Love With A Stranger (9 page)

Cass was surprised and pleased to hear that news.

After Hines arrived, he checked Cass’s pulse, listened to her heart with his stethoscope, took her blood pressure, looked into her eyes, asked her and Inez questions, and then smiled and nodded.

“You’re doing much better, Mrs. Grantham; all of your readings are almost normal. In fact, you’re doing so well I’m going to reduce your medication to a minimum. It’s time for you to start getting up and around a few times every day; by that, I mean doing a little exercise like walk-ing around in the house to get back your strength. I still want you to take it easy for another week or two; no going out or overexerting yourself. And don’t talk to anybody who might upset you. If you continue to progress, I’ll keep increasing your activities and lowering your dosages until we can stop them completely and you can return to a normal life.”

“That sounds wonderful, Doctor Hines, thank you. I was getting tired of being confined to bed and staying dopey all the time.”

“I’m sure this has been difficult and scary for you, but the treatments have worked, am I not right?”

“I can’t argue with how I feel, which is much better.”

“Let me know if you experience any headaches, nervousness, panic attacks, loss of energy or appetite, mood swings, or depression.”

“I will.”

“Don’t worry, sir, I’ll keep taking good care of her,” Inez said.

“You have a good woman working for you, Mrs. Grantham; she’s done better than any private nurse could have.”

Inez smiled and thanked him, though she greatly disliked him.

“He’s right, Inez, and I’m most grateful for all you’ve done for me.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Is there anything else I need to do, sir?”

“We’ll go downstairs and I’ll set up a new treatment schedule. Just keep feeding her well and giving her vitamins and her medication and don’t let her do too much when she’s out of bed. She’ll still be weak and wobbly for a while and we don’t want her falling and injuring herself. Good-bye, Mrs. Grantham; I’ll check on you again Tuesday.”

After the two left her room, Cass snuggled into the bed and smiled, pleased with her progress and steady recovery. The change in her treatment was just what she needed to carry out her plan.

Before he left the house, Hines collected the old charts and the two unmarked bottles. He told Inez to begin a new chart with the changes he had made, then departed, leaving only the store-bought prescriptions in Inez’s possession. If Peter got angry with him for allowing the woman to regain her senses, Hines mused, he would explain that she couldn’t stay on those medications for more than a few weeks without them becoming addictive and noticeable to others and to Cassandra. He had already stuck his neck out far enough, too far, for that despicable blackmailer!

When Inez went to the mailbox later, Cass phoned Jason Burkman. She asked him to come by to see her at two o’clock
while Inez was out running errands for her, then she quickly returned to her room and leapt into bed.

She could hardly believe the date on the newspaper, yesterday’s, that Inez had brought her to read: Saturday, March twenty-ninth! She had lost almost eighteen days of her life! Despite what Hines had told her about lowering her dosages, she pretended to take the anti-depressant and the tranquilizer when Inez brought them to her. The two capsules had joined the others down the shower drain.

Her head was unfogging more by the hour, and she needed it clear for what she had in mind to do this afternoon. Of course, she had to get Inez to agree to her request and without arousing the woman’s suspicions. Most importantly, it depended upon Jason arriving at their pre-planned time.

At one-forty-five, Cass summoned Inez and told her, “I want you to go to the grocery store and pick me up some new magazines and some sherbet and ginger ale. I’m in the mood to read and to have a float.”

“But I shouldn’t leave you alone, ma’am.”

“I’m doing fine today, Inez, and I’ll rest while you’re gone. I won’t answer the phone or the door. I’ll stay in bed and watch TV or nap.”

“But, ma’am, you might need me.”

“Please, Inez, magazines and a float are what I need. Do you have any money left in the household cash box?”

“Yes, ma’am, plenty. I’ll go, but I’ll return as soon as I can.”

With obvious reluctance, the housekeeper left to run the errand.

