“Sarah!” Gina rushed into the office where Sarah was working on the computer. “Come quick! It’s Cassy!”
“What is it?”
“She fainted in the Rose Room.”
“Oh, no.” Sarah only paused long enough to check on the sleeping baby in his portable crib. “Watch him for me, please,” she said, before running into the sitting room, which they had dubbed the Rose Room because it opened onto the section of the garden that featured their grandmother’s prize-winning roses.
Cassy was stretched out on one of the sofas, trying to catch her breath and sobbing uncontrollably. One of their guests had placed a damp cloth on her forehead.
“Sis, what’s wrong?” Sarah asked, dropping down beside her.
Struggling to catch her breath, she pointed to the large screen television in the corner of the room. She was crying so hard that she could not make herself understood.
Sarah saw nothing unusual about the afternoon soap opera showing on the set. Her bewildered gaze moved to the other guests, who stood watching in stunned dismay. “What happened?”
Janet Washington, a regular guest at the inn, explained, “We were watching when the announcer broke in, saying something about an airplane crash. Then she screamed and passed out on the floor.” The others began talking at once, which added to the confusion.
Sarah’s troubled eyes searched her sister’s face, looking for some explanation. “Honey, what was it?”
Swinging her legs down, Cassy managed to sit up, but failed to slow the flow of tears.
Sitting beside her, she squeezed her hand. “Tell me.”
“It’s Gordan...” Cassy sobbed, collapsing against her sister’s shoulder. “His plane went down!”
“No!” Sarah held her and rocked her, her own eyes also swimming with tears. “Oh, no. Not that.”
“Sarah, can I do something to help?” Edna, her assistant, had just entered in time to hear the explanation.
“Yes,” Sarah said, brushing at her own tears. “Help me get her into her apartment. And would you please call Susan, Cassy’s assistant, and see if she can take over the kitchen tonight?”
Together they were able to get Cassy into her private sitting room and onto the sofa. Cassy had insisted that they turn the small television, mounted on the bookcase, onto the all-news cable channel.
Once she had her sobs somewhat under control, Cassy looked at her sister. She had a death grip on Sarah’s hand. “What if he’s d...” She could not say the word and went into a fresh bout of tears.
“Hush now. We won’t think like that.”
Sarah was so upset that she dialed her own home to talk to their housekeeper. “Hi, Delia. Would you please get Kurt for me at the school? Have him call me. I’m with Cassy in her apartment. Thanks.”
It wasn’t until she hung up that she realized she had told their housekeeper absolutely nothing, but she was too rattled to sort it out or even try to remember the elementary school number, where her husband worked and Mandy attended. All she knew was that she needed him.
Cassy was hiccupping from crying so hard. She could barely speak past the constriction in her throat. “I—I— I—I can’t bear it...if—if—if...” she could not go on.
“I know, honey. Shall I call his brother?”
Cassy moaned, holding her head, which was now throbbing from the beginnings of a headache. “I doubt he would tell me anything. I’m the ex-girlfriend, remember?”
Just then, the telephone ran. Sarah grabbed it. “Hello? Oh, Kurt. Honey, thanks for calling so quickly. There has been a plane crash. It’s Gordan.” She wiped her own tears. “No, we don’t know anything. I need you. Okay. Bye.”
When she looked over at Cassy, she saw that her sister was drying her face while staring at the television screen, fists clenched in her lap. She reached out, took her hand. “Come on. Let’s pray for him and the others on the plane. Were there others?”
“I don’t know.”
The two sisters did what they had always done—they called on their faith to get them through. They were both calmer when they finished.
“What about the baby? Who’s watching him?”
“Gina,” Sarah answered. “He should still be napping. Sis, I think we should call his secretary or Jillian. We can’t just sit here until the next news reports. We’ll go nuts.”
“I can just see Jillian giving me news about Gordan. She can’t stand me. She has been after him for years. I just had a terrible thought. Jillian could be on the plane with him. Or even Wil or his son Gordy. Please, not them, too.”
