Glory Falls

by Janine Rosche

  Bile rose in Blue’s throat. Thomas, her friend, her love. He released the water? He hadn’t just been working there, or looking out for everyone’s safety. He’d made the decision to discharge the water. Then, with the same hand that he used to stroke her hair and caress her face, he’d sent the water downriver to fill her baby’s lungs and stop her breath.

  Tears filled Keira’s eyes. “One last part. ‘Not only would it have saved Ella’s life, but also my unborn child’s life. The day after the drowning, my wife Cecelia lost our second baby, three months into the pregnancy. Thomas Beck destroyed my family. He’s no hero.’”

  Blue kicked her feet free of the sheets, then ran to the bathroom. Between bouts of sickness, she heaved great sobs. Sobs for her career, for her children, and for herself. What kind of cruel irony is this, Lord? Where is the mercy in this?

  Outside the bathroom door, she heard Ryann’s voice. “She’s really upset . . . I know. I’m sure she knows that, too, but with Hunter’s history of cheating . . .”

  There was a knock on the door. “Blue, Thomas is on the phone. He needs to talk to you.”

  Fresh sobs racked her body. “I can’t. I can’t.”

  “She can’t talk. I think it’s too fresh . . . I’ll tell her. Thomas, I’ll tell her . . . And we’ll get her on that plane. I promise . . . Okay, bye.”

  * * *

  * * *

  Thomas paced across Blue’s driveway. None of the thoughts in his head made sense. They burrowed beneath and climbed on top of one another. He knocked the heel of his hand against his forehead, but still they didn’t loosen. The facts remained tangled with the assumptions, lies, and half-truths. No matter how he looked at the situation, it was wrong. Devastatingly wrong.

  His phone had been inundated with calls all day, but there was only one name he cared to see. And she hadn’t rung. Keira had texted when they left the Bozeman airport, which meant Ryann would be dropping Blue off here any minute.

  By now, Blue would know that her career comeback was as good as dead. Teddy Woodward had suspended production indefinitely before it even began. The movie about Thomas’s life would not be made. The whole country knew what he was—a sham.

  The Jeep turned onto the drive, rumbling over the uneven snow that had been packed down over the winter. Blue was in the passenger seat, wearing oversize sunglasses.

  Knowing he’d made her cry felt like a sword to his heart. Knowing how long he’d made her cry felt like a twist of the sword. Ryann stopped the car right in front of him.

  Thomas wrenched open the passenger door and held out his hand to the person he loved most in the world, but Blue kept her body stiff in place. It was only when he retreated that she climbed down from the seat. Still, she didn’t look at him. Not when he retrieved her carry-on from the back of the Jeep. Not when he carried it to the door leading into the garage. She unlocked the door and let herself in. Since she didn’t slam it in his face, he assumed it was okay to follow her.

  After she’d removed her boots, coat, and sunglasses, she collapsed onto her couch. She wore no makeup, or perhaps she’d cried it all off already. Her hair looked uncombed, and her face was swollen from tears.

  It broke him. He fell to his knees in front of her and took her clammy hands in his. “I’m so sorry, Blue. There’s never been anything between Andrea and me. Nothing. That picture was from when I told her I wouldn’t help her anymore. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”

  Finally, she looked at him. Her lower lip trembled, and he wanted more than anything to press his own lips against it until it stopped, but this was not the time.

  “Do you believe me? About Andrea, do you believe me?”

  The slightest nod dipped her chin.

  “And I’m sorry about the movie, but not because of me. I don’t care that people think I’m a jerk, or a cad, or a villain. But I’m sorry that you put all that work in, and it’s for nothing. And if you’ll let me, I’ll stop at nothing until I make this right and get you back on top of Hollywood where you belong.”

  Large drops rolled over her lower lashes.

