Glory Falls

by Janine Rosche

  “The Bible says love sacrifices. It ‘always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.’”

  Blue linked her pinkie around his. “Always.”

  “That’s how I feel about you. I’d give up everything I have to keep you safe and to keep you near. And the urge to do those things is so strong that sometimes my chest feels like it might burst if I don’t sprint it out on the treadmill or, or kiss you. And tonight, when I thought I’d be taking my last breath, there was one thing I wanted to tell you.” He released a shaky breath and managed a smile. “Cecelia Walker . . . Blue . . . I love you.”

  Blue responded with the words she’d so longed to say, and followed them with a kiss straight out of an epic romance film. As the pulls of their kisses strengthened in both passion and intensity, Molly nudged her way right in between them on the bed in the most annoying yet most necessary way.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  The woof is goofy!” Layla, Andrea’s younger daughter, giggled while Storm, a wolf rescued from Edmonton, pawed rock after rock looking for his hidden treat at the Wolf Rehabilitation Center in town.

  “Thanks for bringing us here, Thomas,” Andrea said. “It’s a nice break from the house. The fresh air feels good.”

  Although March had indeed come in like a lion and dumped heaps of snow on the area, warmer-than-average temperatures the past few days had brought the Montanans out in droves. As for Thomas, he had had mixed feelings. The bitter cold had made his chores at the firehouse much harder as he waited out his two-week suspension from the squad. But the hours he’d spent shut in at home with Blue by his side had been worth it all. With the way his love for her had strengthened since the house fire, it made him wonder how much more he’d love her sixty or seventy years from now. Which was why this meetup with Andrea was necessary. And with Blue in New Orleans with Ryann and Keira for a girls’ weekend, this was the perfect time to do it.

  “I never thanked you for your help that night I got sick. You’re my hero.” Andrea’s eyes glazed over in a way too similar to Blue’s in their sweetest moments. Not good. “How are things going with that girlfriend of yours?”

  “Great. Really great.” He could go on and on. The one subject he was happy to ramble about to Robbie, Shane, or Cassie. But that would only make this more difficult. Someone as alone as Andrea wouldn’t want to hear about Blue.

  “Hmm.” She secured Baby Thomas back in his stroller and covered him with a blanket. “I guess I was hoping you and I might . . .” She slid her hand down Thomas’s wrist and clasped onto his gloved hand.

  Why wasn’t she wearing gloves? It was still too cold to be outside without them. He’d certainly given her enough money over the last eight months for her to have purchased some on her own.

  Thomas sandwiched her hand between both of his. “Andrea, I love Blue.”

  Andrea moved close—too close—to Thomas. “Then why do you spend so much time with me?”

  Around them, people stared.

  Oh no. He released her hand and stepped back. “I know you don’t have anyone else.”

  “Thanks for the reminder.”

  “My friend Keira’s family has a charity that helps women who are domestic abuse survivors—”

  “Look, nobody abused me, and I don’t need charity.”

  “Andrea, I know that’s not your story, but they can do the same things I’ve been helping you with. The groceries, the child care, utilities, getting you more vocational training.”

  “So all that was charity. I thought we were friends.”

  “We are. But these folks can give you community. They want to help you get back on your feet. After this month, I’m going to take the money I’ve been giving to you, and I’ll feed it through them. You won’t lose anything, they assured me.”

  Andrea squeezed her eyes closed as she tucked her lower lip into her mouth.

  “I’ll still be your friend. But you deserve more than only me on your side.” Thomas retrieved his wallet and found the newly printed business card. “This is the number for Claire Sanders. That’s Keira’s mom. She’s expecting your call.”

  Andrea looked from the card to Thomas and back, finally taking it. “Thanks for everything you’ve done for us.”

  Thomas adjusted the blanket that Baby Thomas had kicked off. “I just did what anyone in that situation would do.”

  “No way. You did a lot more. Saving our lives. Buying us the house. Only a true hero would do that.” Andrea gripped the handle of the stroller, unlocked the wheels, then pushed it slowly forward. “That’s what I told Hunter Dean Lawrence.”

