The Love List (11 page)

Obviously too cold to use his arms or legs
much, he lay still as his brother and father pulled him across the
ice as fast as they could. Carrie heard the cracks as Grey passed
over the weaker sections but he was moving too quickly to fall in
again.

"Can you stand?" John asked his son when
Colin had him close enough to shore to lift him up.

"Don't know," Grey replied.

"Take his pants and jacket off. He'll be
easier to carry fast if he's lighter," Colin ordered.

Carrie unzipped his jacket then attacked his
pants. John pulled the soaking jacket off while Colin supported
Grey. Carrie unzipped his jeans and tugged them down.

"I see she has experience," Colin
quipped.

John made a face but Grey smiled while he
nudged his shoes off.

"Won't he get frostbite like this?" John
asked Colin.

"More likely if we don't undress him. The air
isn't that cold. Those clothes will keep the freezing water next to
his skin. We can get him inside faster this way. Carrie, run ahead
and tell them to get dry clothes and warm blankets ready. Socks,
gloves, hat scarf…and hot drink."

"Dry clothes, blankets, socks, gloves, hat,
scarf, hot drink," she ticked off the list out loud to herself,
holding up a finger for each item.

She nodded but stopped to kiss Grey before
she ran ahead. At the top of the hill, she turned around briefly to
watch John on one arm and Colin under the other. They left the
clothes behind. Grey moved his legs as much as he could. The men
half-carried, half-dragged Grey toward the house. She turned and
resumed running.

Panting and unable to speak when she pushed
through the back screen door, Carrie bent over trying to force air
into her lungs and going over the list again and again in her mind.
Jenna, Barbara and Fran bombarded her with questions. Emma stood by
the front door, poised for a quick getaway.

When Carrie could breathe, she uttered
directions. "Warm blankets, dry clothes. Towel. Hat, scarf, gloves,
socks, hot drink."

Barbara and Jenna scattered while Fran
attended to Carrie, warming the young woman's hands with her own
and watching out the back door for the men.

"Here they come," she called out. Carrie
stood up and looked out.

The men were halfway up the hill. Carrie
turned as she saw a large towel and blankets being tossed over the
railing from the floor above. Barbara shoved a hat, scarf and
gloves into Carrie's hands.

"You'll have to get the socks," she said.

Carrie nodded again. Her breathing had almost
returned to normal. She hurried down the hall from the backdoor to
the stairs. Emma approached Carrie. She looked scared, her hand was
shaking.

Carrie stepped up to her and slapped her hard
across the face.

Turning away from the tearful Emma, Carrie
climbed the stairs quickly in search of socks for Grey. Once in
their room, she yanked open the dresser and grabbed the first pair
of Grey's socks she could find. Then she grabbed dry underwear, his
new flannel shirt, sweatpants and tucked them under her arm. When
she got into the hall, the men had Grey inside and they laid him on
the floor on top of a blanket. He was shivering. Carrie raced down
the stairs and picked up the towel.

"Privacy, please," Carrie said as she began
to dry him with the towel and help him off with his boxers.

"Warm his trunk first. He could go into shock
if you do the hands and feet first."

"Why?" Carrie asked.

"The trunk is where all the vital organs are.
They need to be warmed first.

"Don't rub his skin, Carrie. I don't know if
he has frostbite yet."

"How do you know all this?"

"First aid training."

"I think I can manage with Carrie's help.
Done that before. Thanks for everything," Grey said.

"I can take it from here, guys," Carrie said,
her fingers in the waistband of his boxers.

Colin's expression looked doubtful as he
slipped the hat over Grey's head and wrapped a wool scarf around
his neck.

"It's okay. You can go. I'm in good hands,"
Grey gave his brother a sly grin.

"I don't know…that's some vampire bite she
gave you last night," Colin snickered, eying the red mark on Grey's
neck.

Carrie felt heat rise into her face as she
returned to wrapping blankets around Grey's trunk and thighs.

"Leave it to you, Colin…I suppose you want
details..."

"Grey!" John said, color forming in his
cheeks.

"Sorry dad. Forgot you were here. Thanks.
Thanks, guys."

