When Love Breaks (9 page)

Today is a beautiful, spring day. There’s a slight breeze, which blows the newly sprouted greenery back and forth, and I can’t wait to walk around in this glorious weather.

“Hurry up, slow poke,” I call to Logan while waiting on his front porch.

“I’m coming,” he says as he steps over the threshold. “Why are you so impatient?”

“It’s a gorgeous day today!”

“I see that. No jackets this time.”

He walks toward the sidewalk, mindful that the stairs are his first obstacle on our hike.

“Just go slow. You’ve been doing so much better with them lately, but I still get nervous for you.”

“Yeah,” he snorts. “I get nervous too.”

There are only two steps to go down, but there’s no railing. He removes the crutches from under his arms and holds them, only with his hands. Right foot, left foot, he clears the first one. Then, he goes for the second. His right foot lands safely onto the sidewalk but when he picks up the left one, his shoe gets caught on the edge, causing him to lose his balance.

“Ah!” he shouts, as his leg gives out from under him, sending him sailing onto the concrete below.

“Oh, my God! Logan! Are you okay?” I instinctively grab onto his arm, trying to help him up.

“I’m fine,” he says. His voice is a bit gruff as he balances on his hands and knees. “I’m good. Just stay near me while I get back up.”

“Do you want me to help you?”

“No. Stuff like this is going to happen, and you might not be around. I need to learn to handle things on my own.”

Amazingly, with little effort, he stands back up unassisted. I clap politely at his finesse, and he bows slightly.

“Nice recovery, Mr. Turner. How did you learn how to do that?”

“At therapy, but I’ve also been watching a lot of videos online.”

“Doing some extra studying? I’d say that’s worth at least ten extra credit points.”

“Why thank you, Miss Foster. That’s very generous of you,” he says, then winks.

We both laugh, then begin our walk.

“So, really, did you get hurt when you fell?” I ask while walking beside him.

“Not really. I think the fear of falling is worse than the actual fall.” He looks at his hand. “My hands got scratched up a bit, that’s all.”

I stop, take his hand in mine, and blow on it. Then, I place a very gentle kiss on the heel.

“There. How’s that?”

He smiles appreciatively.

“It feels better all ready. You must have a magic touch,” he says.

“I’ll never tell,” I reply with a wink, and he smiles fondly at me.

“I have a question,” he says, as we resume walking.

“Yes?”

“I got a call from a friend the other day.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Apparently, he’s getting married and invited me to go.”

“Well, that’ll be nice. I think you should go.”

“Yeah,” he says, then swipes his forehead with his hand. “Um…I was wondering…would you want to come with me? Be my plus one?”

I raise my eyebrows in shock. I wasn’t expecting this.

“Oh. Um…”

“You can say no. It’s fine. I just thought that maybe, since I don’t really have anyone else to go with, that you’d be willing to hang out with me for a few hours that day. But, if not, I understand.”

Oh, my. What should I say? I’d be his
plus one
? What exactly does that imply? He’s looking anywhere but at me, and I think he was really nervous about asking me. I could just think of it as a way to make sure he’s safe.

“Sure,” I say, and his head swings over in my direction.

“Really?”

I smile and nod.

“I’d love to go. Thank you for asking me.”

His face erupts in a huge grin.

“Great!” he says, keeping his elated expression. “It’s about a month from now. I hope that’s okay.”

“That’s fine. How should I dress?”

“Well, I think it’s being held at a more formal venue, but whatever you decide to wear will be fine.”

It looks as though I might have to go shopping.

8

LOGAN

I
’m rooting around in my closet, when I finally spot my suit jacket and pants. I pull them out, from way in the back, and dust off the shoulders. Sheesh. How long has it been since I’ve had to wear it? It’s a simple navy suit, with very small pin stripes. The tie that Bethany suggested is still wrapped around the hanger. I remember now it was her friend’s wedding.

As I finish trying it on, Michael knocks on my door, but doesn’t wait for me to answer, before barging right in. His eyes fill with horror, when he sees my attire, as realization dawns.

“Damn it. It’s formal?” he says with a grimace.

“I’m afraid so,” I say, and chuckle a bit.

“Seriously? I’m not even sure where my two occasion suit is.”

“Your what?”

“You know, the two occasions in which I’m forced to wear it: weddings and funerals.”

“Ah, yes. I have one of those too,” I say, tugging at the lapel of my current clothing. I reach out and cross my arms in front of me, testing the tightness of the fabric on my back. “It’s been so long since I’ve worn it; it feels a bit small. I may have to buy another one.”

“Wait. So you’re telling me that I not only have to wear a stiff, throat strangling suit, I may also have to take you
shopping
to buy another one?” I shrug, and he rolls his eyes. “Just kill me now.”

“Oh, come on. It’s not that bad. We’ll just go to a department store inside the mall. They’re sure to have some.”

I laugh when Michael’s face contorts even more.

“
The mall?
Why do I even have to go to this wedding?” he whines.

