Her Forever Dreams

by Agnes Alexander

  “Well, it took you almost two years to find it out after Eve died. You should’ve found it out sooner. We’ve wasted a lot of time.”

  “So what? Why are we arguing about that now? We need to somehow get the bastard back to the house and get the real Hunter.”

  “How we going to do that?”

  “I don’t know, Dorie. You’re the brains behind this scheme, though I still think this is the right Hunter.”

  “It is not. I’d know that bastard anywhere.”

  “So you say.” The man walked over and pushed Hunter’s shoulder with the toe of his boot. “Wonder if he’s awake.”

  Hunter pretended not to notice though it smarted a little.

  “For God’s sake, don’t hurt him anymore. If you hadn’t hit him on the head so hard, he’d be awake by now.”

  “Maybe he’ll die on us and that’ll solve all our problems.”

  “You’re an idiot. Woodrow would be mad at me if he died. Now we need to think of a plan to get him back to the house.”

  Their voices faded, and Hunter was trying to digest what all he’d heard. He thought he recognized the man’s voice, but why would Ward turn against the family? They all liked him, and he seemed happy with Norma. But who knows about a romance? Until the fight tonight, he thought he was happy with Brooke. Then, she informed him she had been offered a job on a large paper in Chicago and she wanted to take it. He told her in no uncertain terms he wasn’t moving to Chicago, so she could take a temporary job there. Now, he had a diamond ring in his pocket and no fiancée. He wondered why he only felt relief. For some time, he’d wondered if he really wanted to settle down with Brooke. It had escalated when he met Andrew. He envied his half-brother’s life of freedom. All day, he’d had the feeling he’d like to sell the paper and wander around the country with Andrew. Maybe his brother needed a publicity man. Hunter knew he was good at that.

  “Hell no, Ward. We can’t do that!” The woman shouted, and brought Hunter’s mind back to his present problem.

  So, one of his captors was Ward. He pushed thoughts of Brooke away and concentrated on the conversation between the woman called Dorie and his dad’s groundskeeper, Ward Crotts.

  •♥ •

  Theo didn’t find anything wrong at either of the barns, but when he was coming back across the yard to report to Seth, he noticed tracks in the snow going from the house toward the back woods. He followed them a little way and they took him to another set of tracks. He recognized them immediately. Jumping to his feet he took off toward the house on a run.

  The family was gathered in the den when a breathless Theo pounded on the door. Andrew jerked it open before Seth could get up. Theo came inside, not bothering to wipe his boots.

  He was panting hard, but he blurted, “I think I know how they got Hunter, Boss.”

  “Sit down, Theo.” Jessica and Andrew led him to a chair.

  “I’m okay.”

  “Sit,” Jessica demanded.

  He did, and Ashley came up. “Let me have your coat.”

  He caught Ashley’s hand. “No. I’ve got to tell your daddy.”

  “Let him talk, girls.” Seth was standing before him leaning on his cane. “What is it, Theo.”

  “When I was coming to tell you everything was fine at the barns, I saw some tracks at the side of the house. They looked strange, like someone was dragging something, so I followed them out the back toward the woods. They led to a set of snowmobile tracks and I knew this was how they probably got Hunter.”

  “Oh, my Lord, he was about home,” Ashley said.

  Theo became conscious of the fact he was still holding Ashley’s hand. He squeezed it a little. “We’ll get him back, Ashley.”

  She blushed and dropped his hand. “Thank you.”

  “Sir,” Theo said to Seth. “I think we need to follow those tracks right away. The snow is coming down pretty hard, and they’ll be covered in a short while.”

  “I’ll get my coat,” Seth started to move away.

  “No, Seth,” Andrew said. “You don’t need to be out there in the dark. It’s too dangerous. I’ll go with Theo.”

  “No, you won’t, Andrew, I will. I bet you don’t know how to drive a snowmobile, but I do,” Jimmy said. “Seth, you call the police and let them know what we’re doing. Where’s my coat, Jessica?”