Cass watched from the window until Inez’s car was out of sight. Her gaze widened as she saw Jason arrive from the other direction and pull into her driveway; since she lived on the main road and the only entrance to the small island was in the
direction Inez had taken, Cass assumed he had been waiting down the street for the housekeeper to leave.

She felt an odd surge of excitement as she checked her satin robe to be sure it was fastened and went to greet Jason at the front door. She smiled and said, “Hello, Doctor Burkman; it’s good to see you again. Please come in.”

Jason was surprised by her sunny smile and genial greeting, but mostly by her clear eyes and poise. Today, she was the vital woman he had seen on many past occasions, who had stirred his passions and warmed his heart, not the sedated female he had viewed yesterday. “I’m glad you called because I’ve been worried about you since your husband’s death. I’ve tried to reach you several times and stopped by once to see you to extend my condolences. I hope you got my messages.”

Cass stared at him for a minute in confusion. “I’m afraid I didn’t, but I’ll check into the curious matter. I haven’t been well since Tom died, so Inez and Peter have been protecting me from outside annoyances. I don’t mean you’re one,” she hurriedly added. “Actually, I’m glad to see you; I was beginning to wonder if everyone had forgotten I was alive because I’ve received close to no calls, mail, or visitors since Tom’s accident. I suppose most people just don’t know what to say or do. Also, I don’t know many people here on the island.”

“Why is that?” Jason asked as he followed her into the house.

“Since we moved here, Tom was away on business much of the time, and our closest neighbors aren’t permanent residents. It’s hard to socialize as a single woman in a couple’s world. Also, Tom preferred to be around when I met people or took on new activities.”

In other words, he liked to keep you secluded and all to himself. Since you’re so beautiful and desirable, I can understand his fear of losing you.
“As a single man and a local, I know what you mean; it’s hard to make friends in an area like this. We’re neighbors, because I live toward the end of this
street, so perhaps we can help each other out in the future when one of us needs a companion for dinner, a play, or tennis.”

“That would be a nice arrangement at the proper time.” Cass noticed how appealing he looked in his casual pants and golf shirt whose blue shade enhanced the color of his sapphire eyes and tan. His hair was a mingling of light and dark blond, straight, full, and combed back from his arresting face. When he smiled, he revealed snowy white teeth and engaging laugh lines around a full mouth. She realized she was almost staring at him. She laughed away her embarrassment and said, “Where are my manners today? Have a seat. Would you like a cup of coffee or a cold drink?”

Jason could hardly take his eyes from her lovely face. Her voice and laughter were like tantalizing treats to his hungry ears; the sight of her, like delicious food to his starving senses. As he followed her into the living room, he tried to ignore how the floral satin robe flowed over her shapely figure or how her brown hair tumbled down her back or how she was wearing a smidgen of flattering cosmetics and a fragrant scent. “No, thanks. I’m relieved to see you looking and sounding so much better; you had me worried.”

Cass wanted to use their remaining privacy to solve a mystery. “Why did you sneak in to see me?” she asked.

“As your doctor and friend, I was concerned about you when I couldn’t get through to you to check on you. Besides, I thought it was a little odd for Inez to be picking up prescriptions for you at the drugstore on Thursday if you were out of town. I was at the store when she came in that day. And, since I live down the street, I’ve seen Doctor Hines visit you several times. I assumed you were having a hard time dealing with your recent tragedy and might need a friend. If I’m wrong and being intrusive, please tell me.”

“You aren’t, and I’m glad you came. I was just surprised by your way of contacting me.”

Jason grinned. “It was extreme, but it was the only way to reach you.”

“Inez and Peter have been screening my calls and visitors to protect me. Since the police have been investigating Tom’s accident, people are curious and nosy.” She told Jason about those meddlesome episodes. “It made me nervous and leery of people and provoked me to seclude myself for a while. It’s obvious you couldn’t awaken me, so I guess that alarmed you.”

Jason nodded, then explained how he got inside without being seen. “I saw the medication on the kitchen counter and I couldn’t arouse you to talk with me, so I knew you were out cold. Frankly, I was afraid someone else might find my note, but I took the risk.”

