Three Weeks Last Spring (33 page)

Throughout the long days lying in the hospital bed, wondering if he would regain the use of his right leg again, he’d thought of her.
And when the pain of the headaches was unrele
nting he
called out her name.

But she never came.

As he sat wallowing in his wretchedness, a plan slowly began to form in his mind.
He stood without the aid of his cane, and hobbled crossed the room.
In the corner under the dresser was her suitcase.
He pulled it out, and placed it on the bed.
Carefully, he removed her clothes from the hangers, folded them
,
and placed them in
side
with her other belo
ngings.

In the following days and weeks Walker pushed himself hard, harder than he'd ever done before.
He walked
,
worked out and swam, and did everything he could to improve his fitness until finally the day dawned when he threw away the damned cane.

Exactly five weeks later he sat in the doctor's off
ice and waited for the verdict.

"You're fit enough to return to work.
It's
on the understanding that you
seek medical advice if you develop any headaches that last more than twenty-four hours, or if you start having seizures again.
You've a metal plate in your head and I don't want you taking any risks.
Is that understood?"

"Perfectly."

Walker walked out of the surgery and stabbed the air with his fist, basking in the knowledge that he could finally
put his plan into action.

Exactly seven months after his accident, Walker stepped off the plane into the early morning sunshine of a London autumn.
The air was chilly, but no colder than it had been when he
had
left Seattle the evening before.
A frustrating delay with immigration and then he was walking though the terminal towards his rental car.
He eased the sleek Jaguar out of the parking lot, filtered into the rush hour traffic, and headed towards London
.

He
check
ed into his hotel.
The bellhop opened the door of the suite and handed Walker the key.
Tipping him Walker carried his case over to the bed, took out his shaving gear, and headed for the shower.
Ten minutes later, feeling refreshed, he sat down o
n
the bed and ordered breakfast—
none of that continental rubbish that the airlines were so fond of serving.
While he waited for room service he took the newspaper cutting from his wallet and read it again, even though he knew the words by heart.

‘
A new charitable foundation is to be launched tomorrow evening with a gala dinner and ball. Set up by Dr. Skye Dunbar, it aims to help young people, who due to unforeseen circumstances are unable to complete their university degree course
.’

Although he'd doze
d
on the plane, jet lag hit him hard.
His neck and shoulder muscles were tense and he could feel the beginning of a he
adache throbbing at his temple.
Walker stifled a yawn, as he skimmed the pages of the phone directory until he found listing for Dunbar and Ridge Computer Consultants.
He picked up the phone and
punched in
the number.
An unfamiliar female voice answered.
A few seconds later, he put the phone down and looked at the address he
ha
d scribbled on the note pad.
A phone call to the front desk, secured him a street map and directions.
Suddenly, he didn't feel quite so tired.

Two hours later, he entered the office
s
of Dunbar and Ridge.
He smiled at the youn
g woman on the reception desk.

"I'm here to see Dr
.
Skye Dunbar."

"Do you have
an appointment?"

"No, I don't.
But it is ra
ther important that I see her."

"I'm sorry, sir, but Dr
.
Dunbar has left for the day.
She's not bac
k in the office until Tuesday."

"I've come a long way.
Perhaps you
coul
d call her on her cell phone and ask if s
he would agree to see me?"

"
I'm sorry, sir.
I can't do that.
However,
I can ask Dr
.
Ridge if he would see you.
Or I can make you an appointment to see Dr
.
Dunbar for next week."

"I haven't come to see Dr
.
Ridge.
And I don't want to wait until next week.
C
ould you give me her home address?"

"We don't give out personal information."

"Look, you don't understand—"

"Is there a problem, Maureen?"
A male voiced shouted through an open office door.

"It's this gentleman, Dr
.
Ridge.
He wants to see Dr
.
Dunbar, but she's left
for the day
.
"

John put down the paper he was reading and walked to the door of his office, almost yanking it off its hinges.

"What the
h
ell do you want?"

"I'd have thought that was obvious, even to you.
I've come to see Skye.
As she's n
ot here, I'd like her address."