  “Is there nothing I can do?” Andrew asked.

  “You can take care of the people here. They need a clear head.” Jimmy looked at Julia. “You might make another pot of hot chocolate. I bet we’ll need it when we get back with Hunter, and I know he’ll want some. He’s probably being held somewhere cold.”

  •♥ •

  Following the tracks wasn’t easy. Big flakes of fluffy snow were falling, and the men were continually wiping off their goggles. The tracks were getting dimmer and dimmer and it was slow going to try to maneuver through the pastures.

  Jimmy was driving, and Theo was standing behind him, helping point out the direction to take. The area was quiet and at any other time it would’ve been a beautiful, peaceful night. But tonight, it held only danger and suspense. Would they find Hunter in time? Had someone simply abducted Hunter, or had they already killed him?

  After the call Julia got earlier, Jimmy was afraid they’d find the latter. That was one reason he wouldn’t let Seth or Andrew accompany them on this trek. It would be devastating for either of them if they came up on a body instead of a living, breathing Hunter.

  In the short time Andrew had been in the family, Jimmy had noticed a closeness growing between the two brothers. It was almost as if they were twins with separate mothers. He knew how close this feeling between half-brothers could be. Hell, there was no blood kin between them, but he felt this closeness to his stepbrother, Cole. Had it really only been a year since his mother married Jude and brought him to Germany to get a stepson he didn’t know out of the military hospital? And it was supposed to have been their honeymoon. He smiled in spite of himself. He had to hand it to his stepdad—he was one great guy. Jimmy knew when he finally got out of the hospital he had an instant and wonderful family. Jude’s son, Cole, and his wife and their four kids, welcomed him to North Carolina with open arms. Well, Cole’s two sons, anyway. The twin girls were infants at the time. Now, they were trying to call him Uncle Jimmy, just like their older brothers.

  And look at him now. He was out of the military with fewer scars than a lot of men. He loved working with the horses at Jude’s place, and was looking forward to setting up the horse rescue. And to top it all, he was about to become part of another large, wonderful, blended family because the most gorgeous woman in the world had said she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. He couldn’t wait to start a life with Jessica. He grinned into the night. When we’re married, Seth won’t care that I come out of Jessica’s room. He understands what real love is. I don’t know about his first wife, but I’m sure glad he has Julia now. They’re wonderful together.

  Theo thumped him on the shoulder and shouted, “I can’t see any more tracks.”

  Jimmy stopped the snowmobile and looked around. The night was black, lighted only by the whiteness of the ground and the beam from the machine. He bit his lip. It couldn’t end here. It just couldn’t. Hunter was too important to this family.

  In a determined voice, he said, “I’m not about to give up, Theo. Hunter’s going to be my brother-in-law. I lived through a shit hole of a POW camp and I’m not about to let Hunter go out in some damned hovel where he’s being held by some deranged bastard.”

  CHAPTER 30

  The phone shattered the quietness of the den where the family sat in fear and anticipation. Seth reached for it.

  “Sir, it’s Norma.”

  “I can hardly hear you, Norma. Are you all right?”

  “I called 911.” Her breathing was hard and gasping.

  “What can I do, Norma?”

  “Nothing. Ward beat me… I think…I think….” Her voice trailed off.

  Set
h sat straight up. “Norma, are you still there? Norma!”

  She didn’t answer, but he heard the faint sounds of sirens in the background. Soon, they grew loud and cut off. There was a crash, then voices.

  When Julia started to speak, he shushed her and continued to listen on the phone. There was rushing, and someone was saying, “She’s alive, but in a bad way. See if you can get her stable and we’ll transport her.”

  “There’s a phone in her hand. Maybe somebody is on the line.”

  A female voice said, “Hello. Is anyone there?”

  “I’m Seth Armstrong. What’s going on there?”

  “I’m a paramedic, and we have an injured party here, Mr. Armstrong.”

  “I know. She called me. She’s my housekeeper. Is she going to be all right?”

  “We’ll be transporting her to the hospital shortly, sir.”

