“Can you get me some water?” he asked, and I poured him a glass from the blue plastic pitcher on the standing tray pushed out of the way against a wall.
“I’m surprised Brindleson was at the lake,” I said over my shoulder. “I didn’t expect him to be there.”
“I’ve been thinking about that. The only thing I can come up with is that your questions raised an alarm for him and he decided to clean up loose ends.”
“Loose ends? You mean Marilee.”
“Yeah.”
I gritted my teeth to stop them from chattering as a chill ran down my back. With a sob, I said, “He was going to kill her . . . because of me.”
“Stop, Kelly. Stop. You can’t think that way. First of all, he always planned to kill her. He was starving her and she wouldn’t have lasted much longer as it was. Second, it’s only because of you that we found her at all. Come on, don’t cry. It’s because of you that she’s alive.” He looked like he was about to try to get out of bed and I rushed to his side, almost spilling the water I was carrying.
“Stay there. I’m okay.” I wiped my eyes and sat down next to the bed, suddenly feeling awkward. “I’m sorry. I know I’m being weird.” I handed him the glass of water. “How do you feel?” I asked, fighting to keep any more tears from falling.
He peered at me, frowning for a moment, then his face relaxed. “I think I’m better than I was.”
“The doctor said you might be released today. Do you feel like it would be too soon?”
“Hell, no. Being stuck in this bed is torture. If I’m going to be lying around, I’d rather do it at home.”
In another example of miraculous timing, the doctor stuck his head in, a cheery smile on his face. “How are we feeling today?”
“Not bad. When can I get out of here?”
The doctor frowned. “I’d like to keep you one more night.”
“I’d rather recover at home. I’m okay. Some pain, but it’s manageable. I’ve been up this morning to use the bathroom and didn’t have any problems with balance or anything. So, can you spring me?”
“Do you have anyone to stay with you at home? I don’t think being alone, at least for tonight, is a good idea.”
“No, I—”
“He can stay with me tonight. I’ll keep an eye on him,” I said quickly, before my brain could kick in with all the reasons it would be a bad idea.
Rob looked at me as if I’d sprouted a second head. I smiled and nodded.
“Okay. If she’s okay with it. Does this mean you’re letting me out?”
“I’ll start the paperwork. You should be free in an hour.” He took a step toward the door, and turned back. “I just want to thank you, and you, Ms. Harris, for what you did yesterday.”
“Could we see her? Marilee, I mean?” I asked.
“I think that could be arranged. Take care.”
With the doctor having left, I suddenly felt embarrassed, barely able to meet the question in Rob’s eyes.
“What?” I asked defensively.
“Nothing. Just surprised. I mean—”
“If you’re bent out of shape over the ‘date’ word, I didn’t mean it the way you took it.”
“Really.”
“No, I didn’t. I just meant maybe we wouldn’t want people to get the wrong idea.”
“The wrong idea.”
“Yeah, the wrong idea. I mean, we aren’t dating as far as I know. If we are, let me in on it.”
“I thought you weren’t ready for, you know, anything.”
“I did say that. Yes. But things change sometimes.”
Glaring at him, I stood. “Why are you making a big deal out of this?”
“Me? You’re the one who’s focused on the word ‘date.’ Obviously, it’s a big deal to you. And, I have to say, you’re putting out mixed signals. What is it you want?”
“I don’t want anything. I simply said I’d be happy to watch you overnight since the doctor seemed to think it was important for you not to be alone. If you don’t want to, that’s fine, too.”
He didn’t say anything for a long moment, and attempted a crooked grin. “Our second slumber party.”
It also took me a moment to shake off the remnants of the dance we were engaged in. But, looking at his face, seeing the softening of his eyes, I let my anger go. “Doesn’t mean we’re going to make this a recurring event.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said with a smile.
Chapter 30
O
W
ith Rob’s discharge papers in hand, he was ready to make a beeline out of the hospital, with a detour to see Marilee on the way. I walked slowly, in case he needed a hand, and reached the elevator first. When we stepped off the elevator on the third floor, it was obvious which room was Marilee’s. A multitude of people were milling around the waiting area, a few in the hallway outside, and I looked questioningly at Rob. “Should we do this or make a break for it?”
“We’ll have to face them sometime. Let’s get it over with.”
I hoped that we would be unnoticed. I was wearing the sweatshirt Jen had brought, and Rob was in a pair of sweats I’d purchased in the gift shop since his clothes were bloodstained and ruined. There was nothing to indicate we were the wounded heroes.
A few heads turned to scrutinize us when we drew near the door to Marilee’s room. We ignored the looks and stepped inside. Jane looked up from where she sat beside Marilee’s bed and beamed a hello.
Turning to her daughter, she said, “Marilee, these kind people saved you. This is Kelly Harris and Rob Porter.”
Marilee’s face split into a huge grin, and she held out her arms to me. I, of course, rushed to embrace her, sitting on her bed.
“I remember you,” she said.
“I didn’t think you were awake,” I said, “but I’m happy you remember us.”
