I watched as she struggled through the laughs and screams. Noah was smiling and having fun. A feeling of joy crept inside me, and I realized I wanted this. I wanted our child to wake us up in the morning. I wanted Noah to tickle his boy or girl and see the happiness on his face that I saw right now. I no longer feared his words from last night; I was excited for him to ask me to marry him—maybe not right now, but someday.
Jen appeared in the doorway wearing a faded black T-shirt and black yoga pants. Her hair was pulled into a loose ponytail with strands falling loose that shouldn’t be. “Noah, what are you doing to my child?”
“Tickle attack,” he breathed, not looking away from his niece.
Jen raised a brow, a smirk playing on her lips. “Aren’t you too old?”
He slowed his hands, letting Libby take a breath. The child’s hair was now sticking straight up. “Yes. But she started it.”
The smirk turned into a smile, as she winked at me over her brother’s and child’s bodies. “Get up, we’re waiting.” Jen reached over and took Libby’s hand, pulling her up off the bed and out of the room.
“I guess we should get up.” I stood and pulled on my own yoga pants, which were blue. I was wearing an old gray T-shirt of Noah’s, with the words Shimmer Lake High written in navy blue on the front. I brushed my hair quickly and added a bit of makeup. Finally, I took the locket out of the box and put it on my neck where it belonged. “Come on, they’re waiting.” I moved to the door and stood gazing at him, where he still lay in bed watching me.
“Go ahead, I’ll be right out.”
I did as he asked, and made my way out into the living room where Noah’s family waited.
The next few hours was a haze of wrapping paper, excited squeals, and laughter. I missed being around a big family. I was surprised I wasn’t depressed or missing my own. I just enjoyed the day without any sadness. It was Christmas, a time to be happy and thankful, and that’s what I intended to do.
Noah loved the brown leather jacket and his CDs, but it was the chisel that inspired a long kiss in front of his family. They cheered at the sight, thankful that their son had finally found happiness. Except his brother-in-law, who yelled for us to get a room. Noah winked at me as he drew away, sitting next to me on the sofa. Noah had given me earrings and perfume and I decided I would thank him in private.
“Oh Anna, thank you,” Jen said.
I looked up from my earrings and saw that Libby had opened her present. “You’re welcome.” I had given her a signed special edition to my new book, a signed copy of Wendy’s Wish and a signed copy of the Wendy’s Wish DVD along with the other books Noah had been browsing through.
“I didn’t even know the DVD was out yet.”
“It’s not, but I have connections.”
Later, Sam, Kathy and the kids came to exchange gifts. I was so excited to give Kathy her gift, but when I opened the one from her, I laughed. I watched as she opened hers, and held up mine. “We can go together.” We had gotten the same thing for each other, a massage and manicure coupon for the spa in Martin.
“Hey, just what I wanted,” she cried, grinning.
The boys loved their gifts, the same thing I got Libby; they all agreed that it was way cool that I knew a famous author. They still didn’t know who I really was, and thankfully Noah’s family didn’t say my name in front of them.
“Anna, can I have a cookie?” Libby asked me after we finished lunch.
“Not if she baked them,” Sylvia commented, laughing.
I scrunched up my face staring at her. “Hey, you know I can make cookies.”
She shrugged noncommittally. “Yes, that’s true, but I better try them first.”
“Sylvia,” I gasped, while the others laughed.
They left the next day, and although the quiet was welcoming, I was sad to see them go. Noah and I organized my stuff into his house, but I insisted on keeping my office at the cottage. I was inspired there, and I didn’t want to mess with that.
I got a message through Debbie that my family loved they’re gifts and I was happy to hear from them, but I was no longer depressed after reading their letter. I missed them, but I was happy and fulfilled with my new life with Noah.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Surrender
Winter turned into spring; a year since I escaped was just a few weeks away. Noah wanted to celebrate, saying we’d been together a year, he wanted to make it a happy event, afraid I’d be sad or depressed. I agreed with him and chose to be happy.