"Would you, now?
You'd better come into my office.
Maureen?
You can go for the da
y and lock up on your way out."

John took a seat behind his desk and eyed Walker suspiciously.
"I've one question
,
"
he
said, getting straight to the point.
"Why?
Why now after all this time ha
ve you come to see her?"

"That's none of your business."

"You're wrong
,
it is my business.
You're a bit late if
you came to f
in
d out
if she's pregnant."

Pregnant?
God!
In seven months
Walker
hadn't even considered
the possibility.
"And is she?"

"No, she's not."

"It's not an issue then, is it?
Besides, my reasons for seeing Skye are none of your concern.
If you'll give me her address, I
won't trouble you any further."

"Do you think I'm that stupid?
I think you've got a bloody nerve coming here.
After what you did to he
r, I should have you arrested."

Walker grabbed Ridge's hand as it reached for the phone.
"That's a real dumb idea.
Skye mig
ht get a little upset if she has
to bail you out for false arrest.
I'm not interested in what you think of me.
I came for Skye.
Are you going to behave like the gentleman you're obviously not, and give me her address?"

"Ther
e's something you should know."

Walker's head jerked up.

"You're not the first
American to break her heart."

"Really?"

"There was someone else before you.
He was a sailor in th
e navy and a bastard like you."

Walker let that one pass, and hung on to his
temper with grim determination.

"He said he loved her, but in the end treated her like dirt.
Even blackmailed her and gave her a few bruises.
I see from your expression that has a familiar ring."

Walker made no response.
An icy chill ran through his veins as he listened intently as Ridge proceeded to tell him about Michael.
No wonder Skye had looked like a scared rabbit the first time he saw her.
And then, he had to go and do something really dumb like not trusting her and keeping her at the cabin.
She must have been terrified.

"So you see there is no way I'm
letting you anywhere near Skye,
"
John continued.
"
I helped her pick up the pieces after Michael and I helped her pick them up again seven months ago.
I'm not going to stand by and let you, or any other man, destroy her again.
Is that clear?"

The cold knot in Walker's gut tightened another notch.
"I'm sorry she's had some bad experiences, but that's life.
It's never an easy ride.
If I'd known about Michael, I
woul
d
have handled thing
s differently.
But I didn't.
All I want is the chance to talk to her.
If she wants me to leave, I'll go, but only after I've heard the words from her."

"What makes you think Skye will want to see you?
You haven't made any effort to keep in touch.
Why, is it so important now?
"

"I've had my reasons for not contacting her, reasons which I'll explain only to he
r."

"You should know that things have changed.
I've asked Skye to marry me."

Walker’s worst nightmare
had
come true.
"I see.
And has she accepted?"

John smiled confidently.
"She will."

What had started as a small seed of inner torment grew and grew, until overwhelmed by jealously and anger Walker leaned forward grabbed Ridge by the shirt, alm
ost pulling him over the desk.

"We'll see about that!
I'll find Skye with or without your help.
And until I've spoken to her, I wouldn't book the church just yet, if I were you
.
"

"If and when you catch up with her, make sure you ask her about Laura," Ridge shouted as a final shot.
He slumped back in his chair, straightened his tie with a shaking hand, as the do
or to his office slammed shut.

For a moment he
thought Walker
would
hit him.
Thank God Skye hadn't been here.
He didn't want her upsetting, not when she was so close to accepting his proposal.
But, he knew he couldn't afford to drop his guard, especially now that Walker was in London.
Thankfully, her phone number was unlisted and it was four days before she was due back in the office.
After the dinner tomorrow night, she'd be safe
ly out of town for the weekend.

In the months following her return, Skye had planned for this day.
The long p
hone calls to her solicitor,
meetings with the Charities Commission, and
now
the whole country knew about her Foundation.
Tonight
there would be an inaugural dinner in the glittering ballroom of the Dorchester Hotel, were she hoped to relieve the aristocracy of some money to boost the funds she
ha
d already set aside from her share of the
profits from the new software.

When she told John about her idea, he whole-heartedly supported her.
Tonight he
woul
d stand by her side as her escort, even tho
ugh she knew he still hoped she woul
d change he
r mind and accept his proposal.

