The Heart of Deception

Chapter 13

A week later, Lauren found she could already laugh about her harrowing ride. She’d visited Lightning several times since the accident, but still had no urge to ride him again.

“Rusty, if you don’t lie still, I’ll end up stabbing you with these scissors,” complained Helen, as she started removing the sutures from the biggest wound on Lauren’s thigh. She’d left the worst one until last.

Lauren winced as Helen gently tugged at a stubborn stitch.

“Have you been counting them?” she asked, as the suture finally came away.

“Uh-huh! So far, I’ve taken out twenty-seven. John did a good job. These scars don’t look too bad.”

Helen frowned as she worked on the jagged line.

“How’s Diane going to explain her flawless skin to Kurt when she gets back?”

Lauren gave a wry laugh, suddenly sounding sad.

“I don’t know. As far as I’m concerned, that’s her problem, not mine. I’ve done more than my share of lying.”

“Well, I hope Lightning gives her a taste of what he’s done to you,” mumbled Helen, as she worked.

Kurt had wanted to sell the horse after what had happened, but Lauren had insisted on keeping him. She knew that Diane would love the horse as soon as she set eyes on him. Like Helen, she also perversely hoped Lightning would treat her twin to a little of what she had had to endure.

A dry laugh made her start. Kurt was lounging against the doorframe, obviously amused at the scene before him.

Lauren flushed guiltily. Had he heard any of this conversation? If so, he gave no indication of it.

“You make that kitchen counter look as comfortable as a lounger, Diane.”

“Don’t you believe it,” she flinched, as Helen tugged at the remaining sutures. “I suggested the bedroom, but your sister insisted on this prime position. I feel like something out of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

“The spotlights in here are superb. Now I can ‘see what’s on the slab’,” Helen grinned.

“Forty-three,” she called out triumphantly, pulling out the last stitch.

Kurt groaned, as he stepped closer to admire his sister’s handy work.

“Does it still hurt?” he asked quietly. A tentative finger traced the healing tear on her thigh, as his eyes met hers.

Lauren shook her head mutely, not trusting her voice to answer him coherently. She lifted herself into a sitting position, and swivelled her legs around to slide off the counter.

Kurt’s large hands spanned her narrow waist, lifting her down onto her feet, with her hips against his thighs. Lauren instinctively placed her hands against his chest, to keep a space between them.

He gazed deeply into her eyes, causing her to blush like a teenager. A knowing smile spread across his face, as he lowered his head to hers. He dropped lingering, feather-light kisses on her lips that left her weak at the knees, before releasing her to turn his attention to Helen.

Lauren’s heart did a few somersaults, before settling down to a fast drum roll.

Helen had taken leave to care for her herself, and had thankfully managed to keep her brother at a safe distance, while Lauren was convalescing. But, now there were no more obstacles to keep them apart. Lauren was going to have to rely on her own ingenuity to keep her heart from being broken.