Chapter 77

Kiki smiled. Although she appreciated the invitation, she had to keep reminding herself that he was just being nice, but she had to keep reminding her heart. It seemed to pound erratically whenever he came near her or said things like that. It was almost as if her heart had already claimed him as its own. "I'd love to, but only if you tell me what to bring."
Taren smiled. "Don't worry about bringing anything with you other than yourself."
"Here we go!" A male orderly walked in, pushing a wheelchair. "I hear that someone in here is ready to go home!"
Kiki smiled, knowing he meant well, even though he sounded a bit too chipper. "Yes, please."
"Well, hop right on in here and we'll get you going," he instructed, locking the wheels into place. Then he held it steady, just in case.
Kiki felt like an invalid, but sat in the wheelchair, as was instructed. "Home, James!"
The orderly laughed. "Well, I won't be taking you home. Just out to the parking lot." He laughed at his own joke.
"That's good enough for me." Kiki looked around for Taren and was relieved to see that he was following.
The orderly pushed her through many corridors until the automatic doors opened to the outside and cold air came rushing in along with a flurry of snow. Outside, she breathed in the cool air. Although her lungs still hurt a bit, she finally felt free.
"Man! It's good to be out," Kiki exclaimed.
Taren leaned over and whispered over her head. "I'm glad you're out."
She laughed. "Thanks. So am I."
"I'll be right back with my car," Taren announced and then ran off.
"I can wait here on the bench," Kiki told the orderly over her shoulder.
"No can do," he said, smiling. "But don't worry. I could use a little break. Been busy all morning."
A few minutes later, Taren pulled a Jeep Cherokee to a stop in front of Kiki. His lips curled into a sexy smile as he walked around the truck and held his hand out to her- and she took it. Just the simple gesture sent chills over her body. When she stood, her head spun a bit, but she said nothing, eager to get out. Knowing her luck, they would wheel her right back in if she told them.
"Thank you," Kiki said to the orderly as Taren tucked her hand in his arm.
"Have a great day!" the orderly beamed, and then turned the wheelchair around and headed back into the hospital.
Taren walked with her around the car and opened the passenger side door for her. "Up you go."
"I feel like an invalid." Kiki pulled herself up into the Jeep and Taren never left her until she was safely inside, and then he closed the door.
A moment later he climbed into the driver's seat, clicked his seatbelt into place, and then slid the car into gear. "How're you feeling?"
She nodded. "Okay. This is going to sound strange, but being out in the world is a bit overwhelming."
Taren looked over at her and smiled as he drove down the streets, headed toward The North Pole Lodge. "That's perfectly normal. You've been through a lot." His face suddenly turned sullen.
"If you don't mind," Kiki began, "I'd like to go by my house to see if they'll let me grab some of my things- or if there's anything left worth saving."
Taren nodded. "Okay, but let's go by the lodge first. Liam is expecting us."
"Uh oh. Should I be worried?" Kiki raised an eyebrow.
Taren smiled. "Very."
Kiki laughed, enjoying being with Taren. Although she had always felt completely out of his league, now she felt completely at home and relaxed with him. In high school, she had always liked him and had thought of him as a friend and knew he was a good guy. Now, she felt as if she was finally getting to know him- who he really was. And so far, she liked what she saw. But she quickly pushed the thought aside, knowing he was just doing this to help her out. Once this was over, she knew he would go his own way.
"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked, bringing her from her reverie.
She shook her head. "Nope. Not a chance."
One corner of his lips curled into a smile. "Oh, come on. It can't be that bad."
She smirked. "Oh, you have no idea."
He laughed aloud- and she liked the sound a bit too much.
A few moments later, Taren pulled the car past Candyland Playground--a popular park for the children--and made a left, past evergreens covered with newly fallen snow. At the end of a huge curve, a majestic castle rose from the snow. It was as if it had been planted there, and then a ski resort added behind it for good measure.
"It's beautiful," she breathed.
Taren nodded. "Yes, it is." He pulled the car to a stop and then looked into her eyes. "Is this the first time you've ever been here?"
She shook her head. "No, I've been here several times, but I never tire of seeing it."
A broad smile spread across his lips. "Neither do I." He reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You ready for this?"
She sighed. "As ready as I'll ever be."
"Stay here," he instructed and then got out of the car. A rush of cold air hit her as her door opened a moment and Taren held his hand out to her. "Shall we?"
Kiki felt a shiver as she took his hand and let him help her out of his Jeep. "You know, I could get used to this," she said as they headed up the front steps.
He smirked as he opened the door and then whispered just over her head, "Good. I hope you do."
"Surprise!"
"Welcome!"
"Congratulations!"
When Kiki looked up, a lot of people filled the foyer of the resort clapping.
A gentleman dressed in a power suit and sporting an impeccably kept day-old beard approached, extending his hand. "Welcome to The North Pole Lodge. I'm Liam White, general manager. We were sorry to hear about what happened, and you're welcome to stay for as long as you like. If you need anything during your stay, please don't hesitate to let us know."
"Thank you so much." Tears filled her eyes as she let him take her hand. "This is so kind of you."
"Well, any friend of Taren's is a friend of mine." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and then let it go. "When he told me what had happened, we were eager to help." He gave Taren's shoulder a manly squeeze.
"Thank you, Liam." Taren smiled. "You're very generous."
A smile lit Liam's lips. "Well! Enough of that. Let's show you to your room, shall we?"
Kiki nodded. "Yes, please."
The people started walking away, and talking amongst themselves.