“I guess she forgave you?”
“Yes”
“Do you know or understand why you said those things to her?”
“I wish I knew. The night before my accident, Lindsay and I had had a short bizarre conversation in the horse barn, I am wondering if that was part of it.”
“What sort of bizarre conversation?”
“I found her in the barn, so I called out to her, “Hey lil’ sis” and then she just freaked out.”
“What did she do?”
“She yelled at me that she was not my little sister. So I captured her arm to stop her from leaving the barn. But she pushed my hand off and ran to the house. I went to her room to talk to her but she didn’t answer her door when I knocked. So I left and was going to talk to her the next time I saw her.”
“And then you didn’t see her before you were hurt and then forgot it?”
“Yes, if I had seen her while I was recuperating maybe I would have remembered it. But she was apparently avoiding me. Just like she has done since your wedding.”
“What happened at the wedding?”
“We haven’t talked about it so I don’t know.”
“Did you talk with her or dance with her?”
“No”
“How long have you and her felt this way about each other?” Dalton asked
“Me, a few months.”
“And Lindsay?”
“I won’t tell you that. That is Lindsay’s business.”
“Why didn’t you dance with her at the reception?”
“I didn’t know how she felt about me. This is an unusual situation. We have been friends for years and then I started to develop new feelings towards her. I didn’t see any evidence that she might feel the same way.”
“My sister is very special to me. I think you all can make this work but I learned with Sarah to talk about everything. She was trying to protect me and would walk away if she thought that it was best for me. Lindsay would do the same thing I imagine. I guess she really already tried that. David told me she tried to move away and not work here anymore.”
“Yes, she told me. I was so ashamed of my behavior, even if I didn’t know I did it.” He paused “Damm, how could I have said for her to leave me alone? I love her.”
“Does she know that?”
“Yes, she doesn’t believe it yet. And at first she didn’t believe me that I was sorry about what I said either. We had a HUGE fight. Did you know she was this stubborn?”
Dalton laughed “Yes, and that is probably our fault. We just teased and tormented her when we were growing up. She had to keep up.”
“Yeah, she mentioned that too when I told her I was killing whoever made her this stubborn.”
Nick and Dalton rode along in silence for a while. When they let the horses rest at the creek, Dalton had more to say to his best friend.
“Nick?”
“Yeah”
“This whole thing with you and Lindsay caught me off guard and at first I wasn’t very happy about it. But now, I think you two need each other. You complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I hope you will be as happy as I am with Sarah.”
“Thanks Dalton. I appreciate the support. If this is happy, I can be like this forever.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought with Sarah. If this is happy, then when have I ever been happy before.”
“Exactly!!”
“You will take care of my little sister, right?”
“For the rest of my life, if she will let me.” Nick replied solemnly.
“Welcome to married life my friend.” Dalton said and then began to whisper in case he was been overheard “It is the best thing ever, but don’t tell them that.”
“And have them beat us over the head with it, not a chance. It is our secret.” Nick pledged.
Nick slammed the door at the main house and headed for Lindsay’s office “Lindsay Diane Matthews!” Nick bellowed throughout the house “I want to talk to you.” Lindsay came rushing to the door to her office but he was already opening it and coming in.
“What is wrong?” she asked concerned by the angry look on his face
“How many dates have we had?”
“How many do you remember?” she asked stalling
“That isn’t an answer to my question. How many?”
“We went to a movie once and then the other night we went to dinner.”
“When did we go on the movie date?”
Lindsay moved to look out the window not really wanting to remember that date. “A few days before you were hurt” she said quietly.
“I don’t remember that at all. Did we have a good time?”
“You said you did.”
“Did you?”
Lindsay shook her head no. “At the time I was miserable, I thought you just asked me out because you taking pity on me. When you asked you had sounded bored and you only looked at me after I turned you down. You were staring off into the night sky. Also, I asked you why we were going out and you wouldn’t tell me why we were going out. So I pretended to have a good time.”
“You pretended to have a good time?”
Lindsay nodded.
“Was it that bad?”
“No, I just really wanted an answer to why we were going out. I thought it was a mercy date. I had so many feelings for you and to me it seemed like the date wasn’t anything special to you.”
“Why wouldn’t I answer you?”
“You said you just wanted to have fun and you would answer it after our second or third date.”
“Did I ask you out again?”
“Yes, we were going to go to dinner a few nights later.”
“But then I got hurt and the whole mess started.”
“Yes.”
Nick wrapped his arms around Lindsay from behind “Now, do you understand why I wouldn’t answer your question on why we were going out?”
“Yes, you were nervous about what you were feeling about me.”
“That is correct. I’m sorry I don’t remember our first date. Maybe someday it will come back to me.”
“Maybe it would be better if it didn’t, then I won’t look so stupid.” She said as she turned around and hugged him back. “I’m sorry I didn’t enjoy it. I had too many unanswered questions and a whole bunch of feelings that I was trying to deal with.”