  “She said her husband beat her. Is he there?”

  “She’s alone, Mr. Armstrong. We’ll be taking her to Memorial.”

  He heard someone in the background say, “Worst case of domestic violence I’ve ever seen. I hope she makes it.”

  “Listen,” Seth said. “As I told you, she’s my housekeeper. I don’t want you to spare any expense. Do anything you can for her.”

  “Yes, Mr. Armstrong. I’ll relay your message to emergency. We need to go now, sir.” She hung up.

  Seth hung up and looked at them. “Ward has beat the hell out of Norma. They’re taking her to the hospital.”

  “Oh, Lord. I knew we couldn’t trust that man.”

  Seth turned to her with haunted eyes. “Because of Norma, I’ve always trusted him. You don’t suppose he’s the one…” A light went off in his head. “You said Dorie was married to a man named Crotts, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, at one time she was.”

  “Ward’s last name is Crotts.”

  “I bet he’s the one, Seth.”

  “Oh, Julia.” His voice was almost a cry. “Do you think…? What if he’s done something to harm Hunter? What if he’s…” His mouth quivered. “I can’t stand it if something happens to my son, Julia.” He began to cry. Julia reached out her arms and he went into them.

  She held his head close to her breast. “Hunter is going to be all right, Seth. He has to be.” In a soft clear voice, she said a prayer to God to protect Hunter. After finishing she said, “He’s in God’s hands now, darling, and I know God will take care of him. He’ll bring him back to us. We’ll get married, and our four children will be happy and safe, and we’ll welcome more grandchildren and in-laws, and we’ll be the family we should’ve been years ago. It has to be so. There’s too much love between us and our children for it not to happen.”

  Andrew came to the sofa and put his hand on Seth’s shoulder. “Mom’s right. The love is there, and we’re going to be a happy family. I had a wonderful dad, but I never had a daddy, and I’m looking forward to it.”

  Seth raised up and took Andrew in his arms. “I never got to hold you when you were small, but I love you, son, and it feels good to have you in my arms at last.”

  “And it feels good to be loved, Daddy.”

  Jessica and Ashley surrounded Julia. “We never had much of a mom, did we Jessica?”

  “No, we didn’t, and I’m ready for one now. Will you be our mom, Julia?”

  “Please. We love you already.”

  Julia put an arm around each girl. “I’ve waited a long time to be your mom. We tried so hard to get you girls when you were small. I loved you, and wanted to be with you so badly. I guess this proves you should never give up.” She reached out and touched Ashley’s face. “And I love my first two grandchildren. Thank you for them, and I’ll be looking for more from you.” She turned to Jessica. “And I expect some from you, too. Jimmy’s going to make a wonderful father.”

  “Oh, Julia. I didn’t dream mothers like you existed.” Ashley kissed her cheek.

  “Neither did I.” Jessica gave Julia a squeeze.

  “Then, I tell you what we should do.” When they looked at her, she went on, “I think your daddy can use a cup of coffee, and it’s fine if you want to sample the hot chocolate. There’ll still be plenty when the guys get back with Hunter.”

  Julia and the girls stood. She looked at Seth and without a word leaned down and kissed him on the mouth. Then she said, “We’ll be back in a little while.” She tousled Andrew’s hair, and the three women walked out of the room.

  “You’re smart, Julia,” Jessica said. “You wanted to give them some time alone, didn’t you?”

  “I did. You know how it is. As women, we can talk with each other about almost anything at any time or anywhere, but when men need to talk to each other they have to have privacy.”

  “Isn’t it wonderful to have a smart and caring mom, Jessica?” Ashley began taking cups from the cabinet.

  •♥ •

  After thinking over their predicament, Jimmy pointed to the left said, “What’s in that direction, Theo?”

  “Nothing except pasture. It joins the edge of the Hargrove place and comes across Winslow’s at a sharp angle.”

  “Okay. What about this way?” He pointed straight ahead.

  “That goes to the river.”

  “Any buildings that way?”

  “Not that I know of. Only a couple of deer stands.”

