m going to protect you, Leena.

T
he hospital was
quiet and the staff was busy getting ready for the day. Not wanting to interfere, Leena strolled down the halls, peeking into the rooms. Years ago when she’d been here, she remembered one of the nurses saying that some of the patients woke early and alone. No one should have to wake up alone in a place like this.

A soft sneeze echoed out of one of the rooms and when she glanced in she saw a young girl with a scarf tied around her head, alone and brushing a doll’s hair.

“Morning,” Leena said.

“I’m not doing anything bad.” She dropped the brush and hugged the doll to her chest. “Chelsea gave it to me yesterday. She’s mine.”

“I don’t want your doll. I saw you were up and thought you might like a visitor. May I come in?”

The young girl’s eyebrows knitted together. “No one visits me.”

Taking that as an invitation, Leena walked farther into the room and dragged the only chair close to the bed. “What’s your name?”

“Brandy.” Over the top of the doll’s head, she eyed Leena with suspicion. “You a doctor?”

“Nope, just a friend.” She ran her hand along the edge of the bed.

“Social worker, then?”

Social worker? What did this girl know about such people at her young age? “No, but since you seem eager to know what I do for a living, I’ll tell you. I’m a singer.”

“A singer?” Brandy eyed her, obviously taking in her jeans and blouse, and considering if she wanted to believe it. “You don’t look like one? You look too…normal.”

“Well, I’ll take that as a compliment. What do you expect me to be wearing? One of those fancy dresses for an award ceremony?” She lifted her leg and tugged up her pant leg to show her black cowboy boots with the silver swirls on the sides. “I’m wearing cowboy boots. They don’t go with dresses.”

“Those are pretty.” She leaned back against the bed, still holding her doll close. “Are you sure you’re not a social worker?”

She crossed her legs and shook her head. “I promise I’m not.”

“Then why are you here? I didn’t do anything.”

“Visiting. If you want me to leave, just say so. But I’ve come to put on a concert in the area. It’s to raise money for Hope’s Toy Chest and what they do here at the hospital. I had some time and thought I would see if anyone wanted to visit with me.”

“You’re Leena?” Brandy’s eyes widened.

With a smile, she nodded. “Then you know who I am, so you know I’m not a social worker.”

“Chelsea brought me your CD when she gave me the doll. She said you were coming here but I didn’t think she meant here to the hospital.”

“Well, I’m here.” Leena plucked fuzz off the thin hospital blanket and tried not to think how much Brandy reminded her of a younger Meredith. “How old are you?”

“Seven. I think…I don’t really know. I was just dropped off at the police station a year ago. My mother handed me a note and told me to go inside and give it to them.” She smoothed the doll’s hair down. “I stood at the bottom of the steps to the police station and watched her drive away. She left me because I’m sick.”

“I’m sorry.” Leena leaned forward and placed her hand over Brandy’s arm. “What about your dad?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I never knew him. It’s just me now, and I’m stuck here. No one wants a sick child.”

“Oh, sweetie, I’m sure that’s not true.”

“It is.” The first tear rolled down Brandy’s cheek. “I was in a home before but when I started getting sick again they made me leave.”

A knock echoed into the room from the door behind them. “Little miss Brandy…” The young nurse paused at the doorway, her eyes wide with shock. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had a visitor. Brandy has chemo scheduled now, so I’ll have to ask you to excuse us.”

“Don’t go.” Brandy cupped her hand over Leena’s. “Please, Carly, can’t I do it later? I never get visitors.”

“Shh, sweetie.” Leena leaned closer to Brandy. “This is going to help you get better, so go with Carly and I’ll come back to visit you later this afternoon.”

“Promise?” Brandy whispered.

“I do.” She squeezed the young girl’s hand. “Be brave and I’ll see you soon.”

“She’ll be tired when she gets back.” Carly came over to the bed and pulled up the sidebar railing.

“I know. I’ll let her rest, and if she’s sleeping I’ll let her sleep.” She glanced back at Brandy. “I’ll be back soon.”

Her chest felt tight as she strolled from the room. It broke her heart that Brandy was all alone. That poor little girl had been abandoned by those who were supposed to protect her. Left all alone to fight the battle against cancer. How could any parent just abandon their child when they needed them the most?