If We Never Met by Barbara Freethy

Chapter Four

Keira wokeup Saturday morning with a pounding headache. She took a quick shower, threw on skinny white jeans and a tank top, and then headed downstairs. She'd tossed and turned all night, thinking about the two very different men who had suddenly come into her life this week—Mark Langley and Dante DeAngelis.

She was still suspicious of Mark, and she needed to find out more about him as soon as possible since her mother seemed to be getting more involved with him by the minute.

And then there was the hotter-than-hot Dante, who had stirred all her senses in a very significant way. But he was taken. And even if he wasn't taken, he probably thought she was crazy after she'd sat down at his table at Micky's, then tracked him down at the inn, capping off the night by unloading her personal problems on him. She inwardly groaned at the embarrassing memories. She needed coffee and a fresh start.

When she entered the kitchen, she saw her mom standing at the counter, cutting up strawberries and bananas. She wore tan slacks and a sleeveless top, and her short brown hair curled around her face as she hummed a happy tune under her breath.

"Good morning," her mother said, looking up with a smile. "Coffee is ready."

"Great." She poured herself a cup of coffee. "You're up early for a Saturday. Are you going somewhere?"

"No. It's so lovely out. I thought I'd work in the garden before it gets too hot. Are you working at the store today, or do I even need to ask?"

"I'm working." She sipped her coffee, then added, "Did you have fun last night?"

"I did." Her mom set down her knife and gave her a pointed look. "Even though you tried to stop that from happening. What got into you, Keira? Why were you so rude to Mark?"

"I was surprised to see you at the inn. You didn't tell me you were going out last night."

"Mark called late in the day on the off chance I might be free, and I was. You were on a date. I didn't want to bother you."

"But if I’d come home, and you weren't here, I would have been worried."

"I left you a note on the fridge. It's still there." She tipped her head to the refrigerator, where they often left notes for each other.

She had actually seen the note when she'd gotten home. "I did see it," she muttered. "But I still think you should have texted me."

"Keira, what is wrong with me seeing an old friend?"

"This man came out of nowhere. He seems to be very pushy. I think you should be careful."

"Careful…that's a funny word. I was being careful when a car ran a red light and smashed into me. I wasn't even moving. I wasn't going over the speed limit. I had my seat belt on, and I still almost died. But I didn't die, and it has taken me a long time to feel even marginally like myself again." She paused. "You are the reason I'm doing as well as I am. I can never thank you enough for taking care of me the way you have."

"The way I always will. It's been the two of us against the world forever."

"I know. And I love you so much, honey, but I am doing better. You don't have to watch me every second. I may not feel comfortable driving, and I don't always remember every little thing, but I feel like I have most of my wits about me."

"You didn't remember Mark until he showed you the picture in the yearbook."

"Well, goodness, it's been forty-five years. And his hair was brown when I knew him. But the memories came back quickly when we started talking."

"So, what do you know about him? Give me some details."

"Let's see. He was married for thirteen years. He and his wife, Valerie, had a son, Richard. They got divorced when Richard was nine. He's twenty-four now, so Mark has been single for about fifteen years. His son lives in Los Angeles. Mark has moved around for his job. He was most recently in Las Vegas working for a hospital when he decided to trade the desert for the mountains." Her mom smiled. "He's not a criminal, Keira. He's just a man I used to know…I used to like, actually."

Her stomach curled at the new light in her mother's eyes. Her mother had dated a few men over the years, but not a lot. She didn't have a great track record when it came to relationships. The men she had picked to date had never seemed that great to Keira. In fact, the one she'd been seeing when she got in the accident had vanished before she was out of the hospital.

"Did you date Mark in high school?" she asked.

"Yes. We went out for about four months my senior year."

"What happened?"

"Oh, nothing really." She waved a dismissive hand in the air. "Just kid stuff. I think I saw him at a party with another girl and jumped to conclusions."

"He cheated on you?"

"We weren't serious, Keira. We were teenagers."

"And you haven't seen him since high school?"

"Actually, I saw him at our ten-year reunion. I had forgotten about that until he reminded me. That was the last reunion I went to." Shadows filled her eyes. "I was upset that weekend. I wanted your father to go with me, but he refused. He didn't want to stand around while I caught up with my friends. It really bothered me, because we spent most of our life with his friends. Anyway, Mark was very nice to me that night. He made me feel a lot better."

She frowned, wondering if anything else had happened that night when Mark was being so nice, but there were some things she didn't discuss with her mother and one of those things was sex.

"Once you get to know Mark, you'll like him," her mom added. "Will you have a chance to look at some listings today, or should we get Brenda involved? I know Mark is eager to find a more permanent place to live."

