If Wishes Were Horses (A Fairy Tale Life Book 2)

by C. B. Stagg

  The plate I’d been washing slipped from my hands and broke into a million pieces on the travertine tile floor. I stood frozen like ice, staring at the mug shots on the small TV hanging above the refrigerator. Instantly, Jase was at my side.

  “Are you okay?”

  No. My hands continued to shake and a rock formed in the back of my throat, clogging my airway.

  “Becky?” He had to physically jostle me to get my attention.

  I felt the tears slipping from my wide eyes as I tried to shake off the fear settling into my bones. As I made a move to walk away, Jase picked me up in one swift motion and cradled me in his arms, carrying me across the kitchen before depositing me on the bottom step of the grand staircase leading to the second story. It was then I realized I was barefoot and had almost walked right through the shards of ceramic from the plate I’d demolished just seconds before.

  “Hey.” He moved in closer, and the warmth of his body had the calming effect I was desperate for. “Do you want to talk about it?” His words were a whisper in my ear and, mixed with his closeness, sent sparks shooting down my spine. I shook my head and took several deep breaths, hoping to steady my heart.

  “I’m just… I’m gonna go shower,” I said, pointing up the stairs.

  He nodded. “Okay, I need to run next door for just a second anyway. Is that okay?”

  It was my turn to nod.

  I turned to go upstairs. A few minutes later, I heard the back door open and close, followed by the beeps associated with the house alarm being set.

  With the near boiling water beating on my back, creating an eerie fog all around, I processed what I’d learned in the last few minutes. Toby was on trial. Everything I suspected he’d been involved in was true, and he was being tried for his crimes. It had been three months since his arrest. The investigation must have taken a while. And as of today, Toby was a fugitive, on the run. He had escaped. I thought back to the last words I heard from him as he was being loaded into the police car.

  “You dumb bitch… I know it was you. I’ll kill you!”

  There was no doubt in my mind he would do just that if I wasn’t careful. And while my current living arrangement may not be common knowledge, I was fairly certain he knew exactly where I could be found between the hours of eight and three. Would he and the other men, his associates, come looking for me? And if they found me, then what?

  I sighed as I turned off the water and started to dry off. I’d really enjoyed the twenty-four hours of feeling safe, but it was all over now.

  Chapter 10

  Jase

  I KNOCKED ON THE DOOR of Bennett and Jill Hanson. They were probably in their late twenties to early thirties—the youngest on the cul-de-sac by far—and served as a bridge between our parents’ generation and ours. As I waited, my nerves started to take over and negative thoughts swirled around in my mind. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. What if they said no? When I’d almost given up, I heard the flip of a lock and Jill greeted me with a smile.

  “Hi, Jase,” she greeted me while wiping her hands on a small towel decorated with fall leaves and acorns. “I talked to your mom a little while ago. She called to let me know you’d be alone tonight. Is everything okay?”

  I nodded. The concern she showed for me reminded me of a mother, the way her voice softened, and she reached her arm out to guide me inside.

  “Come in, come in… ”

  I thanked her as I wiped my feet on the mat before following her into the kitchen. She walked straight to the stovetop and stirred a large pot. The scents of Italian seasonings, meat, and onions joined together to create a mouthwatering aroma, making my stomach audibly grumble.

  The Hanson’s home was much different from ours. It was apparent—from the antiqued lighting fixtures and rustic painted furnishings of all colors—that a younger couple lived here. Yet their house hadn’t been completely renovated and updated the way mine had. But where mine felt very ‘assembled,’ like a show house that builders would have in a new neighborhood… theirs was cozy, more like a home.

  I lingered in the doorway, trying to decide exactly what to say and how to say it. I had one shot, and I needed to make my plea for Becky count. “I’d like to talk to y’all about something… personal. Do you mind if I sit down?” I asked, gesturing to the breakfast table.

  She nodded, then called for her husband, who came barreling down the stairs a second later.

  “Hey, Jase, what’s up, man?” Bennett offered his hand to me, and I stood to shake it.

