by Karon Ruiz
***
Dalton studied his family enjoying pancakes and hot coffee as they had often done after church on Sundays. Other than being Thursday and having no electricity, the morning felt normal. Sammy seemed like her old self. Window light splashed across the honey-colored walls and Dalton’s heart warmed. Hope tinged his spirit for the first time in a long while. Maybe God was answering his prayers. Was Sammy beginning to forgive him?
Gordy discussed the CME. “Do you think our power will come on, Gordster?” Shirley asked.
“It’s hard to say, Grams,” Gordy answered. “It depends if the authorities can get the transformers online.”
“I hate not having T.V.,” Grace said. “Everything is boring.”
“Reading is fun.” Dalton winked at her.
“I first heard about this from an overseas broadcast on a short wave radio,” Matt said. “Then Amanda Benson stopped by and confirmed it. Carla and I were out of our minds with Charity’s death so I didn’t give it much thought. I wish my phone worked. I’d give anything to talk to my wife.”
“Do you know where she might be?” Sammy asked.
“One of her church friends told her Sunday that if she ever needed anything, to come over so I’m thinking it might be her.”
“Laney?” Samantha hazarded a guess. Matt nodded. “She stayed with Carla at the hospital most of Sunday while I was in Prescott.”
“Thanks to me,” Dalton said. He checked Matt’s expression. It was absent of anger.
“We’ve both made some huge mistakes, Dalton,” Matt said. “We’ve decided to put this behind us, remember?”
Dalton hoped that was really true.
“I can drive over to Laney’s and see if she’s there,” Sammy said. “Maybe she’ll come back with me.”
“Really?” Matt asked, hope in his eyes. “You’d help me? Aft—after what I did?”
“It’ll take awhile to trust you, Matt. But I talked to Grace. She told me you were very kind. That helps a lot.”
“Thank you, Samantha. I don’t deserve any of this.” Matt gestured at the food. He scanned the table, looking at each person. “I don’t deserve your kindness.” Everyone nodded. Dalton noticed Grace offering a big smile. Sammy’s lips curved up slightly as she grabbed her purse and keys. It was a start.
“Gordy, go with Mom,” Dalton said. “Stop by Matt’s. Maybe Carla’s come home.”
***
Carla wasn’t home. Samantha was grateful Gordy was with her as they searched through the Connor home. It was eerie and full of reminders of how close they’d come to disaster hours before.
They retrieved some of the boxed food that sat in the tent trailer. After all, they were feeding another mouth and he was no small eater. Matt had told them where to find the radio. Gordy packed it in the back of the van.
Samantha drove on Kaibab Road, looking for the Spring View exit. Laney and Martin would be surprised to see them. Hopefully Carla would be there.
She eased through the circular driveway and turned off the engine. Gordy followed her to the front door. She pressed the dead doorbell, then let out a long sigh. “Will I ever get used to this?” Gordy chuckled and knocked.
Laney swung the door open and smiled. “Samantha, Gordon … good to see you. Is Dalton okay? Those drugs are some of the hardest to kick.”
“He’s better than expected, Laney.” It had been a long couple of days. She had much to tell her friend. “Is Carla here?”
Laney motioned them in and said in a hushed tone, “She’s outside. Been here since yesterday. Hasn’t said much. Only that she needed some space from Matt.”
“He’s with us. I need to tell you something before I talk with Carla. Is there some place we can go?”
“Gordy, there’s some lemonade in the kitchen.” Laney waved him to the next room. “Serve yourself. We’ll be right back.”
Samantha told Laney about Grace’s abduction and the nightmare that occurred hours ago in Matt’s family room.
Laney gasped. “Is Grace okay?”
“Surprisingly, she’s doing well. Better than the rest of us, I’d say.” Samantha smiled.
“Thank the Lord,” Laney said. “I’ll stop by this afternoon. The welt on Dalton’s head should be looked at. Being hit by a brick could cause some damage.”
Samantha followed Laney to the kitchen. Gordy sat on a bar stool enjoying a tall glass of lemony brew.
“Sorry it’s warm, son,” Laney told him. “Our ice is gone. But the lemons are fresh squeezed from our backyard tree.”
Gordy grinned and took another sip while Laney retrieved three glasses from her cupboard. “Carla’s on the porch swing. Go talk to her and I’ll bring the drinks,” Laney said.
Outside, Samantha walked through a long, covered breezeway. Carla gently rocked, staring at a blue sky dotted with puffy clouds.
“Hi,” Samantha said. Carla looked up but didn’t smile.
Samantha sat next to her. “Are you okay? Matt said you might be here.”
Carla glared. “Is it true, Samantha? Is Pastor D a drug addict?”
Samantha’s heart stumbled. She had to admit the Dalton she’d been with these past few hours seemed different.
“I’m sorry, Carla.” Her voice cracked. “I didn’t know anything about this. My husband made some horrible choices and—and he’s so sorry. He knows he’s hurt many people.”
“Matt hurt me.” Carla’s voice quivered. “He promised me. He betrayed me. How can I ever trust him again?”
Samantha understood. Trust commodities in her heart had gone negative in just a few minutes last Sunday.
