Shattered Dreams (Moonchild) Read online

  “Beer, milk, tea or coffee?” he asked.

  “Beer sounds good.”

  He grabbed two bottles from the refrigerator and twisted off the caps. After handing one to her, he clicked the pair. “Cheers.”

  Manon echoed his toast. “I can never do the caps.”

  “It’s all in the wrists.” He sat across from her, opened the burger and inhaled the rich aroma.

  Manon squirted catsup on the plate beside the fries. “You’ve completely corrupted me.”

  “Only begun.” He winked. Good thing she sat across the table. Any closer and he would be eating her instead of the burger. He nearly laughed when he thought about tying her to the bed and feasting. How would she react? He thrust those thoughts away. Before moving to the bedroom, they had to talk. Shame he couldn’t lock his constant desire in a closet until they finished the first two parts of the evening.

  Live with it.

  They ate in silence, punctuated by sounds of appreciation for the best burgers in town or maybe the state. In unison, they bit, chewed and swallowed burgers and dragged huge fries through the catsup.

  As he swallowed the last bite Rafe rose. “Talk time.”

  Manon nodded. “I’d rather have sex but I promised to listen.” She walked to the living room, skirting boxes he hadn’t unpacked. She sat on one end of the couch.

  Rafe sprawled on the other end with his feet on the coffee table, hoping distance would prevent pouncing. They were here to talk. Then, they would make love. He cleared a suddenly tight throat.

  “Let me begin.” He stared at his bare feet. “On the day of the prom, I left work early and came home to get ready. Your father waited in the driveway. He ordered me to leave town or he’d have me accused of rape the moment I turned nineteen.”

  “What? How? My birthday was only a week after yours.”

  “He thought he could win. Don’t interrupt. Getting this out is hard enough.” He glanced at her. Her hands were tightly clenched. ‘Sorry.”

  “I tried to argue with him but he said he didn’t care. He’d made an appointment for you to be examined by a doctor to prove you weren’t a virgin. I panicked.” Rafe drew a deep breath. “I couldn’t let that happen to you.”

  “Why didn’t you lie?”

  “He showed me a stack of pictures of us together. We weren’t dressed and we were having sex. I grabbed them.”

  Horror appeared on her face. “Did he take them?”

  “He didn’t say but I don’t think so. I think he would have stormed in and interrupted if he’d seen us. I grabbed them and tore them to shreds.”

  “What did Mrs. Patton say?” Manon covered her flaming face with her hands.

  “She didn’t know. She was at the hospital for a meeting. Your father left. I went inside. I knew I had to leave. Tried to call you. Your line was busy. I wrote Gran a note, packed a few things and instead of going to pick you up, headed out of town for her summer cottage.”

  Manon rubbed her eyes. “If he wasn’t dead…”

  Rafe stretched a hand toward her. “Let me finish. I left using back roads for the trip. I noticed a dark car following. Freaked me out.”

  “My father?”

  “Older car than his.”

  “What happened?” Her hand brushed his.

  “I came to a gas station with a restaurant and pulled in. The car continued on. Was so shaky I couldn’t ride. Went to the restaurant. Called your house and asked for Jay. Hoped to get a message to you. The call didn’t work. Your father answered and hung up. Then I called Gran and told her I was going to the cottage. The turn-off was a couple of miles ahead. I ordered soda and a sandwich. Was getting dark when I left.”

  Manon’s mouth gaped. “Why would my father do such a thing?”

  “You know why.”

  She scowled. “His career.”

  He touched her hand. "Sorry.”

  “You did nothing wrong. What comes now?”

  “I left the station.” He stared at his hands. The story neared the place where his memories broke. “Road was deserted. I’d nearly reached the turn-off when I saw headlights aimed for me. Tried to evade and failed. Car hit the rear of the bike. I flew off and slammed on the ground.”

  Manon moved closer. “Rafe.”

  The scene of his nightmare flashed in his thoughts. The image of Tom’s face appeared. This time there were words. “He’s dead.”

