Jason drove to Delectable Delights. Until Beth could have visitors, he continued to visit the shop. But this morning, something was different. After he told them Beth was better, no one said a word. Most days they bombarded him with questions. He frowned and looked around.
Erik cleared his throat. "We talked to Dr. Walters. It took some convincing, but he agreed to let Abbey visit Beth."
Jason pursed his lips and looked at her. Nothing good would come from this. "You love Beth and want to be certain she's recovering, but if she doesn't remember you—well, I'm afraid you'll both be hurt."
Abbey smiled. "Beth will remember me. We're family. You told us to wait until she woke, and we did. Now you tell us she's better, but we still can't visit her. Well, I want to see Beth myself whether or not you agree."
Jason's shoulders fell. "If you insist on going to the hospital, I'll take you. When do you want to go?"
"I'm ready now."
During the drive, neither of them said a word. Abbey stared out the window and clutched her purse the way a drowning man clutches a life preserver. Jason wasn't in much better shape. His hands wrapped around the steering wheel until his knuckles were white.
This visit wouldn't be easy for Beth or Abbey. He said, "You have to know, even though Beth's memory hasn't returned, it doesn't mean she cares any less about you."
"She will remember me—remember us." Her lips trembled. "I don't have a family without her."
In the hospital, he led Abbey to the lounge. "Will you wait here? I want Beth to have a minute to prepare."
Abbey nodded. "Yes."
Jason forced a smile and walked into Beth's room. "Hello, Angel. Someone is here to see you."
"Who?"
Jason smiled, but his stomach made him sorry he'd eaten. "Abbey St. John."
"I don't remember anyone with that name." She looked suspicious. "Who is she?"
"She's your best friend." He squeezed her hand. "Your friends are worried about you. They want to be sure you're getting better. If the doctor allowed visits, they'd all be here. Since your visitors are restricted, they sent Abbey to check on you."
"What if I don't recognize her?"
"What if you do? Maybe seeing her will be what you need to trigger your memory."
She nodded, but her eyes were wide with fear.
Jason left and returned with Abbey. She ran over and pulled Beth into a tight hug.
Beth pulled away. "You—you're Abbey?"
Abbey smiled, but her lips trembled. "How are you? We've been so worried. They told us you didn't remember us, but I knew you would know me. We're more than best friends. We're family."
"I don't know you." Beth burst into tears, "Why don't I know my best friend?"
Abbey pleaded, "You have to remember me. We work together at the shop with Erik and Jamie and all the others."
Tears poured from Beth's eyes. "I don't remember you."
Abbey's face turned white. "Please, Beth, I'm Abbey."
"Jason…." Beth choked on her tears.
He squeezed her hand. "It's all right."
Beth's sobs shook her body. "Why can't I remember?"
He turned to Abbey. "Would you wait in the lounge? I'll be out in a few minutes."
She sobbed as she ran from the room. He wanted to comfort her, but his first priority was Beth.
"Beth, your memory will return. When it does, you'll remember your friends and family."
"My friends will hate me."
"Your friends love you, and they know you didn't want to forget them."
Her sobs broke his heart. He couldn't wait any longer and pressed the Call button. The nurse took one look at Beth and rushed out. When she returned, she carried a syringe. A few minutes after receiving the shot, Beth fell asleep. With a heavy sigh, Jason kissed her forehead and went to the lounge to find Abbey.
Abbey sat alone but looked up when he walked into the room. Tears ran from her eyes, but she didn't make a sound. "Beth didn't remember us. She didn't even know me."
"You haven't lost her. Beth's memory will return. When it does, she'll remember all of you and probably be embarrassed that she didn't recognize you."
Abbey got to her feet and shook a finger at Jason. "It's not her fault that she has amnesia. She shouldn't worry about us. We'll always be her family."
"What's most important now is to keep her from worrying about you or the shop. You keep Delectable Delights open for business. Beth would be devastated if someone lost their job or didn't get paid."
"You're right. I'll make sure the shop opens every day and the employees keep their jobs. We'll make Beth proud." With the back of her hand, Abbey wiped away her tears. "But what will we do if her memory never returns?"
