Papina (Bearville County)

by Katie Hamstead

  "Nova, I love you, and so does Jackson. We want you to be part of our family."

  Her sobbing slowed and she looked up at me. "Really?"

  I smiled. "I've always wanted plenty of children."

  She chuckled. "Promise me you won't hate me?"

  "I promise." I stroked her hair.

  She took a deep breath and slowly released it. "Forrest dropped me home, and on the way I tried to tell him that I loved him again, but he said that I didn't, and that I needed to stop. I said I'd give him…"

  She flushed and looked away. "But he was horrified, and said he was going to arrange for me to be changed to a different counselor. He said that as a married man it was completely out of the question. So he forced me from his car and drove away.

  "So I decided I needed to…" Her voice caught. "I needed to get rid of you. So I stole my foster father's bicycle and headed to town. I was going to tell you he deserved better than white trash like you and that we were in love, and while I rode, I planned it all out, and barely noticed the bus pass by me. That's when he must have seen me.

  "When I reached the edge of town, he and two of his friends were waiting for me. I tried to escape, but they had all their archery gear and threatened to shoot me. Then they dragged me through the park, pinned me down and…"

  "Oh Nova!" I clung to her as my own tears fell.

  "That's when Forrest showed up. I didn't notice him at first because I was screaming and hurting so bad, but he hit them all and pulled me free.

  “I really didn't think they'd shoot him, not over me. We almost made it to the car, but he fell. They ran toward us, and he told me to go, like I told you, and find you and say he loved you. That was when my ex grabbed his hair and said, ‘If only I knew how to scalp ya,’ before he slit his throat.

  "I screamed, and he turned on me, so I ran. They fired at me, but I don't think they wanted to hit me. I just kept running and running. I didn't want them to find me, until I was lost. I hid in a cave because it was so cold…"

  She trembled. "The sheriff found me. I couldn't even move to make him leave me alone. I just wanted to die. Then you showed up. I couldn't believe you of all people wanted to take me home. I still hated you because Forrest loved you and not me. His last thoughts and words were about you, not me."

  I was speechless. I had no idea what to say or even how to feel. All I could muster was stunned.

  She looked up into my eyes. "I'm so sorry, Bray. Now you're like the mom I always wanted, but it's my fault you lost your husband. I'll understand if you don't want me."

  I clasped her face. "No! Nova it wasn't your fault. You were a victim, too. He was just being Forrest and tried to help you."

  Out of the corner of my eye I saw the detective wave at me. I glanced over and saw her mouth, "A name."

  It took me a moment to realize what she meant, and I looked down at Nova again. "Sweetheart, who did this to you?"

  She flushed and looked away.

  "Nova, who is your ex?"

  Her chin quivered as she cried. "He'll hurt me. He said if I open my mouth he'll lock me up and torture me, then kill me, too."

  I took a sharp breath, horrified that someone could even think such things. "Nova, I'll protect you."

  She shook her head and squeezed my waist. "No, I need to protect you."

  "From what?"

  "His dad thinks you're the prettiest woman in town and you're wasted out here. He says you deserve better than a marriage to a native and now you have the chance."

  "Good heavens!" I gasped horrified, but believing I knew exactly who she was talking about. "Nova, the police will protect us. The sheriff and deputy and everyone in town will protect us."

  She looked up at me again. "You don't think he'll come after me again?"

  "I think as soon as you tell me who he is, I will send the detective out to get him."

  She took a shuddered breath and nodded. "Alfie Richards."

  I glanced over at the detective as she rushed over and touched Nova's shoulder. "Thank you, Nova."

  The detective pulled her phone from her pocket and rushed out of the room.

  The man stepped over and gestured to the door.

  Nova looked up at me. "What's happening?"

  "I think they are going to go pick up Alfie."

  She shuffled. "He won't see me, will he?"

  "I don't think they'll let him."

  She smiled. "You know what?"

  "What?"

  "I feel better for telling you."

