Page 82 of A Chance at Forever
Bud must have heard a noise because his ears pricked up, and he growled low in his throat. He stared at the open door. “What is it, boy?”
A moment later she detected the sound of running water in the kitchen. Victoria knew it wasn’t Rusty because Bud hadn’t bounded away from her. She figured it was either Rebecca or Harrison.
She approached the kitchen and saw Harrison at the sink. “Hi.”
Harrison jumped and almost dropped the coffee pot. “Lord Almighty, Victoria! You scared the dickens out of me! Where did you come from?”
“I arrived a few minutes ago.” Bud let out a sharp bark. “Bud, behave. You remember Harrison.”
“Well, hey there, Bud.”
Recognizing a friend now, Budwoofedand thumped his tail.
“I’m sure glad to see you. How much do you know about what’s going on?”
“Not much. All I know is that Rusty is sick.”
Harrison started a pot of coffee. “Sit down and I’ll fill you in. I’ve known Rusty for years, and only learned the truth myself when he came home a physical and emotional wreck.”
The foreman made sandwiches and poured two cups of coffee. He sat across from Victoria at the kitchen table and told her how Rusty had developed these odd symptoms when he started middle school. His condition baffled the doctors. No one could diagnose it, let alone treat it. Regular antibiotics and steroids helped for a while, but Rusty discovered on his own that keeping in top physical shape aided in holding the effects of his illness at bay.
“He and Alex made a pact,” Harrison said in between bites of his bologna sandwich. “Alex would research Rusty’s condition, no name for it, might be an autoimmune disease, and Rusty would finance it by playing football. He had a natural gift for the game and got drafted right out of college by the NFL. At one point Rusty almost died from his condition when he was thirteen and that sealed the deal. His spectacular career in pro-football came to an abrupt halt after his parents died.”
“Yes, he told me what happened.”
“Tragic, that. Rusty has never gotten over it, blames himself. You probably know the rest of it.” Harrison drained the last of his coffee. “I’m glad you’re here, Victoria. We, that is, Rebecca, before she had to return to New York, Alex, and I tried our best to convince that stubborn fool to tell you how much he needed you.”
Victoria smiled. “Where is my stubborn fool, by the way?” Though she had told her and Rusty’s friends she was pregnant, Harrison was a stranger, and she didn’t feel right about saying anything to him without first sharing the good news with Rusty.
“At the lab. University of Colorado Research Center. Here’s the address.”
CHAPTER 24
Victoria’s brown bootsand Bud’s nails clicked noisily in the deserted corridors at the University of Colorado Research Center. Pausing outside the door to one of the center’s many labs, she drew a deep breath and mustered her courage. She stepped inside and closed the door.
The man in the wheelchair seized her attention. Her breath grew ragged as she stared in utter despair. Pain ripped through her body, and she thought her heart might stop beating any moment as she barely recognized the man she adored. Rusty had grown gaunt over the past month and a half. As he sat hunched over a microscope and wrote furiously, Victoria saw how his clothes hung on his emaciated six foot three inch frame, and his thick, golden hair was shorter. A beard covered most of his face.
She mouthed his name. “Rusty.”
Bud let out a bark and rushed toward him.
Rusty maneuvered his wheelchair to face them. At first, disbelief mingled with love crossed his expression, but it disappeared in an instant. Shock and dismay shone in his once brilliant emerald eyes. “Tori.” His raspy voice vibrated with disappointment underscored with longing. “Why are you here? Do you think I want you to see me like this?”
Bud tried to jump on Rusty’s lap, but Victoria grabbed his collar and held him. “No, Bud. That’smyspot.” She let go of her dog, and he sat at Rusty’s feet with such a look of adoration, she almost laughed. Standing with her hands on her hips, she chided Rusty. “Dr. Sinclair, you can stop with the macho man routine. I’ll not tolerate such nonsense from you. I’m here because I love you, and I have no intention of letting you go through this alone anymore.”
Victoria settled herself on Rusty’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. He stiffened but didn’t dump her onto the floor. After a moment, his thin arms embraced her. “I love you,” she repeated, “and if that isn’t reason enough to fight, then this is. We’re going to have a baby, Rusty. It’s due in November.”
Rusty’s arms tightened around her, and his body began to shake from heavy sobs. His mouth took hers in a passionate melding. Their salty tears mingled with the sweetness of their kiss.
“Is it possible? I never dared to let myself dream… Have you seen a doctor? How are you feeling?” He cupped her face so he could look into her eyes.
“Yes. I saw my doctor before I left Marysville. She told me the baby is fine. I’m experiencing morning sickness, but other than that I’m all right. I’m even better now that I’m here with you.”
“Tori.” He muttered her name and claimed her mouth again in feverish kisses.
“That better be Victoria you’re kissing, Rusty, or you’re in big trouble, buddy.” Alex’s teasing voice came from behind them.
Victoria let out an embarrassed laugh and slid off Rusty’s lap. Bud saw his opportunity, jumped up, and licked Rusty’s scruffy face. She stepped toward Alex and held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Alex.”