The next day the doctor released Beth from the hospital with instructions to get plenty of bed rest. Not that she had much choice. She couldn't get back to a life she didn't remember.
Her mother drove her home. When she saw the house, Beth shuddered. Her father liked to brag the house was the biggest in Serenity Bay and had it decorated by a designer brought in from New York. She called it the mausoleum.
Beth walked to her bedroom but had to stop often to catch her breath. Her mother helped her change into a nightgown and tucked her into bed. The snick of the door closing was the last sound Beth heard before she fell asleep.
She slept most of her first day at home. When she woke, she ate and used the bathroom. Exhausted, she climbed into bed and fell asleep again.
The following morning Beth woke rested, but in desperate need of a shower. In the bathroom, she studied herself in the mirror. Her eyebrows dipped into a frown. She wasn't eighteen anymore. She'd asked why everyone looked older but hadn't realized she did too. How old am I?
"Beth?" Her mother called to her.
"In here. I am going to take a shower."
"Do you need help?"
"No, I can manage. I'll yell if I need you."
Beth stepped into the shower. The water, a gentle rainfall, slid over her body. It soothed the aches and washed away the fog that clouded her mind. When she returned to the bedroom, she found her mother reading from her favorite Daphne du Maurier book.
She and her mother watched movies, read, and talked. Beth discovered she and her mother had similar likes and dislikes than either of them knew. They both had a passion for classic movies, romance novels, and chocolate. But their most important discovery was how much they liked each other.
Later, Beth's eyes widened when her mother brought Jason to her room. They chatted like old friends. Her mother never approved of their friendship. What happened to change her mind? Did her father know Jason had come to visit? He disliked Jason with an intensity that she'd never understood and nothing she said had altered his opinion.
Jason carried two shopping bags. He walked over and kissed her forehead. "How are you?"
"I have some aches and pains, but I'm better. I just wish my memory would return."
"Your body is still healing. Soon you'll have your memory back too. Until then, I plan to distract you."
Beth tilted her head. "How will you do that?"
He lifted a bag onto the bed. "In this bag, we have the complete box set of the Monk series."
"I love Monk." Beth took the box. "I remember the early years, but not these later ones."
"We'll start with episode one and watch all of them. Before you decide, there's another choice." Jason pulled out a chess set. "Do you want to continue the lessons you were giving me?"
"If we had a deck of cards, you could try to teach me to play poker—again."
With a laugh, he reached into the bag and pulled out two decks of cards and poker chips.
Beth laughed and wrapped her arms around her waist. "Ouch! Don't make me laugh; it hurts."
Later that night, Beth opened a book to read before she went to sleep. Her door flew open and slammed against the wall. Beth looked up as her father stalked into the room.
"What do you want?"
"I want Richards to invest in my project, and I want you to arrange it."
"I don't know any Richards."
He smirked. "Your act might fool your mother and Richards, but you don't fool me. I have to compliment you, though. Faking a memory loss is a good way to keep the man in town until you can get your hooks in him."
"You think my memory loss isn't real, that it's some plot?"
"I never thought you were smart enough to plan a scheme like this." He smirked. "Maybe you are my daughter after all."
"I don't want to trick anyone." Beth massaged her temples and reached for the medication the doctor had prescribed. "I don't recall anything after my birthday party until I woke in the hospital. I don't even recognize my friends. I hate this, and I would never fake losing my memory."
"I don't care if it's real or not." Archer paced back and forth. "I need capital to keep my Chicago project in business. I want you to convince Jason to put up the money."
"I don't understand what you're talking about, but I won't ask him for anything." She kneaded the back of her neck. "You've always thought he was worthless, but now you want him to do you some favor. If you want something from him, ask him yourself."
Archer's face darkened to a deep red. "Have you forgotten I make the rules in this family? When I tell you to do something, you don't say no or question me. You just do it. Get me that money, or I'll make you sorry you defied me." He stomped out.
Beth rolled her shoulders. She might have lost her memory, but she hadn't forgotten how Archer enjoyed issuing orders or the way he'd hound her until she obeyed. Thank goodness the pills she'd taken made her sleepy, otherwise, Archer's rant would keep her awake for hours.