  I kissed the top of her head. "I do too. I knew Forrest wouldn't hurt you and you wouldn't have hurt him. All along I knew there had to be another explanation."

  "I know. You're the only person who did."

  I turned to lead her out. "Come on. Let's get something to help keep us awake."

  *

  Several hours later, Alfie Richards came hollering into the police station. "Nova, you little slut! I'm going to kill you!"

  Nova shot up from her spot dozing on my shoulder. "Where is he?"

  Paul's eyes flew open and he looked over Jackson's head. "Get into that room there, just to be safe."

  We all rushed in, and Paul shut the door behind him. Amazingly, Jackson stayed asleep.

  Nova clung to my hand. "He can't see me."

  "He won't." I stroked her head.

  "What if he gets off?"

  Paul grunted. "He better not. If he does, I'll make sure he's expelled and run out of town."

  Nova shot him a fierce glance and looked up at me. "Why does he have to be here?"

  "Nova—"

  The door burst open and the detective fixed her gaze on Nova. "Come and identify him. And if it's at all possible, we'd like the names of the other boys too." She looked at the sheriff. "We've locked the school down. No one goes in or out."

  He nodded. "Good."

  She looked back to Nova. "Come on."

  She shook her head, her grip around my hand almost crushing it. "Not without Bray."

  The detective looked at me and I nodded.

  We went to the room with the one way window and saw Alfie Richards pacing the room.

  "Is that the person who killed Forrest?" the detective asked.

  Nova burst into tears, but nodded.

  "All right. We have people going through the school's arrows as we speak. The evidence does line up for this story and if we find the weapons then—"

  Alfie banged on the window. "Nova! If you're in there, you better shut your ugly mouth."

  She buried her face into my shoulder.

  "I should have never been stupid enough to look at a fugly little slut like you."

  She made a strange growling sound and looked up at me. "His two friends that were with him were Josh Haynes and Eric Sharpe."

  The detective smirked. "I like this girl when she talks."

  She walked over and opened the door. "I think we can handle it from here. Why don't you all go home and we'll call you if we need you again."

  A wave of exhaustion swept over me. "That sounds like a good idea."

  When I climbed into Paul's truck, I saw the time. 5:04 a.m. So much for an early night! But as we drove in silence, I processed everything I'd learned. Forrest had done what I'd expected. He'd been noble and selfless and saved Nova, and most of all, the last thought on his mind was me. The last words he spoke were to say he loved me.

  Although his death would have been horrendous, I smiled as tears rolled down my cheeks. Forrest would finally be seen as the hero I always knew him to be. I felt relieved to finally know the truth, and I felt like Forrest wasn't so far away.

  We turned into town and I tapped Paul's arm. He glanced at me, and I pointed down a side street. He turned, and I directed him to the graveyard.

  He pulled up, and I climbed out. He kept the truck rolling as I trotted over to Forrest's grave and knelt down. I ran my hand over the snow and stared at his head stone. "Well Forrest, I finally know. It actually feels right, you know? You always fought f
or what's right, and I always knew that would be the real reason you died."

  My tear fell onto the snow and I stared at it. "But you know what? I feel like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders. I feel light, and surprisingly, I don't feel angry at those boys. They're going to get what they deserve. I do feel sad because I miss you, but I know I can keep you alive in my heart by keeping Nova on the right track. You gave her that chance, and I'm not going to make your sacrifice be in vain."

  I knelt back and sighed. "Do you want me to move on?" I shook my head. "Of course you do. You wouldn't want me to be alone for the rest of my life. But I'll miss you every day. You saved me too, you know."

  I brushed the snow off the headstone. "You liked Paul even when I didn't, so you'd be happy about this. He's a good country boy, which I think is what I've always needed. I never thrived in that wilder lifestyle I was swept away in. He makes me happy, like you did, but… differently. Like he said, I love him the same, but differently."