"I'll do it. In fact, I'll talk to Mark today and find out exactly what he's looking for."

Her mother gave her a sharp look. "All right, but be polite, Keira. I don't have that many friends. I don't want to lose a new one."

"You have lots of friends."

"Not from my high school years. Just give him a chance. Now, let's change the subject. Let's talk about that very attractive man you were speaking to at the inn last night."

"There's nothing to say about him."

"There must be something."

"Fine. I'll say this. He has a girlfriend."

Her mother frowned. "Well, that's disappointing."

"I don't even know him. We had a brief conversation. That's it." She refused to admit that she was also disappointed.

"What about your date last night? How was that?"

"Not worth talking about. I need to get to work."

"Can I make you some breakfast?"

"I'm not hungry." She finished her coffee, then put her mug in the sink. "I'll take a look at the listings and get in touch with Mr. Langley today. I assume you have his number."

"Yes, I'll text it to you. I know he's working at the rehab center today. He's setting up his office and getting up to speed on his job, but I'm sure he'll make time for you."

"Okay."

"And you can call him Mark."

"Mark," she repeated, even though his name still left a bad taste in her mouth. She couldn't say her gut was always right, but sometimes it was. She would have to figure out if Mark was after more than friendship with her mother. Her mom had already bought whatever he was selling, so she would have to protect her mom without her knowing. "I'll see you later."

She was almost at the kitchen door when her mother called her name.

"Keira?"

"What?" she asked, seeing a thoughtful look in her mom's eyes.

"As much as I love it being the two of us against the world, I wouldn't mind if you found a man to share your life with. I don't want you to miss out on anything because of me."

"I'm not missing out."

"I hope not. Maybe you should find out how serious Dante is about his girlfriend."

"I'm not going there. So, get that idea out of your head." She left the kitchen, knowing she needed to take the advice she'd just given her mom.

Dante spent time Saturday morning with the two therapists who would be overseeing his treatment plan. When they'd finished with their initial assessment at noon, he felt both tired and frustrated. He'd believed he was doing better than he actually was, and the simple exercises that he could not accomplish pushed a dark reality in front of him, one that he couldn't ignore. The therapists had assured him that improvement could come quickly, so he needed to focus on the positive, not the negative.

On his way out of the building, he decided to stop at the smoothie bar in the lobby, which was located in a wide-open and spacious atrium, with skylights and large windows overlooking the lake and the mountains. In addition to the smoothie bar, there was also a café and a lounge area with tables, sofas, and couches. There were only a few people around today, as the rehab center was not yet fully open. In another month, it would probably be packed.

His phone vibrated as he took his acai and strawberry smoothie to a nearby table. The Denver number was familiar—it belonged to his orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Grayson Cole. They were only a few years apart in age and over the past seven weeks, they'd become more than doctor/patient; they'd also become friends. Grayson had played baseball through college and understood his love of the sport and how much he needed to get back to doing what he did best.

"Checking up on me?" he asked. "Or did Rita and Marian call you to tell you that I'm their worst patient?"

"I haven't spoken to your therapists yet. I wanted to hear from you first," Grayson replied. "How was the assessment?"

"I thought it would be easier than it was. I don't have pain anymore doing normal things, but I guess I haven't been pressing my arm that much. It was a bit of a shock to realize how far I still have to go."

"You'll make good progress. You're in excellent physical shape, and you have a work ethic and a determination that will take you a long way."

"My dad used to say I was a stubborn ass, so maybe that will help me now."

"It will. What do you think of Whisper Lake?"

"It's charming. It feels like everyone is on vacation. And your sister has been very welcoming."

"That's Lizzie. Every one of her guests is treated like family."

"She probably treats me better than my family," he said lightly. "Your sister is always inviting me to have wine or cookies. I may be ten pounds heavier by the end of this."

"Well, try to have some fun while you're there. I have to run now. I will be checking in with your therapists over the next week, and I'll be in Whisper Lake in about ten days to check on you in person." Grayson paused. "By the way, Chuck Walters has been calling me, asking me for updates. I told him he'd have to get those from you."

He sighed at the mention of his general manager. He was a huge supporter, but Chuck wanted answers that he didn't have. "I know. I've been avoiding him. But I will get back to him at some point." He didn't want to talk to Chuck until he'd been through at least the first week of rehab and could see what kind of progress he was making.

"Sounds good," Grayson said.

"Thanks for checking in." As he set down his phone and sipped his smoothie, he saw Keira come through the front doors, and his gut tightened. She wore a navy sleeveless top, white jeans and wedge heels, her long hair falling loose around her shoulders in messy waves, held back only by the pair of sunglasses she'd pushed up on her head. When she saw him, she stopped abruptly, then changed direction and headed to his table.