The next day, Beth's mother stayed with her. They read, watched a movie, and ate together. It had been years since they'd spent time together that she enjoyed this much. Late that afternoon, her mother had an appointment, so Beth watched another movie.
Then her father stomped into the room. "Has Jason visited you today?"
She shook her head. Today was not a good day. Her body ached and the jackhammer pounding in her head made it difficult to think. She'd taken a pill for the pain, but it hadn't helped yet. Why did he have to bellow?
"You will talk to him today and convince him to invest in my project."
"No. I told you, if you want a favor from Jason, ask him yourself." She pressed her fingers to her temples.
"He'd never do the deal if I asked. Not the mighty J.D. Richards." Archer mocked.
"Who's J.D. Richards?"
"Just talk to your precious Jason." Archer growled, "I want his money."
"What game are you playing?"
"Just do what I tell you." He grabbed her wrist. "It will make my triumph so much more satisfying to have Richard's money in the deal."
"Leave me alone." She twisted her arm to get free, but he tightened his hold on her. "Let go!"
Her mother rushed into the room. "Archer, what are you doing?"
"Stay back." He pointed at Deidre. "Elizabeth needs to be reminded, who's in charge. I gave her an order, and she'll do what I tell her."
"Beth was seriously injured. The doctor said she shouldn't get upset." Deidre knotted her hands. "Whatever you want, it can wait until she's better."
"No, it can't wait. I want Richards to back me. He'll do it if she asks him." He squeezed his fingers around her wrist.
"You're hurting me!"
"You will talk to Richards." Archer flung her hand aside and marched out.
Beth rubbed her wrist.
Her mother rushed to her side. "I'm sorry. I never thought he'd disturb you."
"Don't apologize. You aren't responsible for his actions." Beth flexed her hand. "If I stay here, he'll harass me until I ask Jason for the money he wants. I have to leave."
Deidre pressed her lips together and nodded. "Where will you go? You shouldn't be alone until your memory returns."
Jason walked into the room. As he looked at Beth and her mother, his smile faded. "What's happened?"
Beth grimaced. "How would you like a roommate?"
Her mother helped her to pack a bag while Jason waited in the living room.
Beth studied the purple and blue bruise on her wrist. "Father will be furious when he finds out I've left. I'm worried about you."
"He'd never hurt me."
Beth laid a hand on her mother's arm. "Why do you stay with him? He doesn't even try to control his temper."
"I believe beneath the bitterness and anger, he's still the man I fell in love with." Deidre tried to smile, but it held no joy.
"He's not the man you married." Beth held her mother's hand. "Now he cares more about money and power than he does people—even his own family."
"It's true, he's changed, but Archer's had so many disappointments. After we married, Father groomed him to take over the business. Archer expected to inherit the company." Deidre sighed. "Father only left him twenty-two percent of the ownership, and Archer feels cheated."
"So Father owns less stock than my twenty-five percent?"
Her mother nodded.
"Nana told me Grandfather didn't trust him."
"Father didn't trust anyone. He wanted to protect the company he worked so hard to build and make sure it remained in the family. When he died, I inherited the majority control for the company, and he set up the estate in a way that allows me to pass the ownership only to my children or grandchildren."
"I didn't know." Beth took her mother's hand in hers. "I'm worried Father might take his anger out on you. Promise you'll call if his temper gets out of control."
Her mother nodded and patted her hand. "I'll be fine."
In the car, on the way to Jason's house, he asked, "Did Archer hurt you?"
"I have a bruise on my wrist, but it isn't bad." They pulled into a driveway, and Beth stared at the elegant Victorian home. "This house belongs to the Simonsons."
"It's okay. I have permission to be here." He helped her from the car. "I know you're confused, but I need you to trust me."
"I've always trusted you."
"I promise to answer all your questions when you're better."
"Promise?"
"I promise. Now, let's get you to bed. Lupita prepared one of the guest rooms for you." Jason led her into the house and to the bedroom. "Do you want something to eat? Lupita can bring you a tray."
"No, I'm too tired to eat. I just want to crawl into bed."
"All right. Do you need help to change your clothes?"
