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Stone Walls

By

Kate Sweeney

Stone Walls

© 2012 by Kate Sweeney

All rights reserved. no part of this book may be reproduced in printed or electronic form without permission. please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. purchase only authorized editions.

ISBN 13: 978-1-935216-40-7

First Edition: 2012

Intaglio Publications

Walker, LA USA

www.intagliopub.com

This is a work of fiction. names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

_______________________________________________

Credits

Executive Editor: Tara Young

Cover design by Tiger Graphics

Chapter 1

“If you don’t get the fuck out of here right now…” the woman barked her warning as she ran her wheelchair at the nurse.

“Well, I never!” The nurse turned on her heels.

“And believe me, sister, it shows!” the woman called after her as the nurse slammed the door. She swung her wheelchair around to see her manager leaning against the doorjamb, arms folded and sporting a smug look.

“Satisfied, Tyler?” she asked.

Tyler laughed. “Yes, Jean. That actually felt good.” She wheeled herself to the bar, opened the small fridge, and took out a beer.

“A little early in the day, isn’t it?” Jean walked over to Tyler.

“It’s later than you think.” Tyler almost angrily twisted the top off the beer. “Here’s mud in your eye,” she said dryly and drank half the bottle.

Jean raised an eyebrow and shook her head. “If you’re not careful, you’ll be in rehab before you get out of that chair.”

Tyler said nothing as she took another long drink.

“Well, now I have to get you another nurse,” she said wearily.

“Sorry. She was an old gasbag.” Tyler wheeled herself over to the big window.

The Vermont winter had settled in. The snow fell silently as the late afternoon approached. Jean walked up behind Tyler and kissed her head. She smoothed the dark hair that seemingly overnight developed gray streaks throughout. Her short wavy hair was all over the place as she leaned her head back and smiled.

“Sorry,” she whispered honestly.

Jean came around and sat next to her. “You can’t keep pissing off all the nurses, dear,” she warned, and Tyler laughed quietly.

“Okay. I promise. Get me another, and I won’t piss her off. However, could she at least be under eighty?”

Jean slapped her shoulder. “I should think you had enough women, Tyler Cameron. You need your name in the tabloids one more time this year,” she scolded and kissed her head. “I’ll make dinner.”

Tyler sat there and stared out the window at the snow. Her life completely changed now; skiing would never be an option. Well, not competitively anyway. Unfortunately, that was where the money was. That was where the thrill was and where Tyler wanted to be. Whether snow or water, she was there. Until the accident, she was in the top ten, sometimes the top five during the summer.

“Fuck!” She angrily wheeled herself around and opened another beer.

Jean came out of the kitchen and put a bowl of potatoes in her lap. Tyler grunted and glared at Jean, who thrust a paring knife in her hand.

“Two months ago, you couldn’t feel that. Be grateful, you’ll be walking soon. You should be walking by now. But until you get your head out of your buttocks, you can peel a potato,” she said and walked away.

“Until then, you can peel a potato,” Tyler mimicked her as she sipped her beer.

“I heard that.”

Tyler groaned and picked up the potato and started.

Jean came back around with a glass. “At least drink it out of a glass,” she said affectionately.

Tyler took the glass, then grabbed Jean’s hand. She looked up through teary eyes and smiled. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She laughed sadly. “You can’t even say you’re my manager anymore. Not much to manage…”

“Who are you kidding?” Jean patted her cheek. “You’re a handful on or off the slopes.” She looked down into Tyler’s eyes. “You’ll be fine. It was not your fault. It—”

“It’s just that there were so many times when it was that when it wasn’t, nobody wanted to listen.” Tyler shrugged. “It’s my own fault. I lived a rebellious lifestyle. I’ve flaunted my sexuality, vulgarly dating just about any woman I wanted. It was only a matter of time before it caught up with me.” She sighed, then looked up at Jean with pleading eyes. “I did try to stop her. They just wouldn’t listen.”

“I know, I know, Ty.” Jean kissed her head. “Now get to work, my soup is waiting.”

Tyler started to peel the potatoes when all at once it flashed through her mind. Then snow everywhere, the young woman screaming.

She started to shake and dropped the knife in the bowl, burying her face in her hands, trying to stop the images of that fateful day.

Chapter 2

Jean sat in the waiting room and grimaced as Dr. Lindsey opened the door.

“God, Jean, not again?”

“Sorry, Tom. Do you have anyone else?” she asked hopefully.

He sat next to her. “What is Tyler’s main problem with these nurses? That’s three in four months,” he reminded her.

“I think all these nurses know who she is. They’re used to reading about her in the tabloids. All her exploits and troubles. I don’t know. She’s doing well, should be out of the wheelchair in a few months. If we could just find someone who doesn’t know who Tyler Cameron is.”

“Tyler who?” A voice came from the desk.

They both looked up to see a nurse leafing through a chart. She wore the ubiquitous hospital green and looked up, swiping her hair from her eyes. “What?”

Dr. Lindsey and Jean exchanged quick glances before they shot up and stood next to the woman, who clutched the chart to her chest and stepped back. “What?”

“Young woman, I’m Dr. Tom Lindsey, head of Neurosurgery. I know everyone on this floor, who are you?”

She gave him a sarcastic grin along with a raised eyebrow—Jean liked her right off.

“Rachel Whitaker. I started a month ago.”

“Where did you nurse before that?” he asked brusquely.

Rachel glared at him, putting her hands on her hips. “In the Belgian Congo. I was with the Peace Corps and spent most of my time in a hollowed-out canoe. It wasn’t bad until it started raining.”

Jean let out a healthy laugh, then cleared her throat when Tom Lindsey narrowed his eyes.

“Seriously,” he said to Rachel.

Rachel took a deep breath. “Seriously, I was in England. My mother lived there. She took ill several years ago, and I stayed and took care of her until she died about a year ago.”

Jean noticed the soft English accent and watched this spunky woman. “Miss Whitaker, how would you like a job?”

“I…I have a job,” she said, then looked at Tom. “I do still have a job, don’t I? I was joking about the Congo.”

“You’re perfect.” Jean grinned and continued, “Here’s the situation. A friend of mine had a skiing accident that caused some paralysis for the past eight months. Just recently, she’d gotten herself in a wheelchair, and they say she’ll have a full recovery. However, we need someone as a live-in. I’m staying there now, but I can’t stay all the time. There’s a cook and a housekeeper, but Tyler needs a professional,” she said, almost pleading. 

“Mrs.…” Rachel began, and Jean held out her hand.

“Jean Olson.”

“Well, Mrs.—”

“Jean.”

“Jean, I don’t know. I’m making good money here. And I just got back and…”

“Do you have a place to stay?”

“Well, no. But I’m staying at the nurse’s residence.”

“My dear, Miss Whitaker. I’ll double what you’re paid here and throw in your room and board on top of that,” she said impatiently.

Rachel looked from Tom to Jean and back to Tom. “Why the bloody hell not?” She handed the stunned doctor the chart.

*******

“How old are you, Rachel?” Jean asked as she drove through Stowe.

Rachel glanced around the snow-covered hills. “Thirty-two. Old enough?” She looked out the window.

“Just fine,” Jean said. “Now about Tyler. She can be a handful. She’s fiercely independent and has a stubborn streak.”

“A mile wide, I understand. I’ve read her chart. What happened to the previous nurse?” When Jean did not answer right away, Rachel raised an eyebrow. “She didn’t kill her, did she?”

“No. No deaths.” Jean chuckled and shook her head. “Yet.”

Rachel shot her a look, wondering who Tyler Cameron was and why everyone was so afraid of her.

*******

They pulled up to a huge home. “Good heavens.” Rachel sighed as she looked at the two-story log mansion. “It’s impressive.”

“Yes, she designed it herself.” Jean opened the trunk.

The front door opened, and an older gentleman walked onto the porch.

“Hank, good, you’re here. Can you take Miss Whitaker’s bags in? She’s Tyler new nurse.”

Apprehension seeped from every pore when Rachel watched their exchange as Hank raised an eyebrow.

“Nice knowing ya,” Hank said in a distinctive New England accent.

“Hank.” Jean laughed nervously and slapped him on the back, harder than Rachel thought necessary. “He’s such a kidder.”

Rachel nodded and smiled. “Like the previous nurse?”

Jean grimaced and continued to laugh nervously as she led Rachel up to the door.

The massive window nearly took up the entire front of the house; the view of the mountain was breathtaking.

“My, what a view.”

“Hank...” Jean called quietly. “Where’s Tyler?”

“She’s in a rotten mood, so where else? She’s in the gym,” he said and chuckled. “Thought I was gonna say the bar, didn’t ya?”

Rachel raised an eyebrow and took off her coat.

Jean ignored Hank’s comment. “Well, would you like to get settled in or—”

“See the gym,” Rachel said firmly. She would know in one minute if she wanted this job or not.

They heard the music as they walked down the hall. Billy Joel’s “Big Shot” played as Jean opened the gym door. Rachel hoped that was a sign of things to come. She walked in and saw a woman doing chin-ups, her back to both of them. She wore black compression shorts and a black sports bra. Rachel was impressed to say the least as this woman did continuous reps, not stopping once.

“Yes.” Jean smiled sheepishly. “This is Tyler.”

Standing next to Tyler was a woman, young and blond. Rachel gave a questioning look from the young woman to Jean. “And this is Lucia,” Jean said apologetically, “our maid.”

Rachel smiled and nodded as Jean turned off the music.

Tyler, who was now sweating profusely, stopped and laughed, completely out of breath as she hung on to the bar. “Jean, that has to be you. Don’t get mad at Lucia, she’s…um…assisting me.” She then grunted painfully.

The maid quickly wheeled her chair under her, and Tyler eased down into it.

“Señorita Tyler,” Lucia said, “you do too much.”

“My dear Lucia,” Tyler said wickedly; the maid giggled.

Rachel walked past Jean and Lucia to stand in front of her new patient. The sparkling gray eyes took her by surprise. 

“And who are you?” Tyler asked happily.

Rachel raised an eyebrow. “Your new nurse, but I’m afraid I won’t wear that outfit.” She turned her attention to Lucia. “You may leave, Lucia.”

Lucia looked indignant, but Jean jerked her thumb toward the door. Lucia quietly left the room.

Tyler frowned at her. “Hold on. What’s your name, if that’s not too much to ask?” Tyler turned her wheelchair around as Rachel walked away.

“Rachel Whitaker. You must be Tyler Cameron.” She held out her hand. Tyler dried her hands on the towel before taking Rachel’s hand.

“Nice to meet you. I need to take a look at your chart,” Rachel said.

Tyler pointed to the wall as she watched Rachel. She then glanced at Jean, who smiled sweetly. Tyler glared at her.

Rachel picked up her chart and flipped through the pages. She took a thermometer out and shook it, then stuck it in Tyler’s mouth.

“Hey,” she mumbled.

Rachel put up her hand to silence Tyler as she grabbed her wrist to check her pulse. Tyler frowned and said nothing. Rachel scribbled on the chart, then took the thermometer out and read it.

“Hmm. Not too bad with all the...extra excitement.” She smiled slightly as she scribbled again. “No more exercising on your own, not for a while. I read your case on the way over here, Miss Cameron. The muscles in your back are still regenerating. One good slip off that high bar and you’ll be right back in bed. So don’t go trying to impress the maid service. Impress me and start walking...”

Tyler just sat there staring, her mouth open.

“I’ll give you time for your body to cool down. I’ll be back, then I want you in the steam room in twenty minutes. You do have a steam room?”

Tyler simply nodded and pointed to the door at the end of the gym.

“There’s even an indoor pool,” Jean offered.

“Wonderful. We’ll have you swimming, getting those legs in better shape in no time,” she said and smiled kindly.

Tyler said nothing; she picked up the water bottle and chugged its contents.

Rachel stuck out her hand. Tyler gave her a wary look. “You’re not going to flip me out of the wheelchair, are you?” she asked as she shook Rachel’s hand.

“Only if you make it absolutely necessary for me to do so.”

The soft British accent sent a chill down Tyler’s spine. Yes, her spine was definitely regenerating.

*******

“This is more than acceptable, Jean.” Rachel looked at the private bath attached to her bedroom.

“Well?” Jean asked, biting her bottom lip.

Rachel smiled. “She’s a horrible flirt and probably the most arrogant woman I’ve ever met.”

Jean waved her hand impatiently. “Yes, well, I can’t have her shot.”

Rachel chuckled. “However, I have no problem with that. I’ll take the job if Miss Cameron wants me.”

“Oh, you’ve got the job,” she said emphatically. “Tyler’s room is at the end of the hall. I put you here just in case. Sometimes I need to check on her at night. She’s getting better each day, but sometimes...”

“I know. Nature calls at all hours. I understand. She may not like a stranger helping her in that regard. She’ll need to get over that quickly.” She then looked at Jean. “What kind of accident was it?”

“A skiing accident.”

“What happened?”

Jean smiled sadly. “If you don’t mind, Rachel?”

Rachel turned to her. “I apologize. I was just trying to get a little insight into Tyler. If you don’t mind my asking, what is your connection with her?”

Jean sat on the edge of the bed and smiled. “Well, let’s see. I knew her parents and watched Tyler grow up from a scrawny beanpole of a girl to a tall beanpole of a woman. She’s a natural athlete and gravitated to skiing at a young age. We all did actually, growing up here in the snow capital of the U.S. So when Arnold, her dad, saw how good she was, he nudged her in this direction. I became her manager because I was the only one they trusted, and they thought I could keep her in line.”

Rachel laughed. “And how did that work out for you?”

Jean laughed along. “Not too well.” She grew serious then. “But she’s a good woman. Just had a bad incident that’s left her emotionally disillusioned, and physically, well, she’s on the mend in that department. If Tyler wants to tell you any more, that’s up to her.”

Rachel nodded in agreement. “Thank you. Well, I’d better get her into the sauna.”

“Dinner will be at six. We eat in the dining room.”

“That’s fine, thanks.” Rachel smiled. “I won’t let you down.”

Jean gave her a curious look. “I didn’t think you would, dear.”

Rachel walked out of the bedroom, and Jean grinned. This will be just fine, she thought. Tyler won’t care for it, but she’ll get used to it.

*******

Rachel found Tyler lying naked facedown on the massage table. A towel covered only her backside. Rachel took the moment to evaluate her new patient’s long muscular legs and an equally muscled back.

“Lucia, is that you?” Tyler moaned. “Gimme a quick rubdown, will ya? My back is killing me.”

Rachel smirked and walked over to her. She rubbed the oil into her hands and started massaging her shoulders and neck, eliciting small groans of approval from Tyler.

“Hmm. Lucia, man, where’d you learn that? A little farther down. Mind the scar, honey.”

Rachel raised an eyebrow. She rolled her eyes and continued rubbing down her back, then noticed the jagged but thin scar in the lower lumbar region. It was almost eight inches long running parallel to her spine.

“Oh, Lucia, baby.” Tyler moaned.

Rachel stopped just as she got to the towel.

Tyler chuckled. “Don’t be shy.”

Rachel was tempted to go farther but wanted to keep this job. Instead, she worked on her thighs and calves.

“Hey, easy does it.” Tyler groaned.

Rachel knew it was painful, but she needed to start working on her lower extremities. She had to admit she had a hard time averting her glance from Tyler’s muscled back and arms.

“Damn it,” Tyler said painfully and lifted her head slightly and blinked. “You?” Her voice squeaked.

Rachel smiled and stood back. “Hello. Why aren’t you in the sauna?” She wiped her oily hands on the towel, trying to avoid staring at Tyler’s partially exposed breasts.

“I was too pooped.”

It was then that Rachel noticed she did look tired and worn, the lines of pain etched deep between her eyebrows.

“You’ve got nice hands, Nurse Whitaker,” she said and smiled.

“I’m still not getting into the outfit.”

When Tyler laughed, it struck Rachel how natural and easy she sounded. It was quite a contrast from the frown and smirk Tyler had given earlier.

“Well, here’s your robe.” She helped Tyler into it. “I don’t know how much you can do on your own.”

“If you can swing my legs over, I can sit up,” she said, and with Rachel’s help, she was in a sitting position and pulled the robe closed and tied it. “No free shows.”

“I’ll bet Lucia is disappointed.” She wheeled over her chair. “Do you have much movement in your legs at all?”

Tyler nodded. “I can’t put too much weight on them. But if I’m standing and leaning on something, I can go for a good three minutes before they give out.”

Rachel got the wheelchair behind her and put the brake on. She then stood in front of Tyler. “Okay, hold on to my neck.”

Tyler did so, and Rachel eased her gently into the chair.

“You’re strong for your size, I’m impressed. Thanks,” she mumbled.

Rachel went behind her, but Tyler waved her off. “I can manage,” she said curtly and wheeled herself out of the gym.

“Stubborn, as well as obnoxious, Miss Cameron?” Rachel shook her head and followed her down the hall to Tyler’s room. “What’s your daily routine?”

“I get up. I get dressed. I eat, drink, work out sometimes, and I eat again, then I get drunk and go to bed,” she said over her shoulder.

“My, my, that’s a full day. I can see where you don’t have time to exercise.”

Tyler whirled around her wheelchair. Rachel stopped short and looked down at her.

“Look, I know you’re the last bastion in the nursing world. So why don’t you just give it up and scram? You don’t want to be here and I don’t want you here,” she said rudely, then whirled around and angrily wheeled into her room and slammed the door.

Rachel stood in the hallway and leaned against the wall. She felt the same hot tears spring to her eyes. “Not again, please, God. I’ve got to do this.” 

Then she heard a crash and ran to Tyler’s room and threw open the door. Tyler was lying on her side, grimacing in pain.

“Tyler, lay still. What happened?” She heard Tyler’s chuckle of embarrassment.

“I fell.” She looked up and noticed tears in Rachel’s eyes. “I’m sorry. Did I make you cry?”

Rachel wiped the tears. “No. C’mon, lean on me,” she said, and Tyler grunted as Rachel helped her to the bed. “You really are moving your legs well. That’s excellent.”

Tyler grunted rudely. “Yeah, it’s great.” 

Rachel stared down at her. “What’s the matter with you? Don’t you want to walk?”

Tyler glared. “I thought you were leaving.”

“No. I’m not. If you want to fire me, go right ahead. I can’t leave. I—”

Tyler softened and watched her for a moment. “Why can’t you leave?”

Rachel stiffened and righted the wheelchair. “Do you want me to get some clothes for you?”

“Sure.” Tyler watched her carefully; it made Rachel extremely self-conscious as if Tyler saw her inner struggle. “In the top drawer, just a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt.”

“Underwear?”

“I…um…don’t wear them much.” She hid her grin. Rachel turned bright red and handed her the jogging outfit. “I can dress myself, thanks.”

“If you need anything…”

“I know. Jean put you down the hall. If I need you,” she said and smiled, “I’ll scream.”

Rachel chuckled. “Understood. Well, I’ll leave you.” She smiled and left Tyler alone.

Chapter 3

Dinner was quiet and subdued. Rachel stole a glance at Tyler every now and then, watching her eat and drink several glasses of wine. Jean smiled at Rachel, giving her an encouraging wink. Afterward, Tyler said good night to all and wheeled down the hallway to her room.

Later, after Rachel had drifted off to sleep, someone shouting woke her; it sounded as if it came from Tyler’s room. She threw on her robe and dashed down the hall. She listened, then gently knocked. She heard mumbling as she opened the door.

There, in the moonlight, Tyler lay, thrashing about on the bed. Rachel ran over, sat on the edge, holding her shoulders.

“No…don’t. Karen...”

She was in a pool of sweat.

“Tyler, wake up,” Rachel whispered.

Tyler bolted up in bed. “No!” she screamed, grabbing Rachel.

Rachel pulled her close. “Shh, Tyler. It’s all right. It’s only a dream.”

She held Tyler until her breathing returned to normal, then gently pushed her back onto the pillows. She ran to the bathroom and got a cool cloth.

Tyler breathed deeply as Rachel sat on the edge of the bed; she felt her forehead before placing the cloth on Tyler’s brow.

Tyler gasped as the cool cloth made contact with her hot skin. Rachel ran the cloth over her face and neck, then down her arms. She then pulled the quilt up to her shoulders.

“Rachel?” Tyler asked in the darkness.

“Yes, Tyler. It’s all right.”

“Fucking dream,” she whispered and shifted under the covers. Rachel held her down and ran the cloth over her forehead.

“Just a dream,” she whispered.

Tyler mumbled something and drifted off to sleep. Rachel sat there for a while and listened to her deep breathing.

