Happy Trail (Lucas Brothers Book 3)

by Jordan Marie

  “You’ll take care of him too, eventually.”

  “I will,” I vow. It won’t be easy, but I won’t let what he’s done go unpunished. Hopefully I will be able to do it as Sheriff of Mason, but if not, I’ll find other ways.

  “Don’t worry about it right now. We’ll deal with it after you get healthy. I want you to rest. I have to go to River’s school. He’s getting an award today for his letters and colors.”

  “Damn it. I should be there. I could—”

  “No, you couldn’t. You’re going to lay right there and do nothing Luka Parish, or I swear I’ll tie you to this bed!”

  “Damn, Lo’. I didn’t realize your tastes were that kinky. If you wait until I’m better, I might be able to work that out for you—but I’m thinking you will be the one tied to the bed.”

  “We’ll negotiate after you get better.” She smiles, her face blushing slightly. She stands up and bends down to give me another kiss. “Please rest, sweetheart. I need you healthy.”

  “I will. Have I told you how much I love you, Lotus Petal Parish?”

  “I still hate when you use my full name, but you’re forgiven this time. See you in a little while.”

  I watch her leave, and something shifts inside of me. Despite the anger, hurt, and hate boiling inside of me because of my father, right now I feel happiness and love. I have Petal back, and I have my family back.

  That’s all I need.

  48

  Petal

  Present:

  “Why, Ms. Lucas, what are you doing here?”

  I look up at Ms. Selfmore as I walk through the front door. I had hoped I would get out of here before having to deal with her. Next year, River will be going to a new school, one where Maggie can help watch over him and let me know how he’s doing. Definitely not where this battle axe is over him. The more I see of her, the more I dislike her. She’s had it in for my family ever since Maggie applied for this job. Obviously she didn’t get it, but for some reason, the fact that she even tried has made Ms. Selfmore impossible to deal with. I can’t believe the board was stupid enough to pass on Maggie and give the position to her. I know Maggie is younger than they like, but she’s more than qualified. She also relates to people and kids more than this woman ever could.

  “My son is getting ribbons for most improved student today and for moving forward into another grade next year, Ms. Selfmore. Where else would I be?”

  “But your son isn’t taking part in the awards ceremony!” she says, her face crinkling up. She really should moisturize. However, my anger is about to rival anything my mother could put out.

  “Why the hell isn’t River taking part? Listen, I know you, and I have had our issues in the past, but if you do anything—”

  “Ms. Lucas—”

  “It’s Parish!” I growl. “It’s not that hard. My name is Parish, the same as my child and his father. Now as I was saying, River has worked hard to earn this recognition, and if you don’t allow him to take part in the award—”

  “You don’t understand, Ms. Lu—Parish. River’s not taking part because he was picked up early.”

  “You’re obviously mistaken. I just got here to see River, and his father is home recovering from an accident. No one else has permission to pick up my child except my mother and sister—both of whom I just left.”

  “No. River’s grandfather picked him up about thirty minutes ago.”

  Her words make my heart freeze in my chest and absolute terror runs through me.

  “What did you say?” I ask, the words heavy on my tongue because it feels like I have no breath. I’m scared to death. This can’t be real. It can’t be.

  “Mayor Parish picked River up—”

  “How could you let that man take my child!?!?” I scream, the words feeling as if they were ripped from my very soul.

  “He’s the child’s grandfather,” she says nervously, her face etched with worry.

  She should worry. She should fucking be scared for her life, because right now, I want to wrap my hands around her throat and squeeze.

  “He’s not on the pick-up list!”

  “But Ms. Pa… Parish, he’s the child’s grandfather and the town Mayor. Surely—”

  “Surely you’re insane, you fucking bitch! You knew! I’ve told you he’s to have no access to River! I’ll have your job for this! And if my child is hurt in any way, you better run and you better hide, because let me tell you, if something happens to River because of your incompetence, there won’t be a rock big enough for you to crawl under!”

  I’m screaming so loud now, we have a crowd gathered around us. Ms. Selfmore has gone white. She should be terrified because I’m not giving her empty threats. My hands are shaking. I need to call the police, but on instinct, I call Luka.

