“You didn’t. You didn’t drink it, and you and our baby are fine.” He leads me into the bedroom and covers me with an afghan lying at the foot of the bed. He smoothes my hair from my face. I feel sleepy. I’m suddenly exhausted. My hand covers my little baby bump. I never drink anything that’s been previously opened. I know better from when my sister was drugged in high school. I know better because of what happened to Abel Lee and Maria in college. I wouldn’t have thought twice about drinkin’ from this sealed bottle of water that was handed to me from someone appearin’ to help me. This can’t be happenin’ to me, to us. This stuff doesn’t really happen, does it?
“Do you think it’s Josh?” Can it be Josh? Is Josh the mastermind behind all of this? “What if it’s one of those copycat people?” I close my eyes. I can’t think anymore. I can’t comprehend that this is still happenin’.
“I don’t know. Do you think you’d be able to identify him from a picture?”
“I don’t know, maybe.”
He scrolls through his phone and holds it out for me to see. “Is this him?”
I shake my head no. “I don’t think so.”
He looks discouraged. “Okay, just rest. I’ll call your mom and let her know we won’t be at church.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, we’ll find him.”
I pray for sleep to find me, but it doesn’t. My mind races with what the man looks like. He seemed so nice and he had such kind eyes. Do eyes lie? I feel sick. I have no idea if it’s mornin’ sickness or just feelin’ sick from what could have happened. Were drugs or poison in that bottle? I hear Abel Lee on the phone in the other room. I knew he would be callin’ people. He’ll take care of it. I breathe slowly and wait for the nausea to pass. I drift off into a state of sleep, but I don’t rest. I think I’m asleep, but my mind is awake with fear. I hear Abel Lee on the phone, but I have no idea what he’s sayin’. Soon I hear doors openin’ and closin’, but I have no idea who’s comin’ and goin’, then I hear fightin’. Fightin’? Is this a dream? Am I dreamin’? I must be because there’s yellin’ and cursin’ comin’ from the other room. People I know and love don’t use those kinds of words. When I hear Daddy yellin’ Abel Lee’s name, I get up.
Standin’ up from the bed, I slip into my robe and pull my hair into a high ponytail as I make my way down the hall. In the livin’ room are Daddy, Mom, Bud, and Nelly. Daddy is mad. He and Abel Lee are standin’ close, and Bud is nearby. Mom and Nelly are standin’ near the front door.
“If you let anything happen to my little girl or grandbaby, Abel, I swear…”
“Daddy, stop it!” I look at Daddy then to Abel Lee. “What’s goin’ on here?”
Daddy runs his hands through his hair. He looks tired. He throws his hands in the air and says, “Pumpkin, Abel was just tellin’ us about the water and the handkerchief from yesterday.” Daddy glares at Abel Lee. “This is your fault, Abel.”
I stomp my foot. “Daddy, stop it! It’s not Abel Lee’s fault.” Walkin’ over, I wrap my arms around my husband. “I didn’t drink it and I’m fine.”
“Jesus, Savannah Mae. He’s puttin’ you and my grandchildren in danger.”
“Grandchildren?” I ask Daddy, but I turn and look at Abel Lee. “You told them?”
“He didn’t have to. We already knew,” Nelly says softly.
Lookin’ over at Nelly and Mom, I see sadness and concern on their faces. I touch my baby bump. I knew it was hard to hide. “Let’s sit down, can we?”
Abel Lee sweetly and gingerly helps me to the couch. Searching the room, I ask, “Where’s Sawyer Jackson?”
“He’s with your sister at the park,” Daddy says in a much calmer tone.
“We were gonna tell y’all at three months about the baby.””
“We suspected it before, but yesterday we knew for sure,” Mom says.
I smile. I should have known she would be able to tell. She guessed right away when I was pregnant for Sawyer Jackson. “I’m showin’ a lot sooner with this baby.”
“Savannah Mae, I want you and Sawyer Jackson to come home and stay with us until this Josh guy is caught,” Daddy says.
“Do we know for sure it’s Josh?” I ask.
Abel Lee shakes his head. “Not yet. I have a visitation appointment in an hour to see the guys from college.”