“I’m glad you did. After I found your message in my brush, I followed your suggestions. Besides, I was tired of being confined to bed and staying doped up all the time. I just had to get my head clear enough to do something about my condition.”

“I can see you did and I’m glad. That’s some heavy medication you’re on, Cass. I have to say I don’t agree with how he’s treating you, unless there’s something I don’t know or understand about your medical problem.”

Cass told him about the reduction in her medication and revealed all that Hines had told her. “I guess you could say I sort of fell apart under the stress and from exhaustion and shock. Those busybodies and detectives also took a toll on me. If you keep up with local news, you know the police are investigating Tom’s accident; they find a few things about it suspicious and they’ve questioned me twice, being rude and insensitive both times. They made distressing insinuations about him and his death, and they upset me terribly. I didn’t have any family to turn to and I haven’t seen my old friends in years and I’m a near stranger here, so I felt alone and scared. But I’m better now.”

Jason had heard insinuations about the accident, but he was astonished to learn the police were interrogating Cass as if she
were a suspect in Tom’s possible…murder. That explained to him why she had gotten into such a nervous state. “I’m sorry you’ve been having such a tough time, Cass, and I hope I can be of help in some way.”

“You are helping, just by being here and being concerned about me. Most of the people I’ve known and socialized with during the last two and a half years since I married Tom were his friends and associates, and they’ve dropped by the wayside. I suppose that’s normal since they didn’t really know me except as his wife and I wasn’t a part of their social circle before we married. I was just a small-town country girl.”

“So was I, so we have that in common.” He chuckled. “I mean, I was from the country near a small town. What about… your stepson? How are things with him, if I’m not being too nosy?”

“Peter has been kind, considerate, helpful.”
For a change.

Jason noticed an odd tone to her voice, as if she weren’t being totally forthright. “If you don’t mind, Cass, I’d like to see your prescriptions and examine you.”

“The medicines are in the kitchen, so follow me.”

Jason was annoyed with himself for losing the pills and capsules he had taken from those bottles; they had fallen through a hole in his pants pocket! Then, after leaving her yesterday he’d been called in on an emergency and had gone to bed late and exhausted. He hadn’t discovered the pills were missing until this morning. He had planned to force his way past the housekeeper this afternoon if he hadn’t heard from Cass by then. He hadn’t been able to save his first wife during her battle with cancer but he was resolved to save Cassandra.

While Cass observed him, Jason lifted each bottle and read the label, then the dispensing schedule. He not only found the changes she had mentioned, but also noticed the unmarked bottles and old chart were gone, which told him Hines had removed them this morning. If something had been wrong, he had no proof; it would be his word against those of Hines,
Peter, and the housekeeper. If he questioned them or made a fuss about the strange matter, it would seem as if he had a reason to lie to obtain revenge on Peter. Also, if he asked about the other pills and chart, they would know he had sneaked into house; and Peter might cause him trouble. At least Hines had lowered her dosages and stopped giving her those mystery pills. He would hold silent about his suspicions for now, but he would still keep a close eye on Cass and her progress.

There was something about Jason’s expressions and mood that Cass found intriguing. “Well?”

Jason locked his gaze with hers. “I’d like to take over your case, unless you prefer to remain as Hines’s patient.”

Cass studied him for a moment, then asked, “Why? What’s wrong?”

“You’ve been a patient of mine—and I hope, a friendsince your move here, so I think I know you and your medical history better than Hines does. I realize he’s decreased your medication and you were suffering from depression and anxiety, but I don’t feel it was bad enough to be giving you those high dosages. When I came over yesterday, Cass, you were almost out cold; I don’t think you needed to be sedated to that extreme point or ordered to complete bedrest for weeks. A milder dose and with more time between pills should have been sufficient to calm your nerves while you adjusted to your loss.”

“Are you saying Doctor Hines is incompetent?”