"Mom, warm drink!" Colin called into the
kitchen.

Colin took his father's elbow to usher him
into the living room. Fran, who had been hovering in the kitchen
doorway, went to make a hot drink. Emma slipped silently into the
kitchen behind Fran. Carrie tugged his wet boxers off and tossed
him the towel. After he dried himself, she wrapped two blankets
around his thighs and calves. Then she slipped socks over his icy
feet. He tried to put gloves on himself but needed help.

"Is he decent?" Fran called.

"All clear," Grey called.

Fran appeared in the hall with a mug of hot
chocolate.

"Here, son," she said, handing him the warm
drink.

He grasped it awkwardly, fumbling with gloves
on. Carrie steadied the mug while he took a sip.

"Great, Mom,"

Fran leaned down, kissed his head, smiled and
returned to the kitchen.

"Hell, I'm okay now. A simple case of
hypothermia," he said to Carrie.

"Another five or ten minutes and you would
have died."

"There are other ways to warm me up," he
said, shooting her a sly look.

"Grey!"

"Actually, I'm a bit tired."

"Finish the hot chocolate and I'll help you
upstairs," she said.

"Oh? Am I getting lucky?"

Carrie chuckled. "Let's get you into bed and
see how you feel."

He finished his hot chocolate and handed her
the mug. She returned it to the kitchen then helped him up. "Can
you walk?"

"I think so."

"I'll run ahead then and turn on the electric
mattress pad, but not too high."

He nodded and moved slowly toward the stairs.
When Carrie came out of their room, he only had a few more steps to
go. She took the blankets from him, opened the door wide then went
to the bed and ripped down the covers. He sat on the edge of the
bed.

"Leave your socks and gloves on."

"Aren't you getting in with me?"

"If you want."

"How can I touch you with gloves on?"

"Grey…this is about getting your body
temperature up."

"No one raises my body temperature like you
do."

Carrie couldn't stifle a chuckle. "Get in,
funny man."

"I'm going. Boy saving people's lives makes
you real pushy."

Her breath caught in her throat. She turned
her back to him while he slid into the pre-heated bed and pulled
the covers over his body.

"Feels weird to be dressed and in bed…and
alone."

Carrie blinked back tears, then went to her
side of the bed and pulled back the covers. She sat down then moved
in and pulled the covers up. "It does feel weird to be in bed and
fully dressed."

"Come here. If we can't make love, we can
huddle together for warmth."

Carrie moved over to him. Lying on his side,
he put his arm around her, sliding her right up against him. The
feel of his flannel shirt against her face and his masculine scent
mixed with remnants of his piney aftershave soothed her. She folded
her arm around his chest. Peace, a sense of calm, washed over her,
starting at her head and moving slowly down her body until even her
toes were relaxed. His arm held her close and warm. It was only
natural when she let her guard down, tears would flow.

A tidal wave of emotion, stuffed away while
she tended to Grey, hit her. Like a fist around her heart, the
sensation rose to her throat, choking her. She sobbed into his
chest, gasping for air, shuddering against him while tears streamed
down her cheeks. He tightened his grip.

"Delayed reaction?"

She nodded, trying to catch her breath.

"I'm not leaving you now…not ever," he
whispered, his lips against her hair.

She struggled to regain control while he held
her silently. Every shudder that wracked her body reverberated
through his, too. In a few minutes, the wave passed through her and
calm was restored. She wiped her face with her hand while reaching
for a tissue on the nightstand.

"I love you so much," her voice caught, "I
couldn't stand to lose you."

"I love you, too, honey. I was scared when
you were lying down on the ice."

"You? I was so afraid. I don't remember ever
being as scared as I was today. When you fell through that ice, I
thought…I thought…oh, God, it was horrible." She closed her eyes
and put her hand over her face.

He reached down gently and removed her
hand.

"But it's over and I'm still here…and I'm
okay and you're okay. You were so brave. I'm proud...you didn't
fall apart. You saved me."

A small smile tugged at the corners of her
mouth. She looked up and noticed his eyes were fluttering then they
closed. Her hand on his chest rose and fell with his even
breathing. He was asleep.