“I won’t let it happen again,” she promised herself quietly. She brushed the dark lock off Tyler’s forehead and gave Tyler one last look as she closed the door.

*******

Jean watched as the days turned into weeks while Tyler improved and healed under Rachel’s watchful eye. At times, they would be friendly and at odds with each other. Somehow, neither of them walked away or stayed angry for long, something for which Jean was extremely grateful—she really didn’t want to look for another nurse. And although their verbal sparring was lighthearted, Jean could sense an underlying irritation with Tyler for as much as she improved, Jean knew it was tedious for her.

During this time, Jean also watched Rachel, who at times appeared distant and quiet. Jean knew Tyler noticed, as well, when she saw her questioning glances. “There’s something going on in the nurse’s brain, that’s for sure,” Tyler had said one afternoon as she lay on the exercise machine and waited for Rachel.

“I don’t know what it could be.” Jean patted her on the shoulder. “Maybe you should ask her.”

“Are you nuts? She’ll bite my head off.”

“Oh, don’t be a ninny, for heaven’s sake.”

Tyler glared. “Ninny?”

“Who’s a ninny?” Rachel asked as she walked in.

Jean raised an eyebrow and glanced at Tyler. “Tyler. Have a good workout.”

Rachel laughed as Jean left. “And why are we a ninny?”

“We aren’t,” Tyler said. “My manager thinks she’s amusing.”

“She is.” Rachel glanced at Tyler’s chart. “Okay. How strong do you feel today, Sampson?”

Tyler laughed quietly. “Very funny. Put on ten more.”

Rachel raised an eyebrow. “That’s a bit much.”

Tyler looked up and winked. “I wanna show off.”

Rachel rolled her eyes and added the weight. She sat back and read her charts, desperately trying not to watch. Tyler’s biceps bulged slightly as she pressed the weight in continuous reps. As she started shaking, she did two more, then set the bar down with a clang.

“Done?” Rachel asked nonchalantly while Tyler gave a disappointed grunt. “Did you do more this time?” She looked up from the chart. “Leg time.”

Tyler glared at her. “I don’t feel like doing the legs now,” Tyler said with an air of petulance.

“Okay. I just thought last time you did five. Maybe you could do six. However, if you can’t, you can’t. Well, then
let’s—”

“Oh, all right, ya nag.” Tyler grumbled and painfully moved her legs by herself.

Rachel tried to busy herself with the leg machine. Actually, she marveled at Tyler’s physical strength; she was improving every day. Tyler slid over and leaned in the chair. Rachel helped her raise her legs.

“Okay, Tyler,” she said and smiled.

Tyler took a deep breath and pushed. Her legs shook as she tried to push. She got up to five and stopped, the sweat pouring from her face.

“Figures, you watch this,” Tyler mumbled.

Rachel hid her grin. Three more and she stopped again and took a deep painful breath.

“Two more,” Rachel encouraged her quietly.

Tyler took two deep breaths and grimaced as she pressed one more rep. She groaned painfully as she stopped.

“Enough,” Tyler said breathlessly and glanced up at Rachel, who shrugged disappointedly and turned. “If you’re gonna sulk all day...” Tyler took a deep breath. Her poor shaking legs ached and burned as she pumped not only one but two.

Rachel clapped and jumped up and down. Tyler, breathing heavily, glanced up at her and chuckled. “Enough?” She wiped the sweat pouring down her face.

Rachel knelt next to her; she took a towel and wiped off her face. “Magnificent.”

Tyler looked into Rachel’s hazel eyes as she handed Tyler the bottle of water. Tyler’s arms were actually shaking from the exertion. Rachel gently pushed her hands away and held the bottle of water up to her lips. Tyler eagerly gulped the water and pulled back, gasping as Rachel wiped off her chin.

“Perhaps that was a tad too much,” Rachel conceded and bit her bottom lip.

Tyler, still breathing heavily, chuckled. “Ya think?” She put her head back. “Now I could use the sauna.”

She helped Tyler in the wheelchair, and Tyler slowly wheeled herself over. “I’m as weak as a kitten. Last time I show off for Nurse Whitaker.”

Rachel chuckled as she walked by. She opened the door to the sauna and turned on the lava rocks. She put the wooden bucket of water and the ladle close to the bench.

“There, you’re all set.”

Tyler wheeled the chair to the bench and swung herself over. Rachel backed the chair out.

“Join me.” Tyler beckoned her back in.

“Oh, no. I’m fine.” Rachel shook her head.

“You need to relax. I hear you at night walking in your room. You don’t sleep much, do you?”

“I sleep just fine.  Now if you’ll excuse me.” Rachel started for the door.

“Wait, I’m sorry,” Tyler called out as the door closed.

Tyler sat on the bench; she stripped off her sports bra and shorts and ladled the water over the hot rocks. The steam soon filled the room as Tyler lay back and grabbed a towel; she rolled it and placed it under her head. Lying there naked, she felt the steam bake all her aches away as she flexed and stretched her legs. It felt heavenly, and she thanked God she could feel the moist heat up and down her body. There was a time, not too long ago, when she doubted she’d ever feel anything again.

She let out a contented moan and knew this would be good to help Rachel relax. She was all work and no play. Tyler meant nothing by her remarks.

She lifted her head. “Maybe she thought I meant something sexual by it.” Her head fell back with a thud; she closed her eyes and sighed. “I can’t say anything right anymore.”

*******

While Tyler was in the sauna, Rachel took the time to check Tyler’s chart; she flexed her neck and winced. “I could use a sauna.” She shook her head. That’s all I need is to be in a sauna with Tyler Cameron. She chuckled, then the bell rang, indicating the time was up before Tyler became a steamed lobster.

Rachel turned off the switch and opened the door. The steam dissipated, and Tyler lie motionless, her arm flung off the end of the bench.

“Oh, God!” Rachel rushed over to her. “Tyler!” she called and took her hand.

Tyler jumped and sat up. “What? What’s wrong?” She frantically looked around. “Geezus! You scared the shit out of me.” She ran her hand over her sweaty face. 

Rachel tried not to laugh. She handed her the bath towel, and Tyler snatched it out of her hands to cover herself.

“What’s so funny? Are you trying to give your patient a stinking heart attack?”

“I’m sorry. I saw you lying there not moving. I thought the steam was too much for your old heart,” she said with a smug grin.

Tyler shot her an angry look. If there was any steam in the room, Rachel could swear it was coming out of Tyler’s ears.

“Get my chair, will you?” Tyler said through clenched teeth.

“Yes, Miss Cameron,” Rachel said solemnly as she backed out of the room. “Whatever you wish, Miss Cameron.” She bowed all the way out of the room.

Tyler then took a deep breath and chuckled in spite of herself. “Smart ass, little…” she whispered and struggled into her robe. “Old heart, I’ll give her old.” She ran her fingers through her black hair. Streaks of gray were now evident lining her temples. “I’m only thirty-six. Though some days, I feel like fifty-six.” She flexed her shoulders and waited for her chariot. “And this is one of those days.”

Chapter 4

Tyler sat at her desk in the living room going through her mail, pleased she was sitting in the chair, not her wheelchair, which she eyed as it sat close by. She looked out the window to see Rachel aimlessly kicking the snow. Tyler watched her, wondering what Rachel’s life was like. She was a good nurse, Tyler thought, professional, and she had a way of putting Tyler in her place without pissing her off…sometimes.

“Mail call…” Jean said with a laugh. She placed a few more pieces of mail in front of Tyler. “How’re you feeling?”

“I’m fine,” Tyler said absently as she continued to watch Rachel. “She never answered the questions about her life.”

Jean followed her gaze and watched Rachel walking through the snow.

“I know. I feel bad for her, and I don’t know why.”

“All we know is she’s British, though she’s lived here most of her life.”

Jean nodded. “Her mother had moved back to England, and Rachel lived there for five years, I believe, taking care of her until she passed away.”

“This is how she spends her day off—walking. I suppose that isn’t too unusual, people do walk.” Tyler winced and looked down at her legs. The healing process was maddeningly slow. Every nerve begged for action, and Tyler tossed down the letter opener in disgust.

“Easy, sweetie. Since Rachel’s arrival, you’re doing so well so quickly.”

“Oh, I know. But fuck...” She painfully rubbed her legs, willing the muscles to work faster and harder for her. It was such a stupid accident. “Stupid fucking…” She cursed again, willing herself to forget the past. As if to help her along, she heard a thud on the window.

Both looked up to see Rachel throwing snowballs. All at once, Tyler started chuckling. “I’d love to be out there with her.”

“You would?” Jean asked with a grin.

“Shut up, Jean.” Tyler avoided the grin and beckoned Rachel to come in.

Rachel nodded as she laughed and walked to the door.

Tyler smiled, but when she saw the tears in Jean’s eyes, she frowned. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Jean wiped the tears away. “Nothing, you idiot. I just hope maybe with Rachel’s help you’ll forget the past.” She bent down and kissed the top of Tyler’s head. “Perhaps start over and break down the stone walls you’ve put up in your heart.”

Tyler grimaced, listening to the truth in Jean’s words. “You romantic old…” She pushed the chair away from the desk. “Help me, will you?” Though she didn’t wait as she hoisted herself out of the desk chair and into her wheelchair.

“You’re getting pretty good at that,” Jean said proudly.

“Rachel said I need my upper body strength built up before I can work more and put the weight on my legs…” Her voice trailed off. “Why doesn’t she go into town on her days off? I told her she could take the Jeep.”

“I know. I’ve offered to take her. I’ve offered Hank, though I wouldn’t want to get in a car with Hank, either,” she said seriously.

Tyler laughed. “I’m gonna have a talk with her. She needs to get out and see people.” Tyler wheeled herself to the bar and opened a beer.

Rachel came in and stamped her boots. “My, it’s a beautiful day. Cold but invigorating.” She took off her coat and gloves and looked up at both women. “H-hello. Is something wrong?”

Tyler put the beer between her legs and wheeled closer. She stopped and took a drink.

Rachel put her hands on her hips. “I thought we agreed no alcohol until you’re done with the day’s exercise.”

“No, you agreed to that. Besides, it’s your day off. So me too.” Tyler raised the beer. “Join me?”

Rachel shook her head. “No. I’m not much for drinking,” she said and stared off for a moment.

Tyler frowned watching her, as did Jean.

“Well, dinner will be ready in an hour. And it’s a good thing the cook will be back soon. I’d hate to kill you both with my cooking.” Jean walked out of the room.

“Rachel, come here.” Tyler wheeled over by the fire. “Sit down, please.”

Rachel sat on the couch and looked at Tyler. “What is it?” She adjusted her glasses.

Tyler smiled. Rachel Whitaker was not a typical beauty, whatever that was. She wasn’t really very attractive. Tyler corrected herself—at least not like the usual women Tyler had been associated with or had attached to her arm. Rachel Whitaker was an ordinary-looking woman. It was her eyes, though, Tyler thought. She had deep hazel eyes, and when she looked at you—as she was doing now—they seemed to cut right through you.

“Why don’t you go into town on your days off?” She took a drink of her beer.

Rachel chuckled and shook her head. “Because I don’t need to. I enjoy walking. It’s beautiful up here and I like it. So don’t worry about me. I’m a big girl and can take care of myself.”

“But do you?” Tyler asked quietly.

Rachel shot her a look and took a deep breath. “Yes. Now stop this nonsense,” she scolded and patted her leg. “I’ll get ready for dinner. Are you all right here?”

Tyler nodded and smiled. “Fine, thanks.” 

Rachel smiled and walked away. Tyler watched as she disappeared down the hall.

“Oh, Nurse Whitaker, you’re hiding behind those glasses.”

Chapter 5

A week later, Tyler was pumping off reps like wildfire. Sweating profusely, she tried to keep her mind off her...frustrations. During her paralysis, she naturally had no feeling between her legs. In the last five months, that was all she had, and frankly she was...frustrated.

In years past, a good heavy workout and an icy cold shower would do the trick on the rare occasion when she was without female companionship. Now between being around Lucia all the time and... For some reason, Rachel’s face popped into her mind. Rachel? She shook her head and continued to pump the bar over her head.

Grunting and sweating, she tried to work the sexual frustration out of her body. It was Rachel’s day off, and she took Tyler’s offer of the Jeep and drove into Stowe for the day. She would be pissed when she found out Tyler worked out alone. The idea of seeing Rachel annoyed had Tyler smiling as she pumped the bar.

Then it happened. The pain seared through her shoulder, and she cried out in pain, setting the bar down with a clang.

“What in the world are you doing?”

Tyler rolled her eyes when she heard Rachel’s voice. “Perfect, Nurse Whitaker,” she mumbled as she rubbed her shoulder.

Rachel threw off her coat and ran over to her, kneeling next to her. “Tyler,” she said angrily and pushed her hand away. “Let me see. What did you do?” She gently poked and prodded.

Tyler lay there, feeling stupid. “I just did one too many,” she said, looking at the ceiling.

“What are you doing down here by yourself?” Rachel looked around and smirked. “No Lucia? Who are you trying to impress?”

Tyler glared at her. “I’m not trying to impress anybody. I was just working off some...”

“Some what?” Rachel asked, completely confused.

Tyler looked at the innocent face and chuckled. “Some frustrations.” 

“Well, I could have helped,” Rachel said.

Tyler knew the color rushed to her cheeks. Rachel raised a worried eyebrow and felt her forehead. Now Tyler was really flushed as the ache grew.

“You’re all flushed. Are you feverish?”

Tyler laughed nervously, wishing she could walk—no run—to a cold shower. “Rachel. Please,” she said in a shaking voice; she then shivered violently.

“You’re sick,” Rachel exclaimed and grabbed a towel. She mopped Tyler’s face, then her arms and chest.

Tyler reached up and grabbed the elusive towel before she fainted. “I’m fine. Just get a water bottle from the fridge, please. It’s colder.”

Rachel came back with the bottle. Tyler took it and proceeded to pour it over her head, gasping at the icy water that dripped down her face.

“Aren’t you going to drink any?” Rachel asked, and Tyler laughed at her odd look.

“Right at this point in time, no. This is infinitely better. Trust me.”

Rachel’s eyes widened, then a hand nervously went to her neck as she understood. Now she blushed and Tyler smiled.

“Oh…”

“Oh, indeed,” Tyler agreed and struggled to sit up. Rachel helped her, then examined her arm again.

Tyler winced and grimaced as Rachel professionally poked and gently moved her arm in all directions. “Nothing broken, I don’t think anything is torn. We’ll see how you are tomorrow. You’re lucky,” she said seriously. “Okay. You need to lie down so I can check your back. Tyler,” she put a hand on her knee, “I wish you would have come to me.”

Tyler raised a curious eyebrow and grinned.

Rachel turned red. “What I meant was, I don’t want you to do this again. There’s got to be another way for you to work out your…”

Tyler raised the other eyebrow and continued grinning. Rachel closed her eyes and shook her head. “Forget it. You have a one-track mind. I’m only trying to help. As a nurse,” she said firmly, and Tyler laughed.

“I know you are. And I’m sorry. You’re just so much fun to play with,” she said, and Rachel chuckled, as well.

She got Tyler in bed and on her stomach. Pulling up her T-shirt, she gently manipulated the spine adjacent to the scar. “Good, no swelling,” she said, and Tyler noticed the relief in her voice. She lifted and turned over with Rachel’s help.

“You were really worried, weren’t you?” Tyler watched her.

“Of course I was. You’ve come so far. That’s what I was trying to get at earlier, you sex maniac. You have to be careful not to do too much. If swelling starts in your spine, that could be dangerous. You’ve got to go slow.”

Tyler reached up and took her hand. “I’m sorry. I’ll do whatever you say. If I piss you off, I won’t have anyone,” she said, trying to laugh, but in her heart, she knew that was true.

When Rachel saw the flash of loneliness on Tyler’s face, she sat on the bed. “I’ve been thinking…”

“Now, Rachel, you know what the doctors said about that.”

Rachel laughed. “Seriously, why don’t you have a party? Have some people over. I’ve been here for a month and you’ve had no friends stop by.”

From the curious look Tyler had, Rachel knew something was wrong. “What? Don’t tell me you don’t have any friends.”

“Amazing…” Tyler frowned, then chuckled sadly as she scratched her cheek. “I traveled in a certain circle.” She stopped and looked at Rachel. “Do you know who I am?”

Rachel gave her a curious look. As a psychiatrist would give a patient. “Y-yes... Do you know who you are?”

“Be serious. Doesn’t the name Tyler Cameron mean anything to you?”

“No,” she said honestly.

Tyler was stunned. This woman had no idea who she was. Yet she stayed here and helped her. There was no hidden agenda with Rachel Whitaker; she wanted nothing from Tyler but to see her walk again.

“Have you been out of the country?” Tyler asked.

“As a matter of fact, yes. As you know, I’ve been in England for five years. What’s going on?”

“Nothing, nothing. It’s just a little hard to believe. Don’t you read the tabloids?”

“That drivel? No, why?” Rachel gaped at Tyler. “Are you someone famous?”

Tyler laughed. “Infamous is more like it. Let’s forget it. Look, thanks for taking care of me today. I promise to find another way to work off frustrations. Now please get me some clothes, then get out of here and let me dress.”

*******

“Jean!” Tyler called as she wheeled herself into the log living room. “Jean!” she called again.

Jean ran from the kitchen. “Good heavens, stop bellowing!” She dried off her hands. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. Last week, Rachel had a great idea. I’m throwing a small party. I haven’t seen the gang in a while, and Rachel’s right. Since I’ve been up here, I haven’t seen a soul.”

Jean watched Tyler’s enthusiasm, and a pang of sadness rippled through her. It had not occurred to Tyler that not one of her “gang” had bothered to call and find out how Tyler was. They were a bunch of selfish, rich snobs who used Tyler, her name, and her money. Now Tyler wanted to have a party for them? This will not be good, Jean thought.

Tyler smiled and wheeled over to her. “I know what you’re thinking and you’re right. I just want to see who shows up and why. I want to know what’s going on and what I’ve got left to go back to when I get out of this wheelchair.”

“You’re playing a dangerous game, but then you always have. I only hope you don’t get hurt more than you already have been.” She kissed her cheek. “I’ll make the calls. I know who to call. I’ll take care of it.” She smoothed back the lock of hair from her forehead.

“I need to know, Jean. I need to know why.”

Jean knew she was talking about Amanda Henderson. “I know, dear.”

*******

“So what are you going to wear tonight? It’ll be very casual.” Tyler winced with pain.

Rachel massaged the new muscles, working from the calves up to her thighs. Tyler grimaced, trying not to let the pain overwhelm her.

“Answer my question.” Tyler grunted and bit her bottom lip when Rachel went to work on the other leg. “I think you enjoy this.”

“I’ll be in my room tonight.” Rachel worked the muscles.

Tyler shot her head up. “You will not. This was your idea. You’re going.” She cried out as Rachel lifted her leg higher. She fell back and took a deep breath.

Rachel then gently lowered her leg and rubbed the oil into her palms. She massaged Tyler’s thighs. Tyler watched her; she put her hands behind her head and grinned.

“You’re going.”

Rachel avoided her grin. “I am not.”

“Yes, you are.”

“No, I’m not.”

“I’ll fire you.”

“Go right ahead.” Rachel rubbed deeper, and Tyler let out an agonizing groan again. “I know it hurts, but it means you’ve got feeling.”

“I want you to be there, Rachel.” Tyler grabbed her oily hand.

“Don’t be silly. You’ll have too many people to be bothered with me.”

“Please?”

“Don’t turn on the charm with me, Tyler Cameron. Save it for Lucia or whoever else you have in mind tonight.”

“You sound angry,” Tyler said softly. “Why? This was your idea.”

When Rachel didn’t respond, Tyler let go of her hand and nodded. “Okay. You’re right. I apologize. You have your own life. Your job does not include socializing with me.” She sat up, swinging her legs off the edge of the table.

Rachel walked over to the desk and filled out the chart. Tyler didn’t wait for the help. She easily slipped into the wheelchair.

“Thanks. I feel great. The party starts at eight. So you can eat before that, then lock yourself in your room behind your glasses and your stone wall.” Tyler wheeled herself out the door.

*******

Rachel stared at the door, then tossed the pen down. She took off her glasses and angrily put them back on again and continued with Tyler’s chart. After cleaning up the gym, she went to her room. She was reading when she heard a knock at her door. “Come in.”

Jean poked her head in. “I’m not disturbing you?”

“Of course not.” Rachel put the book on the desk.

Jean sat on the bed and sighed. “So you’re not coming to the suicide?”

Rachel gaped at her. “The what?”

