Trapping the Gazelle

Chapter 5

Kiera opened her eyes feeling refreshed. The feeling was odd for her, since she spent most of her nights awake from nightmares of the past. She lied on her stomach staring at the clock confused for a moment. Did the clock really read 9 o'clock?

'Did I sleep that late?' Kiera thought as she rolled over onto her back and sat up.

Turning her head, she noticed the other side of the bed was empty. Running her fingers through her hair, she glanced around the semi-dark room. She noticed that Ryan's clothes were on the floor, but Ryan was not in the bedroom. Suddenly she heard a loud bang from downstairs. The noise caused Kiera to jump.

'What was that?' Kiera thought as she froze.

Her hand slowly moved towards the nightstand drawer, where she kept the handgun. Her hand hovered over the nightstand and then she smelled something that made her stomach grumble.

'Is that pancakes?' Kiera thought as she swung her legs over the bed.

Everything made sense; she slid out of bed and limped towards the bedroom door. The smell of pancakes became stronger as she made her way to the stairs. Using the stair rail, Kiera limped down the stairs and turned to look into the kitchen. She smiled as she saw Ryan cooking breakfast, but the smile broaden and Kiera started to laugh. She laughed so hard, she snorted.

Ryan was not the cause of the laughter, but by what he wore. He wore Kiera's pink robe, which was obviously two sizes too small for him. Kiera held onto the doorframe laughing. She felt as if a rib would crack from her laughing so hard. She wiped away tears that blurred her vision and noticed Ryan looking at her with is hands on his hips.

"How do I look?" Ryan asked holding out his arms.

"You...lo...look so rid...ridiculous." Kiera replied between trying to take breathes from laughing so hard. She snorted again and looked down at the floor.

"Well one good thing about this look is that I finally get to record your snorting as you laugh." Kiera heard say.

"What?" Kiera said looking up quickly with a shocked expression.

She saw Ryan holding his smartphone out with a lopsided grin on his face. "Ryan tell me you are joking?"

"Nope," Ryan said and she saw him move his finger and the she heard herself snorting as she laughed.

"You better not send that to anyone." Kiera blurted out, "Or I swear Mister Westbrook." Kiera waved her finger at him.

The next statement she heard from him, caused her heart to skip a beat and her breath to catch in her chest.

"Maybe I will show our kids the video some day with the noodle one." Ryan replied.

"Kids," Kiera said giving Ryan a dumbfounded look, "I don't understand."

"Don't you want kids some day?" Ryan asked slowly and Kiera saw a hurt look on his face.

"Of course I want kids, Ryan." Kiera said quickly and walked over to him. "You took me by surprise that's all."

Kiera wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. She felt Ryan's strong arms slip around her waist and pull her closer.

Kiera smelt something burning and stopped kissing him. Ryan looked at her in confusion, "Is something burning."

"Oh crap, the pancakes." Ryan blurted out, releasing Kiera and turning towards the stove.

Kiera watched and giggled. Ryan looked even more comical in her robe as he took the pancakes off the pan and put them on a plate. He put his fingers in his mouth. She noticed that he burned them slightly on the pan.

"Wow, Ryan." Kiera said through her laugher as she saw that batches of pancakes were burned, "You are one amazing cook."

"You distracted me." Ryan said with a smirk.

"Don't blame this on me, Ryan." Kiera said sticking her tongue out at him.

Kiera walked towards the coffee pot, grabbed a cup and poured herself a cup of coffee. Kiera then sat down at the kitchen table and ran her fingers though Ginger's fur as he walked by. Ryan rolled his eyes and dumped the burned batch into the garbage. Kiera sipped her coffee as Ryan made another batch of pancakes.

"I could really get use to this." Kiera said.

"I bet you could, Kiera." Ryan replied looking over his shoulder, "It should be ready soon."

"Soon," Kiera said in a mock complaint, "But I'm really hungry."

"No whinnying now." Ryan said holding the spatula in her direction.

"Fine," Kiera said crossing her arms and rolling her eyes, but giggled as he waved the spatula towards her.

Kiera stood up, pulled down plates from the cabinets with forks and knifes from the drawers. She set the table as Ryan brought over the pancakes. They sat down together and ate.

"By the way, while you were sleeping. I chartered the company plane for us to fly to California." Ryan said after swallowing a bit of pancake.

"Great," Kiera replied with a smile, "I will have to let my patients know that I will be gone for a while and I still need to talk to the parents today."

"It seems like we both have a busy day today." Ryan said, "I believe my luggage should be here soon too." Ryan looked towards the front door.

"You're luggage?" Kiera asked perplexed.

"As much as I would love to stay in this robe, I do need my clothes and the police might not take too kindly to me dressed like this is public." Ryan answered.

"I'm sure Mrs. Jameson down the street would enjoy the view. Kiera commented, "she is in her eighties and lonely."

