Love, Alabama (Alabama Series Book 2)

by Susan Sands

  She now wanted to beat him with something much more substantial than her fists. Had she misunderstood?

  “Me? I screwed up? In you own words, you wrote that you drugged me because you’d met an incredibly sexy woman who was willing to spice things up by having a three-way sexual escapade with us, but I was such a boring stick-in-the mud that you knew I’d never go for it.” She got very close to his face and nearly spat. “You drugged me. But you see no fault in that? Somehow, in my confusion, I stumbled out of the room in my underwear, still wearing my Miss Alabama crown from the game. I wound up in some frat guys’ room where they groped me and took photos. She ran over to the table and grabbed a handful of disgusting pictures, holding them up.

  “I told you to stay put while I went to get your surprise. But you snuck away from me. How dare you leave and let others guys touch you like that, let them touch you? It ruined you. You didn’t deserve that crown or me anymore. But I fixed it for you to save you shame and embarrassment. Don’t you see how much I still cared about you even though we couldn’t be together anymore?”

  They all stood, mouths open and speechless at his crazy rant.

  “You drugged me and caused the whole thing, you asshole. Don’t you see that none of it would have happened if you hadn’t done that? I wouldn’t have been photographed like that and no one would have taken advantage of me in any way. And Matthew wouldn’t have taken me out of there to try and protect me.”

  “Do you really think that’s what Matt did? Try and protect you? Are you kidding? I’ve been trying to protect you from him. He’s a predator. He has an arrest record as a sex offender. It’s public record if you don’t believe me.”

  Emma’s legs buckled then, and Howard and her mother were there to assist. Sadie had been listening, and she came out swinging. “You’re the predator, Tad Beaumont. And you’ll never, ever be a husband to me or a father to Sarah Jane again, do you hear me?”

  “Sadie, you’ll regret this. Get hold of yourself and don’t think to embarrass me.”

  “Tad, you’ve already broken the terms of the protection order, which will likely land you probation at the very least and a lengthy trial. Embarrassment is the least of your worries,” Ben said.

  Sadie came over and put her arm around Emma, who was still dazed by Tad’s final zinger.

  “Tad, I think it’s time you and I strike an agreement.” Ben suggested.

  “Why would I do that?” Tad challenged.

  “Because your reputation seems to be all that really matters to you. And saving face is the one thing you might be able to do if you go along with our terms,” Ben said. “So, let’s go in to the study and see what we can come up with.”

  It must have dawned on Tad that the position he now found himself in was at direct odds with what he wanted most out of life, so he, along with his new babysitters, preceded Ben toward the study down the hall.

  Everyone in the room let out a sigh of relief. Except Emma.

  “What do you think he meant about Matthew having a record as a sex offender?” she asked, her voice a single thread.

  Howard looked grim. “I guess it could mean just about anything, if he’s telling the truth. Sounds like a truth you’d want to hear directly from Matthew, if you really care about this young man.”

  Emma was shaking. “I’m so afraid. He lied about meeting me the way he did when I didn’t recognize him, and I find out that he could be a sex offender. Could he have done something to me when I was drugged that I don’t remember?”

  “Oh, darling. I’m sure that isn’t true. He seems like such a nice guy.”

  Howard cleared his throat, looking grim. “It’s often the nice ones who fool young women, Maureen; I’m sorry to have to say that.”

  *

  By the time Matthew was ready to leave Chapman Sunday afternoon, much had changed in his personal life where it pertained to his family. They’d managed to get Mom outside to sit on her patio and sip on a glass of sweet tea. Lisa and the kids planted some pansies in the flowerbed.

  “It’s not that I’m afraid of going out, it’s just that I’ve gotten out of the habit. I wanted to sleep more and do less. I didn’t want to see people, and it just all got to be too much,” she admitted.

  “Mom, will you see a counselor? Your insurance plan and Medicare will cover the visits. And, please don’t feel strange about seeking treatment. I’ve been seeing a therapist,” Matthew admitted to both his mother and sister.

