Authors: Kate Hopkins
"No, thank you." Simon settled on the other end of the couch.
"Why are you upset with me?" she asked softly.
"What makes you think I'm upset?"
Haley looked at him. "Please, just answer the question."
Simon sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "When I asked you if I could hit Chad you told me no, but then you turned right around and hit him. Why was it all right for you to hit him, but it wasn't all right for me to do it?"
"That's why you're angry?" she asked, frowning. "Because I hit Chad, but wouldn't let you do it." She shook her head. "This is one of those male pride things, isn't it?"
"Pretty much . . . yes."
She snorted. "Well at least you're honest." She eyed him for a moment before looking away. "I've discovered one of your flaws, Wilcox. You're prideful."
"Tell me a man that isn't," he stated.
"I'm sorry," Haley said softly. "I shouldn't have hit him. I was just so angry . . . so tired of his crap. I snapped."
"All will be forgiven if you promise me that the next time I want to hit him you won't try to stop me."
Haley scooted closer to Simon and laid the bag of frozen vegetables against his swollen jaw. She gazed into his eyes. "I won't promise you that. You hit him, he wouldn't hesitate to pick up the phone and call the police. I don't want to see you in jail. I couldn't bear to see you that way."
Simon raised his hand and placed it over hers. "You're something, you know that?" He leaned in close, stopping a mere inch from her mouth. "Tell me no if-"
"Kiss me," she breathed.
Simon did not need to be told twice. Snatching the bag out of her hand, he threw it on the coffee table and pulled her into his embrace. He swooped down and his mouth settled on hers. She parted her lips and he slipped his tongue inside. Haley was unprepared for how sweet, how tender the kiss was. Moaning, she tilted her head and deepened the kiss, her arms encircling his neck. Feelings she never experienced with Chad rose to the surface and she was stunned at how right it felt to be in his arms.
They ended the kiss, a minute later. Breaking apart, they stared at each other through eyes filled with desire and longing.
"Wow," Haley whispered.
"Wow doesn't even begin to describe it." Simon tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and ran his hand along her jaw. She shivered at his touch. "You are a-" The ringing of his cell phone interrupted what he was going to say next. Reluctantly, he stood and reached for his blazer. Taking the phone out of one of the pockets, he flipped it open and pressed the talk button. "Hello?" He paused for a few moments as he listened to the person on the other end of the line. "Which hospital?" Again another pause. "I'm on my way."
"What's wrong?" Haley asked, once he closed the phone.
"Gran fell," Simon said quietly, his eyes filled with concern. "I need to get to the hospital."
"I'm coming with you."
Simon nodded.
"How is she?" Simon demanded to know of Daniel when he and Haley entered the waiting room.
"I don't know," he answered. "The doctor's in with her. He'll come out and talk to us when he's finished."
"What happened?" Haley asked concerned.
"I don't know the whole story," Daniel told them as they sat down to wait. "I was on my way out the door when the phone rang. Something told me to answer it. It was some lady from the hospital. She told me that Gran was admitted because of a bad fall. I tried to get a hold of mom and dad, but they're not answering their phones. I'll keep trying until I get one of them."
Simon rubbed the back of his neck, grimacing at the dull ache he felt. "I knew it was only a matter of time before something bad happened. She shouldn't be living alone."
"She likes living alone," Daniel pointed out. "You're not going to get her to change her mind about it."
"Wait and see what the doctor has to say before you discuss her living situation," Haley told them. She nibbled on her bottom lip. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be putting in my two cents. This is none of my business."
Simon took her injured hand carefully, raised it to his lips, and kissed her soft skin. "Your opinion matters to me. I want to hear what you have to say. So don't-"
"Are you here for Marian Wilcox?" a doctor in a white coat asked them as he strolled into the waiting room.
"We are," Simon informed him. "How is she?"
"She's experiencing some pain right now." The doctor consulted the clipboard in his hands. "We have her on a morphine drip to help ease her discomfort. Her left leg was fractured in a few places. Luckily, when she fell she didn't break a hip or cause any other serious injuries. I would like to keep her for a few days for observation, but I see no reason why she can't bounce back from this." He smiled. "She's a tough lady."
"You have no idea," Daniel murmured.