“It’s just that I don’t believe your temporary condition warranted so many pills. You needed to be aware enough of reality to grieve, to cry, to be angry at fate, and to think about the past and future. Otherwise, when the drugs are withdrawn and your head clears, you still have the same problems and your feelings are bottled up. Medication should
assist
emotional
recovery, not halt or delay it or put you in the same situation when you stop taking it. Or worse, make you dependent upon drugs for relief.”

“Doctor Hines told me none of them were addictive. Did he lie?”

“Some of them can be abused if they’re taken too long or without proper supervision. In my opinion, a housekeeper isn’t qualified to judge that for him. If he was going to treat you with maximum doses, he should have brought in a nurse to dispense the medication and watch you for any adverse reactions. I know Tofranil, the antidepressant he gave you, shouldn’t be given for more than a few days to a couple of weeks and Librium, the tranquilizer, should be limited to three weeks. Were you experiencing panic attacks and anxiety?”

“I suppose so; I did act a little crazy on a few occasions.” She related the alarming episodes and her symptoms to him. “Maybe what you’re telling me about those drugs is why he reduced them today.”

“If you agree, I’d like to wean you off of everything this week and see how you respond. In fact, I’d like to call in a private nurse to take care of you for a week or so. I want her to handle your medication, keep a check on your vital signs and reactions, prepare your meals and oversee your diet, and get you to exercising daily to regain your strength. I can see you’re weak. Isn’t that right?”

“You’re very perceptive, Doctor. I am feeling weak and shaky, but not nervous or irritable. That’s a good sign I’m not having a relapse, right?”

Jason smiled at her. “Don’t worry about a relapse, Cass, I won’t allow that to happen to you. How many pills have you skipped taking?”

“Three doses; sometimes I’m given one capsule or tablet and other times, several. I skipped the seven and eleven doses last night, and Hines phoned and delayed this morning’s schedule until he examined me. But I didn’t take anything after he
left because I was planning to sneak you in this afternoon. If he suspected I wasn’t taking them, he didn’t let on to me. The first thing he gave me on the thirteenth was an injection; I remember little after it until last night. I’ve
had
short periods of mild alertness at bath and feeding times; other than that, I’ve stayed pretty crocked.”

“We need to get you back on a small dosage because sudden withdrawal isn’t good for you. I just told you to stop long enough to clear your head so we could talk. I promise, you won’t be crocked on the amount I’ll prescribe, just relaxed. Now let’s get you into bed so I can examine you and then you can rest.”

“Follow me,” she told him once more, then led him upstairs.

Cass removed her robe and got into bed. She watched him set his black leather bag on the foot of it, open the satchel, and remove several instruments. He took her temperature, pulse rate, and blood pressure, then recorded those numbers on a pad. She wondered if the heat she was experiencing from his contact and close proximity registered on the thermometer. When he looked at the color of her finger and toenails to check her circulation, she liked the feel of his strong hands on her own hands and her feet. He checked her elbow and knee reflexes with a rubber-headed mallet, his light grasp on her wrist and ankle arousing. He looked into her eyes and ears and mouth with a slender silver object which brought his face close to her, close enough that she could smell his heady cologne and feel his spearmint-scented breath on her skin. He listened to her heart, then he listened from behind her, asking her to take occasional deep breaths. As he did his tasks, his touch was gentle, his behavior, professional, and his gaze, comforting. Yet, being close to him, in only a nightgown and panties, and feeling his hands on her flesh, was stimulating.

Cass jumped suddenly from the provocative pose as a grating voice shouted at him from the doorway.

“What are you doing to Mrs. Grantham? How did you get
in here? Get out this minute and leave her alone or I’ll call the police!”

“Calm down, Inez. This is Jason Burkman, my personal physician. I asked him to check me over, and I let him inside.”

“You told me you wouldn’t answer the phone or door!”

