A Most Shocking Revelation (11 page)

 

The following morning Gavin awoke with empty arms and an empty space beside him. He sat up and looked out the window to see the first signs of dawn, but no Valerie. Most likely she was already up and about, getting ready for work, while all he could consider was getting his hands on her again. And again.

For a few minutes he entertained himself by staring at the ceiling. He couldn't quite peg why he didn't just roll over and go back to sleep for an hour or so. Okay, maybe he did know. Valerie Raines was keeping him up, in every way imaginable.

He liked having her in his bed beside him. He really liked being inside of her, something he'd discovered twice during the night. He could blame his overwhelming need for her on his recent span of celibacy, but sex was only part of the equation. He found everything about her fascinating, from the glimpses of her sense of humor to the way she always wrinkled her nose when she found something distasteful. He definitely liked her sharpshooter mind, as well as her killer body. Unquestionably her body. And one of these days he planned to break through that invisible shield she used to guard her emotions. Right now he planned to find her.

First stop—the guest room. But when Gavin found the bed empty and still made, he walked to the bathroom door and knocked lightly. “Val, are you in there?”

When she didn't answer, he headed for the kitchen. She could be making coffee or breakfast, but he didn't detect any of the usual cooking smells. As he bypassed the great room, he saw something from the corner of his eye and stopped short.

There she was, curled up on the sofa, wrapped in a throw, with only her head exposed. Right away he noticed her pale skin, the glaze of perspiration on her forehead and the fact that she was shaking beneath the blanket.

Concern sent him straight to the couch and down beside her. He laid a hand on her forehead and his worry increased. “You're burning up.”

“I'm freezing,” she said between chattering teeth. “I hope you don't mind but I turned up the heat.”

“You need to go back to bed.”

She barked out a cough and stared at him with dull eyes. “I promised Manny I'd work today. I have to go in for the breakfast crowd.”

Gavin sent her a hard look. “You have the flu and you're not going anywhere.”

Not waiting for further protests, he scooped Val into his arms, walked down the hallway and deposited her back in his bed. Strangely enough, she didn't argue, but considering how ill she looked, he figured she was probably too weak. “Don't get out of this bed. I'll be right back. I need to make a phone call.”

At times like these, Gavin wished he could call his mother. She'd been good at taking care of him when he'd been sick as a child and she would know what to do. But she was gone, had been for a long time, so he'd have to call someone else who could give him solid advice.

He strode to his office, pulled the key from the hiding place beneath the desk and unlocked the drawer. A good two minutes had passed before he finally found the directory listing all present and former members of the Cattleman's Club. He knew one doctor fairly well, and although the guy was a plastic surgeon, he would be able to help—or at least Gavin hoped so.

He pounded out Justin Webb's private number and waited for
what seemed like hours for an answer. Before the man barely got out the word
hello,
Gavin started in. “This is O'Neal, Doc. Sorry to bother you, but I need a favor. I know this isn't your thing exactly, but I have a friend who's sick. She's got a fever and she looks awful and—”

“Slow down, Sheriff,” Justin said. “She's probably got the flu. Half of the hospital's been out with it. Not much you can do but let it run its course.”

That wasn't good enough for Gavin. “What about medicine?”

“Do you have some kind of pain relievers?”

“Yeah, some aspirin.” And hopefully it hadn't expired like the box of condoms.

“Just give her that to keep the fever down and over-the-counter cold remedies for any kind of cough. Make sure she gets plenty of fluids so she doesn't dehydrate. Other than that, watch her. If she gets any worse, call me and I'll have one of my colleagues see her. Or bring her into the E.R.”

If that was the best the doc could do, Gavin guessed he'd have to live with it. “Thanks, Justin. I appreciate your help.”

“Not a problem. Is this someone special? Maybe a waitress from down at the diner?”

He'd be damned if the grapevine hadn't already crawled across the entire city and crept into the hospital. “Yeah, that's her.” And she
was
special. More special than anyone could know. But he knew, and that's all that mattered at the moment.

“Good luck, Gavin. I hope you don't get this stuff. It's bad.”

“Thanks again, Justin,” he said and hung up.

