by Vivian Arend
“But she’s the one who brought you to Paradise.”
There seemed to be no way to explain how in spite of being mixed up, her sister was mixed up for the right reasons. “Because she loves me. Sarah didn’t know what Abel was going to do, and Paradise Settlement was better than the military propaganda and fear in the community my parents belong to.”
He stood like a statue, but she could tell he was thinking, hard. It was a huge thing she was asking, she understood that.
But it was the only thing she could do.
Her request was so not what he had expected.
He knew Becky had never stopped worrying about Sarah. He’d never found a way to stop the nagging doubts and anger from rising every time Becky brought her up. As much as she was also a victim, she’d had a hand in hurting his Becky…
Forgiving her for that wasn’t easy.
He’d never quite figured out how he’d hoped the whole mixed-up, horrid situation would get resolved. It was an impossible situation with no clear solutions.
Trevor had enjoyed a few vivid daydreams about going into the cult with a convoy of RCMP so they could disband the entire commune while he personally laid into Abel and left him broken and hurting.
Going back to Paradise to convince Sarah to run away? He understood why Becky wanted it; he just didn’t see how it would work.
He sure the hell didn’t feel comfortable with her going anywhere near the cult without him. And no way was he letting her deal with the rest of it alone, either. So in spite of his fears, he did the only thing he could.
He reached down and lifted her to her feet. “If you’re sure, and this is what you want, then I’ll take you.”
A sigh of relief escaped her. “Thank you.”
His mind raced as he considered the logistics. He couldn’t imagine the cult doing something stupid like attacking them, but they’d be safer with some backup, all the same. “Let me talk to my sister. Anna should come along—her and Mitch.”
Becky wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want to make trouble or have anyone arrested, Trevor. I want to go in as quietly as possible, and leave the same way.”
“And I think having an RCMP officer along will help keep things quiet.” Although he wished she would press charges, he wasn’t going to make her go through what would be horribly traumatic all over again. “I need a few days to set things up.”
“I need to talk to Hope, but the sooner, the better, since her baby is due in October.” Her excitement was impossible to miss.
Ignoring how much this meant to her would be wrong, even as he worried how it was all going to turn out. “Then let’s make it happen.”
Becky curled her arms around his torso and hugged him tight, all warm and soft, and yet so strong. She felt perfect in his arms. Perfect in his life, in so many ways.
He couldn’t say no to something she’d been working toward for months, only he would do everything he could to make sure she didn’t get hurt more in the process.
It took a week to coordinate things. Talking to Anna and Mitch, talking to his brothers and Hope.
The drive took six hours with Becky fidgeting for at least half the trip. She’d fallen asleep at one point, exhausted by the lack of sleep the previous two nights, too excited and worried to rest once she knew for sure they were leaving early Friday morning.
She’d finally laid her head in his lap and slept fitfully, trembling awake far more often than he hoped.
They made a pit stop at the closest RCMP station at Anna’s insistence, not in any official capacity, but as a courtesy to say they’d be visiting the settlement.
The man behind the counter didn’t seem to understand what they wanted. “Sorry, but I can’t do anything. Not unless she’s here to press charges.”
Becky shook her head. “I just want my things.”
They’d all agreed that keeping quiet about her plan to ask Sarah to leave was for the best.
Trevor wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but the sight that greeted them as they entered Paradise Settlement wasn’t what had popped to mind as he thought of religious cults. Part of him wished he could see blatant evil glaring back at him. Something that would make the anger in his belly more understandable.
Instead it looked like so many small, sleepy communities, he was shocked. Innocent and forgettable, the community probably didn’t register on travelers driving by less than a mile away on the main highway.
Typical middle-class houses in a rural setting. Large yards, some of them with fences, some without. There were a lot of outbuildings and barns, but they made sense, backing onto fields that looked well maintained and nearly ready for harvest.
There were no kids around. He’d driven through Rocky at times and been totally confused at the lack of kids playing outside until someone had pointed out they were probably inside playing on their computers.
Here the kids wouldn’t have that excuse, though.
They drove past another nondescript bi-level, and he squeezed Becky’s fingers, checking in his rearview mirror again to make sure Mitch and Anna were still on his tail. “Where is everybody?”
“Not sure. Someone should be at home.” Her voice was tight. “Take the next right. It’s the yellow house, and you can park around the back. I’ll see if Sarah’s there, and if any of my things are still in my room.”
They got out of the truck at the same time, Becky giving him a dirty look.
“Oh, hell no,” Trevor admonished. “We talked about this. You’re not going anywhere by yourself.”
Becky sighed, then nodded, waiting for Mitch and Anna to join them as she walked to the back door and knocked.
There was no answer, not even when she tried a second time, so she opened the door and slipped in.
“I’ll just be a minute.” Her eyes were cast toward the floor, and all her fire and energy seemed to have vanished.
This wasn’t his Becky. This was someone in hiding, downtrodden and abused. Muted fury rushed through him as he kept control for her sake. The sooner they left, the better.
