Nadia felt her lips curl up in a smile. “I have someone for you to meet.” She waved the teen over, as he’d been hanging back. He stepped closer and even took her hand. “This is Javier.”
John shook his hand and introduced Andra. “I already alerted the welcoming committee that you were coming.”
Nadia leaned her head closer to Javier’s. “That means you have to shake a lot of hands on Friday night, but there’ll be cake.”
He smiled. “I like cake.”
Andra laughed. Nadia walked with them to the Jeep, and climbed in. She wanted to get back to her salon, to start up her life here again, and see how Javier fit into it. He’d be living with a family who had teens so that he had parents, and kids his own age, but she’d be able to see him all the time. Maybe he’d even let her cut his hair.
The town was the same, except for the damage to the ranch. It was Nadia that was different. Maybe that was why things felt strange. She’d find her footing and settle back in. Go to church. Maybe date someone…not yet, but a ways down the road when her emotions weren’t still tied up in a man who had chosen his own path.
She sighed and leaned forward to squeeze Andra’s shoulder. “So what’s new?”
“Hmm,” Andra said. “Well, we have a new doctor, and he’s smitten with Shelby. The mayor is still acting weird. That whole thing is bizarre. Olympia is still the same, and unfortunately so is Maria. But Antonia is her usual crazy self—though her hair needs doing. Basically everyone’s hair needs doing.” Andra laughed. “Oh, and Gemma.”
John’s head whipped around. “What about Gemma?”
Andra shook her head, her gaze on her husband. “I don’t know, that’s the point.”
“Something’s up with Gemma?” Nadia had always thought the girl was pretty settled, almost like nothing could ruffle her.
“She’s been acting weird for days. Get this, Hal was her father.”
“No way.”
“But she’s not upset. She’s like, hiding. And no one knows why.”
Andra might think no one knew why, but Nadia was pretty sure John had an answer.
**
Ben waited all day for his mom to step out for a cup of coffee before he strode into the hospital room where his brother was staying.
Grant looked up. “I’m so glad it’s you. Can you tell mom she needs to—”
“No.” Ben didn’t move. “I got the flash drive.”
“That’s good, right?” Grant didn’t look nervous. He should have.
“Explain Pu'u honua to me, one more time. I’m not sure I quite understood what that was. Fifteen people living in the Hawaiian jungle…”
“More like ten now.”
“Grant.”
His brother blew out a breath, and Ben waited for an explanation.
The real story.
Epilogue
One month later
Nadia stepped back and eyed her work. “So, I’m basically an artiste. You know that, right?”
The client smiled. “You really are.”
They laughed, though Nadia’s amusement sounded hollow even to her own ears. She turned away before the client could see it. She didn’t know the woman well and didn’t need a dissatisfied client. Not when her customer base was limited to the two hundred people who lived in town.
The client charged the cut and color to her account, and Nadia glanced around her empty salon. The familiar smell wasn’t as comforting as it had been before she left. She almost wondered what he was doing, but had decided not even thinking his name was best. Who cared what he was doing? It wasn’t like she’d ever see him—
The bell over the door clanged and then got stuck as it was wedged wide, and he rolled in with a wheelchair.
Nadia stumbled back. She clipped the edge of the chair and it spun. Hit her in the hip. She didn’t move. “You can’t be…”
The cords of his throat moved as he swallowed. “Nadia.”
She didn’t want comfort or smooth words. Nadia steeled herself against all the feeling that rushed through her and folded her arms. Just so he was clear, she also lifted her chin. “You hated it here.”
Why was he back? He looked tanned. Almost at peace. Okay, so he looked good but she didn’t want to notice. This wasn’t a place you just visited. It was a witness protection town, and he didn’t live here anymore.
Bolton stared at her for a moment. Why did he look at her like she was some kind of apparition? “I tried to. Seems like I tried to convince myself of a lot of things. Most especially things about you.”
She didn’t even… “How did you get here?”
“Grant. He’s doing fine now, recovered and everything. I saw Shadrach, too. He’s good. Remy’s taking care of him.”
“You saw Shadrach?”
“I needed some advice.” His white teeth flashed at her. “He gave me a black eye.” Bolton pointed at his left eye. Sure enough, there was an edging of blue shadow against his skin. “He wants to Skype with you. John is going to set it up.”
“John knows you’re here?”
Bolton nodded. Of course. Incoming aircraft couldn’t be a secret in this town. That meant he’d known Bolton had been coming, probably days ago. He hadn’t said anything at dinner the night before, but she had left early. It hurt too much to be around happy, in love people. Even if they were her best friends.
Nadia couldn’t make sense of any of this. “Why are you here?”
“That depends on you.” He grasped the wheels of his chair and came closer.
“Why are you in that thing?”
“The surgery, or me not resting, didn’t work. Whatever the reason I can’t walk, and I haven’t been able to since Dante had me in that house.”
“Your house.”
He nodded. “That was a long time ago, Nadia. In another life. I’ve had a lot of time to think the past few weeks. Time to figure out where I want to be, and what I want to do now. Enough time that I realized I left something here, something I need if I’m going to be happy.”
