Hi, it's me, Maxi...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                      This is where I first began to write using a computer in July 2004. I had started writing a novel by hand and was thrilled to have a PC. It was exciting but I was anxious.

Lance Legouri is devastated when Isabella ends their affair and turns to his best friend. Marci Wenworth hides her own heartache as she advises Lance to leave.

In his months away on the Pacific Island of Yanga, Lance slowly recovers. Only his separation from Marci brings about a new discovery ... she is the one he truly loves. It is Marci who holds the key to his heart, she always has.

Lance writes her a letter, only Marci has just accepted André's proposal. She has been under a lot of stress lately and this news is more than she can handle; the Wentworth twin disappears. When Marci is found she has lost her memory...

Chapter Four

Six hours later, Dr. Marten tapped on the waiting room door as he entered. His smile told them the news was good.
     "Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle, your daughter is fine. She came through the surgery with flying colors." He pulled a chair from against the wall and faced the group.
     "We fixed the bleeding problem and the swelling has gone down. A drain has been placed inside the brain to remove any access blood from the surgery. This is only temporary. Marci came through the surgery okay, but it will be forty-eight hours before we know if there are any complications."
     "When can we see her?" Margaret asked.
     "It will be at least an hour before the nurses have her settled in the Neuro-ICU. It will be alarming when you see her ... lots of wires and machines. Another device in her brain is attached to a monitor that measures pressure. She is also on a respirator."
     "Why?" Jacob wanted to know.
     "We have put Marci deeper into coma, so that she won't feel any pain. We can't allow her to pull at any of the equipment."
     "So the prognosis looks good then," Lance stated.
     "I'm hopeful, forty-eight hours will tell us a lot more."
     Leticia spoke for the first time. "Doctor, will this injury effect Marci's memory?"
     "Head injuries and comas are very unpredictable. It doesn't hurt to be hopeful, but don't expect too much."
     "Does she have any other injuries?" Sam inquired.
     Dr. Marten shook his head, "Some bumps and bruises but nothing serious, luckily she was wearing the safety belt." Standing, he placed the chair back against the wall. "No more than two at a time in ICU. We encourage you to talk to Marci, touch her, let her know that you're there. I'll be in around eight am and two pm every day if you need me."
     D.A. stared after the doctor, chin in hand. "I wonder if we should have told him about Marci losing her memory."
     "I gave it serious thought," Sam responded, "but it wouldn't have made a difference. They can do nothing to bring her memory back. Each individual reacts differently to amnesia, depending on their situation."
     "Dad, do you think everything Marci is going through will make it worse?"
     "There's no way to know," he said gently.
     Always optimistic, Beatrice spoke up. "Maybe Marci will wake up and have her memory back; you never know."
     "Jeez Mom, it would be great if you were right. We would have a celebration, wouldn't we, Madi?"
     "You got that right, Jacob. I would be so..." Madi felt her cell phone vibrate. She pulled it from her pocket and darted for the hallway.
     The others gawked at one another, as they listened. They knew by Madi's tone it was André. There was always a slight impatience in her voice when she spoke to him. "I'm sure she'll understand," they heard her say. "Besides, she isn't going to wake up for at least forty-eight hours."
     When she returned, everyone stared at the floor or looked at their hands. Madi tended to be more outspoken than her sister. "You're not going to believe this, André's in France. Something important came up in the family."
     "Did he say what it was?" Margaret asked.
     "No, only that he had to be there."
     "I'm not surprised," Lance admitted.
     "Me either," Jacob added.
     "I don't get her," Madi pouted. "She could have any man, why him?"
     "Oooh, he's not that bad," Beatrice injected.
     The whole crew jumped on that one. "Oooh, yes he is."
     "Who is what?" Audrey asked rushing into the room, hair still wet, eyes wide with fright.
     Madi was on her feet and across the room. She threw her arms around her friend. "We're talking about André."
     "Thanks for calling. I left Richie at home with Harm. Have you heard anything?"
     Everyone took turns filling her in on what had happened. Audrey choked back the tears, but could not conceal her shaking hands at the horrible fate that had befallen her best friend.