Before Ryan had a chance to reply, there was a knock on the front door. Ryan stood up and walked towards the front door while Kiera sipped her coffee. She leaned over to look as Ryan opened the front door. She saw a man with silver hair and a neatly trimmed mustache. The man appeared to be in his seventies and worn a pinstriped suit.

"AH, thank you Benjamin." Kiera heard Ryan say to the man.

"I made sure you had everything you need, sir." The man called Benjamin responded in a bored tone.

"Is that Benjamin?" Kiera inquired standing up and quickly walking towards the front door. She knew Benjamin to be the family butler.

"Yes Ma'am." Benjamin responded with a slight bow, "It is really good to see you again Doctor Reid."

"Benjamin, you know you can call me Kiera." Kiera said.

"Yes Ma'am, but it is not proper for a gentleman to call a lady by her first name." Benjamin instructed.

"Don't even try, Kiera." Ryan interrupted while shaking his head, "I have been trying for years."

"Yes Sir," Benjamin replied, "Where shall I place your luggage?"

"You may take them upstairs to the right in our bedroom." Kiera answered for Ryan.

'Did I just say our bedroom?' Kiera thought and giggled slightly.

"What is so funny?" Ryan asked giving her a quizzical look.

"Nothing," Kiera shook her head and walked back into the kitchen to finish her breakfast.

"Will there be anything else, Sir." Kiera heard Benjamin ask Ryan as he came back downstairs.

"I think that will be all for now." Ryan said.

"Then I shall take my leave then, Sir."

"Bye, Benjamin." Kiera said from the kitchen waving her hand.

"Good bye Ma'am." Benjamin replied with bow and left.

As Ryan came back into the Kitchen, Kiera stood up and stretched, "Well I need to get ready for my appointment with the Taylors." Kiera announced.

Ryan swept Kiera into his arms and kissed her. Kiera melted into his embrace, kissing him back.

Kiera stood at the doorstep of the Taylors house near the docks. She could still feel the warm kiss on her lips. Smoothing back a lose lock of hair and taking a deep breath, Kiera knocked on the front door of the home. After a moment, the front door opened and a middle aged woman with brown hair and blue eyes answered the door.

"Mrs. Taylor?" Kiera asked politely with a smile, "I'm Doctor Kiera Reid."

"Yes," Mrs. Taylor said as recognition dawned on her face, "I'm so pleased to meet you Doctor Reid, do come in."

"Thank you Mrs. Taylor." Kiera nodded, "I do prefer Kiera."

"Kiera then, please call me Sally then." Sally said standing to the side so that Kiera could walk in.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Sally." Kiera said and stepped into the home. Kiera noticed that the smile hid Sally's nervousness.

"There is nothing to worry about Sally." Kiera said, "Tina is going great with her appointments and is not in any trouble."

At these words, Kiera observed Sally relax just a bit, but there was still an underlining of tension.

"Tina, Kiera is here." Sally called out and Kiera saw her looking up the stairs to the right. "She is very excited that you are here today."

"I'm really glad I could make it today." Kiera answered.

"Hello Kiera." Tina said as she came down the stairs. Kiera noticed that she stopped short at the landing as Kiera limped over to her using a cane, "What happened to you Kiera."

"I had a slight jogging accident yesterday," Kiera waved her hand as if to say it was nothing. "Not paying attention and my head in the clouds."

"I made some tea and sandwiches for us in the family room." Kiera heard Sally say with a slight strain in her voice.

"Will Mr. Taylor be joining us?" Kiera inquired.

"Mr. Taylor is working at the docks today." Sally replied.

Kiera nodded and followed Sally and Tina down the small hallway to the family room. Kiera observed family pictures on the walls. She determined that they were a close knit family, but everyone has their secrets. Kiera discovered the family room to be warm and inviting. The smell of Earl Grey tea hung in the air. Kiera saw a pot of tea on a warming pad, teacups and sandwiches on a small plate in the middle of the room on a table.

"This is lovely room." Kiera said, "It feels warm and cozy in here. Do you read in here often?"

"Yes, this is my favorite room to read in." Sally beamed, "Please take a seat."

"Thank you again." Kiera said sat down on the couch and Tina served her some tea.

"I really cannot remember the last time I had Earl Grey." Kiera said and took a small sip of the tea. "I hope you did not go through a lot of trouble making all this?"

"Tina speaks highly of you as a therapist and a friend." Sally explained, "I want to show how gratefully we are to have a wonderful person like you."

Kiera blushed slightly at the comment, "thank you, Sally." Kiera patted the woman's hand. "Shall we get started then?" At those words Kiera felt Sally tense. "Again Sally there is nothing to worry about. Tina is a wonderful, bright teenager. She cares deeply form you and her father." Sally's shoulders relaxed a bit. "She did ask me to talk to you about something important to her."