“And what is that?”
“It’s you, Nadia.”
She didn’t move. “You’d subject yourself to a life of misery stuck in this town just to be with me?”
“Yes, I would.”
“I don’t believe you. What’s changed?” He hadn’t wanted her more than the stash. “Did you blow through the money already? New life wasn’t what you thought it would be.”
He sighed. “I found a hotel, and I tried to decide where to go. Met with a doctor, and had some tests run. They ended up admitting me until the swelling went down. I had more surgery, and the prognosis isn’t good. I won’t ever walk again, but maybe a few steps. I can’t do manual labor, so I have no idea how I’m going to work. I had to face a lot of things, not the least of which was that the one person I wanted to be there with me, holding my hand while I heard that news, wasn’t there.”
Nadia bit her lips together so she didn’t say something out of frustration and make him leave. She could be all strong, independent woman, but she also wanted to be needed.
“It’s not an easy life I’m offering you. You know what it’s like to live with me when I’m like this.” He gave her a small smile. “But I’m hoping that if we tell each other the truth, things will go a lot better this time.”
“And what truth is that?”
“I love you, Nadia Marie Carleigh. Even if your brother hates my guts, I still love you. I want a life with you, a family, if we can.”
“What if I say no?”
“Then I’ll find a place here, and spend every day for the rest of our lives trying to convince you to take a chance on me.”
“Bolton—” Her heart squeezed in her chest, and tears filled her eyes. “Everything I ever wanted is right here.”
He smiled wide. “Yeah?” The word was tentative still.
Nadia nodded. “I always loved you.” She laughed and ran a hand through her hair. “It’s been frustrating, painful, and heart-wrenching, but I wou
ldn’t trade that for anything. I wanted to leave with you, and I would have if you’d asked me to. But if we could stay here, I would be the happiest woman in the world.”
“I think I could love anywhere, if you were there.” He held out his hand. “I want to kiss you, but you’re going to have to come down here.”
Nadia set her hand in his and smiled. “What if we took things slow?”
Bolton stared at her hand in his with disbelief. He rubbed his thumb back and forth over her hand then brought it to his lips. “It would be my pleasure. How about, for starters, we go get some lunch at—”
Javier strode in with a grin on his face. “She had the roast beef.” He held the white bag of sandwiches up. They’d shared lunch regularly the past four weeks.
His face fell as he looked at her and Bolton. His father. “What is he doing here?”
Bolton turned the wheelchair. “Hello, Javier.”
The teen turned to Nadia. “What is he doing here?”
She gave him a small smile. “Bolton has decided to move back home.”
Bolton started, “Jav—”
“No.” He tossed the bag on a chair. “I’ll see you later, Nadia.”
Her heart sank. “I’m sorry. He’s had a hard time adjusting to being here, with everyone wanting to talk about you.”
“He seems fine with you.”
“We’re friends.”
Bolton hadn’t let go of her hand. He lifted it again to his lips. “Thank you for that.”
“He’ll get used to you being here.”
“And you?”
She smiled. “I’ll muddle through it.” Nadia leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m glad you’re home.”
Continue reading
for a sneak peek of
Sanctuary Forever
WITSEC Town Series
book 5!!
Chapter 1
The past loomed in Dan’s life like a ghost. The shadow of a time that was gone now but never really went away. Every time he passed the farmhouse the crack of a gunshot split his eardrums.
The flash of light from the muzzle.
He blinked and squeezed his eyes shut. Fresh air. The breeze on his face and the faintest tang of overripe tomatoes. His boots in the soft grass. The faint nicker of his horse.
He was an adult now, and that was a long time ago. Why wouldn’t it leave him alone? Today of all days was the hardest—the anniversary of the night it happened.
Dan Walden opened his eyes and continued past the house he hadn’t stepped foot in since that day, fifteen years ago. Curtains still drawn, paint peeling from the siding, and shingles torn off by that spring hailstorm. The inside was probably all dust and rodents by now. He halted on the grass and looked at his watch. Hour and a half and he’d be twenty-six.
Happy Birthday to him.
The sky was blue, and the breeze took the edge off the heat of the last week—Thank You, Lord. Warmth collected in the fish bowl where he’d lived his entire life. Every single day in this town with no way in or out, surrounded entirely by mountains; the comfort of their standing sentry over his farm, and over this town, wasn’t far from the comfort Dan felt from his Heavenly Father. The protective hand of God. They’d needed plenty of that protection the last couple of years.
Things were finally calming down. The sheriff and his wife were having a baby soon, and in a few days Dan was going to perform the wedding of the town’s doctor and their nurse. The town of Sanctuary had finally been guided to a place of joy and thanksgiving.
Bay must have heard his boots, because a nicker came from inside the barn. Dan smiled. He could take her out for a ride. Maybe head to the lake and lie on the dock until the sun went down. Some quiet prayer time tonight would do him good. Who needed a birthday anyway? It was almost dark, and apparently she wasn’t going to come over. He’d be okay on his own for the evening. The peace of God that passes understanding…
Dan frowned. A golf cart headed down the lane. The mayor, Samuel Collins, was being driven over by another man. Neither of them he’d consider a friend. The mayor kept to himself most days, and his health was sufficiently bad that when Dan had paid him a visit, the mayor had his housekeeper politely decline. He’d tried two more times, but apparently Collins didn’t want the company of the town pastor.