“Well, what else would you call it when you invite all the people who’ve turned their backs on you? I call that suicide.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If she knew, she’d kill me.” Jean looked at Rachel. “You don’t know Tyler Cameron. When she was a little girl, I swear she was born on skis. Every winter, right out there she would be on the slopes every day. In the summer, she’d be skiing behind any boat that would take her.” Jean laughed, and Rachel smiled as she listened to her, seeing the love in her eyes for Tyler. “Did she you tell you anything?”

“We’ve talked a bit. She told me about her love for skiing. How she was an Olympic hopeful.”

“Hopeful? It that how she put it?” Jean laughed sadly. “Yes, I suppose that’s how she’d explain it. My dear, Tyler Cameron was the leading and the youngest member of the Olympic team. Then the tabloids got wind of her sexuality and the fact that she had a fling with a ski instructor, a female ski instructor. The U.S. Olympic Committee didn’t deem it proper for an eighteen-year-old and an older woman to be part of the ‘Olympic’ spirit. So they cut her from the team. The instructor denied the whole affair and left Tyler hanging out to dry.”

Rachel was astonished. “She never told me that. What happened afterward?”

“She became completely disillusioned, even though she tried four years later. By then, she was older. Still better than most, but she had become hard and wild. So she turned pro. In the summer, she went from city to city, water skiing, taking chances that I, well, I couldn’t even watch. Many times, I threatened to quit being her manager.” She laughed then. “But I could never do that. I’ve known that idiot all her life. Oh, but she scared me. She had no fear. The more dangerous, the more money, the more thrills. It was as if she was chasing some demon. She never got hurt. She had her bumps and bruises but never a serious injury. At thirty, she made more money, and through a few endorsements, for which I shall take credit, she has done all right for herself. You’re wearing the sneakers she endorsed.”

Rachel stared down at the shoes. “No!” she said in awe.

Jean laughed. “That’s one of the reasons I hired you. You had no clue who she was. You’ve stayed because you want to help, not because she’s Tyler Cameron. You care, don’t you?”

“Yes, yes, I do,” she said in her quiet British accent, looking at her hands. “Who are these people coming tonight?”

Jean took a deep sad breath. “Tyler calls them ‘the gang’ for lack of a better word. For the last five years or so, Tyler surrounded herself with a fast crowd. They played hard, and Tyler worked hard, then played hard. She would laugh when I got mad at her for lowering herself to them. She’d kiss my head and tell me to quit nagging. The truth was, Tyler was looking for someone. Someone to love, I think. Someone real. She’d call me an old romantic, but she’s the one who reads poetry.”

“They have something to do with this accident, don’t they? Why haven’t any of them come around to see her? I haven’t seen one friend. Not one phone call and not one visitor. What kind of friends are they?” Rachel asked angrily.

Jean smiled. “They’re not, though Tyler is just now seeing that. It’s almost as if she thinks she deserves to be shunned. It’s a little hard to watch, but I’m afraid it’s going to be ugly tonight. And I think Tyler knows it...” She watched Rachel for a moment.

Rachel stood and opened her closet. “Just how informal is this suicide?”

Jean walked up behind her and kissed her head. “Thank you, child. You’re a good friend.”

“W-well, Tyler is my patient, and I’m being paid to take care of her,” she said, avoiding the grin on Jean’s face.

*******

Tyler sat in her wheelchair drinking a glass of wine, staring out at the darkness. The moon was coming up, and soon the moonlight would make the snow look like a thousand little shimmering diamonds. This was a mistake, she thought. However, she had to do it and purge it out of her system for the last time.

With that, the doorbell rang, and Tyler’s stomach churned nervously. She wheeled around and started for the door. Rachel came down the hall.

“I’ll get it,” she called and walked toward the door, avoiding the stupefied Tyler.

“Well, who are you? I’m looking for Ty...” a familiar voice called out, and Tyler wheeled closer to the door, still staring gratefully at Rachel.

“You’ve got a guest.” Rachel motioned to the door.

Tyler blinked and looked. “Amanda.” She smiled, wheeling closer.

Rachel raised an eyebrow and stepped back. The tall lanky blonde in a fur jacket squealed as she ran to Tyler and hugged her. Amanda kissed her deeply and sat on her lap.

Rachel raised the other eyebrow and closed the door. She turned to walk down the hall when she heard Tyler’s voice.

“Rachel, wait, please. This is Amanda Henderson. Mandy, this is Rachel,” Tyler said.

Amanda extricated herself from Tyler’s lap and offered her hand. “Nice to meet you. Are you visiting?”

Rachel looked her in the eye. “No, I’m Miss Cameron’s nurse,” she said and let go of her hand.

Amanda raised an eyebrow and gave Rachel the once-over, to which Rachel took extreme exception. “Nurse? Why, you don’t look old enough to be a nurse.”

Tyler watched Rachel and noticed her left eye was twitching. Uh-oh, she thought.

“Child genius?” Amanda cooed sarcastically.

“No. Idiot savant,” Rachel said dryly.

Tyler laughed, thoroughly amused, then abruptly stopped. “Mandy, come here and tell me what’s been happening.” Tyler reached up and pulled on the back of her fur coat. 

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hendricks,” Rachel said sweetly.

“Henderson,” Amanda corrected her.

Rachel bowed slightly, then walked away. “I’ll see how Jean is doing.” Rachel rolled her eyes.

Tyler still chuckled as she turned back to Amanda.

“You look great.” Amanda sat by the fire.

“Thanks. Help yourself to the bar.” Tyler watched as Amanda rubbed her hands together, then poured the vodka over ice and took a healthy drink.

“Ah. I needed that. So tell me…how is the rehab going?”

Rachel came out with a bucket of ice and a couple of bottles of wine. “Don’t let me interrupt,” she said kindly and walked behind the bar.

“You’re not, dear.” Amanda sat next to Tyler. “I missed you.” She leaned over and kissed her again.

Tyler pulled back and chuckled. “I guess so. Well, have you talked to anyone? I haven’t seen you or anyone else since…” Tyler asked, and mercifully, the doorbell rang.

Rachel started, and Tyler reached over and took her hand. “Lucia can get it. You’re off the clock,” Tyler said quietly.

Rachel nodded and sat next to her in the big chair by the roaring fire. 

Amanda watched the exchange, then drained the contents of her drink. “Rachel, can you get me another drink?”

Rachel rose, and Tyler glared at Amanda. “Rachel is not a maid. You know where the bar is. I can’t imagine you’ve forgotten.”

Amanda seethed for a moment, then softened. She walked past Tyler and ran her fingers along the base of her neck. “I remember everything, do you?” she asked in a low voice.

Tyler raised an eyebrow and glanced at Rachel.

Within an hour, all the guests had arrived. All young, all rich—all drinking. Some obviously had done more than drink before they came. They all asked the same questions: “How’ve you been, Ty?” and “When are you getting out of that wheelchair?”

Tyler answered them as they laughed and joked. Rachel noticed Tyler wasn’t drinking as much. She looked sad and lonely, and all at once, Rachel’s heart ached for her. Why would she put herself through this? She glanced over at Jean, who was standing in the background probably thinking the same thing.

“Well, Ty. What say we get rid of all these people? You and I have a little catching up to do,” Amanda whispered in her ear as she sat in her lap. She gently moved her hips against Tyler. “Can you feel that?”

Tyler looked at her, trying to fondly remember something, anything about Amanda. She just nodded.

“Good.” Amanda kissed her deeply.

“Well, some things never change,” one young man said and raised his glass. “You two were the hottest thing in Aspen last year.”

“And in Tahoe and Vail and…” the other woman said.

Rachel seethed as she watched while they all laughed stupidly because they were all stupidly drunk. How long is Tyler going to do this?

As they laughed, Tyler watched them. “How long would you have waited to contact me if I didn’t call you?” she asked in a low voice that stopped all the laughter.

Rachel and Jean smiled at each other, then sat back. Jean leaned into her. “Shall I get the popcorn?”

Rachel nodded and whispered, “Extra butter on mine.”

“Amanda darling, get off,” Tyler said rudely.

Amanda quickly removed herself from Tyler’s lap. And stood by the others.

“Ty, you know how it is. After the accident... We...” the young man stammered and looked to the others for help.

“There was too much publicity,” the young woman said.

Tyler gave her a surprised look. “Too much? There were times when you loved to have your picture in the tabloids with me. My God, how many times did we read that crap, knowing none of it happened but we laughed it off? How much money did I shell out to keep the truth out of the papers for you, Amanda? Or you, Trevor? Your little cocaine habit would have ruined you and your New England family,” Tyler said evenly and took a long drink of wine.

“Too much publicity or the wrong kind...” Tyler said quietly and watched all of them.

“Be reasonable,” Trevor said. “This was a little much. That girl died…”

Rachel gasped openly and put a hand to her mouth. Jean reached over and grabbed her hand.

Tyler’s face dropped. She turned white as she stared at her glass. “Yes. Yes, she did, and not a moment goes by that I don’t think about it. As if I could.” She banged on the arm of the wheelchair. “This won’t allow me to!”

“It was unfair what the papers did to you. But...”

Tyler looked at her. “But what, Jennifer? That’s just the way it goes? Did it ever occur to any of you to tell the truth? To admit your culpability in this fucking mess?” She looked around the room at the sad array before her.

“You wanted to ski that day,” Trevor said.

“Yes, and I wished to God someone told me she had taken those drugs. She was already on the slopes. Why? Why didn’t any of you tell me?” They all sat there drinking and saying nothing. “You let her get on skis.”

“You should talk. You were always doing crazy shit.”

“Yes. I was. Not you, not any of you. I never allowed any of you near the dangerous risks I took. What happened? Did you all get drunk, have a nice orgy, and let that poor kid go?”

Amanda grunted rudely. “She wanted you. That’s why she did it. She wanted to be like the great Tyler Cameron,” she said and sat back on the couch.

Tyler stared at her in disbelief. “You let her go, knowing she was drinking and taking your fucking drugs and...” She stopped and rubbed her forehead.

Rachel made a move to go to her, and Jean held her hand and shook her head.

All at once, Tyler looked older than her years. She wheeled herself back as if to get out of their reach.

“Get out of my house,” she said firmly, and when they all looked at each other and didn’t move, Tyler yelled, “Get the fuck out now!”

They all stood quickly. Jean and Rachel walked over to the door. Rachel opened the closet and handed each of them their coats.

“Thank you, goodbye. Thank you, goodbye,” Rachel said to each.

“Don’t let the door hit you in the ass,” Jean said sweetly as Rachel ushered them out the door.

When Amanda turned and started to say something, Rachel slammed the door in her face and dusted off her hands.

“Pest control.” She shook hands with Jean. They looked over at Tyler, who had the bottle of wine in hand, pouring another glass. She downed one glass and poured another as she stared at the flames.

Jean cleared away the debris and motioned Rachel to go to Tyler. Rachel sat on the ottoman in front of her, and Tyler looked up through teary eyes. She smiled slightly.

“Thank you for witnessing the slaughter.” She drank yet another glass and poured another. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you. You looked nice tonight, prettiest one of the bunch. Sorry, that’s not saying much, but you know what I mean.” 

She raised her glass and drank it. Rachel winced and reached for the bottle.

Tyler held it out of her reach. “Ah-ah… Get your own.”

“It’s late,” Rachel said softly.

“Yes, it is,” Tyler mumbled and stared at the flames. “So now you know Tyler Cameron. You should have stayed in England.” She looked up at Rachel. “Is it nice there? I’ve never been. ‘Oh to be in England, now that spring is here.’” She recited in a British accent, and Rachel chuckled quietly. 

“It’s ‘Oh to be in England now that April’s there.’ If you’re going to quote Shelley.”

“You little dope, it’s Robert Browning. What kind of an Englishwoman are you anyway?” Tyler slurred her words; she leaned forward in her wheelchair. She continued to lean forward, and Rachel gently pushed her back.

“Thank you.” Tyler raised her glass, finishing the bottle. She shook the empty wine bottle. “Now that’s sad.” She sighed and tossed the bottle on the couch. She whirled the wheelchair around, knocking the magazines off the coffee table, wheeled over to the bar, and grabbed another bottle.

“Tyler,” Rachel started.

Tyler glared at her as she opened the bottle. “Join me,” she said, then waved her hand. “Sorry. You don’t drink. How come?” 

Jean had come in and sat unnoticed on the couch.

“I had a bad experience with it once, and I’ve never…”

Tyler watched her. “Tell me,” she whispered.

Rachel just sat there, looking down at her hands. Tyler smiled sadly and glanced over to the couch. “Jean, my love. Come drink with me...”

Jean shook her head. “You’re on your own here, Romeo.” 

Tyler let out a genuine laugh. “I love this woman,” she said to Rachel as she swayed in her wheelchair. “Is the brake on this thing? I feel like I’m aboard ship. Now tell me...”

“Another time,” Rachel whispered.

“Stone walls,” Tyler mumbled.

Jean and Rachel rushed to her before she fell on the floor. Between the two of them, they got Tyler to her room and on the side of the bed; she was mumbling as they stripped her sweater off. She fell back, and they got her shoes off, then slacks.

“She really doesn’t wear underwear,” Rachel said, and both women laughed as they pulled the quilt over her.

“Or pajamas.” Jean stretched her back. “God, she’s deadweight.”

“She’ll have one achy head tomorrow.” Rachel flipped off the light and closed the door.

*******

Rachel lay in bed staring at the ceiling not believing what happened that night. Were there such people in the world? She wanted to know exactly how the young woman died and how Tyler was nearly paralyzed because of it.

Then she thought of Tyler asking her to have a drink. Her mind desperately tried not to go back to that night. The night for which she had never forgiven herself.

Dreams invaded her sleep all night. She tossed and turned and finally got up and paced her room as she’d done nearly every night. Tyler knew it, and Rachel wondered how many nights Tyler lay awake hearing her pace the floor. For some reason, it became comforting to her to know that Tyler was awake and thinking about her.

She crept out into the hall and down to Tyler’s room to check on her. She opened the door and peeked in. To her amazement, Tyler was sitting on the side of the bed.

“What’s wrong?”

Tyler grabbed the sheet to cover her. “I think I’m gonna be sick,” she said, and Rachel ran into her bathroom and got a wastebasket and sat next to her. “Sorry about this.” 

“Don’t be silly. Go ahead if you need to,” she said softly and ran her hand up and down her back, once again amazed at the strong muscles beneath the soft skin. After a few moments, the wave of nausea left.

Tyler shuddered at the feel of Rachel’s soft caresses on her back. “Rachel?”

“Yes?”

“I’m either going to yak or attack you if you don’t stop touching me like that,” Tyler said honestly and wiped her forehead.

Rachel laughed nervously. “Well, I’m not sure which I’d rather have you do.”

Tyler shot her a look, and in the darkness, Rachel could feel her watching her. Rachel’s hand was still on her shoulder. Tyler took the wastebasket out of her hand and set it on the floor, then turned and placed her hand on Rachel’s waist.

“Y-you’re still drunk.” Rachel slipped off the bed. Tyler looked up at her, and in the moonlight, Rachel could see the wanting look in her eyes. “Get some sleep. You had a busy night,” she said softly and pushed Tyler back against the pillows. She lifted her legs and covered her, once again placing the wastebasket next to the bed. “Just in case.”

Tyler chuckled, and as Rachel turned to go, Tyler reached up, took her hand, and gently held it. “Thank you for tonight. It meant a great deal to me,” she whispered and closed her eyes.

Rachel placed her hand under the quilt and patted her bare shoulder. “I was glad to do it. Good night.”

Chapter 6

In the weeks to follow, Tyler made remarkable strides. She stood longer each day. Her legs grew stronger, and she worked on her upper body to make sure she could support her weight when the time came that she could try to walk.

Rachel and Jean were amazed. Tyler’s mood was better since the suicide dinner party. Amanda Henderson tried to call several times. Tyler talked to her but never saw her.

Then one afternoon, Amanda came unannounced. Tyler was in the gym, once again painfully working on her legs. Rachel had her leg stretched out and lifted. Tyler was sweating and swearing at her, and Rachel was yelling back. It was a typical day of rehab.

“My, this is a pretty sight,” Amanda’s voice called out sweetly.

Rachel turned, and Tyler lifted her head off the table.

“Amanda,” Tyler exclaimed.

Rachel groaned and pushed Tyler’s head back down on the table with a small thud. “Ouch.” Tyler groaned.

Rachel glared down at her. “We’re not through, Miss Hendricks. Give us a few minutes,” Rachel called and stretched Tyler’s leg again. Again, Tyler yelled out in pain.

“Shit! Do I look like a wishbone?” she bellowed and gritted her teeth.

“No, but you do remind me of a cousin of mine who’s in the circus,” Rachel said lightly and grinned. Tyler glared at her, then winced again.

“Miss Whitman.”

“Whitaker.”

“Whatever. Do you have to hurt her like that?” Amanda stood next to the table and placed a hand on Tyler’s shoulder.

“Yes, I’m afraid I enjoy inflicting pain. Miss Cameron enjoys receiving it. We’re very compatible that way. A little daily S&M...” Rachel gently lowered her leg.

Tyler had her eyes closed and counted to ten. This was a daily ritual. She didn’t know if she wanted to laugh at Rachel’s joke or strangle her.

“Amanda, what are you doing here?” Tyler knew Amanda noticed the gray sports bra and gray spandex shorts. Her body was completely saturated with sweat; Tyler saw Amanda’s pupils dilate. She remembered that look very well. Instantly, her thigh muscles tightened.

“Well, you won’t talk to me over the phone, so…I need to talk to you. Alone, if that’s possible.” She looked at Rachel.

“Of course it’s possible. I’ll be back in twenty minutes for your rubdown.” Rachel scribbled on her chart.

“I can give her a rubdown.” Amanda grinned at Tyler.

Rachel looked up over her glasses. “Miss Hendricks.”

“Henderson.”

“Whatever. You may take care of Miss Cameron’s...needs anyway you two please. However, I’ll take care of the rehab of her body as I please. Do not go near her back or legs. The rest of her is fair game,” she said dryly and snapped the chart closed.

Now Tyler watched Rachel, and her mouth went dry. In almost one excruciating year, Tyler Cameron had known no woman. Now she had one woman who wanted her body and the other who wanted to take care of her body. She needed a cold shower quickly.

As Rachel walked out, Tyler tried to fight the wave of emptiness she felt. Amanda put a hand under her chin and turned Tyler’s face to her.

“Let me get up,” Tyler said.

Amanda lowered her head and kissed her deeply. Tyler sighed helplessly as she felt Amanda’s tongue invade her mouth. Amanda pulled back, and Tyler groaned breathlessly. “I’ve missed this.” Amanda’s hand wandered over and cupped her breast.

Tyler moaned and arched her back. “Mandy, wait.” Tyler sighed, and Amanda kissed her again as her hand roughly caressed her breast through the fabric of Tyler’s bra. 

“I’m gonna fuck you right here on this table,” Amanda whispered in her ear as she sensually licked her lobe and nibbled. Her hand quickly lifted the bra, and Tyler gasped at the feeling of her breast being touched once again. Amanda lowered her head, took the aching nipple into her mouth, and sucked. Tyler stifled a cry, then realized what was happening and with whom.

“Mandy, no.” Tyler tried to push her off.

Amanda looked up and pinned her arms over her head. Tyler sighed as Amanda continued to suck hard on her breast. Tyler wrenched her arms free. She pushed Amanda away and held her away from her.

She took a deep breath. “No. I’m sorry. It’s not the same anymore. Too much has happened.”

On the other side of the door, Rachel had just walked up with towels in hand. She heard Tyler talking, and Rachel felt like she was eavesdropping, which she was, but she listened anyway.

“Is this about Karen? Look, she was a user. She just wanted your money. To ride on the coattails of the great Tyler Cameron.”

Tyler struggled and sat up, swinging her tired legs over the side of the table. She pulled her bra over her breast. Amanda smiled, but Tyler did not.

“And that makes her different from you…how?” Tyler asked rudely.

That was when Rachel heard the smack. She pushed open the door and saw Amanda try to slap Tyler again. Tyler caught her hand in midslap and pushed her back.

“How dare you say something like that to me? After I came over here to...” She stopped and let out a rude laugh.

“To what? Why did you come over here?” Tyler asked, completely confused.

Rachel stood there unnoticed. She saw the red mark on Tyler’s face; the corner of her mouth was bleeding.

“Because you looked so pathetic at that dinner party. I know it’s been a long time for you. I thought I would...ease your frustration, but I should have known you would not go without for long. So you don’t want me? You must be fucking your nurse. Does that bitch make you come as good as I did?”   

