Remember Me (25 page)

neither you nor
Reagan would ever be truly safe until he, or she, is found, and the best way to do that is for you to get your memory back. I…no, scratch that, WE, can‘t take any chances, any at all, concerning his safety.”
Although she was disappointed, the dormant maternal instincts in her knew he was right. Although she wanted to be angry, she knew they shouldn't take any risks, no matter how small they seemed, when it came to the safety of their child. “Alright.” she conceded. “But I do at least want to
talk
to him, every day, what harm can come of that? If you'll just give him my number, I'll buy him a cell phone so he can call me anytime he wants.”
Nodding in agreement, he picked up the backpack, opened it, then pulled out two bowls, two spoons, a quart jug of milk, and a large box of Cheerios.
Completely at ease for the first time that morning (the prospect of finally getting to talk to Regan had cheered her considerably) she giggled and accepted bowl he proffered. As she watched him fill her bowl with cereal, then milk, a sudden thought struck her:
I simply cannot believe he was the one who hurt me,
then her thoughts drifted back to a conversation she had had with her mother, only hours earlier:
Baby, now listen to me. I know you believe Granger was the one who attacked you, and I for one can't fault you for that. After all, the man sometimes comes off as cold as a bear’s bald butt in the winter. He WANTS people to think he’s SOB, it's his way of keeping people at
arm’s length
. But I've seen his loving, tender side as well, with both you and Regan, and let me tell you something, that man would die, he would KILL, for either one of you. At first, I was pissed when he didn't look for you, that he believed that old witch of a mother of his when she said you had simply left of your own accord, but in his defense, and this is something we're still working on trying to figure out, your behavior prior to your disappearance was downright bizarre, honey.
Darling, I believe in my soul that he would never harm a hair on your head. But that snake named Grace, I wouldn't put anything past HER. And if she DID have something to do with it, she better hope and pray I never find out. I'm sure you don't remember this, but that woman was always butting into your marriage, she caused problems from day one. The greatest failure on Granger's part was trying to be an honorable son to that ridge-running momma of his.
“Penny for your thoughts. Well, make that my entire fortune.” Granger's voice interrupted her thoughts as he munched noisily on a spoonful of his cereal.
Looking down at her own bowl, she grabbed the spoon and stirred her cereal around. Shrugging her shoulders, she replied cautiously, “What about your mom? From what my mother said, she was never too keen on us being together.”
Wanting to restart their relationship off on the right foot, he decided to be as honest as he could. “Well, she's right, mother always was a problem, and still is. But Cass, I'm not going to allow her to do the things she did before, no way, no how. When you're ready to move back home, our home, if I have to, I'll let mother live on the estate, alone, and we'll buy another place of our own.”
“You make it sound so easy, but from what my mom told me, I got the feeling I wasn't the woman your mother envisioned marching down the aisle as your blushing bride.” she replied, trying to act nonchalant, but failing miserably.
“We didn't do the marching down the aisle thing.” he laughed softly.
Surprised, she looked up at him.
“We were married by a woman named Sister Love, it was at the Black Mountains Wilderness Retreat.” he explained with a smile. “I'll never forget it. Shortly before we were married, you had called me while I was in Europe on a business trip, and announced you were pregnant. I was so happy, I couldn't believe you were actually carrying my child. I was so blown away I was literally speechless, and you mistook my shock, my surprise, my silence, for rejection. Before I had a chance to explain, you hung up on me. You were hurt, and immediately packed a bag and went to that place, the one I mentioned a minute ago. Long story short, it took me seven days to track you down, and when I finally did find you, I told you that I loved you and wanted to you to be the mother of all my children.”
Eyes wide with wonder, Cassandra was now staring at him like a child being read a favorite bedtime story.
Encouraged by the look in her eyes, he continued with the story. “While I was telling you all of this, I was standing in the hallway, right outside of your room, and I got down on my knees and proposed to you right then and there. Well, Sister Love, who was an ordained minister, just happened to walk by. She stopped, said hello to us, and offered her services. Sister Love....” he chuckled at the memory, “...now SHE was a character! She was a chain-smoker, of the left-handed cigarette variety, if you catch my drift, and an extremely loud dresser, kind of like that psychic you used to see on television, Miss Cleo. Our wedding was rather informal, and completely spontaneous. We were married inside her tree house, where she grew her...uhhh..special tobacco. She claimed it was the best pot in Kentucky, and I was dressed in a tank top, camouflage pants, and hiking boots. As for you, the good Sister gave you a flowing, pale blue dress, like the kind flower children used to wear back in the sixties. You were barefoot, except for silver toe rings on all of your toes, and she also braided flowers and lavender together to make you a crown. As comical as it may
be to picture it
, you were so beautiful.”
Throwing her head back, she laughed at the mental image of a stoned, Miss Cleo look-alike minister named Sister Love marrying them in a tree house as she puffed on a joint. She was positive not very many people could say they had had a wedding like that. She also desperately wanted those memories back, she wanted to remember everything, both good and bad.