Cassy jumped to her feet and began pacing. “I have no idea why I said those awful things about Jillian. Jillian isn’t my problem. Sarah, I just need to know he’s all right.”
“Then let me call.”
Cassy shook her head. “No. I have to wait.” Mopping her face, Cassy felt as if her entire world had splintered into a billion pieces. She hurt from deep inside. “I know that Gordan and I aren’t involved anymore, but I couldn’t bear it if he was not all right. I just need to know he isn’t out there somewhere in pain—hurting...injured. I’ve got to know he’s at least alive!” she said, wringing her hands in agitation.
“It’s going to be all right. He’s a...”
“Shush...” Cassy ran to raise the volume on the television, forgetting all about the remote control.
“The head of Kramer Corporation, which includes the Kramer Hotel and Resort complexes around the world, Gordan Kramer’s private jet went down this morning off the coast of Venezuela. According to weather reports in the area, the plane may have gone down due to sudden hurricane-force winds. It is believed that the plane crashed into one of the volcanic mountains near the cone of Monte Pelee, an active volcano more than 4,500 feet high, on the island of Martinique. His Atlanta office reported that only Mr. Kramer and his pilot, John Wingate, were on board at the time. Because of the mountainous area, rain-forest slopes, and the weather, it will take time before the search-and-rescue crews can go in to locate the plane.”
Sarah was the first to speak. “Well, we know that Jillian and his family were not on the plane. She has to know something by now.”
When Cassy realized she had been holding her sister’s hand so tightly that she was crushing her fingers, she immediately let go. “Sorry. Do you think Jillian will tell me anything?”
“You have to try.”
Cassy reached for the telephone but her hands were shaking so badly she dropped it. “I’m a wreck! I have to get myself under control. I can’t function like this.”
“You’re doing better than I would be doing if it were Kurt.”
Cassy looked at her then, in stunned disbelief.
“What?”
Nibbling on her bottom lip, she could hardly get the words out of her mouth. She dropped her head into her hands, moaning pitifully.
“Cassy! Tell me.”
“I finally realized what has been staring me right between my eyes. Sarah, I feel for Gordan what you must feel for Kurt. I love him so very much. I’ve been fooling myself all this time. That love is not going away. It’s a part of me.” She sighed wearily. “In spite of everything that has happened, I love him just as much, if not more, than when we first fell in love.”
She moved back and forth as if she were in a rocker, as she struggled to come to terms with the depth of her emotions. Pressing her hands against her throbbing temple, she whispered, “All I want is for him to be alive and whole.” She prayed softly, “Dear God, please let him live—let him live.”
Sarah went into the small kitchen on the opposite side of the sitting area and soaked a dish towel with hot water before wringing it as dry as she could. Sarah said, “Here, put this over your eyes and forehead. It will soothe your eyes, take down some of the swelling, and ease that headache.”
Cassy didn’t have the energy to argue. She leaned back and covered her closed lids with the hot compress. She was weak from worry and grief over what might be, and she was nearly paralyzed with fear.
“He has to be safe. He just has to be,” she chanted over and over to herself.
No matter how badly things had gone between them, or how upset she had been with him when they parted, she could not stop loving him. And she had tried. She had clung to what she wanted and flung it in his face as often as she could. She ended by hurting both of them in the process of proving that she could indeed live without him. Suddenly, Cassy knew that she did not want to live without Gordan. He was her world and had been so for almost five years.
She remembered every hurtful thing she had said to him—things she might not be given an opportunity to take back. At the time, it had been so important to make her point. That point provided little comfort right now. Their parting had been devastating. And it would haunt her until the day she died.
Both sisters jumped when the telephone rang. Cassy got to it first.
“Hello?” she whispered, her stomach filled with tension. “Cassy?”
“Yes. Wil?”
“Yes. Have you heard about...”