He silently followed her up the narrow staircase to the bedroom at the end of the hall. Becky stood in the doorway, staring in without stepping any further. Her body trembled, and he moved in closer so he could hold her, trying to give her reassurance as she faced whatever demons possessed this place.
A simple wooden bedframe. A dresser. Thin curtains at the window. Nothing that looked like his Becky.
He stroked a hand along her neck. “What’s the matter, Rodeo?”
She shook her head. “None of this is mine.”
Dammit. “Nothing?”
“It’s okay. I didn’t have that much, anyway.” She turned, forcing a smile to her lips that he knew she didn’t feel. “Come on. I think I know where they might be.”
It was like driving through some strange movie set. All of the buildings were there, but none of the actors had shown up. Becky leaned her head against his shoulder, taking deep breaths as he followed the loop to the largest building in the community.
Here finally were people—the full parking lot was the first sign, followed by the appearance of a few women with children in their arms standing outside the side door, obviously rocking noisy children during what must be a church service.
The faint sounds of organ music met them as they left the truck, Becky sliding her fingers into his. “In a way, this makes it easier. We can get Sarah and the kids, and it will all be done at one time.”
Trevor had agreed to not take her supposed husband apart, but it wasn’t enough. “Nobody touches you,” he warned. “I won’t go in and pick a fight, but if anyone tries to hurt you, I’m not standing there and letting them.”
She stopped, worry on her face. “Trevor, you promised.”
“He promised not to start a fight,” Mitch grumbled softly. “Neither of us promised not to finish one.”
Damn right. “Anna, I like your choice of husbands.”
His sister straightened her jacket, putti
ng on her cop face. “He’s a keeper.” She gave Becky a direct look. “Remember, all you can do is ask. It’s up to Sarah, because no matter what the guys just implied, there will be no fighting today.”
In some other place, at some other time, Trevor would’ve called his sister a spoilsport, but this moment was far too serious for joking.
Becky tightened her grip on his fingers and led them up the stairs.
The soft, churchy music had stopped, and someone was talking over a loud speaker. Nothing earth-shattering or demonic. Something about harvests and a fall gathering. Only, as Becky walked them past the back row of dozens of pews, the man standing behind the pulpit faltered, his voice trailing off into nothing.
People turned to see what he was staring at, the wooden pews creaking like a chorus of ghosts, shock on faces the clearest thing Trevor could see.
And then the whispering began.
Becky’s fingers were ice cold in his, but she kept walking, chin jutted out, bravery in every step. The same kind of bravery that had taken her through a world of change over the past months.
He’d never been prouder.
Trevor had also never been more afraid in his life—not for himself, but for her. Having to face the people who had held her trapped for so long? He just wanted to get the hell out of there and take her with him.
“Rebekah?” A slim woman stood in the front pew, eyes wide in her white face. The family resemblance was there in the lines of her cheekbones and chin, although her dress was from a former generation, her hair braided back plain and proper.
Becky slipped her fingers from his and stepped forward, rushing to wrap her arms around her sister. “Sarah. I’ve missed you so much.”
For one moment Trevor thought in spite of his misgivings it was going to be a grand reunion like he’d seen on TV shows, or heard about on the news. Long-lost family reunited, and there’d be tears of joy in celebration, then they’d move on to the next thing—
But while Becky was hugging her sister, Sarah hadn’t moved. She stood stiffly, arms hanging at her sides. The sound in the room was no longer made of muted whispers, but anger and confusion.
He stepped forward, certain things had just gone to hell.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Blood pounded in Becky’s ears, making it hard to focus on what was being said around them, but it was easy to tell something was wrong.
Sarah stood like a statue, icy cold and rigid in her arms. No welcoming hug, no joyful exclamation, or questions about where she’d been.
Becky released her, looking into her sister’s face and trying to read what she saw there. Nothing. No warmth, but no dismissal either. Just a completely blank slate, as if Sarah wasn’t really there.
Confusion made her hesitate, and then Trevor was at her side, the familiar feel of his hand taking hers centering her. Giving her an anchor to hold on to as she took the next step.
“I’ve come to get my things.” Becky glanced around at the familiar faces of the family. People she’d spent years with. Children she’d helped raise, women she’d worked alongside in the kitchen.
Men who’d—
She glanced at Trevor in sudden concern. Maybe she should have made sure he waited for her outside.
He was also examining the congregation. There was fire flashing in his eyes, and tension along his jaw, but he wasn’t staring at anyone in particular offering death threats, which was about the best she figured he could do at that particular moment.
“There’s nothing here of yours.”
They turned toward the front of the church. Nausea turned her stomach as Abel stepped forward from where he’d sat to one side of the podium, probably waiting for his turn to stand and preach whatever message he wanted to control his flock with this week.
Tall and confident, his dark hair shot with silver all in perfect place. His blue gaze examined her closely, but there was more kindness and relief on his face than malice or anger.
