Turn To Me (39 page)

Blane pinched the back of my hand.

“Ouch!  Cut it out!”  I tried to pull my hand away, but he held firm, looking at my skin.

“You’re dehydrated,” he announced.  “Which is why you’re so tired.”

“I’m so tired because it’s nearly five in the morning and I worked until one,” I retorted.

“Come on,” he said, standing and pulling me to my feet.  He wrapped his arm firmly around my waist so I wouldn’t fall.

The room didn’t tilt this time, though it still did a slow turn.  I stumbled and Blane’s arm tightened, keeping me upright and glued to his side.

“How would you know if I’m dehydrated?” I asked as we walked.  The cold air outside hit me and I started shivering.  Blane tucked me more closely to his body, shielding me from the wind.

“I’m a SEAL, remember?  I know the signs.”

Oh, yeah.  Duh.

Blane bundled me into his car, then drove to a nearby all-night convenience store.  Leaving me to wait, he jumped out and was back within a few minutes, carrying a small paper bag.

“Drink this,” he said, opening a plastic bottle and holding it out for me. 

I looked at the label - something fruity with electrolytes. 

“Eat this, too.” 

Blane handed me a banana.  I noticed as I took it that he’d already broken the peel for me.  For some reason, it struck me as sweet that he would do that. 

We drove toward my apartment while I slowly chewed on the banana.

“So what did CJ say?” I asked.

“It’s complicated,” he replied.  “Apparently, her parents are missionaries who went to China several years ago, leaving her to stay with an uncle when she was sixteen.

“Things were fine for a few months, then they stopped hearing from them.  Eventually, she found out her parents had been detained and sent to a labor camp for inciting separatism.”

“That’s horrible,” I breathed.  I’d heard enough news stories about Chinese labor camps to know what fate awaited her parents.  “Are they still there?”

“That’s part of the problem,” Blane said, glancing at me.  “When the US Embassy produced no results in getting her parents released, CJ decided to take matters in her own hands.  She approached the Chinese looking for a deal, offering to work for them in exchange for getting her parents released.”

“That’s why she sent the election results there,” I said, “from TecSol’s server.” 

“Yes,” Blane confirmed.  “They were supposed to release her parents upon completion of that project.”

“But they didn’t?” I guessed.

He shook his head.  “Since the hack was discovered and the project shut down, they said she didn’t complete her mission and their agreement is void.”

I rubbed my forehead, feeling the throb of the headache I’d fought all day since Stacey had clonked me over the head.  I knew I had done the right thing with TecSol, yet I felt awful that CJ’s parents were still prisoners.

“So why is she in jail?” I asked.

“She threatened them, told them she was going to go to the US government with what she knew if they didn’t release her parents.  They retaliated, leaking information on her first.  She said she’s been on the run for a while, but was arrested tonight after trying to use her ATM card.”

“Why would she use her ATM card?  She’s smarter than that.”  Even I had seen enough movies to know you weren’t supposed to do that.

“I think she was desperate.”

My heart went out to her and I wished she’d stayed with me longer than just a night.  “What can we do to help?”

We reached my apartment and Blane got out of the car, coming around to my side to help me out.  I felt better after the banana and drink, but was still weak and didn’t resist when Blane’s arm slid supportively around my waist.

“I’ll make some calls tomorrow,” Blane said, using his key to unlock my door and lead me inside.

“What can I do?” I asked.  There had to be something I could do to help.

“Nothing,” Blane said firmly.  “These aren’t some two-bit criminals, Kathleen.  CJ is involved with some extremely dangerous people.  Let me see what I can do to help her.  You stay out of it.”

I chewed my lip as I discarded my coat.  I understood Blane’s concern, but hated to be put in the position of just sitting around and waiting.

A knock at the door startled me, but Blane moved forward to answer it as though he was expecting someone.

“Thanks for coming,” he said when he’d opened the door. 

A man stepped past Blane into the apartment.  He was shorter than Blane by several inches, but solidly built.  The whiteness of his teeth contrasted starkly with his dark skin.  Dark hair and eyes completed the picture I guessed by his features that he had a Latin background.  If not for his friendly smile, he would have appeared very formidable indeed.  He wore a pair of glasses with thin, wire frames.  As Blane closed the door behind him, the stranger moved forward, holding his hand out to me.

