Hunter stared at the faces and watched a few wipe tears away. Many had their eyes glued on him, anticipating his next move.
“Many of you have asked why I named this the Rebecca Lange Fund. It’s because Rebecca Lange is the survivor I saved. Becca suffered serious injuries from that plane crash. For years, she couldn’t even talk. She spent the first five years after that accident in a wheelchair. She suffered pretty severe brain trauma.”
Hunter clasped his hands together and shifted the weight from his right foot to his left. “Let me tell you, that didn’t stop this young woman from living. Despite guardians that held her back and doctors that claimed she didn’t have a fighting chance, Becca flourished. She pushed herself to walk again. She leads a very normal life. She still has longlasting problems that flare up here and there, but she’s one of the most remarkable women I know. Just don’t tell her she’s a miracle, because she’ll kick your butt. Becca worked hard to get to where she is. No miracles about it.”
He moved and pointed at the painting they’d chosen. “This is one of Becca’s paintings. She uses art to express herself. She has this amazing ability to memorize a scene perfectly and capture her own version of it on the canvas. For those of you who always ask about her work and wanted one, tonight you have a chance. This is up for auction to help the fund.”
When the cheers began, Hunter nodded at Becca with an “I told you so” kind of smile. He laughed softly when her cheeks turned red.
“For years, Becca and I traveled to one of the nearby islands where everything happened. Even after a four year separation, we still have this bond that sometimes bends, but has never broken. I’m thankful for the chance to know her. The plane crash took a lot from me, but I’ve learned a lot since then, too. This year, I realized how much I love Rebecca. I’ve always admired her and thought the world of her. I invited Becca home with me this summer, and even though we’ve had a very rocky few weeks, she’s stayed by my side, her love never wavering. I couldn’t be more proud and excited to introduce to you the inspiration behind a fund that has helped so many with TBI. Please give a warm welcome to the woman I love so much, Rebecca Lange.”
Hunter had never heard applause as loud as he did just now. He watched as Becca walked toward him, wearing a smile and carrying his heart. Her eyes misted over with tears. He moved to the edge of the stage and held a hand out to her, helping her up. Cheers and whistling rang out as she took her place by his side. Hunter kissed her cheek and reached to hold her hand. Before turning back to the crowd, he mouthed an “I love you” to her.
“As you can see, Becca grew up to be a beautiful young woman.” He gestured to her with a smile. “It goes to show that no matter what obstacles life throws at you, if you have the determination to overcome it, it’s possible. Becca is passionate about many things, art included. I bug her all the time for a new masterpiece to hang on my wall. I’ve told her for years she should be selling in a gallery. Don’t you agree?”
The cheers began again. Hunter stole a glance at Becca. She couldn’t stop smiling. The overhead lights shone on her, especially the tears sliding down her cheeks.
“She teaches art to kids with various disabilities. She pours her heart and soul into everything she does. This is what the fund is all about, helping those who have suffered with TBI to lead a normal life as best they can. It was only fitting that I named it after a woman who has done just that. Bec, thank you for being a wonderful inspiration.” As he hugged her, the crowd went wild again.
“One last thing before I shut up and we resume the music and fun. This summer changed things between Becca and I. We realized some deep feelings for each other that we’ve never explored until this year. I’m in love with her, and for some strange reason, she loves me back. I’m not complaining, so that doesn’t mean you young single men can line up at her door. I’m keeping her for as long as she’ll have me. You may have seen the news the last week. I don’t want to get into many details because it’s hard to talk about and we’re still not even sure of many details, but Becca and I went through a nightmarish experience last week. We escaped unscathed other than some emotional scars. It just proves how strong she is. While I kept suggesting we change the date for the fundraiser, Becca pushed me to keep things as they are. So go ahead, blame her if you’re wishing I’d shut up right about now.” As laughter lightened up the mood, Becca smirked. “Not only has Becca given me a painting to put up for auction, she’s also donated some of her time to paint murals for anyone that’s interested. Bid high guys, because she’s going to be world famous one day. You’ll want to have something that says you knew her back when. Just don’t think about stealing her away from me. Thank you, Becca, for giving so much of yourself to the world and for being someone I can always count on. I’m going to end this speech now. If you all don’t mind, I think I’m going to kiss my girlfriend to mark the occasion. Thank you all again!”
With the crowd cheering him on, Hunter wrapped Becca in his arms and kissed her passionately. He held his arm out to guide her off stage. “Thank you for everything.”
She waited until they were on the dance floor to let go of his arm and sign. Another week, and she still hadn’t found her voice. This was the longest period of non-talking she’d had in a while. They still hadn’t found the woman who claimed to be a third survivor. How the hell did she not only survive jumping, but get away too?
It left him unsettled.
“I’m glad I could help. I love the mural painting idea. I can’t wait to see who bids and what they’ll want.” She put her hands back around him when she was finished.
The live singer launched into a cover tune.
Hunter swayed slowly with her across the dance floor as other couples watched them with curiosity. “Know what I want?” he said with a grin.
She cocked her head to the side, shooting him a curious look.
