The Right Woman

She groaned inwardly at the war going on inside her. Her emotions were like a tennis ball being constantly batted back and forth until she was exhausted from the struggle. She had to decide what she wanted from Daniel, what she expected from him. Because, like it or not, he was in her life. Their jobs threw them together and she had no right to tell him to stay away from her. She had to apologize. Of that she was very certain.

Just as she reached the door, Daniel came out. He stopped short when he saw her then walked on without a word.

She hurried after him. “Daniel.”

He halted and slowly turned around. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d be here this early. I only stopped by to see how Brooke was doing. She’s awake and I didn’t ask her any questions about the rape. I only reassured her that we’d catch this guy.”

“You won’t, though.”

He blinked. “What?”

“You’re quitting the force. If you do that, you won’t catch him.”

He was watching her closely. “Russ has a good team and they’ll find him.”

“Russ is a macho idiot,” she blurted before she could stop herself.

“He’s also a good cop.”

“No, he isn’t, but you are.” It came out almost as a whisper.

His dark eyes narrowed. “What is this, Sarah? Last night you told me to stay away from you in a voice that could cut glass and this morning you’re saying I’m a good cop in a voice I don’t recognize. To say I’m confused is putting it mildly.”

“Could we talk for a minute?”

Daniel held up both hands. “I don’t think so. We said all we had to say last night. You’re right, I’ve worried about you too much and it’s time for me to back away. Time for me to do a lot of things and some of them have nothing to do with you.” He took a deep breath. “With Serena and Ethan being so far away, I wanted to be there if you needed someone. But you’ve made it plain on more than one occasion that you’re fine and don’t need anyone. You see—” he glanced down the hall “—I have this flaw—I want to help everyone. I’ve finally recognized that that’s not always possible.”

“Daniel—”

He cut her off. “If you have a problem with Russ, just call Lieutenant Bauer and he’ll take care of him.”

“Daniel…”

“Goodbye, Sarah. After today you won’t see me again. I’ll be flying to Paris on Monday and I’m not sure when I’ll be back.” He turned and strolled toward the elevators.

She watched until he disappeared behind the closing doors. She let out a long breath, not even realizing that she hadn’t been breathing. For a moment she didn’t know what to do. All she could think was that she hadn’t had a chance to apologize. Daniel hadn’t wanted to hear anything she’d had to say. She deserved that. She had been cruel last night, hurting him when he’d been nothing but kind to her.

At Boyd’s trial, Serena had sat on one side of her and Daniel on the other, encouraging her and letting her know she had the strength to face Boyd and to describe in open court what he’d done to Greg and to her. She wondered now if she could have done it without him.

She moved toward Brooke’s room. He’d said he was going to Paris. Did he have family there? Or was he taking a special woman? She suddenly realized that she didn’t know anything about Daniel or his life. Did he have a family? He wasn’t married, she knew, because Serena had mentioned it. Who was Daniel Garrett?

She shook her head as she entered the room. It really didn’t matter. She had just severed all ties to the man and she felt an emptiness in her stomach at her thoughtless actions.

BROOKE WAS LYING on her side, staring at the wall. The IV was still in her arm.

“Good morning,” Sarah said as she took a seat.

“Morning, Ms. Welch,” Brooke responded.

“How are you feeling?”

“Sore, and my neck and throat hurts.”

“That will heal with time.”

“And the nightmare, the shame and horror—does it go away, too?”

No. It will be with you the rest of your life.

She should have been able to say yes with confidence, but she couldn’t. The truth of that hit her like a slap in the face, the sting creeping into tiny crevices in her mind that she had boarded up against the pain. She hadn’t dealt with what had happened to her. She could see that now. Daniel had seen it, but she hadn’t.

She gathered her thoughts, her knowledge. “It will be hard.” She spoke the truth and more truths followed. “You have to make a concentrated effort to move on with your life. You have to talk to people, especially when you’re hurting, and don’t shut people out.” Like I did. “People want to help you.” Daniel did. “It will take a lot of love and support, but eventually you will be able to put it behind you.” Like I have to do now.

“I don’t like talking about it.”

“A good counselor or therapist will help you with that and you don’t have to talk until you’re ready.”

“I like talking to you.”

Sarah reached into her purse and pulled out a card. She wrote a number on the back. “This is my cell phone. You can reach me today or tomorrow, any time you want to talk. On Monday make an appointment at the office. Dr. Mason usually handles these cases for the hospital. She’s very good and you’ll like her.”

“Can I talk to you?”

“Sure.” Somehow Sarah was hoping she’d say that. For so long she’d refused to open those doors that were so painful, but by helping Brooke she could also help herself.

“I remember you talking about your family last night,” Brooke said. “Are you close to your twin now?”

“Yes, we are.”

“I have two sisters younger than me and I don’t know what to say to them.”

“I think you’ll find that you won’t have to say much. They’ll just want to comfort you.”

“Yeah. People have been real nice. Detective Garrett was here earlier and he’s so nice and good-looking. I just thought that cops in the movies were that handsome.”

Was Daniel handsome? Of course he was. He was tall, lean, with dark eyes and hair. At times his hair curled into his collar. His features were strong and chiseled, his nose straight and his lips… Oh, my. She touched her warm cheek. She’d noticed Daniel more than she’d ever thought. Denial—she’d been firmly in denial. But not anymore.

She was going to take her own advice and make an effort to move on with her life. She couldn’t remember the last time she had actually laughed, felt silly or giddy. It was time for a change.

Brooke’s parents entered and Sarah stood. Lois ran to her daughter and hugged her. Her father did the same.

“The doctor said you can go home soon.” Bob Wallace wiped away an errant tear.

“I don’t know.”

Brooke seemed afraid and before Sarah could say anything Bob added, “Don’t worry. No one’s ever gonna hurt you again. Not as long as I’m around.”

Brooke’s fears eased and Sarah knew she was going to be okay with the love and support of her family.