A Masterpiece Unraveled (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 2)

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  "I don't want to lose us." Her tone and the look in her eyes was pleading.

  "Not happening," Hunter promised, kissing her lips. "Whatever our families did doesn't affect us as a couple if we don't let it. You and I aren't responsible for anything they did. I still love you with everything I have." He wrapped an arm around her. "Come on. Let's go see what we can find out."

  *****

  Dear Amelia,

  Thank you for reaching out. I'm grateful for the personal effects. I wish I had more memories of him...

  Delete.

  Dear Amelia,

  Your daughter stirred up so many ghosts and I don't know how to tell you this but-

  Delete.

  Becca leaned back with a sigh. Suffice to say, writing wasn't her strongest suit, especially when it came to an important moment like this.

  So, this wasn't going to work at the moment. Her mind was far too crowded with conflicting thoughts to actually create a rational letter.

  "Bec?" Hunter's urgent cry disrupted her.

  Email forgotten, she bolted up and hurried to him. "What did you find?"

  "I paid a fee a while ago to look up old newspaper articles. I don't remember what I was looking for at the time. It was a few years ago. Anyway, look." He pointed. A scanned image of an old newspaper caught her attention. She read the headline.

  Whitemore mourns the loss of partner, Charles Beckman, who perished in a plane crash.

  "Partner?" Becca leaned closer.

  "My dad was a lawyer. He met Joe in law school. Joe's real!" Hunter sounded relieved. "This was in Maryland. Let's see where Joe is now."

  Scooting out of the way, Becca watched Hunter's every move. He typed a few things in and clicked through a few sites.

  "He's living in Rhode Island. He's not too far, not if I take a plane ride. Bec, I can go there and talk to him." He stood, taking her hands in his. "Maybe he has answers."

  Wait, leave now? Could they do that? There was work, appointments, and everything else. But this could lead to answers.

  "What if I ask Todd to fly me down there? It'd be quick. I'll catch a plane back. A day, maybe two. I don't know about driving." He stopped when Becca stared at him in surprise. "What?"

  She held up a finger. "You don't even want to go on planes, and part of me wants to go, too." And she sure didn't want to go on a plane.

  Hunter nodded. "Right. Sorry. I'm getting ahead of myself."

  Thinking about it, maybe Hunter had a point. He could go, be quick, and find out what he needed to. Was there any real reason for her to go? She couldn't just skip out on work this soon, even though she had a feeling they would understand. Most likely though, she'd just be holding him back.

  Becca took his hand. "Just a day or two? No more?"

  "There's no need for more. I just want to talk to him face to face. I don't want to let him know I'm coming. If he's got something to hide, I want to see it on his face when I walk up to him."

  "You'd be okay to fly?"

  Hunter sucked on his lower lip. "I don't know, but for the truth I'm willing to risk it. If I'm just a passenger, I'm sure I'll be okay."

  He didn't sound sure.

  "Okay, but you have to promise me you'll be safe, and call me every chance you get," Becca begged. What if he had a nightmare or a flashback? So many scenarios played in her head.

  "What could go wrong?"

  A typical Hunter answer, but Becca had a feeling so much could.

  "Maybe you should let Jed find him." Second thoughts filled her head. Hunter was probably better off not going. She debated back and forth in her mind about this whole thing.

  Hunter ran his hand along her cheek. "Bec, I think the best thing to do is go see him face to face. That photo is proof that he's real and he knew my family. He's a link. I think we both need this. I know I've been out of it lately, but I really feel like it's the best thing to do."

  The tone in his voice, the way his eyes held so much question, she knew he needed this too. With a slow nod, Becca agreed. "Okay. You can't blame me for worrying."