Gavin could normally handle “bad” in most situations, including delivering bad news to families of crime victims. But he'd never had to deal with taking care of someone sick. Not an issue at the moment. He planned to take care of Val for as long as it took for this bug to pass. Maybe even longer, if she would let him.

On that thought, he dialed his best deputy's number, Annie Rivera, the lone female on the force. She wasn't much bigger than Val, but she was tough as a barbwire fence and could handle any grief the rest of the guys tossed at her. “Rivera,” he
said when she answered. “I need you to take over for me for a few days.”

“What's wrong, Sheriff?” She sounded almost alarmed, and rightfully so. He hadn't missed a day of work since he'd signed on with the department, even before he'd taken over as sheriff.

Gavin faked a cough. “I've got the flu and I feel like hell.”

“I'm not surprised,” she said. “It's definitely going around. What do you want me to tell Opal Devlin about the murder investigation?”

He didn't have the energy to deal with Durmorr's aunt. “You've talked to her?”

“Yeah, late yesterday. I'm not sure she's as concerned about finding her nephew's killer as she is about finding out when the house will no longer be designated a crime scene. She wants to sell it as soon as possible.”

“Tell her she'll be the first to know when the house is cleared.” A lie. Tom Devlin would be the first to know since he was helping with the investigation.

“Okay, Sheriff,” Annie said. “Take care. I can handle it in your absence. Don't rush back too soon.”

He didn't plan to do that until he was assured Valerie was well.

After he hung up, Gavin strode into the kitchen and found aspirin that was fortunately still good. He grabbed up the bottle, retrieved a glass of water and went back to Valerie. She was facing the door, covered up to her chin, her eyes closed and her face flushed from the fever.

Gavin experienced a fierce surge of protectiveness that weighted his chest. He needed to make her better even though he had very little to offer her but a couple of pills and his undivided attention. Crossing the room, he sat on the bed and brushed the hair away from her damp forehead. Her eyes drifted open and she attempted a weak smile. “Can you sit up for a minute?” he asked.

“Sure.” She scooted up slowly, her back resting against the headboard.

“Take these.” He opened her hand and placed the pills in her palm. “They'll help with your fever.”

She put the pills in her mouth, took a swallow of the water, then moved back down on the bed. “Thanks.”

Gavin set the glass on the nightstand, stood and pulled a chair next to the bed beside her. “Now you need to rest. I'm right here if you need anything.”

She managed a frown. “You don't have to babysit me, Gavin. You go on to work. I'll be fine.”

He shook his head. “No way. I'm not leaving you alone. The department will get by without me today.” And tomorrow and the next day, if need be.

She lifted her hand and laid it on his arm. “I appreciate it, but—”

“No more arguments,” he said as he grabbed up the TV remote from the nightstand. “Anything in particular you want to watch?”

She yawned. “I think I'll just sleep for a while.”

Real stupid, O'Neal.
Of course she'd want to sleep. She was sick, and he was not very good at this. “Sure.” He snapped off the TV and settled back in the chair.

“You can watch TV,” she said. “It won't bother me.”

Her continuous shaking bothered Gavin. A lot. “Don't worry about me. Just close your eyes.”

“I only want a little nap,” she said. “I'll be okay in a while.”

Gavin kept his gaze focused on the blank TV screen, but when he realized she was asleep, he kept watch on her like a sentry guarding precious cargo. He supposed that when you cared about someone, this was a part of the deal. That whole “in sickness and in health” thing.

Whoa. He was getting way ahead of himself. He still had a lot to learn about Val before he even considered anything close to vows. Yet he recognized she moved him in ways he'd never been moved before. How could he not? She was tough on the outside, had a soul-deep compassion, yet at times she seemed almost insecure. Not that she'd meant to reveal that to him, but he'd seen it. And he wanted to prove to her that she was a beautiful woman, however long it took.

No denying it. Val had affected him more than any woman he'd been involved with to that point. Maybe that should send him running scared, but he didn't feel like running. He didn't plan to go anywhere and he didn't want her to leave either.

Tucking those thoughts away for the time being, he rested his head against the chair, laced his hands together on his belly and closed his eyes. He could definitely use some sleep, too.