     "The next forty-eight hours are going to be hell," she whimpered.
     Janice Grey felt her pain.; she had been intertwined with these people for twenty years and was close to all of them. Most especially Lance. She had been standing in the corner, unseen and unheard. It was time to go. She slipped up behind Lance and tapped him on the shoulder. Out in the hallway, Janice told him
that she had to get back to the office. The story would be on the six o'clock news; she needed to know how much she could report.
     "I'll have to bring her mother out, it's up to her."
     "I hate to ask, but I need time to get the report ready."
     "It's okay," Lance countered, "I understand."
     He returned with Sam, who extended a hand to Janice. "It's good to see you, wish it were under different circumstances. I don't want my wife to deal with anything, Janice. But look, we trust you. You can report this anyway you see fit.
Just don't say anything about Marci's memory loss. Margaret doesn't want it known."
     "You have my word, Dr. Carlyle." She shook his hand and he was gone.
     Janice reached out and took Lance by the arm, "I haven't had a chance to tell you how sorry I am. I've watched you and Marci and Jacob all these years. I know how much she means to you. I'm praying for her to pull through this, Lance."
     Unable to speak, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
     Tears were at the surface as Janice stepped back and took a deep breath. "I know this is inappropriate as hell, but I have to ask. Will you see if I can do a daily report on my six o'clock telecast?"
    Lance sighed and looked away for a moment. "Call me around nine in the morning. Dr. Marten comes at eight, it will give me a chance to talk to Sam."
     She squeezed Lance tightly, "You're still my guy." Then off she went, racing down the hall. Janice never missed a deadline.
     As he started into the waiting room, Madi and Audrey were leaving. "We're going to the cafeteria, try to eat something. You want to join us? Madi offered.
     "I don't know about food, but I could use a cup of coffee that doesn't come out of a machine."
     They crossed the hall diagonally, Madi pushed the button for the elevator. "I'm so glad that Dr. Marten is one of those doctors who tells you everything."
     "Yeah, this is not a time when I would want to pull teeth to get information," Audrey added.
     In the elevator, the girls continued to talk about Marci's condition. Madi was close to tears with every word; Audrey was putting on a brave front. Lance stayed silent, not trusting his own voice.
     In the cafeteria, they moved quickly through the line and headed for a corner table. Once they were settled, André's name came up.
     Madi shook her head, "I don't get that guy."
     "It's not a premonition, just my gut, but that man's hiding something," Audrey confided.
     "I'm with you on that one," Lance agreed. "When I called to tell him what happened I definitely felt that he was faking it about being upset."
     "I can't believe that Marci's going to marry that creep," Madi scowled.
     "She's not!"
     The girls snapped to—they had never seen this side of Lance. Sooner or later, everyone had become frustrated at his tendency to take "the path of least resistance." Madi had told him it would be his undoing one day. Lance knew she was right; the time had come for him to take a stand.
     "I'm sorry," he sighed.
     "Don't be," Madi insisted, "we're all on edge."
     "Not only that," Audrey followed, "we feel the same way."
     Lance looked at his hands, hooking his fingers together. "If she does come out of this, I'm going to do everything in my power to convince her to leave him."
     "I'm right there with you, buddy." No one had seen Jacob approach. He slid onto a seat, running his hands over a sleep-deprived face. "It's for sure that guy
doesn't have good intentions."
     "Is my mom okay?" Madi asked.
     "She's holding up great."
     "Has there been any more news?"
     Jacob shook his head, "Nope, not a thing."
     "I think we should contact Mike." Lance brought the conversation back to André.
     Audrey perked up, "I think you're right. This man's hiding something dark and evil."
     "Whoa," Jacob winced. "You think it's that bad?"
     They were animated now. André had been in Marci's life for over a year, professed to love her, had asked her to marry him, had even set a wedding date—yet she lay in a coma, close to death and he wasn't there. Where was he?
Lance intended to find out.
     During the next forty-eight hours the group took turns going home for quick naps, showers and clean clothes. Lance returned home with his mother and Jons. Once they were inside the manor, he nodded for Jons to follow him upstairs. Inside his sprawling suite with its king size poster bed, lage marble fireplace and leather settees, they made themselves comfortable.