  "No, I can't. You know I appreciate it." He kissed her. "Let's go talk to Todd and Beverly." Shutting off the monitor, Hunter ran out of the room. There was nothing left for Becca to do but follow. His mind was made up, even if she still doubted this plan.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Hunter had to admit it, standing in front of a plane again knowing he was going to be on it brought out his anxious side. He wouldn't be piloting the plane, but the idea of getting on one again didn't appeal to him. Why did he cater to his spur of the moment thoughts again? Everyone else had their concerns too. Standing here now, he understood why. It took a long time to convince Todd to do this, so Hunter swallowed any of his doubt away and acted like this was a breeze.

  Behind him stood Becca, Beverly, and Sienna.

  "Are you sure about this?" Becca tugged on his hand. Hunter knew she didn't even like being here at the airport. He noticed her nervousness a lot the whole way here. He'd sat in the back with her and Sienna on the way and she'd become fidgety.

  No, he wasn't sure about this. He'd learned a few things from Becca, one of them being the brave face act. He obviously wasn't pulling it off well.

  "I'm sure about this, angel," he lied. He was sure he wanted to find Joe and find out what he knew, maybe even what he did. That much was true.

  "I see through your facade, you know," she whispered, holding him close to her.

  "I know. That's why you're my rock. You know me better than anyone else. Still, I think it's the right thing to do. By this time tomorrow, hopefully you'll be holding me just like this after we've learned something." Holding her face in his hands, he kissed her. "Any time you call I'll answer." Leaving Becca even for a day or two wasn't going to be easy, not when they'd just regained a closeness he thought they'd lost forever.

  "What if you have a flashback?" she squeaked out.

  He patted his bag. "I've got a few things to attempt to keep me grounded, as suggested. I've got my notebook and I'll write everything down. This is why I won't be the pilot. I'll get a rental car in Rhode Island, but the distance I drive won't be far. Please Bec, don't worry so much." The last words didn't need to be said because no matter what, he knew she would.

  "If I don't worry about you, you won't," she replied. "You're so spontaneous and sometimes it scares the heck out of me."

  "Hey. Look at me," he requested, tipping her chin up. "Say the word. If you really want me to stay, I will. You want these answers as much as I do. I know you're worried. I am too, but I have to face it at some point, right? Why not now? Why not when we can uncover what we need to know? If Joe recognizes me, there's gotta be a way for him to talk."

  Becca was torn. He saw it in her eyes. She stood straight and squared her shoulders. "I don't like this position I'm in. I want answers, you know this. I also want you to be safe. Please be safe."

  "I'll be safe. I have you to come home to." He leaned in for another kiss, knowing he had to let her go soon in order to make it out of here on time. "I love you, angel. Always."

  "I love you too, Hunter." She was on the verge of tears, but she kept her strength.

  "Daddy!" Sienna broke free of Beverly's hold and ran to him. He picked her up and peppered her sweet face with kisses.

  "Daddy will be back soon. I'll bring you and Becca a present. You be good and give Becca lots of love."

  "Lots and lots!" Sienna grinned. That was her little promise.

  Todd pointed at his watch. "We should go."

  Hunter kissed his daughter one more time before setting her down. He thought she'd have a fit about leaving him, but Sienna went to Becca to give her a hug.

  "You be careful. I know you think you need this, but..." Beverly bear-hugged him. "Just be careful."

  "Thank you for everything. If I didn't think this would work, I wouldn't go," Hunter told her quietly. "I'll be in touch as soon as I can. Becca needs these answers."

  "Becca needs you more,
" Beverly whispered. "We all do."

  He had to move now before he lost his nerve. "I love you all." With a wave, he slung his bag over his shoulder and followed Todd outside to the plane, each step ramping up the nerves in his body. He tried not to look back, but failed pretty quickly. Becca still stood at the window with her face pressed close to it, watching his every move. He mouthed an 'I love you' to her before stepping up on the plane. Todd was already seated in the pilot's chair. Hunter settled in next to him and buckled up. His hands were shaky.

  I can do this. If I have a flashback, it's just that. A Flashback. The past can't hurt me.

  "You don't look well. I don't know what I need to do if you go into one of your flashbacks." Todd slid a nervous glance his way.