The chauffeur opened the door of the limousine and Skye stepped out on to the red carpet.
Photographer's bulbs flashed.

"I hadn't expected this."

"Relax, Sweet Pea."
John patted her arm.
"I imagine they
a
re more interested in getting a photograph of the Royal who's attending.
Although, I have to admit seeing you in that dress, she'll look positively dull by comparison.
Having an HRH on the board of directors was a good idea.
After tonight, you can sit back and let her take all the media hype."

"I couldn't cope with this every day of the week."
Skye lifted the hem of her evening dress a fraction, and climbed the sta
irs to
the ballroom.

It was barely twenty-four hours since Walker had confronted Ridge and despite his best efforts he still hadn't contact
ed
Skye.
He stared at his reflection in the mirrored hallway of the Dorchester Hotel, made a final adjustment to his bow tie, and flicked any imaginary speck of dust off the shoulder of his jacket.
He looked far more confident than he felt, as
he climbed
up the grand s
taircase towards the ballroom.

He
waited until the after dinner speeches
were over
before
gatecrashing
the party.
He merged with a group of people returning from the restrooms, and entered the ballroom.
Once inside, he took a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter and wandered around smi
ling at couples
that
passed him.

He knew from past experience that as hosts Skye and her escort would be seated along with other distinguished guests, and security surrounding them would be tight.
His chances of reaching the table were non-existent, so he chose a position close to the dance floor, were he could watch and wait.
Sooner or later, Skye would have to leave the table and that would be his opportunity to confront her.

For ten, long
agonizing
minutes, he scanned the room.
At last, he saw her.
Her black silk dress was simple and understated.
The fabric followed her every curve until it reached her ankles, were it swirled around like a cloud.
Her rich auburn hair was pulled back into a neat chignon at her nape, highlighting the delicacy of her f
eatures
.
Her smooth creamy skin glowed with rose unde
rtones.
She wore little jewel
ry, just a pair of diamond studs in her ears.
Walker
could only stand and stare.

John, Skye noted, was escorting the leggy blonde who
sat
next to him onto the dance floor, no doubt in the hope it would make her jealous.
She really would have to talk to him
,
but not tonight.
Tonight was her night and nothing was going to spoil it.
She looked over the shoulder of her dance partner, a portly gentleman whose size was only matched by that of his wallet, and caught a glimpse of a tall figure striding purposely towards her.
Her nerves tensed and she briefly closed her eyes in disbelief.
When she opened them again, he’d gone.
She let out a long slow breath.
Her fear had been premature.
She was mistaken.
It wasn't Walker, just someone with his
colo
u
ring
.
As the final chords of the waltz died away, she thanked her partner and
w
alked
back to her seat.
A hand descended on her righ
t shoulder and spun her round.

"I think the next dance is mine, don’t you?" Walker said.

Skye gazed up at his tall figure and studied his lean dark face.
He was so handsome in his black evening suit that her breath caught in her throat.
She found herself being guided back into the throng of couples.
She nearly tripped on the hem of her gown, and would have done so, if the arms holding her had
not tightened around her waist.

The orchestra struck up once more and her body took on a will of its own picking up the tempo of the beat.
Her feet found the correct steps, as Walker whirled her around the dance floor.
Her emotions swirled, like the fabric of her gown.
In a split second, she felt shock and excitement, the heat of desire where his hand rested against the bare flesh of her
back, and then anger and pain.

"Just who do you think you are barging your way into this function?
It's strictly invitation only and I don't recall placing your name on the guest li
st.
How did you get in here?"

"Whatever happened to ‘hello, Walker, nice to see you’?"

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, nor does it impress me.
I'll ask you one more time.
How did you get in here, and why have you come?"

"I'll answer your question—money is a great door opener, even here in England.
I just waved my
che
quebook
at the guys on the door and they were more than happy to accept my donation and offer me a glass of champagne.
As to why I'm here, you know why I'm here.
God damn it, Skye, you walked out on me and I th
ink I have a right to know why!
"

"I walked out on you?
That's rich coming from the man who kept me locked up for three days."

