Read Online Unforeseen Danger by Michelle Perry - Free Book Online Page B

didn’t still love her, you wouldn’t hurt as much as you do.”
    “I don’t know if I can.”   He shook his head.   “I can’t breathe.   It feels like a cancer, eating away at me.   I just sit around, thinking of every guy we know and wondering who he is.”   He paused.   “Any day now, she could remember everything and go rushing off into the arms of another man.   How am I supposed to risk that?”
    “Love is always a risk, Jake.   The girl who’s waiting for us in that room sees you as her husband.   In her heart, she’s never cheated on you, has never hurt you.   Try not to punish her.   She’s as innocent as a babe right now.   If you still love her, try to rebuild your marriage and don’t worry about what will happen when her memory comes back.   You can’t let your anger control you.”  
    When Jake said nothing, she continued, “Remember when we first got here, and you didn’t know whether Nikki was going to live or die?   Did the affair matter as much when you thought you were going to lose her forever?   You have to decide which is more important, to cling to your anger or hold to your marriage, because I don’t think you can have both.”
    Jake pinched the bridge of his nose.   “I know,” he said finally.
    “Nikki’s been asking me questions.   Questions I can’t answer.   She’s worried about you, Jake, and I am, too.   You need to think very carefully about the answers you’re going to give her.”
    ***
    Nikki waited apprehensively for Jake and Catherine to come back.   How frustrating it was to see him going through so much pain and no one would tell her what caused it.   The phone call had scared her, and she didn’t like to consider the implications.   Nikki hadn’t told Catherine and was afraid to tell Jake.   It felt like her life was just a movie on a screen and all she could do was sit by helplessly and see how things turned out.  
    Several minutes later, Catherine opened the door and gave Nikki a reassuring wink.   Jake trudged in behind her.
    “Hey,” he paused.   “How are you feeling?”  
    His tone was that of a chastised little boy being forced to thank someone for a gift that he didn’t like.   Absurdly, Nikki had to resist the urge to laugh.
    “Much better, thanks,” she said with forced cheerfulness.   “They finally let me take a shower, and Catherine helped me brush this tangled hair.”
    Jake glanced up, finally looking directly at her.   Nikki sucked in her breath at the feel of those beautiful eyes upon her.
    “I’m glad,” he said.
    He pulled up a chair beside the bed and they made small talk.   She told him about the memory therapy she had that morning, even though there wasn’t much to tell.   At least her short-term memory seemed to be improving.
    “Your best friend, Darcy, will probably be here today,” he said absently.   “She’s been your best friend since junior high and she’s pretty worried about you.”
    “Darcy.”   She shrugged, feeling a little sad.   “Doesn’t ring a bell.”   
    “Hard to forget that one.”   Jake smiled.   “She’s crazy.   The two of you together are dangerous.”
    Nikki was listening to her mother-in-law chit chat about people she didn’t remember when a brief knock sounded at the door.
    “Come on in, Darcy,” Jake called out.
    “Now, how did you know it was me?”   A pretty blonde stepped around the corner and grinned at Nikki.  
    “I told Nikki that you loved her, and – hey!”   Jake spied the sacks of fast food in her hand.   “Oh, Darce , did I ever tell you that you’re my hero?”
    She laughed and handed them to Jake.   “Thought you and my girl here could use a few greasy carbs about now.   Always makes me feel better.”
    Nikki smiled at the girl as Jake pulled her tray around and began to lay out her food first.   Darcy nodded her greetings at Catherine, and then approached Nikki’s bed.  
    “Hey, kiddo.”   Darcy perched on the