He grabbed a chair and knocked out the glass. “We better go out through it,” he yelled.
She struggled to her feet, groaning. Nick scooped her up in his arms. “Come on.” Carefully, he leaned out of the window with her. She jumped onto the ground outside. Then he scrambled through the opening and pulled her back up into his arms. “I can walk,” she said, her voice just above a whisper.
“I don’t want you to,” he said, crushing her to him. “I never want to be away from you again.”
As they rounded the building, Blue met him. “Thank the Lord you’re okay.” He pulled off his jacket and covered Emily. “Don’t want you to catch a chill, little one.”
“Monstruo, he…” Emily buried her face in his chest.
“He didn’t…” Nick stared to ask.
“No,” she whimpered and then sobbed. “He didn’t have to. I heard him outside.”
“Chris already has the fella hogtied,” Blue said. “He’s not going anywhere. Police are on their way.”
“Caldwell,” Nick said. “He’ll know. He’ll be trying to get away.”
Blue placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ve already told the sheriff.”
****
“I can’t believe the coward killed himself.” Nick sat at the Moons’ kitchen table with a cup of coffee.
“Cowardice knows no pride,” Maggie said. “If we hadn’t found my ex-husband when we did last year, I have no doubt he would have done the same after all his options ran out.”
“Yep.” Blue nodded. “No doubt about it. Caldwell could have never lived with everyone knowing the truth about him. He did the merciful thing.”
“But why not with pills or something? Why a gun in his mouth?” Nick took another sip of coffee and the acid churned in his stomach.
“Less chance of failure,” Chris told him as he took another bite of Cindy’s pie.
Nick nodded. “I guess. What a way to go.”
“You may too.” Maggie grinned. “If you keep drinking Blue’s coffee.”
Blue glanced over at her with an arched eyebrow. “You’ll pay for that.”
“Promises, promises.”
Nick shook his head. “It’s hard to believe Justine didn’t know anything about what Lyle was doing, too.”
“I don’t know.” Blue took a sip from his cup. “She wouldn’t do anything to rock the boat, granted, but most of the worst high jinks did occur when she was out of town. The fact she never went to the carriage house doesn’t surprise me. Lyle probably came up with some excuse for that. I’d give her the benefit of the doubt. The woman couldn’t have acted that well about her true concerns at the hospital and with the women. No one pulls anything over with them.”
Nick nodded. “You have a point.”
“Nick, Em’s awake.” Carolina exited the bedroom.
Nick sighed in relief. “Thought she’d sleep ’til morning. I think it was really nice to let us crash here.”
“It’s the best thing with the boy at her house,” Blue said. “Don’t want him to get upset, and Millie will see to his care. Go love on your woman.”
With a smile, Nick got up and strode to Emily’s room. Once inside, he stared down at her. She looked so drained and exhausted. He wanted to crush her to him and whisper she’d never have anything happen to her again. But, he couldn’t promise her immunity from the world. All he could do was love her in the minute and profess his never-ending adoration for the rest of their lives.
“I had a dream I’d died,” she said.
“No, you just lived through a nightmare.” He kissed her lips and sat down on the side of her bed holding her hand in his.
She smiled. “It wasn’t a nightmare with you at the end.”
He kissed her again. “I’ll always be there. Emily, I want to get married as fast as we can.”
Emily nodded. “Me too, but I am going to have a wedding, Nick Troy. I’ve waited forever and I’m doing it right.”
He sighed. “Okay. You’ve more than earned it. Let’s do it soon and tell social services that little boy is ours.” Lying down on the bed next to her, he wrapped his arms around her.
“He’ll be our best man,” she told him.
“Whatever you say, dear.”
“I’m glad we got that one straight.” She closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.
****
“Are you ready?” Carolina adjusted the train on Emily’s candlelight silk wedding dress.
Emily giggled. “I’ve been ready for years, but I’m so happy I waited for Nick.”
“Me too.” Carolina grabbed her middle. “I just hope Junior holds on.”
Emily stared at her stomach. “Are you sure the doctor said it was okay for you to do this?”
“Who cares what he said?” Carolina diverted her eyes. “So the baby’s coming early. The doctor said it could be days or hours. I prefer to think it will be at least as long as tomorrow.”
The organ started playing the Wedding March. As the door opened, Emily saw Nick at the front of the church with Carlos standing next to him. Her father stood there, smiling, his eyes red-rimmed as he held out his arm. “Come on, Daughter, I’ve waited a long time for this.”
She grabbed his arm, and Carolina handed her the bouquet of white roses and lilies. “It’s just like a dream.” She stared up once again as they made their way down the center aisle, her eyes never leaving Nick’s. This was the beginning of their life, their wonderful family life with Carlos.
Minutes later, the preacher reached the part of the service she always dreaded. “If anyone present can show just cause why these two should not be wed, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.”
