The Blindman's Wife Read online

  “Hmm, why indeed. I hope you are not still plotting to get rid of the dear girl,” it sounded like an innocent comment but he knew his mother well to know when he was being warned.

  "No, mother I'm not plotting to get rid of the dear girl."

  “Everyone calls her Zola, why do you have to keep calling her Azolah?” his mother asked. He could picture her shaking her head the way she did when he had done something she didn’t approve.

  “Surely not everyone calls her Zola, Mother.”

  “Of course, they do. She said all her friends do.”

  “Well I guess we aren’t friends,” he snapped.

  “Really Liam, you seem to be in a snit about something. I’ve had enough of your temperament for one day. You had better treat Zola well and with respect. Goodbye,” she said and hung up.

  Liam looked at the phone and scowled. Leave it to his mother to assume the worst. He thought back to the conversation he overheard earlier with Azolah and her son. He thought of when he touched her soft cheeks and found they were damp from tears; she had lied about not crying.

  He didn’t feel good about the way he had treated her. But he wasn’t happy she thought him a cold-hearted bastard. His had mother told him why Zola needed the day off. Had she told him the reason for the day off tomorrow, he would have given her today off as well. He shouldn’t give a damn, but somehow he seemed to care about what went on in this woman’s life.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Zola paced the floors of the waiting room for what seemed like an entire day. Her feet hurt, as did her stomach. She hadn’t eaten much that day, or the night before and was full of jitters. Maybe she shouldn’t have drank the third cup of coffee she had bought earlier. She knew one was her limit per day but had thought the two extra cups would keep her awake and take her mind off what was happening in the OR.

  She hadn’t slept a wink last night. She had spent it alternating between watching her son as he slept and holding him. Her eyes felt gritty as if gravel was moving around in them. Her throat wasn’t any better as it was sore from crying all night. Her mother had tried to help, offering to watch Wyn as she got some sleep, but she couldn't sleep. Each time she closed her eyes all she saw was the lifeless body of her son. When she finally fell asleep in a restless slumber, her alarm woke her up two hours later.

  She was running on two hours sleep and caffeine. Her body felt as if it was about to quit on her.

  “Zola stop pacing and come sit down. Try and have a nap, you can rest your head in my lap like you used to,” her mother said.

  She continued pacing but spared her mother a look. “I’m fine mum, I’m not tired. Even if I was, I wouldn’t sleep a wink.”

  Her mother went over to her and touched her hand. “Look at me Azolah.”

  That made her stop; her mother rarely used her full name unless she wanted to get her point across. She looked at her mother and saw the worry in her eyes. She was so consumed with her worry for Wyn that she didn't realize her mother was also worrying about her.

  “Look at your hands sweetheart, they’re shaking. You need to try and relax, have a quick nap or your body is going to crash.”

  “I can’t—”

  “Yes you can, come and sit and close your eyes. You won’t be any help to Wyn if you’re not there when he wakes up.”

  “I’m too wired to sleep mum, I can’t sit still. What if—”

  “Nothing is going to happen. Our baby is strong and a fighter, just like you. He is not about to leave us now.”

  “I wish I was as confident as you are mum.”

  “You are it’s all that caffeine that’s making you this skittish.”

  “I love him so much mum, I’m not sure what I’ll do if anything happens to him.”

  “I know honey, we just have to have faith he’ll pull through.”

  “I’m trying mummy, it’s just so hard. I should be with him, should have been able to catch this before now. I’m such a bad mother, why didn’t I know?”

  “Nonsense, Azolah Kurtis, you’re not a bad mother. Wyn being ill is not your fault; we’ve been over this already. You heard what the doctor said, and we both had an EGC. We were cleared he didn’t get this from you.”

  “I know what they said mum, but that doesn’t make me feel better.”

  “I know baby, he could have gotten it from Nick or it just developed on its own.”

  She stopped at the name of her ex. “I’ve tried to forget about him, about what he did and how easy it was for him to discard us, and most of the time I succeed. But it’s hard when each time I look at my son I see Nick’s eyes. Now he may have inherited a heart defect from him to?”

  “Sweetheart—”

  “I can’t think about this right now mum. I thought Nick was out of our lives for good, but now I am not sure. When this is over whether I like it or not, I have to look for the man I despise to ask if I should be worried my son may have inherited any other genetic diseases from him.”

  “Come and take a load off your feet, you don’t have to think about this now or even go looking for him.”

  “I have to if I want to live without the fear of something like this happening again.”

  “Okay, but wait until everything is settled, before you go looking for him. Try to nap if you can’t just close your eyes, please Zola. I don’t want you ending up in a bed here as well.”

  She nodded and sat in the chair next to her mother. It didn’t matter what everyone said, she still felt as if she had failed her son. Now she may have to turn to the man she once loved for answers she may not want to hear. Was it better to let sleeping dogs lie? She was so tired and confused.

  “I love you mum, thanks for being here with me, for always being here when I need you.”

  “I love you too baby and I wouldn’t be anywhere else. Rest your head on my lap and close your eyes.”

