Safe Harbor Read online

  "I needed a job, and this was the right one for me," Reese remarked.

  "So you didnt come here looking for love?" Marge asked half-seriously.

  Reese smiled a little ruefully. "Not precisely."

  "And you didnt leave anybody behind? No attachments?"

  "No," Reese replied. "I dont have any attachments."

  Marge shook her head. "You are definitely something of an oddity around here. Most people come here to find someone, or to escape something."

  "Im not all that different. Its just not what youre thinking."

  "And I dont suppose youre going to fill me in?" Marge prodded gently.

  Just as gently, Reese replied. "Not tonight."

  They finished their dinner in easy conversation. When Marge saw Reese glance at her watch for the second time, she asked, "You have to be somewhere?"

  "The clinic," Reese replied. "Im supposed to stop by there and have some stitches removed. The doctor said shed be there until ten."

  "Dont rush. Shes always there late. I live just down the road. She doesnt seem to do much except work!

  "It must get pretty busy, especially when youre the only doctor in town," Reese commented, remembering Victoria Kings resolute determination to make that dangerous journey over the rocks to aid the injured man. Her dedication was clear, and admirable.

  "Sure its tough, especially if you use it as an excuse to avoid a social life! Dont you think there are plenty of doctors who would just love to live up here during the season and work for her?"

  Reese regarded her silently. She felt a strong desire to come to Victorias defense, and a strange surge of anger at Marges criticism. Both responses confused her.

  Marge didnt miss Reeses sudden withdrawal. "Hey, I like her," she said seriously. "I always have. Shes a great friend to the people of this town, and there are more than a few who would like to know her better, if shed let them." She shrugged as she reached for their check. "She doesnt seem to trust anyone to get too close, and thats a damn shame."

  "Im sure she has her reasons," was all Reese said.

  **********

  Randy was on his way out the front door when Reese walked up.

  "All through?" she asked the receptionist.

  " I am," he said petulantly. "The last patients are in rooms, but at the rate shes going it could take her another hour. She can barely walk, and it serves her right - traipsing out on that jetty like some macho superhero! I wouldnt be surprised if she isnt on crutches tomorrow! And it wouldnt be the first time either!!"

  His obvious distress belied the criticism in his voice. He was clearly worried about Tory, and Reese immediately liked him. He continued to fuss while he unlocked the door for Reese.

  "Do you think shed let me cancel patients just because she needs to be in bed? Of course not!" He held the door open as he spoke. "You might as well go back to her office and wait. Its more comfortable there, and shell find you when shes finished. She insisted that I go home on time! Could do without me, she said. Ha! Wait until she sees that appointment book - good luck! Then well see who doesnt need me!"

  Reese had to smile at the slender, attractive young mans tirade, but her thoughts were of the woman who had made a selfless gesture despite the cost. She was suddenly very anxious to see her.

  "Ill go on back. Thank you."

  Reese settled into the chair before Victorias desk, rested her hat on her knee, and let her eyes wander over the photos of the previous Olympian. Eventually she heard the approach of slow footsteps, and turned to greet the doctor. Victoria looked pale and drawn, but her eyes held a smile.

  "Have you been waiting long?" Tory inquired as she eased herself into the leather chair behind her desk. She tried to hide a grimace as another spasm clamped onto her calf, forcing her to gasp.

  "Not very," Reese said quietly. "Is there anything I can do?" Victorias pain was obvious, and watching her struggle with it made Reese feel helpless and uneasy.

  Tory looked at her in surprise. "God, you get to the point, dont you? Why is it that my "handicap" doesnt seem to put you off the way that it does most people?" She was too tired and in too much pain to hide her bitterness.

  "You have an injury, Doctor. "Handicapped" is not a word I would use to describe you," Reese remarked as she moved boldly around the side of Victorias desk. "Now, what needs to be done here?" she finished softly.

  "I need to get this damn brace off," Tory said through gritted teeth, "but if I do Im not going to be able to get to my car."