That day, I was just finishing up a chapter on my new book called Angela’s Song, which was about a little girl with the voice of an angel, when Noah poked his head inside the office. “I’m ready to leave.”
I saved my file and jumped up, rushing to join him. I walked with him outside, following him to his car. “I’ll miss you.”
He took my hand in his rough calloused one, giving mine a squeeze. “Anna, I’ll just be gone for the day. I’ll see you tonight.” His sapphire eyes gazed into mine, making it harder to let him go. I was being ridiculous. He wasn’t leaving me.
The sun was warm today beating down on us, the top of my head starting to get warm. The soft breeze blew the scent of gardenias from the garden Sylvia had planted for me when she visited us last month. I had yet to weed it, and they were getting higher than the actual flowers. I hoped to do it before she returned, but it was hard to focus on more than my book, Noah, not to mention Kathy and the boys. I didn’t have time to weed. What was Sylvia thinking?
Returning my thoughts to the man next to me, I breathed in his scent. He had worked in his workshop this morning and the smell of wood was stronger than ever. “I know, but we haven’t been more than a mile or two apart for more than a few hours since I moved here.” I leaned into him, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He rested his head on mine as I snuggled against his chest listening to his heart beat. I didn’t want to let go, because when I did, I knew he would get in his car and drive off to Bellen Hill for a meeting with a potential client. The man was a CEO of a company there, and insisted they discuss the cabinets for his new mansion in person.
I felt him stiffen against me. I glanced up to see him staring at something over my shoulder. Then his eyes widened in horror just before he shoved me away from him. The sound of a gunshot rang out as I hit the side of the house. My head smacked against the stone with a crack; pain shot like a bullet through my skull. I spun around, my head dizzy, to see Noah lying on the ground, blood pooling through his blue dress shirt on his right shoulder—exactly where my head had been laying seconds before. “Noah!” I screamed, rushing toward him, leaning over his motionless body. “Are you okay?” I gasped, holding back the sobs that threatened to over take me.
He opened his eyes slowly, his eyes glassy and distant. He turned to me, focusing on my face. He breathed deep and then gasped, “Run!”
“What?”
He looked beyond me. “Run, NOW!”
Panic and confusion overflowed my brain as I glanced over my shoulder. There was a man wearing a black leather jacket and green baseball cap, and he was stalking toward us. “Nick,” I whispered.
“Abby,” Noah breathed, sitting up, cradling his arm. “Go.” He hadn’t used my real name in a year and it sounded odd coming from his lips.
I gazed at him hesitantly, unsure of what to do.
“Please,” he begged.
I closed my eyes, tears running down my cheeks. “I can’t leave you,” I sobbed.
“He’s coming. GO!” he yelled, his eyes showing the pain he felt. It was difficult for him to yell, and I was adding to his pain by not doing what he asked, but how could I leave him?
I nodded, making a decision to lead Nick away from Noah. If he had any chance of surviving this, Nick couldn’t be near him. “I love you,” I whispered, as I spun around.
Nick was just crossing the road at the edge of the driveway. He lifted the gun and aimed again. I needed to get help somehow. But the
best thing right now was to lure Nick away from the man I loved. It was me he wanted anyway. I took off running down the beach just before another shot ran out. This one went into the dock with a hollow thunk as I rushed past, over the dunes and down to the sand.
“Abbbyyy,” Nick yelled in a sing-song voice. “Come on, honey. It’s time to come home. I won’t hurt you.” He was using his sweet tone of voice, the one he reserved for his nieces and nephew. I wasn’t falling for it though; he just shot at me. “Lets just forget the last year and move on. I forgive you for leaving me.” His voice held a hard edge to it, filled with venom, completely contradicting his words.
I kept running, looking for somewhere to hide as I slipped and slid on the wet sand. All I was wearing was the pink flip-flops I wore around the house. I hadn’t expected to be running for my life or I would have chosen hiking boots.
Stop it! Why was I thinking of footwear? I needed to find a place to hide. Another shot rang out. I lunged to the ground into the wet sand, fear snaking up my spine. My hands sunk into the mushy beach, sand clung to my fingers and palms.
