by Lori Whitwam
“The timing was perfect. The ring was part of the distraction that gave us a chance to run. The other part was Dilbert.” She scratched the one-eyed dog’s chest. Turning, she saw several figures coming out of the orchard. She recognized Bob LeFevre and Karl Briggs, and the uniforms of two other Emporia police officers. Sammy was there too, still in the jeans and jersey he’d been wearing earlier at the Shamrock. With a rush, all the energy left her, and she sank to the ground and put her head between her knees.
Seth sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her. He looked up at Joey. “How’d you know what was happening? How’d you find us?”
Joey remained standing. Abby thought it looked like he was positioning himself to help Marshall if Andy showed any signs of regaining consciousness. “We started making those calls, and we couldn’t track down Andy. That was the first clue.”
“He never went to his aunt’s,” Abby said, resting her head on Seth’s shoulder. The not-bloody one.
“Nope, he’s been here all along. We dug around online looking for the picture. Took a while, and we’d never have found it if we hadn’t known when Stacy died, and where she was from. It was in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the second week in November. Made the paper because one of the guys in the band she was hanging with was from there too.” Joey’s face was flushed, and he looked like he should sit down for a minute.
Marshall looked up from Andy’s prone form. “Jackpot, man. There was a picture, all right, but it was Andy, not Drew Purcell. Took us a minute to make the Andy-Andrew connection, but once we did everything fell into place.”
Joey finally sat on a rock beside the creek. “The problem was we didn’t know where the hell you were or where Andy was.”
“There’s a GPS tracker somewhere on Abby’s Jeep,” Seth said. “He followed us here.”
“Son of a bitch.” Joey shook his head. “Since we had no idea how to find you, Marsh called Molly. He figured if anybody knew where Abby would go, she would.”
Marshall nodded, pulling the bandanna from his head to wipe his face. “She said it was either here or another place down on the river, but she was almost sure you’d be here.”
Abby silently resolved to do something very, very special for Molly. After all, she’d saved Seth’s life twice. The first time was when she backed out on the concert, which indirectly led to his not being in his bunk on the bus. And today she’d sent the cavalry. If Joey and Marshall hadn’t arrived and let sweet, goofy Dilbert out of Andy’s car, they might never have gotten the distraction they needed to escape. Come to think of it, Dilbert had just earned himself a lifetime of big, juicy bones and duck chasing. She’d build a duck pond if she had to. It wasn’t like he’d ever catch them.
The chief and the rest of the officers forded the creek, full of questions. Once Andy had been checked over, pronounced unconscious rather than dead, and secured, they radioed for a medical team to assess and transport him.
While they waited for the paramedics, the chief inspected Seth’s injuries. “I expect you have a cracked rib, and it probably hurts like blue blazes, but we’ll get you patched up. You’ll be good as new in a few weeks.”
Seth was itching to get out of there. He made a very determined case with the chief, until it was agreed they could go into town and get medical treatment at the clinic. They were better equipped to deal with the injuries than the team soon trekking across the fallow cornfield. The chief’s only stipulation was they had to go directly there. Though Seth wasn’t showing signs of shock, it could set in at any time, and taking chances was not an option.
Marshall reluctantly gave up the fencepost, but only after making Karl promise to shoot Andy if he tried to get up. Karl agreed, and Sammy looked like he’d do it if his partner had any second thoughts.
They gave their statements to Chief LeFevre, while an officer went back to the Jeep to locate and remove the tracking device. The four of them made their way back across the farm and down the trail to the cars, Seth and Joey helping to support Abby when her ankle started to throb again.
When they reached the parking spot, they decided Joey would drive Abby’s Jeep. He asserted she and Seth were both too traumatized to drive. They climbed into the back seat, and Dilbert hopped onto the passenger seat beside Joey.
Abby was quiet as Joey drove them to the clinic. She needed time for her mind to settle, and she needed to hold Seth. His arm wasn’t bleeding much anymore, and she thought the more serious wound in his side was only seeping.
