Julian approached, looking glassy-eyed and battered.
“Take Martin to the estate,” Ian said, realizing Julian couldn’t hear him. Ian signed to him, telling him he was grounded too.
* * *
Cassie was restless, and her shoulder throbbed, but her sixth sense was returning. She was horrified about the night before. “Chris, I remember what happened, but it felt like a nightmare. I stabbed Eric.” Next, she demanded to know how Martin was hurt. “What does everyone think?”
"No one thinks anything, Cass. We care for you. Give yourself time to heal. Your brain will unscramble,” Christian said.
Frank walked over to her. “Ian is in love with you and wants to help you heal. We all do.” He held her in a soft hug. “Ian told us if you never wanted to see him again, he would make sure you got the best care and let you be. His feelings aren’t from pity. It’s you. All you. You need to believe that.”
Cassie hugged him back. Her smile was small but real.
“Stephanie will be here again tomorrow. She always helps, right?” Christian asked. “If she doesn’t, we’ll find someone else.”
“It helped today. She reassured me it’s normal to be confused. There’s so much up in the air. What about my job? I gave them permission to dig up William. What kind of mother does that?”
“No one is rushing you. And with William, you’re doing what’s necessary. They won’t hurt him.”
She gulped back fresh tears. “And Ian? I hear what everyone is saying, but I’m a train wreck.”
A soft knock interrupted them, and Ian stepped inside, looking relaxed despite the circumstances. “Hey, Cassie. Can I come in?”
Cassie shifted to look at him, grimacing in pain. “Please.”
He crossed over the threshold. “I have an idea. How about a change in scenery that has nothing to do with doctors? First, something for the pain. Then, Jamie gave me permission to disconnect you for a while if you promise to behave. We can go for a walk?”
Frank whispered to Christian, “He’s good for her.”
* * *
After Jamie administered some pain medicine and situated a fresh ice pack on her shoulder, Ian disconnected the monitor, wrapped Cassie in a blanket, and lifted her into his strong arms. On the main floor, French doors opened onto a slate patio. A walkway led to a trail circling the estate where a wheelchair filled with fluffy pillows was waiting. “Comfortable?”
“This is beautiful. Thank you for everything.” Cassie turned her head to look up at him.
“Anything for you, sweetheart.” Moonlight reflected off the Potomac River, forming a halo around her face. Ian pushed her along the path, sharing with her the story of why they chose this property and how it made it easy to live with Kieran and Monique. It widened to reveal a flat area of the river’s bank where a pair of lounge chairs with a small table were illuminated by candles.
Cassie gave him a wistful look. “You’re doing this for me? Ian, I don’t understand.”
Ian squatted down, placing a hand on each arm of the wheelchair. “Let me help you understand. Cassie, please don’t push me away.” He couldn’t hold back another moment. His dark stubble tickled her cheek, more a gentle pressure than a kiss. Her eyes closed as his smooth tongue swept along the seam of her lips, coaxing her mouth open.
Cassie’s tongue danced with his, tasting like peppermint. He wished the kiss could go on forever, but he pulled back, not wanting to spook her. Breathing fast, he held his head against her forehead. “Cassie, what you do to me.” He nuzzled the tip of her nose before he forced himself to break contact. Her lips were red and swollen, her cheeks flushed as he lifted her to the chaise.
Fear in her eyes, Cassie extended her left arm to pull him to her. “I have you.” When she rested her head against his chest, he felt the slight tremor in her body. “Shh.”
Her words were barely audible when she started to speak. “You need to understand who I am. After I lost my family, I felt angry and guilty. They died because I couldn’t free them, and I wished I died with them. I hurt so much inside and out, and the scars, they’re a constant reminder of the failure I am.”
“They died because of a defective part and a malfunctioning harness system.” Ian decided to correct every negative assumption.
“Rachel and Luke tried so hard to make me comfortable and happy. I gained five brothers who wanted to protect me. Imagine bringing a boyfriend home to them?” Ian smiled against her hair. "They worked so hard to help me get better.
“When I enrolled in college, it was the first time I was ever by myself. Sophie lived across the hall. We gained the freshman fifteen together, friends forever. Three o’clock in the morning gelato will get you every time. It was great. I was having fun. I tutored, volunteered for Dreamcatchers, and endowed a few anonymous projects.
"I joined the art group. I met Garett at a show, and he said my paintings reminded him of living free, one in particular. I have a confession—it was my painting at the American Café.”
Ian pressed a kiss on her head. “I know, sweetheart, I saw the CME in the waves.”
She hugged him a bit tighter. “Garett kept coming around, wearing me down with sweet gestures. We started to date. He was kind and patient, and we talked for hours. When he graduated from law school, he proposed. After I said yes, things started to change. He wasn’t so patient anymore. He wanted more of my time and attention.” Cassie closed her eyes. “I wasn’t ready. The more he pushed, the more I… He said I was cold and frigid. I tried to explain I was scared, but he said I should loosen up and get over myself. He always tried to get me to take a drink. I’m not a teetotaler, but I don’t like the taste. Then, his mother got involved. She presented me with a list.”