“You can’t go and see ’em? What if they hurt you?” I watch Law and Order, and I know inmates are mean and what they can do behind bars. They make shanks out of toothbrushes and other things.
“It’s not like it is on television. They’re locked up behind bulletproof glass. I have to know who else is behind this, or who else they’re working with.”
“What about the contents of the water bottle?” Daddy yells.
“Daddy, stop yellin’ at Abel Lee. He’s done nothin’ wrong.”
“He ain’t done nothin’ right, either. All I know is my daughter and my grandbabies are in danger.”
I get a pain in my belly and I lean forward. Abel Lee is on the floor kneelin’ in front of me. “Is it the baby?”
“I think I just need to lie down,” I whisper.
He helps me stand and walks me out of the room. Turnin’ around, I say, “Daddy, be nice to him. I love ’im.”
“I’m sorry, Pumpkin, I’m just worried about y’all.”
“And you think he isn’t?”
Chapter Sixteen (Country Love)
Abel Lee
Once Savannah Mae is in bed and resting, I close the bedroom door tightly before walking back into the living room. Her dad and I have been having a heated argument, and I don’t want her to witness any more of it. When I walk into the room, everyone is still sitting. I look outside and see Samantha Marie pushing several neighborhood kids on the swing set. Even Mia is out there with Harley. I open the door, leaving the screen door closed.
“Look, I know you’re worried about them. I am, too. I take full responsibility for all of this.”
“I’m sorry, Abel. I didn’t mean to be so rough on you. I know you love ’em. Go on and go to your meetin’ at the jail. We’ll stay here with ’em until you get back.”
I look around the room, and Momma stands and says, “Go ahead and go. We’re gonna make some chicken and dumplin’s for dinner with some homemade blackberry cobbler for dessert.” She and Savannah Mae’s mom disappears into the kitchen.
Pops stands and says, “I’m gonna sit out back just in case he…” He doesn’t finish his sentence. “I’m just gonna sit out back and watch the kids play,” he says.
I feel like I just got hit in my stomach with a sledgehammer. Even Pops is in fear for his family. “I didn’t know this was going to happen. I swear I didn’t know this would ever affect Savannah Mae, Sawyer Jackson, or my…” I clear my throat. “My unborn child.”
“We know that. She’s my daughter and if something ever happened to her…” He doesn’t finish his sentence either. He doesn’t need to. I’m glad the girls are in the kitchen cooking and they don’t hear this conversation.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can, and hopefully, I’ll have some answers.”
I called the police this morning after Savannah Mae went back to bed. They took a report and also took the water bottle and the handkerchief as evidence. On the way to the Perry County Jail, I place my phone on the cradle and use hands-free calling to call Maria, Tony, and Mack. Maria doesn’t answer, and Tony and Mack will both get back to me. I swear they should be private investigators instead of personal trainers and coaches. Next, I call Detective Jamison to see if he could tell me what chemical was added to the water, if any. I’m hoping that nothing was added. I’d hate to think of what I would do to the person who threatened or attempted to harm my family. Any of them. But if someone harmed Savannah Mae, Sawyer Jackson, or my unborn baby, the aftermath would be like I was in the ring with Greene again. Sadly, I killed once, and if my family was ever harmed because of me, I swear I could kill again. Detective Jamison said it’ll take long
er than two hours to get the results back. It seems like it’s been two weeks.
I lock everything up in my car except for my driver’s license. Detective Jamison said I would need it to get into the jail. I couldn’t make a visit to see all three of the pricks; I could see only one. Two of them are still in the infirmary due to their gunshot injuries. Cory Maddox is the lucky bastard to get a visit from me today. I plan to bribe him to tell me what I need to know. If that doesn’t work, I’ll threaten his life, and the life of all he holds near and dear, if any such persons exist.
I leave the jail filled with rage and unanswered questions. I couldn’t bribe or threaten the little prick. When he saw his visit was with me, he told the Corrections Officer he wasn’t interested in the visit.
I hope he never gets out. I’ve done research on him, and he’s a prick who began his career of evil by throwing live kittens into a bonfire.
I call Maria before driving home and still receive no answer. I’ve spoken to the police and they are also trying to get ahold of her.