     Jons had been with Lance all his life; their relationship was one of ease and camaraderie. Lance looked to Jons as a father figure, turned to him when he needed to talk man-to-man.
     "I need some advice, Jons."
     "Anything I can do to help, sir."
     "It's about Marci."
     "Oooh," a corner of Jon's mouth curled up.
     Lance pulled back, "You never miss a thing. You know how I feel about her, don't you?"
     "Ummm ... probably before you did."
     "I know you care about her too, Jons. I'll never forget that day you helped to save her life."
     Jons ducked his head. "Anyone would have done the same."
     "Oh no, they wouldn't have," Lance insisted. "The woman who broke into the castle that day was out of control. Marci and I didn't even see her at first; she was in the pool before we knew it. Next thing, she had Marci by the throat, forcing her underwater. She was like a crazed animal; I couldn't handle her alone. If you hadn't jumped into the pool to help me, I don't know what would have happened."
     "What a shock to find that she was a celebrity stalker, had been breaking into homes for years," Jons added.
     "Yes, but what a fun adventure to discover how she broke into the castle. All those years everyone thought it was an "old wives tale" about that underground tunnel."
     "Yes, it was fun. I truly enjoyed that exploit."
     "Tell me this, Jons. What do you think of André?
     The overseer shook his head, "This is not a good man."
     "I want to call detective Mike, have him checked out. What do you think?"
     "I think you need her family's permission. It's only a suggestion, but your mother is very close to her mother."
     "Will you check and see if mother is still up?"
     "Be back on the double, sir."
     He was stepping from the shower when Jons called out that Leticia was in the family kitchen. Lance toweled off, dressed in a hurry and rushed downstairs. His mother was in her robe, hair still wet, steam rising from a cup of tea. She looked surprised to see him.
     "I thought you would be sound asleep."
     Lance reached for the teapot, "I need to ask you something, Mother. It's about, André. He isn't what...
     "What he appears to be? I couldn't agree more."
     "What do you think of calling Mike?"
     Leticia was already shaking her head. "I have had the same thought for months. Of course, I would have to talk with Margaret."
     "What about Sam?"
     "That won't do."
     "Jacob, Audrey, Madi and I had a talk. We feel there's something real bad about this guy. He had almost no reaction when I told him about Marci. She's on her deathbed, Mother, and he's not here. That's not love."
     "Sam won't like it, but I have to call Margaret."
     Lance reached over and squeezed her hand, "Thanks."
While his mother called Margaret, he left the room to contact the detective. Mike was a real down-to-earth sort of guy. He had the look of an aging boxer, with bulging biceps and a military buzz cut. Lance explained the situation, asked if he was available.
     "It's another ten days before I wrap this case up, Lance. I can start on it then."
     "This has to be kept real quiet, Mike. I don't want anything to get back to André, or to Marci if she wakes up."
     "No problem, Lance, I understand. So, what can you tell me about this guy?"
     "His name is André Picard. He's thirty-six, average height, build, has this dark, brooding kind of look. He's a trial attorney, lives in Manhattan. He's an only child, born and raised in Toulouse, France; mother and aunt still live there. He's supposed to be with them right now."
     "Okay, buddy. I'll see what I can find out. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Say hi to your mother for me."
     "Thanks for taking this on so quickly for me, Mike. I appreciate it."
     "No problem. And Lance, keep your chin up, Marci's a fighter."
     "I will. Thanks again."
     He returned to the kitchen, where Leticia had finished her call.
     "How did it go?"
     "Everything's fine. I called Madi, had her talk with Margaret first. It went smooth after that." She didn't let on that she and Margaret had already discussed running a check on André.
     "Thank you, Mother. I so appreciate everything you do."
     "No thanks necessary, son. Marci is like a daughter to me."
     "I'm going back to the hospital now."
     "I'll be there shortly myself."
     He brushed her cheek before rushing through the house, skipping down the front steps. Jons had brought his car around front; Lance hopped in and headed for the back road. City driving was horrendous in Connecticut and Manhattan, so most drivers made their trips early morning or late evening.
