Crazy For You (11 page)

She pulled away and walked to the wall where her keys hung. “That will have to wait until after I talk to my father. It won’t take long, I promise.”

He frowned, folding his arms over his chest and leaning against the wall. “I’m holding you to that promise, because if you’re not back here within an hour, I’m coming after you. And I don’t think your father will like the way I
kiss
his little girl in front of him.”

She laughed and blew him a kiss, then hurried out of the room.

His heart tightened. How could he walk out of her life tomorrow? In the past week, she’d found a place in his heart, and he didn’t want to let it go. Since meeting her, life had more meaning, and to think that might be taken away nearly stopped his heart from beating…for she had somehow become his life.

But, he had no other choice. He had to return.

* * * *

Kendra
took a deep breath and walked into her parents’ house. “Hello?”

Her father walked out of his study and hugged her. “What a surprise to see you. If you’ve come to discuss wedding details with your mother, she’s at her friend’s house right now.” He pulled out his cell. “Let me call her—”

“No, Dad. I came to talk to you.”

“Well, certainly, my dear.”

He pulled her to the green and pink sofa—her mother’s favorite chair—and sat. She twisted her hands in her lap until realizing her father noticed her discomfort. Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself. Swallowing, she moistened her dry throat.

“Dad, I came to talk to you about
Terrel
. I…found some things that have me very confused, and extremely worried.”

“What did you find?”

“In doing some research the other day, I came across some old newspaper articles.” She explained to him about what the articles were about. “I think he’s been lying to me all this time.” She shook her head. “Actually, I
know
he’s been lying to me.”

Frowning, her father patted her hand, but kept quiet, which was what she wanted from him at this moment.

“And I think he has Joshua Montgomery locked away in a mental institution.” She explained about the file and Doctor Goodwin being paid so much.

Her father’s forehead creased as his expression turned dark. “That does sound fishy, doesn’t it?”

“That’s what I thought, too.”

“Not to worry, dear daughter. I know a few
members
who are on
the state’s medical
board,
I’ll make sure
Doctor Goodwin’s history
is
researched thoroughly.
”

Her father studied her closely through a narrowed gaze. “There is more, isn’t there?”

She nodded and began twisting her hands again. “I’m canceling the wedding.” Tears gathered in her eyes, but relief flooded through her.

“You know your mother and I will support you in this decision.” He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.

She cried on his shoulder, enjoying the closeness she had always shared with her father. It was times like this she knew would stay in her mind forever.

“I will have
Terrel
checked out as well. I have connections
with the Feds, and
I
could get a tail put on
Terrel
since you think he’s into drugs.”

She pulled back and sniffled.
“No, not yet.
I’ll let you know first.”

“Whatever you wish, my dear.” He kissed her forehead.

After she said goodbye to him, she walked back out to her car and drove home. Little by little, the
tight knot around her heart had disappeared. Ever since she’d doubted her feelings for
Terrel
, she’d been getting headaches. Now the stress had been relieved. She’d
definitely
made the right decision.

Eli greeted her at the door when she walked in. She didn’t have to say a word. Neither did
he
. They fell into each other’s arms as if kismet controlled everything.

When his mouth captured hers, all problems ceased to exist. Tonight all that mattered was
being in his arms.

For a while they held and kissed on the couch, and also talked about their lives. She actually did more talking, but Eli was a great listener.

Pulling back, she gazed into his amazing green eyes. “This feels so nice right now—just us holding each other.”

He smiled.
“Nothing will ever compare to this feeling I’m experiencing right now.”

“I
know
.”

“
Kendra
, in such a short time, you’ve created a permanent place in my heart.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Once again, I feel the same.” She pushed his long hair out of his face, realizing that she didn’t care how shaggy and unkempt it was. He was still the most handsome man she’d ever known and ever loved. “I know I shouldn’t be feeling this so soon, but I think...I think I’m in love with you.”

“Oh
,
Kendra
—” He cupped her face and brought it down to his as his mouth captured hers.

He didn’t kiss her passionately as they had before, but more meaningfully. Love burst in her chest, making tears fall from her eyes. She broke the kiss and held him tight.

Why did the most wonderful man in the world come into her life for so short a time?

When
Kendra
awoke the next morning, Eli was gone.
She found it strange that
his belongings were
still here. Perhaps he couldn’t take them back…however he traveled to the future since she
know
he didn’t come in a car.

Sighing deeply, she held back the tears, knowing they’d come forth at any moment.
How could she go on without him? Knowing she would never see him again broke her down, and she sobbed
.
Her heavy chest and throbbing head made it so she couldn’t go to work.

The day passed slowly, and the night was just as bad. Memories from when they’d
spent time together
came tumbling back, and the pain of missing him filled her greater than before. Although she didn’t think she had tears left to shed, she cried a bucket-full.

The next morning she forced herself to go to work, even with puffy eyes. When she entered through the front door, George’s eyes widened, his mouth gaping. “Good
heavens
, woman. What’s wrong?”

She opened up and told him everything, even about Eli being from the future, and especially about
Terrel
. George remained supportive and encouraged her to continue in her pursuit in helping out Joshua.