"May we see her?" Simon inquired.
"Yes, but just for a few minutes," the doctor uttered. "She needs her rest." He consulted his clipboard once more. "She's down the hall in room 217."
"Thank you, doctor," Haley said.
"You're welcome. If you have any questions don't hesitate to let me know." He turned and hurried from the room.
"You go see her," Daniel said to Simon. "I have a feeling she would rather see you than me."
"I'll wait with him," Haley mumbled.
"I won't be long." Simon left the waiting room and headed down the hallway to Marian's room. He found her room number and quietly let himself inside. The sight of her leg in a cast and her pale, drawn face sent a shaft of fear through him. Taking a deep breath, he moved toward the bed and bent down to kiss her on the cheek. She turned her head on the pillow and looked up at him.
"What the hell happened to your jaw?" she asked.
"It's a long story." Simon cleared his throat. "How are you feeling?"
"How do you think I'm feeling?" she growled.
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Even in a pain, drugged induced state she was still ornery. "Care to tell me what happened?"
"I heard a noise coming from the backyard so I went outside to investigate," she said. "The damn gardener left the hose lying out. I got my leg tangled up in it and fell. That weird neighbor next door was out watering her flowers and heard me calling out for help. She called 911 and stayed with me until the ambulance arrived. Are you done asking questions?"
"Yes," Simon sighed.
"Then shut up and let me sleep," she snarled.
"Yes, ma'am." He lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her cheek again. "I love you, Gran." She grunted in reply.
Chapter 12
Simon was sitting at the table, the following morning, reading the newspaper and drinking a cup of coffee, when the telephone rang. Wondering who was calling this early, he put down the paper, pushed back his chair, and crossed the kitchen. He grabbed the cordless off the counter and looked at the caller ID. It read 'Parkview Memorial Hospital'. He pressed the talk button. "Hello?"
"Simon," Marian said. "Good morning."
"Good morning, Gran," he said. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore and groggy," she answered. "I want to see you. When can you come to the hospital?"
Simon glanced at his watch. "I'll be there in an hour."
"Make it a half an hour." The line went dead and he heard the dial tone. She had hung up on him.
"Who called?" Daniel asked, entering the kitchen.
"Gran." Simon placed the phone back in the base. "She wants to see me."
"You mean she wants something." Daniel moved to the coffee pot and took a cup down from the cabinet. He poured him a cup of the steaming liquid, added sugar and creamer, and took a cautious sip. "The only time she wants to see you is when she's up to something. I swear that woman isn't like other grandmother's. Most grandmother's are sweet and will bake you cookies. Marian Wilcox is manipulative and has never baked a day in her life."
"Go easy on her," Simon muttered.
Daniel shook his head. "She's got you right where she wants you, little brother." He took another sip of coffee and leaned back against the counter. "So tell me what's going on with you and the lovely Haley. I watched you two at the hospital last night. You were holding hands and gazing at each other like two love struck fools. Things are getting serious, aren't they?"
An image of him and Haley locked in an embrace, kissing, popped into his head, sending a tremor racing through him. "We enjoy each others company. That's all."
"It's more than that." Daniel smirked. "I know you've always had a thing for her. It's only a matter of time before-"
"She just ended a relationship," Simon reminded him. "She's not looking to jump into another one."
"You never know." He smirked. "The ladies can't resist the Wilcox men."
Simon rolled his eyes. "You're full of it."
"I know."
. . . .
When Simon walked into Marian's room, twenty minutes later, he found her propped up in bed, watching the news. As he approached her, he noticed she had dark circles under her eyes. "Hello, Gran." He bent down and kissed her forehead. "How are you feeling?"
"Why do you keep asking me that?" she snapped.
"Because I'm worried about you." Simon turned and saw a vase of pink carnations on the bedside table. "Pretty flowers."
"They just arrived," Marian said. "They're from Haley. She's such a thoughtful person."
"Yes, she is." He settled on the side of the bed. "Why did you want to see me?"
She pushed a button on the side of the bed and the television turned off. "I've been thinking and I've decided to sell the house. It's too big for me."
"I agree." He unbuttoned his suit coat. "Do you want me to help you find a new home? I know a realtor that-"