The Last Daughter (Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll)

by Ferguson, Jessica

  “I sent everything. I came across Tiva in a pawn shop. That was weird. I was shocked to see her there. I took Person back with me to make sure it was the same doll. She was so excited—she made the doll new clothes—dresses like hers. That’s when we started looking for you in earnest. You probably don’t remember but Person gave you Tiva.”

  “Person?”

  “Raymond always thought it was from our mother’s lover, that Person was helping her, but I don’t remember it that way.”

  “But why empty envelopes? The picture in the mail and then the doll? None of it makes sense.”

  He inhaled. “I didn’t know if the guy who bought the house actually knew you—after all, he was in Louisiana. We—I had to see how you’d react. To see if you’d try to find us. I needed to know if you really wanted answers. I didn’t want to take any chances.”

  His words filled her with anger. “Chances? I took chances. I gave up my job in Louisiana to come here searching. Came here based on nothing more than a hint, a tease, a picture of a house that had a brand on it exactly like the one I have on my chest. So what does that even mean when you say you didn’t want to take chances?”

  He squinted and worried his bottom lip.

  Rayna waved her arm angrily. “I’m not sure about any of this or you. I think I trusted you more when you were the odd man picking up our trash. Now, you’re the odd man who turns out to be my brother.” She picked up her bag and tucked Tiva inside.

  Louis grabbed her arm. “Please, don’t go.”

  She jerked away. “I have to. I feel sick. I want to think. I need to process all of this.”

  “I’m sorry, Rayna, really, but you have to believe me. The only reason I posed as the trash man is because I wanted to be around you, to get to know you before you learned about me and our father. You’ve been nice to me. You’re always kind. If you’d been anything else—I hope it’s not an act because if you’re anything like our father, I want no part of you. And if you’re the least bit insane—”

  “Like Person?” A laugh that sounded more like a sob escaped her throat. “Likewise, Louis.” Tears filled her eyes as she looked at him. “I’m sorry. I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around this.” She rubbed her chest. “I just can’t understand this kind of abuse.”

  “Rayna, it wasn’t because of our mother. It wasn’t because she left him. He wasn’t punishing you.” He pulled his shirt open. “All Mudwings wear the Wounded Heart brand; it goes way back.”

  A sob tore its way from her throat. The pent-up anguish she’d stifled for way too long threatened to erupt. Her heart ached, her stomach roiled. She needed to be alone where she could let it go, weep to her heart’s content. Her sorrow was too personal, too private—she had no intention of sharing it with anyone. Not Trent. Certainly not Louis. She’d never felt so betrayed, as if every member of her new-found-family had branded her, wounded her all over again. With tears streaming, she turned from him. She had to clear her mind so she could think, make sense of everything that had happened. She walked away, but after a few steps turned back to him. He looked sad, defeated. As if he too, could burst into tears. She wanted to comfort him but she fought the feeling away. Still, she wished she could say something to make things right, to make him feel better.

  “I wish I’d known I had a brother.”

  It was the truth.

  Chapter 10

  Sluggish and emotionally drained, Rayna plopped on the sofa. She curled up against the hard back of it and positioned a pillow beneath her head. She wanted to close her eyes and never wake up. She imagined she could feel her spirit leaving her body, taking her soul to the next life. She wouldn’t argue if Jesus took her home right this second; she was tired of the lies, the misunderstandings, the confusion, and the drama.

  It still didn’t make sense for Louis to go to the extremes he had gone to. Why didn’t he hire a detective to find her then pick up the phone and call her? She would have come running. Of course, she wouldn’t have met Trent. She guessed she could be grateful for that one thing. The old saying, better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all popped into her head. She didn’t know if it was true.

  She’d just drifted off to sleep when voices from the kitchen yanked her awake. Or was she dreaming?

  They were male voices. Trent’s and...was that Louis? She listened, trying to make out their words. Bits and pieces came through to her.