  In an instant, his blood turned to ice, and Thomas froze in place. “You talked to him?”

  “Yeah,” she said, glancing back over her shoulder. “He showed up at my door and had a ton of questions about you. You might want to be careful with that guy. He was rootin’ around for something.”

  * * *

  * * *

  The Madison River rushed through the River Canyon Dam’s gates at a higher volume than last week, thanks to the recent snowmelt off the mountains. The sight still sent a chill through Thomas’s bones. It also made him think of Blue. Was it a good thing or a bad thing that she was in Louisiana when everything seemed so precarious? He wasn’t sure. He’d come straight here after the meeting with Andrea, and he feared even that was too late.

  After a quick prayer, Thomas pressed the buzzer on the door and positioned himself so the security camera could capture his face. Inside, the sound of work boots plodded against the tunnel’s concrete floor. The door opened, and the friendly face of Grayson Howard appeared.

  “Beck!” He extended his hand. “How are ya, man? Did you get tired of fightin’ fires or something?”

  “Nah, just wanted to say hi.” It was partly true. He still ached for the old place and all the good men and women he’d worked beside.

  “Come on in.” Grayson held the door open for Thomas to enter. “Were your ears burnin’? We were just talking about you. Remember that kid that fell in the water?”

  The lights in the tunnel leading through the dam warped, and Thomas placed a hand on the wall to steady himself.

  “Wasn’t much warmer than this, and you dove right in and saved it.”

  Thomas tried to swallow but failed. Grayson was on the older side but still sharp. On this one, his memory got it wrong.

  “That mountain goat momma sure was appreciative. Until she went after your shirt for a snack!”

  Sweet relief. Different kid. Different species, even. Thomas couldn’t have been a day over twenty when that occurred. Ages ago.

  “If you don’t mind, could you sign the visitors’ book? The new safety director is a stickler for details, as you can imagine.” Grayson opened the visitors’ log, then set the uncapped pen in the crease.

  While Grayson went on about a terrorist threat at a dam down in New Mexico, Thomas leaned over the book. One name scribed a few lines above sent a chill through his bones. H. Lawrence. He’d come here March 10—two days ago.

  Grayson’s rambling came to a halt. When Thomas pressed the end of the pen to the actor’s name and raised a brow at Grayson, his friend nodded.

  “That’s why we were talking about you. That guy came in and wanted to know all about Thomas Beck.”

  “What’d you tell him?”

  “All sorts of stuff. The whole crew had something to share. We want to go see that movie they’re making about your life. You think they might show it at our little theater?” Grayson’s palm came down hard on Thomas’s shoulder. “You okay, man? It was good stuff. The crew still thinks the world of you. We sure wish you’d come back. You’re a good one. That’s what we told that Lawrence jerk.”

  “Jerk?”

  “I would’ve thought they’d choose an actor who liked ya. Not that guy. Lucille said you’re dating his ex. I don’t th
ink he’s happy about that.”

  “Is that all he did? Talk to people?”

  “Mostly. He did take a quick look through the records. Not sure why.”

  Thomas’s phone vibrated in his back pocket. A quick glance only added to the pit in his stomach.

  Blue: Missing you already. Why did I agree to this girls’ trip again?

  “Can I look at those records?”

  “Sure. You wrote half of ’em.”

  A few minutes later, Thomas flipped through the file of incident reports. Immediately, he flipped to September 2, two and a half years ago. But the hardest report he’d ever filed was missing.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Blue took the wide-brimmed hat off her own head and tried placing it on Ryann’s, but the wild crown of curls wouldn’t be tamed. Keira caught it as it fell and fit it on herself. A Southern darling if Blue had ever seen one. Ten weeks out from her due date, she was absolutely glowing with her round belly. She took out her phone, made a coy face, then snapped a selfie.

  “Kat Wanderfull, are you working on our girls’ trip?”

