Rescue Me (a quirky romance novel about secrets, forgiveness and falling in love) (29 page)

"Good point." He decided not to mention that he'd invited Hailey to stay with him, and she'd accepted. It was still a little hard to believe. She could change her mind, make peace with Heidi and stay with her...who knew?

"How about a nice plant?" Sue said, turning from the window. "Or a small accessory? Maybe something for her kitchen."

"A plant? Those are so impersonal, don't you think?"

"No. Not normally, unless... Exactly what is she to you?"

"A friend?"

She shook her head and walked toward the next store. "Friend? Bull! It's as clear as day you're in love with her--have been for who knows how long. I saw the way you looked at her that day at the clinic."

He stopped at the next store, a jewelry store with tiny windows showcasing dazzling gems. A square cut emerald ring caught his eye. "Let's go in here."

"What are you thinking?" She sounded exasperated. "You're not getting an engage--"

"No! I'm not that bad." He tried to reassure her with a smile. "Come on. Why are you acting like this? I've never seen you so argumentative. I thought our little excursion might be fun."

"Okay. I'm sorry. You're right. It's your life. Your mistake. But as your friend--a real friend, I might add--It's my job to make sure you know what you're doing."

"Thank you. That means a lot to me." He turned to the grinning salesman whose gaze leapt tellingly from Rainer to Sue and back. "Rainer Hartmann. I'd like to see the emerald ring in the window, please."

"Mr. Hartmann. My name is Henry. I'd be glad to get it for you. It's a personal favorite." He motioned toward a set of metal stools next to a glass counter. "Would you and your lovely lady like to take a seat?"

"Thank you." Rainer led Sue, wearing a crocodile smile, to the stool and held her chair for her before taking his own.

The ring was even more dazzling close up than it was in the window. When Henry tried to slip it on Sue's finger, she shook her head, and he glanced questioningly at Rainer.

"It's not for her. She's here to help me choose."

"Oh. I see," the man said with a nod, before launching into his spiel about the stone's brilliance and unsurpassed quality.

"Well, what do you think?" Rainer asked Sue, unsure whether giving Hailey a ring was wise, but certain if he was going to give her a ring, this one was the best. Funny, he'd never thought to buy jewelry in a mall before. "It's top notch, isn't it?"

"It's gorgeous," she agreed. "I'd melt if someone gave me a gift like that. But it's too much. It's not exactly a housewarming gift, is it?"

"I know." He handed it back to the salesman. "But it's perfect. The stone is the same color as her eyes."

Sue sighed. "Let's go to Housewares Direct. It's down the aisle. You can find her a nice gift--something a little more appropriate."

"Ever the voice of reason," he said to a visibly disappointed Henry as he stood. But he leaned over the counter to whisper, "Don't sell it. I'll be back later," before following Sue into the mall's main corridor. Hailey'd been through so much lately. She deserved that ring. He'd worry about explaining it later.

Now, all he had to find was an appropriate vessel. Something clever to hide it inside. Something tacky. Something that would make her wonder what he'd been thinking.

Two long, exhausting and frustrating hours later, he carried a small velvet box, secreted into his pocket while Sue was in the ladies room, and a larger bag with a gift that made him smile when he thought about it.

Sue strode beside him, her friendly banter welcome and distracting, exactly what he needed if he was going to survive the next several hours away from Hailey. But her welcome company was stolen during lunch when she received an urgent page from the hospital.

She excused herself with an uneasy smile and a casual, "Duty calls," then left him to finish his meal alone.

Now he wished he hadn't taken the day off!

With his meal still half-eaten, he flagged down the waitress, paid the bill, and left. He drove straight to the hospital, his feet carrying him to Heidi's room.

He'd been warned she didn't want to see him, and he briefly hesitated in the hallway. If he forced himself in there, he'd be falling into old habits, something he'd promised never to do again.

Instead, he sent a nurse in to tell Heidi he would like to see her. If she refused, he would leave. To his surprise, the nurse stepped out of the room with a pleasant smile and motioned toward the door.

He stepped inside. The lights were dimmed. The television off, the shades drawn.

"What are you doing here?" Heidi asked.

"I know you said you don't want to see me." He stopped and shrugged out of his sport coat. It was hotter than Hades in there. "That sounds so stupid. Like we were dating."

"Would you mind getting to the point? I'm tired."

"Sure." He stepped closer but stopped short when she slid deeper under the covers. She didn't look good. "It's about your sister."

"Again? Damn it, Rainer! When are you going to learn to leave things alone?"

"I didn't do this. I swear."

"What are you talking about?" She sounded exasperated.

"She's moving back."

"So what? She's already been here. I know. It's a big state. She's entitled to live where she likes."

"But did she tell you she's going to be staying with me--until she finds a place of her own?"

Silence.

"I thought you should know," he added. "We've been friends a long time. I figured I should tell you."

"Well, isn't that great? Thanks for the warning, and good luck to the both of you. But what made you think I'd care?"

He shook his head. He was trying to be forthright and honest. In the past, Heidi would have appreciated that. She'd changed so much in such a short time. "I guess I'll go now." He stopped at the door. "I really do care about you, you know."

"Sure, you do. Just like she does."

"Maybe when you're feeling better, you'll change your mind about our friendship."

"I will never change my mind, Rainer Hartmann. Ever since we became friends, you've been controlling me. You go way beyond friendship, stooping to manipulation at a whim. I don't need that. You understand me? And neither does Hailey. She won't put up with that for half as long as I have."

"I know. I've learned my lesson."

"Sure you have. That's why you're here telling me she's moving in with you. You're using Hailey to make me jealous, but it isn't going to work."