****

Slowly she peeled back the covers and eased
out of bed. She replaced the blanket, snugging it up around his
chest. Carrie tiptoed out of the room, closing the door most of the
way before she headed downstairs. After two steps, the sound of two
voices stopped her in her tracks. At first she couldn't make out
Fran's low tone but she identified Emma's higher pitched voice
right away.

"I'm so sorry, Fran. You know I'd never do
anything to hurt Grey."

"But you did, didn't you?" Fran insisted.

"I didn't mean to. I…I…wasn't thinking. I
love him, you know I do."

"Emma, this time you went too far. Dear, you
must accept that Grey has made his choice of a wife…he loves her
and only her. Please, Emma."

"I love Matt but I can still love Grey,
too."

"You can't. Grey has made a commitment. He's
picked a woman to be his partner…his wife. He's made an excellent
choice. He's happy, dear. Why can't you turn your attention to Matt
and let Grey lead his life?"

"He loves me, I know he does."

"If he had much feeling for you before…which
I'm sure was more brotherly than anything else…I doubt he even has
that now. Can't you see how much he loves Carrie? And she loves him
the same."

"Do you think he's mad at me?"

"Undoubtedly."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Accept him…and her. We have taken her as
family already. We like her Emma and will support her at every
turn."

A smile stretched across Carrie's face and
she hugged herself.

"So there's nothing I can do?"

Carrie continued down the stairs,
intentionally putting her foot down hard on each step to make
noise, alerting Emma and Fran of her arrival. When she reached the
bottom, the two women standing by the front door had turned to face
her. Emma had her coat over her arm.

"I'd like to apologize to Grey," Emma said,
moving toward the stairs.

Carrie stepped in front of her, blocking her
way. "Grey's sleeping, Emma. He's not to be disturbed."

Emma backed away and turned her gaze to the
floor.

"I…I…I'm sorry, Carrie. I didn't mean to harm
Grey."

Carrie stood silently, frowning at Emma.

I should forgive her. It would be the
honorable thing to do. Don't feel like it.

Colin sauntered in from the living room.
"Emma, don't push it. I'm sure in time, Grey and Carrie will
forgive you. Maybe the best thing would be to give them some
time…some space," he said.

Emma looked at him and nodded. She reached
out to touch Carrie's arm. Carrie flinched and stepped back.

"You saved Grey…that's…that's fantastic."
Emma raised her gaze to Carrie's face.

Carrie nodded and forced a tight, smile on
her face. Emma smiled back and put her coat on while Colin held it
for her.

"Good bye, dear," Fran said, opening the
door.

As Emma walked out, Colin put his hands on
Carrie's shoulders and turned her toward the living room.

"I think brandy is in order," he said,
steering her toward the sofa in front of the fire.

Before she could sit down, Colin shoved a
brandy glass in her hand and Jenna hugged her, then Barbara, too.
Carrie wasn't surprised by hugs from Grey's sisters but the bear
hug from John caught her off guard. When she sensed a slight tremor
go through him as a smidgeon of bottled up emotion appeared to
break through his defenses, her eyes watered. Blinking furiously
didn't help as a few tears escaped down her cheeks. When she broke
from him, Carrie wiped her face with her palm and looked up to see
his eyes bright with unshed tears. He turned away as she cast him a
questioning glance and cocked an eyebrow.

"Got kind of used to having Grey around.
Thanks, Carrie," John muttered before taking his seat again in a
roomy wingchair.

Carrie nodded not trusting her voice as
emotion raced through her body. She plopped down on the sofa,
fatigue sapping her strength. Colin leaned over and poured a
healthy dose of good brandy into her snifter.

"Here's to Carrie!" Colin said, raising his
glass.

Everyone joined in. After the brandy was
finished, the doorbell rang. It was four o'clock and Gavin, Jason,
the Deputy Sheriff, and a few other friends were at the door. It
was time for the backyard touch football game.

Colin showed everyone in and told them about
the near-disaster with Grey and the lake. At twenty-nine years old
and healthy, Colin bounced back quickly after the ordeal. The guys
went out in the backyard while John dug the football out of the
back coat closet.