Nick placed a finger under Lindsay’s chin and raised her face to his. “You don’t have to be sorry. It was a tough time for you.” Nick lowered his head and touched his lips to hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.
As the kiss ended, Nick commented “I hope you enjoyed our second first date much better.”
“Oh, yeah! Much much better.” She said reaching up to kiss him again.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this movie date?”
“I didn’t think it was important. I thought you would remember it eventually if you wanted too.”
“You knew I didn’t remember it?”
“Yes, after our talk by the creek you asked me to go on our first date. Who told you we had had another date?”
“Dalton” he said “Is there anything else we have done that I don’t remember?”
“You promised me breakfast in bed every morning.” She said in mock seriousness
“Yeah right.” He said as he kissed her hungrily “I love you but you are not getting breakfast in bed every morning. It will interfere with my making love to you.”
Lindsay gasped at him and blushed.
“Gotcha.” He said laughing
Lindsay pushed him down to the couch and climbed over him and began to tickle him. He captured her hands and brought her down to him. “Kiss me.” He requested so she spent several wonderful minutes doing just that.
For the next week Lindsay and Nick spent as much time together as possible. He still wasn’t working so he hung around her office and helped her out. Mainly he distra
cted her with kisses. After dinner, they went to his house and talked or watched TV.
He walked her back to her room the night before she was leaving for a ranch management conference in San Francisco. “I’ll miss you. Call me when you can.”
“I’ll miss you too. I will be back in a couple of days.”
“I love you Lindsay!”
“I love you.”
The next morning he picked her up and drove her to the airstrip on the ranch. He kissed her goodbye and told her he loved her. As he drove home, he was sad I miss her already.
Chapter 9
Nick was doing light duty in the barn when David yelled for him “Nick, get in here now!”
Nick ran for the office. He barely was in the door when David started talking “Go home and pack a bag for a few days. Then get to the airstrip as fast as you can. Sarah, Dalton and I will meet you there.”
“Why? Where are we going?”
“San Francisco” David said as he crossed to the door.
“What happened to Lindsay?”
“She is hurt and in the hospital. She was attacked.”
“NO!” Nick exclaimed “How bad is it?”
“I’ll tell you more on the plane. Go!”
Nick ran for his house as David ran for the main house. He raced past Gabby and frantically told her the news. Then he hurriedly packed a suitcase and rushed to the airstrip.
The pilot had the plane fueled and they left as soon as they all arrived. David started to explain as soon as they were all seated.
“The San Francisco police called me a few minutes ago. Lindsay was walking through the park and someone grabbed her and beat her up. They have the guy in custody because a passerby jumped on him while others called for help.”
“Was she raped?” asked Sarah
“No, he was a drug addict and just wanted money.”
Nick asked his question around a large lump in his throat “How bad is she hurt?”
“I’m sorry Nick, the police didn’t know for sure. He knew she was unconscious, that’s all he knew.”
Nick swore and pounded one fist into his thigh. Sarah got up and went to him. She hugged him and then held his hand. Dalton went over and knelt in front of him. “Lindsay is a fighter, Nick. How many times has she fought with us? The limousine from the hotel will be at the airport and we will go right to see her.”
Nick nodded and tried to keep breathing. I’m coming Lindsay. Keep fighting. I love you.
The plane landed in San Francisco near dusk. The travelers rushed off the plane and threw their luggage in the car and took off. They arrived at the hospital a short time later and went to find Lindsay. David had called the detective on the case as soon as they landed and he met them outside of Lindsay’s room. The doctor was also waiting for them.
“My name is Dr. Stephens. I treated Lindsay in the emergency room and then in surgery.”
“How is she?” asked Nick
“She is stable. Fair condition. She hasn’t regained consciousness yet. She has a concussion, three broken ribs, a collapsed lung and lots of bruises and cuts. The attacker apparently had a knife and she fought back hard.
“Was she sexually assaulted?” Nick asked next
“No, just beaten up.” The doctor answered
“Can we see her?” asked Nick
“Yes. Go on in. Talk to her.”
Nick rushed past the doctor and opened the door. His Lindsay looked so small and vulnerable with the tubes and machines attached to her. He walked up to the head of the bed and leaned over and kissed her forehead. “It is time to wake up. I need you and I love you. You are scaring me to death. Please wake up Lindsay.”
The rest of the Matthews family came in to see Lindsay. They had asked the doctor a few more questions before coming in. Sarah burst into tears when she saw Lindsay and Dalton wrapped her in a hug. Dalton and David were having trouble controlling their emotions also. Dalton let go of Sarah for a minute and went to the other side of the bed and kissed Lindsay’s forehead.
All four of them stayed in the room and talked to her but she didn’t wake up. Several hours later the nurse suggested they take turns staying with her and the rest go get some sleep. Nick stayed for the first shift and the others went to the hotel. He was to call them instantly if she woke up.
