Night Watch (Kendra Michaels #4)(70)
“I know all the explanations, but when it’s all said and done, it was a miracle for me.”
“But you’ve suddenly become uncomfortable with your miracle?” His gaze was narrowed on her face. “Or maybe not so suddenly. I can’t say that I haven’t seen a few signs emerging in the past few weeks.”
She’d known he’d probably been aware of the way she was feeling. He was the most brilliant person she’d ever met, and he’d grown to know her so well. She was only surprised that he’d waited for her to confront him with it instead of stepping in and dealing with the problem as he had all the rest of the obstacles they’d overcome together. “It’s not that I’m ungrateful, but it’s been an adjustment. And when I’m still trying to figure out what my new life is going to be like, I’m having to jump through hoops. The same speeches, the same questions, the travel, the hotels … I’m looking for normal, and I’m wondering if I’ll ever find it.”
“You will.”
“When?”
“Give it time.” He was suddenly beside her, gazing into her eyes. “Don’t you realize that you may never be what people call ‘normal?’ I knew the moment I met you that even if the operation didn’t work, you’d always be extraordinary. You had a disability, but you were still working to become all that you possibly could be.” He lifted her chin, and said quietly, “And that result would have been far from ordinary. Miracles don’t always happen in an operating room, Kendra.”
She couldn’t look away from him. He seemed to be trying to tell her something that had nothing to do with conferences and cold beer and everything to do with …
What?
But he’d stepped back and was turning away. “So protect that miracle. Let yourself have time to get priorities in order before you jump into the fray. Life out there can be scary, even terrifying.”
“Terrifying?” It was a strange thing for him to say. “I’m not afraid of terrifying. It’s only the unknown. It’s what people who aren’t protected by people like my mom and you face every day. It’s called life.” She turned toward the doorway to the auditorium, where a stage manager appeared. He spoke into his wireless headset and flashed his index finger, indicating one minute until showtime.
One minute, and she’d once more be drawn into that smothering darkness. One minute, and she’d feel the chains reaching out for her again.
Kendra whirled back to Waldridge. “I’ve given it all the time I can. This needs to stop.”
He tilted his head. “That sounds very defensive. No one’s making you do this, Kendra.”
“I know it.” She moistened her lips. “But sometimes it sure feels like it.”
“No.” Waldridge glanced toward the end of the corridor, where a tall, lanky man stood. Was that coincidence? Kendra wondered. The man wore a black suit and a crisp white shirt, and his appearance vaguely reminded Kendra of a Secret Service man … or an undertaker.
“Who is he?” Kendra asked.
“A supporter of the project.”
“I’ve seen you with him before. In Dallas and New York.”
“Yes.”
She frowned. “You speak differently to him than you do everyone else.”
Waldridge looked at her in surprise. “What do you mean?”
“With everyone else, with all your colleagues, you’re the main man. You’re the boss. Everyone is always trying to impress you. But not this guy. For some reason, you defer to him.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yes, it is.”
He stared at her for an instant and smiled. “Those eyes have become very sharp in these last months. He’s a very important supporter. Everyone has to defer to someone in this world.”
“Not you. You shouldn’t have to do that. Why hasn’t he ever introduced himself to me?”
“Perhaps he’s shy.”
“I don’t believe that.” She studied the man at the far end of the corridor. He stiffened and turned toward her as if he’d felt her looking at him. He stood there gazing at her for a long moment. Then he abruptly walked away, disappearing into the darkness. Kendra’s gaze shifted back to Waldridge. “I don’t like your ‘supporter.’ He wants me to keep on doing these dog-and-pony shows, doesn’t he?”
“It doesn’t matter to him. Not at all.”
“I believe it does. Why else would he be going to all these conferences? I’m not that fascinating.”
“Oh, but you are. You just haven’t found it out yet.”
“I haven’t found out a lot of things. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I know you think my appearance at these conferences help promote what you’re doing, and that’s why I’ve been on board for it.” She stared down the corridor at the spot where the lanky man had stood. “But I don’t like anyone thinking they’re so important that they can tell a man who works miracles what to do. And I don’t like the politics, and I don’t like the publicity. So you’re going to have to find another poster child. I’m bowing out. This is the last speech I’m giving for you guys.”
“Could we talk about this later?”