LUCAS (16 page)

“Yeah. It took two years longer than normal for her to graduate because she was working full time, but somehow she managed to earn her degree and raise a child. And if you ask me, Jojo turned out to be an outstanding young woman.”

He flopped into the chair again stunned. “No wonder she’s clueless. She said she had strong feelings for me, but didn’t know if what she was feeling was love. She’s spent so many years being responsible for Jojo and building her career, she shut off her emotions to everyone and everything, except Jojo.”

“I think you’re right.”

Something akin to fear skittered across his face. “So, what do I do? Do I try to be patient? Should I follow her to Minnesota and support her while she handles this emergency?”

Krystal stared off into space as she considered his options. “For now, I think you should stay here. Show her you trust her. If you follow her, I’m afraid it won’t end well.”

“But what about the pain she’s going to feel from the separation?” Lucas countered.

“I don’t think she’s going to feel the pain the way you do. Julia and I talked about Thomas, and what happened when he left town. We discussed about what she went through, she said he didn’t seem to be in pain at all.”

Lucas sighed, relieved and sat back in his chair. “That’s a relief. I don’t handle it well when she’s in pain.”

*****

Twenty-six hours! She had been gone for over a day, and she only just reached Rochester. This was going to kill him, he was sure of it. Sure, he’d talked to Kensie every few hours. Her reassurances over the phone weren’t enough. He needed to touch her, to hold her and kiss her. And the pain! How had Julia withstood this torture?

Once he was sure Kensie was safe, and at her apartment, he astral projected himself to her. This was the closest he was going to get to seeing her in person until she returned to Texas.

Even though Lucas warned her of what he was going to do it was still quite a shock to see him standing in her living room. Well, technically she saw a wavering image of him. From what she knew about astral projection, this was his soul or essence minus his physical body. Still, it was good to see his handsome face. Kensie was shocked by how much she missed him. She prayed her patient wouldn’t require days or even weeks of her time. She couldn’t get back to Texas fast enough.

Lucas’s energy faded quickly. Basic astral projection didn’t require much at all but to project his image and be heard was a whole other can of worms. Unfortunately, he was going to have to break the connection and rest.

When he projected himself a few hours later, she was rushing around the hospital so he left her to it. The sooner she did what she needed to do, the sooner she would return.

Maybe if he went for a ride he could take his mind off things. Lucas had never been in such a foul mood. He’d tried to pretend he was fine, tried to act normal. He was failing miserably. The men avoided him like he was infected with the plague. Heck, even Elvis eyed him warily when he entered the barn.

Kensie rushed to her office. She needed to speak with her nurse and get up to speed on the patient before she examined her.

Her secretary stared at her oddly for a second before she sputtered. “What are you doing back? I didn’t expect you for another week.”

Kensie frowned. “I came back early. I was told there was an emergency with Ms. Martin.”

Her secretary, Carol shook her head. “You must be mistaken, Ms. Martin hasn’t been admitted to the hospital. As a matter of fact, I spoke to her a few days ago and she is on vacation in Hawaii.”

Kensie put her hands on her hips. “Then why did Dr. Anderson call me and tell me she was here?”

Carol scowled. “That horrid man has been in here every day since you left, badgering me to convince you to come back. Confidentially, I don’t think he is a very good doctor and he uses you to hide his inadequacies.”

Kensie raised her brows and nodded. “I think you’re right.” Then she leaned against the edge of Carol’s desk. “What do you think of Texas?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m going to move and open a private practice there. Are you interested?”

Carol gaped at her. “Are you serious?”

“As a heart attack. My sister is going to join me as my nurse. But I still need an office manager. You’re my first choice.”

“What? And leave the nasty freezing cold winters behind? I’d love to.” Carol laughed.

“Excellent. First, I need to deal with Anderson and then we can hammer out the specifics and timeline for our move. I have a place you can stay until you find a house. Shoot, I need to turn in my notice, too. Do you think you could type one up for me?”

Carol beamed. “It would be my pleasure. I’ll leave it on your desk to sign.”

When Kensie took a step toward the coffee maker, Carol stepped into her path. “Oh no you don’t. That’s my job. You go do whatever it is you do in your office and I’ll bring you a cup.”

Kensie shook her head and chuckled. “Fine, I’ll go check my emails.”

A few minutes later, Carol tapped lightly on the door before she stepped through with a steaming cup of coffee. She had just set it on Kensie’s desk when Dr. Anderson barged into the room.