As soon as they left, he took her hand in his and started talking to her. “Wake up and fight with me Lindsay. You are great at fighting with me. And you know what is so great about fighting? The making up afterwards. We haven’t gotten to that part yet, but we will.”
Nick paused and waited then began to talk again “I will give you slow wet kisses and you will drown in the sensations.”
“Promise?” she asked weakly
“Lindsay! Come on baby talk to me.”
“Thirsty”
He put the straw up to her lips and she took a couple of sips of water. “Better?”
“Kiss me?”
“With pleasure” Nick said as he gently kissed her “I love you.”
She nodded
“How do you feel?”
“My head hurts and so does everything else. What happened to me?”
“Apparently you were attacked for money. You have a concussion, broken ribs, collapsed lung and lots of cuts and bruises.”
She nodded again.
“Stay awake. I have to call your brothers and get the nurse in here.”
Nick went to the nurse’s station to tell them she was awake. Then he went down to the waiting room and called Dalton
“What?” Dalton asked in greeting
“She’s awake. I imagine she will go right back to sleep when the doctor is through with her. I’m going back in so I can hear what he says then I will call you again.”
“Go!”
The doctor stopped talking when Nick re-entered and looked to Lindsay for her permission to continue. “I am probably going to marry him so he can hear what you say.” Lindsay said to convince him
The doctor chuckled “Probably?”
“Definitely!” answered Nick
“See.” smiled Lindsay
“Anyway” the doctor continued “You do have a concussion, but the collapsed lung is probably going to be the reason you have to stay here the longest. You need the tube and the oxygen to help it heal. The other injuries will take time and rest. What do you do?”
“I’m a ranch manager. We own StageWest in Arizona and Matthews International.”
“Okay then. And what do you do?” the doctor asked Nick
“Well, usually I am a ranch hand but I am healing from a concussion and other injuries myself. But for the next while, I’ll be her slave.”
“Good answer.” He replied chuckling again. “And how did you get injured?”
“I was breaking a horse and it threw me. Then it stepped on me a couple of times. Broken leg and arm and concussion.”
“You people don’t have very good luck.” The doctor stated sadly
“I disagree. In the hospital is when she first told me she loved me.” Nick said looking at his girl “I’d say that was the best luck of all.”
“Okay, you do have good luck. Now, Lindsay, get some rest. He can stay with you but you have to sleep. Call for pain medicine when it hurts and sleep whenever possible.” The doctor left the room and Nick bent over to kiss her.
“I’m going to call Dalton again, are you up to talking to him?”
“Yes”
He dialed Dalton and put the phone up to her ear
“How is she?” Dalton growled
“She is fine.” Lindsay answered
“Lindsay, how are you?” he asked in relief
“I hurt but I am going to be fine according to the doctor. Lots of rest but I have to stay here a while. The lung needs the tube and the oxygen to heal.”
“We are on our way back to the hospital.”
“No, I’m fine. Nick is here and I promi
se to sleep. You guys sleep and come tomorrow.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Please get some rest.”
“I love you Lindsay.”
“I know. I love you all too.”
“Put Nick on.”
“He wants to talk to you.” Lindsay indicated handing the phone to Nick.
“Yeah?”
“Is she really okay?”
“She told you what the doctor said. She is in good spirits. But she did promise to sleep.”
“Okay see you in the morning.”
“Bye”
Nick sat down in the chair by the bed and held her hand. “Go to sleep.”
“No.”
“You promised Lindsay”
“Tell me more about these kisses you mentioned. Then I’ll go to sleep.”
“When you are better and we are not surrounded by machines, tubes and other people. I’ll show you those kisses. I promise.” Nick kissed her lovingly “Go to sleep.”
“You might forget. Show me now.”
“Yeah right. Forget? I don’t think so, Gorgeous.” He leaned over her and stared at her “Kissing you and making love to you is never something I’ll forget to do. Now go to sleep.”
“You think about making love to me?”
“I am not answering you. Go to sleep.”
“Spoilsport.” She murmured as she got drowsy.
He leaned up and whispered in her ear. “I think a lot about making love to you. I love you.”
Nick was sleeping in the chair when Lindsay woke up the next morning. She studied him for a while. He was very handsome. He filled out his jeans very nicely. He was tall and muscular. He had deep blue eyes and blonde hair. She liked to look at him as he rode his horse. He was very good with the horses. He understood them and liked to break them. She worried about him when he did that, but it was who he was. She wouldn’t change anything about him. He was very good to her.
Nick woke up and saw Lindsay looking at him. “Why were you watching me?”
“I was thinking about good-looking you are and about how good you are to me and how you fill out your jeans very nicely.”
Nick burst out laughing and moved closer to her. “I fill out my jeans nicely? Do I want to know what that means?”
“Put it this way… I don’t mind walking or riding behind you sometimes.”
“We may have a problem then.”
“Why?”
“Because I like to walk or ride behind you sometimes too. Who will get their way?”
“Take turns?”
“What if I am selfish and don’t let you have a turn?”