Kevin Dickerson (Ethan’s dad)
After meetin’ George Beatty and hearin’ his request for a special piece of furniture for his dearest granddaughter who is paralyzed, I honestly had no idea what we were gonna do. I make damn good handcrafted furniture and I’m good at it, but to be put on the spot to make something incredible and amazin’, I didn’t know if I could.
The preacher was still at the church when I left for home that night, so I stopped. I needed to pray and I needed to make sure that God could hear me. I know he listens to everyone, but I worried my prayer would get muffled with everyone else’s needs. I knelt down at the pulpit and prayed for guidance. I set the picture of Emily Hope in front of me, and prayed that I could come up with something as beautiful as she is. I didn’t ask for anything for me, just for guidance to make something amazing for such an incredible little girl who has already been through so much.
Ethan called me before bed and told me not to worry. He told me we would come up with something. Prayin’ again before I went to bed, I woke up to a brilliant idea. I barely waited for the sun to rise before I called Ethan to met me at the shop. I also called Johnny and Rick to stop over later to see me. They’re artisans and I wanted their opinion. It’s Sunday and I should be at church, but I wanted to start on this as soon as I could. I’m sure God understands.
Savannah Mae
I slept — well, I think I slept. My eyes were closed and I thought of a dark-haired man with a bottle of cyanide disguised as a bottle of water. I shower before walking out into the kitchen. After braiding my wet hair, I put on one of Abel Lee’s sweatshirts, a pair of leggin’s, and tennis shoes. I think this is one of the most comfortable combination of things I own to wear. Mom and Nelly are cookin’ and the house smells delicious.
“Well, there’s our girl.” Nelly smiles.
I smile back. “I didn’t mean to sleep so long.”
“Don’t be sorry, you didn’t miss anything,” Mom says as she looks in the oven. The smell of blackberry cobbler fills the air.
“Fresh berries?”
“Yep, Dad and Bud picked ’em over on your new property. They said the bushes are loaded with ’em.”
“I hope the bushes are out of the way and the contractors won’t need to cut ’em down.” I reach into the refrigerator and fill a glass with cold milk.
Nelly stirs a stock pot on the stove. “Bud and your Dad already cut back some starters just in case they did.” I don’t doubt that. I look outside and see them sittin’ on a park bench watchin’ the kids play. “They also bagged some berries and put ’em in the freezer for you for later.”
“That was nice. Do you guys need any help?”
Mom smiles and tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “No, we have this. If you want to go outside and get some fresh air, you can.”
Nelly adds, “I saw Kevin and Ethan in the workshop a little bit ago.” I wonder why they’re workin’ today?
“It’s still Sunday, right?”
They both laugh. “Yes, honey, you didn’t sleep an entire day away. Go on outside and get some fresh air before your husband comes home. Your dad just came in and asked about you.”
I finish my milk and rinse out my glass before headin’ outside. It’s a beautiful fall day. Sun’s shinin’, leaves are changin’, and the smell of fresh-cut wood fills the air. Fresh-cut wood? I don’t see anyone cuttin’ trees down today. I hear the sound of a saw and it’s comin’ from the workshop. Kevin and Ethan are really workin’ today. No one in Rose Farm works on Sunday, it’s God’s day.
I wave to Daddy and Bud as I walk towards Sawyer Jackson. I find myself lookin’ around for someone, an unknown man. Sawyer Jackson smiles and runs towards me. He’s my life and I love him more than anything.
“Yay, Buddy.”
“You’re up? Are you still sick?”
I kneel down and hug him. “Nope, not anymore.”
“Good, you wanna play on the swing set with me?”
“I wanna see your Daddy and grandpa first. Wanna come?”
“Nope, I already saw ’em. It stinks in there.”
I love the smell of fresh-cut wood. “Okay, stay close to your other grandpa’s side, and I’ll be right back so we can play.”
“Okay, but hold your nose because it stinks in there.”
I put my fingers to my nose and pretend like I’m holdin’ my breath. “Okay, I’ll be back.”
I watch as Sawyer Jackson leaves and plays on the merry-go-round. My Daddy and Bud watch me as I disappear into the workshop. I was expectin’ to see Ethan and Kevin, but Johnny and Rick are also there. I couldn’t hear the music playin’ in the background until the circular saw shut down. “Workin’ on a Sunday, I see.”
