A Shaft of Light Read online

  Sam could see indecision play across her face.

  “You are welcome to call it home. It will give you time to heal, inside and out.”

  “What about your housekeeper? Won’t I be intruding?” Her deep brown eyes moistened over again.

  “Are you kidding?” He tried to force a light-hearted tone into his voice. “She wouldn’t speak to me again if she knew the situation and I didn’t offer my place.”

  Sam stretched out his hand and grabbed hers, helping her up. “Come on. I’ll phone ahead, and she’ll have a hot supper waiting. She makes a mean pizza with the works. And she’ll love Bear.”

  “You won’t tell anyone else where I am?”

  Did she want to trust him? Was she trying to believe him? “You have my word. And don’t worry about Rose. Wild horses couldn’t drag anything spoken in confidence to her. She’s more than a housekeeper, she’s a true friend.” Sam spoke emphatically. He wanted so much for her to trust him, but even so, he wavered with his own decisions. Maybe he shouldn’t be getting too involved.

  They headed out of the woods just as the last of the day’s light faded. Shadows merged, taking on a life of their own. Sam felt his imagination running wild. He wished he had brought a flashlight.

  Wary of what he had gotten himself into, he fought off misgivings. Right now, Megan needed a friend, and that is what he would offer.

  Chapter 3

  Megan wrapped the thick quilt around her body, pulling it all the way up to her neck. Bear snored beside her, comforting her with his presence. She allowed her mind to wander back over the last couple of days. An unusually kind doctor complete with warm brown eyes and hair to match, a cozy bed, a safe home, an incredibly generous housekeeper. And a supper that was out of this world tasty, but too much for her stomach, which was loudly protesting. She knew Rose understood. Megan had soaked in a warm bath before bed. The sweet aroma of lavender still floated on the night air. She knew that whoever she was, she must have loved lavender. Rose told her she would take her out to the gardens in the morning, and show her the flower beds, filled with color this time of the year. She knew everything around her spoke of peace and safety, but Megan felt none of it. A dark void echoed desperation in her soul as though she had no beginning, no middle, and no end. Exhaustion took over, and she tumbled into a chaotic dreamworld where there was no top nor bottom. Despite her tossing and turning, she felt her aching body begin to relax and sleep take over.

  Thump. Abruptly, Megan sat up. Her heart pounded in her chest, beating so hard it hurt. What was that? Bear no longer snored, but stood like a rock. She could hear a low rumble in his throat. She tried to silence her own raspy breaths. Someone moved near the door. Megan wanted to scream but found herself frozen in the dark. Bear moved closer to the door. Silently, the moonlight broke through the clouds, illuminating Bear’s imposing figure. He wasn’t growling anymore. She could see his tail wagging in the dim lighting.

  A knock came. Hesitantly at first, then more insistently. “Megan. Are you okay?”

  It was Rose. Megan began to shake. Why was she so afraid? Why did her heart pound so hard? “I heard you crying. Is there anything I can do?”

  She threw her legs over the bed and walked shakily to the door and opened it.

  “I am so sorry I woke you.” With that, Megan’s legs gave out. She slid awkwardly to the floor. Rose was immediately at her side. Bear on one side, Rose on the other, she was helped back into bed. Rose pulled the quilt back up around Megan, and kissed her on the head. She turned the light on its lowest setting.

  “Don’t you be sorry for anything. I’m just glad I have the chance to help someone out who is going through a hard time. I won’t ask you any questions this late. But tomorrow, if you want to talk, you know where I am.” Rose patted the quilt and headed to the door. “I am right across the hall . . . if you need me.”

  “Goodnight.” Even to her own ears, Megan’s voice sounded small, like a lost child’s. She couldn’t understand where this terror came from.

  “Goodnight, sweetie.”

  Chapter 4

  Megan woke to the clanging of pots and distant voices. It felt good to be back home again. She knew she would hear Beverly’s voice hollering up the stairs, telling her that breakfast was on. Megan wondered how a family that was so busy was able to have the time and desire to take in someone like her.