Deliberately, Skye brought the heel of her shoe down on his foot.
He didn't even blink.

"Nice try, but I'm not letting go of you, until you and I
have
talked
.
Are you going to play nice and ask me about my do
nation?
It was very generous."

"What was it, Walker, a need to salve to your conscience?" Skye shot back and feeling him tense under her hand, she knew her barb had found a home.
"The Foundation doesn't need your money.
And I certainly
don’t
wish to talk to you."

"You always did have a temper, and a sharp tongue.
It's about time someone tamed it."
He lowered his lips to hers, his intent plain for her to see.

In that instant, Skye wanted to lash out and hurt him as much as he'd hurt her and she didn't care who heard her.
But discretion got the better of her.

"Don't-even-think-about-it!" she warned.

"Perhaps you're right.
This isn't the place—I prefer a more intimate setting
when
making love to a
woman, but then you know that."

Skye's head snapped back.
She glared at him, stunned by h
is bluntness.

"I
will
talk to you Skye, and you
will
listen," he said.
"We can either have our conversation here, where we stand a good chance of being overheard or on the terrace, it's up to you."
When she didn't respond, he abruptly caught her by the elbow, and firmly escorted
her from the ballroom.

Skye hurried to keep up with his long strides.
"Bullying tactics again, Walker?
Do you get yo
ur kicks giving women bruises?"

He stopped dead and jerked her round to face him.
"Be careful, Skye.
Push me any further and I'll forget we're in polite company and give you the argument you're looking for.
All I want is a few minutes of your time and whether you like it or not, you're going to give them to me."

Twin stains of scarlet appeared on her cheeks.
Already heads were turning to watch them.
Her embarrassment turned to raw fury.
Damn the man if he wasn't right.
She couldn't afford a scene
,
at least not here.

"Five minutes.
After that, I return to my guests and you walk out of here and out of my life
.
"

"Still issuing stipulations?
Sorry, Skye, but I'm not buying into them.
I'll leave when I'm
good and ready and not before."

"Damn it, Walker!
I made my terms perfectly clear back in Seattle.
You
settled my invoice.
There is nothing further to discuss.
I suggest that you let go of my arm and go back to the States or wherever you came from."

"Yeah, you did. I even recall agreeing to some of them, but not all.
If my memory serves me right, you didn't even hang around long enough to see if we found the guy responsible.
In fact, you high tailed it out of Seattle so damned fast you didn't even bother to pack
.
Were you that desperate to get away from me that you couldn't wait a day?
And, aren't you the least bit curious as to why I've waited s
even months to come after you?"

"No."

"I don't believe you.
Just as I don't believe that things are over between us."
He crushed her to his chest, something intense flaring in his eyes.
Slowly he stroked her back and felt her pulse quicken beneath his fingers.
"Don't deny it, Skye.
You want me as much as I want you."
His gaze travelled across her bare shoulders to the curve of her breasts.

Skye's fists bunched at her
sides, she had no intention of
fall
ing
under his spell
once more
.
But despite all her determination, her body relaxed against his as it responded to his slow caress.
Confused by her unexpected reaction to his touch, she tried to deny the pulsing knot forming in her stomach, and the trembling in her l
imbs, but couldn't.

"Please, just say
what you have to and then go."

"As you've already pointed out, this isn't the place or the time to have our chat.
I'm staying at the Savoy.
I'll expect you for lunch.
Dr
.
Ridge, I wondered when you'd make an appearance."

John's face was like thunder as he acknowledged Walker with barely a nod of his head.
"Are you
o
kay
?"

"You remember
Mr.
Walker, John.
He's very kindly made a donation to the Foundation."
Skye gave John's hand a warning squeeze in the hope that he would follow her lead.
The last thing she wanted was for the evening to turn into a bar room brawl.

Ridge's eyes narrowed. "Is that so?
I'd say that's the least he can do.
Although, I wouldn't have thought it was necessary for him to bring it in person.
Never hea
rd of bank transfers, Walker?"

"Yeah, I've heard of them, but some things are best done in person.
Besides, Skye and I have a lot of catching up to do and telephones are s
o impersonal, don't you agree?"