by Katt Rose
“I know, I know. I shouldn’t be driving. I just needed to see you.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know, to be quite honest.” Audrey sighed. “I know my memory is a fumbly thing but something doesn’t feel right.”
Concern took over. “Do you need to see a doctor?”
Audrey waved the thought away. “No, no nothing like that. I feel like someone has been watching the house, watching us.”
My blood ran cold. “What?”
“You know that feeling you get when someone’s watching you? I’ve been having that sensation lately. I told Sam and she shooed the idea away but I think she feels it too. She’s been quite jumpy, and seems distracted. She’s been talking to Jesus more too.”
I fought a smile at the last part. I bit my lip, pondering. “Have you received anything unusual lately?”
Audrey’s eyes burned into mine. “Unusual…as in a letter, perhaps?”
My face paled. “Yes.”
Audrey put down the mug and leaned close. “I thought it was just me.”
“How long have you received letters, Mom?”
Audrey closed her eyes, thinking hard. “They started shortly after Aaron. They’ve been very vague, simply acting as a reminder that the day was drawing near. They almost sounded like an apology until the most recent one.” Audrey looked up and grabbed my hand. “It mentioned you. Something along the lines of the prodigal daughter has returned home. It went on to blast our choice for coming back.”
Fear choked me. “Where’s the letter?”
Audrey looked apologetic. “I burned it. It frightened me and I didn’t want Sam to see.”
“Oh, Mom.”
“I know, I’m so sorry. I just needed to know you were okay.”
“Mine was similar,” I mused.
“It doesn’t make sense. Who would watch us, who would care?”
“I don’t know.”
Audrey clasped her hands together. “A part of my brain is reaching for something. There’s something I’m forgetting. I keep seeing a face, but it’s out of focus like I don’t have my glasses on.”
I leaned forward and reached for her. “It’s okay, Mom. We’ll figure this out.”
Audrey smiled and suddenly looked sheepish. “Promise you won’t judge me if I tell you something.”
“I promise.”
“I’ve been talking to one of the preacher’s at the church about, well, everything.”
“Ohhh, Mom.”
“You promised you wouldn’t judge!”
I held up my hands. “Sorry. Why?”
“They have a way of making me feel better, and though I don’t always understand the quotes they say, it feels like they help. It offers me some forgiveness.”
“Forgiveness? For what?
Audrey raised a brow. “I don’t know. There’s something I can’t quite remember, like I’ve said, but I know I didn’t mean to do it.” She paused, then smiled. “The music they play in church is rather good.”
I tried to decipher my mother’s words and forced a laughed. “Oh, Lord have mercy. You’re converting on me.”
Audrey barked a laugh. “Not at all. Trust me, honey they couldn’t handle me.”
I glanced at the time. “I don’t feel comfortable with you driving yourself this late. How about you stay here tonight?”
“That sounds lovely.”
I stood up and locked the front door. “This way to the guest room.”
Once Audrey was settled in, I checked the house one more time before retreating to the bedroom. I put in a quick call to my aunt and updated her on my mother’s whereabouts. My eyes wandered to the bed where Chase lied flat on his back, out like a light. I smiled and settled next to his warmth. My mind wandered to the letters and the purpose of them. Who felt the need to send a constant reminder of something we could never forget? And who would care that we returned to where it all began?
CHAPTER NINETEEN
I awoke to an empty bed. Voices carried from downstairs, jarring me awake. I kicked on my slippers and went downstairs. The smell of bacon and coffee filled my lungs.
“Good morning!”
I smiled at Audrey who looked giddy. “Morning, Mom.”
She tilted her head toward Chase and lowered her voice. “I hear he got into a tussle defending his loyalty for you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Hush.”
“You’re going to have such beautiful children.”
I sent my mom a mock glare and met Chase by the oven as he scrambled eggs. “Morning, sunshine.” I peeked at his face. “Oh, hun.”
Chase tried to grin. “I know. I look awful.”
“How did you sleep?”