"What is so important?" Sally asked in a choked voice. Kiera watched Sally look from Kiera to Tina.

"Would you like to tell her Tina or shall I explain." Kiera asked in a soft voice.

"I think it would be best if I tell her, Kiera." Tina responded with determination and Kiera watched as Tina took a deep breath and clenched her hands into fist. Kiera knew she was trying to protect herself, but also knew she wanted to tell her mom. The gesture reminded Kiera of when she was young and she told her parents about how Ryan and she were dating.

Kiera smiled slightly at the memory. 'They had been so young then.' Kiera thought.

"Ma, I have been seeing a boy in town and I really like him..."

"You have been what?" Sally interrupted her daughter and Kiera heard her voice raise, "Have you been sleeping with this boy?"

"It is nothing like that, Ma." Tina said defensively as she looked down at her hands.

"Then what is it like, Tina." Sally asked.

Kiera knew now was the time to interject and stop this before it got out of hand, "Sally please let your daughter talk." Kiera said in a calm voice and placed a hand on hers. "It is important that we remain calm. Anger will not solve anything right now." Kiera started directly at Sally.

Kiera watched Sally as she pursed her lips in disapproval. Kiera turned to Tina and nodded for her to continue.

Tina swallowed and continued, "I have not slept with him Ma. I really like him, but I do not want to do that. He has asked to see me late at night, but I'm torn."

Before Sally could say anything Kiera spoke, "Tina has mixed emotions about this situation as any teenager would. She feels pressured, but loves and respects her parents. Now I do not have children of my own. So I'm not an expert at parenting, but I do understand what it means to be in love for the first time and I'm sure that you do to Sally."

Kiera knew she was saying the right things. Sally nodded slowly in understanding. Kiera watched as Sally's facial muscles and shoulders relaxed. This was a sure sing that her words had sunk in.

"What do you want to do Tina?" Sally asked in a small helpless voice.

"I don't know Ma." Tina sniffed as a tear ran down her cheek, "I would like for you and Da to meet him, if that would be possible. He is a very smart boy."

"I think that would be great." Sally said moving closer to her daughter and hugging her. Kiera sat there quietly sipping her tea as the mother and daughter hugged each other. Now was the time for them to bond.

"I'm...I'm so sorry Ma." Tina cried.

"My dear you don't have to apologize." Sally said soothing as she stroked her daughters hair. "Just talk to us. We will try to listen."

"That sounds like great advice Tina." Kiera added.

Both mother and daughter stopped hugging and Sally handed Tina a tissue. After Sally and Tina wiped away their tears, Sally turned to Kiera.

"Thank you Kiera for having Tina open up to me. She seemed so quiet and distance lately and I could not figure out what was going on." Sally explained.

"You are welcome." Kiera replied, "Tina is a brave teenager for opening up like this, but it has to continue with positive and meaningful communication." Kiera paused and looked at each of them, "This will have to include Mr. Taylor as well. I know that a father can be overprotective of his daughter and right so." Kiera saw how Sally tensed at the mention of this and knew that the husband probably had a short temper.

"I think we can do that." Sally said slowly and Kiera heard a tone of apprehension.

"I would be willing to help out." Kiera suggested. "I'm here if you need me."

"I think that would be helpful." Sally answered patting her daughter's hand.

Suddenly Tina gave Kiera a shocked wide eyed look, which stunned Kiera for a moment. "Is that an engagement ring on your finger?"

"What...? Oh yes it is." Kiera replied smiling brightly, "An old boyfriend proposed to me."

"You're getting married?" Tina said excitedly as she jumped up and ran over to Kiera, "Who is he?"

"His name is Ryan and we used to date back in high school and then college." Kiera explained and felt a pang of loss for the years that kept them apart.

"That is so romantic, like in the stories." Tina sighed dramatically.

"Congratulations Kiera." Sally said smiling too.

"Thank you." Kiera said.

"When are you two getting married?" Tina asked enthusiastically.

"We have not set a date yet, but we are flying to California in two weeks. My parents want to host engagement party on Christmas day." Kiera explained.

"How long will you be gone?" Tina asked as her enthusiasm changed to sadness.

"For about a month," Kiera answered, "And that reminds me, could you watch Ginger for me. He is a terrible flyer and I really think he likes you."

"I would love to watch Ginger." Tina perked up again.

"Thank you Tina. Now with that, I have to get a dinner planed in ready for Ryan." Kiera smiled and blushed slightly.

"Again thank you Kiera," Sally stood as Kiera stood and hugged her, "The Duchess was right in bringing you to our town. You are a great influence on the people here and Tina has taken a great liking to you."

"Mom" Tina said embarrassed.

"I'm happy that I can help out." Kiera replied feeling a lump in her throat.