“Yes. It was on the news that his plane went down. Wil, what happened? How is he?”
“We don’t know. The problem could have been due to a sudden storm or there could have been a mechanical problem with the plane. There was a hurricane threat. It’s possible it could have blown them off course. They were scheduled to land at Le Lamentin airport. They went...” His voice broke as he fought to control his emotions. “I’m sorry.” He took a deep breath before he went on. “The tower lost them on radar. They don’t know if they crashed into the sea or if they went into the side of one of the mountains. They’re looking. All we can do now is wait.”
“Oh, Wil. He has to be all right. He just has to be...,” she sobbed.
“I keep telling myself that. But it’s hard. How are you doing?”
Cassy wiped away a fresh swell of tears.”Not much better than you. Wil, I so appreciate your calling me. I wanted to call you right away, but, considering how Gordan and I parted,” she sighed, “I didn’t think you wanted to hear from me. He was furious with me the last time we talked.”
“Cassy, you have no reason to thank me. I’m sorry I waited so long, but I’ve been waiting for news.”
“How’s Gordy? Has he heard?”
“He’s here with me. And he is holding up. We’re thankful that no one else was on the plane other than John.”
“Yes, that was a blessing. Where was he going?”
“To Martinique. The last couple of weeks have been difficult for all of us. He’s been impossible to deal with since he got back to Atlanta. Spending time with Gordy helped. But he’s been restless. He decided late last night to fly back to the island.”
Cassy did not need to be told why Gordan had been upset. She swallowed a moan of anguish and barely managed to get out, “I see.”
“I’m not blaming you, Cassy. Gordan was just as much to blame. I want you to know that even if things ended badly for the two of you, Gordan loves you, Cassy.”
Cassy broke down in earnest, so upset that she had to give the telephone to her sister.
“Hello, Wil, this is Sarah, Cassy’s sister. Yes, I know you didn’t mean to upset her. Yes, I’ll tell her. Please, call us as soon as you hear anything. Thank you.”
Cassy had curled up on the sofa into a small, tight ball of misery. Sarah consoled her as best she could. It was a while before she quieted. She apologized for losing control.
Sarah smoothed her hair away from her face. “Stop it. You have no reason to apologize. I couldn’t have gotten over Emily’s loss without you. So you know I understand. Not that I think for one second that Gordan isn’t going to be all right. It looks as if it’s going to take time to get to him. Wil promised to call as soon as he has news.”
Cassy nodded, dropping her head tiredly onto her upraised knees. “You’d better go check on the baby. I’ll be all right.”
“Okay. I won’t be long. It’s time for his feeding. I will be back as soon as I can.”
“Okay.”
Cassy was numb to everything going on around her. All she could think about was the last day she had spent with Gordan. There was no longer any doubt in her mind why she’d made love with him.
Her feelings for him went so deep. She had been fooling herself by imagining that she could ever stop loving him and marry someone else. It was why she hadn’t been able to take a wonderful man like Adam Foster seriously. There simply hadn’t been room in her heart for another man.
Gordan filled her heart to the point of overflow. Her reasons for leaving no longer seemed important. None of it mattered. The only thing that was important to her now was that they find Gordan’s plane and get him the help that he needed.
She wouldn’t think of the tragic loss of the Kennedy plane crash. She couldn’t! Gordan was alive. He had to be. The thought of him being out on the mountain, possibly exposed to the elements and injured, terrified her enough. She would not let herself think of him in the water. She shuddered, holding herself and rocking.
The hours passed excruciatingly slowly. Sarah sent her family home, deciding to stay on with Cassy. It was a long, stressful evening and an even longer night. Sarah tried to get Cassy to eat something but failed.
“You haven’t eaten since this morning,” Sarah fussed, motioning to the covered tray that had been left on the kitchen table.
Cassy, busy staring between the telephone and the television screen, said distantly, “Maybe later.”
“Well, at least go lie on the bed. Try to get some rest.”
