After the Dawn (32 page)

“Thank you for coming.” Marlene took the other woman's hands, her gaze going to Nathan standing by her side. Tall, elegant, and handsome, he was a man you could count on. He'd certainly proven that tonight. “You helped us get through this.”

“You know we love Dillon.” Tess cut a look at Roman. “Something tells me you're the reason Roman has been so late returning to Dallas.”

“Real subtle, Tess,” Roman said, his arm back around Marlene.

“If you don't ask…” Tess shrugged and grinned.

Marlene stared up at Roman. “I wouldn't have made it through this if you hadn't been here for me to lean on.”

“As long as you need and want me, I'll be here,” he said, his voice throbbing with sincerity.

The door swung open. “Ms. Collins is waking up. Her fiancé wanted you to know,” a nurse informed them.

Everyone took off. Roman had told the ER staff that Dillon was Samantha's fiancé so he could get updates on her and stay in her room.

In a matter of seconds they were all crowded around Samantha's bed, openly flaunting the “no visitors after eight” rule. Marlene reached for Roman's hand, and his fingers locked with hers.

“Come on, Sam, you can do it,” Dillon coaxed. “Keep those eyes open this time if you want the keys to everything I drive.”

Carson whistled. “You sure know how to bribe a woman.”

Fighting tears of happiness, Marlene watched Samantha's eyelids slowly open. “I won't even be upset that he let you drive them before I do.”

“Dillon.” His name was the barest whisper of sound, but he heard it.

“That's right, baby. I'm here, just waiting for you to wake up.”

“Head hurts. I—” Her eyes widened as she tried to lift her hand toward his face. “The gun went off.”

Dillon caught her hand, kissed her palm. “I'm all right.” He looked at his mother for guidance. He didn't know how much to tell her.

“The bullet missed Dillon and grazed your head,” Marlene said softly.

Her unsteady hand lifted to the bandage on her head. “The last thing I remember is Dillon going for my uncle.” She frowned at him. “Stupid.”

“It's my fault you were hurt,” Dillon managed. “I'll never forgive myself.”

“Uncle Evan's fault, not yours.”

“Looks like the patient woke up.” Cade stood at the foot of the bed. “How are you feeling, Ms. Collins?”

“This is your doctor, baby,” Dillon told her.

“Head hurts. A bit groggy,” she answered.

“I've ordered you something for the headache. They'll bring it as soon as it comes from the pharmacy.” Cade moved to stand beside Dillon. “Follow the light. How many fingers? What's the date? Good.” Cade slipped the penlight back into the pocket of his lab coat. “You're going to be fine. I see no reason why you can't go home in the morning if everything continues to progress this well. Just take it easy for the next few days. The headaches and any dizziness should be gone by morning.”

“Thank you,” Samantha said.

“You're quite welcome. You can visit for ten more minutes, then she needs to rest.” Cade looked at Dillon. “Yes, I'll clear you to remain.”

“Whatever your car needs for a lifetime, it's on me.” Dillon kissed Samantha's hand again.

“Very generous, but that won't be necessary.” Cade spoke to Marlene. “I wonder if I could see you alone for a moment.”

“Of course.” Marlene left the room and followed Cade back to the waiting room. The only people there were the Holman couple and Cade's fiancée. “I can't thank you enough for coming. You went out of your way to help us.”

“I would have come anyway, but there was another reason,” Cade said.

Lines radiated across Marlene's brow. She noted that Zachary Holman had come to stand beside the doctor.

“Is there anything familiar about us?” Zachary asked.

Her puzzlement grew. “I don't understand.”

“I don't think there's an easy way to say this,” Cade said. “Is Dillon's father A. J. Reed?”

Marlene gasped, swayed. Both men reached for her, then eased her down in a chair Madison quickly pushed over.

“We don't mean to embarrass you or hurt you,” Cade told her. “A. J. is Zachary's father, and mine. He's an unpleasant, mean-tempered man who cares nothing for us. We were blessed to have good women like you for our mothers. Zachary grew up with his, but I didn't find mine until several weeks ago. If we have other brothers or sisters, we both want to know.”