“You have to go because Ryan is friends with
both
of us. He invited
both
of us, and it’s only polite.”

“Can’t you just go and tell him I’m sick…or better yet, dead?”

I laugh again.

“If I have to go and wear a monkey suit, so do you. Now, go find yours and see if it fits, so we can go get a new one for you at the same time.”

ELORA

“T
hese are all so pretty. How am I supposed to pick just one?” I say, while grabbing yet another dress off the rack.

“I don’t know, but what a problem to have!” Melanie says. We erupt into a fit of giggles as she follows me to the dressing room.

“What do you think of this one,” I ask, emerging from the small changing area.

She tilts her head to the side, then smoothes out a wrinkle at my waist.

“I’m not sure. I’m not fan of this style.”

“I agree. I like the color though. It reminds me of the sea.”

“Yeah, go back in, and try on another.”

A few moments later, I open the door again.

“How about this one?”

Her eyebrows shoot up.

“Whoa. I’m not sure what statement you’re trying to make, but I’m pretty sure that ‘
take me straight to the bedroom’
is not the right one.”

“Yeah…not at all the message I’m trying to send.” I laugh uneasily. “I’ll try another,” I say, then go back into the changing room.

“So, who’s wedding is it again?” she asks.

“Oh, some old friend of Logan’s.”

“Uh huh.”

“I guess he and his brother have known him for a while.”

“Hmm,” she says.

I poke my head out of the door.

“Now, what does
hmm
mean?”

“Nothing,” she says, feigning innocence. “I just hope he knows that this is strictly business and not a real date. You did make that clear, didn’t you?”

“He knows that,” I say, clearly irritated.

She holds her hands up in surrender.

“Okay. I believe you. I’d just hate for this to become a misunderstanding.”

“Melanie, Logan and I have a very professional relationship, nothing else, so stop worrying about it, okay?”

“If you say so, I have to believe you.” She starts to walk out, but turns back to face me. “I just hope he feels the same way.”

I scoff at her and wave her away, then close the door to finish trying the next dress on.

“Okay. I like this one. It shows just enough cleavage but not too much. It hugs me in all the right places without accentuating the bad spots.” I laugh at my own words. “And, the fabric is so soft. Are you ready to see it?” She doesn’t answer. “Melanie? Are you there?” There’s still no answer. “Melanie?” I say, while opening the door. My reflection is the only person I see. She must’ve gone out. In my bare feet, I tiptoe out of the changing area, looking for my lost friend. “Melanie?” I call out again, but I can’t see her, nor hear her reply. I call her name again then, finally, I hear her faint voice.

“Hang on. I found a really pretty one. I’m just trying to find your size.”

“Okay,” I say, then turn to head back inside.

“Elora?” a familiar voice says.

I turn around to see two men standing in the aisle near me. I swallow hard, and instinctually, I wrap my arms around myself.

“Logan?” I say, shocked to see him at a mall. “Hi.” I walk closer to the two men. “How are you?”

“I’m fine. You?”

“I’m good.”

What the hell is he doing here?

“I was just here buying a new suit…for the wedding,” he says, answering the question I didn’t actually ask out loud. His eyes are large and round as they sweep across me, inspecting my attire, no doubt. “Wow. You look…” His voice is hoarse, and he doesn’t finish his sentence, before I begin blushing. I cover my heated cheeks in an attempt to hide my embarrassment. “Amazing.”

“Thank you,” I say, trying desperately to recover my wits and calm my rapid heartbeat. “It’s nice to see you out and about.” I’m hoping my nervous laugh doesn’t give me away.

“Yeah…thanks. Someone once told me, I should get out now and then.” I hear the other man clear his throat, then nudge Logan’s shoulder. He breaks eye contact with me to shoot his friend a puzzled look. Then, suddenly, he remembers his manners. “Oh. Elora, this is my brother, Michael. Michael,
this
is Elora.”

Michael reaches his hand out to me, and I gladly accept and shake it.

“He’s so rude,” Michael says with an exaggerated eye roll and a toothy grin, then he laughs at his brother’s expense. “So, you’re the elusive Elora. Logan has been going on and on about you for months. Although, now I can see why.” He gets an elbow thrown into his side, and winces slightly. “I mean, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you too.” I lean into him a bit. “But, don’t worry, I don’t believe any of it.” Logan’s gloating smile is triumphant, as Michael laughs and shakes his head.

“I appreciate that,” he says.

“Is that the dress you’re going to wear to the wedding?” Logan asks.

I look down, having forgotten I’m still wearing it.

“Uh, I’m not sure yet. I still have a few to try on.”

“Well, you look beautiful in it, but then, I’m sure any dress in this place would look lovely on you.”

“Thank you.” I think I’m blushing again.

“Mr. Turner!” Melanie says, as she strolls over with two more dresses in her arms. “It’s so nice to see you on your feet.”

“Please, it’s Logan, and thank you. I’m happy to have the opportunity to be on my feet again.”

He introduces her to his brother, and they exchange pleasantries.

“So, I understand that Elora will be going to a wedding with you next month?” she says.