“Hello,” he said.  “I’m Eric Sanchez, a friend of Blane’s.”

I automatically shook his hand, casting a questioning glance at Blane. 

“Eric,” Blane said, “this is Kathleen, an...employee of mine.”  He seemed to hesitate before identifying me as an employee.  “Eric is a doctor,” Blane explained to me.

“And why is there a doctor here?” I asked, my eyebrows climbing.

“You hate hospitals,” Blane said with a shrug, as if that explained Eric’s presence.

“Let’s sit down,” Eric said, still holding my hand.  He drew me towards my couch and sat next to me.  I watched as he opened the leather case he carried, removing typical doctor paraphernalia – a stethoscope, blood pressure checker thing, and thermometer.  “I understand you’ve not been feeling well?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” I replied, trying to decide how I felt about Blane actually arranging for a doctor make a house call for me in the middle of the night.  On one hand, it was incredibly presumptuous, big surprise there.  On the other, it was very thoughtful of him to be concerned and to remember how much I despised hospitals.

“You had a rather significant injury today, is that correct?” Eric asked.

“A bump on the head,” I reluctantly answered.

“And tonight you had a dizzy spell?”

I looked accusingly at Blane, the blabbermouth.  “Just a small one.  I’m a bit tired, that’s all.”

“She was dehydrated,” Blane said, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the wall behind me.  “I gave her a banana and sports drink.”

“Did that help you to feel better?” Eric asked, picking up an instrument and peering into my eyes with it.

“Yes.”  My grudging answer seemed to amuse Eric.  I saw his lips twitch before he controlled his expression.

“Do you often have dizzy spells?”

“No.”

“Any loss of appetite recently?  Nausea?”

I remembered throwing up at Kade’s yesterday morning.  “Yes.”

Eric wrapped the blood pressure cuff around my arm.  “Any chance you could be pregnant?”

His nonchalance was a stark contrast to the shock those words produced in me.  It took everything I had not to look behind me to Blane.  I felt the blood drain from my face.

We had always used protection, but nothing was a hundred percent, everyone knew that.  What if...?  I couldn’t finish the thought.

I suddenly realized my silence had produced a tension so thick I could nearly feel it emanating from Blane standing behind me.  Eric seemed oblivious, though, scrutinizing the blood pressure gauge before glancing up.

“Is there?” he asked again.

I did math in my head, my eyes squeezing tightly shut as I realized that yes, there was a chance.  According to my calculations, I was a couple days late.  Unable to speak the words, I gave a quick jerk of my head.

“Well, that might be the culprit then,” he said mildly.  He put his tools back in his bag and produced a small packet.  “This is a very mild sedative,” he said.  “If you are pregnant, it won’t hurt the baby, but will help you sleep.  You need rest and proper nutrition.”  He smiled kindly, pressing the packet into my numb fingers.  “I prescribe a good night’s sleep, followed by three square meals tomorrow and plenty of liquids.  You also might want to grab a pregnancy test from the drugstore in a few days.”

Blane let him out the door and I caught Eric saying in an undertone to him, “Employee, huh?  Right, Blane.  Tell me another one.”

“Thanks for coming,” Blane replied.

“Any time,” Eric said.  “You know that.”

The room was silent when Blane shut the door.  I stared in front of me, seeing nothing.  The idea that I might be pregnant...the thought was too incomprehensible for me to process. 

I was startled from my thoughts by Blane crouching in front of me, taking my ice cold hands in his.

“Kat,” he said softly, “it’ll be all right.  Don’t worry.  Okay?”

I stared at him.  “How can it possibly be all right?” I choked out in a whisper.

His mouth curved into a smile, a real one that lit up his eyes, and he leaned forward, kissing me lightly on the lips.  “Trust me.”

I let myself do what I’d been aching to do for days and leaned forward, tentatively resting my head against his shoulder.  His arms slid carefully around me, as though any sudden movement on his part would startle me away.  His hand cupped the back of my head, and I closed my eyes with a sigh.  The tension and worry I hadn’t even been aware of eased inside me.  Blane was here.