  Bear’s low bark shoved her back into reality. She opened her eyes to a strange, unfamiliar bedroom and shock set in. The past few days hit her like a tsunami, threatening to pull her under. The peace she’d felt upon waking crumbled into a hard ache in her chest. She threw off the quilt and sat up, halting the negative onflow of emotion. Wait. She had remembered something. Home. Well, it sort of felt like home. She tried to sort out the confusing memory, a mix of clarity and yet not fully understanding what it was she had recalled. But it was a memory, of that she was sure. Beverly. Was that her mom? She thought back, racking her brain, willing herself to put the pieces of the puzzle together, but to no avail. Would she have called her mother Beverly? Had she been an orphan? Was it a friend’s house?

  A gentle knock at the door propelled her out of bed, though her heart didn’t pound like it had last night. Bear raced her to the door, greeting Rose with a big dog hug.

  “Good morning, Megan. I thought I would take this furry beast outside for you. Plenty of run-around space for him. I figured he could use the outdoor facilities?” Rose smiled and added. “I’ve got a nice hot breakfast for you, unless you’d like something lighter, like toast?”

  Megan thought about how upset her stomach had been last night. “Maybe just a toast . . . and tea, if you have it.”

  “One toast and a cup of my own mint tea coming up. Feel free to shower, lots of hot water and fresh towels.”

  Rose disappeared down the stairs with Bear lumbering after her.

  A moment later Megan heard a scramble at the bottom of the stairs. “Not the kitties, Bear! Oh, dear.”

  Megan sighed. She certainly didn’t want to be any trouble.

  Trying to figure out what to do, the desire to start the day out clean won. She might as well enjoy it. Her head ached slightly, and her ribs continued to protest every movement. She made her way to the bathroom, taking her time, trying to feel safe. The house was so beautiful. Simple, yet elegant. Nature was reflected inside in the natural flooring, and in the sage green wallpaper that tastefully highlighted wild roses. Golden morning sun laced its way through an open window. Sheer curtains gracefully danced in a gentle breeze. Once again, the sweet aroma of lavender wafted up on the air, soothing her mind. Stepping to the see the view, she gazed wistfully at the beautiful gardens below.

  I could get used to this.

  After a steamy and lengthy wash, she was ready for the day. No matter what had happened, she needed to see this as a gift, an anchor in the storm, and accept it. She could trust these people. She could . . . couldn’t she?

  Hearing voices downstairs, she hurried to dress and stopped in surprise. Her clothes were cleaned and folded neatly on the table near the door. When did Rose have time to do her laundry? Partly embarrassed, but more taken aback than anything, she gratefully dressed in clean clothing. She knew at some point she would have to shop. She had a small amount of cash, maybe enough to pick up a new shirt and undies, but that was about it. She headed out her door and down the stairs.

  She could hear Rose discussing the weather with someone, she should go back up . . . no, wait. It was Dr. Timmons. He might have some news for her. She continued down, despite the butterflies in her stomach. I have to face it. All of it. Megan took a deep breath and entered the kitchen.

  “Good morning. Hello, Dr. Timmons. Thank you again for letting me stay the night.” Still feeling stiff and uncomfortable, she shifted and dug her hands into her pockets.

  It was evident to her that Sam was trying hard to put her at ease. “I hope you will stay here until you are ready to move on. Consider this therapy for your memory.”
She couldn’t help but notice he was in jeans and a T-shirt, looking not so much like a doctor.

  Grabbing the cup of tea Rose had set on the counter in front of her, she took a long sip.

  “Thank you.” She turned to Rose, whose soft blue eyes shone inside wrinkles that drew together in a smile. “Delicious. Did you grow the mint here?”

  “Sure did. Your toast is on the table, and some blackberry jam. I’ll be running out to see if our ornery hens have left us any eggs. You eat up, dear.” And off she flew out the back door, a thick graying braid flying straight out behind her. Megan had a peculiar sensation come over her. Like she had known Rose, or someone like her. Rose made her feel very comfortable.

  “She is faster on two legs than I would be on four.” Megan looked back at Sam. “Does she really raise her own hens?”

  “Oh yes. Um . . . I am headed into town. I don’t work today, but I need to check in on a few patients. Could I get you anything?”

