New Beginnings (42 page)

At the mention of her sister’s name, Drake looked at Katie, “Did you know he planned to sleep with your sister? Were you part of his sick plan?”

Katie tightened her lips and withdrew her hand from her husband’s shoulder. “No, I had no idea. He didn’t tell me about it until we were both clean a while. He felt he needed to make amends.” She shrugged. “I was angry, but we were already married by that time. I wasn’t ready to end my marriage because he made one stupid mistake.”

“One mistake?” Drake rolled his eyes. “His whole life has been one mistake after another.”

“I’m trying real hard to change, Drake,” Lee said. “Can’t you give me another chance?”

Cassidy reached for Drake’s hand when she feared he may take a swing at his brother.

“You’re lucky I’m giving you the chance to walk out of here today,” Drake said, his voice low and menacing. “Now get the hell outta here. I don’t ever want to see your face again.”

Lee stood and reached for Katie’s hand. “I understand how you feel, man, but if you ever change your mind—”

“I won’t.”

Cassidy looked at her sister. She could understand the contempt Drake felt for his brother, but no one understood that insidious disease better than she did.

“Do you mind if we go in and see Mama?” Katie asked. “We can’t stay long. It’s a four-hour drive back home and we both have to work tomorrow.”

“Someone was stupid enough to hire you two?” Drake chuckled. “I sure as hell hope he has everything of value bolted down.”

Ignoring the comment, Katie raised her chin and looked at Cassidy. “We’re working at a little B&B. The innkeeper, Mr. Bell, had been running it with his wife for years. She passed away and he’s getting on in years, but he wasn’t ready to let it go just yet. Lee does the landscaping and maintenance and I do the cooking, laundry, and housekeeping.”

Cassidy was pleased that her sister seemed to be making a valiant effort to turn her life around, but they had been down this road before. The proof would be in the life Katie was living three or five years from now.

“We really love it there,” she said, offering a small smile. “Mr. Bell is like family. He gives us a place to stay, food to eat, a car to drive… He’s like the father we never had.”

Cassidy swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’m glad you’ve found a place where you feel you belong.” Drake put his arm around Cassidy when she cleared her throat.

“It looks like you have too,” Katie said, glancing at her brother-in-law.

“No thanks to you two,” Drake muttered.

Katie sighed. “In spite of what you think of us, we are sorry for what happened. I hope you two find the happiness you deserve together.”

Cassidy watched her sister leave. She had to bite her lip and clench her fists to keep from reaching out to her. No matter what Katie had done, she was still her baby sister and a part of her would always remember the days when they’d been close.

“I’m so sorry,” Drake said, pulling her into his arms as soon as the door closed behind them. “I don’t even know what the hell to say right now.”

Resting her head on his shoulder, she let the tears flow freely. Tears for the assault she’d never allowed herself to grieve, tears for her mother’s illness, tears for the best friend she’d lost the day Katie betrayed her.

“What didn’t you tell me the truth about what happened that night?” he whispered, stroking her hair.

“I didn’t think you’d believe me,” she said, sniffling. “Or maybe I was afraid you would, and you’d hunt Katie and Lee down. I should’ve known they were in on it together.”

“I should’ve known you’d never have risked what we had for one more high and a night with a loser like Lee.”

“Can we not talk about that right now?” she asked, burrowing deeper into his strong arms. “I just need you to hold me right now. Can you do that?”

“Of course,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “Did you honestly think I was gonna let you get away from me again, you crazy girl?”

She smiled. “Maybe I was hoping you’d miss me and try to reach out to me. I honestly didn’t think you’d come all the way here though.”

“Nowhere else I’d rather be, baby.”

“Your work—”

“Will wait. The only thing that matters to me is being here for you.”

Cassidy tipped her head back to look him in the eye. “Can you do something for me?”

“Anything, you know that.”

“I’d really like you to meet my Mama.”

He grinned. “I’d love that.”

Drake tried to see some resemblance between the woman he loved and the pale, thin woman lying in the hospital bed, but years of abusing her body had obviously taken its toll on Cassidy’s mother.