"I am not. You can make your own decision about our friendship. I didn't want you to learn about Hailey through someone else."

"How noble."

"I'm treating you the way I'd want to be treated."

"Well, thanks for the honesty. Now, you can leave. Have a great life."

He heard the quaking in her voice and stood his ground. "I'm sorry this hurts."

"It doesn't hurt. You're my ex-friend. She's my ex-sister. It's a fine match. I don't need either of you."

"You're hurt and angry. Why can't you admit it? You used to be so honest about your feelings."

"You're not a shrink. Leave the psychotherapy to the professionals. Contrary to popular belief, I've never been honest about my feelings--not when it came to you. If I had, we wouldn't have been friends for more than a few weeks. You've been driving me crazy for years."

"Really?" Those words fell out of nowhere. It took a moment for them to strike home, stealing his breath.

"Yes. Now, would you leave? Please?"

"Are you sure?"

"You have a problem letting go."

"And you don't?" he asked, mentally reeling from the last blow.

"Absolutely not." She smiled, the expression another surprise. "See? I'm happy. Really. We didn't work out, not even as friends. But maybe you and Hailey can."

As he stared at her smile, he understood how bad his manipulation had been--how damaging it had been to their friendship. Heidi was genuinely relieved to see him gone. Realization left a bitter taste in his mouth--and a renewed resolve not to make that mistake ever again.

No one deserved to be treated the way he'd treated Heidi. No matter how noble his reasons.

"I'm so sorry for the way I treated you."

She shook her head.

"I destroyed our friendship. But I swear to you, your pain isn't in vain."

She nodded, and a more genuine smile spread over her features. "I know I sound angry, but I'm not as mad as I look. I want to make it clear, that's all. I don't need a friend who pushes and controls me."

"I understand."

"Good luck, Rainer. I mean it. I hope you're happy. Maybe sometime down the road we can become friends again."

"I hope so."

She turned her face.

"Good bye, Heidi. I wish you a hasty recovery, and years of health and happiness." He left the room and closed the door.

He'd made his peace. Apologized for what he'd done, and told her about Hailey. His guilt was assuaged.

Now, he had some final preparations to make before Hailey's return to the condo. He stepped outside into the aging afternoon and rummaged in his coat pocket for his cell phone to find out exactly when she'd be returning home.

When the call went directly to voicemail, he assumed she was in a bad cell, slipped his phone back into his pocket, and went to his car. Maybe a trip to the clinic would eat away the rest of the afternoon. He could take some urgent care cases, help out until closing. Yup, that was the answer. Stay busy. Stay sane.

Exhausted, and wanting nothing more than a shower, Rainer's smile warming her face, and a cozy bed, Hailey drove past the exit leading to Rainer's house. Andrew rode quietly at her side.

Next stop, the hospital, before visiting hours ended. Only after she settled things with Heidi would she allow herself the luxury of a weekend of lazing around Rainer's place. Then on Monday, it was back to job and apartment hunting.

She and Andrew rehearsed their sales pitch once more as she drove the last few miles. After parking in a distant lot, they boarded the shuttle. Fall was chilly in Michigan. She'd forgotten how cool it could get in September. "Thank God for shuttles," she said as she debarked, a blast of cold air stinging her face and ears.

The sun dipped below the horizon, leaving streaks of purple and salmon across the sky, reminding her of how late it was getting. Rainer expected her home around eight. It was seven already. She entered the massive brick building, passing under the heaters inside.

Andrew shivered. "I'd forgotten how cold it could get out here!" he said through chattering teeth. "Maybe I'm making a mistake."

"Don't you dare back out on me now!" She turned to catch his playful grin, looking a little strained against the chill, but in place.

She led Andrew across the lobby to the elevators, then down the maze of corridors to Heidi's room, only having to ask twice for directions. After a few wrong turns, they reached the room. She stood outside the door, nervous as she'd ever been, and whispered to Andrew, "You wait out here until I call you, okay?"

Andrew socked her on the arm. "Go get her, babe. I'll be right here."

She rubbed away the resulting cramp and opened the door, grateful for his moral support, but not his strange way of showing emotion. When she entered the still room, she almost turned around and left, again. Exactly like this afternoon, the lights were dim, the television off, the shades drawn tight. The lump on the bed didn't stir when she closed the door. "Heidi?"

"Hailey? Again?" The voice wasn't coming from the bed, as she expected. It came from a shadowy corner. "Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"Where's the light? And what are you doing sitting in the dark?" Hailey asked, ignoring her sister's last question.

A burst shattered the inky darkness, illuminating the corner where Heidi's voice had risen. "I'm just thinking."

"In the dark?"

"I do my best thinking in the dark."

Hailey took a quick moment to survey her sister's face and form. Heidi was pale, her lips a chalky white. And her cheekbones stuck out prominently under deep shadowed eyes.

"You look good," she lied.

"I look like hell. Don't even try. But I'm feeling a little better."

"Good! Are they going to let you go home soon?"

"I hope so. I can't stand this place."

"I don't blame you." An awkward silence hung in the air, but Hailey was comforted by the fact that Heidi hadn't thrown her out yet.

"Rainer was here this afternoon."

"Oh?"

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be making yourself cozy over at Rainer's place? Like I said, the immediate danger's passed. I'm going to live. So you don't have to make nice to appease your guilt."

"I'm not appeasing my guilt."

"Call it what you like."

Hailey held back a deep sigh. How would she reach Heidi? So much had happened between them, on top of the sickness, which had clearly changed Heidi. Hardened her. Her sister was so cynical and angry.