People in the hallway outside the room, realizing who we were, swarmed the doorway, and Nick and a nurse shooed them out and closed the door. I shot him a thankful smile.
“The man took me,” Marilee said, matter-of-factly. “I was afraid, but then you came.”
“That man is in jail,” Rob said. “He can’t hurt you or any other little girl ever again.”
She looked up at him with big, expressive eyes.
“How are you feeling, sweetie?” I asked, stroking her hair. “We’ve been thinking about you and hoping you were better.”
“I’m not scared anymore. Thank you for saving me,” she said solemnly.
“You’re welcome. We’re really happy we found you.” I cradled her in my arms, her head on my chest.
She said something I didn’t quite hear, and I bent my head closer. “What did you say, honey?”
“I said, I’m sad.”
“You are? Why are you sad?” I asked.
“Because Emma’s alone now.”
Everyone’s heads whipped around. “Who’s Emma?” her mother asked.
“You know, don’t you,” she said to me.
I held my breath, not knowing what to do.
“Emma is my friend. She talked to me when I was scared.”
“I know Emma is very happy that you’re safe.”
“Will you tell her?”
“Of course, we will.”
Jane was looking at me, her face a question mark. “Who is Emma?”
“Can we talk about that later?” I asked.
She looked skeptical, but nodded.
Rob stepped closer and knelt by the bed, grimacing at the pain. “Marilee, I’m Rob. I wanted to tell you it’s wonderful to meet you.”
Marilee smiled a small, embarrassed smile. “I like you,” she said.
He laughed. “I like you, too. I hope that, when you’re home again, Kelly and I can take you out for ice cream sometime. Would you like that?”
“I would love that,” she said.
The nurse cleared her throat. “Marilee n
eeds her rest now.”
Rob and I looked at each other, and stood. I squeezed Marilee’s hand. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”
She nodded as she scooted down, her head on the pillow.
Rob handed Nick his card. “If you need anything, please feel free to call me. I’m sure you have questions.”
Nick thanked him, and Rob and I prepared to meet the onslaught waiting on the other side of the door.
Rob opened the door and extended his arm to clear people out of our way. Cameras flashed in our faces and he slipped an arm around me, trying to shield me from the press.
“It’s an ongoing investigation and I can’t talk about it,” he responded to the questions shouted by the crowd, snaking our way through it. “No comment,” he said as the questions didn’t stop.
It seemed that the paparazzi intended to follow us all the way out of the hospital, but the nurse had the foresight to call for security, and they held back the crowd to give us a chance to escape.
We rushed through the hospital, choosing to leave by way of the emergency room, in case more reporters were waiting at the front entrance.
“I guess we’ll have to go to your house later to pick up some clothes and stuff?” I asked, helping him into the car while the Uber driver held the door.
“Sounds good. I could use a toothbrush.”
I laughed. “I’m with you on that. I’d kill for a toothbrush.”
Rob leaned his head back against the seat and closed his eyes, his hand finding mine.
I looked down at our hands, but didn’t pull away. Instead, I slumped down next to him and closed my eyes, not aware of anything until the driver announced we’d reached our destination.
The driver carried my backpack up to the porch, while I helped Rob maneuver the porch steps. It was a relief to be home, away from the hospital and inquiring minds.
Opening the door, I offered Rob my arm and led him inside, depositing him in a comfy chair in the living room.
“I don’t think you’ll want to navigate stairs if you don’t have to. Why don’t I make up the couch for you to sleep on? Will that be okay?
“Wherever you think is fine with me,” he said. “I’m just thankful you offered to take me in for a night.”
“Lucky for you, there’s a three-quarter bathroom down here. And the kitchen, in case you get hungry.” I carried in our things. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Yeah, I’d love a beer.”
“I’m sure you would, but I doubt your doctor would approve. Let’s stick with coffee or tea.”
“Coffee, then.” He frowned dramatically. “Spoilsport,” he muttered under his breath.
I laughed as I went to put the coffee on. When it was finished brewing, I poured two mugs and carried them into the living room, sitting on the couch.
“Ahh, the simple pleasures,” I said, taking a sip. I was on my second sip when I heard a car pull up out front.
“That’s probably Melissa bringing TJ home,” I said, opening the door in time to see TJ rushing up the path.
I waved to Melissa and watched a minute as her car pulled away. TJ had already discovered Rob was in the house and gave me a quick, but solid, hug, before heading to the couch to join Rob.
My son and his hero-worship. This time his hero was real.
I left the two guys to bond and went upstairs to get bedding for Rob and carried it back down, depositing it at one end of the couch. It was too early to make up the bed. TJ was bouncing up and down on it at the moment in his excitement at hearing the story from Rob. I sat beside TJ to listen, too.
“I wish I could tell Mike and Kevin,” TJ said when Rob finished.
“I know, honey, but they might tease you. Not everyone gets the chance to talk to a ghost, and most people don’t even believe they exist.”
“But we can tell them ghosts are real.”
“It’s not that easy, honey. We can’t prove it, so they’d probably think we were either making it up or genuinely certifiable.”
