Part 2 (1/2)

”You can be so d.a.m.n stubborn.” Candace loudly exhaled. ”Would you like me to get Ana on the phone for you?”

Erica nodded. ”Candace, if any reporters call while I'm in the shower, just do your magic, okay?”

”Okay.”

The sun had set by the time Erica left her downtown Minneapolis office and headed west on Interstate 394. The twenty-five minute drive to the Mahala Community Medical Center was not enough time to calm her nerves. She hoped to avoid running into Christina.

Christina Windquest.

Though she had tried over the years, Erica was unable to forget her. Christina had been spontaneous, pa.s.sionate and reckless. She had displayed the touch of a magician-her fingers easing aching muscles and awakening sleeping nerves. Life had been so different then. Erica slid her hand down the steering wheel and put the Jeep Grand Cherokee into fifth gear.

At the age of eighteen, Erica had viewed Christina as a G.o.ddess. Now, through the eyes of an older woman, Erica came face-to-face with reality. She was as captivating as Erica remembered, but that morning she had seen Christina - the G.o.ddess-as a stunned and frightened mother.

Erica knew she wasn't in love with Christina anymore. The heart-ripping separation had stopped and the scar that remained was taut with indifference - or so she thought. She had her career, her close friends.h.i.+ps with Susan Evans and Ana, and her solitude. Yet, she was very aware of how empty her life had become. What she missed most was the closeness and the intimacy of love. For too long she had lived without a lover's touch- not because she wanted to but because she had to, thanks to Raven's curse.

When she reached Tayler's room, Erica stood outside the door for several minutes. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, raised her hand to knock but stopped. She tried again. After a number of attempts she gave up and turned to leave.

”Oh, h.e.l.lo,” a nurse walked out of the room with a tray of medical supplies. ”I'm finished. Please go right in.”

”It's okay. I think I've missed visiting hours,” Erica took several steps.

”No, no. I think Ms. Windquest would really like to see you. She's been asking about you, Ms. Laird.”

For a moment Erica wondered how this woman knew who she was, but then remembered the article and photograph in the morning's paper. The nurse disappeared down the hall. Erica entered the room and walked to the side of the bed.

”h.e.l.lo, Tayler, I'm your absentee landlady.”

”Ms. Kirsten-Laird, it's a pleasure to finally meet you.” Tayler's formal greeting was just above a whisper. She extended her hand to Erica.

Aware of Tayler's rib injuries, Erica avoided shaking Tayler's hand and held it instead. She was surprised to hear Tayler address her by her legal name. Most often, people referred to Erica by her father's last name, Laird, rather than her legal hyphenated name, Kirsten-Laird.

”I'm sorry it took so long for me to introduce myself.”

”I think your introduction was perfectly timed,” Tayler grinned.

Erica noticed the slight blush in Tayler's cheeks. ”How are you feeling?”

”Much better.” Tayler's voice was hoa.r.s.e and scratchy.

”Thank you for the roses. They're beautiful.”

”You're most welcome.” Erica let go of Tayler's hand and put her purse on a chair. She noticed the colorful array of flowers that decorated the room. The long-stemmed red roses she had sent stood in an elegant porcelain vase on the table next to the bed. She removed a rose. ”Have you thought about opening a floral shop with all these plants and flowers?” Erica asked holding the flower to her nose and taking in the sweet, sweet fragrance.

Tayler watched as the dimples on each side of Erica's mouth deepened. She pulled the blankets up around her. ”I'm sending them to the children's unit first thing in the morning, but I'm keeping the roses.”

”Why?”

”Because children love flowers.”

”I meant, why are you keeping the roses?” Erica slowly rolled the stem between her thumb and index finger.

”They're my favorite flower.” Tayler closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them. ”My father used to give me a rose whenever I was sad or hurt.”

”I would imagine he didn't give you many roses then,” Erica inquired.

”Actually, I got quite a few.”

Tayler's eyes were as blue as her mother's, but unlike Christina's, Tayler's possessed a translucence -like the blue coastal waters of Puerto Arista. Erica lowered her gaze and focused on Tayler's bruised neck. She could see several black st.i.tches peeking out of the bandage. In the light of the sterile hospital room, Tayler's oval face and high cheekbones were a combination of strength and gentleness. Her age was difficult to estimate, but Erica guessed she was in her late twenties - a young age for a Pulitzer Prize winner.

”Thanks for your help last night.” Tayler said softly. ”I'm so sorry you got hurt.”

Erica nodded.

”Mother told me that you two are old friends.”

”Hm, yes. I met your mother quite a long time ago.” Erica wondered how much Christina had shared with Tayler about their past.

”It's weird because I don't recall mother ever mentioning your name to me before.”

Erica forced herself to smile. ”I'm not surprised. We lost touch with each other.”

She drifted off recalling the night she had first met Christina. Her rusted Mustang had broken down on a back road south of Minneapolis. Christina drove by, stopped, and offered her a ride. They meant to go to a gas station for help, but they never made it. That night Christina opened her house and her arms to Erica.

”Are you okay?” The low voice brought her back to the present.

”I'm sorry. Yes, I'm fine,” Erica rubbed her temple. Her cheeks burned.

”When I'm released, do you think we could we get together and talk?”

”I - ” Erica looked out into the dark night. ”I don't think it would be - ”

”Please, you saved my life.” Tayler struggled to sit up. ”At least let me take you out to dinner or something.”

The overhead light behind Tayler's blond hair created the effect of a crown. Erica stared at the image. ”All right, but only when you feel up to it,” she said exhaling slowly.

A lone figure stood watching them from the doorway. Christina stepped out of the shadows. ”Am I interrupting?” She asked as she walked to the opposite side of Tayler's bed.

”Hi, Mom. Look who's here.”

”Darling, how are you?” Christina leaned over and kissed Tayler on the cheek. ”h.e.l.lo, Erica, it's nice to see you again.” The level of tension rose sharply as the two former lovers faced each other. Christina avoided looking directly at Erica. She was still feeling the sting from the words Erica spoke several hours earlier.

”h.e.l.lo, Christina.” Erica picked up her purse. ”I should be going.” She looked down at Tayler and tried to smile, but the attempt failed.

”But you just got here,” Tayler tugged on the hospital bracelet around her wrist.

”Erica needs to rest too, dear.” Christina laid her hand on Tayler's shoulder then looked at Erica. ”I'll be right back. I'm going to walk Erica down the hall.”