  “Why did you have to—”

  Trent spoke loudly then lowered his voice before she knew what he was going to say. She figured he was letting Louis have it with both barrels. Or had Trent known? She tensed at the thought. If she couldn’t trust Trent, who could she trust? No one. Absolutely no one.

  “I had no idea things would backfire,” Louis answered. “I didn’t know there was anyone who would—”

  Who would what? Rayna wondered. Trent had shushed him and he lowered his voice.

  She sat up, anger brewing in her veins. She stood and yelled toward the closed kitchen door. “No more secrets!” Silence came from the kitchen and she imagined their surprised faces, how they probably stared at each other, wondering what to do. “Did you hear me?” she challenged.

  Trent came through the door. Louis followed.

  “Sit.” She motioned to chairs across from the sofa.

  They glanced at each other then accommodated her.

  “I want to know everything you know,” she said. “And I want the truth—nothing left out.”

  “Rayna—” Trent began, but she raised her hand to silence him.

  “Right now, I’m wondering if you’ve been lying to me. Did you know Louis is my brother?”

  Trent held up both hands. “Swear. I did not.”

  Rayna looked at Louis who nodded. “He didn’t. I was waiting for him outside so I could talk with him before he came in. I wanted to tell him what you already know.”

  “Didn’t trust me to tell him?”

  Her brother flushed and leaned forward on the chair. “Rayna, I don’t want you to leave. And Person did shoot at you. But it wasn’t because of Raymond. You’re staying in her room and she didn’t know who you were. That’s why.”

  “Her room? Haven’t other people lived here and stayed in her room?”

  “No. Only me. Our family. No one else has ever occupied this house.”

  They sat silently, lost in their own thoughts. Louis continued. “Whether or not Raymond knew about you then, he does now. Both of you have to be careful because he still has people who owe him, and believe me, he collects.”

  She crossed her arms and hugged herself. “What does that mean exactly? People who owe him. He sounds like the Godfather or something. A mafia type.”

  “As dramatic as it sounds, he is. Sorta. Shady dealings in real estate and oil, even the growth of Oklahoma City. He’s done favors for big names and lots of people, loaned them money, collected money—you name it and he’s done it. Or had it done.”

  “Louis, you said all Mudwings are branded, but if I’m not his...if my father is Davis Whiddon, then why would Raymond brand me? It doesn’t make sense.”

  “Yeah, it does. He did it to spite our mother.”

  Trent’s mouth dropped open and he shook his head.

  “You know, I’m surprised he’d ever sell this house,” he said.

  Louis stood and paced. “He didn’t. I did.”

  Trent and Rayna looked at each other. “Wait a minute, I bought it legally, didn’t I? You can’t sell off property you don’t own or without the owner’s consent.”

  Louis held up his hand. “Don’t worry. Everything was legal. I was able to get a competency hearing after my father’s—our father became paralyzed. He was unable to make decisions for himself then. I had to act fast while he was still pretty much out of it. I’m his legal guardian, in charge of everything he owns. Person helped me.”

  “Why would she do that if she has such an allegiance to him?”

  “Because she raised me. I’m m
ore her child than his.”

  “And she feels nothing for me. That’s why she could shoot at me.” She pressed her lips together and thought about the family she’d found. Trent was right. She should have listened to him. Her family was more insane and evil than she could have imagined.

  Louis moved toward her. “Rayna, I swear, she wasn’t thinking, she didn’t realize it was you. And I told you, something’s missing in her mental or emotional makeup. She never speaks. Or maybe she can’t, I don’t know. I’ve known her all my life and I’ve never heard her utter a single word. I heard an old woman in the family say Person never made another sound after she was...branded.”

  Rayna rubbed her hand over her heart.

  He leaned toward her. “If you had stayed with our father; you could very well be the same way.”

  She was silent, visualizing, imagining growing up at the mercy of Raymond Mudwing. An involuntary shiver scurried down her spine. “What happened to him, Louis? Why is he in a wheelchair?”