“I want a continuation of the masterpiece of our love. Your painting is beautiful, but the real masterpiece is remarkable. Let’s make it new and improved. I make a promise right here, right now, to be a better man.”
Becca smiled and leaned up to kiss him. “That’s a deal I can gladly seal with a kiss.”
She was doing better, but still held back.
“I’m going to go to the restroom real quick.”
He wondered if she was going to sneak away and read more of that journal she’d been obsessed with. So far, it hadn’t mentioned much about her family, but it was a sick and twisted thought path. Hunter guessed Becca had already read through it once, but kept looking for any clues. Not that he blamed her.
“Okay. Hurry back.” He blew a kiss at her, hoping she didn’t catch how much he still worried about her. As Becca weaved through the crowd, he noticed how she kept turning her head, looking every which way. She was still looking for Brittney, thinking she’d show up and come back to finish what she’d started.
*****
Becca locked herself in the stall and heaved a sigh. This wasn’t working. Being strong was one thing, but holding in the fear was another. Everywhere she looked, she saw the woman’s face and when she’d blink, she realized how wrong she’d been. She was tired, nervous and a wreck.
She shouldn’t have come tonight, but if she hoped Hunter would resume normal activities, Becca had to at least make the attempt herself.
Not easy.
Becca leaned against the stall and closed her eyes, attempting to catch her breath. She’d have to make this quick and get back to Hunter, but she needed a breather.
I can’t keep this up. I’m going to break.
The bathroom door opened, signaling someone coming in. Becca heard a voice and froze.
That sounded so much like her. Like Brittney/Carrie.
“I know. It’s perfect, isn’t it?” Fear ran over Becca’s skin like hot coals. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and she wiped them away.
It’s not her, it’s not her!
She had to know for sure. Becca wasn’t about to
hide out.
Get a hold of yourself, Rebecca! No way would she be here!
Her voice of reason lost. She pulled open the door and it slammed against the wall with a loud bang, startling the woman. She had her head bent low, cradling a phone to her ear. Becca grabbed her arm and tried to turn her around.
“What the-Hey, I gotta go. Some psycho is trying to … I don’t even know what.” The woman used her free arm to put her phone down and faced Becca. “What the hell is wrong with you? What are you doing?”
Mouth ajar, Becca realized her mistake. The woman looked nothing like her. She only had the voice. And she’d just accosted her in the bathroom. Oh good grief. She couldn’t even apologize. Not verbally, anyway.
“Aren’t you going to say something? Hello? What’s your problem?”
Flooded with tears, Becca blinked, backed away and sank to the floor. Her heart thudded against her chest.
She’d make a mistake. A big one. The woman wasn’t Brittney/Carrie, and Becca looked like the crazy one.
What did I just do? I’m losing it.
“Ugh!” the woman snapped, pivoting and shooting out of the bathroom.
A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door.
“Becca? It’s me. Come out, or I’m coming in!” Hunter said from the other side.
Clutching her purse to her chest, she tried to get to her feet. Apparently she wasn’t fast enough, because Hunter burst through the door. One look at her face and he flew to her side, his arms wrapping around her. “Angel, that wasn’t her. Shh. Come here.” Hunter grabbed a paper towel and dabbed her eyes. “You’re safe with me, Becca. I won’t let her hurt you again. You and I-I think we should both talk to someone, okay? You can’t go around doing that, baby. I know you’re scared, but we’ve got to take care of this.”
Becca nodded, knowing he was right about one thing and wrong about another.
She wasn’t safe with him. She wasn’t safe anywhere. Not until she stopped seeing Brittney everywhere and she was caught would she begin to know she was safe.
Hunter led her out of the bathroom and they made their way outside, both needing fresh air. She didn’t bother to look, but she felt the stares of everyone in that room. They had to have known something happened.
The walls were closing in on her.
THE END
About The Author
Nikki Lynn Barrett lives in Arizona with her husband and son. She’s an avid reader, a dreamer, and loves everything about books. She runs a book blog, an online used bookstore, and writes various genres of romance. Nikki can also be found outside with her camera when a storm is near, snapping photo after photo. Her dreams of becoming a writer started when she was young, when she started writing books in one subject notebooks by the fifth grade. You can visit Nikki’s site at: www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com for more information. She is currently working on her next book. Nikki would love to hear from readers. Email her at [email protected]. You can also visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NikkiLynnBarrettauthor.
Escape: Part One
By
Sydney Holmes
Dedication
To anyone who has fought to create a life they wanted instead of succumbing to a predetermined destiny. This book is for you. Fight hard, your life is waiting for you.
Chapter One
Sweat dripped off her skin, sliding down her back. The rising heat made her head spin, but Rowan stood her ground ticking off the seconds. Water. She really needed more water, but now wasn’t the time. The smell permeated her nostrils and burrowed into her brain. Never again. The smell of burning meat overwhelmed her brain and she knew she would never be able to eat beef again.
“Two more cheese burgers and a corn dog,” Tami yelled in her direction.