Cass was shocked by the woman’s rude and bold behavior. “Calm down, Inez,” she ordered in a stern voice, narrowing her gaze in warning. “This is my home and you work for me. I have every right to do as I please. Doctor Burkman is here at my request.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, I was just surprised to see him with you. I wasn’t sure your head was clear enough to know what you’re doing. And what about Doctor Hines? He’s been treating you for weeks.”

“When Doctor Burkman came to visit, I decided I wanted a second opinion, so I let him examine me. I’m going to switch to him.”

“You shouldn’t do that, ma’am; Doctor Hines is helping you. Look how much better you are.”

“I prefer Doctor Burkman, Inez. He’s seen me several times in the past, but I’ve been too dopey to request him after Doctor Hines gave me the shot and all those pills. Now that I can think clearly, I’m changing physicians.”

Inez realized she was irritating her employer and decided she shouldn’t point out that Hines and Peter would be upset with the change. “If that’s how you want it, ma’am, it’s fine with me. Do you want her medicine and schedule to stay the same?” she asked Jason.

“You won’t have to worry about that anymore. I’m having a nurse come in later today and take over Mrs. Grantham’s care.”

“A nurse? Why? I’ve been doing a good job for her.”

“Yes, you have, but she needs a nurse, not a housekeeper, tending her.”

“I see. If you need me for anything, ma’am, I’ll be in the kitchen.”

“You can do something for me,” Jason said. “You can bring me all of Mrs. Grantham’s prescriptions and the charts you’ve kept on her.”

“Yes, sir, right away.”

When Inez returned shortly with the bottles and pad, Jason asked, “Is this all of them? Where are the other recordings?”

“Doctor Hines was here this morning and collected my charts, and this is all he has. Except for vitamins, and aspirin for a headache.”

Jason knew what he had seen in the two mystery bottles were not vitamins or aspirin, but he couldn’t press the matter now. He reasoned that either Hines was rotating her between different drugs or the older man was giving her too many combinations simultaneously. He suspected the missing capsule was the antidepressant Prozac and the missing tablet was one of two antianxiety agents, Ativan or Xanax; he wished he had committed their sizes and colors to memory, but he had been in a distracted rush yesterday. “Thank you, and that’s all for today.”

“Do you want me to stay while you check Mrs. Grantham?”

“Thank you, but I’ve already finished my examination; a thorough physical isn’t necessary at this time; I’ll do that at my office on a later date. Don’t worry, I’ll settle this with Doctor Hines.”

“As you wish, sir. Call me if you need me. Shall I close the door?”

“That isn’t necessary, Inez, and thank you for running those errands.” Cass didn’t want her to close the door because she suspected the woman might eavesdrop. By leaving it open, in full view of her employer, Inez had to go downstairs.

Cass glanced at Jason and whispered, “She can be a royal pain in the rear. I didn’t hire her and never liked her, but Tom
insisted she stay on. I was planning to let her go soon, but now I feel obligated to her for taking such good care of me.”

“Don’t be, Cass,” he whispered in return. “If she gets on your nerves again, just let me know and I’ll help you find another housekeeper. I have a wonderful lady working for me and she just mentioned she has an opening coming up.”

Cass thought about how wonderful it would be to get the sourpuss out of her life and hair, but she didn’t want to act on the situation too fast. Considering what Inez had done for her during her illness, she would give the woman one more chance to correct her ways. “Thanks, and I’ll keep your offer in mind. Now, what’s the verdict on me?”

Jason related his plan of treatment. Cass listened as he spoke with a nurse who agreed to take charge of her case.

After he hung up the receiver, Jason smiled and said, “You’ll like Linda Carnes and we’re fortunate she’s available; she’s an excellent nurse and a nice person. She has a wonderful personality and all of her past patients adored her. I hope it was all right to ask her to move into one of your guest rooms for a week or so; that should be long enough to get you back on your feet.”

“It was fine, Jason, and I’ll enjoy having another woman around for company. As you can see, Inez and I are nothing alike.”