“Are they treating you alright, Mrs. Ross?” Drake asked after they’d been introduced.

“Liz.”

He could see the effort it took her to say her own name and it reminded Drake how close he’d come to losing Cassidy the night of her attack.

Liz watched Drake reach for her daughter’s hand and bring it to his lips. “You… love… her?”

“Mama,” Cassidy said, her face flaming. “Drake and I are just taking things slow—”

“Yes, ma’am. I sure do.” He grinned at Cassidy’s look of surprise. “Come on now, it can’t come as that much of a shock to you. I’ve loved you since the first day I laid eyes on you, beautiful.”

Cassidy’s big brown eyes were swimming with tears as she reached for a tissue from the small box on her mother’s bedside table. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me today,” she said, wiping away the tears. “I never cry. Y’all know I’m not a crier.”

Drake loved that she tried so hard to be brave and independent, but he needed her to understand she didn’t have to go it alone anymore. He was here now and he’d gladly share her burden. “It’s okay to let your guard down once in a while, angel.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek. “That doesn’t make you weak.”

She smiled, stroking his face. “Thanks for saying that, but I’m gonna try to hold it together from now on. I promise.”

He pointed to his shoulder. “If it ever gets to be too much, you know where to come, right?”

“I sure do.”

Liz was watching them and Drake noticed a tear slide down her cheek. “Are you okay?”

“It’s… just… nice…” She drew a deep breath and shifted in the bed, wincing. “Seein’ my girls so happy.”

Drake would let the woman keep her fantasy about his brother for now. It hadn’t taken Liz long to figure out that her youngest daughter’s husband was Drake’s identical twin, but if she was curious about the family connection, she didn’t ask for details. He was thankful for that. He didn’t think he could stand there and pretend he wouldn’t like to make Lee pay for what he had done to Cassidy. Betraying him was one thing. He’d come to expect that, but he’d never be able to forgive Lee for dragging Cassidy into his revenge plot. Just thinking about the way he’d used her made his blood boil.

“It looks like you could use some rest, Liz,” Drake said, patting the older woman’s cold hand. “I was hoping I could talk your daughter into having some dinner with me. There’s a hotel just across the street, so we wouldn’t be too far if you need anything.”

“Can you… take… care… of her?”

At first, Drake didn’t understand her meaning until Cassidy blushed.

“Mama, my relationship with Drake has nothing to do with money. He’s the best man I’ve ever known.”

Drake grinned as he slipped one arm around Cassidy and the other hand in his pocket. “Not only can I take care of her, but I’d like to take care of you too.”

Cassidy looked up at him, seemingly shocked by his offer. “What are you talking about? You can’t do that.”

“Sure, I can.”

“But my mother is my responsibility. I can take care of her.”

Drake loved Cassidy all the more for trying so hard to be independent, but he knew there was no way she would be able to manage the hospital bills and her mother’s ongoing care. Since he had no intention of leaving without Cassidy, he saw only one solution. His future mother-in-law would move in to his guest house and he would hire a nurse to care for her. That way Cassidy could concentrate on her music again and she wouldn’t have to feel guilty about not being there for her mother. In his mind, it was the perfect solution.

“How about we talk about that over dinner? I’m guessing you haven’t eaten all day.”

“I really should stay, in case Mama needs anything,” she said, looking torn between her obligation to her mother and her desire to be alone with her man for a while.

“You go,” Liz whispered. “I’m… tired.”

“Are you sure?” Cassidy asked, fluffing the pillow under her mother’s head.

Liz managed a small smile and slight nod before her eyes drifted closed.

“I guess I have my answer,” Cassidy whispered, leading Drake out of the room. “I just want to leave my cell phone number with the nurse,” she said, pointing to the reception desk.

“Sure,” he said. Extracting a business card from his wallet, he handed it to her. “Why don’t you give them my contact information as well, in case they can’t reach you.”

She looked at the glossy black card before turning her attention to him. “I don’t think this is a good idea. We’re just figuring out where things stand between us. Besides, you’ve already done so much for me. There’s no way I could ask you to help me with my mother as well.”

