Redemption (The Restoration Series Book 1)

by Christina Simpson

“Pretty good. Got the surf shop up and running.”

  “That’s great news. Have any customers yet?”

  “Just a few tourists. Was able to get one of the resorts to hand out my card, so that’s been helpful.”

  “Awesome, dude. What else is going on?”

  “Well, you’re not going to like this but I got a call from Officer Morrison. He told me that the state is asking us to testify.”

  “I figured that was coming.” I leaned against the wooden fence, propping my boot up on the bottom plank.

  “Yeah, but it’s worse. They’re asking for the girls.”

  My stomach dropped and I straightened. Flashes of Nova’s bruised and bleeding body raced across my mind. “No.”

  “Davis, you know we don’t have a choice. As far as I can tell, they won’t have to be present in the courtroom, but they are requested to be here for the trial. If we want these guys convicted, they need eye witnesses. They have a lot of money and really good lawyers. I tried to keep them out of it, but I don’t think it’s going to work.”

  “How do you think they are supposed to deal with that? In the room or not, they’re just now starting to work through everything. This is just going to set them back,” I growled angrily.

  Jared’s sigh was audible through the phone. “I don’t know.”

  “I’ll call Morrison.”

  “We’ll keep them safe no matter what, Davis. I swear.”

  “I know.”

  “All right then, I’ll tell Morrison to be waiting for your call. Sorry about this, man. Life is a lot harder here without you.”

  “I know what you mean,” I said as I watched Charlie and Pete ride up from the field.

  “I have to go. I’ll touch base with you in a few days.”

  Hitting the button to end the call, I slipped my phone back into my pocket and fished out my glove. I picked up a shovel and began mucking out the stalls of the barn one by one, letting my frustration work itself out.

  I can’t imagine what you have planned here, God. You can’t expect Nova to face that again. She hasn’t even had time to work out her own stuff, and now she’s going to have to be there staring at the evil that destroyed her.

  I huffed as I tossed the shovel across the stall, listening to the crash of the metal against the wooden sidewall. I braced my hands on my head and paced up and down the center of the barn until my breathing settled and I had calmed a bit.

  You better know what you’re doing. Help me keep her safe.

  Chapter 15

  NOVA

  My alarm went off and I groaned, slipping the soft quilt over my head and rolling to my other side. The noise went from soft to loud in a matter of seconds and I quickly reached my arm over and slapped the top of the offending machine multiple times.

  For a few brief moments, I felt normal. I was home, just waking up from a full night’s sleep. I was untarnished, whole, and happy. Then, I remembered.

  My eyes focused on the mirror beside my bed and I studied my reflection, just a shell of who I used to be. Blonde hair mussed all over, blotchy skin and vacant eyes stared back at me. I winced as pain suddenly seared through my legs.

  I reached down to touch my bandages, much smaller now, and put a slight pressure on my stitched-up wounds, attempting to alleviate the dull throbbing pain spreading through my thighs. But the pressure didn’t help, and I winced at the contact, tears springing to my eyes. A few moments later, after taking deep breaths to calm the pain, I stood and headed toward the washroom to get ready for my second appointment with Lillian. I quickly showered and padded across the hallway to my room once more, heading straight for my closet. I pulled my hair up, and decided on a bright yellow sundress in hopes my mood would improve if I attempted to be myself again.

  As I padded down the stairs, carefully taking them one at a time, the doorbell chimed. My father moved from his spot in the kitchen, opening the heavy door where a delivery man was holding a smaller package in his hands.

  “Can I help you?” Dad asked, opening the screen door.

  “I have a delivery for Nova Drake.” He handed the package over to my father and pulled a clipboard out from under his arm, sliding a pen out and handing it to my father.

  Dad turned and handed me the box, then reached for the pen, signing his name.

  “Thanks. Have a good day, sir.” The man turned and headed back to his truck.

  I set the box on the dining room table and quickly peeled the tape off. Inside was a small silver jewelry box. I lifted it carefully from its wrapping and opened the lid. Inside it was inscribed,

  Welcome Home.

  There was no return address or signature in the inscription, which seemed a bit odd. The only thing I could think was that Davis may have ordered it for some reason in an attempt to do something nice for me.

  “That’s pretty. Who is it from?” My mother walked into the room and smiled at the box in my hands. I set it down and turned.

  “I have no idea. I assume it’s from Davis.”

  “Why would he have something shipped to you? He lives so close.” Her confusion made me wonder the exact same thing. If it wasn’t from Davis, there’s only one other person I could think it would be from. My heart quickened as fear coiled inside. There’s no way he could be around here. There’s no way he would know I was home. The only person who ever sent me tokens of affection in the past… was my ex.

  I did my best to dismiss the fear, scoffing at my assumptions. I’ll just ask Davis first. I set the silver box on the shelf in the living room, then sat at the table and ate whatever food my mother set in front of me.

  When I walked into Lillian’s office a few hours later, she smiled and waved at me as she finished a call at her desk. I took a seat on the couch and waited patiently for her to be done. A few moments later she set the phone back down and stood.

  “It’s so good to see you again, Nova.” She smiled warmly and moved to the chair in front of me.