On all fours, I glanced over my shoulder. Nick was at the edge of the beach standing on the dune searching for me. When he saw me hunched on the ground, he grinned, his eyes sparking with menace. “Hey, baby. Just give it up. You’re mine, remember? I will always find you.” I didn’t stick around to hear the rest, I had thought of a place to hide and took off running, just before another bullet pierced the sky. I climbed up the dunes on my hands and knees and then stood up, running as fast I could for Noah’s workshop.
When I got close to the barn, I glanced behind me. Nick was nowhere to be seen. Noah’s house blocked my view of the beach, hopefully blocking me from Nick. I snuck around the side door and pulled slowly, hoping to avoid the creaking sound I knew this door usually made. The hinges groaned faintly as I opened the door, but thankfully not loud enough for anyone but me to hear.
Slipping through the door, I rushed to the back of the large room. Nick’s voice erupted from outside, and I glanced behind me, bumping into the table saw, making a loud squawking sound. I froze, hoping he hadn’t heard it. But as I stared out the tiny grimy window facing the lake, I saw his dark head bobbing my way. I needed to find a place to hide now!
I spun around the room, taking in the machines, the supplies, the desk, and nowhere that would give me cover. Panic bubbled up inside me. It was useless, he was going to find and kill me, what was the point in fighting it? Just as the pity started to take hold, slithering its way into my chest threatening to smother me, my eyes fell on a little utility closet Noah used for office supplies. It had been a broom closet that he added shelves to. I rushed to the back corner and opened it. It was deep enough for a body to fit. I yanked out a huge box of paper from the bottom shelf and got down crawling into the tiny space. I had just shoved the box of paper back to hide me and closed the door when I heard the creak of the outer door.
I stared down at the floor beneath me. Scraps of torn paper and dust balls filled the tiny cracks in the concrete. I could hear the sounds of feet shuffling, and the odd smack of hand on machine. He thought I was hiding under them.
I held my breath, hoping that if I didn’t make a sound he would leave. No such luck.
“I know you’re in here.” His voice was agitated; it was making him crazy that he couldn’t find me. “Why do you run from me? I told you the first time we had sex that you were mine. You can’t get away from me.”
He was trying to goad me, and it was working. He didn’t own me. I belonged to no one but myself. The anger was starting to rise, making me breathe harder. I closed my eyes, and concentrated on calming down.
“You know, it wasn’t easy to find you. Everyone in your life lied to me. Said they didn’t know where you were. Your whole family are fucking liars,” he yelled, his agitation spiking. Just like Debbie had said, he was definitely losing it. “Who do they think they are, trying to keep you from me? I OWN YOU!” he hollered. His loud booming voice bounced off the walls. The footsteps got closer. Panic and fear crept up my spine, paralyzing me. “You know how I found you? That old bitch Sylvia.”
I gasped when he said her name, and then covered my mouth with my hand. My arm was shaking with fear.
“I always thought there was something up with her, since she moved the day you left. And last week, I looked into her background. Turns out she has a bunch of cottages in Shimmer Lake.” The sound of something heavy scraped against the floor—the desk, I thought. He was looking behind it. Oh shit he was close.
“And once I arrived here, it didn’t take long before I found someone who recognized your picture. She called you Anna. She really didn’t like you. She said you were fucking her man.” A pounding sound rang out, startling me. He had punched something, a wall maybe? The footsteps, got closer, and the door in front of me swung open. “I knew you were a slut. You probably did fuck that Jason.” The box of paper slid out. I edged to the back as far as I could go. His hand appeared and grabbed my hair. He yanked it, pulling me out of the closet. Pain shot through my head as he ripped strands out. He leered down at me, his musky scent gagging me. “But I got you now.”