The sound of Val's moans jerked Gavin out of his short-term nap and the chair. He stood over the bed, watching her thrash, her expression reflecting what appeared to be pain and a good deal of distress.

He shook her arm gently. “You're okay, sweetheart. I'm right here.”

“You're hurting me,” she said without opening her eyes, causing Gavin to release his grasp on her.

“Val, it's just a dream. It's the fever.”

“You don't understand,” she whispered. “I had to do it. I
had
to.”

Finally she settled down and turned away from him. Gavin decided the illness had her talking crazy. Still, the content of her ramblings disturbed him.

As he settled back into the chair, he couldn't help but wonder who exactly had hurt her and what exactly she had done.

R
andom images from her past floated in and out of Valerie's fuzzy brain. Images of transgressions she couldn't take back, mistakes she had made. Pain. Humiliation. Fear.

The handcuffs hurt her wrists. The sirens hurt her ears. She wanted out of the car. She couldn't breathe. She felt sick.

Then she felt her grandmother's careworn hands reaching out to her, soothing her fevered forehead.

“I'm here, Val. It's okay.”

She came awake with a start, realizing she hadn't heard her grandmother's voice at all. The timbre was too deep, too male. For a moment she remained disoriented to time or place, until she saw him sitting by the bed. Gavin O'Neal, her beloved savior.

Valerie pushed her hair out of her face and considered sitting up, but she felt too weak to attempt even that simple maneuver. She craved liquid for her parched throat and her sandpaper mouth. “Water.” Her voice sounded raspy, more like a croak.

Gavin offered her a glass with a straw. “Here. It's lemon-lime soda. Hope that's okay.”

“It's fine.” She couldn't really taste anything anyway, but the soda helped her thirst, and that was all she cared about at the moment. After a few sips, she dropped back onto the pillow. “What time is it?”

“After 9:00 p.m. You've been in and out all day long.”

In and out of fitful dreams, Valerie thought. “I can't believe I've slept that long.”

“You needed your sleep. Is there anything else you need right now?” he asked, both his tone and his expression reflecting his concern.

She coughed and swiped at her watery eyes. “Yes. A hot shower.”

“How about a hot bath?”

Valerie couldn't think of anything more inviting than soaking in a whirlpool, except maybe the sheriff's smile. “That sounds good.”

Gavin came to his feet. “I'll just go get you some clean clothes and be back in a second.”

“No!” Valerie cringed at her harsh tone. “I mean, I can do that myself.”

He laughed. “I promise I'm not going to check out all your underwear. Besides, you've already shown them to me.”

Gavin perusing her underwear wasn't Valerie's major concern. What he might find beneath that underwear was. She sat up and draped her legs over the edge of the bed. “I promise I can handle getting my own clothes.”

“Are you sure? You've got to be fairly weak since you haven't eaten all day, on top of the fever.”

She stood on shaky legs. “I'm okay. It's only a short trip.”

“Okay, if you're sure.” He pointed toward the bathroom. “I'll go start the water running. Holler if you need me.”

She lifted one leaden arm and patted his cheek. “I will.”

When she walked into the hall, the first wave of nausea attacked her empty stomach. She drew in several deep breaths and leaned against the wall until it passed. Although her room was next to Gavin's, it seemed as if it were blocks away. By the time
she reached the bureau, she had to sit on the bed for a few moments before she had the energy to retrieve her panties and a thin cotton gown, the only thing clean at the moment since she hadn't done any laundry. She sat a while longer before making the journey back into Gavin's bedroom.

Valerie found him waiting at the bathroom door sporting a huge towel and a frown. “You look pale, Val.” He caught her arm just as she began to sway. “Are you sure you're up for this?”

No, she wasn't, but she could at least try. “I'm sure.”

He took her elbow and guided her into the bathroom, set her down on one of the steps leading to the whirlpool and reached behind her to turn off the water. Then he took her hands and pulled her up. “Just lean on me,” he said as he started to slip the buttons on her shirt.

She loosely clasped his wrist as a fiery blush climbed up her throat. “I'm not completely helpless.”

He tugged her hand away. “But you are sick. Besides, it's nothing I haven't seen before.” He grinned. “And I promise not to look.”

Smiling back took a lot of effort on Valerie's part, but she didn't mind. “Right now I'm too drained to argue with you.”