  “Bastard.” The memory slid into place. He felt the pain, the fear, the trouble breathing and the anger of that night.

  Chapter 9

  Manon slid closer to Rafe. His body shook but he didn’t appear to be convulsing. His staring blue eyes seemed focused on a scene from the past. Who was the bastard? Had some flash of memory frightened him? Though she wasn’t a psychiatrist, she knew he needed to talk. Had he recalled something her father had said or done? She squeezed his hand.

  In an instant, anger filled his eyes. He shook his hand free from hers. Had he remembered who had caused the accident? She needed to help him.

  With a finger she stroked his face. “Talk to me. Tell me what you saw. Are you trapped by memories? Are you in pain?”

  He rose from the couch, went to a desk and removed a small recorder. He shoved a tape into the machine. “The therapist told me to record the things I remember. Haven’t had one appear for months. This one is vital.”

  Manon took the recorder from him. “When you’re ready, I’ll start the tape.”

  He nodded. “Give me a minute.” He drew a deep breath. Manon wanted to pull him into her arms and offer comfort. That wouldn’t bring him peace. Whatever the memory contained he needed to face those emotions.

  Rafe met her gaze. “This may be the final piece of what happened that night.” He grasped one of her hands.

  Pain shot up her arm. The tightness of his grip made her wonder if she would ever use her fingers again. “Tell me.”

  He brought her hand to his lips and kissed each finger. “Once the memories started to return, there’s been this image. Occurred in dreams and when I was awake. Made me feel helpless and confused. I couldn’t understand what it meant.”

  She pressed record. “Tell me what you saw.”

  “A flash of light. Tom Sands peering down.” He gulped a breath. “The pain, difficulty breathing. Fear. Never made sense until now.”

  “Tom would be the last person you would want to see. He’s always tried to make trouble for you.”

  Rafe nodded. “He never succeeded. I came out ahead in academics, sports, making friends.” He released her hand. “I was better at love too.”

  “Rafe, you’re avoiding.”

  “He was the last person I saw before I lost consciousness.”

  She straightened. “What do you mean?”

  “After the crash, Tom stood over me and shone a flashlight in my eyes. He didn’t touch me but I remember what he said.”

  “And that was?”

  “That’s done. He’s dead.” Moments later I heard a car speed away. Then another arrived.”

  “Are you sure that really happened?”

  “Damn straight. That’s what happened.” He leaned against the back of the couch. “I felt bits of gravel hit my face when he took off.”

  Manon swallowed. Could she believe him? “What else do you remember?”

  “A woman touching my face, telling me to hold on. Heard her call 911. Stay with me. Sirens. Being moved and everything going black. After that all I remember is pain. And not knowing who or where I was.”

  Though his words convinced her, Manon wondered if Rafe’s dislike of Tom had made something false seem real. Maybe Tom hadn’t been there. Maybe he’d been the one to call the police. Neither idea fit what she’d read of the police report. If Tom had been there that meant he was a murderer. But if he’d called the police, why hadn’t he waited?

  “What will you do now?” Manon asked.

  “Probably nothing. There’s no proof.” Rafe leaned forward. “I have a question. Was he at
the prom?”

  “Don’t ask me. I wasn’t there."

  "Maybe Jay knows. Wasn’t he dating Marcie?”

  She nodded. “Let me call home.” She switched off the recorder. He handed her the phone. She tapped the numbers and let the phone ring. “Come on, Jay, pick up.”

  After fifteen rings she heard her brother’s gruff greeting. “This better be life or death. I’m working.”

  “Did you take Marcie to the prom the year Rafe vanished?”

  “Yes.”

  “Was Tom there?”

  “Let me think.”

  For a time the silence made Manon jittery. If Tom had been at the prom Rafe's memory had to be false.

  “If he was I didn’t see him," Jay said. “I would have remembered since he was always snapping pictures.”

  Manon’s mouth gaped. Had he been the one to take the pictures Rafe had snatched from her father? “Thanks, bro.”

  “No problem. Why don’t you go see Rafe?”

