Backstage (The Barter System Book 4) (37 page)

Done, he straightened his jacket and turned to go back inside.  Over his shoulder, he mumbled, “You are fuckin’ selfish, Kiefer.  Whinin’ over her ignorin’ you for a few hours when you got on a plane and never fuckin’ looked back.” 

Leaning against the wall, Kiefer stopped feeling sorry for himself and remembered who the fuck Teddy was.  He thought about her gentleness and how she’d worried from their first conversation that he’d feel sorry for her.  He fought back tears he didn’t deserve to shed. 

He had to make it right
. 

Walking with purpose into the party, ready to tell whatever her name was to take a hike, Isaiah’s voice filled the room and stopped him cold. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, if all immediate family members as well as theater crew could please assemble in the hall outside, it would be greatly appreciated.” 

He left the stage at a run and Kiefer followed, struggling to shake off the booze he’d been consuming for hours. 

Isaiah handed out flashlights.  “Theodora left the hotel extremely distraught.  She didn’t pick up her purse so she doesn’t have her phone or wallet.  It’s unlikely she’s gone very far.  Please keep the flashlights pointed toward the ground.” 

Everyone assembled split up in groups and he found himself walking beside Bristol and his parents. 

She paused as they shrugged on their jackets.  “Anything happens to my cousin and they’ll never find your body, Kiefer.  Just wanted to be up front and honest about that.”   

Chapter Twelve

Theodora didn’t remember leaving the hotel but as the chill air finally penetrated her stocking-clad legs, she took a deep breath. 

She kept walking.  She needed to think. 

Eventually, she would tell Kiefer about the baby.  Confess the lie she told and deal with the judgment and anger. 

She wanted to prove
she was a good mother first. 

Seeing Kiefer was something she would have grown accustomed to over time as they shared long-distance parenting of their child; something she knew would be important to his family, if not to him. 

She hadn’t been prepared for the woman.  The visual representation of everything that Theodora was not.  Seeing her draped over a body she’d learned so well hurt far more than the loss of him, the silence, and even the fears she had about her pregnancy and raising a child alone. 

Tears fell but she didn’t wipe them away.  Her heart felt broken and she had no idea what to do, where to go, or even where she was at the moment.  Looking for her phone, she realized she’d forgotten to take it when she claimed her jacket. 

Calm down, think for a moment, and be rational. 

There was a Starbucks across the street and it would be an easy landmark to describe to one of the girls.  At the intersection, she pressed the button for the crosswalk.  Glancing up to watch it, she was suddenly blinded by a turning delivery truck.  The glare seared into her brain and she blinked against the way it burned. 

More headlights, building lights, streetlights, traffic lights…they were everywhere and she couldn’t get her bearings.  She reached out to try to feel the pole but touched a meter instead.  From one to the other, she made her way, hoping she was going in the direction of the hotel. 

Her head felt as if it would explode and her eyes wouldn’t focus. 

She didn’t see the puddle but she
felt
it as her feet went out from under her.  The back of her head bounced off the pavement an instant before darkness descended. 

* * * * *

Kiefer didn’t use a flashlight.  He circled the block, certain she would have hesitated to cross the street at night. 

The city lights were his biggest concern.  “Teddy wouldn’t have crossed the street if she got dizzy or couldn’t focus.  She’s going to be on the same block as the hotel and she’s only been gone a few minutes.” 

He walked ahead of them, scanning side to side.  Rounding the corner, the image of an ambulance nearly stopped his heart.  He took off at a run with Bristol close behind. 

A few people clustered around her and paramedics knelt over her still body.  Kiefer skidded to a stop and dropped to his knees beside her.  The bright blonde of her hair was marred with dirt and he was certain some of it was her own blood. 

“Teddy…sweet girl.”  He picked up her hand and held it, rubbing warmth into her skin with both of his.  “Is she gonna be alright?” 

“Nasty fall and she seems to be a bit dehydrated.  What’s her name and are there any medical conditions we need to know?” 

Clearing his throat, he told them, “Theodora Grove.  She has albinism, she’s legally blind.” 

“You’ll need to cover her eyes once you load her into the ambulance.  Bright lights cause her pain,” Bristol added. 

The paramedics fired off questions and she answered them quickly. 