  “Blue,” his voice cracked. His heavy head fell to her lap. He kissed her hand. How could he ever say this? “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my role that day. In Ella’s death. I wanted to tell you, but I was so ashamed. Yes, I was working that day as safety director. We’d had so much rain in the days before—a record-breaking amount. I followed protocol. And yes, I released 2,100 cubic feet of water per second through the dam beginning at 3:24 p.m. on September 2. I didn’t sound the alarm because, although that’s a lot of water, it still fell under the amount that required the alarm or even the Emergency Action Plan. I notified all the proper channels—the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the county sheriffs, the resort owners downstream—and warned them of possible flooding. I followed protocol. That’s why the investigation found the dam and me free and clear of fault.

  “But what I can’t forgive myself for is that I always drove the length of the river before I released that much water. Evacuation isn’t necessary for what we call a ‘non-failure flooding,’ but it always gave me peace of mind. But I didn’t that day because I’d been so upset with you and your family staying right next door. My emotions got the best of me, and I’d hardly slept the night before. I was tired, so I just released the water without the extra precaution. If I hadn’t released that water, the integrity of the dam might’ve been at risk, and many more lives would have been in danger. Still, I wish I’d never discharged the water. I wish I’d driven the length of the river. I wish I’d joined the rescue efforts sooner so I could have found her before it was too late. I wish so many things.”

  She nodded.

  “And I never knew about the pregnancy. I’m sorry about the baby and for destroying your family. Please forgive me.”

  “Thomas, there’s nothing to forgive. You did your job.” She worked her lips over and over again. “But it was by your hand. And knowing that? It’s like I’ve lost them—Ella and the baby—all over again.”

  The pain burned through him, searing his bones and scalding his skin from the inside out. “You don’t have to be alone this time. I’m here for you.”

  “But when I look at you, I see the water. And it hurts too much. I’m sorry, but it hurts too much to be around you.”

  “What do you need from me?”

  “I need some time. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with this new grief. And I don’t know what I’m supposed to do for my career. And I don’t know if I can ever look at you without it causing so much pain.”

  Thomas bit his cheek and nodded. He withdrew his hands from hers, sliding them off her fingertips, hoping to make every split second last. He stood, staring at her. Twenty-five years of friendship had come to this. She couldn’t raise her eyes to his. It had all been for nothing. His closest relationship. The only one he’d ever loved like this, and in the end, he’d only brought her pain. His family’s curse. What was the point of it all, if the more you try to love someone, the more you hurt them? Suddenly, walking away from her was easy.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Thomas stood outside the ten-foot doors. If he’d known what person would end up living here, he wouldn’t have worked his muscles so hard to sand and stain them a few months back. This was the last place he wanted to be, but in the five days since Blue had broken up with him, he was convinced this was what he had to do. He unclenched his fist and pressed the doorbell.

  The door opened slowly. Upon seeing Thomas, Hunter edged the door a bit more closed so only half of his face was visible. “Beck. How’d you get through the gate?”

  “I helped remodel this house after the Ashcrofts moved out and Teddy bought it. He never changed the gate code.”

  “What do you want?” Hunter’s focus landed on Thomas’s waist, where one hand wrapped around the other curled fist.

>   Thomas shoved his hands in his coat pockets instead. “I’m not here to fight you if that’s what you’re worried about. I came here to talk.”

  Hunter rubbed his jaw. “Come on in,” he said before abandoning the door.

  Thomas followed him through the foyer and into the main living area where he and Robbie had retiled the floor. Hours and hours on his knees before Hunter even arrived. Now, he was here groveling. How fitting.

  When Hunter sat on the corner of the couch, the midday light filtering through the windows caught the shiner that purpled his left eye.

  “What happened to you?”

  “Ridiculous. I went to grab some food from that Ollie’s place, and one of the waitresses clocked me, completely out of nowhere. Then she said, ‘Team Blue,’ and walked away.”

  Atta girl, Hallie.

  “I take it you’re preparing a lawsuit? Collecting insurance?”