  His mother’s eyes widened in surprise and maybe just a little pride. “Well, son, if you can admit you’ve got problems that need working on, then so can I.” She looked over at Lisa. “Honey, will you help me find someone?”

  Lisa grinned. “Of course, Mom. Do you think you’ll be able to go out to see someone?”

  She nodded. “I really think I’ve been depressed more than truly afraid to go out. I just haven’t had the motivation to leave the house. But with you both here and knowing Matthew doesn’t blame me, well, knowing he isn’t so angry with me anymore, makes me want to be here for you kids. I’m your mom and I know I matter to you.”

  “Mom, you really do. We love you very much,” he said the words that had been so terribly hard to utter for such a long time.

  “I know, son. You were always both such great kids, even when I was pretending not to notice. I love you both so much. Thank you, both, for helping get me out from under this funk I’ve been in for so long. I’ll do my best to be your mother instead of such a burden from now on.”

  “Mom, we’ll always be here to take care of you,” Lisa said and he nodded in agreement.

  Matthew looked at his watch and stood. “It’s time for me to take off. I’d like to get back to Ministry before dark, if possible.”

  “Tell the young lady who’s making you so happy that we said, ‘Hello and thank you.’”

  That took him aback for a second, then he smiled. “Her name is Emma, and I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

  *

  Tad had broken many laws and he’d broken trust with people he had vowed to love and protect, but the worst thing about all of this coming out, was he truly didn’t seem to feel or try to show any humility of remorse. It was the least satisfying takedown Ben could have ever imagined—on the one hand. Then, there was the other hand. Tad would be cut off from what he most desired—the people of ministry’s constant, though often phony, public overt adoration and ass-kissing.

  Ben and Judge Boudreaux had discussed it. Most of Tad’s wrongdoing wouldn’t stick unless Sadie and/or Emma pressed charges. There were a few items that the city could pursue against him, but the judge agreed their immediate world was far better off without Tad Beaumont anywhere nearby.

  Ben had put forth a rather specific deal to Tad. Ben would hang on to the journal outlining his crimes—and there were many—if Tad agreed to leave Ministry permanently, file for a divorce from Sadie, giving her full custody of Sarah Jane, with visitation privileges at Sadie’s discretion in conjunction with her weekly sessions with Sabine. They would do what was best for the child, and would take Sarah Jane’s wishes into consideration. Tad would be required to see a counselor wherever he landed, if he wanted to be considered eligible for supervised visitation with his daughter. He would not contest any of this. He would provide monetary restitution for the pain and suffering they’d endured in his household.

  Tad had been a husband obsessed with another woman their entire marriage and he’d treated Sadie like a trained dog, only being kind when she performed to his expectations; otherwise, he was verbally abusive and downright hateful and demeaning. Yes, he’d bought her expensive clothes and they’d lived in a nice house, but those were things to improve and maintain his image.

  Now, Sadie would continue to live within her accustomed standards—and Tad would pay for it without the benefit of living within the same state. Ben’s contract with Tad included a gag order that he never discuss Sadie or Sarah Jane, or the town of Ministry, for that matter. Tad had a busi
ness and political science degree, plus, he had piles of money and a deep trust fund. He could work or not, and set himself up at a country club on a golf course in South Carolina or the south of France, for that matter, and live out his life quite nicely. The attorneys could handle everything—so long as he never came around again.

  The only thing that would remain of Tad Beaumont in Ministry, Alabama would be questions and rumors. He could tell his immediate family that he’d done some really crummy things and that he was going away to outrun damage to his family’s reputation and to keep from facing criminal charges. They would buy that, knowing him as they did, and likely they would appreciate his good decision to spare them any embarrassment.

  But none of this could undo the damage from one man’s selfishness, or his need to shine and be number one at the expense of hurting good people. Then again, if Tad was truly broken, who was to blame, Ben wondered? What did one do with such bone-crushing anger left behind within the victims? If arrested, Tad might have figured a way to serve the lightest sentence, bribed or blackmailed his way out of things, with Sadie and Sarah Jane worse off than now. Tad was like a cat, who almost always landed on their feet.

