by T. L. Haddix
The depth of his feelings shook him, leaving him raw. He felt exposed, angry, and he had to fight hard to regain control of his emotions. It was going to be a long night, and he knew he had to pull himself together before going back downstairs.
~ * * * ~
Down in the kitchen, Lauren struggled with her own emotions. She’d given up on convincing her mother that she was okay—clearly, she wasn’t. The reality of how close she’d come to dying was starting to sink in, and she had to fight hard to hold back tears.
“Thank God David called when he did,” Molly said. She brushed the hair back off Lauren’s face and carefully wiped away some of the dirt with a wet cloth. “When he couldn’t get hold of you on any of your numbers, he called us and sounded the alert. You should probably call him, by the way, let him know you’re okay.”
Lauren nodded. “Do you have a phone? Mine is… somewhere.”
Charlie came in and placed the clothes on the table. “Here’s a shirt and some jogging shorts. They should work.”
“Honey, can we borrow your phone to call David?” Molly asked. “He’s probably frantic, wondering what’s happened to all of us.”
“Sure. It’s right there on the counter. I’ll, uh, go back to the living room with Win and keep watch while you call. If you need anything from the fridge, help yourselves.”
Lauren stood and faced him, her hands smoothing down her dirty shirt. “Where’s the restroom?” When he wouldn’t meet her gaze, she felt a sharp pang of regret.
“It’s down the hall. I’ll show you. If you’re going to change clothes, we probably should bag up the ones you’re wearing for evidence.” He went to the pantry next to the door and pulled out a large zippered storage bag, which he handed to her.
Grabbing the clothes, she followed him down the hall. He flipped the light on and turned to leave, but Lauren stopped him.
“Are you angry with me? Mad because I stopped you from going after her?”
“No. God, no. I just—Lauren, do you have any idea what it felt like for me, seeing you running for your life? Do you have any idea what that did to me?” She reached up to touch his face but he stepped back.
“You can’t touch me right now. If you do, I’ll lose it. Go ahead and get changed. You can put the old clothes in that bag.” With that, he fled back down the hall.
Lauren slumped against the door. For someone who wasn’t angry, he certainly was doing a damned good job of acting like he was.
Chapter Forty-Seven
It was nearly two in the morning by the time the ordeal was over. Jason had come by just before one o’clock to let them know Mary Margaret was in custody. The deputy gratefully accepted the coffee Charlie offered him as he sat with them at the kitchen table.
“We found her hiding in a garden shed two streets over. She screamed like a banshee when the dogs found her, but she didn’t fight too much.”
“So what happens now?” Lauren asked. “What about my house?”
“We locked it up. You told Ethan that she’d only been in the entrance way, right?” Ethan had stopped by earlier and taken their statements.
“Yes.”
“Then you can go back whenever you feel like it. We took all the pictures we needed, did fingerprinting. That left a little bit of a mess. Sorry.”
She waved his apology away. “Don’t. You could fingerprint the whole house, and I wouldn’t care, as long as she’s safely locked away.”
“Well, she is that.” Finishing the coffee, he stood. “Folks, I’m heading out. I’m glad this turned out the way it did. I don’t know if we could have gotten there in time or not.”
Charlie and Winston walked him out, and Molly started clearing the table. Lauren, her head pounding, felt nearly dead with exhaustion and stress.
“Are you okay, honey?” Molly asked as she came back and sat down next to her.
“No. Charlie’s mad. And I hurt all over. I just want to go home, Mom.” She laid her head on Molly’s shoulder and closed her eyes. “At least Ava’s okay, and thank God she wasn’t here for this.”
Molly kissed her head. “Yes, thank God. And I don’t think Charlie’s mad so much as scared half to death. Are you going to stay with us tonight?”
Lauren nodded. “If you don’t mind.”
“Of course we don’t mind, silly girl.”