“Somebody opens his mouth now, so help me God, I’ll knock off his lips.” Emily heard Cindy’s words loud and clear and far from a whisper.
“Cindy Miller, do you have to make a scene even at Emily’s wedding?”
Emily recognized Aunt Millie’s voice and pursed her lips to keep from laughing as she looked at Nick.
His eyes gleamed in amusement.
“I’m only looking out for her welfare, Miss Priss.”
The preacher acted like he didn’t hear a thing. “By the virtue of my authority in the Commonwealth of Virginia, I now pronounce you, Emily, and you, Nick, man and wife. Emily, Nick, turn and face your family and friends.”
As they did, he raised his hand. “Ladies and Gentlemen, let me present Mr. and Mrs. Troy.”
The organ started up again, and as Emily took the flowers from Carolina, she stared down at the puddle in the floor and then back up into Carolina’s face.
Carolina shook her head. “Don’t you dare say a word, sweetie. Keep moving and smile. You’re getting ready to be an aunt.”
THE END
About Bobbye Terry
A native Virginian, Bobbye Terry now resides in the cotton fields of West Texas with a Chocolate Lab that has a sock fetish. Bobbye is a multi-published author of romantic comedy, fantasy and suspense. Now, writing solo, except for a possible collaboration on special projects, she continues to write with extensive humor, even in suspense, where southern charm meets macabre reality. Learn more about Bobbye and her books at http://bobbyeterry.blogspot.com/
If you’d like to read more from Bobbye Terry,
you might also enjoy her other titles
published by Turquoise Morning Press:
Coming to Climax (A Climax, Virginia Mystery, Book One)
Buried in Briny Bay (A Briny Bay Mystery, Book One)
The Marriage Murders (A Briny Bay Mystery, Book Two)
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
Cavanaugh Family Series
A Mystic Waters Novel
J C Wardon
Will multiple magical misfires bring the danger of exposure to Dia’s door?
Months before, moving into the secluded log cabin on the side of Mystic Mountain seemed the best solution for Dia to perfect a magic that often turned disastrous. But, for some strange reason, her elderly great-u
ncle rented out the next closest cabin to a single male, and he expects her to make sure the new tenant has everything he needs! The fact that Ryan Steward reminds her of Clark Kent, with the possibility of Superman hiding beneath the glasses, makes the chore so much more appealing. But she’ll have to be very careful not to expose the family secret to an outsider, no matter how delicious she finds him. After all, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt either of them… Right?
With the Electronics Expo just a month away, and knowing his newest project will be all the rage, Ryan Steward doesn’t mind being called a geek. However, when he learns he must travel to Mystic Waters to care for the mentally unstable father he never knew existed, he finds there is a world of difference between creating fantasy games and dealing with his father’s inability to accept that witches do not exist in the real world.
Prologue
There was nothing better than having your hard work pay off, and for it to come to completion on his twenty-fifth birthday was just the cherry on the top.
Ryan Steward pushed his glasses up his nose as he knocked on his mother’s apartment door. Barely suppressed anticipation filled him with what felt like superhuman energy, knowing she would be thrilled, in her subdued way, once she’d heard the news. He was a little early for the birthday dinner she’d planned on his behalf, but he hoped she wouldn’t mind too much, even though her need for complete order and scheduling bordered on the manic side. His excitement kicked up a notch as he heard the multiple locks being released. He was smiling like a conquering hero, which he felt like, when she opened the door.
Shock, horror, and denial flittered through her eyes, coinciding with the dropping of her lower jaw. Never expecting such a reaction from her, his brows pulled together, and his glasses slid back down. “Mom?”
Instead of answering, she moved quickly to the couch and snatched something up to shove into the pocket of her housecoat. Annoyed with his glasses, he took them off, tucking them into his shirt pocket, as he followed her into the room. He didn’t know which was more bizarre, her behavior, or that she was already dressed for bed…or still dressed for bed. She gathered a pile of used tissues and headed to the wastebasket in her little kitchen.
Which was spotlessly clean, as there was nothing cooking.
Confusion turned to concern. He closed the door behind him and joined her at the bar that separated the kitchenette from the living room. “Hey Mom, what’s wrong?”
Ellen Steward looked at him as if just realizing he was there. His concern turned to fear.
“Are you sick?”
When she nodded, frowned, and then shook her head, he became more concerned by the minute. “Whatever it is, we can beat it. I’ll take you to a doctor right now. Give me the name of your physician. You put some clothes on while I make the call.”
Ellen didn’t move, just looked at him as her eyes welled with tears. She reached into the pocket of her gown reluctantly and pulled out an envelope, handing it to him. “That’s yours.”
Frowning, Ryan took the crumpled envelope, looked it over, and then put his glasses back on. It was addressed to him at his mother’s address, which was weird, since he’d lived on his own since starting college years before. The return address said Mystic Waters Municipal Court, Mystic Waters, West Virginia. Baffled, he turned it over, surprised to see it was unsealed. Looking up, he frowned.