  She did as her mother said suddenly too tired to protest. Her mother massaged her scalp and played with her hair like she used to when Zola was a child. She sighed and thought back to the last time she’d laid like this. It was the night she’d told her mother she was pregnant. She fell asleep for the first time in days peacefully.

  ***

  Why was he even doing this? It’s not as if she told him her son was sick or having surgery today. If his mother hadn’t told him, he would have been in the dark. He should have stayed home, he didn’t think she would be to happy to see him, she would not want him around her family she had made it clear they were none of his business. He didn’t want to intrude on her privacy, but he couldn’t get any work done today, no matter how much he tried.

  His thoughts were on her and her family. Did she have anyone but her mother for support? Where was the child’s father, was he in the picture to hold her hand and comfort her? The thought of another man touching her didn’t sit too well with him. He had spent three hours trying to work with no success. He had given up and decided he needed some fresh air. He hadn’t thought he would miss her when she wasn’t around until today. Even her scent lingered in each room.

  He had intended to take a walk around the estate, but for some crazy reason thought she needed him. Maybe it was wishful thinking on his part, but nonetheless, he had Percy drive him to the hospital. Now he was there, he doubted whether he had made the right decision. In the short time, he knew her he was beginning to realize she had a hold on him and he wasn’t sure he liked the idea.

  “Maybe we should go Percy, I don’t want to intrude. It was a mistake coming here.”

  “We’re already here sir; why not just say hello then leave.”

  “Alright, take me to them please.”

  ***

  He was standing so close she could feel the heat radiating from his body. She barely heard anything other than her heart beating fast in her ears. She watched as he walked closer towards her and touched her lips. She moaned at his touch and reached up to touch his face.

  “I’ve
wanted to do this since the day I met you,” he said kissing her.

  She leaned into him placing his hand on her butt as she stood on her toes and wrapped her hands around his neck. She pulled her mouth away from him, “I want you inside of me,” she told him.

  She woke up with a start and looked around the room.

  “You okay sweetheart?” her mother asked looking at her with concern.

  She cleared her throat, “yes, just a bad dream, how long have I been asleep.”

  “Not too long, half an hour.”

  “Thanks I feel a little better,” she said. She looked around the room and her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of him. Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart beat with excitement at the sight of him. Was this another dream? She hoped not, it was good to see him. She blinked what was she thinking?

  “Everything okay?” her mother asked.

  “Yes, hello Mr. Bradford,” she said looking at the man who was now standing in front of her. He looked embarrassed to be there. She consciously ran a hand through her hair; she must look like a wreck. He was the last person she expected to see today.

  “Hello Azolah, I hope I’m not intruding,” he said blushing.

  If she weren’t tired and anxious, she would have found his discomfort amusing.

  “Yes, no, what are you doing here?”

  He cleared his throat, “I stopped by to see how you and your mother were holding up,” he said.

  “Thank you for coming Mr. Bradford; I am Zora, Zola’s mother. We appreciate your concern,” Zora replied after a moment.

  “It’s nice to meet you Miss Kurtis, and please call me Liam. If you don’t mind my company, I would like to sit with you for a while.”

  “And you must call me Zora,” her mother said.

  Zola was still speechless and had to be nudged by her mother, “ah s-sure please join us.”

  “Thank you Azolah, how are you holding up?” he asked smiling.

  This was surreal the man was a contradiction. He was smiling, a real smile for the first since she had met him. “Great,” she screeched. Okay, that didn’t come out the way she had wanted it to. Clearing her throat, she tried again. “Fine thank you,” she lied.

  “Azolah, you don’t have to pretend with me, it’s okay to be scared,” he replied softly.

  “Who said I was pretending? You don’t know me well enough to tell me what I’m feeling, or what is going on in my head. Are you a parent Mr. Bradford?”

  “Azolah Kurtis,” her mother reprimanded.

  “It is okay Miss Kurtis, you’re right Azolah. I don’t know what’s going through your head, or what you are feeling. I don’t have a child, so I could only imagine how you are feeling. I’m sorry—”

  She cut him off, “you should be; I didn’t ask you to come here did I? I d-d-didn’t,” she burst into tears.

  Before she knew what was happening, she was in his strong arms being comforted by him. The dam she was keeping locked up inside broke. She cried for every precious day her baby had lived and had suffered. She cried for the number of years she spent hating Nick. She cried because she was tired and afraid she could lose her baby. She also cried because it was the first time since her son was born anyone besides her mother cared what happened to him.

  For the first time in years, if ever, Zola felt as if she had finally come home. She buried deeper into the comfort of his embrace, her head resting where his heart beat. Odd, as it may be his murmured soothing words, were very calming as was the comforting caress he was making in the middle of her back. Her nipples tightened and her breath hitched in her throat and quickened as she realized how intimately they were standing. She inhaled his spicy scent and almost groaned aloud. He smelled good enough to eat.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to cry all over you like a crazy person,” she said embarrassed.

  He chuckled softly, “That’s fine, I am glad I was useful for something.”