  Megan thought of a long list of things she needed. “No. Thanks.”

  “Look. I have a really good friend who works for the police department —”

  Megan didn’t even give Sam time to finish his sentence. “You said you wouldn’t say anything.” The words were rushed. An immediate chill wrapped its tentacles around her, despite the warmth inside the kitchen.

  “Let me finish. I gave you my word, and I won’t go back on it. But I can inquire as to whether there could be a missing persons report out on you, without giving anything away, or even arousing suspicion, would you like to hear how?”

  Megan cupped her hands around the mug, sheepish. “Okay.”

  “Rose is an author. She writes mystery novels. It’s her secret, but she said I could tell you that. So when she needs certain research done, I often ask questions of a very good friend of mine who works for the police department. I asked Rose if she happened to be working on a novel and could use some info on how to find a missing person, and she said that she could always use any tidbits I could get. So, is that okay?” Sam smiled and winked.

  “I guess so. I really need to know. Someone must be looking for me. I have a life somewhere.” Megan knew she didn’t sound convincing. She stared down at the dark liquid in her cup.

  “Great.” Sam took something out of a bag he had on the counter. It was a hard cover notebook, lavender in color, decorated with golden daisies. “Here’s a journal. I think it would be really important if you spent time writing down your thoughts. Things you remember, even little bits that may not make sense to you now. They may make sense later.”

  “Okay, and thank you.”

  “I’ll be back for supper. Do you need any more pain pills?”

  “No. I’m doing fine with what I have.”

  “All right. Tell Rose I’ll talk to her later. Get out and see the gardens. It’s like a little piece of heaven here.”

  Sam smiled warmly again and headed out the door.

  Chapter 5

  Heaviness weighed Sam down. He had just left the hospital after checking in on a patient of his, an elderly friend of Rose’s. She had fallen a week ago, badly injuring her ankle and now had contracted pneumonia. He would have to tell Rose things didn’t look good for her.

  He had other matters pressing in on him though. Megan. He hated the doubts that shadowed him. Did she know more than she was saying? Was it possible she was in trouble with the law? Caution needed to rule his emotions as well as reactions. She was beautiful, with her soft, deep brown eyes, smattering of freckles, and fiery red hair that reminded him of the bonfires he used to attend in high school. She had a vulnerability that drew him in. She needed him. Don’t go there. He shook himself.

  He took his keys out to unlock his car.

  “Sam, wait up.” He recognized the voice immediately.

  “Hey, my friend, what’s up?”

  Gabe stood about four inches above Sam, a benefit in his line of work. “I got the info you wanted for Rose’s next novel. Don’t worry. Her secret is still safe with me.” He winked, a small smile spreading across his roughly shaven face.

  Sam had a momentary pang to his conscience. He wanted so badly to tell Gabe the truth. Gabe had been with him through some really hard times. It didn’t seem right to keep him in the dark on this one. Doctor–patient confidentiality.

  “What do you have for me?” he asked hopefully.

  “Well, here is a printout on why and when a missing persons report can be filed. And this is a sample. Last week a missing persons report went out over in Stagle County, a five-year-old girl. Mom had fallen asleep and when she woke up, her daughter was gone. In that case, a report is issued immediately. However, when it’s an adult it takes longer. I mean, someone could simply have driven away. It happens.”

  Sam tried to sound cavalier. “Have you had any of those lately?”

  “Adult missing persons? No, not since Elder Joe walked out of the nursing home and was found sleeping in a hammock in Larson’s backyard.”

  They both chuckled over that one. “Here’s a question. Do you hear about missing people in other parts of the state or country?”

  Gabe looked at Sam. “If I didn’t know you better I’d say there is more to this than what you are asking.” His gaze probed for more. “And yes, we do.”

  “You know me too well, Gabe. Please don’t ask.” Sam knew his voice gave away even more.

  Gabe changed the subject. “Hey. Don’t forget, you owe me a pizza.”

  Sam breathed a sigh. Good ole Gabe. Knowing when to give him space meant a lot to him right now.

  “I thought you owed me one. If I recall right, the Blazers lost in overtime.”

