Whispered Promises

They regarded each other silently. His rough and chiseled features did nothing to downplay his handsomeness. Instead they placed a greater emphasis on his detached emotions. “What are you doing here, Dex? I thought you had left.”

Dex didn’t respond to Caitlin’s statement. Instead, he took a good look at her appearance. He had begun worrying when she hadn’t come downstairs. Studying her intently, he took in the unhealthy pallor of her skin.

“You’re ill, Caitlin.” It was a statement and not a question.

“What?” Caitlin asked. Tearing her gaze from his, she crossed her arms over her abdomen, chasing away a chill.

Seeing her tremble, Dex entered her room. “I said, you’re ill.”

Caitlin shook her head. “I’m not ill, Dex, just tired.”

He wasn’t easily convinced. “Maybe you should see a doctor.”

“I don’t want to see a doctor. All I want is to be left alone.”

“Sorry, that’s not an option.” With a quick movement, Dex swept her off her feet into his arms.

“What do you think you’re doing? Put me down this minute!”

“You’re too weak to argue with me, so do yourself a favor and save your strength. I’ve made lunch, and you’re going to eat it.”

“I don’t want to go downstairs. I’m too tired.”

“I can believe that. When was the last time you ate anything?”

Caitlin glared up at him. “I don’t remember. Maybe yesterday, I don’t know.”

Dex swore through gritted teeth. He carried her over to the bed and placed her on the comforter. “Where are the serving trays kept?”

“I don’t remember,” she snapped.

A slight frown touched Dex’s features. “Since you aren’t cooperating, I’ll find them myself. I’ll be back in a minute.” He left the room.

Standing, Caitlin took off her robe and tossed it on the chair across from the bed, then got back into the bed. She felt as weak as a newborn baby, and all she wanted to do was to go back to sleep. The next thing she knew, Dex had returned carrying a tray with food on it.

The aroma of the vegetable soup teased her nostrils and her stomach began growling. Sitting up, she took the tray he offered. “Thanks.”

Dex sat in a chair at the foot of her bed and watched through hooded eyes as Caitlin quickly consumed the meal he had prepared. He couldn’t help but remember another time he’d served her in bed. It had been the morning after they had gotten married. His pulse began racing at the memory of them together. He never knew how truly wonderful love between a man and a woman could be until he’d made love to her. But then…his thoughts reminded him, he’d also found out later just how painful love could be.

When Caitlin had finished eating, he removed the tray, pleased that she had eaten everything. “Now try and get some rest. I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”

Caitlin yawned, fighting sleep. “Downstairs? When are you leaving?”

“I’m not.”

Caitlin blinked. “What do you mean, you’re not. I don’t remember inviting you to stay here.”

“You didn’t.” He was not ready to tell her about the contents of the letter her father had left for him. “I’ve decided to stick around to make sure you’re all right.”

Caitlin frowned. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m capable of taking care of myself.”

“Evidently your old man didn’t think so,” Dex said, gently pulling the comforter and going about tucking her in. “I made him a promise, Caitlin, and I intend to keep it.”

Caitlin yawned again. “I don’t need you here.”

“Go to sleep, Caitlin.”

“No. I’ll be fine. My father always thought of me as his little girl, Dex. You’re the one who thought of me as a woman,” Caitlin said sleepily, barely able to keep her eyes open. “Don’t you remember, you made me a woman.”

Despite his anger, a part of Dex could never forget. “Yeah, Caitlin. I remember, now go to sleep. I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”

“Mmm…” she replied, drifting off into sleep.

Dex’s eyes softened as he watched her fade into blissful slumber. Reaching out, he removed a wayward strand of hair from her cheek. Her earlier words assailed him with pleasant memories. “You’re right, I made you a woman. My woman. ”

He went to the foot of the double bed, deeply disturbed by the strong emotions stirring within him. His gaze took in the feminine body nestled beneath the bedcovers. He fought a sudden wild impulse to climb into the bed beside her.

Glancing around the bedroom, his eyes caught sight of a brass picture frame on Caitlin’s dresser that held a copy of the same photograph in her father’s room. Moving to the dresser, he picked up the frame and again studied the photograph. Emotions welled deep within him. His daughter, a part of him and a part of Caitlin.

He couldn’t help but think about the things he had missed out on. Things like watching Caitlin’s belly swell while carrying his child. Being a doctor, his brother Justin had delivered his own daughter a few months ago. Although Dex knew that he himself lacked the medical qualifications needed to accomplish that same feat, nothing on earth would have prevented him from being in the labor room with Caitlin, and to have been present when Jordan was born. He wished he could have heard his daughter’s first words and seen her take her first steps.

A faint noise drew his attention back to Caitlin. She had turned in sleep, facing him. Compelled by a need he didn’t understand, Dex moved to stand by the bed again. Without conscious thought, he reached out and traced his finger across Caitlin’s brow, cheek and chin, feeling the velvety softness of her brown skin and being careful not to wake her.

Suddenly, he snatched his hand back. He wouldn’t allow himself to get burned by love again. His life had not been the same since the day he’d met her. How much pain and heartache could one man endure before learning a valuable lesson in life?

He had learned his lesson well. No matter what, Caitlin would never get close to his heart again.

Never.

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