"Why did you cover up the settlement?" Becca fired at Joe.
"To keep you safe. Since I had a connection with Hunter's father, they figured I was a decent shot at doing what they needed. They knew I would have done it to protect Hunter."
"So Sylvia found the Langes and somehow figured out something about Becca. That's what led us to the plane?" Hunter managed.
"Sylvia had been obsessed with finding Rusty for years. She learned where they were vacationing and went to meet up with him. Unfortunately, Sylvia overheard a conversation between Rusty and Charles, because at the time a boy claiming to be your brother contacted Charles and wanted to see you again. Sylvia had the mindset of a child sometimes and never understood. She was pretty violent after hearing the conversation, and she blackmailed them. She said if they didn't take her to live with them, she'd tell everyone that Becca was stolen. Charles and Savannah had the means to get to them quick and that's why you were all on that plane. We just wanted to make sure everything was covered and that nothing would come up."
"And because the plane crashed and everyone thought Sylvia was dead because she wasn't found when we were, you were off the hook. What did you plan on doing with her if the plane never crashed?" Hunter scooted to the edge of the bed, not really sure what answer he was going to get and if he wanted to hear it. If his nightmare had been true and Sylvia was on that island, she didn't want to be found. That's why she must have hidden again, so she could get the hell away without anyone sending her back to where she'd come from.
Becca finally had to sit back down. Hunter noticed her knees buckling.
"I was going to give her what she wanted- a new life. There was only a part of her that wanted Rusty around, but what she really wanted was to get away from who she was, from the life she'd been dealt with because of the men her mother dated. Then I was going to create new identities for all of you and get you the hell away from her." Joe palmed his face in his hands. "I never had enough time to come up with a concrete plan. I just knew I had to keep your families safe."
"Are you sure you weren't plotting to kill her?" Hunter threw it out there. No way would Sylvia settle for money if she had dirt on the Langes and his family.
Joe's face turned white again. "It crossed my mind. I would have had a plan by the time the plane landed."
But the plane never landed. Instead, it conveniently crashed.
"You said my brother. Who was he? Is there a way to trace him?" Becca wrapped her arms around herself.
"I have no idea. He only talked to Charles. I never saw him, and never heard from him after the crash."
Becca's face fell. Another dead end.
So fucking close and yet so far away!
Another thought popped in Hunter's head, but this time, he didn't ask. He wasn't sure he wanted to know. Did Joe have something to do with the plane crash? From what he remembered, the plane was struck by lighting, but there could have been so much more to it. Even for a small plane, lightning couldn't have been the only reason it went down in those waters.
Becca and Hunter stared at each other. The anger and sadness in her eyes was a reflection of how he felt. So many scenarios. So many possibilities. Things that could go wrong and things that did go wrong.
The one thing that still remained at large was Sylvia, with whatever she knew and did. She was still out there somewhere. She still carried some of the answers. Hunter stared at Joe and decided he wouldn't say a thing. Not to Joe, not to Becca. He'd keep Joe close while he dug for the truth. Was that plane crash an accident?
What was that saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?
He planned on it. Hunter couldn't be sure if Joe was a friend or enemy, but he damn sure wasn't going to let this go without looking into it.
Chapter Thirty Three
Two months later.
"Are you sure about this?" Hunter asked Becca for the tenth time in an hour.
"It's time," she replied softly, taking his hand. "We can do this together. If you want to wait..."
He shook his head. "It's just been a while. I don't want to backtrack."
"You won't backtrack," Dr. Ryan insisted. "The exposure therapy is going to help make an airplane not be a trigger. It's a step in getting your life back."
For the past few weeks, they'd been working hard at helping Hunter cope with his PTSD. He'd had a few rough times, but nothing at all as severe as what happened in Rhode Island. His progress was amazing. There was still so much to do, and some days were still difficult, but he put 100% effort into it. It helped that they had some answers, and Becca loved that Hunter connected again with Joe.
The one major question that remained had to do with Sylvia. It was like she'd disappeared. Hunter still believed she was dead and her body lost somewhere. Becca had a feeling she was still out there. She wasn't looking over her shoulder as much as she'd been right after the kidnapping attempt, but her guard was still way up. Every so often she'd get this overwhelming sense that she was being watched, but nothing ever came of it.
She still emailed back and forth with Amelia, but she had no idea where her daughter was either.
The whole idea of Sylvia's disappearance was unsettling, especially when they didn't know her part on how she found anything out or what happened before they got on that plane. Then, like Amelia had said in an earlier email, her daughter showed up out of the blue every few years.
That woman was way too good at staying hidden.
"Come on, what better way to celebrate your boot coming off than to take a ride to the beach?" Becca asked.
"You act like you're looking forward to getting on a plane," Hunter grumbled, kissing her hand.
She put a hand on her hip. "I wouldn't go that far, but if I could do it once, I can do it again."