She shook her head. “I don't want that part of my life brought up. Not now.”

“Because of Roman, the man with you?” Sabrina asked softly.

“I'm thankful for what you did for Samantha and Dillon, but I don't want to talk about this.” Marlene came unsteadily to her feet. She didn't want to be reminded of the shame, to remind Roman and his family of her stupidity. “I need to get back.”

Cade handed her his card. “Our information is on the back. If you change your mind, please call.”

“I won't. Good-bye.”

*   *   *

Roman was waiting for Marlene in the hall. Seeing her pinched features, he quickly went to her. “What is it? He give you bad news about Samantha?”

“No.” Marlene started to walk around him. He caught her arm.

“What is it?” She was trembling. She wouldn't even look at him.

“Nothing. I'm just tired. I'll say good night now. I'm going to sit with Dillon before I leave,” she told him.

“What happened between the time you left and now?” Roman asked. “Three minutes ago you couldn't get close enough, now you can't get away fast enough.”

“Please let it go.” Her voice trembled.

Roman saw Dr. Mathis, his fiancée, and the other couple come out of the waiting room. They paused, looking at him and Marlene, then turned the corner for the elevator. “Maybe I should ask Mathis.”

“No.” Marlene's nails dug into his wrist. “Please. Just stay out of this.” She released him and hurried down the hall.

She was scared. No way was he letting this go. Not by a long shot. He went to the elevator, but they were already gone. He pushed the elevator button to go after them. By the time he reached the parking lot, he didn't see them. He turned and went back to Samantha's floor. Tess, Nathan, and Carson were just leaving her room.

“You ready to leave?” Nathan asked.

“I'm staying.” There was no way he'd leave Marlene while she was upset and scared.

“Maybe it's for the best,” Tess said. “I think all of this has finally gotten to Marlene. She was shaking like a leaf. I don't think Dillon noticed, he's so caught up with Samantha.”

“Drive carefully.” Roman hugged his sister and gave a one-arm hug to his brother-in-law and his nephew. “I'll call tomorrow with an update on Samantha.”

“One on you and Marlene would be nice as well.” Tess glanced back at Samantha's door. “I don't think she's going to be easy to reel in.”

“But I have no intention of losing.”

*   *   *

“You can go home tomorrow.” Dillon kissed her hand. “We'll put you up in the guest bedroom at Mama's house where I can keep an eye on you.”

“Dillon, I'm going to be fine.” Her fingers tightened on his. “The medicine helped the headache.”

“I'm not taking a chance.” His eyes closed briefly. “I thought I'd lost you. It was the worst feeling in my life.”

“I'm sorry if I frightened you.”

“Stop saying that or I'm going to go back on my promise of giving you keys to my rides.”

“You weren't joking?” she asked.

“I meant every word, but I'm going to make sure you can drive them before you get out on the highway,” Dillon said. “I finally understand Cade wanting to make sure his car was ready before his fiancée drove it. You take care of what you love.”

“W-what?”

Dillon leaned down close to her face. “I love you, Sam. I didn't realize how much until I almost lost you. You're the one thing in life I don't want to live without.”

“Dillon,” she murmured, tears cresting in her eyes. “I've loved you for so long. I was afraid you'd never love me back.”

“I do, hopelessly.” He kissed her tears away. “I guess my roaming days are over—unless you can come with me. I'm not letting you out of my sight for the next hundred years.”

“I'm holding you to that.” Her voice trembled.

“You better.”

*   *   *

Marlene slipped quietly out of the room. She breathed a sigh of relief that Roman wasn't there until she rounded the corner and saw him waiting by the window next to the elevator. He looked unwavering.

Slowly he came toward her. It was all she could do not to back up. “We're going to talk, Marlene. We can do it here or at your home in privacy. Your choice.”

She could have alerted security, but she would only put off the inevitable. “My house.”

Both were silent on the elevator ride and the drive to her house. He got out of the car and went to wait for her on the porch. She opened the front door and went inside.

“Say what you have to say and then leave.”

“I love you.”

“What?” She couldn't be hearing correctly.