  Mr. Hanson was the nicest guy I’d ever met. I didn’t know my dad, but I’d like to believe he was just like Bennett Hanson. The man was always smiling, had tons of energy, and would give anyone the shirt off his back if they needed it. It was that generous spirit I was counting on to make my plan happen.

  “So, I have this friend at school and… she’s homeless… ” I heard Jill gasp and watched as Bennett sank into a chair in front of me. He nodded, encouraging me to continue.

  “I don’t know the whole story, but I do know she needs a place to live, like yesterday. Her mom died a few months ago, and she doesn’t have a dad.”

  “What she needs is a family.”

  Jill’s head snapped toward Bennett when he made that statement, but I couldn’t read their silent communication. Starting to feel like my plan was half-baked, I continued to talk.

  “Look, I know you’re approved to be foster parents. I was hoping, maybe, she could stay here until… ” I didn’t know how to finish that sentence.

  Jill stood to click off the burner behind her, then turned around to focus all her attention on me. “Where has she been staying since her mom passed?”

  “Well, she’s been hiding out here and there… I don’t really know. I… um… ” I was starting to panic. Did I really have any right to share Becky’s story with perfect strangers? Sweat broke out across my brow, and I wiped my hands on my pants.

  Time seemed to stand still while we all just looked at each other. I breathed deep, thinking maybe I should leave. My heartbeat was keeping time with the ticking of the clock hanging right above me. Finally, Bennett broke the awkward silence. “Do you think she’d like to meet us?”

  Jill looked at her husband and smiled so hard I swore I saw hearts floating in her eyes.

  “Um, yeah, I think she’d like that a whole lot.” Crap, what now? I hadn’t thought this through at all. Becky didn’t really know me, and here I was, airing her dirty laundry and trying to fix her life when I wasn’t even sure she wanted my help fixing it. Why hadn’t I asked her about this before I’d run over here? How was I going to explain why this childless white couple, these neighbors of mine, wanted to meet her?

  As if Bennett could read my mind, he laughed. “I assume she’s at your house right now? That would explain why you look like you just broke out of prison.” I opened my mouth to speak, but he stopped me. “And no, we won’t tell your mom. Just bring her over, will you?” He sounded so excited, and the clenched jaw and strained muscles in Jill’s neck suggested she was struggling with holding her emotions in.

  Jill and Bennett had tried to have a baby for at least five years. They’d done everything they could afford, but nothing worked. My mom turned them on to fostering, and their approval had come through several weeks ago, but they hadn’t been given a child yet. I got the impression they were hoping that a foster child would lead to adoption.

  “Sure. Let me go get her.” I started for the door, but turned back. “I want you to know she’s just my friend. There’s nothing inappropriate going on at my house.”

  Both of them nodded and Jill assured, “It never even crossed our minds.”

  I turned and let myself out. As I headed back up my driveway, I wasn’t sure if I should prepare for Becky to hug me tight or slap me hard.

  I needed to be ready for both.

  Chapter 11

  Becky

  I WAS DRESSING IN the clothes Jase had lent me the night before, when someone kno
cked on the bedroom door. My heart leaped into my throat, but I reminded myself that Jase’s home was safe.

  “Hey, come in,” I called out weakly. There was no need to shout. He was just on the other side of an open door.

  “Um… ” Jase rushed in and across the room with quick steps and handed me a sweatshirt from his closet, but refused to meet my eyes. I quickly crossed my arms over my chest, aware that I wore no bra under the clothes he’d given me, but I didn’t have enough chest for that to really be an issue. I’d become an expert at reading people, and I knew something wasn’t right, though I doubted it had anything to do with my lack of underclothes.

  “Put this on. I want to take you to meet some… people. Please?” He walked intoxicatingly close to me. “Just trust me.”

  I did trust him. At least, I thought I did. I’d never told him about the circumstances that landed me in his home, and in his bed. I’d also chosen to lie when he asked if I was okay earlier tonight. And I was making the conscious decision not to tell him about Toby and how his escape might impact my life, maybe his too.

