by Smith, Wendy
I look around the room.
Drew has Hayley.
Owen has Ginny.
Adam has Lily.
They comfort each other while we respect Dad’s privacy as he sits with Mum and waits for Doc Paton to come back.
I’m lost in my thoughts when there’s a tap on my knee. Ava’s got her arms open again, and I smile as I pick her up and hug her.
“You know just what I need.” I chuckle.
“You look sad.”
“I am sad, sweetheart.”
“Why?”
I catch Owen’s gaze. She’s loud enough that’s he’s heard. I don’t think she knew Mum that well, but this kid already lost her parents a year ago. She knows what grief is.
“Ava, come over here for a second.” Owen takes her from my arms, and he, Ginny, and Ava disappear outside. I sigh at the thought of her understanding what he’s about to tell her. It’s hard when you can’t protect the little ones.
“Here you go.” Lily hands over a smiling Rose, who buries her face in my neck.
“Hey, pumpkin.” I give Lily a smile. “Thanks.”
“Everyone needs someone.” She gives me a pat on the back, and I’m left with my other favourite girl—the one who no longer has a beard to tug on.
“Dad, Dad.” Her eyes grow big.
“Yes, your dad’s right over there.” I point at Adam.
She points, too. “Dad, Dad.”
“Are you going to abandon me for your father?” I grin.
She wriggles in my arms, and I drop her down so she can run to him. Oh, to have the energy of a two-year-old.
I’m filled with an overwhelming urge to go back to the bottle and drink myself into oblivion again tonight. But surrounded by my family, my brothers who have so much love—I can’t waste my opportunities. I can’t fall to pieces when even without Constance, I have these great people to live for.
But I can’t let my mood win.
28
Corey
I feel numb.
Even when you expect death to come, when it does, it still hits hard.
“Corey.” I look up to see the minister nodding, indicating that it’s my turn to speak.
Hayley reaches for my hand and squeezes it before I stand. The walk to the lectern is the longest of my life. I’m going to say goodbye to my mother.
I’ve spent the last couple of days at Dad’s place. I’m not stupid. Constance isn’t coming back. And Dad needs me right now.
I clear my throat and look around. Copper Creek might be a small town, but there’s always a decent turnout for a funeral. There are those who knew Mum, and those who are just here being nosey.
“In case anyone doesn’t know who I am, I’m Corey, Joanna’s eldest son.” I take a deep breath. “Mum was tough. She called a spade a spade, and she fought right till the end. But she loved us. Endlessly. She was merciless when it came to fighting for her children, often to the detriment of our own relationships.”
I meet Lily’s gaze, and she gives me a small nod. “But all that did was bring us closer together. And it meant we were all together at the end for her. She died surrounded by her children and grandchildren, and that would have meant the world to her.”
I swallow. “And then there’s Dad. Dad was by her side for nearly forty years, and I can only hope that we’re all so lucky—to have someone stick with us for all that time. Living with Mum can’t have been easy, especially in her final years, but my dad held his head up high even when it must have felt like he was punched in the face repeatedly. We love you, Dad.”
Dad’s gaze is fixed on me, and the pride in his expression is obvious.
“So, on behalf of myself, Adam and Lily, Drew and Hayley, Owen and Ginny, James, Max, Rose, Ava, Logan, and Amelia, thank you for being here.”
I can’t say any more, so I step down.
I’m not sure if it’s possible to feel any emptier.
* * *
The best thing about the wake is that I get to indulge in Owen’s baking. I’m not really in the mood for being social, but it’s the least I can do for both Mum and Dad.
I scan the room, smiling as I spot Rob and Amy. “Excuse me.” I walk away.
“Corey,” Rob says.
“Hey, Rob. Amy.” I lean over and give Amy a kiss on the cheek.
She takes my hand and squeezes. “How are you holding up?”
“It’s hard, but it wasn’t exactly unexpected. At least she’s not in pain anymore.”
She nods, taking a look around. “Is Constance here?”
I frown. “Long story.”
“Oh, shit,” Rob says.
“We’re not together anymore. Not by my choice, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Amy wraps her arms around my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Corey.”
“Thanks, guys. I really appreciate you being here.”
“You’ll have to tell us all about it when you come over tomorrow for dinner,” Amy says.
Rob rolls his eyes. “Hon, let him be. His mum just died; you are not interrogating him about his breakup.”
“It’s not an interrogation. More of an intense questioning.” She winks at me, and I can’t help but laugh.
“I don’t know if I’ll be any kind of company tomorrow. I’ll give you a call when I’m ready.” I press a kiss to the top of her head, and she sighs.
“As long as you’re okay. Call us if you ever need anything. And I know everyone says it, but we really mean it.”
“I know you do. And I promise I will. I just need a bit of time alone to process everything.”
“Fair enough.” Rob smiles. “Come on, Amy. Let’s go grab some sausage rolls before they disappear.”
“See ya later, you two.”