  "Well worry about that later," Reese said as she knelt down. She pushed up the leg of Torys jeans and studied the hinged metal device that extended from just below her knee to the arch of her foot. Her face was expressionless as she took in the criss-crossing of surgical scars and skin grafts over the damaged atrophied muscles. "Doesnt look too complicated," she said evenly. "May I?"

  Reeses actions had taken Tory completely by surprise. She stared into the deep blue eyes that searched her face, suddenly terrified that she might cry. She was so used to fighting the endless discomfort and awkwardness alone, that the straightforward offer of help almost overwhelmed her.

  "Please," she whispered, her throat tight.

  Reese released the velcro bindings and gently eased the brace off. Victorias leg was swollen from the calf down, and her ankle was beginning to discolor. Tory gasped with pain as Reese softly massaged the injured tissues, bringing a sudden rush of blood to the area.

  "Im sorry," Reese murmured. "We need to do something about this swelling. Ice?"

  "Theres a cold pack above the sink in the treatment room," Tory managed, struggling with the physical pain and the unexpected emotional turmoil Reese had unwittingly provoked.

  Reese retrieved the pack, snapped it open, and wrapped it around Victorias ankle with an ace bandage she had found. "I think thats the best I can do," she said apologetically.

  "Its more than enough," Tory replied gratefully once she caught her breath. "Were you a medic in the Marines?"

  Reese laughed as she leaned against the edge of Torys desk. "Military police - before law school. We had our share of minor injury calls."

  "Just give me a minute, then Ill see if I can get the damn thing back on again."

  "Why?"

  Tory regarded Reese solemnly. Reese was so damn easy to talk to, and the scary part was that she wanted to. She wanted to admit just once that she couldnt take it any more, that she was just too damned tired. Realizing just how much she wanted to trust those blue eyes holding her own so steadily made her wary. Something this compelling could get out of hand.

  "I cant walk that far without it," Tory replied, trying to laugh.

  "How much do you weigh?" Reese asked.

  Tory did laugh at that. "My god! Have you no sense at all? Dont you know thats a dangerous question to ask of a woman whos not entirely in control of her faculties?"

  Reese buried her hands in her pockets, and answered with a straight face, "I must have missed that in basic training."

  Tory could tell by the determined glint in Reeses eyes that this would be an up-hill battle. Graciously she acquiesced. "A hundred and thirty pounds."

  Reese nodded. "Not a problem. Grab your brace." As she spoke she slipped one arm behind Torys shoulders and the other under her knees. "Hold on," Reese said as she straightened, cradling Tory securely against her chest. Torys arms came around her neck.

  "Okay?" Reese asked.

  For the first time all day, Tory wasnt aware of the pain in her leg. What she was aware of was even more disconcerting. A cascade of sensations assaulted her - hard muscles, a slow steady heartbeat, the light sweet smell of perspiration. Reese was an intoxicating combination of tenderness and strength, and Torys response was automatic. She flushed at the surge of arousal, and drew a shaky breath, hoping that the woman who held her could not feel her tremble.

  "Yes, Im fine," she murmured, allowing herself the luxury of resting her head against Reeses shoulder.

  Reese made her way e
asily to her patrol car and settled Tory into the front seat. "Where to?" she asked as she started the engine.

  "Straight out six A toward Truro. Im just a mile outside town."

  Within minutes Reese pulled into the drive of a single family home that overlooked the expanse of Provincetown harbor. As she stepped from the car a dark shape came hurtling through the night toward her.

  "Whoa!" she cried as a huge dog planted its front feet on her chest.

  "Jed! Get down!" Tory yelled as she tried to extricate herself from the car. At the sound of her voice the dog immediately dropped to the ground and raced to her.

  "Is it safe to come around?" Reese called as she eased toward the passenger side of her vehicle.

  "Hes perfectly safe," Tory called as she thumped the dogs massive chest in greeting. "Hes just excitable."

  "What is it?" Reese asked as she leaned down and lifted Tory from the seat.

  "Mastiff. Thats Jedi - Jed for short."

  "That must make you Princess Leia then," Reese remarked as she walked up the sidewalk toward the wide deck that encompassed the rear of the house.