  “Oh yeah, that’d be awesome. Suing a beautiful waitress for defending her friend? These Montana women—they’re tough.”

  “Hallie’s from Phoenix.”

  “Hallie—like your ex-girlfriend?”

  Thomas said nothing.

  “Man. I tell you what. I’d let her hit me again.”

  His stomach roiled. This guy’s eye wandered more than a Yellowstone buffalo.

  “So, why are you here?” Hunter asked.

  “I came to say that you won. You broke us up and killed the movie. You got what you wanted.”

  “Is that all?”

  “No.” Thomas fought against the lump in his throat. “I’m sorry about Ella and the baby. If I’d known you were out there with her, I would’ve done things differently. I can’t imagine losing a child, let alone two.”

  Hunter shrugged. “I have some scripts to read if you don’t mind.” Is this how he’d handled Blue’s mourning? With a simple dismissal?

  “One more thing. Did you take that picture of my father? In Denver?”

  Hunter set his jaw, and his gaze fell to the tile. Like he actually had a conscience or something. “I hired someone to track him down.”

  “I lost touch with him a few months ago. Could you ask your guy for the cross streets? I’m heading down to Denver tomorrow to find him, and that would help me out.” Thomas withdrew a slip of paper from his pocket and held it out to Hunter. “Here’s my number. Text or call.”

  Hunter accepted it hesitantly.

  Thomas pointed the toes of his boots to the door and headed out.

  He was halfway down the front walk when he heard his name. He turned to find Hunter on the front stoop. “For what it’s worth, thanks for watching over Blue the last few months. I mean it.” Hunter rocked on his heels. “I’ll take it from here.”

  * * *

  * * *

  The last thing Blue expected to hear right now was dog paws scratching on her parents’ front door. She hadn’t considered how the breakup would affect her time with Molly. She missed that dog something awful. And the nights? Well, the nights had been long without her soft nudges and warm fur.

  Blue hurried to the door and pulled it open. Molly burst inside, scampering about. Blue dropped to her knee and welcomed the dog into her arms until Molly flipped onto her back for a belly rub. Some things don’t change.

  Thomas’s tall stature blocked the sunlight in her doorway. “Can we talk?”

  “I’m not ready—”

  “Not about us. I know you need time. About Molly.”

  “Sure. Come on in.”

  He stepped just inside the door and closed it behind him. He didn’t attempt to venture any further, which was fine with Blue. “How have you been sleeping?”

  “Not well. The nightmares are back.”

  “Yeah, I was worried about that. As for Molly, she sleeps on the mat by the side door every night, whining for you.”

  “I miss her, too.”

  “I’m leaving for Denver right now to find my father. I could take Molly with me or kennel her, but I didn’t know if you’d like to keep her here so she could help you at night.”

  Her chest tightened. “How long will you be gone?”

  “However long it takes to get him set up in a better situation. I’m taking leave from the department for a while. Even though my suspension is over, Spencer isn’t exactly excited for me to go out on calls again. I’m doing him a favor. So probably a few weeks at least.”

  “That long?”

  Thomas’s long eyelashes fanned across his cheekbones for several seconds. When they lifted again, regret pooled in his eyes. It was almost enough for her to pretend the clawing pain inside her didn’t exist, so she could take him into her arms.

  “I can keep her.”

  “Good.” Thomas retrieved a bag of Purina from the porch and set it inside the front door. “Here’s her food. If that runs out, I have more in my house. There’s a key—”

  “Under the porch swing?”

  He nodded. Thomas dipped down to the floor and called Molly to him for a goodbye. He scratched behind her ears and kissed her forehead before whispering something into her fur. After he’d finished his goodbye, he straightened, giving Blue one last sorrowful look.

  “Be careful driving through the mountains,” she said.

  “I will. Goodbye, Blue.”