     When he reached the hospital, Lanced slipped his Porsche into a spot in the parking lot and sat for a moment. It had been forty-nine hours, and Dr. Marten was ready to bring Marci out of the coma. By the time he reached the waiting room, everyone was there.
     Dr. Marten arrived ten minutes later. He pulled a chair from the wall and straddled it. The doctor took a deep breath and ran a hand across his mouth. "You need to understand that bringing Marci out of the coma doesn't mean she will wake up right away. It's not like waking up after a night of sleep. Also, movement doesn't mean she's awake ... it could be hours, days, even weeks. Every patient is different."
     "But if she opens her eyes, can she see? Will she know us?" Madi asked.
     "It's hard to say," the doctor answered.
     "Can we still talk to her? Touch her?" Jacob wanted to know.
     The doctor nodded, "Of course, she needs stimulation, but don't push."
     Audrey bit her lip, "Do patients ever talk when they wake up?"
     "Umm, it's pretty rare, at least not right away."
     "Doctor," Beatrice spoke up, "would it help to have a therapist?"
     "Absolutely." He leaned forward a little, "We have an excellent staff and rehab center right here at the hospital."
     "I'm sure that you do, but once she's able, I'll be taking Marci home," Margaret cut in. "We can provide all the therapy she needs."
     Dr. Marten smiled and pushed up from his chair. "Of course. I'll send the nurse in as soon as you're able to see her. Just remember not to expect too much in the beginning."
     As soon as he rounded the doorway, the buzz began.
     "Well, this is it," Jacob grinned. "I feel good. Bits is going to come out of this, I just know it."
     "Her greatest advantage is her strong will," Sam stated.
     "I know one thing," Madi quivered, "when the going gets tough, Marci puts her horns on."
     Leticia stood in the doorway, "Marci is a valiant woman, she's going to be just fine."
     As Jons and Leticia settled in their seats the conversation centered around Marci's actions when she awakened.
     Lance leaned forward, arms resting on his knees, staring at the floor. No one dared to mention the elephant in the room. He glanced over at Janice, no doubt she had the same thought. Would Marci still have amnesia?
     Margaret had given permission for Janice to update Marci's condition on the evening news, and she had been doing a great job. She revealed just enough, without giving away any secrets. Tonight's report would be the best so far. At least, that's what Lance hoped. He didn't expect miracles, but was confident that Marci would show signs of recovery.
     It was nearly two hours before a nurse entered the room. "You can go in now," she smiled. "Only two at a time."
     Sam looked at his wife and daughter, "You two go.
     "Dad, I don't mind..."
     "I insist."
     Without another word, they left the room, walked the short hallway, rounded the corner and the neuro-ICU. It wasn't a huge room, but it wasn't small either. It had that eerie kind of quiet, like walking on eggshells. The only sounds came from the machines, the ones that kept the patients alive.
     Margaret and Madi stood just inside the doorway, unsure of what to do. A dark-haired nurse attending one of the patients came to their aid. "May I help?"
     "We're here to see Marci Wentworth, " Madi whispered.
     "It's the bed right over there," she pointed.
     They crossed the room to the bed at the end. The women didn't know which was more alarming, Marci being lost amid all the wires and machines, or the fact that her eyes were open. They hadn't expected that.
     Madi could see that her mother was frozen and terrified, so she made the first move. Leaning close to her sister's ear, she whispered, "Marci?" She waved a hand in front of her face, there was no reaction. Gently she rubbed her Marci's arm, this time there was movement.
     "Marci, can you hear me? It's me, and mom..."
     Margaret moved closer to the other side of the bed; she took Marci's hand.

New York - Presbyterian Hospital

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Dolly Dancer is not like other kids on Sulu Island. Actually, she is allergic to them. She is confined to the valley, a place surrounded by a shield that her friends call the wall. It's the only place they can see her.

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When Tyler and Toni Longo move to the island everything changes, and for the first time Dolly has playmates.

But it's the Sea Whiffet that changes her life forever!

*comes in eBook

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Why does Lance drive the dark, deserted highways until he must pull his Porsche off the road
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Is it the recent attempt on his life, which he barely survived? Is it his whirlwind romance with
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