Tyler saw red. “Don’t you ever talk like that about her again. She’s worth more than ten of you and me.” Tyler growled angrily, then lunged for her. Amanda screamed and sidestepped her as Tyler fell on the floor, hitting her head on the chair.

Amanda knelt beside her as Rachel ran over and yanked her away. “Get out. Don’t you ever come back here or I’ll call the police.” She pushed Amanda out the door. “I mean it.”

Tyler groaned and lifted herself on her outstretched arms.

“Tyler, lie back for a moment, please,” Rachel implored, and she ran to the phone and called to the kitchen.

Hank and Jean rushed in, and Hank gently picked up Tyler, carried her to her room, and deposited her on the bed. Jean came out of the bathroom with the antiseptic and first aid. Tyler’s head was bleeding as was the corner of her mouth.

She groaned and opened her eyes, then blinked. “What happened?” She put a hand to her forehead.

Rachel angrily pushed her hand down. “Lie still,” she said loudly.

Tyler gaped at her but said nothing. Rachel cleaned the small cut on her forehead, and Tyler winced as she dabbed it with the cotton ball, then did the same for the cut on her mouth.

“Roll over,” she said without emotion and helped Tyler painfully lie on her stomach.

Rachel pressed the lower portion of her back, and Tyler cried out in pain. “Ice, Jean, bags of it.”

“Rachel.” Tyler tried to raise her head, and Rachel gently pushed her back.

“Please lie still. Your back is a bit swollen. You need ice.” She picked up the phone to call the doctor. After explaining, she hung up. Jean came back in with the ice bags, and Rachel laid them up and down Tyler’s back. Tyler gasped as the ice touched her skin.

“This should work better than any cold shower, Miss Cameron,” Rachel said against her ear.

Tyler groaned again. “Not near enough, Nurse Whitaker.”

“The doctor prescribed some anti-inflammatory for the swelling. You stay put and don’t move,” she said firmly, and Tyler just nodded.

She walked out in a huff and slammed the door. Tyler winced, and Jean sat on the bed next to her.

“Okay, tell Mama how you pissed off yet another nurse.”

Tyler groaned helplessly.

Chapter 7

Tyler explained about Amanda, and Jean listened, shaking her head. “You and your hormones.”

Tyler chuckled. Still lying on her stomach, she felt her back was frozen. She tried to move, and Jean stopped her.

“Are you mad? Do you want Rachel back in here? Now why did you stop Amanda? Not that I’m complaining, believe me.”

“I don’t know. She arouses me well enough. I mean, it’s been almost a fucking year,” she said loudly.

Jean winced and patted her shoulder. “The ice not working?”

Tyler lifted her head slightly and chuckled. “I realized there was too much that went on. Too much that I can’t forget...”

“How did you get that cut on your lip?”

“Oh, she smacked me.”

“Why?”

Tyler explained, and Jean interrupted her. “How did you wind up on the floor?”

Tyler shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t remember.”

Jean rolled her eyes. “Nice try. Give.”

“She made a comment about Rachel,” she mumbled into her pillow.

“Really? What did she say?”

Tyler explained once again, and Jean raised a happy eyebrow. “Well, in the old days, Amanda would be right. Why get so angry now?”

Rachel opened the door, and Jean motioned her to be quiet. Rachel stood there, confused but quiet.

“Rachel isn’t like that. She’s a good solid woman. When Amanda said that about her, I didn’t want anyone to think I was, well, I didn’t want them to link Rachel with me. She’s better than that. She’s good and kind. Rachel will do her job because she’s a good decent person. Then she’ll leave and be done with this mess. If Amanda feels scorned enough, she may try to do something. You know how she is. I won’t have that happen to Rachel. Anyway, I lost my temper and lunged for the bitch,” she said flatly, and Jean chuckled.

“Which is why you’re in the state you’re in,” Rachel said, and Jean stood.

Jean raised an eyebrow and backed up. She had not seen Rachel as angry as she was. “Well, you two can fight like cats and dogs when in the gym. But I have a feeling there’s another reason for your anger, Rachel.” She looked at the dumbfounded face and laughed. “You two have been skirting around each other for months. I’ll leave you two to whatever mayhem you’re going to commit.” Jean walked out, closing the door.

“I’m sorry, Rachel. She just got me riled. It was nothing,” Tyler said, and Rachel smiled as she watched her.

“You’re a good woman, Tyler Cameron,” she whispered and kissed her head.

Tyler smiled and sighed. “You’re not angry anymore?”

“No. Now let’s get you turned over. I think you’re pretty well frozen.” She took the ice bags away.

Tyler turned over, biting her bottom lip as Rachel straightened her legs, then adjusted the pillow behind her head. Tyler looked into her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Rachel’s face was close as she continued with the pillow, and Tyler couldn’t help herself. She reached up and pulled Rachel into her arms and simply kissed her.

Rachel gasped and tried to pull away, but Tyler’s strong arms held her close. For an instant, Rachel’s body slackened, and she returned Tyler’s kiss.

The electricity shot through both of them as Rachel felt her nipples immediately harden. She pulled back quickly and stood. Tyler lightly licked her lips.

“You…” Rachel cleared her throat. “You are a bold one, Miss Cameron.”

“That was a pretty powerful kiss. Did you feel the jolt I felt?” Tyler put her hands behind her head.

“I did not. You egotistical sex maniac,” Rachel said loudly. 

“I think you’re lying.” Tyler grinned slightly. “You…um…you kissed me back, you know.”

Rachel sputtered and turned red; her hand nervously crept up to her neck.

“Ice?” Tyler offered the bag with a grin.

Rachel chuckled nervously. “I’ll be back,” she said when her voice came back. She took the ice and walked out.

Standing on the other side of the door, Rachel fanned herself and placed the ice bag against her neck. “Good Lord,” she exclaimed in her soft accent.

Tyler lay there and grinned, her hands clasped behind her head. Then she reached over, picked up the other bag of ice, plopped it between her legs, and sighed.

*******

For the next week, Rachel and Tyler were polite and cordial to each other. Jean was sick to her stomach watching them avoiding the obvious. Rachel never mentioned the kiss. Tyler wanted to talk about, but Rachel avoided the issue.

It was April, and with the snow gone, the sun warmed the days. Opening the windows, Tyler took a whiff. Spring was definitely here. She wheeled herself to Rachel’s room and knocked. Rachel opened the door and yawned.

“What’s wrong?” she asked anxiously.

Tyler smiled at her worried face. “Nothing. It’s your day off.”

“I know, hence the sleepy appearance,” Rachel said dryly.

Tyler grinned sheepishly, and Rachel noticed how this woman could look like a child at the drop of a hat.

“How about a picnic?”

Rachel groaned, walked back, and got into bed, pulling the covers over her. “Good day, Miss Cameron...” she mumbled, and Tyler wheeled her chair into her room and next to her bed. Rachel opened one eye and groaned again.

For an unknown reason, Tyler reached over and brushed the auburn hair off her forehead. Rachel sighed and smiled slightly, and Tyler grinned again.

She then put the brake on her wheels, lifted herself, and plopped down on the edge of Rachel’s bed. “I’m so sorry I taught you how to maneuver that thing,” Rachel said. “You won’t go away, will you?”

“In a minute. Now we’re going on a picnic. You and me, this afternoon. I’ll work out early...”

“Not by yourself…”

“Not by myself, then we’ll go. So go back to sleep,” she whispered, and Rachel nodded. “You still don’t sleep at night. You know, I’m awake some nights, too. If you want, you can come and talk to me. I’m a good listener...” Tyler kissed her cheek. Her lips lingered for a moment longer, and Rachel sighed and fell back to sleep.

For a moment, Tyler sat on the edge of the bed and watched her sleep, listening to the quiet breathing as her breasts followed the cadence. Tyler had never seen anyone quite so lovely before.

*******

Hank helped Tyler into the passenger seat, though she didn’t need much. Her legs grew stronger every day. He placed all the necessities in the backseat for the picnic, and Rachel drove down the wooded road.

“Okay, I have no idea where we’re going,” Rachel said, and Tyler offered directions. Finally, she pulled off a little road that wound and wound through the woods. Then a lake came into view, and Rachel stopped the car.

“This is beautiful...” Rachel exclaimed, and Tyler agreed.

Rachel was happily surprised to see Tyler hoisting herself out of the car and actually leaning on the door when Rachel came around with the wheelchair. “You’re amazing. But don’t do too much.”

“Oh, don’t worry so much.” Tyler plopped herself down. Rachel loaded the basket and huge blanket on her lap and pushed.

“God, you’re heavy.”

“It’s all muscle, baby.” Tyler leaned her head backward to see her. Rachel looked down at her, and Tyler winked. “Kiss me...” she whispered.

Rachel rolled her eyes. “No, we have no ice.” She pushed the wheelchair as Tyler directed and navigated.

When Tyler found the right spot, Rachel spread out the huge blanket and put the basket on one corner. Then she helped out Tyler, who did a good amount of it on her own, though she was breathless and sweating when she finally situated herself in a sitting position, her back against a huge oak tree. She closed her eyes, lifted her head to the sun, and sighed happily. “God, I love to be outside.”

“I do, as well. You should come to England someday,” Rachel said as she opened the basket. “Hmm. Goodness, there’s a feast here.”

She tossed an apple to Tyler, who took a healthy bite and gazed at her surroundings. “I love this spot…” She sighed and took another crisp bite.

Rachel glanced at her as she fixed the plates. “I’m sure all the women love it, too,” she assured Tyler, who frowned.

“I don’t know. I’ve never brought anyone else here,” Tyler said quickly and tossed the apple core into the woods.

Rachel glanced again. “And why not? Seems to be a nice romantic setting.” She handed her the bottle of wine to open. Tyler took it without a word and opened it, took a glass from Rachel, and poured one for each of them.

“I grew up here, and when I found this spot, it became special to me. I guess I was waiting for a special person to show it to.” She ate a piece of cheese, then shrugged.

Rachel looked down at her plate, not knowing what to say. “Tyler...”

“Skip it,” she said and smiled. “Let’s eat.”

They ate in silence as Rachel looked around. “It is a nice spot. Thank you for bringing me here.” She took the empty plate from Tyler. In doing so, she kissed her cheek. “I do thank you.”

Tyler smiled and took a deep breath. “Friends again?”

Rachel smiled. “Friends again. Now we can get back to arguing over your rehab.”

“Rachel, I know you think I’m this big flirt. Well, I was, I guess. But I have to tell you, and you can take this and do whatever you want with it,” she started. Rachel watched her and waited, her big hazel eyes staring curiously and her auburn hair shimmering in the sunlight. Tyler took a healthy gulp from her glass.

“I’m attracted to you. I can’t help myself, and believe me, I’ve tried. I was just wondering… Maybe you... Maybe you’re attracted to me too, a little?” Tyler felt like a teenager on her first date. My God, how long ago was that?

Rachel sat back on her heels, looking at her hands. “I…I do like you. But I don’t think it’s the same way you like me.”

Tyler’s heart sank, and Rachel knew it. Then Tyler looked at her and studied her for a moment.

“You said you don’t think it’s the same. But you don’t know for sure?”

“Well, I...”

“We’ve never talked about it, but tell me you didn’t feel anything in that kiss. Tell me that and I’ll never bother you again.” Tyler took her hand. “Look at me.”

Rachel looked into those gray eyes and could not deny it.

“I did feel something. However...” She let out a small cry, and Tyler reached over and pulled her close, kissing her tenderly.

Both sighed as the kiss sent their heads spinning. Tyler pulled back first, knowing she needed to stop right then and there.

She let Rachel go, and Rachel stared at her. “What is it?” Tyler asked.

“It’s been so long for me. I need to...” She stopped and turned red, and Tyler took her hand.

“Hey,” Tyler whispered. “It’s been a while for me, too. So what do you say we go as fast or as slow as you want? This was a good start,” she said honestly, and Rachel nodded and grinned.

“It was, wasn’t it?”

“Oh, yeah...” Tyler patted the blanket next to her. Rachel shyly scooted over, sat next to her, and leaned against the tree, as well. Tyler did not touch her.

“Tell me about your life. I know so little.” Tyler handed her a glass of wine, which she barely touched. Tyler felt a little alcoholic; she’d had two.

Rachel hesitated and looked out at the lake in front of them. Tyler waited as she glanced her way. She picked up a few acorns and absently tossed them into the woods. Rachel struggled and Tyler waited; she would wait forever.

“Were you born in England?” she asked quietly.

“No. Here in the States. I’m an American, though I’ve lived in England for quite a while off and on…” Her voice trailed off as she picked at a loose string on the blanket.

“Your folks are English?”

“My mother, yes. She was pregnant with me when she came over here.”

“And your father?”

“I don’t know who my father was,” Rachel said in a small voice, and Tyler glanced at her. “My mother never remarried. We lived with relatives in Boston. Then we moved to England, and I was educated there and went to nursing school. I made good money, and when I was going to take her back to Boston, she took ill. Cancer... I took care of her until...she died,” she said quietly.

Only then did Tyler reach over and take her small warm hand in her own. She noticed the hesitation in Rachel’s voice and the faraway look.

“I’m sorry,” Tyler said sincerely.

Rachel patted her hand but said nothing for a moment. “That was almost a year ago. Seems like an eternity.” She sighed heavily, and all at once, she looked exhausted. “I’ve got a little home there. Soon, when you’re walking and fit, I have to go back. There are a few loose ends.”

“Let’s not talk about leaving yet, okay?” Tyler asked as the words stuck in her throat.

They sat next to each other for another hour or so not talking, sometimes not touching. They were getting used to each other, and the comfortable silence they shared that afternoon was a good beginning.

Tyler felt as though there was something Rachel wasn’t telling her. The stone wall was crumbling bit by bit, but it still stood. Tyler knew all about stone walls.

Chapter 8

“You’re sure?” Tyler asked, and Jean nodded.

“Yes, for the umpteenth time. Her birthday is June 11. Why?” she asked, and Tyler grinned.

“That gives me roughly sixty days,” she said absently as she thought.

“Sixty days to do what?”

“Take my first step toward the woman I love.”

Jean gaped at her, then put her hand to her heart. “No! You and Rachel?”

Tyler shook her head. “Don’t. Rachel needs to go slow if there’s a chance for us. She needs to do it at her pace. I don’t want to rush this.”

Jean raised a devilish eyebrow. “We’re gonna need more ice, aren’t we?”

Tyler groaned and just nodded.

*******

Tyler worked like a fiend. She never trained this hard for the Olympic trials. She was relentless, in the gym whenever she could sneak away. And in the meantime, she and Rachel became closer. They were kissing in the gym, in the hallway, the living room, and the kitchen. Tyler was in heaven, and now Rachel needed the ice.

“I can’t believe how well you’re doing.” Rachel examined her chart. Tyler was lying on the table, soaking wet as usual and lifting her own leg slowly. “Easy does it, Miss Cameron.”

“Yes, Nurse Whitaker.” She groaned and lifted the other.

“All right, that’s enough. Let me check your heart.” Rachel put the stethoscope in her ears. She listened to Tyler’s heart as Tyler watched her. Then she took her pulse, holding Tyler’s wrist, her own heart racing. Tyler hid her grin and gently took the stethoscope off Rachel and placed the earpieces in her own ears. Rachel grinned and tried to ignore her as she continued to look at her watch.

“You’re fine,” Rachel said, then Tyler grabbed her arm.

“Ah-ah, not so fast. Your turn. Now let me check that heart,” Tyler said professionally.

Rachel rolled her eyes but stood still. “Hurry up, you infant.”

Tyler placed the cold metal piece on the top of her breast. Rachel’s sharp intake of breath was not lost on Tyler.

“Hmm…” She grunted and lowered it and gently pressed it against Rachel’s breast.

Rachel closed her eyes and shook slightly. “E-enough games now. Give me that. It’s…it’s not a toy.” She leaned against the table.

Tyler grinned and sat up, swinging her legs over the side a bit painfully. She gently cupped Rachel’s face and kissed her. Rachel melted beneath the warm soft lips she was beginning to love.

Enough was right. Tyler felt she was ready for a little more. Her hand wandered down and passed over Rachel’s right breast, immediately hardening the small nipple.

Rachel moaned against Tyler’s lips. Rachel then released their kiss and lowered her lips to Tyler’s neck, tasting the saltiness of her perspiration. It was now Tyler’s turn to moan.

Rachel pulled back and opened her eyes. “I-I’ve got to check your chart,” she whispered and did not know which way to turn. Tyler grinned, turned her around, and pushed her gently toward the desk.

*******

That night, Rachel paced back and forth, sleepless once again. She then bit at her bottom lip and opened the door. Seeing the light on in Tyler’s room, she walked down and knocked.

“Come in,” Tyler called out. Rachel poked her head in, and Tyler chuckled. She lay there reading. “Hi.”

“I don’t mean to bother you, but I…I couldn’t sleep.”

“Don’t be silly, come in and sit down.” Tyler took off her glasses.

“I didn’t know you wore glasses.” Rachel pulled up a chair.

“For reading. Old age.” She put the book down.

Rachel picked it up. “English poetry. Hmm.” She looked at the page she was reading. She glanced up, and Tyler shrugged and smiled slightly, taking the book back. She slipped on her glasses and began.

Stone walls do not a prison make,

Nor iron bars a cage;

Then she looked at Rachel and took off her glasses.

If I have freedom, in my love

And in my soul, am free—

Angels alone that soar above

Enjoy such liberty.

Rachel took a deep breath. Her heart pounded in her ears as the words of that poem struck a chord deep in her heart, and Tyler knew it.

“What’s on your mind?” Tyler asked. Rachel watched her smiling face and began to melt again. This is not good, she thought.

Tyler watched her, trying to gauge her mood, which wasn’t easy with this woman.

“Can’t sleep? I heard you pacing. One floorboard keeps creaking. I can always tell. Sometimes...” Tyler rambled, and Rachel moved and sat on the edge of her bed. She noticed Tyler wore a T-shirt.

“I thought you never wore…” Rachel stopped and turned bright red.

“I don’t. It was a little chilly. If you would have come five minutes from now, I’d be without,” Tyler assured her and grinned at her curious look. “Yes, I’m wearing a sexy pair of boxers. Now tell me what’s wrong.”

Rachel searched her face. In the past few months, Rachel had memorized every line of the pretty face. She gazed at the line between her brows when she was in pain, the lines by her eyes when she smiled or laughed. She had noticed the gray that was more pronounced than when they first met. However, the eyes. The gray eyes were still the same. They sparkled affectionately now as they searched Rachel’s face.

Tyler touched her arm and gently rubbed. “You’re cold. Here…” She pulled the quilt back. For a moment, she was unable to move. “You’re exhausted. Come lie down and sleep for a while. Just sleep.” Tyler turned off the light.

Rachel lay on her side away from Tyler, who covered her with the quilt. Instinctively, Rachel moved to feel Tyler’s warm body against her back.

“Is…is this all right?” Rachel asked.

“Lift your head,” Tyler said quietly, and in doing so, she slipped her arm under her head so Rachel was nestled in the crook of her shoulder. Tyler’s long arm then pulled her closer, cupping her breast and resting there comfortably. Rachel hugged her arm close.

“Now it’s all right,” Tyler said tenderly and kissed the top of her head.

Tyler lay awake for some time waiting for Rachel to finally fall asleep. She twitched for a few moments, and Tyler knew there was some inner struggle going on—more than what was happening between them. Tyler wished Rachel trusted her enough to tell her. One day… Tyler would wait.

*******

Rachel woke and sighed happily. She felt warm and safe cuddling her pillow. She opened her eyes. She was cuddling Tyler. Her leg was wrapped around Tyler’s hips, and her arm was draped across her chest. She must have turned over in the night. She hoped she was not hurting Tyler. By the content smile on her face, Rachel could see she was not. She placed her head back on Tyler’s shoulder and smiled inwardly. It was the best sleep she’d had in almost a year.

Tyler then groaned and shifted painfully. Rachel winced and tried to remove her leg without waking her up.

“Leave it right where it is,” Tyler’s sleepy voice called out. Rachel stopped and chuckled nervously. She looked up to see Tyler’s smiling face.

“Good morning. How did you sleep?” Tyler asked softly.

“Very well. A-and you?” Rachel whispered. Tyler’s arm tightened around her shoulder.

“The best sleep I’ve had since this nightmare started,” she said honestly.

“You never told me how the accident happened,” Rachel said and traced the outline on the T-shirt. It was Daffy Duck. She chuckled inwardly.