Blane gathered me in his arms and I didn’t protest as he helped me to my bedroom.  Laying me on the bed, he methodically removed my shoes and jeans before covering me with the blankets.  I watched him take off his shoes and shirt before sliding under the covers next to me.  Wrapping an arm around my waist, he pulled me back to spoon against his body.

My whole body relaxed at the feel of him holding me.  “I believe you,” I said after a while, my voice quiet in the dark.  “About Kandi.”

Blane went still behind me and I waited to hear him speak.  After a few moments, he said simply, “Good.”  I felt him press his lips to my temple as he fit me more snugly against him.  His hand found mine resting against my abdomen and entwined our fingers together.  Within moments, I was asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke slowly, stretching and feeling rested for the first time in days.  Opening my eyes, I checked the clock, startled to see that it was past noon.  Turning over, I saw the bed was empty beside me.  Disappointment made me frown, but considering the time, Blane would have had to get to work.  I sat up and my hand landed on something that crinkled.  I picked up the piece of paper, recognizing Blane’s handwriting.

Would have stayed with you, but had to be in court today. 

Rest and eat something.  I’ll call you later.

~ B

PS – Don’t go anywhere.

Checking my cell phone, I saw I had a couple missed calls from Blane.  I was glad he’d left the note rather than just leaving without a word.  I’d slept better last night in his arms than I had in several days. 

I showered, my hand skimming over my stomach and I wondered if it could possibly be true – if I could be carrying Blane’s child.  It was both terrifying and at the same time incredibly fantastic.  The impact it would have on my life was so mind-boggling, I resolved to try not to think about it anymore until I got a pregnancy test.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I walked into the kitchen and found Blane’s housekeeper, Mona, peering into my refrigerator.

“I’m sorry, dear,” she said.  “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s all right,” I said, a bit breathless.  “I just wasn’t expecting someone to be here.”

“Blane mentioned you were feeling under the weather, so I thought I’d bring something by that might help.”  She closed the fridge and motioned to a large pot on the stove.  “Just some chicken noodle soup, nothing fancy.  And I took the liberty of stocking a few other items in your cupboards.  I hope you don’t mind.”  She smiled kindly.

I was completely taken aback.  “Not at all,” I blurted, once I’d found my tongue.  “I appreciate that.  You didn’t have to go to the trouble, though.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” she said, gathering up her coat and purse.  “If you need anything else, just let me know.”

“Thank you so much.”  I followed her to the door.

“You’re welcome, dear.”  She gave me a brief hug before she left and I was too startled by the gesture to return it before she released me.  I watched her leave before shutting the door, wondering at what had just happened.  Then I smelled the mouthwatering aroma of chicken noodle soup.  Filling a huge bowl full, I promptly devoured it.  I couldn’t help envying Blane someone who could cook like Mona.

I had a few hours until Ryan came, so I did some laundry and cleaned.  My apartment was sadly lacking in my attention lately.  When that was finally done, I collapsed on the couch and flipped on the television.

In the middle of Judge Judy, my cell phone rang – Blane was calling.  I glanced at the clock.  It was after five.  He must be out of court by now.

“Hello?”

“Kat.  It’s me,” Blane said.

“Hey,” I replied.

“How are you feeling?”

“Better.”

I heard him blow out a sigh.  “Good.  Did Mona come by?”

“Yeah, she brought soup.  It was great.  Thanks.”  My fingers twisted the corner of the quilt I’d thrown over the couch, the one Martha had given me.  It felt like ages ago.  “And thanks for last night,” I quietly added.

“It was my pleasure.”  His voice had dropped into a deeper register and I cradled the phone more closely to my ear.  “Can I come by later?” he asked.

“Yes” was on the tip of my tongue before I remembered.  I had a date tonight.  “Um,” I hedged, unsure what to say, “tonight isn’t good.”

A pause.  “Why not?”

“I, um, have plans,” I said, twisting the quilt fabric again.

“What kind of plans?”  His tone was guarded now, and I recognized his courtroom interrogator coming out.