He had her shirt off with the expediency of a man who'd had a lot of practice. “Hang on to my shoulders,” he told her as he removed her bottoms.

Now she stood before him naked and shivering, her arms crossed over her bare breasts. But he didn't hesitate before he turned her around and helped her up the steps. He didn't let her go until he had her settled into the swirling water.

Valerie expected him to leave her, but instead he settled onto the wide edge of the tub, his long legs bent at the knees, his sock-covered feet resting on the top step. “Is the water okay?” he asked.

“It's perfect.” She lifted her hair and laid her head back against the towel he'd draped over the end and scooped up a handful of foam into her palm. “Do you take a lot of bubble baths?”

He shook his head. “No. One of the guys gave me the stuff for my birthday as a joke. In fact, I've never even used this tub before.”

“I'm surprised. Looks big enough to host a party.”

“Nope. No parties in the tub.”

Valerie closed her eyes and released a soft sigh. “This is the next best thing to a party. You should try it.”

“Maybe I will, when you're better and we can do it together.”

Even though Valerie felt as if she'd slammed into a brick wall running full force, she couldn't help but entertain a few images of bathing with Gavin. Now she knew she was sick—in the head.

“Sounds nice.”

The next thing Valerie knew, she felt the glide of fingertips through her hair. She looked up to find Gavin standing behind the platform and she hadn't even realized he'd moved. She closed her eyes again as he began to massage her temples, all her cares seeming to drift away with every gentle caress. “You're spoiling me,” she managed, followed by another satisfied sigh.

“Good. You deserve to be spoiled.”

Valerie deserved to be horsewhipped considering what she had been keeping from him. “I probably should wash up now before I turn into a prune.”

He tipped her face up and kissed her forehead. “I'd offer to help you do that, but I'm not that strong.”

Neither was she, even if she was sick. “Okay. I'll be out in a bit.”

“Stay right where you are. I'll be back to help you out in a few minutes.”

“Gavin, I can—”

“Fall and hit your head. Then you're going to be a lot worse off than you are now.”

He rounded the tub, walked to the door and pointed at her. “I mean it, Val. I'll be gone ten minutes tops. And you better still be in that tub when I get back.”

She sent him a lazy salute and even that took a lot of exertion. “Okay, Sheriff.”

After giving her a soft smile, Gavin walked out, leaving Valerie alone to bathe. She raised her head and looked around. How sad was this whole scene? She was in a gorgeous guy's whirlpool, naked and alone. No wine waiting for her in the bedroom,
just a glass of flat soda. No soft music playing in the background, just the sound of her rapid-fire sneezing. She had weepy eyes and a pachyderm residing on her chest. No doubt her nose was red and her hair probably looked like the backside of a briar patch. Yet Gavin hadn't seemed to notice. He'd only been kind and considerate, tending to her needs as if he truly cared about her well-being. As if he was responsible for making her better.

Feeling misty and miserable, Valerie concentrated on cleaning up for fear she might actually have an emotional meltdown. Only the flu, she told herself as she grabbed the rag and a bar of soap that smelled like Gavin. The sense of utter helplessness, the fever, had shoved her down in the dumps. Having a bath would help, even though the simple act of washing sapped her of strength. Tomorrow she would feel better. She had to.

Gavin came back into the room looking totally charming with his unshaven face and his tattered jeans and T-shirt. After setting aside the towel, he approached the tub, hands tucked away in his pockets. “Are you about finished?”

Valerie sat up and swiped the tendrils of wayward hair from her forehead. “Sure.”

He took her arm and helped her stand, then wrapped her in the terry bath sheet, all the while averting his gaze. He assisted her down the stairs and guided her to the vanity, where he held up a black flannel nightshirt dotted with red hearts. “I thought you might be more comfortable in this.”

She pointed to the cotton gown resting on the vanity. “I already have something to wear.”

“It's too skimpy. You need something warmer.”

She braced one hand on the white granite counter for support and studied the shirt. “Where did you get that?”

He shrugged. “It was another gift, and not one that I appreciated.”

Valerie should leave it at that, but curiosity commandeered her good sense. “From a girlfriend, I take it.”