“Karen Morris,” Tyler started suddenly. She felt it pouring out and couldn’t stop it. Rachel never moved, not wanting to break the spell. “Age twenty-three. She was a friend of Trevor’s. I noticed her at certain times. She became a fixture, then I found out about the drugs. They were all doing them. I suppose I knew but never really wanted to know. Anyway, that weekend, she was out on the slopes early. The rest of them were in one room, passed out. I walked in. Of course, they were using my suite. I was just getting back. I was at... Well, never mind where I was. Anyway, I noticed all the drug paraphernalia around and just blew up. I woke them all up, made a head count, and told them to get out of my suite.

“It was then I missed Karen. They told me she was with them all night, and now, she was skiing. I was livid. So I went after her. I told the ski patrol, and we all looked for her. Someone said she took the expert trail. If you’ve ever skied, this trail in Aspen was wicked. I took the gondola up and started down. I stopped everywhere. Then I noticed her flying down the slope. It was not a marked trail. I tried to call after her. I heard her laughing. She was higher than a kite. I went as fast as I could and figured I could just knock her down.” Tyler stopped, and Rachel felt her rapid heartbeat. She looked up, and Tyler was sweating, wiping it off her brow. Rachel reached up with her shirt and wiped her forehead.

“Do you want to stop?” Rachel asked, and Tyler shook her head.

“No. I’ve got to get this out.” Tyler took a deep breath. “That’s when I saw it—the cliff. I screamed for her and kept going. The ski patrol was right behind me, yelling at her, as well. I got as close as I could, then reached out my pole. We both went flying, and all I could think of was stopping her before we got to the edge. Well, I did. I grabbed her and held on tight. The ski patrol came up, and between them, they tried to hold her and me. Then we both went. The last thing I remember was hearing her screams echo. Then I felt my body hit something, and that was it. I woke up three weeks later in Colorado Springs. It was all in the tabloids how I corrupted an innocent young woman. They dug up everything from my past. When I was younger, I had an affair with an older woman. She was a ski instructor on the U.S. Olympic team. She, of course, denied everything. I was humiliated and thrown off the team.” She stopped again, and Rachel handed her the glass of water.

“I can’t believe all this happened.” Rachel touched her cheek.

Tyler smiled. “Believe me. I’ve sown a few wild oats. I’m no innocent. It’s just my karma. In the end, the parents of the poor girl wanted to sue me. At that point, I didn’t care. However, the investigation showed that I had nothing to do with it and that I tried to save her. No one stepped up. Amanda, Trevor, Jenny. They all scattered.”

“But you did try,” Rachel said, and Tyler stared at the ceiling.

“But she’s just as dead.”

There was an eerie silence between them. It was true, even if it wasn’t Tyler’s fault. That woman was just as dead.

“So you’ve blamed yourself and you think you deserve what happened to you?”

“Possibly. Some sins you never stop paying for,” Tyler said quietly, and Rachel shifted. Tyler looked down at her frowning face, her mind miles away.

“Someday you’ll have to tell me what stone wall you’re hiding behind.”

Rachel’s eyes rimmed with tears, and Tyler watched her, saying nothing.

*******

April passed quickly, and May brought Tyler closer to walking. Each day was better than the previous. Rachel stood in the gym and watched the workers install the bars. Tyler sat in her wheelchair and watched as the low bars about waist high stretched fifteen feet in front of her. The workers left, and Tyler took a deep breath.

“Ready?” Rachel asked, and Tyler nodded. She was shaking, then took a deep breath and flexed her neck to calm her. Rachel rolled her chair to the edge of the bars and put the brakes on. Then she massaged her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “You can do this,” she whispered and gave her shoulders a hard strong squeeze.

Tyler nodded and took a deep confident breath, then reached up and hauled herself up as Rachel pulled the chair out of her way.

“Now, Tyler. Just a few steps. Not too much.”

Tyler nodded.

“Take your time.”

Tyler nodded again.

“If you get tired...”

“Rachel, honey. Shut up,” she said affectionately, and Rachel kissed her.

“Sorry.”

Tyler took a deep breath and put her weight on the bars. She then painfully dragged one leg and stepped, then the other. She stopped and tried again. She only got three steps when her legs began to shake. She broke in a cold sweat, and Rachel pushed the wheelchair behind her and she sat, breathless but grinning.

Rachel jumped for joy and screamed out loud. “I don’t believe it. You took a step! You actually took a step. I mean, you walked. Tyler, darling, you walked.”

Tyler gaped at her and said nothing.

“It’s a miracle,” Rachel exclaimed, and Tyler pulled her into her lap.

“It certainly is. You called me darling,” Tyler said, and Rachel turned bright red.

“I was caught up in the moment,” she tried to explain, and Tyler silenced her by kissing her deeply.

“You can’t deny that. You called me darling.”

“Let’s keep perspective here. You walked,” Rachel reminded her logically.

“I know, and you called me darling,” Tyler reminded her.

“You’re hopeless.” Rachel gave in and returned her kiss.

*******

Jean stood by the door and watched happily. She’d been watching them court each other for the past few weeks. She noticed that Rachel occasionally did not sleep in her bed and that Tyler for some reason was wearing boxers to bed on occasion and a hideous Daffy Duck T-shirt.

She did the laundry.

Chapter 9

Tyler walked a little bit farther every day. Jean, Hank, and Rachel would encourage her and move the tape mark on the floor farther each day.  By mid-May, Tyler was using a walker more than the wheelchair.

She and Rachel would go for slow walks. Tyler would stop and grimace, and Rachel would quickly put an arm around her waist. Tyler would take the opportunity to lean over and kiss her. Rachel fell for it every time.

One day they were walking, and Tyler tried it again. Rachel grinned and rolled her eyes. “You child,” she insisted as she walked up to her and grabbed her face between her hands and kissed her deeply. “Let’s cut out the middleman.”

This time, Tyler was not playing around as Rachel saw the pain in her eyes.

*******

“How many times do I have to tell you not to...?”

“Do too much. I know, I know, Nag Whitaker,” Tyler grumbled as she lay on her stomach.

“Very funny. The ice man cometh.” Rachel did not give her usual warning when the icy cold bags were ready. She just placed them on her back, and Tyler screamed.

“Damn it, you did that on purpose,” she barked.

“I’m sorry. Did you bellow something?”

Twenty minutes and a few more arguments later, the ice was off, and Tyler was sitting up stretching her back.

“You two argue like a married couple.” Jean stood in the doorway of Tyler’s bedroom. “Well, I can see you two are fine, so I’ll say good night. I’ll be back in the morning. By the way. Tyler, since when are you sleeping in boxers? And, Rachel? Don’t you sleep in your bed anymore? Well, good night,” Jean said lightly and walked down the hall, leaving Tyler and Rachel gaping at her retreating figure.

They looked at each other and blinked, then burst into laughter like two little kids.

*******

The next day, Rachel drove Tyler to the neurosurgeon. The doctor poked and prodded as Tyler lay on the examining table. He then clipped the x-ray into place and flipped on the light.

He and Rachel examined the back x-ray. “Good. No swelling, and your muscle tone is excellent. I would say between you both, you’ve done a good job. Okay. Up with you.”

Tyler sat up and swung her legs around. Dr. Lindsey checked her reflexes, her joints, and muscles. “Perfect. I’m amazed. Well, it helped you were in top shape when it happened. Using the walker?”

“Yes.” Tyler buttoned her shirt, and Rachel winked.

“How about the cane?”

“Not yet.”

“Start.” He scribbled down a prescription. “The more you do, the better you’ll feel. But don’t overdo it.”

“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever been told that one.” Tyler finished buttoning her shirt. She avoided Rachel’s glare completely.

“Okay. That’s about it. Come back in a few months. I’d say you’re doing fine.”

“Uh, Dr. Lindsey…” Rachel started and put a hand to her neck. Tyler watched her; she always did that when she was embarrassed. She gave Rachel a curious look.

“How…um…how good is her back? I mean, how…um…how much can she do?” she asked professionally.

“Hon, er, Rachel, he already said…” Tyler said slowly. Then it dawned on her, and her eyes widened. 

Rachel avoided her completely as she concentrated on the doctor.

“Well, she can’t run yet. She can’t drive a car. She can’t go skydiving. What did you have in mind?” he asked seriously and looked at her.

Tyler grinned. “Yes, Rachel, what did you have in mind?”

The doctor looked back from the grinning face to the red face and shook his head. “I’d say she’s fine for a little extracurricular activity. However, try to stay in a bed.” He handed Rachel the prescription.

“Just in case she overdoes it. It’s a refill for the anti-inflammatory.”

Rachel took the prescription. “Thank you, Dr. Lindsey,” she said quickly and wheeled the laughing Tyler out of the office.

“Thanks, Doc,” Tyler called out.

Chapter 10

“How’s it feeling?” Rachel asked, and Tyler moaned happily. The whirlpool was heavenly.

“Marvelous.” She sighed and lay her head back. Rachel smiled and could not resist. She bent down and kissed her deeply. Tyler groaned and reached a wet hand up behind her head and held her close.

Rachel pulled back, once again completely breathless. “Tyler, I...” She sighed, then shook her head and walked away.

Tyler grinned happily and played with the rubber toy in the whirlpool.

“I’ve been looking at your chart. It seems like you’re slowing down in the last couple of weeks. Are you feeling all right?”

“Yep. I feel great. Hey, come back here. I’ve got a few more kisses,” she called and played with the rubber duck.

Rachel stood at a safe distance and watched this older, mature, graying at the temples woman, naked in a whirlpool… playing with a rubber toy. “Almost done?”

“Yep, I’m getting pruny,” she declared and shut off the power. “Well, help an invalid, will ya?”

Rachel picked up a towel, walked over there, and helped her sit on the side of the tub. Rachel was amazed at her beautiful body, amazed at how uninhibited this woman was about her nudity and amazed that she had seen this woman naked and still hadn’t touched her.

All of the sudden, it got a little hot, and Rachel swallowed with difficulty.

“Feeling okay?” Tyler wrapped the towel around her. Rachel blinked.

“Yes, quite. Thank you,” she said and walked away.

Tyler grinned and dried off.

*******

Tyler went to bed, and Rachel knocked on her door. “Who is it?” Tyler asked sarcastically as she grinned.

“It’s me,” Rachel whispered against the door.

Tyler shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose. What a little dope, she thought. Rachel walked in and closed the door.

Tyler pulled back the covers, and Rachel grinned and slipped in next to her. “I’m not hurting you?”

“No.” Tyler turned off the light. She pulled her close, and Rachel kissed her neck. Tyler raised an eyebrow. Usually, she started the kissing and groping. Rachel was timid about starting.

She yawned wildly, and Rachel looked up at her in the darkness. “A-are you sleepy?”

“Mm-hmm. I think I got the water too hot in the whirlpool.” She sighed, then did a very bad thing. She put her hand under Rachel’s chin and lifted her face. Then kissed her deeply, allowing her hand to wander and cup her breast. Rachel sighed and moved closer, returning her kiss, and Tyler could tell she wanted more.

With that, she yawned wildly and pulled her close. “Hmm. Good night, Rachel.”

Rachel’s breathing was erratic at best. “Good night.” She just stared at nothing as her heart beat wildly and her body ached.

*******

Rachel walked into the kitchen. Jean was making lunch. “Have you seen Tyler?” She picked up a carrot.

“Nope. Try the gym?”

“Yes, she’s not there. She’s not in her room. The walker’s there, but the crutches and cane are missing. If she went off by herself…” she said loudly, and the doorbell rang.

“Get that, will you, sweetie?” Jean glanced up.

“…I’ll kill her.” Rachel stormed out of the kitchen.

She opened the door to see a delivery boy with flowers on the doorstep. “Nurse Whitaker?”

Rachel gave him an odd look but took the red roses. “Thank you,” she said curiously and closed the door. She put them on the bar and looked at the note.

For the freedom that I feel when I’m near you. For all the times you took care of me.  For every way you may love me.

Thank you, Rachel. Happy Birthday.

Love, Tyler

P.S. Open the front door.

Rachel held the card to her heart. How did she know it was her birthday? In all this, she hadn’t even thought of it herself.

She looked around, and Hank and Jean were standing in the kitchen door. “You knew?” They nodded, and Jean motioned to the front door.

She shook her head, opened the door, and gasped. There stood Tyler grinning and holding a small box. She did not have her cane or her crutches; Rachel’s heart seemed to stop beating.

“Take a few steps back, Rachel,” Tyler said in a low confident voice, and Rachel did.

With that, Tyler took a few slow steps toward her completely on her own. “Happy birthday, honey!”

Rachel burst into tears. She couldn’t move, her hands covered her face, and she just wept. Tyler took one more step and pulled her into her arms. Then she winced and motioned to Jean.

“Shh, baby. Don’t cry,” Tyler whispered against her hair.

Rachel wrapped her arms around her neck and sobbed happy tears that would not stop. Tyler cried, as well, as she clung to her.

Jean picked up the cane and handed it Tyler, who leaned on it as she held Rachel.

Rachel then pulled back, and Tyler wiped her tears away. “How?”

“Well, it was hard to keep this a secret. I had to pretend for about ten days now.”

“You’ve been able to walk for ten days?” Rachel exclaimed and stood back. “The whirlpool? Last night?”

Tyler winced and nodded. “Surprise. Don’t get angry now,” she said lamely, and Rachel looked to the heavens. “I wanted to walk to the woman I love.”

Rachel looked up into her eyes and started to cry again. Tyler chuckled and put an arm around her shoulders and walked slowly to the couch. Rachel could not believe her eyes. She was actually walking, with only a cane.

Rachel looked up. “I never realized just how tall you are,” she said in awe. Tyler actually blushed.

She helped her ease onto the couch, then sat beside her. Tyler handed her the box, and Rachel took it with shaky hands.

“Open it,” Tyler said and grinned.

Rachel sniffed and opened it. Inside was a small polished blue stone hung from a delicate gold chain. She looked up, and Tyler took her hands.

“Stone walls, Rachel. Let’s not have any between us. Someday, you’ll tell me all about yours. And I’ll wait for as long as it takes.” Tyler took it from her and placed it around her neck.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you.” Rachel cried again, and Tyler kissed her deeply.

*******

The evening was wonderful with cake, ice cream, and presents. All the while, Rachel touched the stone pendant, and Tyler grinned as she watched her.

By nine, Jean had gone home, leaving Rachel and Tyler alone.

“How do you feel?” Rachel asked as she turned out the lights.

“Oh, I don’t know. I’m pretty pooped. Walking took a lot out of me.”

“Really?” she asked seriously, and Tyler couldn’t tease her anymore.

“No. Let’s go to bed.”

Leaning on her cane and the woman she loved, Tyler slowly walked down the hall. She opened her bedroom door, and Rachel followed her in.

“No walls tonight,” Tyler said, and Rachel smiled up into her gray eyes.

“No boxers?” she asked quietly as they stood by the bed.

“No,” Tyler said affectionately and pulled her into her arms, kissing her deeply. “I’ve wanted you for so long now, it’s hard to imagine that it’s actually happening,” she whispered, and Rachel noticed her voice trembling.

She reached up and caressed her cheek. “I’ve never wanted anything so much in my life...”

Tyler’s heart raced as she reached in and started to unbutton Rachel’s blouse. “From the first day I met you,” Tyler whispered as she pushed back the blouse off her shoulders. “When you stuck that thermometer in my mouth...” She laughed quietly as she kissed her forehead, her hand reaching around to caress her back. She quickly and easily unhooked the bra and slid it off her shoulders. “I’ve been thinking of this moment.” Tyler reached in, cupping her small breast.

Rachel closed her eyes and shivered as Tyler bent down and kissed her neck, her warms lips traveling up to her ear where she gently nibbled, then across her cheek to the corner of her small mouth. Her full lips parted as Tyler’s tongue slipped past her lips, seeking its satiny mate.

Both moaned and sighed as the kiss seemed to mold their bodies together. Tyler’s legs began to shake with fatigue, and she cursed her limitations. Rachel felt it and quickly pulled her sweater over her head, and Tyler gasped as she felt Rachel’s touch for the first time. Innocent warm fingers gently stroked her breasts, and Tyler let out a deep groan as she pulled Rachel’s head closer.

For a tentative moment, Rachel stopped, then looked up into the gray, pleading eyes and smiled as she leaned in and kissed her breast. “God...” Tyler cried out as her legs weakened. A year without was catching up to her quickly.

“Lie down,” Rachel said softly.

“But...” Tyler sighed; she had so much more in mind. However, her legs would not hold her any longer, and she allowed Rachel to lay her against the pillows. Letting out a sigh of relief and contentment, Tyler reached up for Rachel, who gently pushed her hands away.

She stood, and Tyler swallowed with difficulty as she watched Rachel standing in the moonlight, slowly unzipping her slacks. Trying to contain herself, Tyler took deep breaths.

“I too have imagined this night for quite some time,” Rachel said softly, her British accent sending chills through Tyler.  “I’ve imagined you holding me, touching me...” She continued as the slacks, then the silk panties slid to the floor. Tyler groaned as she took a deep quivering breath. Rachel stood before her completely naked.

“You needn’t imagine any longer. Please, I need to feel your body… Just your marvelous body...” Tyler said in a low sensual voice that started Rachel’s body twitching.

She stepped next to the bed, reached over, then unbuckled Tyler’s belt and slowly unzipped her jeans. Her own throbbing was becoming unbearable as she slid Tyler’s jeans off.

“You have an amazing body,” Rachel whispered, and Tyler could take no more.

She reached up and pulled her down on top of her, kissing her deeply. Rachel moaned as Tyler gently rolled her onto her back.

“Be careful now, don’t strain.” Rachel gasped as Tyler kissed her from her neck to the top of her breast, leaving a trail of quivering flesh in her wake.

“You’re not on duty now, and you’re not my nurse. Tonight, you’re Rachel. My Rachel. I intend to know every inch of you,” Tyler said quietly as she nibbled at her sensitive lobe. “I’ll find out what makes you shiver. What makes your heart beat wildly,” she promised in a whisper as her lips traveled across her cheek and against her lips. “And what makes you call out my name again and again,” she murmured, and Rachel let out a small cry as she felt Tyler’s warm, strong hand gliding across her breast. Her fingers toyed with her already hardened nipple.

“Well, that seems to be quite a…list,” Rachel whispered between gasps. “We may need more than one night.” She sighed, then groaned as Tyler lowered her head and took the aching nipple into her warm mouth and suckled.

“Then I’ll take forever,” Tyler looked up and smiled affectionately, and Rachel looked down at Tyler as she nursed against her breast. The sight was overwhelming as she felt the red-hot surge slice through her body.

Tyler could not help herself. Her hand wandered down Rachel’s stomach; feather soft fingers teased and tantalized her hips and belly. Rachel shivered uncontrollably as she felt Tyler’s experienced hands roaming freely over her body. The stomach muscles fluttered involuntarily as the fingers traveled farther. All the while, Tyler teased and nipped one breast, then concentrated on the other.

Rachel reached down, entwined her fingers through Tyler’s hair, holding her head in place. “My God, Tyler, what you do to me.” She sighed.

Tyler, aroused by the sound of her voice, swirled her fingers through Rachel. She was about to urge Rachel’s thighs apart when Rachel quickly parted her legs, welcoming Tyler’s caresses. Tyler smiled inwardly as Rachel’s hips twitched with anticipation.

“Please...” She moaned as her body trembled.

“What do you want?” Tyler moved over her and whispered against her ear. Rachel wrapped her arms around her neck and pulled her close, gasping as she felt Tyler’s fingers wandering closer and closer to their aching destination.

“Touch me. Please,” she begged in a small whimper as she clung to Tyler.

“Whatever you desire,” Tyler promised in a husky, breathless voice. “So warm,” she whispered. She entered Rachel slowly, reveling in the feel, knowing she was the reason for Rachel’s arousal. It was heavenly.

Rachel cried out as Tyler slipped another finger deep within. She could feel Rachel slipping over the edge and thrust once, twice, then Rachel arched her back and cried out. She held on to Tyler, pulling her as close to her as she could.

“Tyler, yes,” she cried out.

Tyler felt Rachel’s body tense, then break into a glorious orgasm. “I don’t want this to end,” Rachel gasped.

Tyler slowed, allowing Rachel to breathe, then again, she loved her, bringing her once more to orgasm.

Rachel couldn’t speak coherently, she just mumbled Tyler’s name over and over. Tyler kissed her as she withdrew her fingers, leaving Rachel moaning and holding on. Tyler gently leaned up and braced herself on her elbows. Rachel was shocked at the sad look on her face.

