Forever yours

Chapter 5 Part 6

The next morning, she stood watching them all drive off. For the first time in three years of visiting the beach house, she was lonely. Normally she liked being on her own but this year was different, she yearned for company. Sitting on the porch steps, sipping coffee, she thought about what Robert and Mike had pointed out. Was Jeff really interested in her? Shaking herself to dispel the mental image of him from her mind, she got up. Maybe a cycle ride would help.

Jeff had never felt like this about a woman before and it scared him that he was so captivated by her. Something like this had never happened to him before. Deep down he knew it could amount to nothing but he could not stop himself, he needed to see her. Hoping to find her working, he walked over to the house that afternoon but everything was closed. She was out.

Marie had cycled for an hour before turning back. Concentrating on the road helped to get rid of any other thoughts. She had just reached the top of a steep hill when a car came screaming past making her jump in fright and lose control of the bike. She flew over the handle bars and rolled a short way down the hill. Dazed, she lay there for a while. The car was gone and there was no-one in sight. Her leg and arm was grazed open and bleeding. Luckily the helmet had protected her head. Getting up she stood for a while so that the dizziness could disappear before picking up the bike and started down the hill. Feeling dizzy again, she sat down, taking her phone out. She tried to think of someone to call and then out of desperation, she looked up Sam's restaurant's name and called asking to speak to him.

'Sam, its Marie. I am sorry to bother you but I need some help.'

'Hello little lady, are you calling to ask me out on a date?'

Jeff who was sitting on the chair opposite the desk glared at him.

Explaining what had happened, she asked him if he would be able to fetch her.

She could hear him talking to someone in the background and then he spoke into the phone. 'Stay there, Jeff is on his way.'

'No...Sam.....wait. Can't you come?'

'Sorry honey. I have my accountant here. Jeff is already on his way.'

Marie sat on the side of the road, checking out her bike. If she got hold of that idiot in the car, she would twist his bloody neck. Taking off her helmet she put her head between her knees to dispel the dizziness. A car was speeding along the road and up the hill and a few minutes later Jeff stopped alongside her. He jumped out of the car, his face full of concern.

'Are you ok? Can you walk? Did you hit your head?'

'Whoa cowboy. One question at a time please. My head cannot comprehend that amount of information right now.' She joked.

He did not seem to share her sentiment.

'Can you walk?'

She nodded and hopped up, hobbling to the car.

'Your leg and arm look pretty bad. Come on, I'll take you to the doctor in town.'

'Doctor!' she scoffed. 'Good heavens, I don't need a doctor. I need a rifle to shoot the tyres of the idiot that caused the accident.'

He helped her into the car and then put the bike in the back.

'Are you still dizzy?'

'I am fine, really. Thank you for coming to fetch me.'

'You really should see a doctor if you hit your head.'

'I'll be fine. There is nothing a good, hot shower won't fix.'

He drove her home and then helped her out of the car and into the house. Thinking he was leaving after dropping her she hopped out and thanked him. But he strode in behind her to walk into the bathroom without a word. He started scratching in the cabinets for disinfectant and bandages.