“I don’t recall you asking me for anything, pretty lady.” That’s why he would give her more than she ever thought she needed, because unlike every other woman he’d ever dated, she never expected him to shower her with expensive trinkets to prove his love.

It may take the rest of his life to make up for the mess he’d made of their relationship. Maybe if he’d listened to her that night, instead of throwing her out on the street and refusing to hear to her explanation, they’d be married by now and this conversation would be a moot point because Elizabeth Ross would be his family too.

“But I know how you are when you get something in your head, Drake.”

“Stupid… stubborn… relentless? Take your pick.” He grinned when his self-depreciating comments earned her smile. He would admit to being the biggest jackass on the face of the planet if it convinced her he was sorry for the hell he’d put her through.

“I was going to say determined.”

“That’s because you’re too much of a lady to tell it like it is.” He led her up to the reception desk and they waited for the nurse to end her phone call.

“Can I help you?” the nurse asked.

“We’re going to be leaving for a little while,” Cassidy said.

“Actually,” Drake said, grabbing the business card from Cassidy’s hand and a pen from his pocket. Writing her name and cell number on the back of the card, he handed it to the nurse. “My girlfriend and I are gonna grab a room across the street for the night. You can reach us at either number if Liz Ross needs us for any reason.”

“Yes, sir,” the nurse said, taking his card.

“Can you have her primary care physician call me?” Drake asked. “I’d like to find out when she can be moved and what kind of care she’ll require when we get her home.”

“Not a problem,” she said, smiling. “Dr. Martin will be in to check on Mrs. Ross a little later. I’ll ask him to call you then.” The nurse started shuffling through some papers, a frown on her face. “I almost forgot to give this to you,” she said, handing a yellow slip of paper to Cassidy. “Your sister left her cell number when she was here earlier. She said she and her husband would like to help with your mother’s medical expenses.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Drake said, intercepting the paper before Cassidy reached for it. Crumpling it in his fist, he shoved it in his pocket. He ignored Cassidy’s look of consternation as he smiled at the nurse. “I’ll be taking care of all of Mrs. Ross’s medical expenses. If you have any paperwork you need me to fill out, I’ll take care of it when we come back in the morning.”

“Drake…” Cassidy warned. “I told you—”

“Come on, sweetheart,” he said, reaching for her hand. “I’m famished. Let’s grab some dinner.”

Drake didn’t waste any time pulling Cassidy into his arms once they were in the elevator. Kissing her before she could utter another protest, he smiled when she released a contented sigh. “Feel better?”

“When you kiss me like that, how can I not?” she asked, struggling to open her eyes.

He grinned. “That was the plan.”

Drake led the way through the lobby. Thankfully, there was an upscale hotel just across the street and they had a fine-dining establishment on the main floor. Drake’s assistant had made all of the arrangements for them while he’d been breaking speed records to get to Cassidy.

“I’ve already checked in,” Drake said. “I left my car in the underground and my suitcase in the suite.”

“Oh no,” Cassidy said, turning on her heel. “I forgot about my suitcase. It’s in the trunk of my car in the hospital parking garage.”

“No worries,” he said, holding her hand as they sprinted across the street. “You won’t need it tonight.”

“What are you talking about? I don’t even have a toothbrush.”

He laughed. “Honey, you forget who you’re dealing with.”

His assistant, Paula, had spoken to the concierge and told him what Drake wanted. He put her in touch with the ladies who ran the hotel’s finest boutique and spa and both women had personally assured Paula that Cassidy would have everything she needed waiting for her in their suite.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, struggling to catch up as he hurried her across the posh lobby.

It had been one hell of a day and the only thing Drake wanted was to stand under the shower’s hot spray, preferably with Cassidy in his arms. “You’ll see.”

There was an older couple already occupying the elevator when they stepped on which meant Drake couldn’t steal another kiss. It was probably for the best. If he started, he may not be able to stop kissing her this time.

The elevator let both couples off at the top floor and Drake wasted no time leading Cassidy to their room at the end of the hall.

She slipped her arms around his waist as he slid the key card into the lock. “Have I told you how grateful I am that you made time to come all this way?”