“We’ve both been through hard things.” She reached for Carla’s hand, gave it a squeeze. “You most of all. We can get through this together.”
Carla’s eyes filled. “I don’t know what to do.”
“You have so many friends. There’s a congregational meeting this evening. Many would like to help with the service on Saturday.”
Carla nodded. “The church did so much already. They bought Charity’s coffin.”
Samantha knew that. She’d been the one to suggest it at the bereavement meeting on Monday.
“She’s inside some box at the funeral hall. We’ve made no arrangements for the burial.”
Laney appeared with three full glasses of lemonade on a serving tray. After handing them each one, she pulled up a lawn chair.
“I couldn’t help but overhear,” Laney said. “Martin and I discussed this last night. Charity can be buried in the church’s graveyard.”
“In the church yard?” Samantha had always been fascinated by the little burial area behind the sanctuary. It contained about seventy plots from many of the church’s founders and their respective families. Surely they could find room for a small child.
Peace fell over Carla’s face. “That would be perfect. I’d love to think of Charity there, close to the church where she accepted Jesus and sang worship songs to Him.”
“I’ll send one of the men over to the funeral home today. We’ll make the arrangements. You don’t have to worry about anything,” Samantha said.
“Can I see her before …” Carla couldn’t seem to get the words out.
“We’ll settle that with Mr. Copeland,” Laney said. “I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”
Carla seemed better, less agitated, under a slim smile when she took a sip of lemonade.
“Matt is with us, Carla. He would like to see you.”
She stared at her glass. “I’m not sure I can right now.”
Samantha gulped her drink. “He’s hurting too. He needs you.”
“May I say something?” Laney asked.
Carla shrugged. “I guess.”
Laney leaned forward, placed a hand on Carla’s knee. “What you and Matt have shouldered these past few days is impossible. The shock and grief would do anyone in. Adding anger to that mix will surely be the last straw.” She paused and searc
hed Carla’s expression. “Can you put aside your emotions? At least for the next few days. You and Matt need each other desperately.”
Carla sighed deeply. “I already miss him. Even if I’m mad at him.” She slowly got to her feet. “Let me get my things and I’ll follow you, Samantha.”
After thanking Laney, Samantha remembered to ask her something. “Today’s meeting’s at the church is at five-thirty. How are people finding out?”
“I’ve got a team gathering in an hour. We’re going door to door, letting congregants know.”
“Great,” Samantha said. “Tell everyone it’s potluck and to bring perishable food only.”
Laney assured Samantha she would and gave her a hug.
“See you soon,” Samantha told her before calling Gordy from the kitchen and following Carla out the front door. She exhaled with relief as they got in their respective cars. Now for Matt and Carla’s reunion. Matt had to tell Carla what he’d done last night, how he’d kidnapped Grace.
Samantha shook her head as she put the car in gear and backed out of the Fernández’s driveway. Would Matt truly take responsibility for his actions? And how would Carla respond to another betrayal, another felony?
God, we need you. Please go before us.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Reconciliation
_________________________________________________________
11:00 a.m.
Baxter Home
Matt washed his hair in a plastic tub on the back patio before rubbing his chest with a sponge. Once he was satisfied he’d eliminated the grime and sweat from the day before, he slipped on the same shirt Dalton had given him earlier. He pulled on some jeans that were too long so he rolled up the cuffs. No matter how much he cleaned up, he felt blemished and unacceptable. He couldn’t erase what he’d done and how close he’d come to doing the unthinkable. What kind of maniac takes another man’s child?
If Carla was really coming, he’d be ready.
Samantha wanted him to tell her about the kidnapping. That might be too much for her to hear but he would do his best.
***
“Matt’s on the patio,” Dalton said as Sammy, Carla, and Gordy walked through the front door. Carla looked down at the floor as she passed him. Dalton didn’t blame her one bit.
Samantha spun around and told Carla, “Before you see him you should know something. What happened these past twenty-four hours is over. Dalton and I have put this behind us. Please hear him out.”
Sammy had put it behind her?
Dalton hadn’t heard her say it until now.
“What did he do?” Carla’s brows furrowed.
“He’ll explain.” Samantha gave her a quick hug. “We’ll talk later.”
Looking over her shoulder at them, Carla left through the sliding glass door.
“After I’m done filling buckets for the toilets, can I go to the Brewster’s and tell them about the meeting?” Gordy asked. “One less house Mr. Fernández will have to visit.”
“Be sure to take water upstairs,” Dalton said. “I don’t want your mom doing that.”
“Okay, I’m on it.”
“Also, check the pool cover, then you can go,” Dalton said.
Gordy didn’t waste any time retrieving his keys from the kitchen hook. He sprinted past them both toward the outside well.
“I need you and your van here by three,” Dalton called as Gordy opened the front door. “We’ve got to load extra chairs for tonight’s meeting.”
“Sure, Dad,” Gordy said.
“He seems awfully anxious to do his chores,” Dalton said.
“Hormones do that.” Sammy smiled.
“Huh?”
“Are you blind, Dalton?”
“Did I miss something?”
