Amnesia

Chapter Seven – Mallory

CHAPTER SEVEN

Mallory

It took everything I had not to rub away the strange feeling in my chest as I walked out of Liam’s bedroom and back into the kitchen.

I couldn’t deny he was handsome and sweet, and I knew he was worried about my safety.

What I couldn’t allow myself to do was fall for him.

My emotions were all over the place after my ordeal, and right now, he was my knight in shining armor, the man who’d saved me, and my only friend.

I needed to remember that. Also, what if I had a boyfriend, or even a husband.

I drew in a slow, deep breath and exhaled.

Liam entered the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, looking at the contents. “I can make a pasta salad. I also have some soup that I made last week and froze.”

“That sounds good. What can I do to help?”

He took out a block of cheddar cheese, an onion, and the remainder of a pepperoni stick. “If you can cut the cheese into small squares, and cut the pepperoni into slices, then into quarters, I’ll get the soup heated up. Do you like onions?”

I shrugged. “I’m not sure if I like them or not.”

He screwed up his face and said, “I’m sorry. I keep forgetting.”

“It’s okay. I’m sure we’ll slowly discover what I like and don’t like.”

Grinning, he said, “I guess so.” Then he quickly sobered. “I hope you’re not allergic to anything.”

I looked up from where I’d placed the cheese on a cutting board Liam had handed me. “Yikes. I hope not as well.”

As I got to work on the cheese, he put the frozen soup into a pot, heating it up, and then started boiling water for the pasta.

“You don’t have a microwave?” I asked.

“I do,” he said as he pointed to a spot on the island. “It’s down there. Next to it is a wine cooler. I wonder if you like wine?”

I shrugged. “Only one way to find out.”

He chuckled. “I guess so. I’ll open a bottle at dinner tonight. Speaking of, will you excuse me for a minute?”

“Sure.”

He pulled his phone out of his back pocket and headed down the hall that led to his bedroom and office.

I cut the cheese slices in half and made cubes. Glancing around the kitchen, I wondered where the serving bowls were. “If I were a big bowl, where would I be?”

“Middle cabinet right there, first shelf.”

I jumped at the sounds of Liam’s voice. “That was a quick call.”

His cheeks turned a light shade of pink, and I wondered if he’d called a woman. Maybe I actually was disrupting his life in a very major way. I hadn’t even asked him if he was dating anyone.

“Liam, I didn’t even ask if you’re seeing anyone?”

Shaking his head, he said, “I’m not. I called Randy and invited him over for dinner tonight. I didn’t tell him about you, though. I know my cousin, and he would have hightailed it over here right now if I had.”

“Oh,” I replied as my stomach churned slightly. I hoped that Randy could be trusted. Then a scary thought entered my mind—what if his cousin was the guy who’d kidnapped me?

“Hey, are you okay? You went white as a ghost.”

Forcing my thoughts away, I nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. Just letting my imagination get away from me.”

He studied me for a few seconds before turning away. I opened the cabinet and asked, “What size bowl?”

“The medium glass bowl will be good.”

I took it out and set it on the island. “Is this enough cheese?”

Glancing at my handiwork, Liam replied, “That’s a perfect amount. Use the rest of the pepperoni stick, though.”

“Yes, sir,” I said as I gave him a salute. Midway through cutting the pepperoni, I asked, “How do I know how to do all of this, yet I can’t remember who I am? And I knew how to use your laptop. None of it makes sense.”

Liam looked over at me. “I’m not sure. I don’t know the first thing about amnesia. You could be subconsciously forgetting who you are. Or maybe when he hit you over the head, it impacted a part of your brain that holds certain memories? I’m not sure. We can probably google it.”

I let out a soft laugh. “Maybe it’s best if I don’t push it. I mean, it’s bound to come back to me sooner or later. At least I hope.”

His eyes were filled with compassion as he gave me a soft smile. “I’m sure it’ll come back. You had a small memory already today.”

Nodding, I replied, “That’s true.”

Once the pasta was cooked, he ran it under cold water to cool it down, letting it drain for a few minutes. He then poured it into the bowl with the cheese, pepperoni, and some diced onion. He poured Italian dressing over the top and stirred to coat everything.

“I think it tastes better if you put some dressing in, let it sit for at least thirty minutes, then pour the rest in. But we’ll be okay. I’ll save some dressing to pour on the leftovers, though.”

My stomach took that moment to growl. “It looks yummy.”

“All the plates and bowls are in the cabinet right behind you, above the dishwasher. Can you get us two bowls each?”

“Sure.”

I quickly removed the bowls, then opened the drawer under that cabinet and lucked out, finding the silverware.

“Would you like to sit out back? It’s a beautiful day.”

“Yeah, that sounds lovely,” I said, glancing out the window to see Piper sunning in the grass.

While Liam filled our bowls with what looked like vegetable soup, I served us some pasta salad.

“There are a couple of beers in the fridge, or that left drawer has Cokes and bottled waters. Take your pick, but I’ll take a beer.”

Opening the refrigerator drawer, I stared at the contents. I must have been staring for longer than I thought because Liam appeared beside me.

“Our soup is going to get cold if you contemplate your drink choices much longer. Here,” he said, leaning in, “take a Coke, a beer, and a bottle of water.”

