The imaginary beverage only made her thirstier.
She held back from imagining and thought of nothing for long moments. She drifted off again and then woke. Startled she looked around, her heart beating rapidly, her leg aching. Dew covered the grass. The metal biting into her ankle was cold against her skin.
Weary from pain and fear, she was too tired to keep a strong guard on her imagination and she returned to thinking of Dustin. She sought comfort in his embrace and wept thinking about what it was like to know love in his arms and in his bed. She knew she shouldn’t cry again, but she couldn’t stop herself weeping big wet tears.
Chapter Fifteen
Dustin paced in front of the window. Every few minutes he walked out onto his porch and stood staring at the road as if wishing would bring Claire back. He swore at his stupidity. He had been wrong, so fucking wrong. That stupid gate. He should have kept Claire with him and locked it. He should have gotten a guard dog and alarms for unwelcomed intruders.
Instead he let Fran do exactly what he knew she’d do. He could blame the gate but it was his own stupidity that had ruined everything. He’d lost Claire because he was so fucking lame.
When waiting and watching became unbearable he started calling. He texted her, called her phone, texted again, went inside and emailed her. He came outside and watched some more, hoping to see dust flying up into the air signaling someone was coming down the road. Not even the breeze conceded to lift the dirt.
It was hotter than hell. He sweated buckets pacing and praying. He vacillated between thinking she wasn’t coming back to thinking he was upset with her because she didn’t believe him.
He held onto the front porch railing and studied the sky. Where would she go? When they were children she’d take off on her horse. When they were older with cars…
He grabbed his keys and revved the motor in his Jeep. His tires squealed, sending gravel in all directions. The breeze chilled his sweat-drenched shirt. He headed down the back roads, driving without regard for his life; he sure as hell hoped everyone else was watching out for theirs. He pulled into the parking lot for the lake and Claire’s car wasn’t there. His heart fell. Just a few nights ago, she’d tempted him past sanity into a fantasy world right there. Where was she now?
He slowed his car. She might go to their old hideout. Down the utility road, he floored it toward a spot they had frequented before things had gotten so complicated. This was the place where he’d learned to make her blush and catch her breath. He’d also learned that his heart had a mind of its own when she smiled at him. This was the place where he’d lost his heart to her. And never once, ever, had he wanted it back.
“Jesus Christ.” Her car was there. He mouthed a prayer of thanks.
He couldn’t think what he’d say. Beg, plead, demand. Shit, he didn’t have a clue. He pulled up beside her car but there was no one inside. The windows were rolled down. She might be somewhere by the shore.
Hadn’t they walked many nights down there by the water’s edge? He got out of his Jeep and scanned the shore. It was dark and he didn’t see a soul. He exhaled and a nagging chill slithered up along his spine.
He cupped his hands and shouted. “Claire!”
“Dustin?” His heart hammered. It was Claire’s voice. Faint. Or his imagination. Why couldn’t he see her?
“Claire, where are you?”
“Dustin, I’m…here…Dustin.”
Sweet Mary, his blood froze. “I’m walking down to the shore. I don’t see you.” And then he did. Her hair reflected the moonlight. She wasn’t standing but was seated. He ran down the path, picking up speed, nearing her. She reached out to him. Why didn’t she stand?
“What’s wrong?”
“My ankle.”
He didn’t need to be told twice. He saw the chain and then he was down next to her on the ground. The trap was spring loaded and more than likely set for beavers. If he lost his grip, it would slam back against her leg, biting deeper into flesh and bone.
“This is what we’re going to do. I’m going to open the trap. You’ll need to use your hands to lift your leg up and out. Get all your body parts away. People have been known to get one part out only to have another part caught. We’ll do this on three. Lift when I say go. Are you ready?”
“Yes. On go.”
“One. Two. Three.” He pried the jaws open and placed his fingers between the tines. If he lost his grip his hands would take the bite. “Claire, lift your leg. Now, baby, go.”
She gasped. Claire moved her ankle beyond the trap. Dustin eased his fingers from between the razor-sharp tines. When he was sure Claire was far enough away from the trap, he let go. It snapped shut with a whooshing resound. He wiped the sweat off his forehead.