“Bethany Brewster is no longer just Gordy’s childhood buddy. She’s grown into quite a young woman this past year and I think your son has noticed.”
That bit of news hadn’t been on his radar. He’d been so wrapped up in his own problems he hadn’t noticed. Though he’d missed the budding romance, his son’s maturity was certainly apparent. Gordy became a man in a matter of days.
***
Carla sat under the pool umbrella in shorts and a t-shirt, looking anxious. Matt studied her knotted hands she tried to hide between her knees as they sipped lukewarm tea. Though he’d apologized again for lying to her about dealing, he still hadn’t told her what else he had done.
“There’s something more,” he finally said.
“I thought so.” She inhaled deeply. “What did you do?”
He described the kidnapping and all that went on in her home. Her eyes got big and she scooted forward on her chair, like she was a bird about to take flight.
“I hit Dalton with a brick. I’m surprised he doesn’t have a concussion.”
“I can’t believe this,” she said. She wagged her head and just stared at him.
“I lost it. After losing Charity, I needed someone to blame. Dalton was a good target. I wanted to drive a knife into his heart.”
Her golf-ball sized eyes screamed louder than words.
“When he jumped me and nearly strangled me, I came to my senses.”
“He strangled you?”
“That guy’s pretty good with a lasso. It’s obvious he grew up on a horse ranch.” He pointed to the rope burn across his neck.
“I couldn’t bear seeing your broken heart,” Matt continued. “I thought I would be a better dad to Grace than he could ever be, so I took her. I know this sounds insane. It does to me, too. I still can’t believe I did this.” Tears channeled down his cheeks. He shook between sobs.
Carla got up, but instead of running away, she approached him, pulled his face to her chest. “It’s okay, Matt. Let it out, honey.”
Matt convulsed several moments, trying to swallow, then he heard the steady thump-thump of Carla’s heart. He pulled back to meet her gaze. “Grace is such a sweet girl … but she could never replace Charity … I know that. Now.” His eyes locked with hers. “I miss my baby, Car. How can we go on?”
Carla’s eyes filled with tears, too. “I don’t know. I wish I did. I wish I had some answers.” She ran a thumb down his cheek. “But Laney convinced me about something. I can’t add my anger to the mix. The grief is too heavy. I can’t carry anything else right now.”
As Carla cuddled his face, he felt her fingers rake his hair.
“Shhh, baby,” she told him. “We’re going to make it, Matt. God brought us friends. The real kind. They don’t walk away when you’re in trouble. They’ll help us through this.”
She released her grip and tipped his chin with her hand. “I forgive you. So have the Baxter’s. You need to forgive yourself.”
Matt hung his head. Was she right? Dalton and he had come to terms, but had Samantha really forgiven him?
“I’m going inside to see if Samantha needs any help,” she said. “Are you coming?”
“I need another minute,” he said.
Matt watched her walk away as Gordy entered the patio.
Gordy scrunched down near one end of the pool, finagling with the nylon ties.
Matt stared longingly at the pool. Temperatures had climbed to 106 degrees. He wished he could swim a few laps. But Gordy protected the water like a bank guard. Which made sense. The Olympic size concrete receptacle had become a Fort Knox of sorts, containing liquid gold.
Dalton and Samantha had raised a fine boy. Matt eyed the teenager. He hadn’t stopped working since breakfast and never once complained. From the way they’d interacted at the table it seemed the boy had forgiven him for taking his sister. At least he hoped so.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
First Kiss
_________________________________________________________
12:21 p.m.
Brewster Home
Gordon wrestled with a yo-yo sitting at the end of Bee’s bed. “I can’t do this
. How does your dad make it look so easy?” He slung it to the floor, but the string refused to coil.
“He was a national champion in the eighties,” she said. “He’s got about a hundred yo-yo’s in his study. Some are antiques from the 1950s.”
He rewound the string and placed the toy on the bed. “These might become popular again if the power stays off.”
“What’s the deal with that, Gordster? When will the electricity come on?” She pulled up her knees and hugged them.
“I’m not sure. That’s why they’re having the meeting. Things could get bad,” he said as he stood. “I better go.”
“So soon? You just got here.” She stood also, encircled his shoulders with her arms and gave him a hug. One that seemed to last longer than usual. A gentle scent of some kind of flower tickled his nose as she stepped back.
The look in her eyes created warm tingles in his body. She quickly reclaimed the distance between them.
What was she doing?
Her soft, moist lips found his. Unfamiliar—but not unwelcome—sensations surged.
He looked down at her, surprised. “I didn’t expect that.”
She kissed him again. This time longer.
His first and second kiss. More fantastic than he ever imagined.
His black and white world changed to Technicolor. He’d just stepped into Oz.
She let go. “I’ll see you at the meeting.”
He walked to her door and spun around. “Uh … Bee …?”
“Yes?”
“Uh …” The words stuck in his mouth. Finally a moronic utterance tumbled out. “Wanna come over? We could use some help … uh … packing stuff for the meeting.”
“My mom might need me. I’ll find out and meet you downstairs.” After she disappeared into her parent’s room, his feet seemed to tap down the stairs, matching the rhythm of a dancing heart.