“It happens, Reed. Accidents happen. You’re here now, and you are fine.”
He squinted at the bedside clock.
“Wow, it’s so late. I guess I’ve lost my deposit now at the bed and breakfast. Oh, and the rental car.” He paused and shook his head. “They’re certainly not going to be pleased with how it’s going to be returned.”
“Probably not, but isn’t that what insurance is for?” she asked.
His eyes connected with hers. “You’re so lovely...so kind...so beautiful.” He pressed his lips together momentarily. “I’m sorry, I just can’t stop myself from saying that. Please forgive me if I’ve offended you.”
She let out a soft chuckle. “Why should I be offended by your complimenting me? I shall say, thank you, Reed.”
His eyes continued to hold hers, and a delightful bolt of energy zinged through her. Did Reed feel it as well? There was definitely something special, and undefinable happening between them. Was it just the coming together of two of a kind? Or was it something more? What she did know was that it needed to cease. Right now. She was already way more involved than she ever wanted to be.
“So, is there anything else I can get you, Reed? Do for you?”
His gaze on her face remained unchanged.
“Can you make a few phone calls in the morning? I don’t know if I’ll be up to doing it myself.”
“Sure, but what about your family?” She held her breath and wait for his response. What if had a wife and children he loved? It would add an extra dimension to his grief when he discovered his fate, and the fact he would never see them again. She understood that grief too well.
“No, I’ve been flying solo for most of my life. I don’t have any living relatives. Maybe an aunt and uncle, a cousin here or there, but we don’t keep in touch.”
So they were alike in that way.
“If you could get my wallet out, and call the rental company about the car, and the bed and breakfast? Maybe I can still make it there later on. After all, I can’t expect you to continue your hospitality. I’m sure you want this stranger out of your hair as soon as possible.”
In that moment, she knew she needed to try to keep him there...for his own good. But she couldn’t hold him captive if he wanted to go, and find his own way. Still, she knew what he would find outside the confines of her home would not be what he expected. No one would know him, it would be as if he never existed. His life, what he knew, was done now. Nothing would ever be the same for either one of them.
With that somber thought, Sara-Kate stood up and calmed the light. “I will take care of everything, Reed.” She said the words, but she knew that no one would be looking for him. He was on a different plane of existence, another dimension. Her dimension. In the morning, she would try to do some investigating of her own. “You sleep now, and don’t worry about anything.”
With that, she left the room without another word, and closed the door behind her.
Retreating to her bedroom, she closed the door and climbed into her bed. She was so tired now, but as she lay staring into the darkness above her, sleep would not come. Her troubled mind tormented her with thoughts of what might happen to Reed. What would become of him when he found out the truth?
As dawn began to break, and sunlight crept under the window blinds, Sara-Kate still found herself awake, and very aware of Reed. She could swear he was drawing her to him. She sat up, and got out of bed. She needed to check on him, just to make sure he was okay, and not because she wanted to be near him. But she knew that was a lie.
She tiptoed from her bedroom, and down the hallway. She gently eased the door to the guest bedroom open, and peeked inside. The dawn cast a dim light over the room, and she could see Reed’s dark eyes open.
“Reed, are you still awake?” she asked in a whisper.
“I just had the nightmare of my life.”
She quickly went to his bedside. “What happened?”
“I was in the car, and it was smoking. I could smell the burning oil, and a copper smell in the air...” He stopped and looked directly at her. “And you floated in the car, and put your hand on my forehead. I told you that I didn’t want to die, and you told me it was better if I let go.”
Her heart panged inside her chest, and she placed her hand over her heart. He was reliving his own death, just a few hours earlier. What was she supposed to say now?
She sat on the edge of the bed, and took his hand. “It’s over now, Reed. Just relax and sleep. Things will be better,” she assured.
“I don’t think anything will ever be the same for me, Sara. Something happened last night, something indefinable.” He then admitted, “I’m afraid.”
She pressed a kiss into his palm, and held his hand against her cheek. “There’s nothing to fear, Reed. You are here with me, and nothing bad will happen, I know that.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
Even in the dim light, she could see the uncertainty in his expression.
“Because I know these things. And right now is not the time to question. It is time to rest.”
“I can’t sleep. I don’t think I’ll ever sleep again,” he stated.
“You’ll sleep, Reed. Just close your eyes, and think a wonderful thought.”
She turned on a smile, and started to stand, but he held firm to her hand.
“Sara, please. Say you’ll stay with me, even if it’s just for a little while. I don’t want to be alone. I know I’ll go out of my mind.”
There was such a need in his voice. How could she refuse? If she got
