Beyond Doubt (25 page)

His grin turned to a smirk, and he slowly dropped his hands from my hips. “There’ll be more of that later, but I should go load up your bike on the trailer.”

He grabbed the towel off the floor and threw it gently at me, but I was too much of a mess to even attempt a catch.

“You play so dirty,” I laughed, picking up the terrycloth from the floor.

“Can’t let you see all my tricks, babe.”

We had been driving for two hours, and I had completely sprawled out in his car with several half-read magazines and my Kindle Fire recharging.

“Almost there,” he said, glancing at me.

“Really?” I looked out the window and only saw the long country road that we’d already been on for half the journey.

“It’s my other place,” he said, putting the blinker on.

The Mercedes SUV bounced along the gravel driveway as the trailer hopped along behind.

“What’s wrong with the one you have?” I asked, teasing as I peeked out searching for our destination. ”I thought it was pretty spectacular.”

Through the trees ahead I spotted a river, and as we rounded the corner, I saw a beautiful log cabin with a red roof.

“Is that the place?” I asked “It’s huge.”

“It is,” he confirmed.

I glanced at the cabin and saw two other structures; one that looked like a garage and another that was possibly a shop. “Do you work out here too?”

He nodded and slowed our vehicle as the garage door opened and we drove right in. This garage was absolutely huge. I looked behind me and saw the entire trailer come in with us.

“What made you want a place like this?” I asked, glancing at him as he turned off the ignition.

“It’s just nice not to be bothered. The reception is kind of spotty out here. Once the snows come it’s a pretty great place to be.” He pointed to the other side of the garage where a couple of machines were covered.

“What are those?” I asked.

“Snowmobiles.”

“Really? I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I can’t wait to try those out.”

“I think the first season, you should just wrap yourself around me. You know, learn the ropes.”

I laughed and opened the car door, nearly falling out with the magazines. I stretched and continued looking around the garage. “So that other building is the shop where you work on your sculptures?”

He nodded as he lifted our bags out of the SUV and dropped them on the ground.

“Do you have any completed pieces in there?”

His mouth turned up into an almost sheepish grin. Something that was completely unlike Aaron. “One.”

“Yeah?”

He nodded. “I actually built it when—”

“Enough said.” I grimaced not wanting to go back to that time. It seemed so long ago. “Let’s untie these bad boys and get riding before the good weather goes away. I haven’t been riding since that whole stalker thing happened. I’d like to get at least one more ride in before the weather turns horrible.”

“You’ve read my mind. Let’s go get changed.”

I picked up my bag but Aaron quickly grabbed it from me. “I got it.”

As we walked toward the log cabin, I took in the beautiful surroundings. It was so quiet and peaceful. I heard a constant whooshing in the distance, which was no doubt the rushing river and imagined spending the holidays here one day. Most of the leaves had already fallen off the maple and oak trees, creating a golden brown and red carpet leading to his front porch. I glanced at Aaron and held in a chuckle. If he knew the thoughts that were running through my head, I was sure he’d take off running for the mountains, never to return.

He unlocked the front door and pushed it open, displaying a huge great room with a cobblestone fireplace in the corner. Rustic furniture complimented the brown leather sectional that was situated in front of the television.

“Looks like you could hold your own weekend party here,” I said, laughing.

“I’m too picky. You’re the only person who’s ever been here, besides Jason.”

His admission made my heart flutter as I wondered if the possibilities of a happily ever after with him were tangible.

In the far corner, a large kitchen was home to a beautiful granite island and breakfast bar. All of the wired lights were a mix of antler replicas and wrought iron. It felt completely cozy. Next to the kitchen I saw an opening to a long hallway.

“The bedrooms are down here,” he said, as I followed him down the corridor.

“How many are there?” I asked.

“Four,” he said, pointing at the first.

“Wow. That’s quite a few for a single man’s cabin.”

He shrugged. “Well, not really with a family and all someday.”

Did he just say that?

Please let me be part of that equation. Please.

“I never figured you for that type, Mr. Sullivan.”

His eyes caught mine as he flipped on the light to the first guest bedroom.

“Once the right person falls into your life, anything is possible.”

A surge of excitement ran through me as he softly pressed his lips to mine in a quick kiss before beginning the tour again. He showed me the remaining two bedrooms before we entered the master at the end of the hall.

It was mammoth and had its own cobblestone fireplace, along with a jetted tub in the actual bedroom that overlooked the river outside. I guess we wouldn’t have to go far from the bed that way.

Nice…

“This is a special place,” I whispered, taking in the pine furniture and pair of green chaise lounges. I ran my finger along the fabric of one of the chaises and glanced at him. “So no one but Jason has been up here?”

I found it hard to believe, especially as I stood here staring at two chairs strategically placed in front of the window that overlooked the woods.

“I actually just got those delivered.” His brow arched. “I only recently started thinking in pairs.” He smirked as he watched my expression change from caution to satisfaction.

“Is that so?”

“The right person will do that…”

“Even to a guy like you?”

“Especially to a guy like me.”