  "What makes you think Im not Luke Skywalker?"

  "Just a hunch."

  Tory laughed and settled herself more comfortably within the circle of Reeses arms. Reese held her while Tory slipped her key into the door, suddenly conscious of the soft swell of Torys breasts pressed against her chest, and the subtle fragrance of her perfume. In the dim light of the moon, Torys face in profile was timelessly beautiful. From out of nowhere, Reese began to tremble, and an unfamiliar warmth suffused her.

  "Let me down," Tory said firmly, "youre shaking."

  Reese lowered her gently, keeping one arm around her waist for support.

  "I guess Im not in as good shape as I thought," Reese said a little uncertainly. She couldnt remember feeling this light-headed after a twenty mile forced march in full packs. She wasnt sure what was wrong with her, but she was acutely embarrassed.

  "Nonsense," Tory replied as she pushed the door open. "Youre in superb shape, but enough is enough." She reached for the light switch by the door, illuminating a large living room facing the water.

  "Just steer me over there," she said, indicating a large sectional sofa fronting the wall of windows and sliding glass doors that opened onto the deck. "Half the time I fall asleep down here anyway. One more night on the couch wont kill me."

  "More ice?" Reese asked as Tory propped her leg up on several pillows.

  "Not just yet. But Id love a drink, and youve certainly earned one. If you wouldnt mind pouring me a scotch, Id be grateful forever."

  Reese brought her the drink, and a light beer for herself. "Gratitude is not necessary. You more than deserve this after the day youve had."

  Reese sat on the sofa, stretching her legs out to accommodate Jed, who had pushed himself against the entire length of the front of the couch. When he raised his massive head and rested it on her thigh, she began to stroke him absently. She still felt oddly agitated.

  "Brianna Parker came by the clinic today," Tory remarked. "She said that you insisted I clear her before she could start training with you."

  "Is she okay?" Reese asked, grateful for something to take her mind off her own sense of disquiet.

  "Shes fine. Its a good thing youre doing for that girl," Tory added, watching Reese closely. The sheriff seemed distracted, and even more remote than usual.

  Reese turned to her in surprise. "How so?"

  Tory sighed. "I guess you probably know that Briannas mother died three years ago. Thats awful enough at any age, but its especially hard for a teenager. I gather from what Nelsons said that Bri has been getting a little wild. It sounds like working with you may be just what she needs."

  "I hope it helps," Reese said at length. "I know what its like when your whole world seems to change overnight. It can be a dangerous time."

  "Was it for you?" Tory asked softly, wanting a glimpse of what lay beneath this formidable womans steely exterior.

  Reese gazed out over the moonlit water, thinking of herself at that age. She remembered how she felt when her mother left - the uncertainty and the anger. Her father loved her, and he taught her the things he knew - he taught her about responsibility, and discipline, and honor. He taught her the way he had been taught, the Marine way. He expected the best from her, and he got it. In return he provided her with a life that was orderly, dependable, and predictable.

  "It might have turned out differently for me," she mused half to herself. "My parents divorced when I was fourteen. My father is career Marine, and he raised me to follow in his footsteps. Ive spent my entire life in the Marines, one way or the other. Its true what they say- its made me what I am, but those first few years until I was old enough for ROTC and college were hard."

  "I imagine all of it was hard," Tory ventured, beginning to understand why Reese seemed so controlled. The Marine Corp undoubtedly produced fine soldiers, but at what cost?

  "Dont misunderstand. I loved the Marines, I still do. Im still in the reserves. But when I was Bris age it wasnt easy. Sometimes it got pretty lonely -" Reese stopped, suddenly self-conscious. She never talked about herself, and she had no idea why she was now.

  "What about your mother?" Tory probed gently.

  Reese unconsciously squared her shoulders in that military gesture that was becoming familiar to Tory as she replied flatly, "She wasnt in the picture."

  "Im sorry," Tory said, "Im prying."

  Reese smiled, that fleeting breathtaking smile. "I didnt notice."