She let her mother hold her, too tired to move. Maybe by the time the men returned, she’d have regained enough energy to get up and walk next door.
~ * * * ~
“All’s well that ends well, right?” Charlie asked as he closed the door behind Jason.
Winston studied the younger man’s tired face. “Considering how things could have ended? We hit the jackpot tonight.” Hands in his pockets, he looked at the floor. “You know, some cultures believe that if you save a life, you’re responsible for that life from that point on.”
Charlie stiffened. “Win, I—”
Lauren’s father held his hand up. “Let me tell you something. I see a look on your face tonight that I’ve seen on my own. When Molly was pregnant with Tristan, things weren’t going so well for us.” At the younger man’s surprised look, he shrugged. “It wasn’t anything huge, not like what your parents went through, but it was big enough for us. I was stupid, and she’d had enough, and laid the law down on me pretty harshly. I could either grow up or get out. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve chosen, if she hadn’t gone into premature labor. I like to think I would have chosen my wife and our family, but I don’t know.”
“I can’t imagine you not choosing Molly. Not even as a young man.”
“Thanks for that,” he said. “But the point I’m trying to make is this: Molly damned near died when she went into labor. She was hemorrhaging. If we hadn’t gotten to the hospital when we did, she would have died. I’ve never been so scared in my life. That’s the same panic I see in your eyes tonight.”
Placing his hands on Charlie’s shoulders, Winston made sure the younger man made eye contact with him before continuing. “Lauren’s safe, son. You made sure of that. She’s still here, and God willing, she will be for a long, long time. Now, I’m pretty sure before we leave here in a few minutes, you’re going to ask her to stay. I don’t know what her answer will be, and I certainly don’t want to know about the sleeping arrangements you’ll make, but I wanted to tell you this—you have my blessing to be with my daughter. I hope that you’ll make it legal, but that’s between you and her.”
Charlie cleared his throat, obviously embarrassed. “Win, I don’t know what to say.”
“All I’ve ever wanted for Lauren is for her to find the same kind of love that I have with Molly. I think she has that with you. You don’t have to say anything.”
Molly called from the kitchen before Charlie could say anything else. “Win, what in the world are you all doing in there? We’re ready to fall asleep in our chairs in here.”
“That’s our cue.” He walked to the door and smiled at the women. “Lauren, Charlie needs to talk to you. Molly, let’s walk out on the porch and give them a minute.”
She snorted, but stood nonetheless. “Gee, that’s subtle.” With a quick hug for Charlie as she walked past, she followed Win to the front door and outside.
~ * * * ~
When the door closed behind them, Charlie approached Lauren, who was still sitting at the table, her gaze focused on its surface. He pulled out the chair next to hers and sat facing her, unsure of how to approach the subject.
She spoke first. “I’m too tired to hash this out tonight. I don’t know why you’re angry, but I just want to go to bed and sleep.”
“Lauren, I’m not angry. I was scared. I’ve handled this badly.” He ran his hands through his hair, then slid one of his hands over hers, tugging it to him. Placing a soft kiss on the scraped skin, he held the back of her hand to his cheek. “I’m sorry you thought I was angry. I promise you, I’m not.”
With a weary groan, she faced him, but didn’t speak. He re
ached out and touched her face, sliding his fingers into her hair. Scooting his chair closer, he pulled her into his arms. “I want to ask you something. I know you’re tired, and you just want to go lie down, so I’ll make this quick. Will you stay here with me tonight? Let me hold you?”
She pulled back and looked at him, shocked. “You mean share a bed? Tonight?”
“Yes. But I’m not thinking about sex.” Seeing her skeptical look, he grimaced. “Okay, I am thinking about sex. I’m a man—it’s kind of what we do. But I’m not asking you to stay and make love with me. I’m asking you to stay and let me hold you. Please.”
He could tell she was debating how to answer, and he decided he wasn’t too proud to beg. “Even if you sleep in a guest room, I just need to be near you tonight.”