He shoved me to the hard cold floor and snaked his hands around my throat, his favorite form of torture, and squeezed. Instantly my airway sealed shut and I gasped for air, kicking and flipping around, trying to get him off me. I wished I had longer nails, as I tried to claw at his hands, but nothing worked. I could feel unconsciousness overtaking me, and the sight of his rage filled eyes flashed in and out.
This was it. After everything I did to get away from this monster, he was going to do what he started—kill me, and as a bonus—Noah. We would not get our happily ever after, after all. As light faded to darkness, I heard the sound of Nick’s laughter.
Chapter Forty
A Threat
The sound of beeping far away pulled me from a very deep sleep. My throat felt like I had gargled with nails, and my head was pounding in tune with the annoying sound. My chest ached, and my limbs felt like rubber. What was going on, where was I? The sound of footsteps alerted me that I wasn’t alone and for some reason the icy claws of fear rushed through my veins. I didn’t understand my reaction, but as I tried to open my eyes to see who it was and where I was, they stuck together as if they had been super-glued. I couldn’t move my limbs either, something was wrong.
“How is she?” a female voice asked. It sounded like Pamela.
“They said she’ll be fine, but she’s been though an emotional shock and her brain needs to catch up to her body.” Happiness soared through me at the sound of this voice. It was my mother. She was here. But where was here? I tried to remember, thinking of a lake and sapphire-blue eyes. Just like that, the dam of memories broke and it all came flooding back. Nick had killed Noah and then me. But...I wasn’t dead. I was here listening to our mothers talk.
“Noah’s still in surgery, but they said once they get the bullet out he should recover fully.” Pamela’s voice was strained, as if she’d been crying. Of course she had, my psycho ex had shot her son. Her good news made me want to wake up, and some of the weight, lifted from my body. Struggling with my eyelids, I lifted them slowly.
My mother was sitting in a cushioned chair next to me, her sandy hair up in a twist, with stray strands falling out. Pamela was leaning against the empty bed next to mine. They both looked harried, like they’d been through hell and back. My mother turned to the woman next to her.
“That’s such good news, Pam. I would hate for Abby to lose him now that they can be togeth—” She stopped speaking when Pamela’s eyes widened and stared at me with surprise. “What’s wrong?” my mom asked, spinning her head to face me. “Oh, baby, thank God you’re awake.” Relief swam in her eyes as she jumped off the chair to rush at me. “Pamela, can you get the doctor,” my mom commanded, her nursing instinct kicking in.
Noah’s mom grinned at me before disappearing out the door.
“Hey, baby, how are
you feeling?” My mom’s voice was soft, edged with emotion.
“Water,” I managed to squeak out. My voice was faint and raspy.
“Of course.” She moved to the counter which held a jug and two cups, and filled a glass with icy water. “Small sips,” she instructed. “Your larynx was strained. You need to be careful.”
I did as she said, taking small sips. The fire in my throat eased to a simmer. I held onto the cup, knowing I’d need more. “Nick.” Another squeaky gasp.
The relief in her eyes turned to storm clouds. “He’s here in the hospital, under observation. He’s okay, but he’ll have a hell of a headache.” Her lips turned up into a smile at the mention of his pain.
I was confused. A chunk of time was missing. How did I get here and why was I alive?
My face must have shown my confusion, because her face softened. “I guess you wouldn’t know what happened, would you?” Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a woman in a white doctor’s coat walked in followed by Pamela.
“Abby, this is Dr. Williamson. She’s been taking care of you.” My mother squeezed my hand and moved back to let the doctor in.
“Hi, Abby, how are you feeling?” The woman was tall, brown hair, kind eyes.
“I’ve been better.”
“I bet you have.” She began looking me over, my heartbeat, checking my throat, inside and out, and finally after she checked my blood pressure, she stepped back and smiled. “Everything looks good. You were strangled, your larynx was obstructed which cut off air flow to the lungs, producing asphyxia. That coupled with the blow to your head, you lost consciousness. The damage to your throat is fine, it will be sore, but as soon as you were able to breathe again you began to heal. The concussion prevented you from waking. Otherwise you would have regained consciousness awhile ago.”
Finding Abigail Page 29