"You're getting as wild as me. Not sure how I feel about it," he teased. "All right, let's go. We might as well get one more beach trip in before that cold front moves in. It is nice for early October."
Todd opened the plane door to let the three in, then closed it before he took his place in the pilot's seat.
Hunter buckled himself in, then grasped for Becca's hand. Across from them, Dr. Ryan situated himself. "This is really supposed to help?"
Poor Hunter. He still struggled with dealing, but every day he was getting better with it. Becca had to admit, getting on a plane again, even though she'd done well with the first one, still made her nervous. But for the man she loved, she'd do it.
"Everybody ready?" Todd called.
"As ready as I can be!" Hunter called back.
He squeezed her hand tight as the plane headed down the runway, slowly lifting in the air.
"I think next summer we need to go on a long, extended vacation." Becca rested her head on Hunter's shoulder, trying to get him lost in conversation. It would do her some good, too.
"This wasn't the summer I expected, that's for sure." He kissed her hair. "But we made it through."
The last few months hadn't given them many more answers, but Jed and Joe were helping to uncover anything about her family that they could. Her grandparents still refused to give up any information and they didn't want to produce a DNA test. She chalked them up as a lost cause. Vince didn't speak to them often unless it was regarding his niece, who'd been going through the testing for Hunter's program. Becca saw her a few times a week and took a liking to her. She'd been offered a full time position and accepted it. Hunter was helping her put together a business plan for the art gallery. They were almost ready to pitch it and find an actual location.
Hunter hadn't resumed flying yet, but he did go back to work with Todd in air traffic control. It was a good first step.
"We sure did." She closed her eyes, amazed that she was actually sitting on a plane with Hunter after all this time. The road wasn't smooth or straight ahead, but she knew they'd manage. Everything they'd been through the past year proved it.
"How are you feeling, Hunter?" Dr. Ryan asked.
"Strange,
but not as bad as I thought," he admitted. The last time he'd been on a plane was right before the Rhode Island incident. Of course he'd be wary of getting on a plane again.
Becca opened her eyes and smiled over at him. "If I can swallow my fear, I knew you could."
"Does that mean a trip to Hawaii is in the works?" Hunter raised a brow.
"Is it an offer?" she challenged.
"Well, you did want a long trip next summer." His lips curved up in a knowing grin.
"Perfect. It gives us the right amount of time to do this more. Next time we go on a longer flight." She never thought she'd get on a plane ever again, but Hunter had a way of bringing out a side in her she never knew existed.
The flight was short and over before they knew it, but a trip to Virginia Beach was what they'd settled on this time. When the plane landed and they set foot on the ground again, Becca threw her arms around Hunter and kissed him. "We did it!"
He slid his arms around her, lifting her in the air. "We sure did. Tell me you looked out the window and you're going to create me a new masterpiece."
"Maybe," she said slyly. "Let's go hit the beach and take a walk before we have to go back."
Hunter said something to Todd and Dr. Ryan before jogging over to her.
"They're not coming with?" she asked, curious.
"Nope. They know I want a little bit of time with you." Hunter jingled a set of keys in his hand. "Come on."
What did he have planned now? Becca shrugged, looking back at Todd and Dr. Ryan before she followed Hunter. He'd rented a car?
"What do you have up your sleeve?" She had to ask, her heart racing at his mysterious manner.
Before he opened the car door, Hunter raised his sleeve and tried to look. "Nothing, other than my arm. Why? Do you see something?" Oh that sexy, beautiful mischievous grin.
"I see a man I love," Becca shot back and ducked her head to climb in the car.
He drove them to the beach and gestured for her to hurry. Hand in hand, they walked down a pier and near the waves crashing over the rocks. "It's beautiful," Becca whispered, loving the view.
"You're beautiful." Hunter stopped her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I brought something for you."
"What?" She studied him, trying to see if he had something on him she didn't know about. Unless...
Did he plan to-?
With a smile, he reached into his jacket pocket and produced a neatly wrapped box. Much bigger than a ring box, but still fairly small. His pockets were large, she'd worn that jacket on occasion when the nights were cool and he'd drape it over her shoulders when they spent nights on the patio together. "Open it," he encouraged.
She did. Becca tore the paper off, revealing a beautiful wood box. As she opened it, a ballerina with angel wings spun around and music played.
The music haunted her. She knew that melody.
"Hunter..." Becca choked back a sob.
"I know your world was shaken up with a partial truth about your past. You've said so yourself, a part of you will always know Anne and Rusty as your parents, no matter what they may have done to get you. That song you always sing to me and to Sienna always plays in my head when I'm not feeling the best. I hope you don't mind."
"I don't mind! It's beautiful! You're always so full of surprises and thoughtfulness!" Holding the box close to her chest, Becca kissed him. "I love you. Every time I'm lost and I wonder who I am, you give me the perfect reminder."
"Love me enough to spend the rest of your life with a crazy, hard headed and spontaneous man who wants nothing more than to make every dream of yours come true?"