  I stood and wrapped my arms around myself. "It's time for me to live again, for you, for Jackson, for Nova, but most of all for me. I love you, Forrest, I always will."

  I turned and headed back to the truck.

  As I buckled, Paul touched my elbow. I looked at him and he smiled warily. "How are you feeling?"

  I glanced back at Nova to check she was still asleep. "I'm relieved."

  His smiled relaxed. "Really?"

  I nodded. "I feel like I knew it all along, and I really did know Forrest. He was mine right to the end, and he was noble even in his last breath. I owe it to him to raise Nova. I feel like everything is going to be okay. I feel like I can really move on."

  I reached out and wrapped my hand around his. "I think he'd want me to fall in love and be happy again. He'd know it doesn't make what we had less real, or mean I love him any less."

  Paul lifted my hand and kissed it. "I'll make sure it's worth it. We can do this together now."

  "I'd like that."

  His eyes sparkled as he turned to drive back to the house.

  Chapter Thirty

  Nova burst into the house and went to rush up the stairs.

  "Nova, stop!" Paul pushed past me and grabbed her arm. "We all need to talk."

  "I'm tired," she growled.

  "We're all tired, but we need to work things out."

  She scoffed. "There's nothing to work out. You're leaving and never touching Bray again."

  "I'm not going to leave just because you don't like me."

  "I hate you," she said under her breath.

  "But Bray and I are together. You need to accept that."

  "No! She belongs to Forrest."

  He growled and looked to me for help.

  I shifted Jackson's weight. "Both of you sit down in the living room. I'll put Jackson down then I'll join you."

  Nova glared at Paul and pulled her arm free. She stomped down the stairs and collapsed on the armchair in the living room.

  Paul sighed and looked at me. He stepped over and kissed my head. That small gesture sent a wave of relief through me. I could face a battle with Nova despite everything that happened.

  I put Jackson down in his bed, then returned to the living room. Paul sat on the couch facing Nova, but she had her arms folded as she stared out the window.

  "I'm so in love with her," he said softly. "I don't understand why you don't like that. Don't you want someone to look out for her and make her happy? You know she wanted a big family, but with Forrest gone—"

  "Shut up!" she snarled.

  I took a deep breath and stepped into the room.

  Nova's gaze shot to me. Her eyes narrowed as I sunk down beside Paul. His hand caught mine and she growled.

  I met her gaze. "Nova, Paul isn't going to take me away from you. I want to keep you as part of my family no matter what, and he wants to be part of our family, too. He's not stealing me from Forrest. I still love Forrest. But I love him now, too. I really need you to understand that this isn't to spite you. Wouldn't we have more fun as a big family and maybe more siblings for you and Jackson?"

  She grumbled, and I heard something about shooting.

  "You need to forgive him for shooting you."

  She jumped to her feet. "It's his fault I lost my real mom. If he hadn't shot me, she wouldn't have run away."

  Paul sighed. "Nova, you know she gave you up to the tribe."

  Her eyes filled with tears. "No, that's a lie because they can't find her."

  He shook his head. "No, she mailed in her surrender papers, and when we tried to trace them, all we found was an empty hotel room. I think she knew you had a better chance without her."

  "No!" She rubbed her tears from her eyes. "No, you scared her."

  "Nova, Bray wants you. I want you. Isn't that better than the crimes she made you do? Aren't you happier in this home? You are smart and doing well with school, Bray loves you, you have a little brother…"

  She collapsed onto her knees and scrambled over to me, her head falling in my lap. "I just want you to be my mom. I don't want you to be scared away or not really love me."

  "Oh Nova." I pulled her up to sit between us. "I won't ever be scared away, and I'll always love you. Paul will never change that."

  She nuzzled up to me and cried. As she slowly calmed, she looked up at him. "You will take care of her, and love her like Forrest did?"

  He gazed into her eyes. "I'll definitely do my best. Forrest left big shoes to fill."

  She nodded and stared at his hand. "That's a good answer."

