Authors: Chris Bridges
November in Colorado could certainly quicken your step, Maddie thought as she hurried across the gravel driveway and up to her apartment at the Maguire Farm. She’d worked the morning shift at the supermarket from six to two and now couldn’t wait to grab a hot shower and change.
Even as she stripped off her uniform polo shirt and khaki pants, the butterflies took hold of her stomach. Today was the day she was going to see Knox. Maddie knew from Kayla that he was home, and most likely working on a project in his workshop. More than that, she would not say. There had been changes, Kayla said, but it was not her place to elaborate.
Maddie shampooed her hair and wondered about these changes. She hadn’t spoken to him on the phone in so long, despite their promise to keep in touch. It had been too painful to hear his voice and she wondered if he’d felt the same way. She’d tried to prepare herself that it was possible he’d found someone else and was living a blissfully happy life now…which he rightfully deserved. She wanted that for him, but somehow she didn’t think Kayla would subject her to coming face to face with Knox only to be met at the door by an adoring wife.
Maddie stepped out of the shower and put on a fresh pair of jeans and a navy blue sweater that Jo Maguire had knit for her. It was cashmere and so soft, it felt like baby lamb’s wool. Maddie ran her fingers down the attractive garment that brought out her blue eyes. Yet again, she found herself tearing up at the incredible kindness surrounding her. She knew she didn’t deserve such wonderful people in her life, even as she reminded herself to be gracious and thankful.
She looked in the mirror and as she brushed her hair. It was getting longer, but still too short for her liking. She rolled her eyes thinking back to how her father’s ‘image consultant’ had convinced her to cut it. She smiled now at her reflection. She looked like herself—a tall brunette in dark jeans and a blue sweater with boots. It was a far cry from the designer suits and heels that had been her constant uniform for the past year.
Maddie practically bound out of the carriage house and across the gravel drive feeling energized and ready to see Knox. It was time to face the music. Maddie took a slow breath to calm her nerves as she started up her trusty pick-up and headed down the winding road that would lead to Touchstone.
A light freezing rain began to fall as she drove and forced her to slow and concentrate harder on the road. Her tires were old and she’d been planning to get them replaced before the first snowfall. The slightly slippery road had her moving up her timeline on that task. Monday morning, she thought, she’d get new tires before her shift at the market.
She was calculating the approximate cost of four new tires when she felt the gut-churning fear of her vehicle sliding across the road as she turned the wheel to the left to follow the curve. She immediately lifted her foot of the accelerator and attempted to steer through the turn, but the tires would not catch. She was drifting helplessly to the right, despite her attempts to steer out of the skid. In a last resort, she pumped the break, hoping against hope that something would slow the vehicle, but it was useless. The truck began to spin as Maddie grabbed tight to the wheel. The last thing she saw was the huge oak tree coming towards her window with alarming speed.
xXx
Kayla was officially irritated. She’d expected a call by now. Either those two were in a state of disgusting euphoric bliss, or they’d had a fight—but either way, she’d expected to hear from Maddie by now. She knew her brother wouldn’t call, except to yell at her if he found out she’d known about Maddie being in town.
Maddie was working until the afternoon and then had planned to head to Knox’s right after. Now it was going on nine o’clock at night and still no call. She paced the length of her living room. The three kids were thankfully asleep and she herself was exhausted, but there was no way she was getting a wink of sleep without knowing what happened.
Finally at ten, she gave up the pretense of politeness and called her cell phone. When it went directly to voicemail without ringing, the first finger of fear touched her spine. She dismissed it. Phones were unreliable, especially in this weather. She could always call Knox. She quickly dialed his number.
“What’s up sis?”
“Nothing. Just checking in.”
“Are you okay? You sound weird.”
“No, I’m fine. Sorry to bother you…I was just concerned about the weather.”
“Why? Are you home?”
“Yeah, the kids and I are safe and sound. You’re home right?”
“Yup. The roads are slick. I’ve been hearing sirens all night.”
“Oh god.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’d better go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“’Night Kay.”
