Chapter 12

Elspeth

I felt, rather than heard, the door open. Disoriented, I closed my eyes again quickly, as if I could hide from whomever it was as long as I didn’t acknowledge them.

“Ms. Elspeth?” a woman called softly.

I tried to move but I felt heavy and achy. I was beginning to piece together where I was. I remembered Finn and our middle of the night arrival.

“Where’s Finn?” I asked, not wanting to get up until I knew he was still here. I was scared, confused, and hurting. He was the only familiar thing in my world.

“I’ll call him. He’ll be happy you’ve awakened,” she said and I heard the door close again. There was a pitcher of water on the nightstand, and I poured a glass and drank deeply. It seemed to help with the gray world that was my reality. There was a tap on the door and then it opened and Finn stood there.

I held out my arms to him, and he crossed the distance to the bed in a few steps and held me against him. “Hey, there, sleepyhead. How did you sleep?”

“I’m scared.”

“Scared? Of what, Elspeth? Did you remember something?”

I shook my head and shrugged. He pulled back and took my face in his hands.

“Listen to me, okay? Do you trust me?”

There was no one else in my life. Did I have a choice? No, I was wrong; it was more than that. Yes, I did trust him. He’d had a chance, even several, to hurt me and never came close. If anything, he’d pulled me inside his body and offered me shelter. I nodded. “Yes.”

“Then you need to trust that I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I know this is all strange and foreign to you. But you’re safe; remember that. Whatever brought you to that shack is not here. No one is going to harm you here. Do you believe that?”

I was silent, but nodded. I needed something to hang on to.

“Now, I’ve mobilized a small army to find out whatever they can about you, and I want you to cooperate with them. They’re going to bring you some clothes, food, anything you need. You’re going to stay right here this week, and Mary will look after you. Once you’re healed and I’ve concluded some business, you and I are leaving. I know this is probably not what you’re used to and you might not even like the city—at least not now. It’s a lot to take in. We’re going to my lake house, you and I.”

“You have to work, though.”

“You’re not to worry about that. I’ve made arrangements, and they’ll do fine without me. In fact, they’ll probably do better. Right now, you need me, and you’re more important.”

“Why?”

“Why, what?”

“Why am I more important?” I watched his eyes for some trace of motive, but I could see nothing but pure kindness and compassion there.

“Because you need me.”

His answer was simple and yet it made me feel safe and cherished. It was a good feeling, and I wanted to hang on to it. I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Thank you,” I said. “And I mean that.”

He smiled and tapped the end of my nose. “Will you be okay now?”

I nodded. “I think so.”

“Here,” he said, handing me a box. “There’s a new phone in there, and it belongs to you from now on. My personal number is in the contacts list and you only need to text me and I’ll answer, no matter where or when. You’re not to be scared.”

I looked at the box and could tell it was expensive. Finn seemed to be a man who never worried about cost.

“Well, tell you what. You get up and grab a shower; take your time. Mary will let in some deliveries I’ve ordered, and you’ll find something to wear. I need to get back downstairs and tie up some things so we can leave this weekend. Mary is your companion for the time being, not just a nurse. Okay?”

“Thank you, Finn. But why are you being so good to me?”

He laughed. “Who else do I have to be good to?” he teased and got up from the bed, planting a kiss on my forehead. “You’ll be okay?”

I nodded. “Fine. It was just waking up that spooked me. It’s all so… unfamiliar.”

“I get that. Talk to you a little later.”

Finn left and I climbed out of the bed and headed to the shower. When I was done, Mary was making my bed and there were bags and boxes sitting all around the room. “What’s all that?” I asked her.

“Those are clothes for you, Elspeth. Your sponsor is very generous, if the labels are anything to judge by. Here, take a look,” she offered and set two bags on the bed and removed their contents then left me alone.

Several sets of dainty, soft panties and bras were spread before me. The girl in me was instinctual, and I was soon trying on my favorite. Mary opened a series of boxes that held various ensembles. There were slacks with matching sweaters or jackets. Blouses of every design, fabric and color; casual and trendy outfits and then came the dresses. They were gorgeous and suited me perfectly.

My favorite was a suit with a short skirt and a box jacket in a soft pink wool. It was my favorite color and I found a white, gauzy blouse with a lace collar that would look good beneath the jacket. There were even matching shoes and a selection of jewelry. I chose a string of pearls with matching stud earrings. Looking in the mirror, I felt like a young girl playing dress-up in her mother’s clothes. What does that tell me about myself?

Mary tapped on the door and came in, standing behind me as I looked into the mirror. “You look like a princess,” she said softly.

“Really? You think so? Huh. I feel like they’re too good for me. You know?”

“I don’t think that’s true at all.” She shook her head in disagreement. “But now, if you would dress in something more casual, there is someone here to style your hair and give you a mani/pedi.”

“You’re kidding!”

“No, not at all. I also have something for you to eat prepared. Come on out when you’re ready and get your princess treatment,” she said in an amused tone.

I wished I knew why she got on my nerves. There was something so—domineering—about her. I knew I could never feel close to her, even though I could tell she was trying to make me feel comfortable. I nodded and waved her off.

When I emerged from the bedroom, I was wearing a pair of designer jeans topped by a cropped angora sweater. The pale pink lingerie hugged me beneath, giving me a sense of confidence.

I submitted to the suggestions of the stylist. She chattered about shags and layers, highlights and lowlights, but I shook my head. “Do what you like with my nails, but I’d like my hair left alone. I like it long.”

She looked to Mary for approval and the tall Viking nodded. Why was Mary being given deferential treatment in making the decisions? When the stylist left, my hair had been lightly trimmed, my nails were perfectly matched and painted rose pink, and there was a case with all sorts of makeup on the coffee table. I wasn’t interested in most of it. Instinctively, I went for the light pink again. I seemed to know how to apply makeup; I just didn’t remember how I came to know it.

By the late afternoon, a man named Pierre arrived and introduced himself as my personal chef. I can’t make my own peanut butter sandwich? He lounged on the floral silk sofa, and I snuggled opposite him in a club chair as he asked my favorite foods. These things I seemed to remember, but then maybe it was because I was so very hungry. He finally seemed satisfied and disappeared into the kitchen to take inventory. It wasn’t long before the smell of something delicious wafted in to me.

I leafed through a selection of magazines left on the coffee table. I knew what they were doing—trying to find the one that captured my interest. Part of me wanted to rebel, to throw them off the scent. The other part of me wanted to know who I was, so I chose to cooperate. I handed Mary the issue of Country Living. “This one feels the best,” I told her, and she took it without a word.

Pierre appeared with a tray and set it on the coffee table. I thanked him and literally soaked up the tender slices of roast beef smothered by a single-serving loaf of French bread, coleslaw, and macaroni salad. I seemed to be drawn to Southern food as well. I supposed that Finn would be glad to know that. It would make his job easier, and I’d be solved and on my way. The thought of that hurt.