4
Time Heals
His gaze followed her when she walked in and although he felt a surge of love and lust upon seeing her, he couldn’t understand why she’d come. He certainly didn’t invite her to their parents wake. Carrie had insisted on having an afternoon tea after the service at their house, much to his displeasure. Stacy, neat and pretty walked in her delicate way towards him. The slight sway of her hips and her long hair in a neat bun almost did him in. Living without her was almost going to be as hard as losing his parents.
“I’m sorry, Lucas,” Stacy said quietly as she touched his hand. He let her hand linger for a moment, to feel the softness before pulling his away. Lowering his eyes from her intense gaze, he shoved both hands into his pockets.
“Thanks … um … you didn’t have to come.”
“Carrie invited me.” She would.
“Yeah, well, thanks for coming.”
He went to walk away, to the sanctuary of his room, to escape the sympathetic eyes when her hand touched his arm again.
“I can … want to be here for you, Lucas.”
“I … can’t, Stacy, please not here, not now, ever …” His heart lurched, he missed her.
“I lo—”
“I know. Me too,” he said quietly and walked away from his first and only love.
As the weeks progressed a black cloud settled over Lucas. He stopped going to school, graduated, without going to the celebrations and spent a lot of time alone. Carrie suggested he seek therapy but he’d simply scowled so she didn’t mention it again.
The police initially updated them constantly regarding their investigation, which was going nowhere as far as Lucas was concerned, but as time passed, they reported less. The case grew cold as did Lucas’ heart. The robberies and murders appeared to have ceased and the police had no clue or suspects.
Carrie, true to her word, had taken care of everything. She’d hired a lawyer through a friend of a family friend and although he usually only practiced corporate law, Harrison Montgomery agreed to help her. The shop and house had been sold and they now lived in a small two bedroom apartment, which suited Lucas fine. There were no happy memories here and it matched his gloomy mood. The money remaining from the sale of assets went into a trust account for each of them, for when they turned twenty-one. Carrie was only a few months away from receiving hers and planned to buy a hairdressing salon. She’d almost completed her apprenticeship and wanted to start her own business.
Lucas had totally different plans he’d decided to join the police force as soon as he turned eighteen. If the current authorities couldn’t bring them justice, he would find it for himself and perhaps help others find it as well in the process. While at school his ambition had been to study engineering. Design and construction had always held his interest and he’d spent many idle hours sketching buildings and infrastructure. That was all in the past. His only goal now was admission into the force.
In the meantime, reading had become his main pastime. He borrowed every book he could find at the library about the law, police procedure and evidence collection. He was determined to become a detective, find his parent’s murderers and serve justice. The remainder of his time was spent at the gym. Having always been lean and lanky, he decided it wouldn’t hurt to bulk up a little, get fit, ready for his training at the academy. He hadn’t considered for a moment he wouldn’t be accepted. There was only one obstacle as far as he could see, not that it was much of an obstacle. Carrie. She wouldn’t approve.
He smiled slightly as he thought of his sister, had it not been for her he would have completely fallen apart, not that he was actually whole. She was keeping him afloat, just. Her tenacity and gumption were an inspiration and helped him through each day. Carrie, and his ambition, kept him going.
Lucas may have begun to move on a little, as Carrie had, if the dreams didn’t haunt him at night and the memories didn’t linger during the day. Waking up morning after morning bathed in a cold sweat, haunted by their faces and gaping necks was weighing heavily on his soul.
Carrie had finally found the perfect location for her shop and she was full of excitement. She now sat, anxiously, in the waiting rooms of their, well her, lawyer, Harrison Montgomery, to organise the purchase. An easy-going, charming man, around the same age their father had been, Harrison immediately set her at ease. With wavy, dark blonde hair and icy blue eyes he was boyishly handsome. Various photos around his office of three blonde haired boys had caught her eye on previous visits and she couldn’t help but notice they were as attractive as their father.
Mr Montgomery had proven to be heaven sent and Carrie was grateful for his kindness and professionalism. When she was desperate, lost, and alone, he had eased all her legal woes and taken care of everything on her behalf. Although Lucas had been of little help over the past weeks, not that she held it against him in the least, he had nevertheless respected all the decisions she’d made without word or argument. She was thankful for that.
Worry over Lucas plagued her daily as he spent endless hours confined to his room, living in solitude. She had absolutely no idea what he wanted to do with his life now. Did he at least know? Losing their parents had been the most difficult and painful experience of her life but she couldn’t wallow forever, she needed to be strong. Her only fear now was for Lucas as he didn’t seem to be moving forward. He’d cut himself off from his friends along with their extended family, and seemed content with her company only.