Kayla disconnected the call and sat for a moment, holding her cell phone in her hand. She didn’t know what to do. When her phone buzzed in her hand, she jumped. She looked down at a number she did not recognize.
“Hello?”
“Hello. Is this Kayla Garrity?”
“Yes. Who’s this?”
“My name is Joseph Maguire. My tenant, Maddie Roberts put your name down as an emergency contact.”
“Oh god. What happened?” Kayla asked quickly.
“She’s been in a wreck. She’s at the hospital.”
“Oh no. Is she okay?”
“I don’t know. She’s in bad shape. She was airlifted to Colorado Springs. My wife, Joann, is with her.”
“What! Oh my God. I have to go to her.”
“Now wait young lady. Don’t try and go tonight. Those roads are slick as oil. Stay put and go tomorrow.”
“What? Oh. You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking. I have my children here.”
“She’s in good hands.”
“Okay.” Kayla whispered.
“Go see her in the morning. I’ll call you back if I get any more information.”
“Yes. Yes, please. And thank you, Mr.…I’m sorry, I forgot your name.”
“Maguire.”
“Mr. Maguire. Thank you.”
Kayla sat once again with her phone in her hand. She didn’t want to do this to him…she closed her eyes and felt the tears run out. She took a few deep breaths to steady herself and then dialed his number.
“Kay? What’s up this time?” Knox answered, slightly annoyed.
“Knox? I have to tell you something…it’s about Maddie.”
xXx
“
I can’t believe you did this. Why would you think I wouldn’t want to know you were here? Maddie…I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I kept you away… I should’ve trusted you… I should’ve trusted you.”
She could hear his words. His voice floated to her like a gentle wave and she found herself craving it more and more. She wanted to go on listening to it forever. Whatever dream this was, she never wanted to wake up. His voice continued to murmur to her and she found herself feeling warm, like in a hot spring. She was so sleepy. She wanted to see him so badly, but she knew if she opened her eyes, then the dream would end. Instead, she followed his voice, even as it faded into the distance and fell down deeper into her slumber.
xXx
“Knox, you need to get some sleep.”
Knox turned toward his father’s voice and saw the outline of the man standing in the doorway.
“Son, please.”
Knox turned back to Maddie and stroked her hand. There was no way he was leaving her. He’d let her go once before when he should’ve fought harder. Not this time. Not ever again.
“I’m fine, Dad.”
“You’re not. You’re gonna get sick if you keep this up.”
Knox locked his jaw in place to keep from saying something he’d regret. He’d been there for twelve days so far and had been able to catch a few hours of sleep here and there. He was fine.
“I’ve got the hotel room. It’s just across the street. You go and I’ll stay with her.”
Knox turned again at the anguish in his dad’s voice. “Dad—“
“No. I’m not gonna let you talk me out of it. Let’s go.”
Knox rubbed his face, realizing he was well on his way to growing a beard. He stood and steadied himself against the wall. His legs felt wobbly and his stomach hollow. “Okay.”
Knox took his dad’s arm and they made their way silently to the Marriott that was connected to the hospital via a sky bridge.
At the door to the room, Ed turned to his son. “I’ll call you if something changes.”
“She’s gonna wake up.” Knox said as he entered the room.
“I know.” Ed said solemnly and then clasped his son in a firm hug. “I know she is.”
xXx
“
Hey kiddo. I know it’s been a while since you and me had one of our chats. Anyway, I don’t know what’s going on in there, but you gotta wake up. You and the boy have been through enough. You hear me? You two deserve some good and I’m gonna see to it that you get it—the both of you. We’ve missed you, Maddie. You’re a brave girl…coming back here all by yourself. I’m real proud. Real proud.”
The voice was different this time…so familiar, but she could not place it. It was getting harder and harder to concentrate on the different voices that floated in and out of her dreams. She wanted to know what they were saying, but the effort to comprehend them seemed beyond her capabilities. Every time she swam for the surface of understanding, the pull of sleep counterattacked and she drifted back down to the lulling sweetness of sleep.