  “I’m with him.”

  “So listen to what he says. Don’t call for another week. The music is flowing.”

  Manon hung up. “Tom wasn’t at the prom.” She stared at her hands. “Jay just reminded me about Tom’s picture taking mania.”

  Rafe groaned. “Do you think he was the one?”

  “I’m afraid he was. That bothers me. Just how explicit were they?”

  “Very, but they’re gone.”

  Manon leaned forward. “What about other prints or the negatives?”

  Rafe clasped her hand. “Your father wouldn’t let Tom keep those things. Once I left, he knew his plan had worked.”

  Manon drew a deep breath. “I hope you’re right.” She closed her eyes. She needed to remember that dreadful night. Could she help prove Rafe’s memories of Tom and the accident were true? A vivid memory leaped into her thoughts.

  “I told you he wasn’t coming."

  The gloating tone of her father’s voice cut through her tears. She wanted to scream.

  Why hadn’t she questioned her father? She had been crushed by Rafe’s failure to arrive and she hadn’t wanted to know the reason. She straightened. The doorbell had rung. Her father had left. Then a voice had startled her.

  He’s dead. Rafe Marshall is dead.

  That night her eyes had been swollen and her ears clogged. She’d been unable to put a face to the voice. Now she knew. She half rose. “Not my father.”

  “What?” Rafe asked.

  “He didn’t tell me you were dead. Tom did. Why would he be so cruel?”

  “Twisted love. Maybe he thought you would fall into his arms. His frequent announcements of how much he loved you had become a joke among the gang.”

  “Until you returned to town, he repeated those words so often I wanted to scream.” Manon rose. “He must have told my father. Do you think Tom had planned to case the accident?”

  “Doubtful. I think he saw me ride out of town and on an impulse followed. Did he say anything else that night?”

  “Yes. He said, ‘You’ll soon forget Rafe and be mine.’” Her voice rose in excitement. Was this the proof they needed?

  “Didn’t work the way he wanted.” Rafe stood. “When did you leave for Europe?”

  “Two days after graduation.” She rubbed her forehead. “What are we going to do about Tom? He tried to kill you.”

  “Not sure there’s anything possible.” He put an arm around her. “I’m just glad my memories are whole. Still, I’d like to slug him. One punch for every year we’ve lost.”

  Manon laughed. “Let me land another. When he kissed me this afternoon, I bloodied his nose.”

  Rafe’s laughter joined hers. “He deserved that one.” A frown covered his face.

  “What now? More memories?”

  “Why didn’t you answer the letters I sent? If I’d known where you were I would have found you when you were twenty-one.”

  “What letters?”

  “Must have been ten or twelve. Most were dictated to Gran. They told you what had happened and asked you to wait.”

  Manon’s brow wrinkled. “Where were they sent?”

  “To your house.”

  She turned to face him. “All the mail that wasn’t Jay’s was forwarded to my father’s agent and then sent on. I imagine father threw yours away.”

  Rafe pulled her close. She leaned her head against his chest. “Do you think Tom thought you were dead?”

  “He didn’t touch me. I believe he figured if I wasn’t I soon would be. He didn’t know I’d be rescued so soon.”

  “How long were you unattended?”

  “According to the records, maybe ten minutes. Couldn’t have been long since the woman noticed a dark car speeding away. The paint streaks on the bike were dark blue but too common to know the make or model.”

  Manon looked up. “Tom used to drive his mother’s dark blue sedan.”

  “Interesting.”

  “I’m sure the car’s long gone. How did Mrs. Patton learn you’d been hurt?”

  “Her name and number were in my wallet. They called and she came.” Rafe smiled. “According to what I heard, she took charge and found the best surgeons for me.”

  Manon ran her hand over his chest. “She loves you.”

  “I know.”

  “Why didn’t anyone in town know about the accident?”

  “Since the police believed the accident was deliberate Gran decided not to say anything.” He brushed a kiss on her forehead. “I knew nothing but bits and pieces for more than a month.” He tugged her to the couch, sat and pulled her onto his lap.

