Intimate Strangers Read Online Free PDF Page B

the rest of her life not knowing who she was was too terrifying to think about.
    Ted kept telling her that when she got home and into familiar surroundings that her memory would probably return quickly. But after not recognizing Roarke or herself, she held out little hope that their home would help bring back her memory.
    Slumping into the chair, she threw the crutches down onto the floor and cringed as their sharp clatter broke the silence. The dejection that infused her mind with such hopelessness made her want to get up and run away. She looked down at the cast on her foot and a wry smile parted her lips. She turned her head to look outside.
Run away? Even if I knew where to run, how could I run
?
    "Good morning, Sara. How are you today?" Ted came in the door shuffling several papers he held in his hands. "Isn't it beautiful out there?"
    "Is it really? I think it's pretty scary."
    "Come on now, what's the matter, Joe?"
    "How can you ask such a dumb question, Ted? I'm sitting here watching all those people out there. Did you ever sit and wonder about other people's lives and what they're like? They all seem to know their destination… and I don't. They know they belong somewhere… and I don't."
    "Sara, don't torture yourself like this. You do know who you are. You do know where you're going. You do belong."
    Swinging around to face Ted, she said vehemently, "Where do I belong? Yes, I know my name, but what does that mean? Nothing! You tell me I'm Roarke's wife, but do I belong with him? You sure can't tell by the way he acts."
    Ted's hand reached out and brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face. Quietly he said, "Sara, I know you feel boxed in by your fear and the panic of not being able to remember. But you can't lose sight of the fact that Roarke is panicked and has fears too. He cares about you. I know he cares about you. I saw him while you were unconscious and in Intensive Care. The man was practically inconsolable. He stayed at this hospital for three days, barely eating or sleeping. You have to snap out of this. I know you're going to be all right. Now you have to believe it."
    Shrugging her shoulders, she smiled plaintively. "Maybe you're right, Ted. I'll try harder but I just wish…"
    "Wish what?"
    "That… that Roarke would try harder."
    "It will be easier when you're home and that's what I came in here to tell you. You're going home today."
    Sara jumped up from her chair, then fell back into it. She could feel the blood draining from her face. "Why today? I thought you said I wouldn't be going home until tomorrow." Her voice was shaking but not as badly as her stomach.
    "I don't have any reason to keep you here for another day. You can do the rest of your recuperating at home better than you can do it in this hospital. It had to come sometime, Sara. Once you're out of this regimented atmosphere, you'll be surprised at how much faster you'll get better."
    "When do I leave?" Sara asked in a quavering voice. She wondered if she would be able to move. Her body felt leaden, and she had to swallow to keep down the sickening feeling in her stomach.
    "I called Roarke when I went over your records this morning. He'll be here shortly to sign your release and take you home." Ted went over to her and crouched down in front of the chair and took both her ice cold hands into his warmer ones. "Sara, this will be better for you. You can't hide for the rest of your life. You know that, don't you?" He waited for her response and when she nodded reluctantly, he continued, "The longer you put things off and try to hide from them, the harder it's going to be for you."
    Sara lifted her head up to face him. "I guess you're right, but I can't help being frightened." Her lower lip trembled as she spoke and she bit it to keep it still. She grasped Ted's hands as though they were her link to life.
    Ted smiled fondly at her. "There's nothing wrong with being frightened. Everyone is at one time or another. It just shows you're