“What is this, Mom? I don’t know anyone in Mystic Waters. I’ve never even heard of it.” He said nothing about her opening his mail, since she was already acting so strange.
Ellen’s features underwent several emotions before she shook her head. “I never wanted you to know it existed.”
Since that made no sense, he pushed the irritating glasses up again, wishing he’d remembered his optometrist appointment. But, he’d been so close to finishing his project, and mega-excited the three-dimensional video gaming system was going to outshine the competition at the electronics expo next month, he’d completely forgotten to go.
Ryan put thoughts of his future away as he opened the envelope’s flap before pulling out the folded sheet of paper. It was clearly a summons, but while reading one sentence after another, his confusion only increased.
“I don’t understand. It says here I need to appear in court to take over my father’s power of attorney and his care.”
Ellen nodded. “Yeah, I know.”
He stared at her, taking in her disheveled appearance, her hunched shoulders, and her watery eyes. “I thought my father was dead,” he said evenly, while watching her every reaction.
“I know. I wanted you to. He’s been dead to me for a long time.”
Determined not to let rising anger take hold, Ryan tilted his head, indicating they needed to go to the couch. Ellen nodded and shuffled her way there. He waited until she was seated and sat himself. “I need an explanation as to why I’ve spent my entire life thinking I had no father.”
Ellen nodded and bit her bottom lip. She released it on a sigh. “It’s complicated. I don’t know how to begin.”
Ryan stared at her, exasperated. “Try.”
She nodded again and chewed on her lip for a minute more as her features played out her fear. Ryan almost told her to forget it, that he’d look into it himself, but the words wouldn’t pass his lips. He’d spent a lifetime allowing her off the hook when she didn’t want to discuss something with him, but this was too important.
“Mom!”
She sighed. “Okay, already. This isn’t a story I ever wanted to tell you, but I guess I have no choice.” She focused on her hands, which she rubbed together as if she’d just moisturized them.
“I met your father my first year of college, at a frat party. He was dark and mysterious, and I was free from my strict parents for the first time in my life. He had some…pot and we got stoned—a first for me.” She glanced up at him, but when he didn’t react, looked down again.
“He made me laugh with these stories of witches and magic that resulted in murder in this place called Mystic Waters. I thought it all so funny, that he was making it up to amuse me, or impress me… I don’t know.
“Anyway, at the time, I thought it was so cool to be with him. Everything we were doing that night flew in the face of my very religious upbringing.” Her gaze flittered Ryan’s way briefly before her face filled with color.
“So we hooked up. You know, had sex. Another first for me.”
Ryan placed his hand on the two of hers that were now tightly clenched together. He figured he knew where this was leading, but he wanted her to say the words “Okay, so you were a normal teenage kid. Go on.”
She almost smiled, as if relieved.
“The next morning I went back to school only to find out he didn’t even attend, just the friend of a friend of a friend, and no one really knew much about him.” She paused and then swallowed hard. “You were conceived that night.”
Ryan nodded. It was just as he had figured. “So, that’s the last you ever heard of him.”
Ellen shook her head. “I wish that were true. But…not exactly. Once I found out I was pregnant, my parents had a fit. My father forced me to tell them the whole story, and he had an investigator locate Clayton Davis. He was from Mystic Waters, West Virginia.”
“So you did see him again.”
Ellen shook her head. “No. He was in a facility for people with psychological problems. His stepfather was a policeman at the time, a really nice man. When my father took me there to see them, Mr. Grammar, his stepdad, told us Clayton’s emotional problems started when he was a little kid, and since his mother had died years before, Mr. Grammar was raising him on his own.” She cleared her throat. “He said Clayton was diagnosed as schizophrenic and would never be able to help out, but Mr. Grammar would set it up so I got a check each month to cover some of the expenses of having and raising the child…you. Of course my father got the money every month, and I never saw a penny.” She shook her head. “But that’s a story for another day.”
; Ryan nodded, understanding now why he’d never met his grandparents either. “Tell me more about my father.”
“According to Mr. Grammar, Clayton believed there were witches performing magic in Mystic Waters. He also believed one died in his stepfather’s house when he was little. The police chief said it caused him all kinds of problems, because his story had to be investigated, but of course, nothing came of it. Still, after all that, Clayton insisted he was telling the truth, and no one could convince him otherwise. Not even after years of medication and therapy. Because they couldn’t help him see reality, he started cutting himself, and fighting with people who didn’t believe him. He even broke a man’s nose and nearly busted open another man’s skull for calling him crazy. In other words, he became a danger to himself and others.”
“Oh….”
Ellen nodded. “Yeah. Do you really want to hear more?”
Unforgettable Heroes II Boxed Set Page 153