  When his lips met hers, Manon’s heart beat a staccato rhythm. Though her body craved the pleasure only he could bring, she feared this wasn’t the time to indulge. They had both recovered information they needed to process.

  “What’s wrong?” Rafe asked.

  “Our worlds have been rocked. I need time to understand all I’ve learned about Tom, my father and your accident.”

  His gaze pierced her. “I need the comfort of knowing you’re mine.”

  She pressed her face against his shoulder. “Give me some time. Something still puzzles me.”

  “What?”

  “Tom. He’s still around to make trouble. Once he learns we’re a couple, there’s no telling what he’ll do. I won’t feel comfortable as long as he’s in town.”

  “We’ll find a way to blunt him.” He stroked her back.

  She stiffened. “Give me time.”

  “All you need.”

  * * *

  Rafe inhaled Manon’s scent. She wanted time to process all she’d learned. He could cede ten minutes for her self-searching. Any longer and he might lose the chance he desired. Did she understand how much he wanted to claim her for all time? He stroked her back hoping the soothing touches would kindle a response. She had been betrayed by her father’s ego centered nature and by Tom’s lies.

  Though his memories were complete, a few remained as snarled as the ball of yarn he’d once watched Gran Ruth’s kitten bat about the room. He caressed Manon and sought to untangle the memories. Why had Tom worked so hard to drive a wedge? Slowly, the pieces floated into place.

  Rafe knew he faced a decision. How could he deal with Tom and what he had done? Could the investigation surrounding the accident be re-opened?

  A groan emerged. He needed to find the answer. Though the final shards had slid into his memory of that day, he felt no peace. Tom’s action had torn a huge chunk from the life once planned. Had the accident been for good or ill? The results seemed mixed.

  During the days of recovery, he had learned patience. His tolerance for physical pain had increased. His career choice had taken a turn. He’d become a nurse because of Gran and the women and men who had helped during the recovery and for the lessons he had learned while helping others at the rehab hospital. But he had lost Manon that night.

  He was back in Fern Lake to help Gran, to make a home and to see if he and Manon could have a lif
e together. He only hoped to succeed.

  “Forgive me,” he whispered.

  “For what?”

  “For pushing all thoughts of you aside. For not asking Gran for news of you. For not finding you.”

  Manon straightened. “Not sure you could have found me. Jay knew where I was but he wouldn’t give my secret away. I went to college in Washington State and used my mother’s maiden name until I began med school.”

  “So Jay knew where you were. What about your father?”

  “He didn’t. I couldn’t risk his appearance and dramatics.” She touched Rafe’s face. “Let’s not rush. We now have time to learn who we are.”

  Rafe cupped her face. The desire to kiss her grew stronger. He leaned forward. A banging at the door broke the mood.

  She slid from his lap. “What and who?”

  “I don’t know.” He rose.

  “Manon, I know you’re in there. Get out here at once. Don’t believe anything he says.”

  Rafe crossed to the door. “Tom, go away. Your presence isn’t wanted or needed. The only thing you’ll find here is trouble.”

  “The pounding grew louder. “She’s here. I saw her car so don’t tell me she isn’t inside. Until I see she’s all right I’m staying.” He pounded again. “Let me in.”

  Rafe opened the door a crack. “Control yourself. You have no right to make demands.”

  “She’s going to marry me. I’m not leaving.”

  “Isn’t marriage her choice to make?”

  Tom pushed the door. “You’ll hurt her again.”

  Rafe grabbed Tom’s shirt, dragged him inside and propelled him across the room. “Where Manon chooses to go and who she cares to listen to is not your business or mine. She doesn’t need you to act like a stalker.”

  Tom’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “You should have died.”

  Rafe heard a click. Had Manon turned on the recorder? “You should have made sure. A little pressure on my mouth and nose would have worked.”

  “I heard a car.”

  “Interesting.” Rafe drew a deep breath. “So you were there. I thought I’d imagined your face. I was helpless. Guess you were a chicken. Glad you ran and the other car arrived.”