She brushed the damp lock off Tyler’s forehead. “What is it? Are you in pain?” She gently rolled Tyler onto her back.

“No. I just didn’t want it to happen that quickly. It’s been so long for you. I wanted you to enjoy it.”

Rachel stopped her by kissing her. “You idiot. I did enjoy it. My God, it was amazing. You certainly couldn’t tell it’s been a year for you.” She laughed nervously. “My body has never reacted like that.”

Tyler grinned, and Rachel shook her head. “You egomaniac.” Rachel kissed her again.

“You know…” Tyler offered and grinned once again as she reached up and caressed her neck.

Rachel gave her a doubtful look. “What?” she asked with great trepidation, though her heart started beating rapidly once again.

“Well, I just thought... How about a swim?”

“Now?” Rachel asked.

“Why not? We’re both in need of a shower. And I’m sure it’ll be great for my back.”

Rachel raised an eyebrow. “Okay. Just for a bit. No gymnastics, Miss Cameron...” she warned and kissed her deeply. Tyler groaned helplessly as Rachel pulled away.

*******

“No diving,” Rachel said firmly as Tyler pulled her close. She untied the belt on her robe and let it slip to the cool tiles of the pool. The indoor lights were off, and only the small lights beneath the surface of the water illuminated the pool.

Tyler then shed her robe and walked down the steps into the pool. She went under, and Rachel’s body tingled once again as she watched the fit figure glide under the water. She came up and ran her fingers through her hair.

“What are you doing?” Tyler asked.

Rachel was sitting in the water on the second or third step, her body half in the water. “I’m fine right here. This is actually constructed very well. These steps are long enough for anyone to just walk right in. I would bet an elderly person would enjoy this. I should tell Dr. Lindsey…” she rambled, and Tyler swam up to her and between her legs. Rachel gasped as Tyler parted her legs and hugged her around the waist.

“What are you rambling about? And why aren’t you in the water?” Tyler asked, and Rachel frowned down at her.

“I’m in the water, for heaven’s sake.”

Tyler then raised her eyebrows. “You don’t know how to swim.”

“So what? Is it mandatory? I…” She stopped as Tyler pulled her down and kissed her.

“You don’t need to do any swimming right now,” she said quietly, and in one swift movement, she put her arms under Rachel’s thighs and gently lifted them onto her shoulders, pushing Rachel back against the steps, causing her to reach for the metal railing.

“Good Lord, Tyler,” she exclaimed as she laughed nervously.

The buoyancy of the water made it easy for Tyler to lift her hips out of the water. Rachel moaned and leaned back. Every nerve in her body was once again on fire, and the cool shallow water added another sensation that wafted over her body. Rachel moved back, up one more step so Tyler could sit, as well.

“Thank you.” Tyler moaned as she kissed her wet thighs, traveling up and down to her knee, then back again. Rachel moaned as she arched her back slightly.

“Tyler. Please,” she begged and parted her legs farther. Tyler dipped her head in and lifted her hips slightly.

As she tasted Rachel for the first time, she shivered uncontrollably. Rachel cried out, her helpless voice echoing through the room.

Tyler encircled her clitoris and rolled her tongue around it, eliciting tiny gasps from Rachel, who bucked her hips once, sending water splashing over her own breasts. She now gasped over the cool sensation of the water.

“Yes, Tyler. Don’t stop!” she cried out as Tyler had no intention of doing so. Her tongue slid up and down, drinking in all that Rachel’s body offered. Amazed, Tyler felt her own arousal starting. She controlled it, determined to satisfy Rachel and only Rachel.

“Tyler, this is heaven...” Rachel moaned and held on to the metal railing.

“Only for you.” Tyler groaned as she took the engorged clitoris into her mouth and sucked. Rachel cried out as her orgasm was near.

She stopped and murmured against her. “Please, Rachel, come for me.” She almost pleaded.

“Yes, Tyler… I will. I am...” Rachel screamed. The sound of Tyler’s erotic plea made every nerve jump and brought her to a crashing orgasm.

Rachel cried and whimpered, trying to keep her footing, but finally, her orgasm was too much. The hot surge once again sliced through her body, and she shook uncontrollably and grabbed on to Tyler’s wet hair with one hand, the other desperately holding the railing.

Tyler pulled Rachel into her arms. Rachel was whimpering and shaking as she wrapped her arms around her neck. They floated in the shallow end. “Wrap your legs around me, honey...” Tyler said against her ear, and Rachel moaned but easily lifted her legs.

Tyler waded over to the side of the pool, kissing her all the while until Rachel gasped at the feel of the cool tiles against her back. Tyler gently pushed her arms back.

“Hold on to the sides,” she said in a low voice, and Rachel was helpless. She obeyed and felt the cool tile against her arms as she had them outstretched along the side of the pool. She was thankful it was shallow, and she was standing as her feet touched bottom. Tyler sensed this and kissed her neck.

“I’d never let you drown,” she said and kissed her earlobe, sending shock after shock through Rachel’s poor body.

“Y-yes… You mustn’t kill the nurse...” Rachel cried out as she felt Tyler’s hand wander beneath the water and between her legs, feeling the warmth and wetness that was not from the water alone.

“You are amazing. I love the way you get so aroused so quickly.” Tyler kissed her deeply. “Don’t move now,” she whispered firmly, and Rachel bit her bottom lip as she looked up into Tyler’s eyes.

Tyler smiled slightly and inserted one finger into the warm depth of Rachel. Her eyes widened a bit, and she held her breath as Tyler slowly worked her finger in long smooth strokes. Rachel took deep quivering breaths as she whimpered slightly.

“Don’t move...” Tyler whispered, still holding eye contact. Rachel nodded helplessly as she tried desperately not to shake.

She then inserted another finger, and Rachel cried out slightly as her breathing came out in short gasps. “Oh, God...” She moaned and once again felt her body coming to the edge. “Tyler...” she said almost in amazement at the exquisite feeling that swept through her body. “Tyler…Please, don’t stop now.”

Rachel held on to the sides of the pool so hard, she thought she would never be able to release it.

She screamed out her orgasm, and Tyler nearly lifted her out of the pool. Rachel actually felt the room getting close. She slammed her eyes shut as the orgasm rocked through her. It was true…she thought stupidly. A million colors flashed behind her closed eyes, and all at once, she felt dizzy and light-headed. The exquisite feeling became overwhelming.

“Tyler, no more…” she whispered as her head fell forward on her shoulder. Tyler eased back and withdrew her hand, eliciting a small whimper from Rachel.

“Rachel?” Tyler asked in a coarse voice. Rachel’s head lay on her shoulder, and she didn’t respond. Tyler pulled back and pulled her head back.

Rachel’s eyelids fluttered, then she took a deep quivering breath. “Unbelievable, my God, Tyler,” she whispered as Tyler kissed her forehead.

“Enough water for a while.” Tyler chuckled quietly as she helped her into her robe. Rachel saw a flash of pain fly across Tyler’s face as she tensed her jaw and said nothing.

“Come, this is too much for one night,” Rachel said softly as they walked slowly arm in arm back to the bed.

*******

“You overwhelmed me back there,” Rachel whispered as she moved back into Tyler’s body. Tyler tightened her arm around her and kissed her shoulder.

“Honestly, I’ve never wanted to please someone so much. You’re in my blood,” she whispered against her hair.

Rachel said nothing for a moment. Now what? she thought. She found herself falling for Tyler. Perhaps she could forget the past. Perhaps that was a part of her life that was done and now her new life would begin—with Tyler.

Chapter 11

“You’re Tyler Cameron,” the eager voice rang out.

Tyler and Rachel were sitting in an outside café in Stowe. The hot July sun beat down as they sat under the umbrella.

“Y-yes.” Tyler smiled slightly and adjusted her sunglasses. Rachel gave her a smug grin.

“Everybody thought you were dead,” the young man exclaimed as he stared at her.

Rachel bit her bottom lip, trying not to laugh. Tyler avoided her and shifted uncomfortably. “Well, I haven’t seen my name in the obituaries...yet.” She chuckled nervously.

“Hold on, please,” the young man said and turned. “Honey, honey, come here.”

“Shit…” Tyler hissed and nervously looked around, then glanced at the grinning Rachel. “Don’t even.”

Rachel opened her mouth and blinked. “Who? Me?” She pointed her finger at herself. Tyler narrowed her eyes and started to say something when the young fan ran back with his wife.

“Tyler Cameron!” The woman almost squealed, and Tyler winced, then smiled and took the offered hand. “I need a picture, do you mind?”

Tyler shook her head and posed with the woman. The husband snapped off a couple of photos.

Soon, there were people walking by and talking to her, asking her questions about her career. When would she be back…She was great. The whole nine yards. All of them eyed Rachel, who smiled, and a few asked her name… Tyler then threw some money down and whisked Rachel away.

Rachel was chuckling as Tyler gently pulled her to the car and unceremoniously pushed her in the driver’s seat. “I can’t wait until I get the doctor’s okay to drive,” Tyler complained as she slid into the passenger seat. “Can we get out of here, please?”

“Yes, Oh Great One…” Rachel said solemnly and pulled out of Stowe. “Where would you like to go?”

“Where no one can find us,” Tyler said emphatically.

*******

Tyler sat against the same tree where she first told Rachel of her feelings for her. This time, Rachel lay there with her head on Tyler’s lap eating a grape.

“I love it here.” Tyler sighed and stroked Rachel’s hair.

“I could stay here forever,” Rachel whispered, then fell immediately silent.

“Why don’t you?” Tyler countered quietly. She felt Rachel shift slightly. “Someday, you’ll have to tell me what goes on in that cute nurse’s head, Rachel Whitaker. I-I’ll always listen, and whatever it is, it won’t change how I feel about you, sweetie.”

Rachel looked up into those gray eyes filled with such devotion. Tyler was amazed at the tears that sprang into her eyes. I can never tell her, Rachel thought. It would never be the same.

“Well, if you won’t talk to me.” Tyler stood. Rachel sat there looking up at her angry face. Tyler reached down and roughly pulled her to her feet.

“W-what?”

Tyler kicked off her deck shoes. She reached down and slipped Rachel’s sandals off her feet.

“What are you doing?”

Tyler grinned. “Nothing. We’re just gonna walk on the shore. C’mon.” She offered her hand, which Rachel tentatively took.

They walked hand in hand in the shallow water of the lake. Then Tyler laughed and pulled her deeper into the water. 

“Tyler Cameron, stop this!” she exclaimed, trying to wriggle free of her grasp.

Tyler’s strong arm held her fast as she slapped her backside as she marched into the lake.

“Keep still. If you won’t talk to me…” Tyler stepped deeper into the cool water.

“You wouldn’t dare!” Rachel exclaimed, and Tyler walked right into the water, clothes and all, dragging Rachel with her.

“Oh, wouldn’t I?” she countered. “You forget who you’re dealing with. The Great One. You said it yourself.” 

Waist deep in water, Rachel clung to her. “Don’t you dare let me go. You have no idea what’s in this lake,” Rachel said, looking in the water. “Now take me back, this is ridiculous.”

“Do you love me?” Tyler asked, and Rachel stared at her.

“Tyler…”

“Answer me,” Tyler threatened as she looked into those hazel eyes.

“What is it with you and water?” Rachel shook her head.

“Answer me.”

“Yes” came the whispered reply. Tyler grinned and kissed her deeply. Rachel wrapped her arms tighter around her neck, and suddenly, she was under the water. Their lips still locked, she could feel Tyler’s arms tighten around her, holding her safe.

Just as quickly, she was gasping as they sprang to the surface. “I love you, too,” Tyler said, shaking her head.

Rachel laughed as she kissed her deeply. “Can we get out of here now?” She sighed, and Tyler guided her back to shore.

“You need to get out of those wet things, Miss Whitaker.” Tyler grabbed her hand, walking back to the big blanket under the tree.

The hot July sun was quickly drying them as Tyler unbuttoned her cotton sleeveless blouse. Rachel shivered as she reached in and pulled Tyler’s shirt out of her shorts as Tyler lifted her arms, allowing Rachel to easily slip it over her head. Tyler then finished stripping the wet blouse off Rachel, as well as the bra. She lowered her head and kissed her neck.

“Someone may come by,” Rachel breathed as Tyler nibbled her earlobe.

“Nope. Private property. Anyway, who cares? I want you right now, and I’m not going to wait another minute,” she said in a low confident voice that would forever send a chill down Rachel’s spine.

“How?” Rachel said breathlessly as Tyler stripped off the wet shorts and panties. “How can you make me weak in the knees with just your voice?”

“Because you love me. I get the same way with that soft Brit voice of yours because I love you,” Tyler countered as she lay her down on the blanket.

“Really? My voice?” Rachel whispered, as Tyler stood above her slipping out of her shorts.

“Yes. I’m constantly aroused by you.” Tyler sighed as she kissed her and lay next to her. Rachel gave her a dubious look. “You don’t believe me?” Tyler asked, and Rachel shrugged as she stroked her arm.

Tyler took Rachel’s hand and brought it down between her legs. “Feel me, Rachel. Feel what you do to me. Only you,” Tyler whispered. She felt Rachel’s hesitation and saw the blush creep up from her neck. She knew Rachel had not made love to her yet, and she knew Rachel was more than likely extremely nervous.

“Rachel,” she whispered. “Touch me, please.”

“I wanted to the first time. I’m sorry I didn’t. I feel like a teenager. I do love you.”

Tyler winked. “Show me.”

Rachel chuckled, then gently slipped a finger between the soft folds, amazed at the instant heat and obvious state of Tyler’s arousal.

Tyler held her breath, letting it out in small gasps as Rachel explored every inch of her. “You’re teasing…”

“I am not. I too want to know what you desire,” she whispered and eased two fingers inside. Tyler arched her back. “Is this what you want?”

Tyler only nodded frantically. Rachel smiled at the helpless look. “I love you,” Rachel whispered against her lips. “You feel so warm, so safe to me.” Her fingers moved in and out, trying to know every inch of Tyler. Soon, Tyler bucked her hips, writhing beneath her. Rachel saw the mixture of ecstasy and pain on Tyler’s face. She didn’t want it to end but knew it might be too much for Tyler. She lowered her head and kissed Tyler’s breast, taking her hard nipple into her mouth. As she bathed it with her tongue, she thrust deeply. When Tyler came, Rachel murmured into her ear. “For me.”

Tyler’s body trembled and shook through her orgasm until she gasped for air. “God, Rachel,” she cried out.

Rachel brought her down gently, kissing her brow as she withdrew her fingers.

“Wow,” Tyler said in a raspy voice. “That was wonderful.” She smiled at Rachel, running her fingers through Rachel’s hair.

Rachel kissed her chin, her cheek, then her warm lips. “Hmm. I have that effect on you. Tyler Cameron, the playgirl of New England. With a girl in Tahoe…Vail... Every ski town and....” She joked, then stopped short at the hurt look on Tyler’s face.

Tyler sat up and looked out at the lake. “That was a long time ago, Rachel. So long.”

Rachel looked at the scar on her back. It was over a year since her accident, since she left the dangerous, jet-set life behind her. 

“I’m sorry. That was a bad joke,” she whispered as she lay on her side watching her. Then she reached up, touched her arm. “You’re not the same Tyler Cameron, not the same playgirl. You faced your demons and broke down your stone wall, and I’m proud of you. And I’m a little proud of myself for being part of helping you, as your nurse and friend, and now your lover.”

Tyler listened, then looked down at her. The tears welled in her eyes. “In all my life, I never thought I’d be this happy...” Tyler finally lay next to her. “Please let me help you. As you said, you were there for me. You helped me break down my stone wall. You love me. Someday, you’ll trust me. I’ll wait.” She rolled Rachel onto her back. “I’ll wait forever.”

In the warmth of the July sun, they made sweet passionate love all afternoon, reveling in the fact that they were more than patient and nurse, more than friends. Tyler knew this was it for her. There would be no other for her but Rachel. She only hoped and prayed that Rachel felt the same.

Chapter 12

“She’ll have a stroke.” Jean tossed the paper down on the kitchen table.

Hank looked at it and groaned. “Not again. Will she ever be rid of these leeches?”

Jean sat next to him. Hank looked at the woman he had known for twenty years and smiled sadly. Jean Olson was a tough, savvy woman and a pain in his ass, but she was gorgeous.  She was tall and silver-haired, and her steely blue eyes were what he had always adored. He was devastated when her husband died four years earlier. He wanted so much to help her. However, Jean was a tough independent woman.

He reached over and took her hand. Jean was shocked as she looked over at this goof. He smiled slightly.

“Gotta tell her.” He patted her hand. For some reason, Jean liked the feel of his hard, strong hand in hers. For the first time in a long time, she felt safe.

“I know. God, the you-know-what is gonna hit the fan.” She sighed and tiredly stood. So did Hank.

“I’ll come with ya if ya want,” he said in his New England accent. 

Tyler just then walked through the swinging kitchen door. She leaned on her cane as she picked up an apple and polished it on her sleeve.

“Why are you two looking so glum? It’s a beautiful Indian summer day. I love September in Vermont.” She sighed and took a healthy bite. “What?”

Jean slid the tabloid over to her. Tyler picked it up and frowned deeply. “Sonsabitches…” She growled as she read the headline.

Oh, Nurse! Cameron’s At It Again! 

The picture was of Tyler and Rachel sitting at the café in Stowe laughing and holding hands.

“Will they ever just die?” she barked and threw the paper back on the table.

Jean winced and glanced at Hank. “Tyler, they’re just looking for headlines. Actually, there’s nothing that bad about the article,” Jean said hopefully.

Tyler picked it up and read it again. It was a short article, nothing major, no great lies as before. However, at the end, it was always the same. “Another conquest? Or will Nurse Rachel Whitaker tame the wild tiger?”

“I wish someone would call me a wild tiger,” Hank said as he helped Jean peel the apples.

“Well, you go out with Jean. Tell them you’re related to me and you’ll get your wish!” Tyler said angrily and limped around the kitchen. “Damn it, this is what I’ve been trying to avoid. Hell, it’s been over a year. Don’t they have anyone else to write about?”

“You have to face it, Tyler. You’ve been in the limelight, and for years, you increased the circulation of at least three tabloids. Now you’re not there anymore, and just the sight of you in public is bound to cause a stir. Your life is not the same. They’ll tire of you because you’re now...mundane, sweetie.”

“Who’s mundane?” Rachel’s voice called out as she stood by the door. “Tyler Cameron?” She laughed affectionately. Taking the apple out of Tyler’s hand, she took a bite, then handed it back to her.

“What in the world is wrong with you?” Rachel smiled as she put the kettle on for tea.

“Rachel…” Tyler started and rubbed her forehead.

“What’s wrong? Are you ill?” Rachel felt her forehead. “You look pale.”

Tyler took her hand away and kissed her palm. “I’m fine, honey. Look… Well, there’s no easy way.” She sighed helplessly, and Jean handed Rachel the paper.

Rachel read the headline, and her eyebrows arched. Then she read the small article. It explained the skiing accident and Tyler’s wild ride for the past few years. Then she read the last line. She smiled. “Well, they give me too much credit. I’m no lion tamer…or tiger.” She tossed the paper back on the table.

Tyler walked up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I thought they’d have forgotten all about me...”

“And they will. You’re not the same Tyler. Soon, they’ll have no use for you. You’re yesterday’s news, and they’ll forget because you won’t give them any reason to poke into your life anymore,” Jean said seriously.

Rachel swallowed with difficulty as she listened to Jean. Tyler shrugged and nodded. “That’s a possibility. I have been very quiet for over a year. I don’t intend to start it again. I’m much too content.” She kissed Rachel’s neck. “Let them dig. They’ve scrounged up every little indiscretion. I have nothing else in the closet...including myself,” she joked, and Jean laughed.

Rachel chuckled quietly but said nothing.

“I just don’t like Rachel’s name in this or her picture. As beautiful as it is,” Tyler said honestly, looking at the picture. “So if you’ve got any skeletons, Rachel... You know, an insane grandfather... An ax-murdering uncle...” Tyler said jokingly.

“A two-headed lover...” Jean chimed in, and Hank laughed.

“Hey, I’ve got a brother with six toes...” he added, and everyone laughed.

Then suddenly, Rachel burst into tears and fled the kitchen, leaving the doors swinging in her wake.

They all stopped laughing and exchanged glances.

It then struck Tyler. “Stone walls,” she said quietly and walked out of the kitchen.

*******

Rachel was in her room packing. Tyler knocked on her door, then walked in, not waiting for an invitation. She was stunned to see Rachel’s luggage on her bed.