They head toward the table loaded with food, and I take a deep breath. I’m going home tonight. I want to sleep in my own bed, and even if there are still traces of Constance there, it’s where I need to be. It’s time to move on.
“No Constance?”
I raise my gaze to see Tanya standing right in front of me. “No.”
She licks her lips. “Where is she?”
“None of your business.”
Her eyes widen. “I bet she went back to those weirdos. She did, didn’t she?”
I suppress a sigh. “Like I said, none of your business.”
“Shame. What are you doing after this?”
“What on earth are you talking about?” I raise an eyebrow when she rests her hand on my arm.
“Why don’t you come back to my place? I know we’ve had our issues in the past, but maybe I can help take your mind off things. I’m so sorry about your mother.”
I stare at her. Today of all days, this is not what I need. “Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t fuck you with someone else’s dick. How clear do I have to be?”
She recoils.
“Corey.” Rob pulls my arm. “Let’s get out of here.”
I glare at Tanya. “So many times I’ve tried to tell you I’m not interested. That’s still the case.”
“I’ll take care of this,” Amy says.
I turn at the sound of Amy’s voice, and bite down laughter at the angry look on her face.
The expression on her face is fierce, and I hold my hands up in surrender as she storms past me and frog-marches Tanya from the room.
“Well, that was fun.” Rob says.
“It was certainly interesting.” Letting out a sigh, I pat him on the back. “Thanks for being here. I know I already said that, but I really appreciate it.”
He nods. “Anything for you, mate.”
* * *
If I thought it was hard to focus before Mum’s death, now it’s even harder. My mind’s still on Constance, and my heart is broken, but I push forward through the worst week of my entire life.
After the wake and some time back at Dad’s, we all head to the pub for dinner. I haven’t had another drop to drink, turning to orange juice when I reach the bar. I’ll knock that on th
e head before it turns into something I can’t control.
I step in and sit at the kids’ table. These guys always bring a smile to my face, no matter how down I am. Today’s no exception. James joins us. He’s turned up alone, and I’m not teasing him today of all days about this mysterious girlfriend. He’ll tell us when he’s ready.
There’s a big age gap between them all. Max is fourteen now. I’ve loved this kid ever since he was a scrawny little baby, and it makes me so proud to see the man he’s becoming. He takes looking after his younger sister and cousins very seriously.
I raise an eyebrow at Ava stealing a chicken nugget from Rose’s plate. Rose frowns, and I grab Ava’s hand. She looks at me with wide eyes.
“If you want more, I’ll get you more. Don’t steal from your cousin.”
Ava gives me a mischievous grin, switches the nugget to her other hand, and sticks it in her mouth before I can stop her.
I’m torn between laughing and telling her off again.
“Come here, Rose.” I hold my hand out behind Ava, and Rose pushes off her seat, walking around the table. I pull her into my arms, and plant a kiss on the top of her head.
“Say sorry.” I focus my gaze back on Ava.
“Sorry, Rose.” She reaches up and touches Rose’s cheek.
“Everything okay?” Owen’s eyes are full of concern. All this over a chicken nugget.
“Just your daughter stealing food off Rose’s plate. Can you go to the bar and ask for another bowl of chicken nuggets?”
“Uhh, sure.” Owen eyes up Ava, shaking his head. All she does is giggle.
“Corey,” Adam calls.
Lily approaches, reaching for Rose. “Swap places? You’ll want to see who’s just arrived.”
The hair on the back of my neck prickles at her serious tone, and I hand my niece over to her mother.
“All I’m going to say is be the bigger man,” Lily says softly. “But know your brothers are right behind you if you want to start something.”
I shoot her a confused glance, getting up and walking toward Adam. Before I reach him I see what, or rather who Lily was talking about.
Ash Harris.
I want to smack that smug smile off his face, and my hands fist before I know it. Adam lays a hand on my arm, and I nod.
“Ash.” Drew’s the one who speaks first, and he ushers Hayley behind him, creating a barrier between her and the interloper.
“Drew. Hayley.”
A vein in my brother’s neck pulses as the two men stare at each other. Harris would be an idiot to start something, but nothing would surprise me at this stage. Owen and James stand on my other side. The five of us, united, and staring down this prick.
“I just wanted to pass on my condolences. I never met your mother, but I know how painful it is to lose someone so close.”
“Get the fuck out of here, Harris. We don’t want your sympathy.” My breathing accelerates at the thought of punching him.
He fixes his gaze on me. “Constance sends her regards. She regrets she can’t invite you to her wedding.”
Adam stands, stepping in front of me. “Corey told you to leave.”
Ash opens his mouth as if to say something more, then obviously reconsiders as he closes it again. With a curt nod, he turns, and I hold my breath until he disappears outside.
“You okay?” Adam asks.
I nod, but I can’t look at him. Anger rages inside me, but today I buried my mother, and there are more important things to think about, like my family.
When Constance first arrived, I held back on telling Graham despite knowing she could have a wealth of knowledge that would speed his investigation up.
Now, all I want is that bastard Harris taken down.