The temptation to close her eyes and drift away from the entire ordeal was powerful, but staying fully present with Seth was more important. The tight lines around his mouth told her he was in pain, but his arm around her was so real and warm. His lips, as they repeatedly brushed her forehead, cheek, and mouth were soft and reassuring.
She couldn’t stop looking at him. There were few people who would dispute the fact he was attractive. He’d always been more to her, though, even before she met him. Now that she knew him, he was even more beautiful. Objectively, she could see his nose might be a shade too long and sharp. One bottom tooth was turned at an odd angle. The vivid, clear blue eyes under the heavy brows several shades darker than his golden-brown hair presented an impression too intense for conventional good looks. But never for her. There wasn’t one single thing she’d change about him, inside or out.
Except he should stop getting shot. Because that was definitely problematic.
Joey pulled up to the emergency entrance at the clinic. Abby noticed a figure pacing the sidewalk and groaned.
Seth interrupted his neck-nuzzling to look around. “What’s wrong? Is it your ankle?”
“I wish it was my ankle.” She nodded at the person hurrying toward the Jeep. “It’s my mother. I can’t imagine why I’m surprised.” But the comment was automatic. The truth was she was almost painfully glad to see her mother.
Seth and Abby got out of the car. She found a slip leash in the glove compartment and looped it around Dilbert’s neck. He’d helped save their lives. She had no intention of making him sit in a hot car while they were treated.
Her mother stopped a few feet away, her eyes wide. “Look at the two of you!” She brought her hands to her face and breathed deeply, as if she were about to burst into tears.
Abby went to her side and put a hand on her back, careful to avoid getting blood on her shirt. “Mom, it’s okay. We’re fine. Just need a little patching up.”
Her mother’s gaze shifted back and forth between them, evaluating the truth of her daughter’s claim. “I heard something happened, and someone was shot. I’ve been out of my mind.” She stepped away from Abby and started toward Seth.
“Don’t grab him, Mom. He probably has a cracked rib, and he’s kind of a mess.”
Her mother stopped in front of Seth, stretched up, and kissed him gently on the cheek. “Let’s get you inside, sweetie.”
They gave her mother the condensed version of what happened, knowing they’d be able to fill in the details—probably over and over—later. Marilyn shook her head and uttered soft exclamations of shock.
The transformation once they reached the admissions area, though, was remarkable. Her mother went from semi-hysterical parent to drill sergeant. When the medical staff tried to banish Dilbert, Marilyn was not about to permit it.
“This dog is a hero, and you’re not taking him away from the people he helped save. Not for one second.” Her folded arms and steely expression, not to mention her reputation as a force to be reckoned with, resulted in her being allowed to keep Dilbert in the waiting area while Seth and Abby were treated. Someone even brought him a bowl of water.
After Abby’s feet were disinfected and declared “superficial injuries,” and her ankle diagnosed as “twisted,” she went to the room where Seth was being evaluated. The bullet struck him in the right side and dug a deep furrow, glancing off a rib. The other shot had left a gouge through the outside of his left arm, and while it was bloody, the main victim of that
bullet had been post-apocalyptic Pegasus. Seth was given a clean scrub top to put on over his bandages. Abby didn’t know what had become of his shirt, and didn’t care. If he said anything about wanting a bullet-ridden shirt as some kind of stupid male badge of honor, she’d be forced to jab him in his cracked rib.
When they returned to the waiting area, Abby saw her mother and Dilbert had been joined by Marshall and Joey.
“You look a ton better than the last time I saw you,” Marshall said.
Seth grinned. “Fuckin’ awesome pain meds.”
Marshall elbowed Joey. “Hey, man, next time I want to be the one who gets shot.”
“Yeah, I don’t think that’ll be a problem,” Joey replied, thumping Marsh on the back of the head.
Abby smiled. Things were getting back to normal. She decided now would be a good time to share their other news with her mother. It was sure to cheer her up and get her mind off her earlier worries. “Mom, by the way, you were right.”