  Hunter didn't dare tell him about how he took an extra one of his pills for the anxiety, the ones they prescribed him. Becca didn't even know. She would have been upset.

  "I'll be fine. I'm not the one flying. I can do this," Hunter insisted.

  "And you're going to take a flight back home?" Todd stared at him, still showing a ton of concern.

  "I have to face it," he repeated.

  "I get that, but you don't have to face it now. You could have Becca drive you down, or you could let your PI deal with it."

  "You already agreed with me before. I'm not going to back out. Please, Todd? I don't know if we'll ever get a chance like this again." He sure hoped Todd wouldn't change his mind at the last minute!

  Todd's frown told him he didn't like the idea, but he started the plane anyway. The familiar rumble of the engine brought Hunter back to the days he used to love the feeling of flying. Would he ever get it back?

  He wanted it back. He'd fought hard to get to where he was and damn it, no PTSD was going to take it away. Hunter silently vowed to work harder to get to where he was before.

  "If I have a flashback, I just need to maintain my surroundings," Hunter said out loud, talking to Todd and himself. "I can beat them." He slid his hand in his pocket and pulled out a box. He'd picked this out the same day he brought Becca the necklace and snow globe. This one, he had plans for. Big plans. Right now, this would serve as something to hold on to if he slipped away in a flashback without her here. He bit back a laugh at Becca's earlier comment about him being spontaneous, because buying her a ring without a set plan on when to propose definitely hit the top of the list as spontaneous.

  Living without her wasn't on his list. No matter what, Hunter had to pull it together and be the man she needed. That way, one day when they were ready, he could get down on one knee and ask her to be his forever.

  First he had to bring closure for the both of them.

  *****

  "Do you want to stay with us tonight?" Beverly offered on the drive back.

  Becca pushed the image of Hunter getting on the plane out of her head. How was he doing right now? What would tonight bring? She hoped he didn't have any triggers that sent him into a flashback. She fought away the emotions threatening to take over completely. "I- I think I'll be okay," she stuttered, giving Beverly what she hoped was more of a reassuring smile than how she sounded. "Thank you though."

  "The offer stands any time."

  "I appreciate it." Becca wasn't sure what else to say. The ride seemed to last an eternity. Her mind stayed on Hunter. It wasn't just that she missed him. She did of course, but he'd been so up and down lately and the way those moods hit kept her on her guard. Some days he wasn't himself and now she had no easy way to get to him if something happened.

  Finally Beverly pulled up in her driveway. "Want to come in for dinner at least? I have something in the oven that Eva's tending to."

  Eva. Yeah, she'd have to deal with her. After the other day, the idea wasn't very appealing, but Becca also didn't want to go home to an empty house where she knew all she'd do was worry relentlessly about Hunter. A distraction would be nice.

  Beverly must have sensed it because she put a hand on Becca's arm. "Don't mind my daughter. She'll realize you aren't out to get her eventually."

  With a little gasp, Becca turned to her.

  "I know things. Eva's insanely jealous, especially with your relationship with Sienna. Don't let her harsh words and lash outs get to you."

  "I don't want to ever do anything to overstep my place."

  "Your place?" Brows raised in question, Beverly turned off the engine.

  "With Sienna, or any of you." Becca clutched her purse. This conversation was never fun. She adored Beverly and Todd, but good grief these were her boyfriend's ex-in-laws!

  "Is this because of the news you got recently? Are you feeling out of place?"

  "No this was a feeling even before that, but it adds to it." The thought pulled on her heart, weighing it down with pain. "Sienna isn't my child. I know she's attached, the feeling is mutual, but I don't want to take anyone's place."

  "Come on inside Becca and don't worry so much over it." Beverly's smile was warm and encouraging. "Your place is with Hunter and everything will work itself out."

  "You're always so full of positive wisdom. Thank you." Becca needed the reassurance right now. "I always try to be, but lately it's been a struggle."