No matter what it takes.
29
Constance
Three weeks ago
They came for me on the fourth night Corey was away.
My head still aches from the blow to the head that knocked me out. Ash’s sidekick, Jason, has long, angry marks on his face where I scratched him while fighting back before Liam issued the blow.
I never stood a chance.
When I wake, my brain feels like it’s growing inside my head, pulsing in pain. There’s a man sitting on the bed, and I turn my face to look at him. My eyes focus, and there he is—Ash Harris.
I let out a scream. My throat constricts. My mouth is so dry, and the sound goes nowhere.
He reaches down, brushing the hair from my face. “Finally awake.”
“What are you doing?”
“Taking back what’s mine.”
“I’m not yours.”
He narrows his eyes. “We had a deal. You broke it. I had to punish my delivery driver, who you sneaked out with.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I spent a long time trying to work out how you managed to get away. And then I realised that night, I had a delivery go out. You hid in the truck, didn’t you?”
“Are you asking me, or telling me? I want to leave.”
Ash shakes his head. “You’re not going anywhere this time. You’ll fulfil the deal we had, or your parents will suffer.”
“Leave them alone.”
“No one makes a fool of me, Constance, and yet, that’s exactly what you did.”
“I don’t want to be here.”
He nods. “I know. But like I said, you owe me.”
“I owe you nothing.”
“Get off the bed. We’re going for a little walk.” He grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet.
“No.” I lean back on the bed, and try to get away.
“Not even to see your precious parents?”
I swallow, hard. What if this is it? What if I never escape? If that’s the case, I need to at least see my parents. Then, I’ll know if they’re okay.
“I’ll come with you,” I whisper.
“That’s better. I don’t want anyone thinking there’s anything wrong, so you’ll walk with me to their place. I’ll leave you there for an hour to visit, and then I’ll collect you. And you will be watched.”
I nod.
“No smartarse comments for me?”
I fix my gaze on him. “You’re not worth the effort.”
Anger flares in his eyes, but I’m not backing down.
“Let’s go,” he says.
I take a step and the long skirts of the grey dress swish around my legs. My stomach rolls as I look down and take in the sight of it. Someone’s dressed me when I was out cold.
When I meet Ash’s cruel gaze, he laughs. “You needed to be dressed for the occasion.”
I raise my hand to slap him, but he grabs my wrist.
“You were only wearing a shirt. It’s not like you were wearing a lot to start with.”
“You’re a pig.”
“And you need to pull your head in. I don’t think your parents will stay safe if you misbehave.”
I swallow down my anger, and follow him out the door. Four of his friends close in around me, and we walk as a group out of the main building and toward my parents’ house.
The whole way, I keep my head up high and do my best to pretend nothing’s wrong.
My parents’ lives might depend on it.
* * *
“Are you alright?” Mum asks me for what seems to be the fiftieth time. I haven’t answered her so far, and that’s probably why she keeps asking. At least they had the decency to give us some space to talk.
“No.” It’s all I can manage. I’m trying to be strong while I figure out a way out of here again, but escaping won’t be as easy this time around.
“This isn’t right.” She frowns.
“No shit, Mum. It’s been not right here for years.”
Her mouth falls open at my words. I was brought up not to swear, and I didn’t as a general rule. Not until I fell in love with my potty-mouthed mountain man. Thinking of him in that way brings a smile to my face.
“It hasn’t,” Dad says.
“We all need to leave.” I fix my gaze on my father, and he nods. “But not before I find out what Ash is up to. If I’m back here, that’s the least I can do.”
He sighs. “There’s something not right with that young man.”
“That’s an understatement.”
“Why did you come back?” Mum asks. “You were free, weren’t you?”
I nod. “Ash and his goons found me and brought me back.”
Tears well in her eyes.
“Not that I went far. I moved in next door.”
Her eyebrows lift. “Next door?”
“I met someone. Fell in love. And then Ash dragged me back here. He’s still carrying grudges for things that happened years ago.” I sigh. “He’s bitter toward me, and he worked out where I was.”
Dad lays a hand on my shoulder. “Is he a good man? The one you love?”
I nod. “He’s the best. But he’s away working and won’t know I’m gone for a couple more days.”
“Do you think he’ll try coming for you?”
“I don’t know.”
The Corey I know would come looking for me. But this place is dangerous, and there are already too many people here who I care about.
I don’t know what to do.
30
Constance
I lose track of time. Ash keeps me in this room day after day.
It doesn’t help that I feel so ill all the time. I sleep so much, I don’t know how many days have passed.
When the door opens, I roll my eyes and sit up, expecting to see Ash. My heart leaps at the sight of Julia.
“Constance,” she says. A look of relief sweeps her face.
“Julia, what are you doing here?”
She grins. “Ash has had you locked down so insanely tight. No one was allowed in or out except for his select few. But I worked out how to get in.”
I embrace her when she sits on the bed. “I’m so glad you did. I’ve been so alone in here.”