Part 12
The days passed and before either one knew it, a week had gone by since AJ had found ‘Stormy’. Despite Stormy’s silence, the two had become close. They would sit for hours, AJ talking about his life, telling her everything about himself. He’d play his guitar for her. Sometimes, they just simply sat holding each other. And for the first three nights, AJ had tucked her into bed in the guestroom and each morning, he woke with her in his arms. The fourth night, when they reached the guestroom, AJ had asked her and she’d answered with a simply nod of the head. From that night on, they’d slept together in his room but not once had they done more than sleep. In fact, the most they’d done was kiss…simple, quick, pecks of affection…and held each other. He wanted her but he was willing to wait for her and he made up his mind that he wasn’t going to try anything until she said his name.
They’d spent the weekend with Howie at his condo where she met Nick too and the four had had fun just hanging out. Howie and Nick had told AJ how much they liked her, what a calming effect she seemed to have on him.
Now, a week to the day that he’d found her, AJ was about to learn the story, or at least part of it, about Stormy. Sitting in the entertainment room, he was surfing the channels waiting for Stormy to get a shower. Going by one of the local channels airing the national news, a picture caught his eye and he flipped back. There on the screen was a picture of Stormy. He immediately unmuted the volume so that he could hear what was being said,
“The FBI have
announced that they are scaling back the year-long investigation into the
disappearance of Danielle Nicole Troy, daughter of Dr. Christian Troy,
world-renowned plastic surgeon. The young lady disappeared while on vacation in
Puerto Rico a year ago. Ironically, Danni as she is known to her family and
friends disappeared on the exact same day as her brother Richard fifteen years
prior. The few leads that the FBI had have lead to dead ends and the family
released a statement today.”
“Richard….Ricky for short,” mused AJ. “He’s her brother.”
A handsome, distinguished man accompanied by a younger lady with hair the color of Stormy’s appeared on the screen. “We understand that the FBI can not continue to search for our daughter but private investigators will take over the search. I know in my heart that my daughter is out there somewhere. If anyone has any information about Danni, PLEASE, I beg you…call us at 1-800-555-5000.”
Back to the reporter, “Sources close to the family say that while Dr. Troy is heartbroken over the loss of first his son and then his daughter, he is holding up remarkably well and continues to have a thriving practice.”
AJ heard the door opening and he quickly clicked the TV off. Stormy came in wearing one of his shirts and her hair wet. She gave him a smile and then joined him on the couch.
Grabbing the remote from his hand, she turned the TV on and AJ thought his heart was going to stop. What if that report comes on again?
Taking the remote from her, he said, “How about we just listen to some music, baby?”
‘Stormy’ shrugged her shoulders and AJ turned the TV off and reached for the remote for his stereo system. Turning it on, mellow music began to play and he pulled her close to him. His thoughts were spinning out of control. Did he say something to her? Did he call her family? A year….she’d been missing from her family for a year. They deserved to know that she was at least safe.
“Baby, I need to make a phone call. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Getting up, he headed to the living room leaving her somewhat confused. He had to call her father and tell him she was safe.
His heart was beating so hard as he dialed the number that he thought for sure whoever answered would be able to hear it. Why was this so hard? All he was going to do was let her family know she was okay. If she wanted to be with them, she’d have gone back to them.
On the other end, an answering machine picked up. “At the tone, please leave your name and number.”
AJ hesitated before doing as the machine requested. Hanging up, he suddenly felt exhausted and had to sit down. He knew in his head that he had done the right thing so why did it hurt so much?
A minute later, the phone rang and he looked at the caller ID…Dr. Christian Troy. Holy fuck! He thought. That didn’t take long.
Reaching to answer it, his hand shook. If he didn’t answer, he wouldn’t have to tell anyone where Danni was and she could stay with him. No, he had called them, given them his name and number. He had to answer it. Four rings and the machine was about to pick up. “Hello.”
“Alex McLean?”
“Yes.”
“This is Dr. Troy. You left your name and number….you have information about my daughter, Danielle?”
“Actually, she’s here with me. I found her last week, outside a club….no ID and extremely hungry.”
“When can we meet?”
It suddenly dawned on AJ…how does he know this isn’t a prank? “Dr. Troy, how can you be sure I’m not some lunatic trying to scam you for money?”
“I don’t.” AJ could hear the embarrassment in his voice. “I guess I just got excited that we actually got a call so quickly after all this time.”
“I understand. The girl here with me….she’s….beautiful on the outside and on the in…beautiful cobalt eyes, sandy brown hair that she likes to wear in a ponytail, she doesn’t talk except in her sleep, and she’s terrified of storms.”
There was a gasp on the other end and Dr. Troy whispered, “That’s Danni. How is she?”
“She’s fine. I took her to the hospital the night I found her and she was hungry and dehydrated but that was it.”
“Where are you…so we can come get her?”
“Orlando…869 Cypress Cove Drive.”
“I need to get a flight down. Can I call you when we get there?”
“No need. We’ll be home all day tomorrow.”
“Mr. McLean…”
“Alex, please.”
“Alex, I can’t begin to tell you how much this means to me. Danni’s mother has been beside herself thinking we’d never find her.”
AJ turned to see Stormy making her way to him. As she wrapped her arms around his waist, he said, “I think I can understand. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Cutting the phone off, AJ wrapped both arms around her pulling her closer, smelling her hair. Her body felt so good next to his.
“Baby, I’m really tired. Let’s go to bed.”
Stormy silently agreed and after AJ had locked up, they climbed the steps together, arm in arm.
Lying together with just the light of the moon, AJ watched her sleeping. He had tried so hard not to fall in love with her but it had happened anyway. Every time she looked at him, it was with so much trust. She had never looked at him in judgment…she’d accepted him the way he was, even after he’d told her about his stint in rehab. She’d made it so easy to fall in love with her.
Carefully so as not to wake her, he reached to touch her. Tracing her lips and her eyebrows, he watched as the skin flinched but she continued to sleep. He watched her breasts rise and fall with each breath. He’d never know what it was like to hear her call his name or to make love to her. All he would have is a week of memories but that was better than never having had her in his life. He didn’t sleep that night. Instead, he lay beside her, watching her, memorizing every detail of her face.