  “A mugging. Just a random mugging.” Louis ground his teeth. The muscles in his face became visible, then he relaxed and let loose of his tension.

  “But he said it was because of Tiva. Why would he think that?”

  “Person got Tiva for you—to protect you. Surely you know the doll has some kind of curse on it.”

  “Told you! I knew it!” Trent shouted.

  “Even when you were little Person made clothes for you, her, and Tiva. When she wanted to rile Raymond, she always wore the dress that would remind him of Tiva.”

  “She tormented him.”

  “And he deserved it,” Louis replied. “You’ve heard people call him the judge?”

  She shook her head. “I didn’t know.”

  “He never was a real judge. He’s always been a powerful man, and considered himself judge and jury. Like you said—a Godfather type” His arms dropped to his sides. He looked at Rayna and Trent. Fury shot from his eyes. “He’s hurt an awful lot of people. Someone had to stop him.”

  Rayna’s eyes widened. She glanced at Trent then back at Louis. “You? Oh, Louis, you stopped him?”

  When he didn’t answer, Rayna shivered. So much for her family.

  Chapter 11

  Rayna stood in the kitchen, looking out the back door. After yesterday’s commotion, she realized how much she might be hated by those who knew her father. Was it even safe to live in Oklahoma City and carry the name Mudwing? Not that she’d ever use that name. Ever.

  She turned as the coffee pot beeped that the hot liquid was ready. She poured a cup, added some almond milk, then leaned against the counter and sipped. She heard Trent slam through the front door. She believed she’d recognize his footsteps among hundreds, but she knew that was a fanciful thought. They weren’t finished itemizing antiques or going through the house, but she suspected she’d never keep him from selling it now. He was probably ready to get away from her and Tiva and the Oklahoma Mudwing family. She didn’t blame him, but she’d miss him.

  He appeared in the kitchen doorway, looking as if he’d been running. His dark brown hair was askew, his face flushed.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” he said.

  “You’re a mind reader now?” She smiled to soften her words.

  “Doesn’t take much mind reading to figure it out. You’re thinking way too hard. Trying to make everything fit into a logical pattern. You can’t do it. There’s no logic to any of this.” He moved toward her. “I won’t let you leave me, Rayna.”

  “You know it’s for the best. For everyone, but especially you.”

  “I know no such thing. I want you here. I need you.”

  “You can find anyone to do what I was doing. All my notes are self-explanatory. The inventory is clearly noted and defined.”

  He reached for her, caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “You know that’s not what I’m talking about.”

  She leaned her face against his knuckles. If only they could have their happily ever after. She didn’t see how they could. Her father was still demented, Louis was still questionable and their mother was still in Oregon. What had changed?

  “Go get the doll.” His tone took her by surprise. He’d never given her orders before.

  “What?” She wasn’t sure about his intentions. Surely he didn’t want to have a confrontation with Tiva.

  “I said, go get your doll.”

  “No, Trent. I won’t let you—”

  “I’m not going to hurt her, as if I could, or try to take her away from you. Please, just go get her and hear me out.”

  “Tell me why.”

  “Please, Rayna. You owe me that much.”

  Owed him? Yes, she did owe him. He’d given her a roof over her head in her childhood home. He’d humored her, treated her with respect, listened to her and the love in his eyes made her want to weep. She did owe him. Nodding, she left the kitchen. He followed her as far as the stairs.

  “Meet me in the living room,” he called after her.

  She didn’t know why he wanted Tiva. She’d hear him out, but she wouldn’t give Tiva away, pawn her or sell her. No matter how much she loved Trent, she could never part with Tiva.

  Love. Yes, she loved him. She couldn’t pinpoint the moment she’d realized it. She suspected it had happened in increments, live a little love little as the saying went. Maybe she’d fallen in love with him in the kitchen over his veggie omelets. Maybe it had been in the late evening when he’d watch her with longing in his eyes as she said goodnight and skipped up the stairs. Maybe it had happened when he’d held her tight and protectively in his arms after the gunshot. Or when he’d hurried her away from her father’s vile words.

