Lies Beneath the Surface (Buried Secrets #2)

by Silla Webb

  Pulling in the driveway I see the side-by-side still atop the trailer hitched to the back of Colton’s truck. Heidi Jo rushes in the house, giggling. Walking into the living room, I hear Luke and Colton laughing with Heidi Jo from down the hall. What the hell are they doing back there?

  “Y’all better not have tracked mud in my damn house, Colton. Luke, I’m still pissed at you, so pack your sorry ass home.” I say waddling down the hall, following their laughs into Colton’s gym room. Pushing the door open, my mouth drops and I quickly encase it with my hands.

  “SURPRISE!” They all three screech. Tears fall down my cheeks rapidly as I take in the baby’s nursery. Luke walks over and puts an arm around my shoulder, half hugging me.

  “Sorry about my comment earlier. I really meant nothin’ by it, beauts.” Nodding his head to Colton he steps out of the room, disappearing through the house. Colton approaches me next, wrapping his arms around my hips and pulling me tight against his chest.

  “That comment has bothered that asshole all damn day.” He snickers, rubbing my belly softly. “What do ya think, darlin’?” He asks burying his face in my neck. I grip his arms, melting into his chest.

  I am in awe of this room. The walls are painted a bright turquoise blue with bubblegum pink polka dotted curtains stretching from the grey ceiling to the floor. I look around at the various pictures hung on the walls. My favorite is a simple wooden sign, hand painted with a monkey riding the waves on a surfboard. It reads, “If you want to know how much I love you, count the waves in the sea.” Circling around the room I take in the white sleigh style crib, decorated with funky polka dot sheets and a multicolored chevron printed bumper pad. A surfing monkey mobile hangs above the crib. Looking up my eyes catch the white wooden letters hung on the wall above the crib.

  “RYLEE.” I whisper to myself.

  “When I asked you what names you liked, that was the first name you mentioned. Is that okay?” He questions.

  Turning around I tip up on my toes and press a soft kiss to his lips, “It’s perfect.”

  Chapter 29

  Opening up the front door to my childhood beach home brings back so many memories that a wide smile splays across my face. The fresh scent of peach cobbler wafts through my senses and I’d swear one had just been freshly baked. I step inside and look around the ginormous entryway in wonderment. Savannah steps inside behind me, linking our hands together and rests her head on my shoulder. “Feels just like home.”

  And she’s right…it does feel like home. The only thing missing is Daddy smoking a cigarette on the front porch swing as he watches the tide roll in.

  “Welcome home, girls!”

  “MOMMA!” I screech when Momma makes her way from the kitchen. Latching my arms around her neck tightly, I giggle over this little surprise. “I didn’t think you could make it!” Colton and Luke carry in the luggage from the Tahoe, working their way around us as we embrace this moment.

  “Savannah and I wanted to surprise you. I’ve been here since last week. Came in and cleaned the house, stocked the kitchen full of groceries and I have supper waiting for y’all now.” The boys come racing back down the stairs shoving each other out of the way at the mention of supper. Colton pauses mid stride kissing Momma on the cheek and saying hello as he rushes to the dining room table. Savannah and I get the kids washed up and together we all sit down together for a family supper. Everyone that is important in our lives is here to celebrate our union together. Savannah, Brailee, Braden, Emma, Bill, Momma, and Luke. I can’t help but to smile seeing my family among us, feeling all of their love and support.

  I was very happy that Emma was able to talk Bill into coming. After his heart attack, Emma refused to let him go to work for a week. During that time, he and Colton had a few small trips up to the pond and judging by the way they react to each other now, I think they’ve buried a few of their outlying issues. Naturally, Colton hasn’t mentioned any of their tension to me at all, and if that’s how he prefers it, I’m fine with it.

  After supper, Momma and Emma get the kids ready to go fishing on the pier with Colton, Luke and Bill, while Savannah and I clean the kitchen. Once everything is in its place and the counters are spiffy clean again, I cut four slices of peach cobbler and we make our way outside to relax on the front porch with Momma and Emma. Walking out the front door, Savannah stops and runs her hand down the molding on the door. “Look at this!” She exclaims. “Goodness, I don’t ever remember bein’ this small, do you?” I look at the uneven notches that Daddy carved into the door frame with his old pocket knife each summer.