“From a former acquaintance,” he said, with heavy emphasis on
former.
“Now let's get you dried off.”

Gavin tugged the towel away and patted her down, again keeping his gaze away from her body. He had her dressed in his nightshirt and her panties faster than she'd ever thought feasible, achieving the task without really looking at her. She'd never dreamed she would ever encounter a man willing to treat her with such care and respect.

He wrapped his arm around her waist and said, “Back to bed.”

Valerie leaned heavily on him as he led her to the bed and pulled back the covers for her to climb in. After he had her settled, he told her, “I'll be right back.”

He was gone for a few minutes before returning with a lap tray containing a bowl and another glass of soda. After setting it aside on the nightstand, he propped the pillows against the headboard. “Scoot up.”

She wrinkled her nose when he placed the tray in her lap. “I'm not hungry.”

He sat on the edge of the bed and laid a napkin across her chest. “Sheila brought this soup by just for you after Manny told her you were sick. She claims it's a cure-all.”

Valerie leaned her head back against the pillow and groaned. “Manny. I forgot all about calling him.”

“Not a problem because I did it for you.”

“Is he mad at me?”

“He wasn't happy, but I assured him you were in no shape to work and that he wouldn't want you infecting all his customers. I also called the garage about your car. They said they're backed up, but they promised to have it ready by early next week. Rhodes told me he'd work on Sunday if he had to.”

Next week? “Great. I was hoping it would be ready in the next couple of days.”

“You probably won't be well enough to drive it in the next couple of days.” He held the spoon to her lips. “Now try a bite of this.”

She took a sip of the warm liquid that tasted like salty nothing. “Are you happy now?”

“Not until you have a little more.”

Reluctantly she accepted a few more spoonfuls before she nudged his hand away. “Enough. My stomach is starting to protest.”

“Fine.” He took the tray away and offered her the soda. “Have a little of this. The doc said you need plenty of fluids.”

She took a quick sip and laid her head back on the pillow. “You called a doctor?”

Gavin set the glass aside. “Yeah, while you were asleep. I was worried.”

He looked worried, and Valerie needed to tell him how much his concern meant to her. “Thank you. I appreciate everything you've done for me.”

“Not a problem.” He grabbed up the TV's remote control.

“Now move over and let's see what's happening in the world.”

She gladly complied, edging aside to allow him room. He settled beside her and turned on the TV to Melissa Mason reporting the local news. “She's an excellent anchor,” Valerie said. “Very pretty, too.”

“Yeah, but I'm surprised she's working. She's about to marry my best friend on Saturday.” He tugged Valerie to his side and leaned his head against hers. “And if you're feeling up to it, you can go with me.”

Valerie could think of many reasons why that wouldn't be a great idea. “I won't know anyone, Gavin.”

“Sure you will. You've probably met all the guests at one time or the other down at the diner.”

“I don't have anything appropriate to wear.” And that was the truth.

“It's going to be a small ceremony at Logan's house next door. Nothing elaborate. We'll just see how it goes between now and then.”

Valerie started to bring out more arguments until she realized Gavin had turned his complete attention to the television, where Melissa was saying, “According to a spokesperson from the sheriff's department, there have been no new leads in the Malcolm Durmorr murder investigation….”

Gavin hissed a rough sigh and snapped off the TV. “Like I don't already know that.”

Valerie stared up at him. “And I'm keeping you from doing your job.”

He gave her a gentle squeeze. “I've got other people working for me. They can handle it until you're better. And in order for you to get better, you need to sleep.”

“Maybe I should go back to my room. Otherwise, you might catch this bug.”

He rolled to his side to face her, jaw propped on his palm. “I'm fairly sure I've already been exposed. And I want to be here with you in case you need me.”

The sincerity in his voice, in his expression, caused an annoying lump to form in Valerie's throat. Tears she'd been so determined not to shed filled her eyes. Unwelcome tears that she'd always been able to control, kept tucked away after she'd learned all too well that crying never got a person anywhere.

Gavin reached back for a tissue and dabbed at her damp cheeks. “Hey, sweetheart, it's going to be okay. You'll be better before you know it.”

“I know, and it's just that…” She released a rogue sob. “It's just that…”