Completely caught up in their conversation, neither of them noticed the canoe had drifted to within
arm’s reach
of the tiny lake's far shore
Looking out across the lake, then up at the sky, she marveled at the blue, gray, and orange
colors slowly merging on the horizon, just as the sun began peeking over. Inhaling the fresh mountain air, she felt connected and grounded, felt as one with the creator.
How could anyone doubt our creator's love for us, when he...or she.... took so much time to give his children such beauty to enjoy? And all we have to do is stop and look...
she wondered.

“Nice, isn't it?” Granger murmured as his gaze followed hers.
“Absolutely beautiful.” she whispered in awe, unable to tear her eyes away.
Turning to look at her, he saw the reverence on her face, and the rising sun gave her skin a glow like a rich chocolate."Yes..you
are.” he whispered loudly.
Finally tearing her gaze away, she looked at him in the faint light, his words searing through her mind and heating her body. Suddenly her entire being throbbed with a need she had never experienced in the past three years. No man had made her feel such need, not the way this man did. Her husband.
That's why I never felt the need for another man. Somewhere, deep down in my heart, I was waiting for HIM....my husband..
She
thought, the realization hitting her like a ton of bricks. With tremendous effort, she broke eye contact with him and placed her bowl down at her feet. “Granger, I really want to try to work things out, but let's just take it slow, and no promises, Ok?” she said in a soft voice.
Putting his own bowl down, he leaned forward, his face only inches from hers, his warm, minty breath making her skin tingle. “We'll make it, and I'll try the slow part, but no promises. Now, how about just one small kiss to clinch the deal?” he whispered.
Closing her eyes, she waited breathlessly and silently prayed for strength, strength enough to not run recklessly into a new, unfamiliar life.
Leaning forward a bit more, his lips brushed hers lightly just as his peripheral vision picked up movement of some sort. It was coming from some thick underbrush, and he realized, too late, how far they had drifted from their original spot on the small lake. A sudden burst of activity from the brush, and he saw a dark shape hurdling towards them in the dim light
.
“Watch out!” he shouted as he quickly moved in front of her to shield her, protect her.
Startled, her eyes flew open, and she saw the dark shape bearing down on them. Screaming impulsively, she threw her hands up in a panic, then tried to stand.
The canoe listed drunkenly to the right, and she screamed again as her arms wind milled for balance, then she plunged over the side, into the dark water.

                                                        Chapter 24
Cassandra hoisted herself onto the wooden pier (the one on the far side of the lake) with Granger following close behind.
After they had capsized (the water was only five feet deep) they had managed to right the canoe, grab the oar and backpack, but everything else, including the lantern and her glasses, were lost.
Pushing her wet hair off her face, she looked at Granger, who was shucking out of his ruined leather jacket, and cursing good naturedly.
“That damn thing Pearl Harbored us, that's for sure! Guess we drifted too close to her nest for comfort, huh? I could hear her little goslings quacking up a storm during the commotion. What's the world coming to when a cute little goose attacks two people who are only trying to kiss? Can you believe it? Water fowl with a gang mentality.”
Several feet away, the mother goose still stood at the edge of the water, honking at them angrily.
With a short, hysterical laugh, Cassandra returned the glare and shouted, “Up yours! Could of caused one of us to drown!
“Yeah!” Granger yelled. “You just keep your ass right there, and the next time I come back this way, I'm going have me some roast goose!”

Clearly not impressed by his threats, the beast gave them one last belligerent honk, turned and shook her tail feathers as if to say
kiss my ass
, then waddled off into the brush.
That was all she could stand. Cassandra's threw her head back in a fit of laughter, clutching her stomach. “She punked you! You got punked out by a friggin' angry mother goose!” she howled, pointing at Granger with one finger.
What a beautiful sound...
he thought as he watched her laugh. It was laughter from her soul, clean and pure. Looking at her lovely face, he thought his heart would burst at that very moment.
Opening her eyes, she placed one hand over her mouth to stifle the laughter, and choked, “Sorry,
I’m
not making fun.”
Wishing to hear more of her laughter, he slipped into the role of the wounded party. Giving her the best wounded-pride look he could muster, he said, “How can you laugh at me like that? Me, the father of your child, the man who loves you? I defended you from that wild, dangerous beast! That thing was probably carrying some disease that will kill me, yet I bravely and unselfishly threw myself in
its
path to protect you. Look, it actually bit me!”
Playing along, she gently took his hand in hers, and pretended to study the faint red mark where the angry fowl had only managed to nip him. Speaking to him like he was a child that had scraped his knee, she cooed, “There there now, sweetie, that mean old thing won't hurt you anymore. Does it hurt?”
Even though he knew she was playing along, the look of compassion on her lovely face nearly melted him on the spot. “Well, I would ask you to call an ambulance, but my phone
was lost in my valiant, brave attempt to protect you.”
“Well, let me take a closer look here, I think I may have just the medicine you need.” she said, and gave him a seductive smile. Bringing his hand to her lips, she blew her warm breath on the quickly fading red splotch, then kissed it softly, letting her lips linger.
“Careful, careful...” he said hoarsely, then threw in a soft “ouch” for good measure.