  He pointed to the right. “That leads back to the center of Mr. Armstrong’s property. You’ll come to some barns and out buildings that way.”

  “Are there any buildings in between any of those directions?”

  Theo thought a minute. “If you go almost straight, but bear a little to the right, you’ll come to a supply shed. It’s close to where one of Mr. Winslow’s grazing pastures bumps up against the section that is almost flat, and we train the race horses there. Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Winslow like to keep the fences secure there, and they both use the shed.”

  “That’s where they have Hunter, Theo.”

  “Then, what are we waiting for? We need to get him.”

  “If there’s one thing I learned in the military, it’s that you don’t go running into a situation without a plan. Just hold on a minute.” He took his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed a number. When it was answered, he said, “Jude, there’s a supply shed you and Seth share near your north pasture. Have you been there lately?”

  “No, Jimmy, I haven’t. Why?”

  “We think someone is being held there.”

  “Does this have anything to do with the threats at Seth’s place?”

  “It does, but I’ll explain it later. Here’s what I need for you to do. Get two or three men and come up within a couple of hundred yards of the shed. Don’t go in or try to be the hero. I’ll call the police and they’ll handle it. All you have to do is make sure if anyone leaves they don’t try to cross your pasture to get out.”

  “I can do that. In fact, Alex is here. I’m sure he’ll come with me.”

  “That’s fine, but you need at least two others so you can spread out and watch.”

  “I’ll get them. Leaving right now.”

  “Thanks, Jude.”

  The next call Jimmy made was to the police. “Chief Staples, we think we know where Hunter is.”

  “I know he’s on the farm somewhere. Guy let him out and he was headed inside the house when he pulled off. Someone must have taken him at the back door.”

  “They did, and Theo and I have tracked them.”

  “How the hell could you track somebody in this snow? It’s covering everything.”

  “It wasn’t as bad when we started.”

  “Well, we’ll find him. We’re going through every building on the place. They can’t get away.”

  “There’s a building you probably don’t know exists. Theo and I are on the way to it, and we feel we’re going to need the police.”

  “Where are you?”

  Jimmy gave him directions and closed the phone. “Okay, now I’m ready to go, Theo.”


  “Aren’t you going to call Mr. Armstrong?”

  “No. I have a feeling everything will be okay, but in case I’m wrong, I don’t want to set them up for a letdown. Know what I mean?”

  “I know exactly. Start this thing and head out.”

  CHAPTER 31

  “It’s getting pretty late, Dorie. Should we take him down to the house and dump him?”

  “You’re a fool, Ward. If we go anywhere near that house, they’ll be on us like flies on cow patties.”

  “You maybe, but not me. They all trust me, remember?”

  “They’re not going to trust you after you beat the hell out of Norma. She’ll certainly talk. Do you think Armstrong is going to let you get away with hurting his housekeeper?”

  “She was unconscious when I left. If she dies, they’ll think it was a break-in or something.” He chuckled. “I think she might already be dead.”

  “You like killing people, don’t you Ward?”

  “Not particularly.”

  “Well, you sure didn’t have a problem killing Eve.”

  Hunter hoped his surprised reaction didn’t alert them to the fact he was awake. He knew his body jerked.

  He knew they must not be paying any attention to him when Ward said, “You told me I had to kill her. I didn’t really want to.”

  “I wanted her out of this world because I knew you’d been with her. I figured you’d do it again if she stayed alive.”

  He laughed. “One thing I’ve never told you, Dorie. I had her before I put that gun in her mouth and pulled the trigger. Yep. Laid her right down in the front seat of that fancy car and popped her good. She liked it, too.”

  “You bastard.”

  Hunter heard the slap across Ward’s face.

  “Now, honey don’t do that. I might have to lay you down right here on this cold floor. You know how getting rough turns me on. Norma would never get rough with me.”

  “You ain’t laying me in that floor. It’s too damn cold.”

  “Oh, baby, after it took you so long to find me. You know you want me to lay you down any time, any- where.”