Dustin moved next to Claire and put his arm around her. “I’m so sorry you’re hurt. We need to get you to a hospital. I’m going to carry you to the car.”
She sobbed into his chest. “You found me.”
He wrapped his arms around her. He closed his eyes. His chest expanded and contracted. “Let me get you to the car.” His voice came out a thick rumble.
He picked her up, cradling her body.
She was shivering, and he pressed her against his chest, trying to impart some warmth from him into her body. She folded her arms over her chest and buried her faced against him. He wanted to talk to her, to convince her he hadn’t done anything to violate her trust. But it wasn’t the time—she was in pain. He’d wait until she was well instead of burdening her by seeking forgiveness when she was injured.
* * *
Inside the emergency room, Claire was given several shots of antibiotics and tetanus before starting on an IV. The nurses washed her wounds, and the physician stitched three deep gashes. Her ankle was X-rayed and bandaged.
The doctor said she’d have no permanent damage but would not be walking for several days. He said to expect to be in discomfort for at least two weeks.
She lay against the pillows while Dustin wiped her face with a warm washcloth. She reached up and touched his face. “Thank you for rescuing me.”
He held her hand, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. He raised her hand to his lips. She smiled at him.
“I’ll never let you out of my sight again. If you let me.”
She gazed at him, her heart nearly breaking. Of course it would be him who came and saved her. Isn’t that how this story was supposed to end? Her chest heaved. Even exhausted and in pain, she could see this wasn’t his fault. She’d been jealous of Fran. And more than that, she was hurt that her own sister continued to do things that were downright mean. She was ready to let go of this sibling struggle. If Fran couldn’t be the type of sister she deserved, then she’d learn to accept Fran’s decision. She wasn’t about to give Fran the power to ruin her second chance with Dustin.
“Here, drink this.” He hadn’t moved from her side since they’d arrived at the hospital. He held out a cup, waiting for her to sip.
“Dustin, I was wrong. I don’t want this to end.” She gazed up at him, strong, powerful. The man she loved.
“Then it won’t.” He bent to kiss her. For a moment she forgot the pain in her leg and the one in her heart.
Long hours later, under a pastel-painted morning sky, Dustin brought Claire back to his house. She called Fran and told her she’d been injured and was staying at Dustin’s to recuperate. Fran asked if she needed anything and Claire declined for now. At least they were trying for civility.
“What can I get you?” Dustin came into the bedroom carrying a large glass of O.J. “You’ll turn bright orange if you keep drinking this stuff.”
He kissed the top of her head and then bent and softly kissed her lips. Her heart filled, and she reached out for his hand. He sat down on the bed, moving up against her, their bodies touching. Her leg was elevated on several fluffy pillows. Before leaving the hospital, Dustin had snuck down to the gift shop. Vases of flowers were spread about the room. A large teddy bear joined by ribbons to half a dozen helium balloons sat on the chair in the corner. She laced her fingers with his and squeezed.
“Claire, I’d never ever do anything to lose you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, baby.”
“I love you Dustin,” she whispered. “I’ve always loved you.”
He ran his thumb along her lips. “You can’t imagine how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that. I love you so much. I never gave up. I always believed that one day we’d be together.”
He kissed her lips, dispelling all her doubts and replacing them with the key to his heart. He took possession of her body and a love that she freely offered, wiping away her fears. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. No longer was she afraid of finding a forbidden love. He was hers. She’d hold on tight this time, trusting with all her heart that she’d rediscovered her soul mate.
“This is just the beginning of the best love story I could have written.” She pressed her mouth to his, already seeing the story unfold for days and months and years to come.
~ About the Author ~
Susan previously was a special education teacher then a mishap with neurosurgery and who knew life could be so bizarre. Currently RYT 200, living in Franklin, TN with husband/hero, two Australian cattle dogs, two cats, a gecko and a snake. Seriously, looking forward to the invention of sarcasm font and a coffee pot that magically disposes of grounds. Lover of purses and shoes, especially wine-colored patent leather.
Find out more about Susan D. Taylor here
http://taylormadefiction.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @taylormadetales
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