  Gabe laughed. “Catch you later. I’ll also let you know if I hear anything else.”

  “Thanks. Bye.” Sam returned to his car. It was time to head back to the lake. He felt drawn there like a magnet. It was time he had a talk with Megan.

  Chapter 6

  Megan snuggled under her goose down quilt, waking slowly from her late afternoon nap. She felt guilty pleasure at such a luxury. Pleasant sounds of everyday life where emanating from the kitchen. A melodious humming rose up the stairs, then bits of conversation that must have been directed to Bear. Megan tossed herself into a sitting position. She still hurt, but not as much. More than anything was the nagging restlessness that seemed to overshadow everything she did, pervading her thoughts. Each time she heard a car she hoped it was Dr. Timmons with some news. Anything. She had to figure out what to do. She had to make a plan.

  He had given her a journal, and she had made good use of it. Writing down her thoughts and feelings, even her dreams. So far, it seemed to be a jumbled mess, but it did feel good to write it down.

  A car! Megan rushed to the window that overlooked the driveway. Dr. Timmons drove in. Good. She wanted to run down the stairs but caught herself in time. She didn’t want to appear to be anxious. She would wait until he came in and . . . Oh, forget that. Megan threw on her clothes and made her way to the top of the stairs just as Rose called out to her.

  “Megan, Sam is here. If you feel up to it he’d like to talk to you.” Rose held out her hand, gesturing for her to come.

  Megan took a deep breath and headed down the stairs. Rose returned to the kitchen. Sam waited in the hallway. She tried unsuccessfully to read his face. Did he have news?

  “Would you like to walk out to the garden?” His eyes drew her in, hopeful yet guarded.

  “Yes, that sounds fine.” Megan wished she wasn’t so stiff, so uncomfortable. Her stomach knotted again and she couldn’t even force a smile. She walked stiffly past Dr. Timmons.

  They headed slowly out to a bench bordered by wild roses. The fragrance was almost overpowering. Such care had gone into these gardens. She felt herself relaxing. Walking past a large hydrangea bush in full bloom, a small brown rabbit startled them.

  “Cute little thing, isn’t it? I hope Bear doesn’t see it.” Dr. Timmons chuckled quietly. The small brown creature darted into cover of the bu
shes and Megan caught her breath. Why did that seem so familiar? Like a deja-vu? She kept her thoughts to herself as they strolled over to the sturdy rod iron bench. These gardens are a little taste of paradise, Megan mused. There had to be someone other than Rose who had done all this.

  Sam motioned for her to sit. He seemed to be in no hurry.

  “Megan, first, I want you to know I did inquire with my friend Gabe about missing persons information, as well as any reports of present missing people. There aren’t any that fit your description.” He stopped for a moment, then continued. “Have you had any other memory gain?”

  Megan stared out at a hummingbird feeding on the nectar of the roses. “No, not really. I woke up the other morning and thought I was home. I felt so confused. Beverly was downstairs making breakfast. So . . . who’s Beverly? It was like she was my mom, but not. I know that doesn’t make any sense.” She clasped her hands in her lap to stop their shaking. “I think I might have been in a foster home. I’m not sure.”

  “What matters is that your memory is gradually returning. Small pieces of the puzzle will start to fit together and you’ll see a picture emerge that does make sense.” Sam looked out over the blooming perennial beds. “Did you have a tour of the gardens today?”

  “Yes. Rose is an amazing hostess. She knows when to talk, and when I need some space. I wish I could repay you both for your kindness.” Megan’s voice betrayed more than she wished. She could feel her walls crumbling and it frightened her. What was on the other side? I’m afraid to look.

  “Megan. Please understand. You have a home here as long as you need it. I would like you to return to the hospital so we could run a few more tests on you. I want to make sure there hasn’t been any swelling on your brain.”

  The last thing Megan wanted to do was go back to the hospital. It filled her with dread and something very close to claustrophobia. Sam rescued her again. “Why don’t we wait until tomorrow, as long as you are completely honest with me as to how you’re feeling. If you experience headaches, vision problems, dizziness, you let me know right away, okay?”