  “Nope, this one’s for Robbie.” Keira sent it off, then moments later, after her phone buzzed, she looked back at the screen. A blush overtook her complexion, and she giggled.

  A sprig of jealousy teased Blue’s nose. One day. She turned to find Ryann watching her. Her friend refolded a T-shirt bedazzled with NOLA and set it back on the table at the boutique. “Do you think that might be in your future?” she asked, nodding at Keira.

  “With Thomas?” Even his name on her tongue tasted sweeter somehow. She exhaled much louder than she’d expected, and Ryann burst with laughter. “What?”

  “You’re lovestruck. For Thomas!” Ryann pulled on Blue’s arm. “Have I told you how unbelievably happy I am that you two finally got together? You’re perfect for each other.”

  “A few times since we landed in New Orleans.” Blue’s own phone signaled a call. At the sight of his name, her heart drummed a bit faster. “That’s him now. Excuse me.”

  Blue stepped out of the shop onto Chartres Street. “Hey, you,” she said, the apple of her cheek pressing against the phone screen. She couldn’t stop smiling if she tried.

  “How was your flight?” He didn’t sound like himself.

  “It was fine. We checked into the hotel, and now we’re out shopping before dinner.”

  He was quiet. More like the Thomas she’d encountered back in September than the one who couldn’t stop telling her how much he loved her the past week. In a cute way, it was like he’d saved it up until this time. Even Hunter’s lurking presence in and around town hadn’t been enough to stifle his mood. So what was eating him now?

  “Thomas, is everything all right?”

  “When do you get home?”

  “Sunday afternoon. Why? Do you miss me?”

  “Yeah.” The word dragged, like speaking it caused pain. “Do me a favor and come straight to my house.”

  “Happily. Is something wrong? It sounds like something’s wrong. You aren’t planning to break up with me, are you?”

  “Of course not. I just need you to come over as soon as you get home.”

  “Okay. I love you, Thomas.” Don’t be silent. Please don’t be silent.

  “I love you, Blue. Please remember that.”

  After she hung up, she wrapped her arms around herself, wishing he were here. This would be a fun city to tour with him, sharing coffee and beignets at Café du Monde, kissing him beneath a French Quarter gallery, watching him blush at all the Bourbon Street sights. Perhaps it could be a honeymoon destination if things kept progressing.

  “Blue Walker?”

  She awoke from her daydream to find a familiar woman standing in front of her. A woman with Thomas’s copper eyes, dark hair, and warm complexion. But she was much thinner than Blue remembered from high school. And she wore a smile Blue had never seen. “Mrs. Beck?”

  “It’s Mrs. Humboldt now.” Thomas’s mother neared but stopped short of a hug. “What are you doing this far from California?”

  Hadn’t Thomas told her Blue was living in Montana? “I’m here with a few girlfriends.”

  “Lovely. I moved here right after Thomas graduated. I remarried.” She held her left hand out to reveal a gaudy stone on her ring finger. A pricey thing, to be sure. Must be a big change from barely getting by in her first marriage.

  “I heard that. Congratulations.”

  “He’s an estate lawyer,” she said matter-of-factly as she tipped her nose up the slightest bit. “I heard you divorced, too.”

  Blue allowed a few blinks before she responded. “Yep. Anyway, I wanted to take this trip before production on Thomas’s movie begins.”

  The woman’s face warped in confusion until revelation dawned. “Oh, that little documentary, right? He told me about that the last time we talked.”

  Which was when? “Feature film. It’s kind of a big deal.”

  “Just make sure everyone knows the truth about his childhood and his good-for-nothing father. I could tell you more than a few stories, believe you me. Is Thomas still dating that Haley girl?”

  “Hallie. And no. They broke up a long time ago.” No need to even mention Val at this point. “Actually, I’m his girlfriend now.”

  “You are? How sweet. I always thought you’d be cute together. Just pray he doesn’t turn out like his father.”

  Heat gathered beneath Blue’s collar. “He’s nothing like his father. He’s selfless, and caring, and kind. He’s constantly thinking of others before himself. And he’s always there for me, for Cassie, for anyone who needs him. Now that I think about it, he’s nothing like you, either.”

