Unpredictable Love (7 page)

Silence hung heavy.

“
What happened?” she
whispered.

“
Bomb. Damn near took off my
leg.”

“
Oh my God. I’m so sorry,
Trent.”

“
Thanks.” He fell silent. He bent his
head as if he was examining his hands.

“
You survived. That’s
something.”

“
It’s gonna be a long road back. Hey,
I don’t expect you to go on that trip with me. I get how I’m not
the same guy who you wrote to. I appreciate your stopping by, but
you don’t need to stay. I’m sure you’ve got a busy
schedule.”

The distant buzz of a lawn mower drew her
eye to the window where she spied a stack of books. She pushed to
her feet and went to examine them.

“
Thanks again. Take care,” he called
out.

“
I didn’t leave. I’m by the window.
Hmm. Books.” She picked four off the top.

“
They don’t do me much good. Really,
you don’t have to stay.”

“
I’m here to read aloud to the man in
this bed. That’s you. Which one do you want?” She read off the
titles.

“
You don’t have to do this. I get it.
No woman wants a messed up guy. I wouldn’t blame you.”

“
At the risk of repeating myself, I’m
here to read,” she began, returning to his bedside.

Trent reached out and grabbed her wrist.
“Look! I get it. It’s okay. I wouldn’t stick around either. No
one’s blaming you. You didn’t sign on for this. Walk away. Find a
guy who’s whole and have a happy life.”

“
Stop telling me what to do!” She
raised her voice.

His head snapped to attention.

After a breath, she calmed down. Her tone
returned to normal. “No one knows what’s in their future. I’m here
because I want to be.” She straightened, smoothing her skirt. “You
can’t make me leave.” She jutted out her chin.

“
Oh, no? Try me. All I have to do is
start hollerin’, and they’ll toss your sweet ass right outta
here.”

She placed her hand on his arm. “You
wouldn’t do that, would you?”

“
I don’t want to drag you down this
black hole with me. Just go. Your letters were great. We had
something special, but it’s over. The game has changed. It’s done
now.”

“
My feelings haven’t changed.” She
glanced down at the books then back at him.

“
Don’t put on an act for me. I’ve seen
buddies get blown up. I know how it feels to be around guys
fighting their way back. It’s tough. It’s miserable. I don’t want
you here.”

Tears stung. She let them fall, sniffling.
“You can’t tell me what to do.”

“
See? You’re crying already. And it’s
not going to get much better. Even if I get the new corneas—and
that’s a big ‘if’—I don’t know how good my eyesight’ll
be.”

“
Don’t predict. Just take it one day
at a time.”

“
Easy for you to say. Stupid fucking
platitudes.” His lips pulled down into a frown.

“
I’m here. And I’m not going
anywhere.”

He tried to cross his arms over his
chest, but cringed in pain. She saw the stitches on his forearm and
biceps. His muscles bulged under the sutures. His face was as
handsome as his photo.
He didn’t
lie.

“
You’re one fucking stubborn woman,
know that?”

“
Takes one to know one. I can’t hold a
candle to you,” she shot back.

“
At least I have a reason,” he
replied.

“
And so do I,” she
countered.

He was his picture come to life. Even
clouded with sadness and uncertainty, his face was still good
looking. She wished she could wave her hand over him and make him
well and happy again. Then, she reminded herself that if he was,
the jig would be up, and he’d know she wasn’t Amber.

Jory let out a long breath. Her secret
was safe, for a little while longer. Although her heart ached for
Trent, she rejoiced in being able to see him, touch him, and be
with him. His physical limitations represented another challenge to
their relationship, but one she didn’t fear. Having missed his
letters so deeply, she was grateful to have him home.
He’ll find out eventually. But for now, he’s
mine.

His voice broke the silence.
“
Sweet Thursday
.”

“
Pardon me?”

“
Sweet Thursday
by John Steinbeck.”

Jory shuffled through the ones in her lap.
There it was.

“
You said that was one of your
favorites. Would you start with that one?”

A broad grin split her face. “Sure.
Sure. Yeah, it’s one of my favorites. But it’s a sequel.
Cannery Row
is the
first.”

“
Read that one already. At least, a
volunteer did. A week ago.”

“
You did? Did you like it?” She closed
the book.

“
Of course. That’s why I want to read
the next one.”

“
You don’t have to get
huffy.”

“
Really? You don’t think I’ve earned
the right to be a little huffy?”

She laughed. “Okay. Point taken.”

He pointed at her. “Read!” He sat back,
laced his fingers behind his head, uttered a small groan, and
spoke. “Go ahead.”

“
Are you okay?”

“
Sometimes stuff hurts. Just ignore
it.”

“
Really?”

“
I’m waiting.”

“
Yes, sir, Sergeant,” she
said.

Jory opened the book and thumbed through to
the first chapter.

* * * *

After an hour, Trent fell asleep. Jory
brushed a kiss lightly against his forehead before tiptoeing out of
his room. She stopped in the doorway, turning for one, last look.
His face wore a scowl in his sleep. Lines around his eyes deepened,
and there were slight shadows under them as well. Jory chided
herself for all the mean things she’d thought when she’d jumped to
the conclusion he’d written her off without responding to her
letter.

Couldn’t answer a letter
he didn’t get.
Anger bubbled up inside her.
How dare Nan keep it? Who is she to decide what I
do with my life? Now, I have to deal with this, when it should have
been over.
She compressed her lips into a frown. She’d
still have to face her day of reckoning when Trent discovered the
truth.