  Trailing my hand over the splintered wood I say, “It’s strange looking back on our childhood; especially knowing the things we know now, right?” Catching myself, I shake my head then proceed to the front porch swing.

  “What do you mean?” Savannah ask, on my heels. Shit. I was really hoping that she didn’t catch that comment.

  “Things change, is all.” She accepts my reply with a sweet smile.

  She lays her head back against the old rocking chair, extending her legs to the ottoman. On a breathy sigh, she gazes out at one of God’s most beautiful creations and smiles. “It’d be so nice if my life could be as simple as it was when I was a little girl. I always loved coming here in the summer. I’d cry when we’d go back to Kentucky.”

  “Okay girls,” Momma says clapping her hands to catch our attention, “Enough reminiscing, we have a wedding in a week so let’s get down to business.”

  “Yes ma’am.” I mock, trying to sit up a little straighter. I’m so happy that Momma is here with us this week. When I called and invited her to the wedding she declined the invitation, saying that she and Garrett would be traveling this week.

  We go over the details for the wedding, Momma making sure we don’t miss the tiniest of details. “Carolina Jo Simon, I can’t believe you didn’t even consider flowers.”

  “Momma, who the hell’s gonna catch the bouquet? Everyone’s married!” I laugh. So I forgot a few minor details, who cares!?

  “Don’t you use that tone with me, young lady. You will carry a bouquet, and Brailee and Heidi Jo will have flowers to toss on the aisle runner. The men will each have a boutonniere and the ladies will each have a simple corsage. A wedding can be simple yet elegant, dear.” She huffs a frustrated breath with her neatly shaped eyebrow arched high upon her forehead. Damn, I know that look…that’s the same look I give when I’m pissed. Oh shit. I have my momma’s mean look!

  Gathering my resolve that this is a battle I will not win, since this old woman is good at her game I give in, dramatically tossing my hands up in the air for show. “Fine, Momma. There will be flowers. Now, anything else you’d like to request for MY wedding?” Emma and Savannah look back and forth between Momma and me silently laughing.

  “Did you remember to order a cake, or to have dinner catered?”

  “Yes, Momma. Savannah handled all of that for me. There will even be a photographer here to capture every waking moment of the wedding. Anything else?” I smile with my teeth, batting my eyes hoping that she’ll pick up on my annoyance.

  “Okay, sweets. I just want your big day to be perfect. You understand that don’t you?” She tilts her head to the side, speaking sweetly.

  “Momma, the entire reason I chose a beach wedding is because I just want to marry Colton. I’m not concerned about all of the bells and whistles, all the charades. I want us to bask in the beauty of the ocean, the wild wind blowing through our hair as the warm summer sun looks down on us and smiles when we say our vows.” I pause, drawing up a sip of sweet tea. “I have a very busy life. I’ve become a momma to Heidi Jo, I’m pregnant with your grand-daughter, and I have a company to run. All of that in itself is enough stress to turn my pretty locks of brown to grey. One look at a wedding magazine and panic ensued. I don’t have time for panic. I don’t have time for stress. So please, order whatever flowers you like, my favorites are lilies, tulips and hibiscus. But leave me to enjoy my beac
h vacation with my family.”

  Momma pats my leg and turns to Emma, quickly changing the subject from the wedding to their newly expected grand-daughter. Sighing in relief, I sit back and enjoy the evening, listening to the girls chatter about. The warm wind blows briskly through my hair and before I know it, the sound of the ocean crashing against the shore line lulls me to sleep.

  The week flies by quickly. Colton and I wake up early each morning to watch the sun rise and the dolphins playing in the ocean. After breakfast, we take the kids down to the beach. Heidi Jo loves it here. She and Brailee have been hand in hand since we arrived, as if that’s a surprise. Even little Braden is having fun, shoveling sand in his Tonka truck and backing into the girls’ sandcastles. Little twirp is so rotten, but ya gotta love that snaggle tooth grin he shoots ya. The week has been relaxing, which is just what I needed.