I laughed as I handed him the beer, and he reached for a water. I did as he said and took all three.

“Good girl, Piper,” Liam said as we walked outside to see her guarding the table of food.

“You don’t think she snuck some food, do you?” I asked as I gave her a smile.

When she barked, we both laughed.

“I think you got your answer to that question.”

I slid onto a chair. “I guess so.”

Liam gave Piper a noodle and told her to stop begging. She took the treat and made her way back out into the yard and laid back down in the sun.

“She’s such a good dog.”

He nodded. “Tell me about it. I don’t know how I lucked out with such a chill dog. She’s my sweet girl.”

Smiling, I took a bite of the soup. “This is delicious.”

“Thanks,” he said as he blew on a spoonful of soup. “It’s my mother’s recipe.”

“Does she live here in Montana?”

His eyes instantly filled with sadness. “My parents both passed away almost seven years ago. They were behind a logging truck when its load came undone. My father tried to swerve out of the way, but ended up losing control of the car. Dad died instantly, and my mother passed a few days later.”

I instantly lost my appetite. “Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry, Liam. I feel terrible for asking.”

He gave me a soft smile. “You didn’t know, Mallory. I try to talk about them often, keep their memory alive and all of that.”

“Are you an only child?”

“No,” he said, his smile fading a bit. I could see a bit of tension when a muscle in his jaw twitched. “I have a younger brother. His name is Chad. We don’t really talk anymore.”

I used my fork to stab some of the noodles, cheese, and pepperoni and asked, “Do you mind if I ask why?”

“Don’t mind at all,” he replied, wiping his mouth with his napkin.

“Chad and I are only two years apart, but growing up, we were nothing alike. I loved the ranch, and he loved his computer. I loved horses; he loved helping my father tear things apart and put them back together. I loved sports; he enjoyed things like plays, museums, and the opera. We were totally different in every way possible.”

He smiled as he shook his head. “We fought like cats and dogs, and it would drive my mother insane. But, he’s my brother and I love him, always will.”

“So why don’t the two of you speak now?”

He sighed. “When my parents died, my father left me the entire ranch. Chad never showed an interest in the ranch, like I said. Ranching just isn’t his thing. Despite that, he was upset that our father left me the entire ranch. Which I understand, considering it’s sixteen-thousand acres.”

My brows arched. “Wow.”

“They left him a nice house with a few acres of land in Lewistown. It used to belong to my father’s mother, who passed away from cancer about ten years ago.

It’s an older historical home right outside of town.

He’s settled into his life there, and he seems happy.

He just got married pretty recently. Or actually… two years ago, now? Wow, time flies.”

“Did you go to the wedding?”

Grinning, he replied, “I did. His new wife, Krista, invited me. It was a beautiful wedding. I think she was trying to extend an olive branch.”

“Did it work?”

He shook his head. “Chad was pissed when he saw me there. We exchanged a few words but nothing more. I do agree with him, it wasn’t a fair deal that was left to each of us. I got thousands of acres, and he got an old house on some land. I would have been pissed too.”

I frowned. “I would think if I had siblings, I’d want to be close to them.”

“Does it feel like you might? Have siblings, I mean.”

Looking up as I thought about it, I laughed. “I have no idea if I do or not! If I do, they’d better be out there looking for me, though.”

Liam winked. “I can’t imagine anyone who knows you isn’t going crazy right now, looking for you.”

I glanced down at the soup. “I hope so.”

We ate in silence for a few minutes, and it was comfortable. I liked that Liam didn’t have to have every second filled with conversation.

“Do you think you and your brother will ever be close again?”

Tilting his head, he frowned. “We never were very close, but if he needed me, I’d be there for him.”

“I’m sorry, Liam.”

Shrugging, he replied, “Don’t be.”

A feeling of sadness washed over me as I wondered if I had a brother or sister out there who was worried about me. Parents, at least. Looking back up at him, I asked, “Are you going to tell him about me?”

“No. I don’t plan on anyone knowing about you except for Bubba and Randy.”

I nodded. My gut told me to reveal myself to as few people as possible. Of course, my gut also told me not to go to the police—and Randy was a police officer. But if Liam trusted him, then I would as well.

“I’m sure you think it’s a mistake, me not going to the police.”

He shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re going through emotionally right now, Mallory. And while I want this guy to be caught, my instincts are telling me we’re doing the right thing.”

I reached for his hand and squeezed it. “Thank you.” Drawing in a deep breath, I exhaled. “It’s so beautiful here. The air is so clean and crisp.”

A low rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance, and Piper jumped up and ran over to the table.

“Storm’s coming in, and Piper isn’t a fan of them. Why don’t you stay out here and enjoy the weather before it cools down and rains.”

I stood. “Let me help clean up, at least.”

Liam shook his head. “I’ve got this. Just enjoy the day and rest your feet.”

After Piper and Liam made their way back into the house, I stared out over the vast ranch that Liam owned. I wondered if he ever hiked into the hills and mountains. I made a mental note to ask if that was something we could do once my feet were healed, if I would still be here, that is.

Closing my eyes, I smiled slightly. The smell of rain was in the air, my belly was full, and for the first time in over a week, I truly felt safe.