She couldn’t have made it through that terrible time in her life if it hadn’t been for Serena. Daniel had been there, too. She brushed that thought away as she wrote in Brooke’s chart. Handing the chart to the nurse, she walked to the doors and out into the night.
The cold wind blew against her and she shivered. She’d been in such a hurry to get to the hospital that she’d forgotten her coat. She ran to her car and quickly started the engine, hoping it would warm up quickly.
It was late so there wasn’t much traffic. Stopping for a light, she thought back to the day Ethan and Daniel had pulled her out of Boyd’s closet, where she’d been hiding from her captor. She had passed out, but had come to as Daniel checked to see if she was still breathing. All she’d had on was a robe and a pair of bikini panties… His head was on her chest… Her robe was open, her breasts exposed. Every time she’d seen Daniel after that day, she’d remember his face against her naked skin and it filled her with shame and embarrassment.
She’d taken off her clothes in front of men. It was hard for her to believe that now, but she had done what she’d had to do to stay alive. It was a debilitating memory forever etched in her mind. The reality of what had happened to her was still hard to understand. And Daniel was part of that reality. He’d seen her at her worst. She didn’t like being reminded of that.
Her hand went to the silk blouse buttoned at her neck. She never let anyone see her body anymore. After all this time, she still didn’t want a man to see her, to touch her. Maybe that part of her life was over.
The thought upset her. She didn’t want to be this repressed for the rest of her life. As a professional, Sarah recognized that her behavior wasn’t healthy.
She had the urge to talk to Serena, but it was too late to call so she would wait until the morning. She also had to tell Serena and Ethan about Daniel—that he was quitting. Then maybe she’d lose these guilty feelings.
Again, she knew that wasn’t going to happen until she faced whatever was between her and Daniel; guilt, blame, irritation or something deeper. There was an undeniable tension between them and until it was resolved, she’d have no peace.
CHAPTER THREE
THE NEXT MORNING Daniel rolled out of bed feeling good and he knew he’d made the right decision. He put on a pot of coffee and after his shower, wrapped a towel around his waist, grabbed a cup and went back to the bathroom to shave.
He rubbed shaving cream over his rough stubble then looked at himself closely in the mirror. There were lines around his eyes that he hadn’t noticed before. Worry lines—that’s what they were called. Well, he had plenty of worry in his type of work so he wasn’t surprised, nor did it bother him.
He wondered how Brooke Wallace was this morning. It was only five, so he hoped she was sleeping, getting some rest, because she had a rough road ahead of her. As he scraped the stubble away, he found himself unable to stop thinking about Sarah. She could help Brooke—Daniel knew that she would. But would it bring back painful memories for her? He threw his towel on the bathroom vanity. No, he wasn’t going to do this. He wasn’t worrying about Sarah Welch anymore. Her life was none of his business.
In the bedroom, he saw that his answering machine light was blinking. He listened to several messages before his mother’s voice came on. “Daniel, we’re still in Paris and having a great time. Your father is enjoying seeing his old friend, Jon Paul. His daughter, Yvette, is asking about you. She remembers you from her visit to America. She likes you a lot and she’s so beautiful. Wish you were here. Please think about your father’s offer. You work too hard and your job is so dangerous. Not sure when we’ll return. Don’t forget to check on Drew. Goodbye.”
Turning off the machine, he sat for a moment and stared into space. His father had been trying for years to place him at the helm of Garrett Enterprises. His grandfather had started a construction company then expanded the business to erecting shopping malls in Texas, eventually venturing in to other states and to Europe. Recently the company had scaled back on construction projects, but his father still managed extensive interests all over the country.
Daniel had always felt he wasn’t cut out to be a businessman. Ever since he was small, when people would ask what he wanted to be when he grew up, he’d always say, “A policeman.” His parents thought he’d outgrow this particular ambition, but he hadn’t. After getting a degree in criminal justice, he’d entered the police academy, much to his parent’s dismay. Then something happened that had changed his life forever.
Growing up, Daniel had spent a lot of time watching out for his brother, Drew, who was five years younger. But in college Drew got in with a bad crowd and started to do drugs. For a long time, Drew hid this from Daniel and their parents. One night at a party, Drew overdosed on heroin and almost died. He’d been in a coma for days. When he’d finally come out of it, his brain had been affected and he’d ended up with the mental capacity of a ten-year-old. He still had a problem putting words together and he stuttered until he could form the thought in his head. Those first years had been difficult as Drew had struggled to find a way to express himself. They’d all been very patient and grateful he was alive.
That had been fifteen years ago and not much had changed. Drew would be a child for the rest of his life. For Daniel, a lot of things had changed. He’d gone into narcotics and spent the past fifteen years trying to take down the big drug dealers. Every time one was put in prison, though, another popped up. It was a losing battle, but Daniel had fought tirelessly—until now. Was he giving up? No, he needed a break from that world.
And Sarah didn’t want him around.
For a moment he let himself feel just how much that hurt. How much it had influenced his decision. How much he’d been hoping that, last night, she’d reach out to him. But he knew he was the last person she’d turn to for anything.
He ran his hands over his face as thoughts of her did their usual number on his control. The day they’d rescued her, Daniel’s only thought was to make sure she was alive. He’d laid his ear against her chest—not even aware her robe was open. Now, sometimes, late at night, when he was tired and drained, he could actually feel her satiny skin and the softness of her breasts. And he knew Sarah had made a profound effect on him. Serena had, too, but not in the same way.
Serena was soft-spoken and had a sweetness that went all the way to her soul. They were identical in looks, both beauties, but not in personality. Sarah had a coolness, a reserve about her that was intriguing, mystifying and sometimes intimidating. He knew it was only a facade she’d acquired over the years to protect herself from life and its disappointments.
That facade was firmly in place, though, and no man was getting behind it. Greg had, but he’d been killed. Now, Sarah didn’t want to feel any more pain.
He had to stop thinking about her. The only way to do that was to start seeing other women—women who actually liked him.
His mother had said that Yvette was asking about him. She was blond and blue-eyed and had an incredibly sexy voice. Muriel had been distressed for years about his single status and he’d avoided her matchmaking efforts at all costs. Her taste in women wasn’t the same as his. Yvette just might be what he needed, though. Maybe he’d buy a plane ticket, pick up Drew, and surprise their parents.
The more he thought about it, the more he liked the plan. He’d talk to the lieutenant about his decision on Monday. Since this was Saturday, Daniel didn’t want to bother him. He’d type his letter of resignation tonight and have it ready. Then he’d fly away to France and Yvette.
First, he had to attend to a couple of things.
SARAH TRUDGED TO the kitchen for coffee. It was 5:00 a.m. and she’d only slept a couple of hours. She wanted to get to the hospital before Brooke woke up, though. Putting the coffee on, she turned as her grandmother came into the kitchen.
Aurora Farrell wore