Her first impression was the same as always. She’d always thought he was a good stand-in for the devil. Satan wasn’t red with a pitchfork and a tail. He was handsome—charismatic even. There was no way someone ugly or straight-up obviously evil could convince good, decent human beings to do terrible things. That took a man who was impressive, if only on the outside.
Trevor took a partial step forward before she jerked on their hands, bringing him back to her side.
Abel looked Trevor over before his gaze traveled toward Anna and Mitch who had waited at the back of the church. His brows went up as he examined the tattoos plainly visible on Mitch’s bare arms, but he focused on Anna as he spoke. “This is a private gathering. Unless you have official business here, Constable, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
“As soon as my friend collects the possessions she left behind.” Anna’s voice rang out strong and confident, but polite.
“Then she can leave. Sadly, when we heard nothing from her for the longest time, we concluded the worst. All your things were given to charity.” Abel turned with open palms toward her and spoke kindly, like a benevolent benefactor offering a wonderful alternative. A gift he couldn’t imagine anyone turning down. “But you could stay. Return, Rebekah. Return to the family where you belong. You only need to ask for forgiveness, and you can come home.”
Trevor muttered softly, his grip on her fingers tightening to the point of pain. “No fuc—”
“No,” Becky interrupted before Trevor lost control. She shook her head. “I have nothing to ask forgiveness for, and I’m not returning. I came back for my things,” she repeated. “That’s all.”
“There’s nothing here for you.” It was Sarah who spoke, her tone making Becky snap to attention. The blank wall of emotionlessness was gone and in its place was barely controlled fury. “We do not suffer evil to live amongst us. Liars and thieves are cast out of paradise to where there is no joy, no happiness. Only eternal suffering, with weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
“Sarah?” Her sister reciting scripture wasn’t out of character, but what she was reciting was—hell and brimstone?
Sarah took in Trevor, staring at their joined hands with disgust. “Adulterer. I didn’t believe it when they told me you were so willing to sin, but I see that it’s true.”
Oh my God, what kind of lies had Abel told?
“I came for you, Sarah. You and the children.” Becky spoke in a rush, trying to get out as much as possible in the hopes that something would register. That somehow she could turn around this terrible, out-of-control situation. “You’re my sister, and I love you. I have a place for all of us now. I have a job. I have enough money that we can—”
“I have no sister. My sister is dead,” Sarah whispered.
Sheer determination was the only thing that kept Becky’s legs from buckling. “You don’t mean that.”
For one brief instant she imagined she saw a crack in the wall. A fleeting moment of emotion in Sarah’s eyes that looked like hunger and sadness, then it was gone, replaced once again by indignant righteousness.
“This is a private gathering,” Sarah repeated Abel’s words from moments earlier, cold and formal. “Leave us in peace.”
Breathing was impossible. Her throat and lungs were cased in ice. Pain stabbed into Becky’s heart as she saw little Mary’s eyes peeking from behind Sarah’s skirts, and she realized she’d lost them. Not just now, but maybe forever.
She hadn’t been able to save them.
“Constable, I suggest you escort your friends out now, or I’ll be forced to call our local detachment and have you all charged with trespassing.” Abel. Reasonable, calm.
The devil incarnate flinging her out of paradise.
Trevor slipped an arm around her, carefully turning them and guiding her out of the building.
She let him lead her blindly; staring over her shoulder for one more desperate glimpse at the only part of her sister she could still see. A tiny slice of her profile as Sarah kept her gaze firmly on Abel at the front of t
he room.
Becky’s heart shattered into a million pieces.
She’d crawled into his truck without a word, staring straight ahead as he, Anna and Mitch stood helplessly in the parking lot.
“That’s it?” Trevor demanded. “We pack up and go home without anything?”
“We can’t make Sarah change her mind,” Anna said softly, resting a hand on his arm as Mitch stood in silent support behind her. “We knew it was a long shot in the first place. It’s not an easy thing to leave behind everything you’ve ever known, even when someone you trust is waiting for you on the other side.”
Frustration and anger strengthened the urge to go back in and wipe the smirk off the bastard’s face, but his family knew him too well.
Mitch stepped between him and the church doors. “I know that look. No, Trevor, we can’t go beat the crap out of them.”
“Fucking watch me.”
His brother-in-law shook his head. “As much as I’d love to join you and give out a few righteous beatings, there’s not a lot you can do to help Becky from inside a jail cell, which is where we’d both end up. Pull it together and think of her.”
Becky. Trevor turned and hurried to his truck as his sister called after him, “Stop at the café in Maple Creek. We’ll meet you there.”
Then he was inside the truck, pulling Becky into his arms and squeezing her tight. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I’m so fucking sorry.”
She nodded, but still didn’t speak. Not even when he cupped her chin and looked into her eyes. As if she were frozen with worry and disappointment, and he didn’t blame her one bit. The last thing she needed right now was for him to push her any further.
“You okay if we head home?”
Another nod, then she pulled away from him, moving into the passenger seat before buckling up her seatbelt. She leaned against the window, staring straight ahead and ignoring everything as he drove slowly out of Paradise.