  “Thanks. You too.”

  “So how were the last few days?” She leaned back in her chair and grabbed the notepad from the table beside her.

  “Okay, I guess.”

  “Did you complete your task?”

  “Yes, for the most part. I had everyone come over and began telling them, but Evie couldn’t…” I glanced away. “She wasn’t ready to be reminded.”

  “I see. That’s all right. Your circumstances are very similar and the fact she was there means she understands better than anyone else, I would presume. You can wait until she’s ready to talk. She’ll need to do that soon, I can guarantee it.”

  “Evie and her mom left, and then I told my parents and Davis.”

  “So, Davis showed up?”

  “He did. Although he kind of had to save me again from a very large bull.”

  She glanced up at me and smiled. “Oh? Tell me about that.”

  I told her how I was walking out toward the tree and saw that the fence had been broken, and as I was getting closer, cattle starting moving toward the opening and pushing their way through. It didn’t take long for them to get agitated, and then the huge bull pushed through and headed straight for me. I explained how I quickly scrambled up into a nearby tree, high enough to keep me out of harm’s way. The bull butted his horns against the trunk of the tree before moving off into the field. That’s when Davis showed up.

  “And what went through your mind when Davis arrived?” She asked.

  I thought about that for a moment. “I felt relieved.”

  “Not afraid?”

  “No. I felt relieved. Like I knew that he’d be there to help, that he’d go out of his way to make sure I was safe.”

  Lillian took notes on her pad.

  “And why do you think that Davis would help you and keep you safe?”

  I didn’t really know the answer to that question. I speculated that it was because he ultimately was the one who saved me in Australia. And even the other day, when I backed away from him because I was scared, he
kept his distance and swore to me that he wasn’t going to come near me.

  “Knowing that he gets it, is huge. I just believe him when he says things. Doubting him has never really been an option or even a thought. He’s always just standing back, watching and making sure that everything around me is not triggering me into a moment. And even when I do have a moment, he just knows to let me know he’s there, but not push me. When he’s around, I don’t have to worry or think about ulterior motives. It’s…relieving. That’s the only word I know how to describe him.”

  Lillian quirked a tiny smile and then glanced back down to her notes.

  “That’s really good progress, Nova. What about your parents?”

  “Things are getting easier. I told them they had to sleep in their own room, and they argued but eventually complied. I feel like I can be close to my dad again. He still gives me distance when I’m remembering something but for the most part, it’s good.”

  “All right then. Are you ready for your next assignment?”

  I picked at my nails and nodded, waiting nervously to hear what she’d say.

  “I want you to go out in public this week, at least once. It can be with any of the people on your trust list, but it has to be a public place. The grocery store, the library, or even a restaurant. Somewhere where you will be seen. Practice your calming phrases and use them if you need to.”

  I breathed a deep sigh. I wasn’t ready for that, but I guess I’d have to force myself to do it. Nodding, I stood, pulling the strap of my purse over my head so it crossed my body.

  “Let’s schedule for next week. From here on out, two days a week until we decide differently.” Lillian hooked the pencil to the front of the folder in her hands.

  “Sure.”

  “Good. Remember that I’m praying for you, Nova. Every night. I’m in your corner and you’re not alone.”

  “Thanks, Doc.” I smiled before turning and walking out the door and through the building.

  As I came down the front steps, I saw a young copper-haired girl sitting on the swing set across the yard, struggling to reach her feet to the dirt below her. She wiggled a little, attempting to push herself forward, but sighed in defeat. I took tentative steps toward her.

  “Would you like me to push you?” I asked gently, staying a few feet away from her.

  Her eyes stilled and she studied me briefly.

  “I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”

  “That’s right,” I said as I crouched down to her level. “I’ll introduce myself to you, then you can introduce yourself to me, and we won’t be strangers anymore.”

  “Okay.” The little girl gave me a toothy smile.

  “My name is Nova.”

  She giggled. “Like a supernova?”

  I smiled at the younger girl. She looked around the age of seven, and her long copper hair was braided into pigtails.

  “Supernovas are awesome. When they happen, they are really, really bright, and they can light up the whole galaxy. It takes a long time for that shine to go away.”

  “Do you like science?” I questioned her.

  “It’s my favorite. Makes me feel like there’s something awesome and good happening all the time, even if we can’t see it. Something is being fixed, made, or making itself better.”

  Her words hit me a little. Even when we can’t see it, life is always moving forward. Magic is always happening and making us better. I hoped that was true.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Ellie.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Ellie.” I reach out to offer my hand and she looked at it carefully before placing her tiny fingers into my palm. The long jagged scar along her arm revealed itself as she shook my hand. Horror filled my gut, wondering if this little girl had suffered as Evie and I had.

  “Do you live here?” I nodded to the large house.

  “Yes. I’ve been here since I was six.”

  “Does your mom live here?”

  “I don’t have a mom.” Her face bent down and sadness filled her eyes.

  “That’s okay. A lot of people don’t have moms. I bet there are lots of people here who love you.”

  She smiled at that and looked over to the house, slightly nodding. Knowing that she was thinking about happy thoughts made it easier for me to stand. Deciding to give the little girl some space for now, I took a few steps back.