Brushing her lips across the back of his hand lightly, she wrapped her lips around the tip of his index finger, took it all the way into her mouth, locked onto it with her tongue as well, then slid it back out, slowly. Looking into his eyes, she whispered, “Now, does that feel better?”
Shuddering, he silently prayed that she wouldn't look down at his lap. I
thought cold water was supposed to kill raging hard-ons...
he thought. Trying to divert her attention, after all, the last thing he wanted her to believe was that he was only after one thing, he touched one cheek with his free hand and muttered, “This isn't too bad, but it still hurts a little.”
Still smiling, she leaned over and kissed his cheek, letting her lips linger again. “That better now too?” she whispered as she pulled back slightly, her warm breath making him shudder again. She was so turned on by their little game, she could feel her taut nipples pressing painfully against her wet shirt.
“Yes, but you know, I think the thing bit my lip too.” he whispered.
She hesitated only a moment, then reached out and ran her hands through his wet locks slowly. Pulling his face close, she brushed her lips against his, terrified, yet exhilarated at the same time.
Remembering Jocelyn's warning, he resisted the urge to crush her against his chest, and decided to let her set the pace. After what seemed like an eternity, her lips locked onto his, and her tongue slid sweetly inside his mouth. Now, he knew, was the time to reciprocate. Hungrily devouring her own lips with his, he wrapped his arm around her, pulled her close, and ran his fingers through her hair as well, which made her moan with pleasure. What had started out as a simple, sweet kiss, had turned into a deep, hungry, consuming one, for both of them. He shivered as she ran her hands under his wet tee shirt, her manicured nails raking lightly up and down his back.
“Hmmph!” a loud noise interrupted their momentary bliss.
Startled, Granger was the first one to break the kiss, and looked up to see an elderly couple standing there. The woman was looking down at them kindly, with a faint, knowing smile on her face. The elderly man, presumably her husband, was a different story. He was seated in a motorized wheelchair, and was giving them a look of sour disapproval. The first thought that flashed through Granger's mind was,
We were so caught up with each other we didn't even hear that wheelchair?
The elderly lady was the first to break the awkward silence. “Good morning you two lovebirds! Please excuse us, we just came to feed the ducks. The mister and I have been coming here every morning for years, to feed them.”
Granger warmed to the woman immediately. Chuckling, he replied, “Well, the gander we met on the other side of the lake earlier this morning was much more friendly than the ones on this side.”
Doing her best to hide her disappointment at the interruption, Cassandra looked up and smiled briefly, then began gathering their belongings. She was surprised to find herself not embarrassed at being caught making out with him in public. In fact, it actually felt good.
Rising to his feet, Granger held his hand out to help her.
Smiling up at him gratefully, she took his hand and thought,
Could I be falling in love with him, all over again? Or was it still there, all along, lurking right beneath the surface?
Tightening her grip, she allowed him to pull her to her feet. “Thank you.” she said softly.
Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he replied, “You bet. But the next time we're in the mood for a sunrise breakfast, it'll be goose-free. Maybe next time we'll fly to Rome for breakfast, and spend the day. We did that when we were first married. Your idea, of course.”
Still looking into his eyes, she shook her head and said, “Granger, this was perfect. You gave me, gave us, I mean, a wonderful memory to..maybe start all over again with.” Then, standing on tip-toe, she kissed his cheek.
Her words moved him in ways that would have astounded her, had she known. Releasing her hand, he wrapped his arms around her, pulled her close, and kissed her forehead. “Cass, I'll spend the rest of my life giving you the love, and time, that you deserve. And I want you to know I'll also take things as slow as you need them to be. Give you time to deal with everything being thrown at you.”
Lord, please bestow me with patience, I've got this one chance, and I'm not screwing it up...
he prayed silently.
“Good Lord! That's the trouble with young people nowadays, they don't give a second thought about pawing each other in public.” the old man griped as he looked at the handsome couple, envying their youth. Especially since his own time and memories were quickly drifting away from him.
“Michael, you hush now!” the old woman fussed as she looked at the couple fondly. “We did the same thing, right here on this very same pier, when you came home from Korea. Actually, we did much more than these two, we went skinny dipping, remember? And afterwards, right there in the very same spot we ran across this lovely young couple, was where I conceived Mike Jr. With your help, of course. Matter of fact, you said this place was magic, if memory serves me correctly.”
“Yeah, you‘re right.” he groused, although in truth, he wasn't offended, but merely frightened. Even now he only dimly recalled the magical night his wife was referring to, and according to his doctors, those memories would soon fade as well, under the onslaught of Alzheimer's.
Cherish her young man, while you can. Don't waste time like I did, thinking I had all the time in the world for later. Sometimes, later never comes....
he thought as he felt his wife's frail hand on his shoulder.
Looking up at her gratefully, he patted her hand and his face softened. “Yep, Sissygal, there's some magic here, alright.” he said in a hoarse voice as he blinked back tears.
Granger and Cassandra smiled at one another, “Yes magic.” Granger whispered as he gazed into his wife's starry eyes.