“Apparently very well. It sounds like you had quite the eventful evening.” He raised a brow.
“Hm.”
“Uh-huh.”
I placed my hands on his chest. “How about you have a seat. I’ll take it from here.” I grabbed his coffee mug and handed it to him. “Go, relax.”
He gave me a kiss on the top of my head. “Thanks, babe.” He turned and stopped. “Oh, by the way there’s no way you’re living in that carriage house. Especially after everything your Mom told me.”
My jaw dropped and I shot Audrey a look of betrayal. She shrugged her shoulders and gave a feeble grin. “I guess we can pick my things up after we drop off my Mom.”
Chase smirked. “Yes, dear.”
I rolled my eyes and focused on getting breakfast ready. After we ate, we dropped Audrey off. I met Sam at the front door. “Aunt Sam?”
“Yes?”
“Is everything okay here with you guys? Have you felt uneasy at all?”
Sam tsked. “Your mother ‘s been going on I see.”
“Aunt Sam-”
“It’s nothing to worry about. I haven’t noticed anything unusual. Your mom keeps bringing it up; it’s like when you watch a scary movie and you get the initial jitters is all.”
“Okay,” I said slowly. “Well, if you need me you know where I am.”
“Thank you. Have a good day.”
“You too.”
Chase and I swung by Elayna’s and I packed up what was left of my belongings. We placed everything in Chase’s truck and I surrendered my keys.
Elayna opened her hand and smirked. “Well, that was the shortest rental opportunity ever.”
I winced. “I’m sorry, I—“
Elayna held up her hand. “I’m happy for you. Go. Go enjoy that home of yours.”
I grinned. “I will. See you soon.”
Chase walked me to my car. “I’ll see you in a bit?”
“Give me a couple of hours. I need to take Ace out for a good run.”
He grinned and gave me a soft kiss. “See you at home.”
Home. My stomach danced. “You will, see ya later.”
As Chase’s truck bounced away, I unlocked my car. My hand froze in mid motion; the car was already unlocked. I thought back and could have sworn I locked it. Yes, I know I did. I opened the door hesitantly and scoured inside. Nothing seemed out of place, though the air was slightly off. I slid inside hesitantly and opened the glove box. A white envelope with the familiar cursive fell out. I watched the envelope fall to the floor and my heart deflated. They’ve been in my car. I took a deep gulp of air and reached for the envelope. I gingerly opened it and pulled out the letter.
“Why would you come back? I don’t want to remember, and now I see the both of you. You shouldn’t be here. Leave, I don’t want to see you. Don’t make me remember. She needs to forget.”
My breath came out in gasps. “I don’t understand,” I whispered. My mind rattled on thinking of a possible explanation. It found nothing. I shakily started the car and tested the brakes before heading to the main road. Everything seemed to work. I parked in front of the barn and headed for the field.
“Ace! Come here buddy.”
A joyous sound broke the still afternoon. Hoof beats tore my way and my heart set fi
re. “Hey, handsome. Wanna go for a ride?”
I clucked to Ace and slipped the halter over his head. I led him to the barn and clipped him in the crossties. I busied myself giving him a quick groom and once over. “Be right back bud. We need your saddle today.”
I entered the tack room and swung his bridle over my shoulder. Movement caught the corner of my eye and I turned. Miranda Brooks stood in the room, lost in space. Her fingers fiddled with a cross on her necklace.
“You’re religious?” Miranda turned quickly to face me and I wish I kept my mouth shut. “Oh, sorry,” I stuttered. “I didn’t mean for it to sound that way.”
“Like an accusation?” she snapped.
“Sorry, you just don’t strike me as the religious type.”
Miranda raised a brow. “What makes you say that?”
“To be blunt, you’ve never been that nice of a person. Especially when it comes to me.”
Miranda’s face flushed. “You always take things from me,” she growled. “You deserve everything that’s come your way. You and your family.” With that, she shoved past me.