  She watched as his lips curved into a smile and her stomach flopped. It was the first time she had seen him this relaxed. He should do it more as he had a great smile. It was the kind of smile that hid secrets a woman would want to explore on a deeper level. Her gaze stayed on his mouth what she wouldn’t give to have a taste of it. She wished she could stay in his embrace longer forgetting her troubles.

  “Are you feeling better now?” he asked, stretching a hand to touch her. His fingers grazed her left breast and her body reacted on cue.

  “Yes, thank you,” she said backing away from him only to bump into a chair. A scream escaped her lips and her arms flailed wildly in the air. She thought she was about to hit the floor when a strong arm snaked around her waist pulling her up against his hard body. She almost shuddered at the contact.

  “Be careful, you don’t want to end up in here too,” Liam said softly.

  She rested her right hand on his chest to push away only to feel the rapid beat of his heart. She rubbed her hand over his heart unconsciously until she heard him take a deep breath and stiffened. She dropped her hand realizing what she was doing; it looked like she wasn’t the only one affected by this attraction.

  “T-thanks for catching me,” she said clearing her throat.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I’m going to the cafeteria can I get anyone anything?” she asked not looking at him. She looked at her mother who looked at her with worried eyes. Yeah Zola knew the feeling she was worried to.

  “Nothing for me thank you,” Liam said.

  “Mum?”

  “I’m good baby, stay away from the coffee,” her mother said smiling.

  Zola nodded and hurried out of the room. The sooner she was away from Liam the better she would feel. "Lord what was that back there," she muttered? “Get your head in the act Zola, you don’t like him, how could you desire him?” she asked herself.

  ***

  Liam sat wondering what had just happened. He didn’t want to admit that he was attracted to the girl. She had baggage she seemed to carry around and he had enough of his own. He wasn’t looking for a relationship and had decided it would be best to stay clear of them all together. He’d been doing well until his mother hired her. He had tried covering up what he felt for her by being rude and even done his best to get her to quit with no success.

  He doubted she would settle for a few romps in bed, it was all he had to offer anyone. She had a child and he had a feeling she was only interested in a committed relationship that would lead to marriage. He really shouldn’t have come, now that he felt her body against his, all he could think of was finding the nearest bed and make love to her all day. He crossed his legs at the thought, trying to hide his erection and reminded himself that her mother was in the room.

  “Has she been this wound up all morning?” Liam asked.

  “Yes, she didn’t get much sleep last night and is running on caffeine.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “Thank you Mr. Bradford, but you’ve done enough for us.”

  “Please call me Liam, I’ve decided to give her the next week off or however long she need to care for Wyn.”

  “Thank you, she’ll appreciate that.”

  There was a noise at the door and Liam heard Zora mutter something.

  “What is it?” he asked urgently.

  “It’s Nick, Wyn’s father. I don’t know what he is doing here.”

  “Shouldn’t he be here?” Liam asked puzzled.

  “No, not when he deserted Zola before their son was born. I wonder how he knew--”

  “Miss Kurtis, it’s been a long time,” Nick said.

  “Not long enough, what are you doing here?”

  Liam could detect the distaste in the woman’s voice for the man. He would hate him too if he were in her position.

  “I’m here to see my son; why else will I be here?” he asked cockily.

  Liam didn’t like the tone the man was using; he wondered w
hat Azolah saw in him. Was this the kind of man she was attracted to? At least he wasn’t in her life anymore good riddance.

  “Since when is my grandson your son? You gave him up before he was born, and never bothered to find out if he was alive or not. You disowned him when you signed those papers years ago. Go home Nick.”

  “I was a kid back then, too immature to be a father. Now I am ready to accept my responsibility as a father to my son,” Nick said sounding as if he cared.

  “What’s his name?” Zora asked.

  Liam waited to see if the other man knew his son’s name. He had to at least find out what the boy’s name was if he was sorry for the way he treated Azolah and their child. If he was here, obviously he wanted a second chance to make things right, why else would he come. Did this mean he wanted Azolah back as well? Liam wasn’t sure how he felt about the idea of this ass and Azolah being together. He gritted his teeth and leaned back in the chair waiting for the man to answer.

  “What?”

  “What’s your son’s name? You have a change of heart about being a parent you

  should know your son’s name,” Zora said.

  “William or something no one tells me anything, if it wasn’t for Alyssa I wouldn’t know he was here,” Nick said.

  “Wynter, that’s his name, leave now before Zola gets back,” Zora snapped.

  “I’m not leaving and what I have to say she needs to hear. I’m here for my Son Miss Kurtis; you guys had him for three years now and look what happened to him, it’s my turn.”

  Liam had heard enough, “Are you implying that Azolah is at fault for Wyn’s illness, that’s a little ignorant don’t you think?” he asked.

  “Who are you?” Nick asked him.

  “I’m a friend of the family,” Liam answered.

  “Stay out of this; it’s none of your business. If she was a good mother he wouldn’t have gotten sick,” Nick snapped.

  “I don’t know you Nick, but if you knew Azolah as well as you think, you would know she is a fantastic mother and she would do anything for her son. The fact that you think she is responsible for Wyn’s illness shows how immature and ignorant you are. Heart diseases are mostly hereditary. He could have gotten it from you.”