  She waited at the window a long time and watched him back down his driveway. For some reason, the hole in her chest deepened even more when his Bronco disappeared around the bend. Each step to the couch felt like a mile, but eventually, she fell onto it. The first sob startled Molly. Immediately, she took action, leaving her rug by the fireplace and climbing up into Blue’s lap. Blue didn’t hesitate to bury her tears in the fur.

  Sometime later, the doorbell rang again. Blue’s heart leaped. But the visitor at the door was not Thomas returning to answer her heart’s call.

  “Oh, Teddy, it’s you.”

  “Hey, kiddo. If I come in, do you promise not to beat me with one of your spiral notebooks? Even though I deserve it?”

  She pinned him with a look.

  “Okay, I get it. No promises, but I’m coming in anyway.”

  Blue stalked back to the couch and sprawled out so he wouldn’t be inclined to sit and stay awhile.

  “How are you doing?” Teddy reached down to pet Molly’s back.

  “Well, I lost my boyfriend, I’m once again the Victim of Tinseltown, my only hope of salvaging my career is dead on arrival, and the dog is wet with my tears and who knows what else.”

  Teddy jerked his hand from Molly and wiped it on his jeans. Serves him right. “Not dead on arrival. Simply suspended for a time. I’m not permanently shelving Thomas’s story.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I didn’t realize it, but his story isn’t over yet. Call this the dark night of the soul, and believe that redemption is coming. A screenwriter of all people should see that.”

  “He isn’t a character, Teddy. He’s a real person in the real world where actions can have deadly consequences and happy endings aren’t promised.”

  Teddy said nothing.

  Fresh tears welled as her anger melted into sorrow. “What am I supposed to do now?”

  “Thomas called me this morning. He told me to ask you about Glory Falls. I’m very interested in seeing a sequel to Mississinewa Glory. And he said it’s great.”

  “I don’t need your pity.”

  “It’s not pity if you have talent. I only put my money behind things I believe in. You, my dear goddaughter, have a gift for story, and practically speaking, I need a film to produce. Now, let me see that script of yours.”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Thomas pulled his Bronco onto the side of the Denver city street. He double-checked the text from Hunter, then matched the sign ahead to the information he’d received. A group of people huddle
d on the sidewalk near a community center. Across the street, a woman sat on the bench Thomas recognized from the picture in Hunter’s Momentso post.

  He stepped down from the truck and welcomed the mild spring air. At least his father wouldn’t be too cold if he rejected Thomas’s attempts to help him. At first scan, he didn’t recognize his father in any of the faces he saw. Two men eyed him curiously. Thomas found the saved screenshot on his phone and approached the men. “Excuse me. Have you seen this guy?”

  They looked at each other, then the older of the two pointed to the front door of the community center. Thomas meandered through the crowd, his heart bleeding for each and every person. He opened the door to the storefront.

  Inside, his father sat on a couch with a woman. Thomas advanced slowly, not wanting to interrupt if he was getting good, solid help. The woman looked up first, followed by his father. He was unshaven and not too clean, but he was alive. Over the last few years, that was often a question when weeks or months went by with no calls.

  “My boy!” His father rose off the couch and hugged him for the first time in Thomas’s life. His father’s spindly arms crushed his torso. He held him so tight, Thomas struggled to get a full breath. This was not the father Thomas remembered. “Claudia, look. It’s my son!”

  A woman dressed in slacks and a blazer stepped around the front desk with her hand outstretched. “It’s nice to meet you. Your father has made quite an impact here for us.”

  “I’m . . . I’m glad.”

  “He’s always ready to lend a hand or serve a meal. He’s a good one. You should be proud. Thomas the firefighter, right? Is Cassie the lawyer here, too? He talks about you both all the time.”

  “I came alone.”

  “Next time, maybe. If you’ll excuse me . . .”

  Thomas watched her return to the desk. “Dad, why didn’t you tell me you were living on the street?”

  “Son, I don’t live on the street. Not anymore, at least. I work here.”