Kensie took one look at his expression and she knew she was in danger. He knew something, or at least he thought he did. She shouldn’t have come back to the hospital at all. If she were smart, she would have emailed her letter of resignation and been done with it. She should be with Lucas, but she’d stupidly believed Anderson and now she was alone in Minnesota. Her heart, as well as her mind told her she made a grave error. And this mistake could very well be a deadly one.

Calmly she looked at Carol. “Why don’t you take a break?”

Carol glanced from her to Dr. Anderson and back again. “Are you sure?”

Kensie gave her a small smile. “I’ll be fine for a few minutes on my own.”

“Fine, but I’m only going to be a few doors down in the break room if you need me.” Carol gave Dr. Anderson a pointed stare that told him she meant business and closed the door.

Dr. Anderson straightened his shoulders, trying to appear taller than his five foot eight height. “She’s a mouthy one. I would never tolerate such insubordination.”

Kensie crossed her arms and glared at the nasty little man. “I’m sure she feels the same.”

He drew in a breath and cocked one eyebrow.

“You lied to me, Dr. Anderson,” she accused.

“You weren’t going to come back and I needed you here,” he said as if that was an acceptable excuse.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Kensie snarled.

Dr. Anderson stalked toward her, rapidly evaporating her sense of security. He leaned forward and grinned evilly. “Someone who knows you have something to hide so you better start toeing the line, little missy.”

Kensie sucked in a sharp breath. Before she could speak Lucas shimmered into view.

“If you value your life, human, you’ll back the hell off,” he growled as he flashed his fangs. “Baby, please leave the room.”

Lucas positioned himself between Anderson and the door giving her an escape route.

Kensie flicked a glance at Anderson and sped for the door. She practically yanked the handle off in her rush to escape her office. She didn’t look back, trusting Lucas to hold him until she got to safety. The chief surgeon would be in his office. That’s where she headed.

Dr. Johnson’s eyes shot to the door as she flew through it with his secretary hot on her heels.

“I tried to stop her, Sir,” she sputtered.

“It’s fine, Cheryl. I’ll take it from here.” Dr. Ralph Johnson waved his secretary off.

When the door closed, he focused on Kensie and waved her to a chair. “Kensie, what brings you home early? I thought you were out for another week?”

Kensie took a seat and crossed her arms. “I was, Ralph, until Dr. Anderson called with a false emergency.”

Ralph frowned and leaned forward. “Why would he do that?”

“He was angry because I wouldn’t take his constant calls, emails, and texts while I was gone. He has the insane idea in his head, I’m required to consult on all his patients.”

“I don’t understand. Why would he need a second on his cases?”

“You really haven’t noticed, have you? He is incapable of diagnosing anything without a second opinion.”

“How the hell did that get past me?” Ralph barked.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re extremely busy and Anderson is very good at covering his deficiencies.”

“Well, that’s going to stop right now,” he huffed.

“Regardless, I’m giving you my verbal resignation. I’ll follow up with a written one once I return to Texas.”

“The hell you are!” Ralph sputtered. “Kensie, don’t do that to me.”

“Sorry, Ralph, but I’m going to open a private practice near my sister.” Then she looked away and smoothed her slacks nervously. “Besides, I met someone.”

“No,” he said, his eyes wide. “Is he worthy of you?”

Ralph always treated her like a daughter. His reaction warmed her heart. It reminded her of the way her own father would have responded.

“I think he is. I’m going to head straight back to Texas and Carol will be joining me. If you would be so kind, I would appreciate an escort from the building. Dr. Anderson has tried to ambush me once already and I would prefer to leave quietly.”

“Certainly, dear.” Ralph stood and rounded his desk. Helping her from the chair, he pulled her into a hug. “I hope I’ll be welcome for a visit once you’re settled.”

“I would love to have you visit.” Kensie hugged him back. “I’m going to miss you.”

Ralph called for security and he waited with her until they arrived. “Take care, Kensie. I wish you every happiness.”

She felt her eyes welling. “Thank you, Ralph.” Then she turned and walked with the security guard out the door.

“Dr. Brown! Where do you think you’re going?”

“Home. I’m going home.”

“Wait, who’s going to consult on my patient?”

Kensie didn’t answer. He was on his own and it was high time she got back to Lucas and the Double Rocking L Ranch.

The guard escorted her all the way to her car and didn’t leave until she pulled out of the parking garage. In her rearview mirror, she watched him turn to walk back inside. That’s when she saw Anderson following her in his car.

As she drove toward her apartment, Lucas appeared in her passenger seat.

“Are you okay, mon amour?”