“Of course I was, sweetie. But about what, specifically?” Her mother blinked innocently, and Seth laughed.
“About fears and regrets, all the stuff paralyzing me.” She smiled at Seth before continuing. “Which means if you’re inclined to shower me with gifts any time soon, a suitcase would be handy. You know, since I’m going to be traveling a lot.”
Marilyn’s face lit up. She was nearly vibrating with excitement. “Oh, sweetie! That’s wonderful. You can’t look back, only forward.”
“I know that now,” Abby said.
Her mother returned Dilbert to her custody. “I want you to call me tomorrow morning, Abigail.” Her tone left no room for argument. “And if you’re both feeling up to it, you should plan to come over for dinner. Joey and Marshall too.”
“We will, Mom,” she said, taking Dilbert’s leash. “And thanks for…well, just thanks.”
Now that Seth was no longer quite so blood covered, he couldn’t escape one of her mother’s hugs. He didn’t look like he minded, though. She gave him another kiss and patted his cheek, and made him promise to call his mother right away. Team Mom always worked in tandem.
In the parking lot, Joey and Marshall agreed to come to Abby’s the next afternoon, and go to Marilyn’s for dinner from there. Marsh would see if Molly wanted to join them. Since Seth was beginning to feel the effects of his medication, Abby drove, and he called his mother from her phone. She listened to him reassure her it really was over, and he was going to be fine.
After he hung up, Seth said, “Would it be all right with you if we went to Montana?”
“Sure. When?”
“Mom wants us to come for a couple of days right before we go back out on the road.”
“Fine with me.” She figured getting along with his mother would be a snap, since she was reportedly so much like her own. Plus, Seth had been subjected to her mom from the beginning, and fair was fair.
When they arrived home, the first thing Abby did was feed Dilbert. She’d put a pound of ground beef out to thaw before they left, intending to grill hamburgers later. It was one of the few things she could cook consistently. Instead, she gave the whole thing to Dilbert, reasoning he hadn’t gotten to eat much the day before. The little guy had earned a reward.
It all seemed so normal. Seth was on the couch flipping channels on the television, and she was feeding their dog. But there was a lot going on beneath the placid surface. They were both still processing the awful events of the past several days.
She went to the couch and curled against him, careful not to hurt him. They stayed like that for a while, just breathing, heartbeats, and warmth. Comfort. Love.
He stroked her hair. When he spoke, his voice was soft, with equal measures of anguish and relief. “Standing there, watching Andy with the gun pointed at you…” He shuddered. “I’ve never been as terrified or as furious in my life. And I felt so goddamned helpless. You were right there, and I couldn’t even move or he’d kill you.”
Abby sensed he wasn’t quite done with what he wanted to say. Instead of replying, she brushed her lips against his neck and waited.
“If he had, if I’d let it happen, he would’ve had to kill me fast, because there’s nothing in the world that could’ve stopped me from ripping him apart with my bare hands. I never thought I could feel that way, but I did. I do.” He seemed awed and saddened by this realization.
“Don’t you think I felt the same way? He had the gun, but I was right beside him. I wanted to be able to do something to give us a chance.” She knew they were both going to have a hard time coming to terms with another human being driving them to such wildly diverse emotions as rage and helplessness.
“But I…”
“But nothing.” She stroked his cheek. “We faced him together, as a team. And we won.” She looked at the black dog dozing on the floor by the fireplace. “With a little help from our secret weapon.”
Seth cast a fond look in Dilbert’s direction. “He was pretty amazing.”
“Not too shabby for a one-eyed stray. I wouldn’t trade him for any dog in the world.”
“But, darlin’, you know it’s not exactly over. There’ll probably be a trial. We’ll have to be there, relive it.”
She brought his hand to her lips and kissed his strong, graceful fingers. “And we’ll get through all of it together.”
That night, they held each other in the dark. They loved each other as gently as they could and still express the life-affirming passion sustaining them. They had healing to do, physically and emotionally. But if crazy fans, drugs, explosives, and bullets couldn’t come between them, nothing in the world ever would.