  "Don't you worry." Another assuring smile, then Beverly unbuckled Sienna. "Come on you two. Dinner awaits."

  Becca expected a glare or a rude comment from Eva when she walked in with Beverly and Sienna. Eva's look was more compassionate. "Hi." Her tone was low and quiet and to Becca's surprise, somewhat friendly.

  "Daddy gone!" Sienna announced, actually not sounding upset about it. She'd cried a little bit when Hunter walked away to the plane, but had calmed down immediately.

  "I know. Daddy has some things to take care of." Eva tousled her daughter's hair. "The roast is almost done, and I took care of the side dishes. Are you staying?" She glanced back at her again.

  Becca hesitated.

  "Yes, she is," Beverly answered when she couldn't. "I invited her to. No reason for Becca to go home alone right now."

  "I'll set another place." Eva turned on her heel and walked away.

  Dinner actually went smooth other than Becca noticing how everyone avoided talking about Hunter's trip and why he was there. It was a sense of normal she enjoyed. If only Hunter were here to be part of it.

  After dinner, Becca offered to help clean up. "It'll give me something to keep my mind off worrying," she said when Beverly was about to protest. She helped clear the table and loaded the dishwasher. As strange at it sounded, the simple act really did keep her calm.

  When her phone rang, Becca wiped her hands dry on the dish towel and reached into her pocket for it. Her heart did a little dance when Hunter's name displayed across the screen. Had it already been more than an hour since take off? She answered it eagerly. "Hey! How are you? How was the flight?"

  "I'm so glad to hear your voice, angel. I miss you already. The flight itself was good. Me, well that's another story but hey, I made it. We've landed. I'm about to get a rental car and a place to stay for the night. I'll go visit Joe tomorrow and see what he has to say. What are you doing?" He did sound good. Hopefully he was being honest with her about how he was.

  "Cleaning up after dinner. Beverly invited me to stay so I wouldn't be alone. You're really okay?" She couldn't help but ask again.

  "No flashbacks or disassociation. Did I get a little anxious? Absolutely. It's done though, so I can handle anything from here." He sounded so sure. Was it an act or did he really feel that way? "I'm glad you aren't alone. I'll make this as short as possible so I can come home and hold you in my arms again. Call me if you need anything, even if it's the middle of the night. Okay?"

  "Okay. The same goes for you. I'll keep the phone right by my ear."

  "It'll be okay, Bec. I love you. Todd's calling Beverly now so I'll let you go. I'll talk to Sienna a little bit too." He made a kiss sound.

  "I love you too." She clutched the phone against her ear, not ready to hang up yet, but she knew she needed to.

  "Yo
u hang up first," Hunter whispered.

  "No, you."

  "I don't want to."

  "Neither do I. We sound like love sick teenagers."

  Hunter laughed. "We do, don't we? Okay, how about the count of three we both hang up."

  "Fair enough." Becca leaned against the kitchen counter with a smile.

  "Ready? One, two, three."

  She didn't hang up. She didn't hear Hunter, but the phone showed they were still connected.

  "You're just as stubborn as I am." Hunter's voice came over the line softly.

  She giggled. "Great minds think alike?"

  He chuckled. "Yeah, maybe. This isn't going to be as easy as I thought."

  "I don't remember us having such a hard time hanging up before."

  "I do a little bit. I recall a few times staying on the phone with you until you were asleep."

  "Seriously?" She didn't recall that one at all!

  "Yep. Around your high school years, right after you started walking. I think the week before you started school, we were on the phone late. I talked to you until you fell asleep." Becca pictured him with a smile right about now. "Tell you what. Call me when you're in bed, ready to go to sleep and I'll stay on the phone with you until you're out."

  "What if it's late?"

  "Doesn't matter the time. Todd's calling me, so I'll let you go. This time I promise I'll hang up. Talk to you tonight. Okay?"

  "Sounds like a plan," she said softly, loving it when Hunter brought up old moments he remembered, especially of the two of them.