  She’d known it, but never admitted it to herself. He’d stuck by her through everything. Without a doubt, Trent Jones was the best thing to ever happen to her.

  “He’s the love of my life”, she whispered to Tiva. How could she give him up?

  ****

  Her tan arm draped across the doll, holding her tight. The decrepit thing didn’t look any more huggable or loveable than it did the first time Trent saw it, but he knew he didn’t get one without the other. He motioned for Rayna to sit, and she positioned herself on the edge of the sofa. He paced a bit before he stopped in front of her and kneeled on the floor.

  “Rayna, I love you.”

  She started to speak but he interrupted. “No, let me finish. Let me say everything I want to say before you speak.” He swallowed. “I love you more than life itself, and I’ll do anything, whatever it takes, whatever you want, to make you love me. Anything.” He turned to the doll. “And...that goes for you to...Tiva.”

  Rayna smiled but Trent continued. “I’m sorry I treated you like I did, Tiva. If Rayna will have me as her husband, you’re welcome to live with us for as long as...indefinitely. I will take no amount of money for you. For either of you.” He turned his eyes back to Rayna. “You’re my life,” he whispered.

  The dull headache he had almost grown accustomed to disappeared. Or was it his imagination? And was that a smile on that doll’s face? He knew for sure it was a smile on Rayna’s. She fell into his arms. He lost his balance and they both tumbled sideways to the floor. “Is this a yes...that you love me? You’ll marry me?” he asked against her ear.

  “A thousand times yes!” Rayna giggled before growing serious. “How could I ever live without you? And after all we’ve put you through! Oh, Trent, I’ve loved the very idea of you my entire life. You’re the family I’ve been searching for.” She snuggled as close to him as she could get and whispered into his shoulder. “Tiva and I will marry you.”

  He wrapped her in his arms and planted a kiss on her cheek. “There is a happily ever after, and we’ll prove it to the world.”

  “I love you so much,” she whispered.

  “But I love you more.”

  ****

  Hands on hips, Rayna stood at the edge of the living area and looked from one corner of the room to the other. Tren
t walked up behind her. “Yes, we can get fifty people in this room. No problem.”

  She turned. “Are you sure? I love this house so much. I want us to be married here but I don’t want it to be ridiculously over-crowded.”

  “We can always trim the guest list.”

  “How? They’re all your friends and family members.”

  “And they never thought they’d see the day this confirmed bachelor would say I do.” He feigned a pained look. “And neither did I.”

  She laughed, gave him a peck on the cheek, and went back into the kitchen. A pile of roses lay on the counter. She’d de-thorned them and now she arranged them in a crystal vase.

  “You going to see your father again this afternoon? I swear, I don’t know why you’d put yourself through that.”

  During the past few weeks, Rayna had visited Sun Meadows every day. She wasn’t able to sit with Raymond Mudwing for much more than ten or fifteen minutes. He was too venomous, but getting to know her father, understanding him, had become a challenge. Some days he tossed insults at her, one after another, and other days, he’d clam up and wouldn’t say a word. Still, every day she learned a little bit more about him, Person, and her family. The Mudwing family was evil to the core.

  “These roses are for Person. I wonder if anyone has ever given her roses.”

  “I’d say it’s doubtful.”

  “Don’t be mean, Trent. She was a teen once. She probably had a boyfriend.”

  He snorted. “You honestly think someone would be brave enough to date a Mudwing?”

  She hit him playfully. “You are.”

  He laughed and pulled her to him. “I try not to let you see me shaking in my boots.”

  “Come on, you’re not scared of anything. Want to join me? Go see dear old Dad?”

  “Sorry, as much as I’d like to, I’m meeting a guy about that property over on 45th Street, the one with the huge warehouse on it. It would be a great showroom but the price has to be right.”