"We meet again," he drawled. "Are you looking for another date here at the rehab center?"

"Funny, no. I'm meeting Mr. Langley."

"Research?"

"Yes. I also need to find him a house, so two birds—one stone."

"I never liked that saying. I had a friend who threw a stone at a bird, and it was not pretty."

"Ugh. Now I will never use that saying again." She licked her lips. "Did you just finish a therapy session?"

"I did."

"How did it go?"

"It went."

"You really are a man of few words."

"Or perhaps you're just a woman of many words."

"That's true. I'm sorry I unloaded on you last night."

"It wasn't a problem." As she hovered, he added, "Do you want to sit?"

"Maybe for a minute. I'm a little early. Did you speak to Mr. Langley today?"

"No. I haven't seen him. What did your mother have to say about her date?"

"Not much, beyond the fact that she was having fun getting to know an old friend and I should butt out."

"And yet here you are."

"Because of the house. I'm supposed to find him one."

"But that's not your real reason; it's just what you told your mom."

She made a little face at him. "True. It's possible I'm being overly suspicious, but I have a feeling in my gut that I cannot ignore."

"If the feeling is there, you need to figure out why."

"That's what I'm going to do. If he's a legit nice guy, then maybe I won't worry about my mother. Although, she has never had the best record with men."

"Are you counting your dad?"

"No. Although, I don't actually know what their relationship was like. She doesn't talk about him much. I think they might have gotten married because she got pregnant. I was born eight months after their wedding. My mother claims I came early."

"Maybe you did. Or do you just see secrets everywhere?"

"Not everywhere, but I can be a suspicious person. However, I have had good reason to be wary when it comes to my mother's male friends. One man moved into our house for six months and ended up stealing two thousand dollars out of my mom's checking account. That was when I was fourteen. Another man was charming her with his smile and good looks, and it turned out he had a wife in another state. That was when I was sixteen. So, you tell me if I'm too paranoid."

"Your concern makes more sense now."

"My mom is a very trusting person. Someone has to make sure she isn't putting her trust in the wrong person."

"I get it. What about you? Have you run into losers like that in your own personal dating life?"

Before she could answer, his phone began to vibrate. As Nikki's name flashed across the screen, he felt a twinge of guilt, not just because he didn't want to answer the phone, but also because he hadn't returned her last two calls or texts.

"Do you have to get that?" Keira asked.

He silenced the call. "I'll call her back."

"Was that your girlfriend?"

"I told you, she isn't exactly a girlfriend."

"Sounds like a guy who doesn't like to commit."

"You have no idea what kind of guy I am."

"That's true. I've been doing all the talking—again. I should go find Mr. Langley." She got to her feet. "I hope you don't think I came here to find you. This was purely coincidence."

He smiled. "I believe you have another reason for being here."

"Good, because I don't poach men who have girlfriends or girls they're just seeing. Not that you'd want me to, but if you did, I wouldn't…" She ran her fingers through her hair. "I don't know what it is about you that flusters me, Dante. Anyway, in the interest of full disclosure, I will be at the Firefly Inn tomorrow night for a party that Lizzie is throwing. Her sister, Chelsea, is a nominee for a country music award, and Lizzie is hosting a viewing party. I'll be there, because not only am I friends with Lizzie and Chelsea, but I also designed the dress Chelsea will be wearing."

"I got an invitation for the party under my door this morning. Apparently, Lizzie wants all of her guests to attend."

"You should come. Lizzie throws a great party, and I promise not to talk incessantly to you."

He stood up. "Keira…" There were things he wanted to say, but as she stared back at him, he couldn't seem to find the right words. Clearing his throat, he said, "If this was another time, another place, another moment in my life, I'd be interested."

"Me, too," she said softly, meeting his gaze. "But it's not. So, we'll be friends, or not…"

"I'm good with friends."

"Then maybe I'll see you tomorrow night."

"If not before," he joked.

Her eyes sparkled with humor. "There is a good chance we'll run into each other again. Whisper Lake is a small town, but if we do, I'll try not to give you another chapter in my life story."

"I like the chapters I've heard so far."

"Maybe one of these days, you'll give me one of your chapters."

"I've talked about myself in news articles over the years. I'm sure you can find the info online."

"I'd rather get the information from you. But…" She glanced at her watch. "I need to meet Mr. Langley. So, next time."

"Next time," he murmured, having a hard time dragging his gaze away from her beautiful face.

She gave him another somewhat nervous smile and then walked away. He couldn't help but watch her until she stepped into the elevator. Then he sat back down, feeling somewhat deflated and even more tired than he'd been before.

His phone rang again, and this time he picked it up. Maybe he needed to talk to Nikki as much as she needed to talk to him.