Rowan nodded and watched as the burgers oozed their juices over the grill and the meat turned from soft pink to brown. The deep fryer to her left bubbled rapidly, sending yet more grease and heat into the air. Even wearing only a pair of shorts and a thin tank top, her face was hot. The thick apron somewhat protected her clothes from the grease and slime, but nothing could protect her from the stifling hot air.
“You get that, Rowan?” Tami asked.
Tami was one of the teenagers she supervised. For an extra buck fifty an hour, Rowan agreed to be the manager of the local pool’s Snack Shack. The management had been thrilled to have a 31 year old apply for the position, and in the cool offices of the Community Center it seemed like a really good opportunity, but now, sweating like a pig and working the grill because none of the teenagers wanted to get greasy, she was seriously questioning that decision.
“Yeah, thanks Tami. Can you please check the fries? We don’t want to run low on them,” Rowan said, flipping the burgers and throwing two more on the grill. Reaching down to get the buns, she noticed they were out. She’d have to make one of the girls work the grill while she went to the stock room.
“Julie, after you start that corn dog, you need to cook these for me while I run to restock.” Rowan called toward the other side of the tiny kitchen.
“Ohhhh, Rowie. Do I have to?” Julie whined.
Rowan wanted to slap her. Never in her life had she heard a sixteen year old whine so much. That would’ve never been tolerated back home. Hell, that would’ve never even happened. No one whined-ever.
“Julie, get an apron and don’t burn these burgers. The lunch rush is just starting,” she told her as she walked toward the door, pulling off her apron.
“Fine. Yuck. I hate it back here. It’s so hot.” Julie reluctantly slipped on an apron and picked up the spatula.
Blinding sun assaulted her eyes as she opened the back door. The community pool was busy this time of year. She had no idea there would be so many kids with nothing to do but go to the pool and swim every day. Not like her childhood, if you could even call it that. Wasn’t like Justin’s either, she thought with a pang of guilt.
Classic management move to keep the supplies for the kitchen in the office building, but it did allow her out of the hell hole every once in a while to breath some fresh air, albeit chlorinated, still better than what she was breathing near the grill.
Making quick work to gather what she needed, she did several trips back and forth, restocking everything that was low. On her last trip back, she did a quick check of the front and noticed the condiment stand was a mess. Taking a deep breath, she ran to get a wet rag and went back to clean up what Julie and Tami were supposed to keep clean. Those girls were serious slackers.
After cleaning the condiment stand, she checked the rest of the front set up to make sure there weren’t any disasters looming. Satisfied there weren’t, she headed back toward the kitchen.
“Shane!” Tami shouted from the cash register with an order ready to be picked up.
“I’ll get it, Tami. What do they look like?”
“Tall, dark hair, slight beard, cut like you’ve never seen, red trunks-with three kids,” Tami reported, searching the tables, “Over there.” She pointed.
Rowan grabbed the tray piled high with food and several drinks, before walking over to a table full of kids.
“Is anyone hungry over here?” she asked.
The kids jumped up with shouts of, “me, me, that’s mine, over here!” as she started passing out the food. Once all of the kids seemed to have what they had ordered, she had one corn dog left.
“And this must beâ” turning her attention to the dad Rowan’s words died in her throat and her heart almost stopped when his dark brown eyes collided with hers. For the first time, Tami was absolutely accurate in her assessment of a customer. He had short dark hair, almost spiky, with a smattering of a beard, and sitting there in his wet board shorts he looked cut like a god. His abs alone made her mind go places she hadn’t been in years. His shorts were riding low enough to see a happy trail running along his flat stomach, straight down his perfect V and ducking underneath the waistband of his shorts.
Clearing
her head, she realized she was holding her breath. He looked familiar, but then she wasn’t thinking clearly at the moment. The exquisite male before her reached up and gently lifted the corn dog boat from her hand.
“Thanks. That would be mine.” His voice was deep and rich and slithered across her skin, causing her arms to break out in goose bumps.
Rowan froze, feeling her throat instantly dry up as if she hadn’t had water in days. She could rationalize her dry throat, that was to be expected in this heat, but the goose bumps suddenly appearing on her skin could only be explained by her sudden, intense reaction to this man. Damn, I really need to get out more. Embarrassed, she tried to pull herself together.
“If there is anything else you need, just let the girls know,” she croaked out as she turned and all but ran back to her place by the grill.
Humiliation crept into her veins as she realized how childish she had just acted. Feeling the heat of it crawling up her neck and blossoming on her face, she blew out a breath, disgusted with her behavior. After all this time she expected more from herself; she was a grown woman, for heaven’s sake, and should be able to have a conversation with a good-looking man without turning into an adolescent. Drooling over fathers spending a day with their kids was not acceptable. Might even be a new low for her. After all this time, working so hard to fit in and act like a normal woman, with a normal background and history, all it took was one fine man and she still felt like an awkward teenager with too many hormones.
Not that she was anywhere near giving up, but she was getting impatient with herself. She would never go back-that was a given. But, the outside was, in fact, a lot harder than she thought. She knew Jolly was evil and cruel, but maybe he did know a thing or two. Out here was confusing and hard, with too many rules and expectations.
Passionate Kisses 2 Boxed Set: Love in Bloom Page 109