  I’ve just come up from the beach to get out of the blistering heat. Momma is sitting on the front porch reading a book. “Hey, Momma.” I say opening the screen door.

  “Carly, do you have a few minutes to talk to me?” She asks, her voice laced with concern. Wonder what’s bothering her?

  “Sure, Momma, let me run to the little girls’ room and I’ll be back down.” She nods. I hurry off to the bathroom, then stop in the kitchen to fill my glass with sweet tea. I pad out to the front porch, ready to plant my ass on the porch swing when Momma stands and walks off the porch.

  “Come on, sweets. Let’s go for a walk.”

  A walk? In hundred degree weather? I’m seven months pregnant. Is she stupid?

  “Momma,” I call, trying to catch up to her. “Momma, it’s awfully hot out here. Can’t we talk on the porch in the shade?” She continues to walk towards the beach, waving me towards her. “Well slow down at least. Goodness I’m a waddlin’ duck here.” She stops, shooting me a deadpan glare as I trudge through the hot, white sand catching up to her.

  “Momma, what’s bothering you?” I ask when I reach her side. She continues to walk, making her way to the warm water kissing the shore line.

  “I’m worried about your sister. She just doesn’t seem like herself. She’s been cooped up in her room all day, hasn’t even eaten a bite of food.” Oh. “Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary with her?” She questions, searching my eyes for the truth. Shit.

  Savannah’s on the brink of shattering. I can see it in her dimly lit eyes, the glimmer of all hope gone. She’s plastered on her mask all week smiling happily for everyone among her, too proud to show her pain. Yesterday evening as the kids searched for sea shells on the beach, she walked the shoreline in deep thought. Luke, being the broken soul with a loving heart approached her. Luke is empathetic. If someone around him hurts, he hurts with them. I brought the kids up to get them cleaned up and when Savannah came in, I could see that she had been crying. She said she had a headache and went to bed. I hate seeing her hurt, but only she can change the position she’s in.

  “Momma, Savannah’s just struggling with some things that are a bit personal right now. Believe me when I say, if she needs you, she’ll let you know. But it’s not my place to tell her story.” Momma sighs, shaking her head. I know that’s not the answer she’s looking for, but I can’t break Savannah’s trust by telling Momma what she’s going through.

  We walk in silence for several minutes, when Momma speaks up again. “You know my story, Carly; why I left you girls. I never wanted to tell you girls anything damaging about John, because I never wanted to taint your memory of him. But I can feel your strength, I can see it in your eyes. Savannah is weak. I don’t know that she can handle so many secrets being unleashed at once.”

  “I agree. That’s why I haven’t told her about Drew yet. But I gotta tell her sometime, Momma.” I know that’s not what she wants to hear but I owe Savannah the truth as soon as I can find the strength to break her a little more. Poor girl has enough heartache to live with.

  “Why, Carly?”

  “Momma, Josh works for Drew. Drew has been a part of Savannah’s life as long as Josh has. He knows Savannah is his sister and so does Josh. They’re just playing a sick, twisted game with her. I’m worried about her. I’ve tried to find the courage to tell her for months now. I just don’t want her to hate me for keeping the secret."

  Momma sighs, looking up at the clear blue sky. Not a cloud in sight today. “I never have liked Josh. He reminds me too much of your father. He always plays the perfect husband, but I can see the sinister look in his eyes. I’ve asked Savannah before if he’s good to her. I know she lies, hiding behind a mask. Acting like everything is perfect; hell, I did it myself.”

  Linking my arm through hers, we walk back to the house. I don’t have to tell Momma what she wants to hear. She has known all along that Josh abuses Savannah, she was just hoping I’d confirm it.

  Our night began with a romantic stroll along the beach beneath the moonlit sky. The wind whistles gently blanketing a cool breeze across my skin. Colton keeps his hand laced in mine, as we walk up the beach.

  “Where are we goin’, baby?” It’s late, already after eleven, but Colton insisted we go for this walk.

  “It’s a surprise.” He says kissing the top of my head.

  Further into the distance we stop at a white netted tent anchored in the sand. A plush blanket and thick pillows cover the sand with small, battery operated candles scattered around the enclosed space. Colton sits down first, pulling me down to his side.