Accustomed to the young woman’s immediate responses, both paramedics looked up.  Kiefer realized something slowed the pace.  He glanced away from Theodora to pay attention. 

The older paramedic repeated, “Ma’am…?  Is there any chance she’s pregnant?  We need to know what it’s safe to give her.” 

Bristol’s eyes met Kiefer’s and quickly looked away.  Taking a deep breath, she nodded.  “Yes.  She’s just over four months along.” 

With a nod, the paramedics went back to what they were doing, talking to each other. 

Almost thirty seconds passed as he played the information over and over in his mind.  He kissed her fingers, rested her hand on her chest, and stood up.  Then he charged the nearest wall, fist raised to hit it full force.

Ivan prevented the impact, catching his wrist within inches of the concrete.  “Don’t you do it, boy.  You’re gonna need
both
hands to do what’s gotta be done, you hear me?” 

Then Kiefer did something he hadn’t done since he was a small child.  He burst into tears and collapsed against his father. 

“She didn’t trust me enough to tell me.  I hurt her when I gave my word I wouldn’t.  Dad, help me fix it, please help me fix it.”

“It’s gonna be alright, son.  We need to make sure her and your baby are safe.  Understand me, Kiefer?”  He nodded.  “Good.  Pull yourself together.  We can’t afford tears when the people we love need us.” 

Becky hailed a cab and whistled for them.  Bristol climbed in the back of the ambulance with Teddy.  His mother shoved a hundred dollars in the cabby’s hand to make sure he didn’t lose the emergency vehicle. 

Behind them, he heard familiar voices shouting and hailing cabs but Kiefer wasn’t focused on anyone or anything but Theodora. 

The woman he loved.  The mother of his
child
. 

* * * * *

Theodora opened her eyes to darkness and started screaming.  “I can’t see.  No, no, no!” 

Bristol’s voice accompanied her touch on her arm.  “You aren’t blind.  You’re
not
blind, Theodora.  They covered your eyes against the light.  Be calm so you don’t pull out the IV.  You’re dehydrated.  You need the fluids for the baby, honey.” 

That focused her mind with a snap.  “What happened?  Is the baby alright?  Tell me the truth.”

“Perfectly
fine
, I swear it.  You gave yourself a concussion, have a few scrapes and bruises, but you’re going to be okay.” 

Theodora placed the hand that wasn’t hooked up to an IV over her stomach and stroked it gently.  “You’re safe.  I’m sorry I lost my head for a minute.  I promise to be more careful.” 

“Teddy.” 

She went still, held her breath, and didn’t say a word.  She had no idea what she
could
say to the father of her baby.  A baby he hadn’t even known existed. 

His voice flowed over her skin.  “I know it’s gonna take a long time for me to earn your trust.  I’m sorry for everything.” 

She couldn’t stop the tears born from months of stress and fear.  “Please don’t take the baby.”  The weakness in her voice shamed her.  “I know I have some issues but I’ll hire help.  I’ll always keep the baby safe.  I’ll be a good mom, Kiefer.” 

“Teddy…what are you talkin’ about?” 

She started to talk rapidly, desperate to convince him that even with her limitations, she’d be a good mother. 

“I know I can’t take her to the park when it’s bright out or teach her to ride horses but my family will make up for what I can’t do and she’ll be happy and loved.  She’ll be well taken care of, I’ll make sure of it.” 

* * * * *

The beautiful woman in front of him thought he’d define her ability to be a good mother by the limitations of her condition.  She believed he’d see her as nothing more than
someone with disabilities
. 

That he would take her child from her because he thought her unfit. 

He bent over the bed and slid his arms around her.  For a long time, he held her close to him, right where she belonged.  He used the time to settle his mind and calm his heart. 

At her ear, he whispered, “I would never take our baby from you, Teddy.  I can’t imagine a better mother.  Even someone without your condition couldn’t hope to love as fiercely as you do.  This baby
needs you
to show her how to love.  You have my word.” 

Her fingers dug into his forearm.  “I didn’t do it on purpose.  I don’t want anything and I won’t bother you.  I’ll understand if you don’t want to be involved but if you want to be, you have no obligation to me.” 