“I love you.” He caught both of her arms. “Nothing is going to change that love. Not your past. Not your trying to push me away.”

Her stomach muscles tightened. “I don't want you to love me.”

“Because you think I'll use you like Dillon's father?” he snapped. “Do you know how much it hurts when you look at me and I know you're thinking of him? He might be out of your life, but you can't let the memory go.”

“Leave me alone.”

“If I could, I would,” he snarled. “Do you think I like loving a woman who doesn't know if she wants to drag me to bed or run for the door? You're it for me. I love you despite you making me so angry I could spit. I love you because of your strength, your courage. Love you even more because, for some crazy reason, you think you can't be loved.”

Her eyes widened. Shame hit her. Her lips quivered.

He jerked her to him, his mouth taking hers until she was weak and pliant in his arms. “I thought I knew what love was. I didn't until I met you. You, and only you. You touch my heart and soothe my soul. It tears me up that I can't do the same for you.” His face fierce, he stepped back.

“I can't make you love me. I can't make you feel the pride and love I feel for you. Looking at defeat, especially in the eyes of the woman I love, is not something I'm sure I can handle.” His hands fisted at his sides. “When you can trust and love me, give me a call.”

Marlene watched Roman, shoulders slumped, walk to the front door. Without looking back, he opened it and closed it softly behind him.

He was gone. She'd never have to worry about her past coming up, never feel that sharp stab of shame.

And she'd be alone with her fear. With a cry, she rushed out the door. “Roman!” she screamed, hurrying off the porch. “Don't go. Please, don't go.” She couldn't see him. There was no moon, and in her hurry to leave earlier, she'd forgotten to turn on the porch light. She stumbled, went to her knees.

“Roman.”

“I'm here. Honey, I'm here.” He pulled her into his arms, held her tightly to the solid warmth of his body.

“I love you. I love you so much,” she cried.

He tensed, then picked her up and carried her back into the house. He didn't stop until she was in his lap in the den. “Now tell me again.”

She sniffed. “I love you. You were right. I let the past overshadow any possible future with a man. I was so proud of my relationship with Dillon's father. I told anyone who'd listen how wealthy he was, the nice restaurants in Dallas we dined at, the expensive car he drove. Then, when it was over, all those prideful boasts came back to haunt me. I was the talk of the town and not in a nice way.”

“Now, the town respects and watches after you,” Roman said, brushing her hair back. “You're a remarkable woman. Why can't you see what others see?”

“I finally figured out it was because I was stuck in the past. No more. I want life, love, and I want them with you.”

“Marlene,” he breathed, his warm lips parting hers.

She nestled against him and told him about Cade and Zachary being Dillon's half brothers. “In a few days, when Samantha is better, I'll talk to him about it, but I already know he'll want them in his life. Love opens your heart.”

She turned in his arms. “You opened mine.” Her lips brushed across his, once, twice, before hovering above his. “Make love to me, Roman. Make me yours.”

“First, I have to ask you something and your answer will determine if we make love or not,” he told her.

She felt the bulge beneath her hips and moved against it. His breath hissed through his teeth. “Don't do that.”

“Then ask your question.” She bit his ear.

“Mercy,” Roman breathed, then blurted out while he could still think clearly, “Will you marry me?”

Marlene went still. She simply stared.

“If you love me enough for us to make love, you love me enough for us to get married. I'd planned to wait until we were married for our first time, but I don't think I can make it.” He took her trembling hand. “Once you said you wouldn't get married even if your life depended on it. Well, mine does. Marry me, Marlene.”

“There's only one answer.” She leaned down and captured his mouth with hers, letting fears and regrets fall away, leaving love and passion and trust. “Yes.”

“Thank God.” He pulled her to him, his heated mouth devouring hers. Lifting his head, he gathered her in his arms and strode to the bedroom. All the time she was biting his ear.

In the bedroom he placed her on her feet. Silently she turned away and pulled back the covers. Roman toed off his shoes, unbuckled his belt. When she faced him again, his hands settled at her trim waist while his mouth pleasured them both. “I need to see you.”