  “All right, well, I better get going. I’ll be back next week.”

  “Okay, Nova.”

  “Bye, Ellie.”

  “Bye.”

  I watched as she slipped out of the seat and turned around to rest her stomach against the plastic seat so she could push herself off the ground and put herself into motion. At least she was a problem fixer.

  My mom smiled at me when I slid into the car. “She’s adorable.”

  “Yeah. But can you imagine what happened to her to make her have to live here?” My face sobered at that thought and I leaned my head against the window, watching Ellie swing carelessly. I was envious of her joy and missed that feeling of freedom so desperately.

  “So, how’d it go today?” Mom prodded me, pulling me from my thoughts.

  “Good.” I didn’t elaborate. I knew she wanted more, but this was my burden to carry. Mom needed her joy back, too. I was not going to be the thing that drained her of that. She looked at me thoughtfully but didn’t ask any more questions. We drove in silence toward the ranch and I let myself think about what it would feel like to be free again.

  Pulling up to the ranch, I slid from the car as soon as my mother came to a stop. Inside, I fell onto my bed and pulled my pillow closer, feeling Millie jump up beside me, nuzzling my hand to pet her. I obliged for a while before I heard an alert come from my phone.

  Evie: Hey.

  Nova: Hi, you. Okay?

  Evie: Not really.

  Nova: You should call the center.

  Evie: Maybe. Not feeling good at the moment.

  Nova: Sorry. Feel better.

  I slipped the phone on the table beside me and hesitated, wondering if I should call her. But Evie was always the first one to reach out if she needed me. Sometimes she’d want advice and help, other times she just wanted to know I was there. Seemed this was part of the latter.

  Later that night, after dinner, I cleaned up and got ready for bed. As I was pulling the covers up, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen and saw DAVIS typed across the front. Sliding my fingers across the screen, I held it up to my ear.

  “Hi,” I answered quietly, so as to not wake my parents.

  “Hey. Did I wake you?” His deep voice vibrated through the speaker.

  “No. I was just getting ready for bed.”

  “Good. I just wanted to ask you how today went.”

  “It was fine. I met another client at the center and I have a new assignment.”

  “Who’d you meet?”

  “A little girl named Ellie. She’s pretty adorable.”

  “Hmm. I don’t think I’ve met her.”

  “I don’t think she’s allowed to speak to any men. She seemed hesitant to even speak to me.”

  “Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “So what’s the assignment?”

  That… I had wondered who I was going to tell about this, and when. Surprisingly the thought of doing something in public didn’t seem so scary if I knew Davis was nearby.

  “I’m supposed to go out. Do something in public where there are other people.”

  Silence filled the line for a few moments before Davis spoke again.

  “You think you’re ready for that?” His soft questioning tone made my skin prickle.

  “No, but that’s kind of the point, I guess. I have to push myself to get out there again, try to be normal and move on.”

  “Where are you going to go?”

  “Well, I’m supposed to go with someone on my trust list. My parents are always so hovering that I doubt they’d let anyone get remotely close to me if we went anywhere together.”
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  “What about Evie or her mom?”

  “Not sure. Evie’s sort of dealing with her own stuff, you know? Her mom needs to be there for her right now.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah,” I whispered.

  “So that means…” His words trailed off, knowing that the only person left was him.

  “Yes. I sort of have to go somewhere public with you. Are you too busy?”

  I heard a soft chuckle. “I’m always busy, but if you need me, I’ll make the time and be there. Always.”

  Relief. There it was again. His words lifted the weight of my worry away. “Thanks, Davis.”

  “Of course. So…what would you like to do?”

  “Lillian suggested going to a store, or restaurant. Or somewhere in town like the library.”

  “Right. Well, why don’t we start with lunch, then if you feel up to it, we can work our way down the list? Make an afternoon of it?”

  “Okay.”

  “So when do you want to do this?”

  “Can you take tomorrow afternoon off?”

  “I’m the owner’s grandson. I can take whatever time I want off. I was gone for three years, the ranch will keep running without me.”

  I laughed a little, careful to stay quiet. “All right. I’ll be ready around one.”

  “Sounds good. I better let you get some sleep.”

  “You probably need some, too.”

  “Sweet dreams and peaceful sleep, Nova.”

  “You, too. Goodnight.”

  “Night.”

  With that, the line disconnected and I set my phone back down and pulled the blankets up. I thought about Ellie, and Lillian and Davis, and Evie. Once I had worked my way through the list, I closed my eyes and let the peaceful sleep that Davis called for to find me.

  Chapter 16

  DAVIS

  My nerves were frazzled as I drove the few miles to Nova’s house. Today would be interesting. Having lunch would be nice; knowing that she trusted me to keep her safe and help her through this meant the world to me.

  The dust billowed around my truck as I pulled down the driveway and up to the front of the Drake home. I left the large sunflower I had picked for Nova on the dash and slipped out of the cab. A thin layer of dust jumped from the steps as my boots came down on the wooden slats. I knocked on the door and stuffed my hands in my pockets, waiting for it to open.