  Her fingers brushed his knuckle. He caught her hand and smiled.

  *

  "Braydon!"

  I shot up, dazed.

  Paul's head lifted beside me. "What was that?"

  Pounding on the door echoed through the house. "Braydon!"

  I looked down at Paul in a daze beside me on the bed. "Is that Sarah?"

  He swore and leapt out of bed. "I left the truck parked in your driveway. She probably saw it—"

  "Braydon!" The pounding grew more furious.

  I stumbled out of bed and pulled my house coat on. Paul darted out the door and down the stairs.

  "Paul, wait!"

  I rushed after him, and halted halfway down the stairs as he threw open the door.

  She stared up at him, jaw gaping, eyes wide.

  "Everyone is sleeping," he said firmly. "We were up all night at the police station. What do you want?"

  Her gaze darted to me. "Why were you at the police station?"

  "Nova is talking," I answered as I descended the stairs.

  I stood beside Paul and leaned against the door frame. "She admitted everything, and they hauled in one of the boys from the school."

  Her jaw fell again as her eyes widened until they almost popped right out. "No! What happened? No, you probably don't want to talk about that. I'll find out somewhere else. But, why did she suddenly talk?"

  Paul and I exchanged glances. He sighed and looked Sarah directly in the eyes. "Sarah, we're talking about getting married."

  Her face fell.

  I held my breath as I waited for some kind of outburst.

  "Married?" Her eyes filled with tears. "Married?"

  Paul nodded and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "It's been a long time coming, but Bray's been avoiding it… for obvious reasons."

  Her face darkened. "I have… how is…" She shook her head and lifted her chin, looking at me. "You should have never moved here. Forrest would still be alive, and I would have never been betrayed by you."

  "Sarah!" Paul growled.

  She threw him a filthy look. "I did so much for you. I gave you so much and this is what I get?"

  "I've been telling you to move on for years—"

  "Shut up!" She marched down the stairs. "I hope you both rot in hell!"

  I winced as she slammed the gate behind her. She climbed into her car and tore off down the street.

  Paul shut the door and stared down at me. I sensed he expect
ed me to say something, so I sighed. "We both tried, but I think no matter how gently we eased into this or told her, she would have reacted the same way."

  He rested his hand on the nape of my neck. "Are you upset?"

  I shrugged. "Yes, a little, but honestly, her friendship was proving hard to maintain. By choosing to please her, I felt miserable."

  He leaned in and kissed me. "Me too. I'm sorry she made you have to choose. She was once an amazing, bright, and vivacious girl. I wish she'd never fallen in love with me."

  I touched his cheek. "It's not your fault. One day, she'll move on and will realize what she was missing out on. You never loved her the way she needed and deserved."

  He smiled, and wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me off the ground. "You're amazing."

  I grinned and kissed him, and it felt… right.

  *

  Several weeks passed, and I found myself back in the courtroom, except this time, Nova stood on the stand, recounting what happened that terrible night. There wasn't a single dry eye by the end, as suddenly, the girl who they all thought was the villain, suddenly became the victim.

  At the end of the day, she came straight to me and wrapped her arm through mine. "I'm so glad that's over. Alfie glared at me the whole time. I swear he was imagining slitting my throat."

  She shuddered.

  I squeezed her shoulder. "Everything points at those boys now. Especially with those arrows being found. I can't believe they just hid them with the other arrows. Didn't they feel any remorse?"

  She scoffed. "I doubt it."

  Paul met us and tilted his hat. "You were very brave today, Nova."

  She rolled her eyes, but grinned. "Whatever, cowboy. Hey, you owe me a giant ice cream cone."

  He smirked. "I sure do."

  "Why?" I asked.

  "Because…" She reached over and took Jackson off my hip. "I agreed to babysit tonight so he could have some alone time with you."

  She winked at me.

  I blushed and he laughed.

  "So, Sheriff, the good ice cream place is right around the corner. You better get it before we head back."