The wind picked up, blowing hair in Hunter's face. Becca brushed his bangs back, looking in those sparkling eyes. Then it dawned on her what he'd just said. "I'd spend a thousand lifetimes with you," she whispered.
Hunter took the box from her and pulled something else out of it. How in the world did she miss that? He knelt down on one knee, setting the box on the ground beside him before covering her hand with his. "Rebecca Lange, I've always loved, admired and treasured you. You're my rock, my strength, and my everything. I don't want to go a day without telling and showing you how much I love you. I'm far from perfect, but somehow you see the best in me even when I don't. I know you don't want me to thank you for everything, but I feel the need to. I wouldn't have made it this far without you. Will you give me the honor of making you my wife? Will you marry me?" He opened the box, showing her the ring he'd picked out months ago. "I'm even asking the right woman this time. And hey, I'm wide awake and aware."
Caught off guard, Becca burst into giggles. Only Hunter. He found a way to be sweet and sexy, yet throw one of his crazy comments that made people gasp in shock in there too. She wouldn't have him any other way.
"Yes!" she said before the tears began to flow. Hunter slid the ring on her finger.
"It's not easy living with a man whose mind gets a little crazy sometimes," he warned. He picked up the box, climbing to his feet again.
"It's not easy living with an artist, so I think we're even."
"I think together we could create the best masterpiece." Hand in hand, they walked along the shore, shouting when the chilly waves hit their legs.
"Great minds think alike." Becca threw her head back and laughed, feeling like everything would be all right. Hunter was her family, the best one she could ever ask for.
Life could throw whatever it wanted to at them. They'd endured so much in twenty years and Becca knew things wouldn't always be perfect. It didn't matter. She had the one man she'd always loved in her heart and in her life. She belonged with Hunter Beckman and no matter what else they dug up from their painful past, she'd always have his love to fall back on.
It was more than enough to carry her through.
THE END
Look out for the stunning and exciting conclusion of the Masterpiece Trilogy with A Forever Masterpiece, coming in early 2015.
Thank you for reading Hunter and Becca's story. If you enjoyed this book, please help spread the word by telling your friends and leaving a review on the retailer you purchased this from. A few quick lines will help other readers find this book and weigh in their decision to read or not. They're very appreciated!
About The Author
I'm an avid lover of books. I've been writing as far back as I can remember, completing my first "book" by fifth grade in one of those one subject spiral notebooks. I have a passion for music, photography, jewelry and all things creative. I live in Arizona with my husband and son, but dream of being somewhere much colder and stormier. For now, I'll have to live that life through my characters and stick it out with the summer heat.
Places to find me on the web:
wwww.nikkilynnbarrett.com
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Twitter: @Stormgoddess925
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Email: [email protected]
I love to hear from readers!
Baby Stetson – Nikki Lynn Barrett
If you've enjoyed the first two books in The Masterpiece Trilogy, here's another series that runs along the same lines with contemporary and suspense. The Love and Music in Texas series kicks off with Baby Stetson.
Blurb
In small Texas towns, strangers come and go...
Left in a Stetson hat, on the steps of the local bed and breakfast, Avery Callimer came into the world on a wing and a prayer. Raised by loving adoptive parents, she's never lacked for love ... only the knowledge of her past.
By day she works at the inn, but by night ... Avery comes alive as lead singer in a band. Life was good ... stable, until new guests blew into town.
Some strangers come with secrets and lies.
Lucas Bennett is one such stranger. D
rifting from one mess to another has left him jaded. Doesn't matter the dramas are never his doing. Giving it one last shot to make a fresh start lands him in Harmony's Echo, Texas and smack dab in front of the tantalizing Avery.
Despite his best efforts to ignore the burn Avery's ignited within, he's intent to keep his distance. Secrets have followed him. Secrets he doesn't want Avery to know.
Each time they're near the other, things heat up like a brushfire on a dry Texas prairie.
But maybe, after the dust settles and the smoke clears, love can bloom with a fresh start.
Excerpt
"Wow. This is a nice kitchen," Lucas said, closing the door behind him.
Avery faced him. "You like to cook?"
"Oh yeah. I learned at a young age that I had to take care of myself, so I taught myself to cook. Now it's something I enjoy."
"Are you good at it?"
"I'm good at a lot of things, Avery." Lucas closed the gap between them.
Too close, too close!
She couldn't back up anymore, though. Behind her was the counter. Her back was already pressed up against it. Lucas looked at her like he wanted to devour her.
"Lucas..."
"I know I need to stay away from you, Avery. All I want is one kiss. I've got to taste you. Tell me no, right now, and I'll back away."
Lucas pressed his body to hers. He slid his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. His face, only inches from hers, lowered. "Tell me now, Avery. Because if you don't, I'm going to kiss you."
A Masterpiece Unraveled (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 2) Page 32