  “You always talk about how beautiful the stars are over the ocean. I wanted to experience it with ya.” My heart skips a beat. He opens up a cooler and pulls out chocolate covered strawberries, chicken bacon ranch crescents and two bottles of sweet tea. We eat together in silence. After I finish the last crescent, Colton swipes a napkin across my cheek then rolls it in his hand tosses it aside. Reaching into the cooler he pulls out a container placing it in my lap, then sets two small bottles of chocolate milk on the ground. “You didn’t think I’d forget did ya, darlin’?” He winks with a devilish smile on his face. I unsnap the lid on the container and the sweet smell of peanut butter wafts through my senses.

  I smile from ear to ear. It’s the simplest things that make me happy and Colton never ceases to amaze me. From the very first picnic he ever took me on, to this one tonight and every in between he always bakes peanut butter kiss cookies for me. The fact that he always remembers and reaches out to do something so simple but meaningful makes my heart smile. He pushes a cookie to my lips and I willingly take a bit, then he tosses the remaining half in his mouth. “You always surprise me. I really didn’t expect this.”

  “It’s just cookies, baby.”

  “No, it’s the same cookies you made for the first picnic you took me on.” I kiss him swiftly across the lips, then lean into his chest.

  After we finish eating, we scoot further down the blanket so we can watch the twinkling stars in the night sky. Just as I did when I was a little girl, I pinch my eyes shut and silently make a wish on the first star I see. All of my dreams have come true, but I do it all the same. “How’d you pull all of this off? I’ve been with you all day.” I ask, trailing my finger across his chest.

  “Put Luke’s ass to work. He’s the best man after all.” He smirks.

  We lay together talking in random about everything from Savannah’s failed attempt at cooking on the grill to the crab Heidi Jo and Brailee chased into a hole on the beach. We’ve had such a fun vacation and it’s only just begun.

  “Are ya nervous, darlin’?” Colton whispers breathily against my ear.

  “Excited would be the best way to describe how I’m feeling. Are you nervous?” The cool ocean breeze causes goose bumps to blanket my flesh and I curl closer to his side for warmth.

  “I don’t get nervous, darlin’.” He says looking into my eyes, brushing my hair across my shoulder. His finger trails slowly across my collar bone and his plump lips lightly sweep across my pulse point.

  “You’re so cocky. Just wait until you
have to say your vows. I bet you stutter.” I giggle against his throat. He clears his throat, then scrubs his hand over his face. “Baby, it was your idea to write our own vows, ‘member?” He grumbles low in his throat. “So why do you look like a deer in headlights at the mention of our vows?”

  “Darlin’, you just ruined the moment.” He nips at my neck. Cocking an eyebrow up at him I shoot him a silent warning. “I ain’t wrote nothin’ down, but I know what I wanna say. So don’t worry your pretty little head ‘bout it. Everything’s gonna be perfect.”

  Perfect. Everything already is perfect; getting married is the icing on the cake. At eight PM tonight, I’ll finally become Mrs. Carolina Jo Weston. It feels like time is slowly passing us by. I don’t want to rush the moment only to watch it pass by in the blink of an eye, but I can’t wait to be his wife.

  It was his bright idea to write our own vows. I’ve never known him to put so much into anything like he has this wedding; like he has our relationship recently. I was happy with a small, traditional wedding, but Colton reminded me that there is absolutely nothing traditional about our relationship. Writing the vows was the easy part. It’s evoking every ounce of love that I have as I say those special words that makes me jittery. Tears are bound to fall.

  I press my head against his chest and he lazily traces circles across my arm. I can’t imagine a more perfect night. I smile inwardly to myself silently thanking God for leading me back home. The circumstances were dire, but Colton and I were brought back together for a redeeming chance at love. I may have wandered aimlessly lost for seven years, but being back in his arms feels like home. I melt into his side and my eyes close on their own accord as he blankets me with his warm embrace.

  “Darlin’, wake up.” Colton whisper kisses against my lips. My eyes drift open peering into his chocolate brown eyes dreamily. “Watch the sun come up with me.” He sits up and pulls me into his lap and together we watch the sun kiss the morning sky.