I watched her stalk down the aisle in shock. I grabbed Ace’s saddle and swung it on him. Once he was tacked up, I placed my foot into the stirrup and swung myself up. “Let’s go bud. I need you to help me with something.”
I chose our usual trail in the beginning, but instead of heading deeper into the woods, I took a cut in the path that led us along the back roads of town. I made sure Ace stuck to the side of the road and kept him to a walk. Ace tipped his ears forward, breathing in the new smells. His head danced left to right, taking in the new route. I leaned forward and gave his neck a pat. “Good boy. I’m throwing you out of your routine, I know. Sorry.”
As we began to approach Delway Street my pulse quickened and a cold sweat began to trickle down my back. Ace’s pace faltered as he sensed the tension in me. He began to toss his head and dance nervously. “It’s okay,” I muttered. “Good boy, easy does it.”
I tried to calm myself, knowing I was sending danger signals to my horse. Ace was normally unflappable but he was feeding on my fears. I pulled him to a halt and stared at the quiet road before me. It was straight and flat with a single twisted tree next to the ditch on the sides. It’s so straight. So flat. What happened, Aaron?
I placed a hand against Ace’s neck to steady him. I began to look at the road with a new set of eyes. I clucked for him to walk on and he took choppy steps forward. As we came closer to the tree, I saw it; my mind flashbacked to that night releasing a memory. There were two sets of skid marks that night. Not one, but two. I closed my eyes and began to dig through the depths of my mind. We pulled up behind him. Something’s not right. What am I missing? My eyes flew open. I looked around and Ace stood where it happened. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.
I pressed my heels to Ace’s side and leaned forward. “Let ‘er fly,” I yelled.
Ace pulled back, then shot forward like a bullet. His hooves kicked up snow as we took off. He ran at break neck speed; I didn’t even notice the car that watched us from a careful distance.
Once Ace was groomed and tucked in for the night I began to pack up my things for the drive home. My cell rang and I answered. “Hello?”
“Hi, do you have plans this evening?”
“Hey, Mom. Nothing in particular, I was going to head home.”
“Would you and Chase like to join us this evening for church?”
“Come again?”
“You heard me. It’s a yes or no.”
“Er, I’m going to have to get back to you on that. I’m not sure we’re church people.”
“We leave in one hour. I hope to see you there.”
I hung up the phone and drove home. I met Chase in the garage as he tinkered away. I relayed him on the invitation. He laughed at my tone and shrugged. “Sure, why not. Let’s go check it out.”
My jaw dropped. “Really?”
“Yeah, it seems to be important to your mom, we should at least check it out.”
“Oh, I suppose.”
Chase wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. He nibbled at my neck. “I need a shower, care to join me?”
“You mean commit a sin before church?”
Chase smiled and gave me a slow kiss. “Mm, sounds good to me. We’ll ask for forgiveness later.”
I laughed and allowed myself to be dragged away. Once we were freshened up and changed we made our way to church. I stared up at the concrete building with the chapel roof. “Huh,” I mused.”We’re here.”
Chase took my hand in his. “Let’s go find your mom and aunt.”
He led me into the building and we entered a large lobby. Tables hosting food and beverages were on display while a crowd mingled about. Curious eyes glanced our way, and I wanted to bolt. Chase sensed my uneasiness and he gave me a reassuring squeeze.
“Well, well. Is that Miranda?”
I followed Chase’s gaze and my face dropped. “We should go.”
Miranda’s face fell in surprise as she stared back at us. When she glanced at Chase she gave an alluring smile. Once her eyes landed on me, she darkened. A man stood behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. It took her by surprise as she turned. Her features fell into recognition as they broke into a conversation. Miranda walked toward us and the man followed. He was in his mid sixties, had greying hair and pale blue eyes.
The man held out his hand and shook Chase’s first. “Welcome, I haven’t seen your faces here before.”
Chase gave an apologetic grin. “No, we don’t come here very often.”
“Not to worry. We welcome newcomers all the time, the more the merrier.” His blue eyes squinted as he studied Chase’s marred face, still fresh from his fight. Chase pulled his hand back and looked away. The man didn’t say a word as he continued his study. His eyes turned to me and he smiled softly, taking my hand gently. “Welcome.”