As she gazed at him, she realized she’d been
given a second chance, time to reconsider her words. Besides, with
Trent injured, all bets were off. She’d have to scrap her plan and
start over. No way could she run out on him now. He needed her.
Even if she wasn’t Amber, he wouldn’t know that until, and unless,
he got his eyesight back. If he ever did.

A wave of relief flooded through her as she
walked down the hallway. She’d have another chance with Trent. And
get to see him in the flesh, every day. Her step lightened, and a
smile spread across her face.

She let out a breath. Nan got lucky. If
things hadn’t turned out this way, Jory might have moved out.
Still, she’d have to give her aunt a stern talking to. No more
meddling in Jory’s love life. She’d decide what to do without any
interference from anyone.

By the time Nan showed up, Jory was revved
up and ready to do battle. She tried to contain herself on the ride
home, but Nan wouldn’t leave it alone.

“
So? How’d it go? What did he say? Did
you tell him the truth?”

“
What do you think?”

“
I think you got smart and are
shutting up about the truth.”

“
Why is that good?”

“
Because he’ll fall in love with you,
and then he won’t care if you’ve got Amber’s breasts or
not.”

Jory sensed heat in her cheeks. “It’s none
of your business, Nan. What gave you the right to keep that letter
in the first place?”

“
Someone had to protect you from
yourself.”

“
You made a huge mistake. That was the
wrong thing to do.”

“
I don’t think so.”

“
You’ve got to butt out of my
life.”

“
Can I help it if I care about you? If
I see you stepping in front of a bus, I’m gonna stop
you.”

“
Fine, if I step in front of a bus, I
give you permission to stop me. But this is my life, my love life,
my relationship, and you’ve no right to interfere.” Jory’s voice
rose as she spoke.

“
I know I don’t. But I can’t help it.
Sometimes the truth can ruin things, sweetheart. And this was one
of those times. I was only going to keep it for a week. I figured
you’d come to your senses and regret sending it. Then, I could tell
you. Whip it out of my pocket, and you’d be on your knees with
gratitude.”

“
What happened?”

“
The explosion. Dan called
me.”

“
So, you’ve known all this time? And
you didn’t tell me?”

“
It’s only two weeks. Well, maybe
three. At first, they didn’t know if he was gonna make it. It took
a while to figure out the extent of his injuries and recovery
time.”

“
Don’t you think I had a right to
know?”

“
Honey, if he was that bad off, I
figured you’d be better off thinking he ran out on you than having
to face a seriously damaged guy.”

“
Don’t you think that was my
call?”

“
I know you. Loyal as a dog. You’d
never leave him, even if it was the right thing to do.”

“
You’re right about that,” Jory’s
voice was a whisper.

“
See? I told you. I know you. I was
just looking out for you.”

“
What changed your mind?”

“
He got better. Then, I figured the
eyesight thing was a gift from God. Or maybe your mother, in
heaven. You’d be able to be with him, and he’d never
know.”

“
What happens when he gets the
transplant?”

“
He’ll be so madly in love with you,
he won’t care.” Nan grinned.

“
You live in a dream
world.”

“
Jory, honey, I’m only doing what I
think your mom would have wanted. She was my sister. I oughta
know.”

“
Please stop, Nan. Stop meddling. Let
me breathe. Let me live my own life. It’s okay if I mess up from
time to time.”

“
Yeah? You already did. Archie.” Nan
made a face. “Oh, that guy’s the pits.”

Jory had to laugh. She knew her aunt meant
well, but it boiled her blood to have someone else pulling the
strings in her life. She’d been on her own for over fifteen years,
since her parents had died. She didn’t need a nursemaid. “I agree.
Stop. Will you? Please leave Trent and me alone to work things
out.”

“
Okay, okay. At least he’s back, and
in one piece—more or less. You take it from here.”

“
I will.” Jory patted Nan on the
shoulder. “Thanks for caring—even if it was misguided.”

“
It’s what aunts do. Besides, you’ve
got a second chance because of me.”

Nan steered the car into the driveway and
put it in park. As they entered the house, they almost got knocked
down by Amber, running down the steps.

“
Where are you going?” Nan
asked.

“
Can’t talk. Late for a date with
Troy. Concert. See ya!”

The sound of a car horn indicated Amber’s
date had arrived. She ran down the driveway and jumped into the
front seat. After a quick kiss, the couple drove away.

“
I don’t have to worry about that one.
Her heart isn’t easily broken. Supposing she even has one,” Nan
said.

“
When are you going back to the
hospital,” Nan asked as she poured coffee.

“
After work. He might be asleep,
still—I’m making the effort.”

“
Oh? Is it an effort? I thought you
liked reading to him.”

“
I do.” Jo added sugar.

“
Then, what’s the problem?” Nan took
her mug to the table.

“
I don’t want to get any more
attached.”

Her aunt chuckled. “Maybe you’d better move
to Alaska, kitten. You’re already in this one up to your neck.”

“
Have you seen
East of Eden
?” Jory asked, ignoring her aunt’s
comment.

“
On the second shelf in the living
room, last time I looked. Have you read the rest of
Steinbeck?”

“
The ones we have? Yes. That’s the
last one. Thought I’d start on Sinclair Lewis next.”

Nan shook her head. “You’re turning him into
you.”

“
He likes it. Told me his folks didn’t
read much. He was more into sports than books.”

“
And now?”

“
Obviously, sports are out of the
question. At least for now.”

“
Any word on his leg?”

“
Nobody’s making any
predictions.”

“
Eyes?” Nan sipped from her
mug.

Jory shook her head. “These things take time
and patience.”

“
Are you sure you want to stick around
for this?”