Chapter
Twenty-Three
There was no way the suitcase was going to close. Abby forced the zipper past where it was stuck on one of the excessive number of garments stuffed inside. She removed a St. Cloud State University sweatshirt, two sweaters, and a light jacket. What was she thinking? It was probably ninety-five degrees in Austin. She didn’t have to take everything she owned with her, anyway. She and Seth planned to come back here several times over the summer. This time the suitcase closed without undue effort.
Looking up, she saw Seth standing in the doorway smiling at her. “Almost ready, Abby-Kat?” It had been four days since their confrontation with Andy, and the first day Seth hadn’t replaced the bandage on his arm. The wound was scabbed over and ugly, but healing. She knew he still had the bandage beneath his Nirvana t-shirt. The injury was better, but having it wrapped kept him more comfortable while the cracked rib mended.
She swung the suitcase off the bed and wheeled it across the floor. “I think so. Did Dilbert come back from his run yet?” They’d decided they should let him chase ducks as long as he liked this morning, since he would spend so much time over the next couple of days in the back of the Jeep.
“He’s in his trench by the deck.”
“Did you talk to Joey this morning?”
“Yeah. He and Marsh were on the road early. Would’ve been nice if they’d found out the bus was going to be released yesterday afternoon before they came out here and drank all your beer. Then they could’ve left last night.”
Abby chuckled. “Well, somebody had to help you drink it.”
They went into the living room, and Seth looked out the French doors while Abby checked to make sure everything was turned off. “It was good getting everybody out here before we left,” he said.
It had been. Abby had a chance to say good-bye to her mother, Monique, and several other friends. And despite Abby’s earlier apprehension, the relationship between Molly and Marshall seemed to be simply a bit of flirtatious fun, which pleased her. Molly should have fun, but rebounding so soon after breaking up with Craig wouldn’t be a great idea.
Seth slipped his arms around her waist and smiled down at her. “How about if we go for a walk down by the lake before we take off?”
“Sure, let’s do that.”
They walked hand in hand down the path to the sho
re and settled on the Adirondack bench. Dilbert checked for ducks, but they were on the other side of the lake near the Nygaards’.
“Can you believe it’s only been a week since your duffel bag blew up my guest room?”
“Seems like a long time ago, doesn’t it?” Seth concurred, draping an arm around her shoulders.
“It’s been a pretty full week.” After everything happened at Bainbridge Farm, they hadn’t been able to dodge the media with a simple press release. A substantial part of Wednesday was spent in the banquet room at Dash’s, answering questions and making statements about Andy’s vendetta and its connection to Kevin’s murder. It might have been completely overwhelming if they hadn’t taken Dilbert along. A “hero dog” story always received a lot of attention, and his charming, one-eyed face had been on television more than they had. Which was fine with them.
Seth’s hand drifted lazily back and forth over her shoulder. “When I came to Emporia, I didn’t know somebody was after me. Maybe I should’ve picked up a clue somewhere, but I was closed off, kind of going through the motions. I had the guys and the music, but I wasn’t going anywhere or doing anything to make my life matter.” He kissed her gently on the cheek. “Then I met you, and I won a whole new life.”
“And almost lost it the next day,” she reminded him with a nudge.
“That was about Andy, not about us. But it sure made us face a lot of tough situations right from the start, and we made the right decisions and ended up where we are now.”
That was true. They’d figured out the depth of their feelings and the extent of their trust while most couples were still trying to decide if they should go on a second date. Abby shook her head. “You know, there might be something to be said for relationships where you can take it slow.”
Seth chuckled. “Probably, but that’s not how we do things.”
“No, apparently not.”
He shifted on the bench until he was facing her. “When you spend as much time onstage as I do, a lot of people think they know you. But they’re just seeing the work, the performance. They know that piece of me, but nothing more. You saw who I really am, though, right from the beginning.”