Beth shook her head.
He kissed her forehead. "Rest well."
After she washed her face and put on a nightgown, she snuggled into the soft bed and closed her eyes.
A knock on the door woke her. "Yes?"
Jason walked in carrying a tray. "Good morning. I come bearing breakfast."
"Thank you." She smiled. "What time is it?"
"It's almost ten o'clock."
"I'm surprised I slept so long."
"You needed the rest, but now you need to eat." He set the tray on Beth's lap and pulled a small table next to his chair.
"Why are you living in the Simonsons' home?"
"We're friends. Now no more questions. Eat."
They were finishing breakfast when Lupita walked in with the doctor.
Beth's eyes widened. "Dr. Walters, why are you here?"
"I wanted to check on my favorite patient."
She turned to Jason, and her eyebrows lifted.
He said, "I asked him to come."
"I didn't think doctors made house calls?"
Dr. Walters grinned. "Don't let my other patients know I do this."
He made Jason leave the room while he examined Beth. Jason knocked twice before the doctor let him return. The doctor teased, "A little impatient?"
He shrugged. "Is Beth all right?"
"She has a couple of new bruises, but otherwise she's fine." The doctor put his things in the bag he carried. "Beth shouldn't have any problems as long as she takes the time to recover."
"Lupita and I will make sure she gets plenty of rest." He assured the doctor.
"Good." Dr. Walters pointed at Beth. "Avoid stressful situations even if it means you don't see your parents. Are you still having headaches?"
She nodded.
"Stop trying to force your memory to return."
Her voice trembled when she asked, "What if it never comes back?"
"It may come in spurts or all at once, but I am confident your memory will return." The doctor told Jason, "Don't miss her appointment next week."
Jason and Beth fell into a comfortable routine. He worked in his study during the day but ate his meals with her. Then in the evenings, they talked. They discussed the books she read and the movies she watched. Sometimes they watched movies together. She laughed when he told her how much he liked classic movies, and she asked him how he felt about chocolate.
Although Jason visited often, Beth spent a great deal of time alone. She slept and read, but by the third day, she was bored and suffering a severe case of cabin fever.
Beth wanted to rebuild her strength so she could leave the bedroom. If she walked, it would restore her strength and stamina. When she stood, however, her legs buckled. Fortunately, she dropped onto the bed. She held onto the furniture for support and was able to walk to the dresser. Her legs shook as she shuffled back to bed. Although she was exhausted and struggled to breathe, Beth's mouth curved in a proud smile.
It took a few days, but soon Beth could circle the room without having to rest or hold onto the furniture. Ready to impress Jason, she made her way to his study. When she was close, Beth heard the deep rumble of his voice. She didn't want to interrupt his conversation and sat on a chair near the door to wait until he finished his call. Beth didn't pay attention to what was said until she heard her name.
"… Beth's trip to Europe with Deidre?"
Silence.
Why was he discussing her? Beth never traveled with her mother. She rubbed a hand over her forehead.
Jason asked, "How about the maid? Did you find her?"
Silence.
The jackhammer in her head pounded again.
"Beth has agreed to stay with me. It gives me time to question her." Silence. "Be careful. I don't want anyone to tell Beth a detective is asking questions."
Jason was having her investigated. Just like Archer, he'd do anything to get what he wanted.
As though a dam burst, memories rushed through her mind. She tried to make sense of the flood of thoughts, but she couldn't process the information fast enough.
At dinner, he'd pushed, prodded, and demanded until she'd run away. She'd driven too fast on the slick road. When she'd tried to slow the car, she'd lost control and skidded into the ditch. She'd barely been able to breathe through the pain.
"No!" Beth jumped to her feet, but the room spun in crazy circles. When she grabbed the chair, it scraped on the floor and screeched. She had to get back to her room.
Then she heard her name. There would be no escape. She looked into the face of the man who had cost her so much.
Jason took a step towards her.
Beth held her hand up. If he touched her, she'd fall apart.
Jason glowered. "What are you—?"
"How far would you have gone to get your answers? Would you have claimed to love me?" She took a step back but staggered when the room spun again. "You never cared…"