“What are you doing?” Tyler stood in the doorway, leaning on her cane.

“Tyler, this will never work. You’re healthy and walking. You don’t need me any longer. A-and besides, I have to get back to working. I can’t take any more pay when I’m not really doing anything anymore. Now... We both knew it would come to this. So let’s not pretend otherwise. It’s been a marvelous time, but it’s over,” she rambled as she folded her clothes into the bag.

Tyler walked up to her and took the sweater out of her hand. “What in the hell are you talking about? You can’t just walk out. Just like that.”

“Yes, I can and I will,” Rachel insisted and yanked at the sweater. Tyler let it go and watched her.

“What happened in England?” she asked, and Rachel froze. She blinked a few times, then concentrated on her luggage.

Tyler dropped her cane and took Rachel’s hands. “Tell me.”

Rachel wrenched her hands free. “Nothing. It’s none of your business. I should never have allowed you to...”

“Me? What about you? Don’t tell me it was all me. Don’t do that. You love me. I love you... Talk to me,” she said angrily.

Rachel zipped up the suitcase. “I’ll call a cab. I’ll take the train back. Please don’t do this. I don’t...I don’t love you, not the way you want me to, anyway.”

Tyler was stunned. Then she glared and gave a rude snort. “Fine. Finish packing and I’ll take you to the train station,” she said in a low voice, then picked up her cane and slammed the door.

Rachel sat on the bed and wept. How could she hurt Tyler that badly? She buried her face in her hands. However, she had to hurt her now. Tyler would get over her and be fine. If it came out...again, they would crucify Tyler. Rachel could not live with that. It was better Tyler hurt now, for just a while.

*******

Tyler stormed down the hall. Jean and Hank were standing by the front door. “We heard it all. I’m so sorry.”

Tyler waved her off and glanced down the hall. “About what? She thinks she’s leaving? Nope. She loves me, and I’m getting to the bottom of this.”

She looked at Hank. “Got the keys to my place?” She held out her hands, snapping her finger impatiently. “Keys... quickly.”

Hank grinned and pulled out the keys. “It’s all ready. Just came back last week,” he said, knowing her intentions.

“Thanks. Pull the Jeep around, will you?” she asked, and Jean gaped at both of them.

“What on earth are you planning?”

“I’m taking her to Connecticut. My house is fifty miles from nowhere. Rachel Whitaker is going to tell me what happened,” Tyler said seriously.

Jean noticed the set Cameron jaw.

“Tyler, you can’t... Well, you can’t just take her!” she exclaimed helplessly.

Tyler raised a defiant eyebrow, and Hank laughed.

“Take her.” He slapped Tyler on the back.

“Hank Bridges,” Jean exclaimed quietly and looked down the hall. “She’s a woman, not a sack of potatoes.”

“Well, she’s my sack of potatoes,” Tyler insisted in a hissed whisper. “And I’m not letting her go.”

“It’s kidnapping,” Jean reminded her. “I thought you wanted to stay out of the tabloids…and prison.”

Hank took Jean by the arm and turned her to him. “She’s in love, and I’d do the same thing. Now keep still, woman,” he said, and Tyler raised both eyebrows and grinned.

Jean was stunned.

They all looked up as Rachel slowly walked down the hall. Tyler glanced at her, noticing her red eyes. What a dope, Tyler thought as her heart ached for the woman she loved.

Rachel avoided Tyler as she set down her bags. “I...I can call a cab.”

“I said I’d take you, and I will,” Tyler said angrily, and Hank walked over and kissed Rachel’s cheek.

“It was nice to know ya, Rachel. I’m sorry ya can’t stick around,” he said, and Rachel hugged him, then let him go.

He winked at Tyler and walked out. Jean glared at Tyler, who gave her a pleading look. She took a deep breath and hugged Rachel.

“Sorry if I’ve disrupted everything, Jean.” She kissed her cheek. “This is for the best. You’ll see,” she whispered, and Jean clung to her.

“A while from now, remember those exact words,” Jean said dryly and kissed her forehead.

“What do you mean?” Rachel quickly put up her hand as if not wanting any more discussions. She needed to leave before she lost her nerve.

“Jeep’s all set, it’s out in front.” Hank picked up the bags and walked out again.

Tyler did not wait; she leaned on her cane and followed him. Rachel winced, knowing Tyler was angry and hurt.

“Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?” Jean asked as she walked her to the door.

Rachel nodded, desperately trying not to cry. She kissed her again. “I do love her. She’ll be better off, trust me.” She sobbed, then gave Jean a quick hug and was gone.

Jean watched as she got into the passenger seat and Tyler pulled away. “Tyler Marie Cameron, I hope you know what you’re doing.” Jean sighed as she waved. Hank walked up to her, narrowed his eyes, and walked toward Jean.

“Tyler has given me an idea,” he said, and Jean nervously backed up.

“Hank, I don’t like that look in your eyes,” Jean said as her heartbeat quickened and Hank closed the door.

Chapter 13

“You shouldn’t be driving,” Rachel said quietly as she looked at her hands.

“I’m fine,” Tyler said without emotion as she drove.

Tyler did not slow down as the exit came up. Rachel looked out the window. “Y-you missed the exit...” she said seriously and looked back at Tyler.

“So I did,” she said and concentrated on the road.

“Tyler Cameron, what are you doing?”

“Sit back, Miss Whitaker. We’ve got a while to go.”

“Where are you taking me? This is not funny,” Rachel said seriously. “You can’t do this. I’ll get out the first time you stop.”

Tyler gave her a dry look and pushed the button on the door panel, locking the doors. Rachel’s eyes widened with anger.

“I’m not stopping, so sit back and relax,” Tyler said firmly and watched the road.

“You have no right to do this. You...” she started and bellowed for the next few hours.

*******

“...Egomaniac!” She was still barking. “How dare you think you can kidnap me? Where the hell are we?”

Since they had gotten off the highway, it’d been winding and wooded dirt roads. Tyler yawned tiredly and pulled down a small road. A few minutes later, a house came into view, then a lake. The house was surrounded by woods, and the fall colors stood out along the blue water.

“Connecticut. My place.” Tyler stopped the car.

“I thought you lived in Stowe,” Rachel said, still angry. She looked around at the secluded woods. The house was the picture of New England country living. It was a ranch home with windows everywhere and a deck looking out over the lake. Lining the shore was the most spectacular array of autumn colors that Rachel had ever seen.

“I built that a few years ago. It was big and roomy and, well, I had a wild time for a long time. Jean lived there while I was...skiing out west,” she said. While I was living a lost life was more like it, Tyler thought. Rachel watched her for a moment, thinking the same thing.

Tyler looked out at the lake and smiled. “This is my home. This is where my heart is.” She looked at Rachel. “I’m unlocking the door. We’re fifty miles from nowhere. I have no neighbors since I own the lake.”

Rachel snorted rudely. “It figures, you would own a lake.”

Tyler smirked and unlocked the doors. “Yes, I own all you see. It was mortgaged to the hilt. However, a few years of playing the game and endorsements, with Jean’s help, I’ve paid it off and the place in Stowe. Now you can’t run… You can’t swim,” she added dryly, and Rachel glared at her. “So you’re stuck. And you’re going to tell me what happened in England,” she said logically, then winced as she opened the car door.

“You can’t force this, Tyler,” she yelled angrily. “You arrogant bitch!” she yelled again.

Tyler glanced at her, unruffled. “Been called worse…for lesser reasons.”

Rachel sat there stubbornly as Tyler stretched her back painfully. “I told you, you shouldn’t be driving,” Rachel said smugly.

Tyler poked her head in and grinned. “Shut up and get out of the car,” she said sweetly, but Rachel did not move.

“Fine, you can sit in the car till hell freezes over, but we’re not leaving.” Tyler slammed the door.

She walked around, opened the back, and took out Rachel’s luggage. Rachel watched as she struggled with the luggage and her cane. She heard her muffled cursing and dropped the bags. Tyler then turned to Rachel and yelled.

“You want a change of clothes, you carry them. What the hell do you have in there anyway?” She shook her head, then walked out of sight around the front of the house.

“Well, I can’t sit here forever.” Rachel sighed and put her head back. Why didn’t she just let her leave? This would never work. The only thing Tyler accomplished was now she’d really hate her and would have to drive her all the way back to Vermont.

Letting out a sad sigh, Rachel got out and picked up her bags. Tyler was sitting on the porch swing, watching the lake.

“What’s to prevent me from taking the keys and leaving?” Rachel asked smugly. Tyler gave her a smirk and took the car key off the ring and held it up to Rachel. Then she walked the few feet to the shore and threw it in the lake. It made a nice little plopping noise as it hit.

Rachel gaped at her in surprise. Tyler walked past her. “You look like a trout,” she said and opened the front door.

Rachel followed her into the house. It was spacious and huge, Rachel noticed as she put down her bags. Low, beamed ceilings gave the country home a cabin effect. The fireplace was open, round, and set in the middle of the huge living room. It was almost a fire pit more than a fireplace. The hearth that encircled it was knee high, and a stone ledge gave ample room to sit close to the fire. The domed flue hung over the fire pit and the black iron flue rose to the ceiling.

“Nice, huh? I designed it myself,” Tyler said proudly. It was a definite attraction to the spacious hardwood-floored living room. The dining room was right behind it. A small six-chaired set was nestled in front of sliding glass doors that led out to the patio and the woods. To the left was an equally spacious kitchen, sectioned from the living room and dining area only by a bar and several tall barstools. Pots and pans hung from the center island, which housed the stove and oven.

“Yes, I can cook. There’s a great deal you don’t know about me. There’s a great deal I don’t know about you. That will change, no matter how long it takes. I’m stocked for the winter.” She raised a wicked eyebrow.

Rachel ignored the comment, and Tyler laughed quietly. “There are three bedrooms. Only the master, which is mine, has a private bath. That way...” She motioned to the left hall. “The other two rooms are down the right hall. The bath is at the end of the hall.”

She gave her a teasing smile. “You can pick any room to sleep in. Any room,” she said slyly and waited. Rachel glared at her and headed...to the right.

Tyler frowned a bit. This will take longer than I thought, she thought sourly.

*******

Rachel sat on the bed and looked around. It was a warm, cozy room. A double bed that had a quaint New England patchwork quilt covering it. A small dresser and nightstand. She wondered if Tyler decorated it herself.

All at once, she was tired and sad. What was she going to do now? How was she going to get out of this? She laughed quietly at the picture of Tyler throwing the car keys in the lake.

“What an idiot.” She sighed and flopped back onto the comfortable bed. Within a minute, she was sound asleep.

*******

Tyler slowly and a bit painfully brought in a load of firewood. Although the day was warm, the fall New England nights got a bit chilly. Soon, the fire was blazing, warming up the house. Tyler stood there, mesmerized by the dancing flames. She glanced at her watch. Rachel hadn’t come out of her room for almost an hour.

“Well, she has to eat,” she said and walked into the kitchen.

Hanging her cane on the back of the chair, she opened the refrigerator. “Hmm. Let’s see. She likes steak, the carnivore that she is,” Tyler whispered and took out two healthy steaks, fixings for a salad, and a bottle of wine.

*******

Rachel took a whiff and opened her eyes. Her stomach instantly talked back to her; she was starving. “She’s doing this on purpose,” Rachel grumbled and flipped on the small light. She had been napping for over an hour and felt better but still sad. This will never work, she thought…

Tyler heard the shower running and grinned. “Food, gets ’em every time,” she announced happily and continued slicing the tomatoes. She took a sip of wine and poured another glass for Rachel. She then remembered what Rachel had said about drinking. Something happened in England. Something so bad that Rachel was willing to leave her. She was determined to find out what. Deal with it and put it behind them. She was not going to lose the stubborn Nurse Whitaker.

*******

A warm feeling engulfed Rachel as she walked into the living room. The fire was blazing, and Tyler was in the kitchen hard at work. Rachel tried not to be happy. She tried to remember what was about to happen. There was no way out. She could not run. Tyler was right, in her own arrogant way—she could not swim away. She had to tell her. Only then would Tyler realize the mistake she made and take her back to Vermont.

“Dinner’s ready in ten minutes. Have a seat by the fire. It’s a bit cool tonight.”

“I’m going to take a walk if you don’t mind?” Rachel asked, and Tyler gave her a wary look from the kitchen.

“Okay. Don’t stray too far.”

Rachel glared at her. “I’m well aware that I’m a captive here, Tyler. I know I can’t leave,” she said angrily.

Tyler took a drink of wine and smiled. “I was just going to say, don’t stray too far. Wild animals, that’s all,” she said with a grin.

“Oh. Fine.” Rachel pulled her sweater around her and walked outside.

She walked down the lake and stood on the pier. The moon was just rising, peeking through the trees. It had turned chilly.

Then Rachel heard something in the woods. She quickly turned and walked back up to the house. As she turned, she saw it. A wolf standing no more than a few feet from her.

Backing up, she ran through the door and slammed it. Tyler grabbed her cane and limped painfully up to her. “What?”

Rachel clung to her. “Tyler... A wolf... There’s a wolf outside,” she exclaimed and held on to her.

Tyler had her arm around her waist and held her close. “I’ll go see,” she said bravely, and Rachel clung to her.

“No…I tell you it was a wolf…” she exclaimed, and Tyler opened the door.

The wolf stood on its back legs, and Rachel let out a shriek as the malamute put its big paws on Tyler’s chest and licked her face.

“Dakota!” Tyler scolded. “Bad doggie.”

Rachel’s heart was in her throat as she looked at Tyler, who grinned sheepishly as she glanced at Rachel, then pushed the big dog off her.

“Um...Dakota, I’d like you to meet Rachel,” she said, and Rachel glared at her.

“You knew! You knew that wasn’t a wolf.”

Tyler chuckled. “I’m sorry. You just looked so cute,” Tyler offered, and the dog loped up to Rachel and sniffed her hand. Rachel knelt, and the dog licked her face as Rachel ruffled his ears.

“Well, Dakota, your mistress is a colossal ass,” Rachel said, and Tyler chuckled.

*******

Dinner was wonderful. Quiet but wonderful. Tyler noticed Rachel only drank a few sips of wine. “How about some coffee or tea?” she asked, and Rachel nodded.

They sat on the hearth, drinking coffee. Dakota lay at Tyler’s feet.

“He loves you,” Rachel said, and Tyler smiled, looking down at the dog.

“He doesn’t know any better. When the accident happened, I was…well, extremely moody, and I didn’t want anything or anyone around me. So Hank took him for me. Dogs... They love you no matter what you do to them,” she said with extreme guilt and rubbed her foot across the dog’s ears. Immediately, he turned on this back, and Tyler chuckled, rubbing her foot up and down his belly as his tail wagged happily.

Then Tyler winced a bit and took a deep painful breath. Rachel noticed that she looked tired and drawn. “You need to stretch out and put some ice on your back.”

“Still the nurse?” she asked sadly.

“Yes, still the nurse,” Rachel said without looking at her.

Tyler shrugged and painfully stood and walked into the bedroom. She got into bed and groaned as she lay on her stomach. She heard Rachel walk in.

“Nice room,” Rachel said as she looked around.

The bed was huge with big down pillows and a quilt in warm colors of burgundy and forest green. It looked extremely inviting. Rachel was amazed to see a small fireplace in the corner. The room was a bit chilly. “Would you like me to start a fire?”

“Where?” Tyler asked, and Rachel could hear the wicked smile in her voice. She grinned in spite of herself. Tyler Cameron had a one-track mind. Rachel ignored the sexual intent and started the fireplace glowing.

The room was spacious with an overstuffed chair by the fireplace. The bed took up most of the room. “Bet the ladies love this room,” Rachel said lightly.

Tyler tried to move, then winced. “Why must you constantly bring up my past? How many times do I have to tell you? I’m not like that anymore. I don’t want or need anyone else. I love you and only you.”

Rachel pushed her back down and said nothing. She placed the ice gently on her back.

“Why won’t you tell me? Please. We can figure anything out, but you have to trust me,” Tyler said as she lay there. “Seems I’m always on my stomach looking up at you.” She chuckled and winced.

“You’re not supposed to be driving, Tyler. You did...”

“I know…too much. I’m gonna have that put on your license plates,” Tyler said and laughed quietly. She heard nothing from Rachel and looked to see her sitting in the chair by the fire, which reflected the tears that welled in her eyes.

Painfully, Tyler sat up, and Rachel looked over. “Tyler, honey. Please, lay still,” she said and quickly sat on the bed. Tyler pulled her into her arms and held her tight.

“Please tell me,” she begged. “I can’t lose you, not now. I won’t turn away from you.”

Rachel gently pushed her away. “You will.”

“Trust me,” Tyler pleaded. “What happened in England?”

Rachel took a deep quivering breath and stood. She paced back and forth at the end of the bed as Tyler lay back and watched her, saying nothing.

“M-my mother had cancer. She had told me that she didn’t have time to make a living will or to change her existing will. She wanted to die at home, quiet and without the aid of life support. She asked me to do this. And I promised her that I would respect her wishes.” She put her hands to her face. Tyler just listened, knowing she needed to say this. Just as Tyler needed that one night.

“I lied to you. I do have a father. He just was never around. However, when my mother was dying, he showed up and took over. I explained her wishes, but he didn’t comply. Legally, he was still her husband, and they listened to him,” she said in a flat emotionless voice.

“What happened?” Tyler asked quietly.

Rachel looked at her with such sadness that it broke Tyler’s heart.

“While she lay on life support, my father found out that she had left him a small amount of money. This was the will she wanted to change but never did. She loved him, you see, even when he left, she loved him...” Her voice trailed off. Then she continued.

“It wasn’t a large amount, about fifty thousand American dollars. After her death, it was his. I don’t know how he found out, but he did.”

She stopped and sat on the bed. “I went to the hospital as usual and walked into her room. My mother was dead. The life support was disengaged, and I stood there, stunned. Just then, my father walked in with the doctor. ‘Rachel, what have you done?’ Those were his exact words.”

“What are you saying?” Tyler sat up next to her, and Rachel stood, not wanting Tyler to take her into her arms. If she did, Rachel would never leave them.

“I’m saying that I was accused of murdering my mother. Euthanasia, mercy killing, whatever you like to call it. The entire staff knew I wanted to carry out my mother’s wishes and knew my father did not. Although a nurse came forward and told them she had seen my father come out of her room, no one thought it odd. It wasn’t unusual for him to be there.”

“I had no money for a defense. I didn’t care. Mother was gone. So I went to jail and stayed there for two weeks. I had no money for bail. I was tried and sentenced. The judge was very lenient since there was no hard evidence. No fingerprints, only my own words of my mother’s wishes. I was given six months’ probation, no time in prison. I could never work as a nurse in England again. I left humiliated but not before I made a colossal fool out of myself.

“For a month or so, I drank, feeling sorry for myself, and one night, I was at a bar. An attractive woman sat next to me, and I desperately wanted someone, something. So...”

Tyler gave her a slight grin. “I woke up the next morning, in bed naked, not remembering anything. That’s why I don’t drink anymore,” she said, feeling every bit the idiot.

“Rachel, trust me, I know exactly how you felt. Been there, done that.” Tyler winced and reached for her. As Rachel stepped away, Tyler stopped.

“In any event, I came back to America a month before I met Jean. I was petrified that my past would come back to haunt me. So when she asked me to take care of you, I thought I could hide and still do the job I loved, then see what happens. I never planned on you, though,” she said in a small voice and continued. 

“I thought I could forget the past and start over with you. Then when I saw my picture in the paper, I knew it would be a matter of time before some low-life scum would have nothing better to do than dig into my past... To hurt you once again. After you’ve come so far and turned your whole life around… You survived that horrible accident. Confronted your past and now look at you,” she exclaimed. “You’re healthy, walking, and happy. Now it’ll start all over, and I won’t let that happen!” She turned to Tyler to see tears streaming down her face. “Don’t do this… Now since you’re the only one in this room that can swim, you’d better go fish those keys out of the lake and let me go.”

Tyler walked up to her, blocking her way out. Tyler put her hands on her shoulders, and Rachel raised her hands and beat her fists against her. “No…I will not let this happen again. You were right. Some sins we never stop paying for. I wish I had been the one to pull the plug. I wanted her to die in peace.” She sobbed, and Tyler pulled her into her strong embrace.

Both of them cried and hung on to each other. “It’s okay... Please. We’ll get through this. Did you honestly think I would let you go? I love you. We belong together, and we’ll ride this through whatever happens.”

“No…it’s my problem.”