  “Is he gone?” Sadie asked.

  “He’s gone. The only things he’ll take from the house are his personal effects and car. Howard is over there now with his two security people to make sure of it. I’ve drawn up a property settlement, if you want to have a look. It basically states that he will not impede your access to his trust for living and household expenses for you and Sarah Jane. I’ve checked into his finances, and they are very sound. Sarah Jane has her own trust fund, set up by Tad’s late father for when she turns twenty-one.”

  She waved her hand as if none of that mattered. “I really don’t want to talk particulars right now, if you don’t mind. Thanks for everything you’ve done. I just want him gone. I’ve called Sabine over to help me talk with Sarah Jane. She’ll be here in a few minutes.”

  “Sabine, the therapist?” Ben tensed.

  “Yes, do you know her?” Sadie asked.

  “We’ve been introduced,” he said.

  He’d seen her at his mother’s wedding, but she’d seem to always be in a different place. The woman had had the most peculiar reaction to meeting him.

  Emma entered the room and Ben asked. “Have you been binge-watching those commercials about the abused animals and sick children again?” She looked like hell.

  Sadie giggled, breaking the doomsday feel. “Y’all will say anything around here to get a laugh, won’t you?”

  Emma almost cracked a smile. “Don’t tread on puppies and babies to try and make me feel better.”

  “What time do you expect Matthew home tonight?” Ben asked Emma.

  “I’m not sure. I turned my phone off yesterday after I called Debbie’s family to let them know something came up and I wasn’t able to come to the pageant.”

  “Do you know how she did?” He asked.

  Emma smiled. “First runner-up. I sent her a message late last night to congratulate her.”

  “Did Matthew try to call?” Ben asked.

  She nodded sadly. “Three times. But I didn’t listen to the messages—I couldn’t. We made plans to discuss a future together when he came back. I can’t even imagine what to say to him now.”

  “You might as well rip off the band-aid, Emma. It isn’t going to get any easier,” Sadie said. “And I know what I’m talking about.” Sadie had confronted Tad with great dignity just before Howard and company had escorted him out. “I just knew if I waited, I wouldn’t have the nerve or maybe the opportunity to ever speak to him again. And I really needed for him to know how I felt about how he’d treated me and Sarah Jane.”

  Emma nodded, admiration in her eyes for Sadie’s courage. “You’re right. I really care about him, whether I should or not. I was ready to go all in and tell him that I love him. I need to know how badly off the mark I was about him.”

  “You’ll never know the whole truth until you hear it directly from him,” Ben said.

  The doorbell rang then, interrupting their conversation.

  “That must be Sabine. Ben, would you answer it while I go upstairs and get Sarah Jane?” Sarah Jane had been playing dolls and video games in the playroom with Lucy, Maeve’s daughter.

  Ben suddenly felt out of his depth, but of course, he couldn’t refuse. “Sure. You can talk in the study.”

  As he walked toward the front door, his stomach felt unsettled, an unusual sensation for Ben, who rarely got rattled by much of anything, especially one lone female. The doorbell chimed again, making him jump. He took a breath, then opened it.

  The raven-haired woman stood, her features calm and serene, and utterly breathtaking—until their eyes met. Then, her expression changed abruptly, as irritation and distaste shot through her features. It was a subtle change, and gone in an instant, replaced again by a cool, polite air.

  “Sabine?”

  “Mr. Laroux. So nice to see you again.” She held out her hand to shake.

  He took it, and held it, maybe just a bit too long.

  She pulled back and narrowed her eyes at him. “Where’s Sadie?”

  “She’s gone upstairs to get Sarah Jane. Y’all can talk in private down the hall in the study,” he said as he led her inside.

  For the first time ever, he hoped his butt looked good in his jeans. Then he nearly laughed out loud thinking what his sisters’ reaction would be to that.