  Tory laughed. "I doubt theres anything that escapes your notice!" Suddenly serious, Tory added, "Youve been more help than I can say today, Reese. Im not sure how I would have managed without you - this morning on the jetty, or tonight." Even though she meant every word, she didnt want to think too hard about why she was admitting her need now, when she had refused to for so long. She didnt want to think too hard about how different Reese seemed than anyone she had ever met, or about how easy it had been to accept her help. She didnt want to think about how deeply she had been touched by Reeses calm, unwavering presence. "I - I just wanted to thank you -"

  Reese shook her head, halting Torys words. "Doctor King-"

  "Please! Its Tory!"

  "All right," Reese amended almost shyly, "Tory- it was an honor, and my pleasure. So please dont thank me for something I was glad to do."

  Tory looked into Reeses intense, penetrating eyes and something visceral stirred in her. She caught her breath, moved by the simple honesty of Reeses words. Her voice was thick with emotion as she replied, "Its more than a job to you, isnt it?"

  Reese flushed, but she held Torys gaze. "You may not believe this, but I took an oath to serve and protect, and every day Im glad I did."

  "I do believe you. Ive seen you in action," she said quietly. She thought that Reese had to be the most straightforward person she had ever met, and at the same time the most complicated.

  "Good," Reese said as she stood. "Then you wont object to me coming by to take you to the clinic tomorrow. Remember, you dont have a car."

  "You dont leave much room for argument, do you?" Tory remarked ruefully, realizing that Reese had once again made help impossible to refuse.

  "That is a skill I learned in officers training school!" Reese rejoined, her eyes laughing.

  "Then I accept, Sheriff," Tory teased lightly.

  Tory watched her as she strode gracefully to the door, smiling at the quick salute Reese tossed her as she left. She settled back against the couch, blaming the effects of the scotch for the sudden rush of heat that stole through her.

  Chapter Eight

  "Its open," Tory called, glancing at the clock. She smiled when she saw it was exactly six a.m.

  Reese entered, carrying two paper cups of espresso.

  "Thought you might need this," she said, sliding onto one of the black and chrome stools in front of the kitchen bar counter. "Its a double."

  "Its a start," Tory groan
ed, leaning on her cane as she reached with her free hand for the coffee.

  "I could make some more," Reese suggested, pointing to an elaborate espresso machine nearby.

  "Sit," Tory commanded. "Im up already, and Ill be functional in just a minute." She sipped the rich brew, noting that Reese looked fresh in her crisply pressed uniform shirt and pants. "I suppose youve already run ten miles or something else equally obnoxious."

  "Havent you noticed its raining outside?" Reese asked mildly. "I only ran five."

  Tory stared at her, beginning to smile when she caught the barest flicker of a grin on Reeses handsome face. "I could learn to hate you," she replied.

  Reese laughed. "God, I hope not!" She paused, then asked, "Hows the leg?"

  Tory looked away for a second, then met Reeses questioning gaze. "Hurts like hell, but its been worse."

  "I guess staying home is not an option?"

  "You do like to live dangerously, dont you?" Tory asked softly, amazed that Reeses concern did not rankle her the way it did coming from others. For some reason Reeses attention did not make her feel less than whole.

  "It wouldnt do for you to be out of commission," Reese said seriously. "The town needs you too much. So if its a question of one day off to prevent a bigger problem, Ill risk suggesting it."

  "Thanks," Tory said. "But Im used to these episodes, and I can tell if theres a real problem."

  "Good enough," Reese said.

  "Its really just my ankle. The nerve is severed, so I cant flex it. Its either the brace or an ankle fusion."

  "Wouldnt the fusion be less painful?" Reese ventured carefully, appreciating that this was a sensitive issue for the independent physician.

  "Probably," Tory admitted. "But Id also be less mobile. Im still good in the water without the brace, and I can work out with an air cast if Im careful. Besides, Ive always hoped-" Her voice trailed off as she looked away.

  "Hoped what?" Reese urged gently.

  "That Id row again. Id never be able to get into the cleats if my ankle were fused."

  "How long has it been since youve rowed?" Reese asked quietly.