Until now.
**
Gemma planted her shoe on the grassy dirt and froze. Those dark, round orbs stared back at her from maybe ten feet. She’d never been good at judging distances. The breeze shifted, and a branch swished against her arm. The deer blinked. Stared at her. Superstition. It was nothing but superstition, and one she wasn’t even sure actually held weight since the last person to see the deer was still alive. This didn’t mean anything.
The deer didn’t move.
Gemma inched forward, slowly at first to see if it would run off. Then she started up walking. It didn’t mean—the deer raced away before she reached him. Her. Whichever.
The path she was on wound through the woods from the diner to the farm, though Gemma would have to cut left, or she’d end up passing Dan’s land altogether. Her visit was just one friend helping out another friend on an anniversary difficult enough it left lines on his face for days afterward. They did the same thing every year. Not a birthday party, it would never be that. But she couldn’t let the day pass by unrecognized.
There were years Dan never would’ve survived it alone.
His friends didn’t even know about his past, or what today was. Dan hadn’t told anyone that it was the anniversary of the worst night of his life. And there were few who’d lived in Sanctuary, their witness protection town, back then. Apparently Gemma was in this strange category of “someone who knew” and “someone who cared.” If his friends knew, they’d be all over it, bringing him dinner and making sure he was okay. It was how she knew they had no idea.
And then there was her. Just friends. They’d been “just friends” since that third grade field trip to the ranch when he’d forgotten his sandwich, and she’d shared her mom’s homemade hummus and pita bread with him. He’d explained to her the particulars of the genus of cucumber she’d brought—a cucumber grown on his farm.
The trees rustled. Gemma glanced aside and saw the deer again, it’s face concealed in part by foliage. Twice?
Gemma picked up her pace. She might not believe in superstition, but she couldn’t deny the fact that once in a while it seemed like the world was trying to tell her something—like if bad weather was coming, or things were looking up. She got outside as much as she could and had written entire novels on her laptop, sitting on the grass outside at the library where she worked.
She’d never told anyone that it was as if the earth seemed to speak to her. Not in any magical or mystical way. Just a feeling. She’d told no one except Dan, and he’d suggested it might be the Creator. Gemma didn’t know if she believed in a benevolent being, but she couldn’t deny the strength of his faith. The Bible had navigated him through some of the hardest times anyone should have to face. Ever. She’d read every blog and most books that existed on the subject of childhood trauma and PTSD. The man should be seeing a professional twice a week, attending a support group and taking medication. But they didn’t have two of those things in Sanctuary, and the stubborn man said he didn’t want drugs.
If the deer was God’s way of telling her He wanted her to keep Dan’s secret, that was fine with her. And if God was using creation to send her a message then she would listen. If He was God, He could do whatever He wanted.
Gemma broke into a run, just in case. Who knew what seeing the deer meant? She sprinted fast enough the tote bag bumped against her leg with every step. At the edge of the trees where his front lawn started, Gemma slowed. The mayor stood with Dan outside the barn. Dan was one of the few people who still showed the mayor any measure of respect. Checkered shirt, sleeves rolled up so that she could see the defined muscles of his forearms. Jeans and brown boots. His hair had needed cutting
three weeks ago, but apparently he didn’t have time. Which wasn’t a problem, because it seriously worked.
Just friends.
It had become a mantra. To the point that at least fifty times a day she wondered if she should tell him they couldn’t be friends anymore. Maybe they should just avoid each other as best they could in a town of two hundred protected witnesses. She’d keep to her end of town; he could keep to his. She’d avoid the church, and he’d grieve that until he realized it was for the best.
But not today, on the anniversary of his mom’s… disappearance. There was no way she could give him the break-up speech she’d rehearsed in front of the bathroom mirror a thousand times.
Maybe tomorrow.
The mayor looked… aggravated, maybe? Though he was trying to hide it. His gray suit didn’t fit well anymore, and his silver hair had thinned. He’d ditched the rings he’d always worn, as though tired of pretending. The mayor looked like he was trying to convince Dan of something, while Dan was giving the man his characteristic nothing. Holding all his cards, giving not one thing away. She’d seen him stand perfectly still for a full five minutes of conversation once, before saying one word. The “tell” was in the corner of his mouth, and in his eyes. But she was too far away to see clearly. She had to get closer.
Gemma left the bag behind a tree for later and crossed the grass like she had something to say. The mayor didn’t need to know she was there to hang out with Dan—that would mean theirs wasn’t a secret friendship.
The route made her pass by the farmhouse. Dan had kept it locked since his father’s heart attack. Then after the explosion had destroyed the ranch months ago, it had been condemned. Even though the bomb had exploded on the other side of town, the aftershocks had torn apart the earth and brought down the back porch on Dan’s house. Not that he cared, or had any intention of fixing it.
Sanctuary Deceived WITSEC Town Series Book 4 Page 29