“Hey, Savannah Mae.”
“Hey, Johnny.” I look around the room. “What brings everyone in here today?”
Rick says, “Kevin got an idea about a piece of furniture for George Beatty’s granddaughter.”
“You did?” Walkin’ closer to where Kevin and Ethan are workin’, I ask, “What did you come up with?”
Kevin smiles. “Step into my office and I’ll show ya,” he teases.
Laughin’, I take a step closer until I’m steppin’ in sawdust. There isn’t an office in the workshop so this workshop is what he’s callin’ his office. They are both workin’ on two different pieces of wood. One person is cuttin’ and the other person is sandin’. They stop what they’re doin’ and explain their idea to me. The more they talk, the bigger my smile gets. This is great. No, it’s better than great, it’s perfect. Ethan shows me the sketch of the finished product. He explains that it was his dad’s idea, but because Kevin can’t draw, Ethan drew the finished product.
“This is perfect.”
“Thank you. We wanted to get started on it as soon as we could. With the intricate carvin’s we have planned for this project, this is going to take us awhile to get it done,” Kevin explains. I worry if they’ll have time to work on the furniture needed for the shop. Maybe they have enough in storage that this won’t be a problem. As much as we sold yesterday, I’m not sure they have enough.
Ethan watches me and says, “We plan to do this on our down time. That’s why we’re here today.”
I don’t expect them to work on their days off or after work. Work is work and family will always be more important than work for all of us. I’m not sure how to compensate them for this. I’ll need to talk to Abel Lee and see what he thinks. Maybe I’ll search it online, and try to figure it out for myself. “Mr. Beatty did say there wasn’t a deadline, didn’t he?”
“He did, but he also said the sooner the better. I called him this mornin’ and ran my idea past him.” I smile, I know he loved the idea, otherwise they wouldn’t be here workin’ on it.
Ethan adds, “We could hear his wife cryin’ in the background.”
“I’m not surprised. If this is close to as beautiful as the sketch, it’ll be stunnin’.” I look over
at Rick and Johnny and ask, “And what are you two doin’ here?”
Johnny blows on a small figurine he just sanded. “I wanted to make her something, too.” Although it’s in the early stages, I can make out the figurine in his hand that he’s sandin’.
Ricky has a few smaller pieces of metal lyin’ out on the table in front of him. I’m lookin’ at him and because he’s blind, he can’t see where I’m lookin’.
“Don’t look at me, I didn’t wanna be left out, either.” He smiles his big white perfect smile.
“How did you know I was lookin’ at you?” I ask in confusion.
“I can’t see ya, but I can feel ya lookin’ at my masterpiece sittin’ in front of me.”
Everyone in the workshop laughs and I wipe away the tears. “I swear you can see me, Rick.”
“Yeah Savannah Mae, been fakin’ my blindness just to trick you,” he teases.
I like Rick, I have always liked Rick. “I knew it.” I focus my attention back to everyone. “Well, everything looks great and let me leave you to your… masterpieces.”
Abel Lee still isn’t back yet. I swing on the swings and play on the teeter-totter, slides, and merry-go-round with Sawyer Jackson while searchin’ the perimeter of the park for Josh, or whoever handed me the water and handkerchief yesterday. Daddy and Bud stay outside on the park bench. They’re both readin’ or pretendin’ to be readin’. They look around often and watch me and Sawyer Jackson closely. I used to feel safe in this small town, but now I’m fearful. Not just for me, but for my son, my family, and everyone who lives here.
Mom yells from the kitchen door that dinner is ready. She also tells me to get Ethan, Kevin, Rick, and Johnny for dinner, too. Abel Lee pulls up as we’re all headin’ into the house. Pops takes Sawyer Jackson in, Daddy goes to the workshop to invite the guys to dinner, and I walk around to meet Abel Lee.
I can tell from his sad expression that he doesn’t know anything. He gets out of the truck and looks up and down the street before closin’ the door. I smile. I don’t want him to worry. “Hey, you’re just in time for dinner.”
Rose Farm Trilogy Boxset Page 48