  When they came through the family room, Ben introduced Sabine to Emma. “Sabine, have you met my sister, Emma?”

  Emma offered her hand to Sabine. “My sister, Cammie, says such nice things about you.”

  “They’re one of my favorite families here in Ministry. Grey, Cammie, and Samantha have become good friends.”

  “You’ve done a lot to help their family. They really appreciate it. Samantha has made such fantastic progress,” Ben said.

  Sabine stiffened. “I can’t discuss my patient’s progress. It’s a slippery line when patients become friends.”

  You moron. She might as well have said to him. He was an attorney. He knew about discretion with clients. Everyone here knew Samantha was her patient and that she’d come a long way because of the time and hard work through therapy with Sabine. “Yes. I’m an attorney, so I’m aware.”

  What did this prickly woman have against him? Women loved him. Like, all women.

  “Here we are.” Sadie had arrived with Sarah Jane.

  They greeted Sabine warmly.

  “Great.” He led them into the large study, that was actually more a library, with rows of bookshelves all around. There were two love seats covered with heavy damask fabric, facing each other with an antique coffee table between. On one end was a heavy mahogany desk where his mother oversaw the business of Evangeline House. This was where she met with clients and potential clients.

  “Thanks, Ben,” Sadie said.

  “We can bring in hot tea, if you like,” he said.

  “That would be nice; thanks,” Sabine said, but didn’t sound especially grateful.

  He nodded and shut the door, still baffled by her attitude toward him.

  *

  Matthew drove directly to Emma’s house since he’d been unable to reach her the past two days. He’d gotten a weird vibe that he was now unable to shake. He discounted the possibility that she might have found out his secret. But, what if—

  He rang the doorbell. Emma, dressed in sweats, with no makeup and dark circles under her eyes opened the door and faced him, her face clearly told him something was very wrong.

  “Emma, what’s wrong?”

  She opened the door to allow him inside, but didn’t speak.

  “Emma?” He asked again. This wasn’t good.

  “Have a seat.” Her voice was dull, without its usual energy or spark.

  “Please tell me what’s going on,” he encouraged.

  “How about you tell me what you’ve been hiding. Or, do you ev
en know where to start?”

  “I-I’m not sure what you mean.” He hated this, because she was right.

  He had more than one confession to make, and while he was coming clean, he’d better do a complete job of it.

  “Emma, I haven’t been honest with you.”

  She laughed. It was a not-funny kind of laugh that made him physically uncomfortable.

  “How about I help with a conversation-starter? You didn’t tell me that we’d met ten years ago.”

  Here it was, and he’d been waiting for it. “I wanted to. I recognized you the day we met. I couldn’t believe it.”

  “I’ll bet you couldn’t.”

  “I tried to call you after that night. I left a message for you to call me back.”

  She shook her head. “I never got a message. It doesn’t matter. I didn’t know who you were. I wouldn’t have recognized you on the street if we’d passed.”

  “Emma, I wanted to tell you. I kept thinking a better time would present itself; then, we really hit it off and things moved quickly between us. I didn’t know how to bring it up. I kept getting deeper and deeper and couldn’t find a way to backtrack to that night. I was planning to tell you after this weekend so we could move forward.”

  She sat silently for a minute, then said, “Sadie found a journal that Tad’s been keeping. He drugged me that night. I never really knew what had happened or how I ended up with you. I was so out of it that I don’t even know what happened between us.” Her eyebrows went up questioningly.

  For a split-second, he missed her meaning. “Wait. You think I took advantage of you that night. How could you even suggest such a thing? You know me better than that.” Matthew was horrified.

  “I thought I did. Really, I wouldn’t have considered anything other than that you’d rescued me from an awful situation, but then, Tad, of all people, revealed to me that you have a past none of us knew about. I wouldn’t have believed him but my brother did a background check. Sexual predator? Of all the things I might have discovered, nothing could have sickened me more, Matthew.” She put her hands over her face.