“Certifiable?”
“It means crazy. Maybe someday you can tell them, but it would be great if you could keep it our secret, at least for now. Can you do that?”
“I guess. But it’s so cool.”
“It is cool.”
“Can I tell them you and Rob saved Marilee?”
“Sure, you can tell them that. It’s all over the news anyway. Just tell them your mom was looking for a house on the lake when she and Rob accidentally caught Mr. Brindleson with Marilee. That’s a pretty cool story, too.”
“Yeah! I can’t wait to tell them!”
I ruffled his hair. My little sweetie.
“We should go tell Emma,” TJ said excitedly.
“You’re right,” I said. “But let’s do it later. Maybe by then Rob will feel like he can make it up the stairs. I’m sure he’d like to be there, too.”
“You shouldn’t wait,” Rob said. “She deserves to know.”
“Can we, Mom?”
“I guess.” I looked at Rob. He nodded toward the stairs.
“Wait,” TJ said. “Did you find Emma, too?”
“No,” Rob said. “But I asked the police to search the area for other victims. Hopefully, if she’s there, they’ll find her.”
“I hope so. I feel sad for Emma.”
“Us, too,” I said. “Come on, let’s go talk to her.”
He scurried to catch up with me as I climbed the stairs, and raced ahead of me into his room.
“Emma!” he called.
He waited a minute, looking around, and dropped his head in disappointment. “She’s not here.”
“No, I don’t think she is,” I said. “It’s not cold in here like it is when she visits.”
“Emma!” he called again louder. “Emma! My mom and Rob saved Marilee. She’s in the hospital.”
He looked at me, concern on his face. “Where is she?”
“I don’t know, honey. We’ll try again later.”
“Okay.” He brightened. “Hey, can I sleep in here tonight? She might come back.”
“I guess if you want to. It’s your room, after all.”
“I’m going to stay up here right now, just in case.”
“Sure thing. I have to go do something about dinner. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
I debated between pasta and pizza on the way down the stairs. Pasta I’d make and pizza would be delivered. Pizza was looking better and better as I thought about how tired I was, even if it would be the second or third time we’d had it in the last week.
“What happened,” Rob asked as soon as he spotted me coming down the stairs.
“Absolutely nothing. Emma wasn’t there. TJ’s very disappointed.”
“So am I. Maybe her job is done and she was able to leave.”
“That would be nice, but if that was the case then why was she hanging around all those years before Marilee was kidnapped?”
“Huh. I guess it’s a mystery.”
I flopped down on the couch. “Pizza okay with you?”
“Sure. I’m easy.”
“I appreciate it. Although, please accept my apology as that’s pretty much all you get to eat around here.”
He laughed, then squeezed his eyes shut over the sudden pain.
I grimaced, sorry for the pain he was in.
“If you make a list of things you want from your house, TJ and I can go pick them up for you.”
“I hate for you to have to go to all that trouble.”
“Seriously? You should stop worrying about putting me out. We’ll be back before you know it.”
“I’m not sure. It might be okay, but there might be dishes in the sink.” He winked.
I rolled my eyes. “You think you’re so funny.” Tossing a pillow on one end of the couch, I patted it. “Make yourself comfortable. We’ll be back shortly.”
Chapter 31
O
S<
br />
ince I’d already been to Rob’s, it didn’t take long to throw clothes and toiletries into a duffel bag I found on his closet floor. I’d left TJ in the front room, TV on, while I packed Rob’s stuff.
I had a moment of panic as I tried to block thoughts about whether I’d made a mistake inviting Rob to stay with me. It made sense but, now that I was away from him, it dawned on me that we’d be together in such intimate circumstances. I’d be taking care of him, alone with him. And I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. On the other hand, I’d be taking care of him, alone with him. I chuckled at myself.
Pushing back the anxiety, I lugged the duffel back to the living room. “Ready, buddy?”
On the drive home, I hoped TJ couldn’t hear my heart, which was beating so loudly I could barely hear myself think.
I had to smile when I opened the door to see Rob asleep on the couch. Maybe I’d worried for nothing.
He lifted his head when he heard us, and gingerly sat up, rubbing his eyes. “I wasn’t really sleeping. Just resting my eyes.”
I shook my head and dropped the duffel bag by the couch.
“Help me up?” he asked, holding out his hand. I grabbed it and pulled him to his feet.
He shuffled into the bathroom and I sat down to wait. When he returned, the front of his hair was wet where’d he’d splashed water on his face.
Something had occurred to me. “So, Marilee could see Emma.”
“I know. That’s really freaky. This whole thing has hit me hard. I never believed in ghosts, or even the afterlife, before. It’s a little hard to discount it now.”
“I know what you mean. I was ambivalent about it. I didn’t not believe in ghosts, but I never thought I’d actually see one. Not that we saw Emma, but you know what I mean.”
“Yeah. I hope the investigators find her, so she can rest in peace.”
“How long do you think it will take before we hear anything?” I asked, tucking my legs up underneath me.
Under the Willows Page 16