After a long day at work, she closed the shop and returned home. Loneliness overwhelmed her. She couldn’t stay in this apartment one minute longer without going crazy.

Her gaze fell on the stack of papers she and Eli had copied from
Terrel’s
secret folder.

Joshua Smith.

Yes, she could go see him. The mental institution was only an hour’s drive away, so she still had time.

She ran in to fix her hair and make-up,
then
hurried out to the car. Excitement made her heart leap and gave her a brighter outlook. She tried to tell herself she didn’t want to see Joshua just because Eli resembled him...but wasn’t that the main reason for her enthusiasm?

No. Joshua was a completely different person. He wasn’t Eli.

Although...what if he was just as charming as his son?
She grinned. Eli certainly took the prize for sweeping her off her feet in such a short amount of time. Eli had even mentioned his father had been a sweet-talker in his younger years, which were really these years in her time.

Moisture gathered in her palms the closer she came to the hospital. Joshua Smith. She had to remember this was the name they listed him under.

When she parked her car and walked through the front doors, her legs shook. Even her knees knocked together. She wrung her hands against her stomach and held her shoulders straight as she made her way to the receptionist desk.

An older, silver-haired woman looked up from the book she was reading and smiled.

“Hello,”
Kendra
greeted. “I hope visiting hours are not over. I’ve traveled
quite a ways
to see someone.”

The other woman shook her head. “There’s still another hour to go before we close the doors.”

Kendra
sighed, placing her hand on her chest. “Good.”

“Who is it you’re here to see?”

“Joshua Smith.”

The lady’s white bushy eyebrows drew together, and she opened the patient logbook and thumbed through it.
“Really?
In the three years I’ve worked here, I’ve not known one time when someone came to visit Joshua.”

Kendra
’s heartbeat hammered against her ribs, the beat pounding through her head just as fast. “Why?”

The woman met her stare. “I don’t know. I thought he didn’t have any family.” She smiled. “But I guess I was wrong. You are family, aren’t you?”

Kendra
tried not to let out a relived sigh. “Yes. I’m his first cousin on his mother’s side,
Kendra
Whitaker.”

The other woman snapped the book closed and stood. “Then I’m certain Joshua will be thrilled to see someone.” She walked behind the desk. “Like I said, he hasn’t had any visitors for as long as I can remember.”

“That’s just sad. I know his parents are dead, but his brother does live close by.
Well…last I heard, he lived close by.”
She talked so fast, she hoped the nurse didn’t suspect something was wrong.

Kendra
held her shaky hands together and followed the nurse down the hall. The older woman withdrew a set of rings and inserted one in the keyhole of a door, then opened it. The large room looked to be a game room of sorts. She arched a brow.
Probably where the patients spend most of their time.
Five or so patients dressed in the hospital’s light gray colors were scattered in the room, and people dressed in street clothes sat beside them. If she could get Joshua in a corner, they could speak in private.

Her heart quickened. What could she say? She couldn’t tell him about Eli. She chuckled. Joshua would think
she
had escaped from a mental hospital.

The nurse stopped at a table and motioned to the chair. “Have a seat, and I will get him.”

Kendra
nodded and sat, clamping her hands between her knees. Curse her nerves!

She glanced at the others. It was easy to identify the patients. Even if they hadn’t been wearing their gray, scrub-like clothes, the
ir
expressions were absent as they stared into space. A few played with checker pieces on the tables, or continually shook dice in a cup. Her heart went out to these poor, unfortunate souls.

The squeaky hinges of the door drew her attention to the nurse coming through.
Shuffling behind her came a tall man with very short, b
rown
hair.
His head lowered as his eyes aimed toward his bare feet. His hands clasped together in back of him.

Her heart leapt to her throat. Even from over here, she recognized the resemblances he had with Eli. Of course, they were father and son. Why wouldn’t they look alike?

He didn’t meet her gaze even when the older woman led him to the chair across from
Kendra
and he sat.

“Joshua,” the nurse said, touching his shoulder. “This is your cousin,
Kendra
Whitaker.” She looked at
Kendra
and nodded.

Kendra
cleared her throat. “Joshua, it’s good to see you again.
I’m sorry I haven’t been by to see you, but my work has kept me very busy.
”

The man across from her kept his chin to his chest and didn’t say a word. Was this man insane? Eli seemed to think differently. Of course, after having this kind of treatment for five years, any sane person would go crazy.

“Ma’am,” the nurse said
,
“
i
f you need anything, there are several guards around the room who will be ready to assist.”

Kendra
took another glance. Why hadn’t she noticed them before? Four men stood around the room, each one at an exit, and a few others wandered through the room. She gritted her teeth. She wouldn’t have any chance to talk to him in private.

After the nurse left, an awkward silence came between
Kendra
and Joshua while she struggled to find the right words. During this time, she studied him. Handsome, just like his son, he had muscles that bulged underneath his hospital attire. His hair was
almost the same color as Eli’s, but much shorter
, and she
hoped he had Eli’s eyes…if
he’d just look at her. Instead of the shaggy
goatee Eli had, Joshua was clean-shaven which emphasized his square jaw.