“Yes, she was nice enough to agree to go with me.” He looks at me and smiles. “I’ll be the most envied man there.”

I smile shyly, and he winks.

“Well, I can’t argue with that. She’s the best.”

“Yes, she is,” he says without breaking eye contact.

“Logan, we should let them get back to shopping,” Michael says, then he turns his head toward us. “It was very nice to meet both of you.” He looks at me directly. “And I hope you find the one you’re looking for.”

“Thank you,” I say, as my eyes shift between him and Logan.

“Yeah, we should go. Melanie, it was nice to see you again. Elora…I’ll see you on Monday.”

I nod, say my goodbyes, then head off the dressing room to change.

As Melanie and I sit drinking our coffee, I’m catapulted back to the department store. It’s ironic that we ended up in the same place as Logan and Michael. I recall the shy feeling I got when he saw me in that beautiful dress. He seemed mesmerized by it. I wonder what he was thinking.

“Hello?” Melanie says, trying to get my attention. “Anybody home?”

“Um, yeah. I guess I was daydreaming,” I admit.

“I can see that. How are things going with Logan? Are you doing okay?”

“What? Oh, yeah. Everything’s fine. I’m fine. He’s fine. Everybody’s…fine.”

“Good. I’m glad it seems to be working out.” Then, she shakes her head slightly and snorts. “Those first few days, I was so afraid you were going to tell me some horror story, and ask me to move you.”

“He’s not that bad.” I chuckle.

“Not according to the last few aides.”

“I guess I can see why they didn’t like him. Hell, I almost walked out after the first day. But, I’m glad I hung in there. He really is very kind and sweet.”

Silence hovers.

“Really? He’s kind and sweet? Are you sure you’re going to the right house?” She chuckles softly. “Although, I have to say, he did seem like a different person today than he did before.”

“Yeah, he was rough around the edges at first. You have to understand where he’s coming from though. He’s only had a short time to adjust to his predicament. I’ve been researching people who’ve had a limb amputated, and some of them take years to come to terms with it. Some of them
never
get over it. I’d say Logan is doing very well.”

“Hmm,” she says.

“What?”

“It sounds like you’ve really become attached to him.”

“Yeah, I guess I have. I’m fascinated by his story. He’s been a war vet and a medic, no less. He’s a hero in many ways, and I just want to give him the help he’s given to others.”

“Well, just don’t get too personally involved.”

“What do you mean?”

“I saw the way he looked at you today. He was enjoying the view of you in that dress.”

“What? No. He was just being polite. What did you expect him to say? ‘
Ugly dress, it looks like shit on you?’
”

She laughs.

“Well, no, but he was definitely having trouble looking anywhere else but at you. He kept staring.”

I smile inwardly.

“Oh, please, that was just your imagination.”

“Maybe…Look, I want to tell you a true story that happened to a girl from our agency. I’m not saying that you’re in the same situation, but I also know how quickly feelings can be formed.” She adjusts herself so that she’s leaning closer to me. “A few years ago, one of our caregivers started a relationship with her patient. He was a handsome, young man who became paraplegic due to an accident. While she was taking care of him, they apparently fell in
love
.” She accentuates the word
love
, as if she doesn’t believe it was true. “When it came out, it was all very scandalous. His parents were upset, even though he was an adult, and threatened to sue the company. She kept going to see him, even after they fired her. The company ended up taking her to court, claiming breach of contract.”

“Oh, no,” I say, stunned.

“Yeah. She lost the case and was ordered to pay thousands of dollars. The whole thing was a disaster. To top it all off, they broke up shortly thereafter. Their relationship was tainted and doomed from the start. I think he may have thought he was in love with her because she was his caregiver. It was so sad.”

“Oh, my God. How awful,” I say, covering my mouth and noting some similarities.

“Yes. It was. That’s why I’m telling you to be careful. I’m not saying that you’re in love with Logan Turner, but I know how easy it is to get too attached.”

“Yeah,” I say, dazed. “Well, don’t worry, he’s charming, but not
that
charming.” I laugh uneasily, because I know that’s just not true.

“I hope you’re smarter than that. I hope you can keep your relationship professional.”

“Yeah, I mean, absolutely. I don’t have any feelings for Logan other than the fact that he’s my patient. and I’m his caregiver,” I lie. “I only look out for his best interests. No worries.”

She sits back and breathes a sigh of relief.

“Good. I’m glad to hear that. I worry about you. I know how much money and effort it takes to get through nursing school, and I’d hate to see that ruined because of a lapse in judgement.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

The subject changes to something lighter, but I’m not really paying attention. Could I really lose my job, my chances of being a nurse, and be sued, all for falling in love with the wrong man? The thought is depressing. Is it worth it? Maybe, I should back off now, before we get any closer. But, how? How can I back away from a man I’ve grown to care so much about? Does he even care for me the way Melanie seems to think? I can’t deny the way he looks at me sometimes. Still, maybe it’s just my imagination. Oh, how did I get myself into this situation?