For several minutes, Kiefer held her as Teddy talked about not feeling trapped or thinking he had to take
her
to be part of their baby’s life. 

Finally, he kissed her silent. 

Always the most responsive and involved woman he’d ever known, she gave back to him automatically and he took it greedily. 

Resting his forehead against hers when he broke the kiss, he whispered, “I’ve missed you every second since I walked out of your house.  I cried, I raged, and I drank too much.  One thing I didn’t do was cheat on you, Teddy.  The woman you saw tonight approached me at the bar before the party.  Takin’ her with me was stupid.  I’m sorry.  I was hurt and I lashed out like a child because I thought you didn’t want me.”

There was a long pause.  “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, Kiefer.  Not want you?  I love you.” 

“You have no idea how much I love you, Teddy.  I’ll show you.” 

He watched her exhale slowly before a careful smile flitted over her lips.  “You can start by getting me out of here.  I hate hospitals.”

Epilogue

December 2013

Gabriella laughed with Hudson’s assistant as they waited for one of her friends to join them.  “I’m so fascinated with this space that I don’t even mind if they don’t hire me for a single thing.” 

“Bite your tongue, brat,” Lola told her firmly.  “They’re going to love you and you’ll know a slightly bigger circle of people.” 

Nodding, she was transfixed by the design on the molding that framed the wide entry leading to the main theater.  “Oh, the detail here is simply fabulous.  Give me just a second…” 

She removed a sketchpad from her bag and began to draw the unique filigree pattern.  Part of her really wanted to do a rubbing of the recessed design and it made her snicker. 

“Would you care to see my
etchings
…I could actually say it and be dead serious.  Jesus, my brain is made of squirrels.” 

“Thank god,” said a laughing voice.  “We’re all nuts around here.” 

Turning, beautiful identical twins stood watching her in fascination.  “Best you know I talk to myself now.  I’m Gabriella Hernandez.”  She held out her hand and each of the women shook it with broad grins. 

“I’m Madeline Zelder.  That’s gorgeous.”  She gestured to the quick sketch she’d done of the design. 

Lola crossed her arms over her chest.  “I told you she was brilliant.” 

“Easily distracted, quickly amused,” Brie clarified.

The other woman looked ready to do jumping jacks.  She practically vibrated with energy.  “I’m Mikayla.  Oh, I’m also a Zelder.  Have you had a chance to see the play yet?”

“I wish.  Lola got me tickets for a few weeks from now but…I didn’t even know all these old buildings were here.  I’ll be walking for months before I see them all.” 

Two good-looking men exited a narrow staircase behind the sisters.  One had a scar that made Brie’s hand itch to sketch him. 

She wondered if he ever saw the perfection in the imperfection. 

“Have they properly frightened you off yet?”  The bigger man asked.  She shook her head with a grin.  “I’m Isaiah and this is my brother Ezra.” 

“Such a pleasure to meet you.  I’m Brie…this building is surreal.  I could draw the four of
you
for days.  You’re all so vibrant.”  With a sigh, she added, “This is the reason I typically communicate with my clients online.  I clearly can’t hold a normal conversation surrounded by such stimuli.  I don’t know how you get any work done.” 

Mikayla said, “I want to adopt her.” 

“She needs to be our friend,” Madeline agreed.

Ezra grinned.  “As you can see, we have little decorum here.  Your thought processes are a welcome addition.  Have you eaten?” 

“No but if you let me sketch the building and provide me with stupid amounts of coffee, I’ll work for free.”  She wasn’t kidding; she wanted access to the features of this space. 

“She damn well will
not
work for free,” Lola inserted with a glare.  “We’re all going to pretend I’m her manager for five minutes.  You want Brie.  She’s talented and fast.  The manager for the old Anaheim Theater approached her when he saw her sketching the marquee but she wasn’t comfortable with him.” 

“He’s creepy,” Kayla nodded.  “You’ll like it better here.”

Brie agreed wistfully, “I like it already.” 

“Swear to god, Brie…this isn’t camp.”  Hudson’s poor assistant was ready to throttle her. 

“Can I
pretend
?” 

“I’ll pretend with you!” Kayla added happily.

Madeline laughed.  “Excellent, we’ve arranged a play date.  You’re hired, Gabriella.  Walk with us to coffee heaven.”