“Stop it!” Tyler shook her. “It’s our problem. There is no more you and no more me. It’s us… From now on, it’s us,” she said tenderly and kissed her.

Rachel struggled for a moment, then as she would for the rest of her life, she melted in Tyler’s arms.

“Now let’s get some sleep. Enough for one night. Tomorrow, I’ll have a clearer head, and we’ll think this through,” Tyler said and closed the bedroom door.

Chapter 14

Rachel had a fitful night. Her body jerked as she tossed and turned as Tyler held her through the long night. Finally, Tyler drifted off, holding on to her.

When Tyler woke, she was alone. The sun was streaming through the window, and she groaned and stretched her back as she slipped into her robe.

She walked out to the living room and checked the bath and the other rooms. She looked out the side window. The Jeep was still there. It was then she looked out the big front room window and chuckled quietly.

Out on the pier, Rachel was on all fours, looking into the water. Dakota stood next to her, and Rachel pointed to the water and looked at the wolf.

“What a little goof.” Tyler walked out unnoticed.

“Go... You’re a bloody dog, for heaven’s sake. Go get it,” Rachel said, and the dog cocked his head, then licked her face and whined.

“Yuck!” Rachel wiped her cheek, then looked up to see Tyler standing there with her arms folded in front of her. Her arrogant smirk only accentuated her sparkling gray eyes and her unruly hair.

“What the hell are you doing?” she asked simply. Rachel turned bright red. “Did you find something?”

“Yes. I can see the car keys. Now go get them,” Rachel ordered, and Tyler raised an eyebrow.

“Okay,” she said and took off her robe.

Completely naked, Tyler stood there and smiled as Rachel gaped and looked around. “Tyler!” she exclaimed and held her hand over the dog’s eyes.

Tyler dove in and came up with the keys. “It’s wonderful. Come in, Rachel, it’s not deep here.”

“No. Seriously, what is it with you and water?” she asked helplessly.

Tyler laughed and swam to shore. Rachel watched in awe at the long muscular body as Tyler walked onto the shore. She is beautiful, Rachel thought and became completely aroused. Tyler ran her fingers through her wet hair and shivered.

“You’re an exhibitionist,” Rachel said.

Tyler just looked at her as she struggled into her robe. She then walked up to her and handed her the keys. Rachel was shocked as she took them.

“Thank you for telling me. Thank you for trusting me. Now I’m going to trust you. I’m counting on your love for me to be more than your fear of this. If you leave, I won’t come find you. I love you more than my life. More than the gossip or fear of it. More than both of our stone walls,” she said, then smiled and touched her cheek. “I will always love you.”

She then turned and walked back up to the house. It was the longest walk she ever took.

Rachel stood there holding the keys and looked down at Dakota. “Go on. Take care of her.”

The dog ran up to Tyler, and she bent down and ruffled his ears as she opened the door and walked in.

*******

Tyler took a hot shower and let the steamy water beat on her aching back. She held back the tears as she shut off the water and dried off. It was then she smelled coffee brewing. She threw on her big robe and toweled her hair as she walked into the living room.

She looked around the counter to see Rachel standing at the refrigerator. “She likes eggs. So we’ll try that, huh, Dakota?” she asked quietly, and Tyler stood there watching. “I can’t cook, but how hard is it to make an egg?” She promptly dropped one on the floor. Tyler winced but said nothing. Dakota dove at the offering and lapped it up.

“God, no shells. That’s all I have to do is kill her dog. Wait...” Rachel whispered and picked up the eggshell. “There, have at it, pooch.”

Tyler quietly backed away and got dressed. That was when she heard the smoke alarm. She slipped into her jeans and ran out the bedroom door.

Rachel was coughing and opening windows, Dakota was barking, and Tyler tripped over the dog and went flying into the dining room. Rachel screamed as Tyler flew past her and slid along the floor, crashing into the dining room chair.

“Tyler!” she cried out and ran to her. Dakota was still barking and now licking both mistress and Rachel.

“God, I’m so sorry. The pan caught on fire, then the coffee boiled over, then the smoke alarm...” She knelt next to Tyler, who waved her hand.

“I get the general idea. Help me up. That alarm is annoying,” she said, and Rachel helped her to her feet. Tyler took the towel and waved it a few times in front of the alarm, and it stopped.

“Is that how you get it to stop?” Rachel asked stupidly, and Tyler shook her head and walked into the kitchen. She took the pan and ran it under the faucet, then turned the burner off under the coffee.    

“You really should get a coffeemaker,” Rachel offered, and Tyler narrowed her eyes at her.

“What were you doing?” She tried to sound annoyed.

Rachel looked around the kitchen and waved helplessly. “I...I was going to make you breakfast,” she said in a forlorn voice.

“After I dove in and got you the blasted car keys? I thought you’d hightail it out of here,” Tyler said firmly.

Rachel blinked a few times. “I don’t want to go.”

Tyler wanted to take her in her arms. Instead, she folded them across her chest and leaned against the counter. “Really? And why is that?” she asked seriously. Her mouth was going dry as her heart pounded in her ears. She took out the orange juice and drank it right from the carton.

“That’s not very hygienic, you know.” Rachel smiled sheepishly.

“Answer my question.” Tyler took another drink. Dakota looked from one to the other, then lay down and let out a canine huff.

“I think Dakota...”

“Never mind about the dog. Answer me,” Tyler said firmly and set the carton down.

“Well, I...I was just thinking...”

“Yes, that’s an annoying habit of yours, but go on,” Tyler said smugly.

Rachel looked at her hands. “I love you, too,” she said in a small voice.

“Pardon me?” Tyler leaned in.

“I said I love you, too.”

“And?”

“And I trust you with my life.” She looked up through teary eyes.

Tyler was kneeling in front of her before she finished her sentence.

“And we’ll work this out together,” Rachel finished and was kissed deeply by the woman she loved.

Tyler pulled back and looked up into those hazel eyes. “You’ll never leave me?”

Rachel ran her fingers through her hair and gave it a playful tug. “Never. You’re stuck with me.” She bent down and kissed her.

Tyler sighed and returned her kiss passionately, then whisked her into her arms and carried her to the bedroom.

“Beat it, Dakota,” she grumbled, and the dog sauntered out of the room.

For the next week, they laughed, cried, and loved. Finally, they drove back to civilization, then their worst fears would be realized. Now their love and devotion would be put to the test.

Chapter 15

Tyler and Rachel walked through the front door, laughing and holding hands. They stopped abruptly as they were greeted by a glum Jean and Hank.

“God, what is it?” Tyler asked sadly and helped Rachel with her coat.

Jean smiled at Rachel and kissed her. “It was for the best, right, my dear?”

Rachel laughed quietly and nodded. Hank gave her a hug and kissed her forehead. Tyler was in the kitchen, and all three followed her.

She was standing by the table, her face red with anger as she read the tabloid. Rachel took a deep breath and stood by her. Slipping her arm in Tyler’s, she read the headline... Will Tyler Cameron’s Nurse Show Her Mercy?

The article was, of course, about Rachel’s mother.

“Undisclosed source, though everyone knows it’s Amanda Henderson’s wrath,” Jean said.

Tyler angrily ripped the paper in shreds. Rachel watched and said nothing. She was doing her own fuming. Tyler went off on a rampage. “That fucking bitch,” she said viciously and leaned on her cane as she paced. “I’ll kill her.”

The three of them let her rant. Finally, she calmed, and now it was Rachel’s turn. Her quiet rage scared Tyler.

“Honey...” She winced as Rachel now vowed something anatomically impossible after scratching out Amanda Henderson’s eyes.

“Uh…sweetie,” Tyler tried again after listening, trying to calm her down.

Jean and Hank sat there wide-eyed as they listened to this little woman’s tirade.

With that, the doorbell rang, and Jean quickly answered it. “Oh, good Lord, you’d better run.”

Tyler came out and was shocked. There stood Amanda in mink. “I swear I had nothing…” That was all she got out.

“Amanda, you’d better get out of here right now. If Rachel sees you, well, she made some promise to scratch your eyes out and stuff them up each nostril. So beat it...” Tyler then heard the screech of her beloved. She turned just in time to catch Rachel by the waist and lift her off the ground.

“You lousy bitch!” Rachel bellowed with her arms outstretched, trying to get at Amanda, who turned white and backed up.

“Amanda, get the hell out of here,” Tyler warned and grimaced as she held on to Rachel’s waist as she struggled to get free.

Amanda found the doorknob and dashed out, slamming the door.

Tyler still held her by the waist. “Rachel... Calm down...” she insisted, trying not to laugh.

“Put me down. I just want to kill her,” Rachel hissed and struggled.

Tyler was amazed at this woman’s strength. She gritted her teeth and held on, chuckling quietly.

Hank and Jean stood there watching the embarrassing sight.

Jean hid her eyes. “I can’t watch.”

Hank chuckled, putting his arm around her shoulders. “It’s best ya don’t, Jean. This is ugly.”

“I guess she is a sack of potatoes.” Jean laughed as Tyler held on to Rachel. Then she easily hoisted her over her shoulder and marched down the hall.

She opened the door to the gym and headed for the pool. “Rachel Whitaker, calm down!” Tyler barked as she walked through the door and up to the pool.

“Put me down!” Rachel yelled, and Tyler shook her head.

“Your wish is my command, my love.” She grunted, then tossed Rachel in the shallow end of the pool. She let out a shriek before she went under. She came up sputtering and coughing, looking like a drowned rat.

“You!”

“Sorry, honey, but if I let you go, you’d be in the headlines again,” Tyler said seriously.

Rachel took a deep breath and waded up to the stairs. Tyler offered her hand and pulled her out. “I’m sorry,” Tyler said, and Rachel glared at her.

“It’s a good thing I love you, and you’re right.” She threw her wet arms around Tyler’s neck and kissed her deeply.

“C’mon. You need to dry off. And I’ve got an idea,” Tyler said and kissed her nose.

*******

The four of them sat in the living room by the fire. Tyler paced, and Rachel watched. Jean and Hank sat on the couch and waited. Rachel had explained what happened in England. They were all amazed, well except for Tyler, how quickly it got in the tabloids.

“I can’t help but think that Amanda did not do this,” Tyler said, and Rachel shot her an incredulous look. “Hear me out, honey.” Tyler put up a hand to Rachel, who took a deep angry breath.

“Amanda may be many things, but I hold the trump card on her. I paid handsomely to keep a bit of information out of the papers. She’d be a fool to try something like this.”

Rachel hated to admit it, but Tyler had a point here. “So… How did they find this out?”

Tyler rubbed the back of her neck and glanced at Rachel. “I’m making a phone call. I know a... Well, I know someone.” She turned red, and Rachel rolled her eyes.

“What’s her name?” she asked dryly.

Tyler winced as she picked up the phone. “I love it when you’re jealous.”

“Am I going to have to scratch out her eyes, as well?”

“Rachel, darling, that would leave this country with far too many blind women,” Jean said seriously and patted her hand. Tyler glared at her.

After almost twenty minutes, Tyler hung up and turned to Rachel. “It’s as I suspected. Rachel,” she said and knelt in front of her. She took a deep breath, and Rachel smiled sadly and ran her fingers through Tyler’s thick hair.

“My father.”

Tears sprang into Tyler’s gray eyes, and she only nodded. Beside them, Jean gasped, and Hank let out a disgusted grunt.

“He saw your picture and called them. He sold the story for six grand,” Tyler said quietly. “I’m so sorry.”

Rachel was numb. She sat there, staring at nothing. She then looked at Tyler with tears streaming down her face. Rachel smiled and wiped the tears away. “I’m sorry. Your life is...”

“Our life,” Tyler corrected her and stood, wiping her eyes. “And I’m not living one more minute with this lie. You did not pull the plug on your mother. I know you think your father did. You just couldn’t prove it because you didn’t have the means. Well, I do,” she said firmly and bent down and kissed Rachel with such love that it overwhelmed her.

“Tyler. What are you planning?” Jean asked.

Tyler, still looking into the hazel eyes, smiled happily. “I’m gonna find out what happened,” she said simply. “Now I’m starving. Jean, take Rachel into the kitchen with you, but don’t let her near the stove,” she said, and Rachel laughed out loud and followed Jean.

Tyler watched her retreating figure and grinned. “God, I love her.” She sighed.

“What are ya gonna do?” Hank asked curiously.

“Call Warren,” she said, then picked up the phone again.

“Your lawyer?”

“Yep. I’m gonna get to the bottom of this. That woman will not live with this lie any longer. The last stone in this wall will come tumbling down on that old man’s head.”

*******

“What exactly do you want me to do?” Warren asked. Tyler sat across from him and explained. He listened and raised an eyebrow. “I can’t promise anything, Tyler. I’ll send Jake over there and see what he can dig up. You’d better lay low and keep out of the limelight. I’ll contact you. This will cost.”

Tyler stood and shook his hand. “Don’t care. She didn’t do it, there’s got to be a way.”

He shook her hand and nodded. “I’ll keep in touch.”

*******

Two weeks passed and nothing from Jake, the P.I. Rachel was skeptical, and Tyler was undaunted. “He’ll find something, don’t worry. With a name like Jake, he’d better.”

She pulled Rachel close as they lay on the couch watching the fire. “I love you,” Rachel whispered and unbuttoned the first two buttons of Tyler’s shirt. She leaned over and kissed her neck, and Tyler sighed happily.

“I love you, too. No regrets, Rachel. No stone walls,” she whispered and held her tight.

“No, Tyler. No more walls. No regrets. Although I am sorry about one thing. I called you a bitch. I’m sorry,” she said quietly and laid her head on her chest.

Tyler chuckled softly. “I think I may have deserved that one.”

“Hmm, kidnapping me like that. You took an awful chance, Tyler Cameron.”

“Not really,” she said confidently. Rachel looked up to see Tyler grinning.

“You are without a doubt the most arrogant woman I’ve ever met,” Rachel exclaimed quietly. “What’s to prevent me from getting up right now and leaving?”

Tyler grabbed behind her head and pulled her head back. Their faces were inches apart. Rachel was amazed to see the desperate look on her lover’s face.

“I’d be lost. Completely and hopelessly lost if you ever…” Tyler’s voice caught in her throat. Rachel kissed her tenderly. She moved over her and kissed her cheek, her forehead, then her lips once again.

“I’ll never leave you. I thank God every minute that you whisked me away to your home, where your heart is. Thank you. You saved my life,” she said in her soft lilting voice.

Then the call came that would change their lives forever.

Epilogue

They sat side by side on the plane as it flew over the Atlantic. Tyler held Rachel’s hand tight not saying much. Tyler then picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. “Almost done, sweetie...”

Rachel smiled and rested her head on Tyler’s shoulder, not caring who noticed. Tyler sighed, laid her head against Rachel’s, and drifted off. Rachel looked out the window, watching the clouds.

Rachel smiled as she remembered that night she walked into Tyler’s room. How her heart raced as she saw her lying there, glasses on, reading poetry and wearing that ridiculous Daffy Duck T-shirt. Then when Tyler recited those lines to her, she was making love to Rachel, and Rachel knew it.

Rachel closed her eyes and heard Tyler’s soft voice again. “If I have freedom in my love and in my soul am free...”

Free, Rachel thought and held on to Tyler’s hand.

*******

They sat in the courtroom and listened to both sides battling. The cameras continued flashing, and headlines were already made. Tyler and Rachel never moved. They sat holding hands as their lawyers did their jobs.

Then on the last day, Jake took the witness stand. He winked at Tyler, who nodded. Rachel bit her bottom lip.

Jake gave his testimony. All his evidence. How Jeffrey Whitaker found out about his wife’s will. How then two days later, Lillian Whitaker was dead, her life support disengaged.

Jake stepped down, and their lawyer called, “Elizabeth Cummins...”

The young woman took the stand. Tyler and Rachel held their collective breath. Then Tyler looked at Rachel’s father. His lawyers leaned in and whispered to him. Jeffrey Whitaker turned white and began sweating. He glanced at Tyler, who gave him a smug look, then put her arm around Rachel, who refused to acknowledge her father.

“Miss Cummins,” Warren started, “would you please tell the court how you’re involved in this case?”

Elizabeth Cummins was visibly upset. She took a deep breath and started. “I’m the secretary for Lillian Whitaker’s lawyer.”

“And I have a bank statement here that shows you deposited five thousand English pounds into your account shortly after Jeffrey Whitaker took possession of his money.”

“That’s correct.”

“And what is your relationship with Jeffrey Whitaker?”

“We had an affair off and on for a few years. I knew Jeffrey needed the money quickly. He had gambling debts to pay. He also told me that if I helped him, he would pay me five thousand pounds to keep quiet. He would take his wife off life support, it was her wish anyway. He convinced me he did nothing wrong.”

“Why are you coming forth now?” Warren asked.

“I had no idea that his daughter was convicted. I was in Scotland at the time. When I came back, I never said a word, I didn’t know. Three weeks ago, Mr. Jake King came to my office and started asking questions. It was then I knew that I could do nothing more. Jeff took Mrs. Whitaker off the life support, blamed his daughter, and got his money. God help me, I took the money, but I swear as God as my witness, I didn’t know Rachel Whitaker was blamed.” She stopped and buried her face in her hands and wept.

All hell broke loose. The lawyers for Jeffrey Whitaker barked and argued over this woman’s testimony. Rachel’s lawyers argued her validity. The poor judge banged his gavel repeatedly as the cameras flashed.

“Get those reporters out of my court!” the old judge bellowed. “I will not have this courtroom turned into a circus.”

Jeffrey Whitaker sat there, staring ahead, his face ashen as he hid his eyes. It was only then that Rachel looked at him. She felt no hatred toward him now. He was as he had always been to her—nothing.

Tyler held her tight as the bailiffs cleared the reporters from the courtroom.

The judge coughed gently before he spoke. “In light of this new information, I find Jeffrey Whitaker guilty of not a mercy killing, but of the murder of his wife, Lillian Whitaker. And after we go through everything, I believe Rachel Whitaker will be exonerated of all charges against her. I will personally see to it that she has no criminal record. The court begs her pardon. Justice has been served. This court will determine sentencing for Jeffrey Whitaker at a later date. Court adjourned.” The judge banged the gavel.

Everyone stood as the judge left the bench. The lawyers congratulated one another, then turned to Rachel and Tyler. “Well, it’s over. You’ve got your life back,” he said in a thick British accent and shook Rachel’s hand.

“Thank you. I…” She stopped and turned to Tyler, who wrapped her arms around her as she cried softly.

“It’s over,” Tyler whispered, and Rachel wept as she clung to her. Over her head, Tyler watched Jeffrey Whitaker placed in handcuffs and led out of the courtroom. Never once did he look back...

“C’mon, Nurse Whitaker, my back is killing me.” Tyler leaned on her cane.

“It’s because of the long time on that bloody plane. I told you, you weren’t ready for it. You never listen to me.” Rachel sniffed and blew her nose. Tyler smiled and put an arm around her, walking out of the courtroom.

“How many times must I tell you, not to…”

“Overdo it,” Tyler finished with a happy grin.

“Honestly, you’re like a child,” Rachel scolded as she sniffed again.

Tyler grinned and only nodded as Rachel admonished her as they walked down the steps of the courtroom. They walked hand in hand down the English cobblestone streets. Tyler was nodding, listening to her nurse reminding her of her limitations. Tyler obediently listened; Rachel gently nagged.

There were no more stone walls in their hearts or in their minds. Only the freedom of their love was left. So much love even the angels that soared above envied them.

About the author

Kate Sweeney, a 2010 Alice B. Medal winner, was the 2007 recipient of the Golden Crown Literary Society award for Debut Author for She Waits, the first in the Kate Ryan Mystery series. The series also includes A Nice Clean Murder, The Trouble with Murder, a 2008 Golden Crown Award winner for Mystery, Who’ll Be Dead for Christmas? a 2009 Golden Crown Award winner for Mystery, Of Course It’s Murder, What Happened in Malinmore, and A Near Myth Murder.

Other novels include Away from the Dawn, Survive the Dawn, Before the Dawn, Residual Moon, a 2008 Golden Crown Award winner for Speculative Fiction, Liar’s Moon, The O’Malley Legacy, Winds of Heaven, Sea of Grass, Paradise, Love at Last, Someday I’ll Find You and Moon Through the Magnolia.

Born in Chicago, Kate moved to Louisiana, and this Yankee doubts she’ll ever get used to saying y’all. Humor is deeply embedded in Kate’s DNA. She sincerely hopes you will see this when you read her novels, short stories, and other works. Email Kate at ksweeney22@aol.com. 