I smiled knowing that what we had was special, unexplainable, and worth all of the heartache and confusion that led us to this place. I unzipped my bag and grabbed my protective gear for riding. I was already wearing jeans and a Henley so I wasn’t planning on changing.

“You ready to get back on?” he asked, slipping on his leather-riding jacket.

“I am. I’m really excited. It’s like my secret addiction. Besides you, that is.”

Aaron’s laughter filled the space as I zipped up my jacket and pulled my hair into a ponytail.

“I’d almost bet money that you like the whole secrecy thing.” His brow raised slightly as he waited for my objection.

“Is that so?” I asked.

Truthfully, I kind of wondered the same thing. I’d had ample opportunities where I could have told Gabby about her brother and me; yet I chose not to and put it all in a letter, which still sat in my jewelry box. “Well, it is kind of fun this way.”

“I knew it,” he said, shaking his head. He grabbed my hand and pulled me back through the hallway. “We better enjoy it while we can.”

He locked up the house, and we walked over to the garage where he unhooked his bike and mine, rolling each off the trailer.

I buckled my helmet into place and swung my leg over the bike.

“You look insanely hot on that thing,” he said, laughing. He slid his phone out of his pocket and took a picture.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” I laughed, as he sat on his bike.

We both started our engines, and he motioned for me to follow him down the gravel drive. My pulse quickened as I rode over the divots and lumps in the gravel, taking extra caution with each increase in miles-per-hour.

Grateful to hit the end of the gravel drive, he waved me over and I pulled up next to him.

“You go in front of me. I want you to feel comfortable with the speed and don’t want you to be pressured to go faster than you want. If you just stay to the left, we’ll wind up back here eventually,” he yelled from under his helmet.

I nodded and took off slow and steady, hearing the wind whip against my helmet. I began giving it more throttle and felt my pulse quicken at the thought of feeding my bike more speed. It was a beautiful day for a ride, and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else with anyone else in the world. I followed the road as it bent slightly to the left and dipped down. I squeezed on my brakes gently but the bike didn’t slow down very much, if at all.

That was odd. Trying not to panic, I began to steady my bike, hoping the speed would let up.

Just as I was about to try my brakes again, a deer hopped onto the road in front of me. My fingers instantly gripped the brakes, but my bike didn’t stop.

I cautiously turned my wheel slowly and to the right, barely avoiding the deer as it hopped away. I let out the breath I’d been holding in just as I heard Aaron holler from behind, right when my front wheel hit a large rock.

My entire life went into slow motion as the bike stopped instantly, throwing me off the front of it. I felt like I was flying through the air, weightless, as I prepared myself to land hard. I could take it. I grew up with two brothers, after all. I heard Aaron yelling as his bike stopped behind me. I even saw him pulling off his helmet just as my body slid across the gravel on the side of the road.

I lifted my head up to unfasten my helmet. Or I thought I did. But my helmet was still on. Aaron was already on the phone to 911. I heard the operator on speakerphone as he came running over to me. I smiled at him as the warm pool of liquid continued trickling down my back.

“Baby, stay with me. You’re going to be okay. I’m here. Everything’s going to be fine….” His eyes were full of tears as he took instruction from the operator.

“You’re gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. Do you know that?” I muttered, but he didn’t hear me. I tried again, louder this time, but he paid no attention. I felt another trickle of warmth running down my forehead. It tickled. I tried to wipe it away, but my arms wouldn’t move.

This was ridiculous. What was happening?

“I don’t think she’s conscious. She’s breathing, but it’s shallow. Her eyes are closed,” he spoke into the phone.

“No, they’re not. My eyes are wide open, and I’m looking right at you, dork. Granted there’s a pink hue to everything, but I guarantee you I’m staring right at you.”

“No, I haven’t moved her. I’m afraid to. There are tree limbs all around her. I’m afraid she might have landed on one.”

“Well, now you’re just being dramatic. I’m fine, silly. A little stiff…but fine. Maybe thirsty?”

The sirens in the distance became a distraction as I glanced over at my bike. It was tipped on its side, but it didn’t look that badly damaged. Thank God. I wanted to finish our ride today.

“Baby, please hold on,” Aaron cried next to my helmet. His fingers touched the tiny bit of exposed skin on my forehead. He removed his bloodstained hands and wrapped them around my gloved hand. “Please, baby. I love you. Open your eyes.”

His cries startled me as I watched him kneeling next to me, praying.

“I love you too,” I whispered, but he still paid no attention.

“Just open your damn eyes. Show me you’re here. Show me you’re listening,” he murmured, his hand ran along my arm, finally gripping my fingers.

My eyes are open.

Was I the only one awake right now? Was this just some bad nightmare?

The wails of the sirens startled me. They were almost here. I turned my head trying to reach for Aaron. I needed to be held. The temperature was dropping and everything seemed to be getting dark very quickly.

“They’re almost here, my angel. They’re almost here. Hold on for me. I promise, I’ll never leave your side. Just hold on for me. I love you so much.”

Please just hold me.

Two ambulances pulled in right behind Aaron. The doors flew open and before I realized what they were doing, Aaron was being dragged away.