“Sis, you really don’t have to stay with me. Kurt, Mandy, and the baby need you.”
“You’re part of my family. We Mosley girls stick together. Now eat or shut up.”
Cassy smiled for the first time in hours. “Thanks. I really missed you when you moved back to Washington to live with Daddy.”
“I missed you too. Those were certainly painful years for me. Even though we couldn’t be together, I’m glad you stayed on with Grandma. She really needed you. It would have been terrible if both of us left at the same time.”
“Yeah,” Cassy said. “Gordan never had the closeness that was so common for our family. His father died while he was young. His mother died just days before he graduated from high school. He always had his younger brother to consider. Even as a young man, he had too many responsibilities—college, a full time job, and a child to raise.”
“Gordan is a strong man. He has never been afraid of responsibility. He’ll come out of this on his feet. Just keep the faith.”
Although she was tired, Cassy could not sit still. She wandered the room, touching an African figurine, straightening a photograph that didn’t need it.
She grumbled, “Why is it taking so long? Who knows how badly he might be hurt waiting to be rescued? I just hope...”
The telephone rang, causing Cassy to forget everything. Sarah was right beside her when Cassy reached for it. Her arm went around Cassy’s waist to support her.
“Hello?”
“Cassy?”
“Yes, Wil. Tell me, please.” She was trembling so badly she would have fallen if her sister had not been holding on to her.
“They’ve found them. Cassy, he’s in pretty bad shape, but he’s alive.”
“Thank God!” Her eyes were swimming with tears. She hugged Sarah, saying, “He’s alive!”
Sarah squeezed her hard, her own eyes watery. “What a blessing!”
“Cassy? Are you still there?”
“Yes, Wil. I’m sorry. I’m so happy. He’s alive. For now, that is enough.”
“Yeah, it’s great.” Wil laughed, throatily.
“And John?”
“Yes, him too.”
“Where are you?” she asked.
“Gordy and I are in the limousine on our way to the airport. We don’t have much news on his condition. He was unconscious when they found him and was having trouble breathing. Dr. Hines, our family doctor, is flying out with us. He thinks Gordan will need surgery, but nothing is certain yet.”
“Oh!”
“We don’t know any more. They are both being taken to the private hospital on the island. When Gordan had it built and contracted for some of the best doctors in the world, we had no idea he would be the one in need of them. Not like this, anyway. Will you come?”
“Yes,” she whispered. There was no doubt about that. She had to be with him. She had to assure herself that he was indeed alive. “I’ll take the first plane out in the morning.”
“Good. Call me when you land. I’ll have a car waiting at the airport.” He gave her his cellular phone number. “And, Cassy, thank you.”
“Bye.”
Her sister asked, “How bad is he?”
“They don’t know yet. All they know is that he was unconscious when they found him and having trouble breathing. They don’t know how much internal damage he has. His pilot, John, is also alive. I’ve got to pack.”
“Of course. Would you like me to call the airport?”
“Yes, please. Will you be able to manage without me for...”
Sarah cut her off. “Don’t worry about us. I can handle the inn. I have a feeling that I’m going to have to get used to the idea of you being away.”
“I won’t be long. But I have to make sure he’s going to be all right. Maybe a week, at the most.”
“I think you’re wrong.”
“Sis, he may not want to even see me,” she said, wearily. “I just have to deal with it when it happens. But for now, I have to go to him.”
“Don’t worry about the other. I’ll get on the telephone and you pack. Wouldn’t it be great if you can get a flight out first thing in the morning?”
“I hope so,” Cassy said, crossing her fingers.
The two worked together and Cassy was relieved when her case was packed and she knew she would be on the eight o’clock flight the next morning.
“He’s going to be all right,” Sarah assured, as she prepared to leave for the night.
“I hope so. I really hope so.”
“You have to stop worrying, so you can get a little sleep tonight. It’s nearly two now. And tomorrow is going to be a very long day.”