Upon hearing about the tragedy, Stacy had tried in vain to help, to be there for him, but he’d completely shut her out as he had everyone else. Carrie had invited Stacy to the wake with the hope that it would help but it had been pointless, Lucas was completely closed off. The Lucky she’d loved was gone and replaced by an aloof, guarded Lucas who refused to allow anyone in, apart from her of course, on rare occasions.
Nervous energy surged through her body and her legs bounced relieving her stress a little. She was flipping through a magazine when she heard a deep, husky voice speak with the receptionist. She turned to discover a sandy haired man with his back to her, chatting amicably with the young girl. He appeared to be flirting with her and she was definitely enjoying it. Immediately she wondered if he was one of Mr Montgomery’s sons, although the photos on his desk were dated, his wavy hair, height and structure were similar to Mr Montgomery.
As though he sensed her, he turned in her direction and she realized much to her chagrin, she’d been caught staring. His eyes, an incredible pale blue, penetrated hers and when he smiled, her heart stopped. He was the handsomest man she’d ever seen. With her breath held, she dared to stare a moment longer before dropping her gaze. She didn’t however, miss his smile of amusement.
“Hello,” she heard his deep voice again but closer now. “I’m sorry to disturb you. I was wondering if you minded waiting a few minutes longer, while I quickly talk to my father.”
Carrie looked up at his incredible face, to find an amused smile again. She tried to find her voice. What was wrong with her?
“Um, no, I don’t mind.”
“I won’t be long, I promise.”
“Take your time, I have nowhere to go.” She internally cringed. Nowhere to go!
He grinned. “Thanks.”
His eyes dazzled her and his smile, just plain yum! She was tongue tied for the first time in her life. Being a hairdresser entailed being outgoing and friendly, two qualities she usually had in abundance.
“Um, no problem.”
A confident stride took him towards his father’s office, and he winked at her as he turned to pull the door closed. Oh my! No man had ever affected her quite like that. She counted the seconds, waiting for him to reappear.
Carrie had never been short of male attention or boyfriends over her dating years. Her dating life started with a high school sweetheart from sixteen until school finished. There had been a few casual dates and steadies since then however none really held her interest for too long. Life was too short. The irony of this became apparent that dreadful night weeks before. This was the first time her interest had been piqued since it happened. She’d been too busy grieving, sorting out their affairs and supporting Lucas to even consider a relationship, until now.
The door opened and she was jolted from her thoughts. A deep throaty laugh resounded out the door sending desire surging through her veins. What was happening to her? Head down, she followed him with the corner of her eye until he came to stand next to her. Once again her breath caught as she met his gaze.
“Thanks. I’m sorry to have made you wait.” His amused grin still lit up his face. God he's gorgeous. Speak, Carrie.
“That’s okay.” Don’t go!
“I might see you around.”
“Wait,” she said quickly. He smiled again. “My name’s Carrie.”
“I know.” He winked again and walked away.
She watched him leave with annoyance, why didn’t he tell her his name. She would have to ask Mr Montgomery. The receptionist indicated he was ready to see her so she hurried in.
“Good morning, Carrie,” he said warmly.
“Ah, hi, Mr Montgomery.”
“Harrison.” He smiled.
“Harrison.” She returned it.
“So you’ve found a location for your salon?”
“Yes, here are the details.”
She handed him the now damp pages which she’d been clutching as she mooned over his son. He looked over them for a moment before meeting her eyes.
“Looks okay to me, would you like to make an offer.”
“Yes!”
A similar amused grin lifted his lips. A smile similar to the one she witnessed momentarily on his son.
“I’ll organise it for you.”
“Thank you, Harrison. I really appreciate all you’ve done for me.”
“You’re welcome, you’ve been through a difficult time and it’s the least I can do.”
“There is one other thing you could do for me.”
“Shoot.”
“Can I ask which son just visited you?” He laughed heartily, a slightly higher tone than his son’s.
“Nathan, he’s a law student. He’s very ambitious, like his father.” Lines crinkled around his eyes when he smiled.
“Um, I know this probably isn’t appropriate, um, is he seeing anyone?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
“Could you … I mean … I would like to meet … I mean see him …a gain.” What was wrong with her?
“Well, it isn’t exactly ethical, you’re my client …”
“Of course. I’m sorry.” He laughed again.
“I was kidding. He seemed to have a lot of questions about you too.”
“He did?”
“Yes, but I definitely couldn’t divulge anything personal to him about you, of course.”
“Of course.”
“If I had your permission, there would be no reason why I couldn’t give him your number, if you wanted me to that is.”
“Yes.”
“You can think about it if you want.”
She shook her head. “Nothing to think about.”