  Maybe I didn’t trust him as much as I thought?

  Maybe I was scared it would change whatever this was between us. Maybe he would tell me to leave if he knew I was the daughter of a legitimate crack whore. It was possible he’d drop me like a bad habit if he knew that an escaped, almost-convict, was probably out there under the dark of night… looking for me, hunting me, wanting to make good on his threat to kill me.

  I decided the least I could do was put on the damn sweatshirt and go with him to meet these mystery people. I slowly pulled it over my head and took his offered hand, as he led us down the stairs and out the door.

  Chapter 12

  Jase

  “COME IN, COME IN.”

  Jill met us at the door with the same words she’d offered me earlier, although this time they were said with a shaky voice and a big, teary smile. With my hand on the small of her back, I nudged Becky to follow her into the kitchen. The scene we walked into would have been humorous if I hadn’t been about to pee my pants. I’d sat in this same spot not ten minutes before, but in the short time I was gone, Jill had transformed the space into what closely resembled a bakery. She’d set out a steaming pot of coffee and a plate full of cookies and brownies. Becky’s eyes widened at the spread, reminding me once again just how different her life had been from mine.

  “Becky, let me introduce you to Jill and Bennett Hanson. Jill… Bennett… meet Rebecca Johns. She goes by Becky.”

  Bennett took her hand to shake, but when she offered her hand to Jill, she was instead pulled into a hug that lasted a little longer than was comfortable for the rest of us in the room.

  “I’m sorry,” Jill babbled, “I don’t know what came over me. Please, sit. Can I get you something to drink?” She was tittering around the kitchen.

  “I would love some milk, ma’am.” Becky’s voice was shaking. Jill had a full glass of milk right in front of her within seconds. Becky thanked her, then looked at me.

  “So, Bennett and Jill are certified with the state of Texas as foster parents, which means—”

  “I know what that means, Jase.” She turned to look at the Hansons. “Sir,” she said, looking at Bennett before turning to face Jill. “Ma’am, Jase has designated himself my own personal superhero. He’s swooped in to save the day for me a lot lately. I’m sorry that he’s bothered you tonight, but I’ll be okay. You don’t have to—”

  Jill stood so fast and hard she knocked the chair over behind her. “Please, don’t go.” Her eyes were feral as she looked between Bec and me. “Please.” She put her hand on Becky’s arm and exchanged a glance with her husband.

  “Rebecca, we have a guest room. Heck, we have three guest rooms, and Bennett and I… ” She giggled nervously and looked to her husband, who eagerly nodded in agreement. “We would be happy to let you live with us until… well, I don’t know how to end that statement. Forever, I guess. I mean, if you want to… ”

  Becky looked up at the Hansons and asked the same question she’d asked me. “Why would you want to do that? You don’t even know me.”

  My heart broke for this girl who had no idea of her worth. Her eyes were brimming with unshed tears.

  “Well… ” Jill twisted a tea towel with little pumpkins on it around her fingers. “According to your superhero here, you’re a child with no family. Is that correct?” Becky nodded. “And we’re a family,” she reached back to grab Bennett’s hand, “without a child. It seems to me the puzzle pieces fit.”

  Becky looked at me then, releasing the tears she’d been hanging on to. “Was this the plan you mentioned earlier?” I smiled and nodded. She walked over to me and pulled me into a hug so tight I could barely breathe. Over her shoulder, I saw Bennett with his arm around Jill and both of them were teary, smiling at us like goons.

  When she released me, I spoke. “I think this needs to be done by the book, though.” I’d been thinking a lot about this in the event my plan worked out. “My mom will be home tomorrow, and she’ll know exactly what steps need to be taken in order for you two to foster Bec legally. In the meantime, I think it might be better if she stays ‘on the streets,’ which really means my house. I don’t want a technicality—like you harboring a runaway—to get in the way of Becky being placed in your home. What are your thoughts on that?”

  They all stared at me like I had a tree growing from my ear. I shrugged in question.