I forced myself to make small talk. “Thank you, and you are?”
“Reverend Brooks.”
Chase and I looked at each other in surprise. His eyes fell onto Miranda and she smirked. Chase shut his eyes tightly and looked uncomfortable. I cleared my throat. “Miranda’s your daughter?”
“She is. I take it you all know each other.” Reverend Brook’s eyes landed on Chase. “Some more than others.”
My mouth opened to protest but nothing came out. I wondered how many strikes that would be against us if I back talked a Reverend. In that moment my mom and aunt walked into view.
Audrey did a double take and hopped toward us. “Oh, I’m so glad to see you kids!” She looked back to the Reverend. “This is my daughter.”
He smiled warmly. “Ah yes, the famous Emmy. We just met.”
Audrey placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head. She chuckled. “You two look uncomfortable being here. Don’t worry, you’ll do fine.”
The Reverend spoke up. “Make yourselves at home, please have some food.”
Audrey glanced toward the table. “You should add wine to the beverage list.”
Chase burst out in laughter as I grew smaller. “C’mon,” he said. “Let’s go find our seats.”
As Chase led me away, I grabbed my mom’s elbow for her to follow. I caught aunt Sam’s eyes and she bustled after us. We found our seats in the pew and I shivered. “It’s freezing in here. They must do this on purpose so you don’t fall asleep.”
“Emmy, shh.” Aunt Sam scolded. “Please behave.”
I crossed my legs and leaned in to Chase. “You broke the heart of a Reverend’s daughter. That’s got to be a big sin somewhere.”
He shot me a look. “I had no idea. Did you see the way he looked at me? I thought I was going to get struck down by lightning.”
I patted his leg reassuringly. “I’ll pray for you,” I teased.
Chase glared but before he could protest the Reverend went up and began his sermon. As he drawled on, my mind and eyes began to wander. I glanced across the
row and Miranda sent death glares my way. Chase looked bored. Aunt Sam was completely enthralled. My eyes settled on my mom and my heart sank. Confusion was heavy in her features as she looked around, unsure of where she was. She tried to focus on what the Reverend said but her eyes kept darting around the room. Her eyes landed on mine and she studied me. Her head tilted left to right, trying to place me in her mind. I offered her a small smile.
I nudged Aunt Sam and leaned close. “Mom’s gone.”
Aunt Sam jumped in surprise and studied her sister. Sadness filled her eyes and she quickly leaned in, whispering in my mom’s ear. Whatever she said seemed to ease her and she relaxed in her seat. I sighed angrily and leaned my head against Chase’s shoulder.
The Reverend’s voice faded away until he asked, “are there any questions?”
I raised my voice without a second thought. “At what point is enough, enough? How much loss can one person take in their lifetime?”
The Reverend smiled. “Ah, good question. God will never throw you things in life you can’t handle. He always has a plan. What may seem like a loss to you is a lesson. Listen and learn from it.”
I glanced at Chase. “That tells me nothing.”
Once the Reverend stepped down, Aunt Sam took my mom by the hand and hurried to him. Chase and I followed out of curiosity. “Can you spare us some time to talk, Reverend? It’s happened again.”
He took one look at Audrey who was rather subdued as she gazed around. “Yes, of course. Come to my office.” He halted for a second and met my gaze. “You are more than welcome to join.”
I nodded firmly. “I will.” I grabbed Chase and yanked him in with us, giving him no choice in the matter.
The Reverend sat in his leather chair that creaked in protest. He clasped his hands together and leaned forward. His eyes bored into me. “Emmy, was it?”
“Yes.”
“I assume your question this evening was directed toward your mother.”
“Amongst other things, yes. What kind of lesson is this? How is this fair?”
The Reverend sat deep in his chair. “Perhaps it’s a consequence; those are the hardest teachings of all but they possess a powerful lesson to be learned from.”