“
Maddie—this is enough now. Madeline. Wake up.”
Kayla? Was that Kayla? Maddie kicked for the surface hard. She desperately wanted to see her friend. She’d let her down so terribly. She wanted to be a good friend to her, but she’d abandoned her to run back to her father with her tail tucked between her legs…she didn’t deserve a friend like Kayla.
“
Maddie, it’s me again. I really want you to wake up. I mean, I think only one of us can be brain damaged at a time, right? I know you’re in there. Please wake up, Maddie. Please. I love you.”
His voice was so near. She felt like he was close by. She wished desperately he’d touch her. She wanted to feel his warm hand in hers. She felt herself floating again, closer and then further away. Knox’s voice faded in and out to her frustration. She wanted to hear it again. She wanted it so strongly…she pulled and pushed at the edges of the heavy blanket of unconsciousness, trying to get to him.
“Knox…” she whispered. The sound of her own voice was so foreign; for a moment she wondered who had spoken. She used all her strength to force open her eyelids. Finally, the blinding white light of the room shone through.
“Knox?” She whimpered, feeling disoriented and afraid.
“Oh my god. Maddie. Maddie!”
He was by her side in an instant and pushing the call button for the nurse. “I’m here. I’m here.”
She felt his hands on her face and smelled that delicious scent that was so uniquely him.
“Maddie? You’re awake. You’re awake.” He whispered as he held her hand and kissed it.
xXx
After she’d finally emerged from her temporary state of unconsciousness, Madeline was quite relieved to find out that she had come through otherwise unscathed. Knox had come to visit her in the hospital often but they’d never talked about anything more serious than her health.
Now, she was being discharged and heading home. Joe and Jo Maguire, who had become both her guardian angels and mother hens, had insisted that she should move into the main house until she was completely back on her feet again. She’d accepted their generosity, although she didn’t have the faintest idea what she’d done to incur it. Even when she’d told them that she’d need a short extension on her rent until she could get back to work, they’d exchanged a knowing glance with each other and told her not to worry about it.
Madeline zipped up her fleece jacket and sat down on her bed waiting for the nurse to bring her the final paperwork. Jo and Joe were scheduled to pick her up in an hour.
“Here you go, honey.” The nurse said as she came whipping into the room like a tornado. “Just sign your life away.” She laughed. “I’ll be back to collect these in a few minutes.”
“Okay. Thanks.” Madeline stared down at the paperwork in front of her.
“You’re leaving today?”
Madeline’s head snapped up to see Knox standing in the doorway. The sight of him alone still took her breath away. He was wearing a khaki colored construction jacket with worn jeans and timberland boots. She could smell and feel the cold air still clinging to him from outside.
“Yeah. I’m free.” She laughed weakly.
“Are you okay? I mean, isn’t it too soon? You were in a coma.” He stepped forward.
“I’ve been cleared. I’m okay.” She extended her hand and touched his wrist. She watched his eyes track down to her hand. “Don’t worry—I’m still gonna take it easy for a while.”
“Déjà vu.” He smirked.
“I was thinking the same thing, but I didn’t want to remind you of how I put you in the hospital.”
“We’re not going around and around on that again. It wasn’t your fault.”
“I should’ve—“
“I didn’t see it, Maddie.” He sighed and moved forward to sit next to her on the bed. “My eyes were a lot worse than I let on.”
“What?” She asked, stunned.
Knox looked away from her intense gaze. The light blue of her eyes still penetrated his soul and made it difficult for him to confess his sins to her. “I didn’t want it to be true. I pushed it out of my mind—I told myself it was stress or strain from the Boulder job.”
“Knox.” She said, tears threatening.
“So, you see now, it wasn’t your fault.” He smiled.
Madeline felt like she couldn’t breathe. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He shrugged and dropped his head. “Denial is a powerful thing. I was falling in love with you. I didn’t want to tell you that…” he trailed off, unable to finish.
“It never mattered to me, Knox.” She said; her voice thick with emotion.