“You’re right. Good night. Are you sure you’re up to driving home?”
“I’m fine. I’ll see you in the morning. Try to get some rest.”
“Good night,” Cassy said, kissing her cheek. “Keep him in your prayers.”
“I will,” she promised, with a wave.
Martinique
It was the longest flight on record. As tired as Cassy was when her plane touched down, she did not consider going to the hotel to freshen up. She wanted to go straight to the hospital, without delay.
It was a relief to see a familiar face waiting for her to ease her way through customs.
“Bradford.” She gave him a hug. “Any news?”
He shook his head. “It’s too soon.” He took her luggage before he ushered her through the airport and to the waiting limousine. After opening her door, he quickly put her things in the trunk. “Where would you like me to take you first—the hotel or the hospital?”
“The hospital, please.”
Cassy leaned back against the cool leather seat with her eyes closed. She had wanted to ask more questions about Gordan, but decided to wait and talk to Wil. She hadn’t asked because she was scared.
What if his injuries were more extensive than first thought? Wil had said he was in bad shape. Did that mean he was still having difficulty breathing? Or that they had to do surgery?
Her anxiety mounted as the car sped through Fort de France. The hospital was located on the outskirts of the city, several miles from Kramer House. Her head was throbbing by the time they stopped in front of the modern, white-brick hospital, but she ignored it. The hospital was positioned on a hillside, overlooking a breathtaking view of the ocean. Cassy hurried along the flower-lined walkway toward wide, French-styled double doors. Bradford was at her side.
He guided her down a side corridor to where the family was waiting in a comfortably furnished private lounge.
“Cassy.” Wilham Kramer greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. He was every bit as tall and muscular as his older brother. There, the resemblance ended. He had a rough, craggy look about him. His mouth was a shade wider, and he lacked the beard and mustache. It was his dark, intense gaze that captured a woman’s attention.
She hugged him, before she stepped back, asking, “How is he?” She was unaware of the way she bit her lip. Even her voice trembled as she waited anxiously for his answer.
“He came through the first surgery fine. They repaired the damage to his right lung. But there was quite a bit of damage to his right shoulder and arm. He has to undergo at least one more surgery, possibly two, depending on how he does. No other internal damage other than the lung. He’s going to be on a respirator until that lung is working again.”
“Oh!” Cassy clung to Wil, tears running down her cheeks.
“Honey, he’s going to be fine.”
She nodded, but she could not stop crying. “I’m so glad they got to him in time.” Using the handkerchief he handed her, she dried her face and forced herself to smile for his benefit. “I’m sorry. I was so worried.”
“Hi, Cassy,” Gordan’s handsome son greeted her. He had stepped from behind his uncle. He was tall and slim, but, at fifteen, he had promise of developing the Kramer men’s broad shoulders and good looks.
“Gordy. I didn’t realize you were here.” Cassy smiled, giving him a reassuring hug. “How are you?”
“Better, now that I know Dad’s going to be okay.” He was clearly worried.
“Yes,” she agreed, giving his hand a quick squeeze. “Have you seen him?”
Wil answered, “Not yet. He’s still in recovery. Shouldn’t be much longer.”
She sank into a chair, grateful for the solid support. All of a sudden she felt the fatigue from a sleepless night, the long flight, and the stress of not knowing. She was tired and she couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten. But none of that mattered. Gordan was her single concern.
“Can I get you anything?” Gordy offered.
“Thanks, no. Come talk to me. Tell me what you’ve been doing with yourself. It has been a while since we’ve seen each other.”
Gordy and Cassy were old friends. The three of them had vacationed together during many of the boy’s school breaks. Cassy would often swim and relax while father and son would fish and dive together. The three of them liked to picnic, as well as bike. Cassy left the hiking to the two of them.
During those times, Cassy had often fantasized that they were a family. And that was all those daydreams had amounted to—fantasy. No. She must not concern herself with the past. Gordan’s recovery was all that was important.