“And if I say no?”
“Then there is an excellent chance I’ll beg your parents to let me sleep on their couch.”
She let out a startled laugh at the confession, then touched his face. “Just a sleepover? No pressure for more?”
“Swear to God, no pressure. Like I said, even if you end up sleeping in a different bed, I need to know you’re near.”
“I’d be near if I were next door,” she pointed out.
Charlie’s heart sank. “I know.” He rested his head against hers for a brief moment, then sighed and stood up. “Okay. I’ll get your folks.”
Lauren let him get all the way to the kitchen door before she called him back. “Charlie? I’ll stay.”
He almost doubted his hearing, and he knew he was wearing a silly grin, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. “You will?”
She nodded. “I will.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
Lauren was nervous. She was getting ready to sleep with a man for the first time since before the divorce. Standing in the master bathroom in front of the mirror, she stared at the reflection of her naked body. She’d insisted on cleaning up before getting in bed, and as she stood there looking at herself, all the reservations and fears she had been hidden away since her marriage ended suddenly came to the forefront.
She wasn’t a young and perky twenty-year-old anymore. She had borne a child, had breast-fed that child, and her body showed that. The faint stretch marks on her belly, the breasts that weren’t as firm as they had once been. Nor were they as large as she would have liked. Turning to observe her profile, she winced.
Lauren wasn’t vain, but she knew she looked nice in her clothes. Without them, however, she wasn’t so confident. Tired, and more than a little exasperated with herself, she grabbed the shorts Charlie had loaned her and pulled them on, wincing a little as the jerky movements hurt her injured hands. She considered leaving her bra on under the t-shirt, but couldn’t bring herself to put it back on, especially considering her bruises and the wounds on her back. Slipping the t-shirt on, she pushed her hair back out of her face. “Now or never, girl.” She walked to the door and opened it.
Charlie stood up from where he’d been sitting on the edge of the bed. She saw that he was as nervous as she was, and felt herself start to relax. Walking into the bedroom, she stopped at the foot of the bed.
Charlie cleared his throat as they looked at each other. “Hi.”
It was after two o’clock in the morning, the day had been beyond stressful, and his mundane greeting sent her over the edge. Holding her stomach, all Lauren could do was laugh. Within seconds, the laughter had turned to tears, and Charlie was holding her.
“Hey, it’s okay. Shhh, sweetheart. It’s okay. Come on, let’s get you tucked in.”
She let him take care of her, and when he crawled into bed beside her, she snuggled up against him, holding on tightly. “I’m afraid if I close my eyes, I’ll see her again.”
“Do you want me to leave the light on?”
The offer was tempting, but she resisted. “No. I don’t think it will matter one way or the other.”
He turned off the light and drew her into him more closely. “Is this okay?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
She felt him smile against her temple, and he placed a soft kiss on her face. “Goodnight, then.”
“Night.”
After a few minutes, she realized he was still just as tense as she was. “Am I on your side of the bed?”
“What?”
“Am I on your side of the bed?” she repeated. “Is that why you can’t sleep?”
He chuckled. “No, that’s not it. I guess I’m more keyed up than I thought I was. And I’m afraid I’ll fart or burp or something, and you’ll be done with me. Am I on your side, though?”
Laughing she smoothed a hand across his chest, then laid on her back. “No. Funny, isn’t it? We’re set up to sleep comfortably in the same bed?”
“Nah, it’s providence.” He was quiet for a minute. “Do you snore?”
Turning her head, she gazed at him in the darkness, incredulous. “Do I what?”
“Do you snore?” he repeated patiently.
She returned her gaze to the ceiling. “I don’t know. Do you?”
“Hope not,” he said, falling silent.
“God, I’m tired. I don’t know if I can sleep, I’m so tired.” She yawned and looked at him again. “Do you usually sleep on your back?”
“Nope. I usually sprawl on my stomach. You?” he asked, shifting onto his side to face her.