  “Son,” Bennett looked at me as he spoke, “what is it you’re planning on doing after college?”

  That was an odd question, but easy to answer. “I plan to be an attorney, sir,” I answered with a smile.

  With that, everyone started laughing and the weight of the world rolled off my back. Part one of my plan was a success... I got Becky where I’d wanted her. Now onto part two.

  I needed to make sure she stayed there.

  Chapter 13

  Becky

  I CRAWLED FROM MY self-designated hideout at Toby and Myra’s house (the floor of the hallway coat closet) and tiptoed to the kitchen. As I pushed open the dingy, swinging door that barely hung from its hinges, I heard a crowd of men shouting and whistling. The kitchen had somehow morphed into a club-like atmosphere… with sweaty men sitting at round tables, smoking cigars and drinking, and eyeing the stage like it held their last meal. This isn’t real, I thought to myself. This never happened. It may have never happened, but the subconscious mind was an amazing thing, bringing to life one of my greatest fears while living with the Carraways.

  “Who’ll bid three hundred? Anybody? Three hundred? Come on, gentlemen. Get a look at that ass.” It was Toby’s voice booming from some unseen speakers. On the stage, I saw a young girl, at least a few years younger than me, standing on a stage stark naked.

  “All right, two seventy-five, going once. Going twice. And SOLD to the gentleman with the blue bow tie.” Toby pushed her off the stage and into the arms of a disgusting man with yellowed teeth and a stained, untucked dress shirt. The man could have easily been her grandfather. I shuddered for her, my stomach rolling like clothes in a dryer.

  “Calm down, calm down. Next up, I have a special treat for you.” Then he turned to me, hissing, “Get your clothes off and get on up here, bitch. It’s about time you earn your keep around here.”

  “Shhh, shhh, Becky, wake up, it’s okay. I’m here now. Everything is going to be okay.”

  I felt strong arms wrap around me, holding me tight against a hard, smooth chest. My racing heart started to slow, and my breaths were coming more easily.

  “Where am I?” I couldn’t think clearly. And it was dark so I couldn’t see.

  Jase’s gentle voice was like a warm blanket on a cold night. “You’re at my house, remember? In the guest room. You were screaming, and I thought you were being attacked, so I let myself in. I hope you don’t mind.” He looked down at my face, and using his thumbs, wiped away tears I didn’t know I’d been shedding. According to the
green numbers glowing by the bed, it was only one in the morning.

  “I’m sorry, Jase.” I tried to move away, but his hold was firm. “It was just a dream. It wasn’t real. I know that, but still, it seems that I do this every night. I don’t know how to stop it.”

  Jase picked me up and carried me down the hallway and into his bedroom. He placed me on the bed, his bed, and tucked me in tight. Then he got in on the other side, settling my body to fit next to his. “You didn’t have one last night. At least not when you were sleeping next to me.”

  And that was all he said.

  We both fell asleep within seconds and stayed that way until the light was pouring through his window the next morning.

  While I got ready for the day, Jase went downstairs with the intent to fix breakfast. There hadn’t been any more night terrors. It seemed I was immune when Jase was there to scare away the evil spirits haunting me in my sleep, and for that I was grateful. I was a little concerned, however, at how attached I was becoming to this boy I’d only truly known a short time.

  I was surprised when I came down a few minutes later and found him sitting at the bar with his shoes on like he was ready to bolt. “Where’s breakfast? I’m starved.”

  “Breakfast, apparently, is next door.” He jerked his head in the direction of the house we’d visited last night. “It seems as though Jill has decided to kidnap you for a bit, and she’s bribing me with doughnuts so I’ll let you go.” He grinned. “I don’t suppose you’d mind if Jill took you out for a ‘girl’s day,’ huh?” His brows shot up.

  I shook my head and smiled at the idea of spending the day with a respectable adult, and I laughed at the idea that Jase had any say in what I did or where I went. But a good breakfast and a normal Saturday, even though I had no idea what her plans were, had to be better than hanging out at the public library all day.