“I don’t want to offend your housekeeper, but Linda is to be in charge of your diet and meals. She’ll have you up to par very soon.”

“Is that the promise of a superior golfer?” she teased him, then asked. “Are you sure I need to keep taking those pills?”

“For a while. Going cold turkey might make you jittery. Linda is a good listener and honors her patient’s confidence, so talking to her about certain things might help you. You’ve suffered a terrible tragedy and your life’s been turned upside down, so it’s normal to be angry and to cry. And remember, just because you’re venting your feelings doesn’t mean you’re
having a relapse, so let those emotions out when they work on you.”

“Thanks for the advice,”
but I can’t talk to anybody about my fears and doubts; I can’t reveal what I’ve learned about Tom and our marriage and about how scared I am that he might have given me some horrible disease. Still, it would be nice to make a friend and talk about other things.

“Well, I’d better get going,” “Jason said, rising. “I have another patient to check on at the hospital. Linda will be over at noon tomorrow, so I’ll stop by to introduce you two and get your new treatments underway. You’ll have to do your part, Cass, by trying to stay calm and obeying Linda’s instructions.”

“I promise, because I want to get well. Thank you, Jason; you’re a good friend and doctor. You’ll call Hines and tell him about the change, right?”

“I’ll take care of him this afternoon. I doubt he’ll give you a hard time, but if he does, I’ll handle him. I’ve made a chart for your prescriptions. I only want you to take Librium, five milligrams, three times a day, and ten milligrams at night to help you sleep; those are mild doses compared to what you were on. I won’t use the Tofranil—it’s a strong antidepressant—unless it’s necessary. The dispensing schedule is listed. Just check off each dosage today and in the morning before you take the pill; that way, you won’t forget and take another one. Tomorrow, Linda will take over giving them to you. I’ve written down the names of several herbal teas that’ll help keep you calm using nature for assistance. If you have a headache, just take Tylenol. Record any symptom you experience: time, duration, type, and what seemed to bring it on. And call me if you need anything. Anything, Cass, even just to talk. My home, office, and pager numbers are on the card on your nightstand by the phone.”

What I need most is total freedom from my past, which I’ll achieve somehow, with your help.
“I will, Jason, and thank you.”

“You don’t have to keep thanking me, Cass.”

“Why, because you’re going to send me a fat bill for your services?” she jested. “House calls must be expensive.”

“I’m doing this more as a friend than as your physician.”
Forgive me, Cass, for wanting to get you healed swiftly for selfish reasons, but I can’t help myself; I’m totally in love with you, woman. I have been since that night we met at the Ritz Theater. I’d give just about anything to be the next man you give your heart to.

“You aren’t fooling me, Doctor; you just need your tennis partner back because you can lick me with one hand tied behind your back.”

Jason almost sighed aloud in relief, fearing she had read his thoughts; he knew it was wrong to think about romancing a new widow in a vulnerable state. “Great day, I’ve been busted and exposed! How did you guess?”

“I remember how much you enjoyed whipping me on the court. I can recognize that old cat-who-ate-the-canary look.”

And what a beautiful and delicious canary you are, Cassandra Grantham.
“Maybe I’ll take over your lessons and teach you how to beat me.”

“That would be fun, after I regain my strength,”
and the willpower to be around you without having these feelings of sheer lust. Tom’s body is barely cold and you’re craving another man! Shame on you,
she admonished herself.
Jason is too wonderful to use to get over Tom’s betrayal.
“I’ve enjoyed our visit today. Since the funeral, you’re the only person I’ve really talked with besides Peter. I’m glad you were a persistent sneak.”

“That’s a nice compliment. After you’re fully recovered, you need to get out and meet people, make friends, get into some interesting activities and sports. I’ll be more than happy to introduce you around and be your escort. I can certainly use a charming dinner companion. Single life can be tough and
lonely, so can trying to get back into the swing of things; I know from personal experience.”

“It’s too soon to be thinking in that direction but I’ll keep your invitation in mind when I’m ready to venture out again.”