“I’m fine, just a little shaken.”

“I don’t think you should go home. Anderson intends to harm you and force you to stay here. It would be safer if you stay on the road and head straight to the ranch.”

Glancing in the rearview mirror, she nodded. “I think you’re right. Anderson is still following me. What about my apartment? I need to pack everything.”

“I’ll call a moving company and have your things boxed and shipped.”

“Okay, but I still have my office to clear and I need to meet with Carol.”

“You could call her. I’m sure she could pack the office and you can discuss everything during your drive back.”

Kensie nodded. He was right; it wasn’t safe for her to go to the apartment. Dr. Anderson looked like a crazy man. There was no telling what he was capable of.

“All right. I have my purse and cell phone. I can stop at a hotel along the way if I get tired.”

Lucas smiled. “I’ll take care of everything. I can’t wait to hold you again, cher. Please, hurry home. I love you.”

She glanced at his imaged and smiled. “I love you, too.” She saw his brilliant smile light up his face before he shimmered out of sight.

Kensie breathed easier. She was safe and Lucas would take care of her apartment. Digging for her phone, she called Carol.

“Dr. Brown’s office.”

“Hi, Carol. It’s me.”

“Where are you?” Carol whispered, cupping the phone.

“I’m on my way back to Texas. Dr. Anderson made it impossible to stick around. Anyway, I gave my verbal resignation before I left. I also told Ralph you would be going with me. I hope that was okay.”

“Absolutely, I’m going with you. What can I do to help?”

“Lucas, my… boyfriend, is taking care of shipping everything from my apartment. Could you pack up our things in the office?”

“Sure, I’ll get started right away. But I kind of need to know where I’m sending what won’t fit in my car.”

Kensie laughed at herself and gave Carol the information she needed. For now, the ranch would have to be home base until she found office space and a place to live.

By the time she ended the call, they had organized the entire move, Carol was researching real estate for the new clinic, and they negotiated Carol’s salary. Kensie took her first truly relaxed breath in the last forty-eight hours.

*****

It helped he moved so many times in his life. Without missing a beat, Lucas had a full service moving company on the phone. These guys were good. They would pack her household and deliver everything safely to Texas. Not a single glass or dish would be broken either. He knew these guys; they’d moved him more than once. He didn’t tell Kensie, but he had the company programed into his phone. All they needed was someone to let them into her place and they would take care of everything. He hoped Carol or a neighbor had a spare key to her place. He really didn’t want her to turn around and head back.

“Hello?”

“Hi, cher. How is the drive?”

“I still have my shadow if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Persistent bastard, isn’t he?”

“It would seem so.”

“The movers are all set. All they need is a way to get into your unit.”

“The manager’s office should be able to do that. I’ll call and let them know I give the movers permission and they’ll let them in.”

“Perfect. Is everything arranged with Carol?”

“Sure is. Now all I need is a clinic,” she laughed.

“Well, if you can’t find a suitable building in the area, we’ll build one.”

“Lucas. You can’t do that. I can’t let you spend money on me like that.”

“Why not? You’re my mate. It’s my pleasure and duty to take care of you in every way.”

“Yeah, but isn’t that a bit much?”

“Not as I see it. Not only would a clinic make my mate very happy, but it provides her the camouflage she needs to survive in this world.”

“You should have been a lawyer,” she groused.

“Actually, I was, in my last life.”

“What! What last life?”

“Oh, sorry. I haven’t had the chance to talk about my past. Do you remember when I told you we live a long time?”

Kensie hesitated. “Yes.”

“The only way we can hide that ability is to change our identity on occasion. My last identity was a lawyer.”

Lucas heard her groan.

“Is that…bad?”

“I regret to say this, but I… hate lawyers.”

Lucas barked out a laugh. “Then it’s a darn good thing I’m not one anymore.”

“Yeah, I guess it is.” She laughed, too.

“I’ll call you in a few hours and let you know where I am.”

“Okay. But before you hang up, how are you doing on gas?”

“I’m going to have to stop soon, why?”

“Be sure to stop at a busy gas station and use a pump closest to the doors. Anderson might try to grab you when you stop.”

“Good idea. I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Please call me after you fill the tank or I’ll worry,” Lucas confessed.

“I will. I promise I’ll be careful.”

“Okay, talk to you soon. Good bye, babe.”

“Bye.”

Now that she was heading his way he felt better. The closer she got, the more the pain eased. Of course the relief wasn’t much yet because she was only past the Minnesota and Iowa state line but every mile helped.