She shook her head. “I’m a side sleeper. And I’m a grump in the mornings, just so you know.” She could see his smile through the darkness.
“You’re kidding. I thought you’d be the picture of sunshine. Does that mean you don’t like to cuddle, then?”
“I don’t know,” she replied softly. “It sounds nice, though.”
“I guess we’ll find out then, won’t we? Roll over and let’s try to get some sleep. I’ll hold you if you’d like.”
“That also sounds pretty nice,” she said, rolling onto her side.
Charlie snuggled up to her back and wrapped his arm around her. He gave a deep sigh of contentment and placed a soft kiss on her shoulder.
“Goodnight again.”
“Goodnight, Charlie,” she replied. She closed her eyes, feeling the solid warmth of him at her back, and relaxed. As the tension left their bodies, they both dropped off into a deep and dreamless sleep.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Troy Vernon had just finished breakfast and was heading back to his cell when he learned that his mother had been arrested for attempted murder, among other charges. The sheriff himself had stopped him in the hall and told him. Troy couldn’t believe it. A couple of the other guys in lockup started ribbing him, and he snarled at them, making them back off pretty fast. He needed to think.
He hadn’t seen his lawyer since yesterday, when the man came to tell him that his father had been buried. He’d also brought papers along, explaining that Iris had left him and filed for divorce. She wasted no time in getting the hell out of Dodge, Troy thought bitterly. Nothing like kicking a man when he was down.
When he reached his cell, he flopped down on the bottom bunk. He was between roommates at the moment, though that was not a situation he expected to last long. As he thought about the pain his mother had likely inflicted on Lauren, he smiled. No doubt she’d left the little bitch with something to remember her by. He just wished he could have been there to see it.
The smile quickly turned into a worried frown as he thought about his mother being locked up in jail. Having been to prison, he knew how rough things could get, and the thought of her having to endure that sort of environment turned his stomach. Though the idea went against every instinct in his body, he knew what he had to do. Jumping down from the cot, he hollered for the guard.
Chapter Fifty
Saturday afternoon was bright and sunny as Charlie drove Lauren and her parents to Madison for Margie’s memorial service. The humidity was low, a small storm front having moved through around dawn. Only a few puffy clouds were left in the sky. It was an incredibly rare, beautiful
day for early July. The slight breeze kept the air comfortable.
There was little conversation in the vehicle, with everyone seeming lost in thought. They were scheduled to meet at Travis’ lake house at three o’clock. Lauren was unsure of how many people would actually attend. Sam Davis and Raven Lynch had both been invited, in addition to all of Margie’s surviving siblings, save Troy.
Concerned about that many people invading Travis’ home, she’d asked him about it, but he assured her it would be fine. “I entertain on a regular basis, and I’m used to people being around. I’ll take care of all the arrangements. You just get yourself and your family here.”
As they drew closer to the lake house, she felt the butterflies building in her stomach. Sensitive to her mood, Charlie reached over and took her hand, pulling it across the console to rest with his on his knee. She tried to relax, thinking about how it felt to wake up in his arms instead of what was coming.
“Looks like this is it,” he said, pulling into a shady drive. They drove for nearly a quarter of a mile before the house came into sight. It was perched on a slight hill above the small lake, and the house was nearly as spectacular as the view.
Winston whistled from the back seat as they drove up. “Nice place,” he said, unbuckling his seat belt as they all got out.
“Very nice place,” Charlie commented, his expression guarded. “This guy must be loaded.”
As they walked up to the front door, it opened and Travis stepped out. He held out his hands to Lauren with a sad smile. Leaning in, she gave him a brief hug.
“Travis, thanks for having us.”
“Thanks for coming. We’ve got a full house today.”
Lauren winced. “I’m sorry—I hoped we’d get here before everyone.”
He waved the concern away. “It’s fine. We’ve managed to not fall apart yet.”