  His mother’s gaze dropped to the ground momentarily before bouncing back up to meet hers, with a plastered smile in place. “I’m glad he has you.”

  She’d never agreed with anything more. “Me, too.” Tears blurred Blue’s vision.

  “Tell him I said hello, will you?”

  Unlikely. Blue once again hugged herself as she watched his mother stroll down the street, oblivious to the pain she’d caused. She lifted her chin and peered up to where the steeples of St. Louis Cathedral pierced the blue sky—the same sky above Thomas—and thanked God for the man he’d become despite his parents.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Blue, wake up, honey,” a woman said.

  After the sheets were ruthlessly pulled back from her face, Blue squinted against the light bursting through the window. Outside, seagulls glided above Lake Pontchartrain. Blue rolled and stretched. Beside her on the hotel room bed, Keira pursed her lips, and pity filled her eyes. The kind Blue had grown used to seeing after the accident and the divorce.

  What’s happened now? With Thomas no longer on calls with his squad, it seemed unlikely that he’d fall into danger. But maybe Spencer ended his suspension early. “Is Thomas okay?”

  Keira’s mouth fell open. She looked toward the other bed, where Ryann was staring at a phone with a hand against her cheek. Ryann climbed off the bed and held the phone out to Blue.

  It was a picture of Thomas and Andrea. He was holding her hand between his, and leaning his head down to hers in what looked like a lovers’ conversation. There was no time stamp, although he was wearing the new coat Blue had gotten him for Valentine’s Day. Absurd. Not what it looked like at all. He liked helping Andrea. That was it. Blue dug the heel of her hand into the center of her chest. He loved Blue. Always.

  “What is this?” Sleep crowded Blue’s throat.

  “The Momentso app. This is Hunter’s latest post on social media. He says he’s been doing ‘research.’ I’m afraid there’s more.”

  Blue’s fingers hovered above the screen. What else had Hunter claimed to uncover in his research? She swiped. Mr. Beck? Thomas’s father looked weathered, with deep creases in his skin, long g
ray hair, and a patchy beard. Dirt smudged his skin so Blue couldn’t tell what was sun damage or filth. He sat on a bench, surrounded by snow, with only a thin, worn coat and a frayed blanket.

  Two more dots meant two more pictures. She swallowed and swiped again. It was a form—an incident report from the River Canyon Dam. Child drowning. She swiped once more and saw Ella’s face, surrounded by Blue and Hunter. Their family picture from Ella’s last summer. Blue scrolled down to the written post. But Hunter’s words ran together. She handed the phone back to Keira.

  It was a little after eight a.m. Their flight would leave in three hours. Is this why Thomas had wanted her to come straight to his house? Had he known this was coming?

  “What does it say?” Blue asked.

  “You sure you want to hear it? It’s ugly.” Ryann joined Blue on her bed. She put her arm around Blue and rubbed her back.

  Blue nodded.

  Keira cleared her throat. “Hey, fans, I have some disappointing news for you all. I know you were all looking forward to me starring in the upcoming movie Uncommon Courage. I’m sorry to say that I can’t have any part in a movie that glorifies Thomas Beck, the person on whom the movie is based. In my research, I’ve discovered that he has used his newfound fame to take advantage of people he pretended to help, like single mothers of young children. Meanwhile, his own father is homeless and living on the street in Denver. But personally, something I can’t get over, is that—” Keira shook her head. Her eyes begged Blue not to let her continue.

  “Go on.”

  “Something I can’t get over is that he caused the death of my two-year-old daughter, Ella. When my wife Cecelia and I visited family in Montana, I took Ella down to the Madison River. I turned my head for a split second, and a rush of water flooded the riverbank. Before I knew it, Ella was gone. As you can see in the incident report from the River Canyon Dam, Thomas Beck was the person who released the water and then didn’t sound the alarm to warn everyone downriver—something that would have saved my daughter’s life.”