  “Lo’? You okay, sweetheart? I thought you were going to River’s school and—”

  “Luka!” I cry, and the tears hit me then. I’m ready to crumble, and now that I have Luka’s voice in my ear, I can’t hold it together anymore.

  “What’s wrong, Lo’? Talk to me.”

  “River. He’s not here. He’s gone!”

  “Gone? Honey, calm down. It’s hard to understand you over the tears. Where is River?”

  “Your father, Luka. Your father signed him out. They let him take our son.”

  “I’ll be right there, Lo’. I’m calling Daniel and Black is with me now. We’ll be there in just a bit. Hold on, honey. It will be okay.”

  “I’ll hold on,” I tell him, but all I can see is my son with his beautiful blue eyes. I’m scared to death he’s hurt, and I can’t get to him. Does he even know what’s going on?

  “I’ll be right there, Lo’,” Luka says.

  Somewhere in the back of my mind, I worry, because Luka should be in bed, but the terror for my son overtakes that.

  “Please let my son be okay,” I whimper looking up towards the heavens. “Please let him be okay.”

  49

  Luka

  Present:

  “Luka, man. You need sit down before you fall down.”

  “I need my son found!” I growl.

  We’re at the sheriff’s office. Daniel and Black are working together to try and find River. We’ve put out an APB, we’ve contacted every county close to us, and we’ve alerted all bus stations, taxi services, and airports anywhere near Mason. Still, not one report has come in. I’ve put up a reward for information, and gave all the physical details I can of my father and his vehicles. All of that has been done, and still, there’s nothing to go on. Petal is so upset. She’s a mess. She doesn’t blame me, but fuck… I blame me.

  “We’re doing everything possible, man. Something will break soon,” Black says, and I know logically he’s right, but I can’t sit here and wait. It’s driving me crazy.

  “I’m going to go drive in the direction my father’s car was last seen. Maybe I can catch up to him,” I tell him, looking across the room at Petal and hating to leave her, but knowing I have to do something or I truly will go insane.

  “You’re not able to drive. You get behind the wheel and you’re liable to kill yourself.”

  “I’m going, Black,” I tell him, ignoring his concern. I walk towards Petal. Her big blue eyes look up at me with a moment of hope. I see the moment she realizes I have nothing new to tell her. She curls into her mom, who hugs her close as fresh tears wash over her face.

  “Lo’, honey. I’m going to go out and try and see if I can find my father’s vehicle on my own. I’ll have my phone and a police radio with me. The minute—”

  “Luka, you can’t drive,” she whispers.

  “I’ll be driving him,” says Black. “I’ll keep him safe, sis, and I’m going to make sure he and little River come back to you.”

  I don’t argue. Honestly at this point, I’d feel better if someone else was driving. I feel like hell, but there’s no way I’m not going to be here trying to do everything I can to get my son back.

  I bend down, p
utting a hand on each of Petal’s knees.

  “I love you, Lo’. I promise you, I’m going to bring our son home,” I vow to her, and one way or another, I will find a way to do that.

  “I know you will,” she whispers through her fear, doing her best to give me encouragement. I kiss her forehead, get to my feet, and then look back at Black. “Let’s go if you’re going.”

  “Luka, man, I know you’re upset, but this driving around in circles isn’t helping,” Black says.

  He’s probably right. We’ve seen nothing in the forty minutes or so that we’ve been out here. I foolishly was hoping I’d find my father right away, like I would be able to tap into some sixth sense and find him where others have failed. That’s not the case—not even close.

  “I know man,” I sigh out, defeated. “I just really can’t sit and do nothing. It’s killing me. I have to find my son. I have to,” I tell him, and I know he can hear the desperation in my voice.

  “Okay, so where else do you think he would go? Does he have hotels or a second home he goes where he—”

  “Rapes other women?”

  “Luka, man. That’s not—”

  “God, I can’t believe I’ve been so blind.”

  “You are not your father. You’re nowhere close to the man he is.”

  “He’s not a man,” I bark, my fist punching into the dash.

  “He’s not, but you are. You have shit to prove, man.”

  “Tell that to your sister. I allowed him to hurt Lo’, and I reacted like it was her fault. I let the man into River’s life!”

  “Man. He’s your father. You knew he could be a dick, but come on. No one wants to admit that the man who raised them is about three bricks shy of a load.”

  “I just want to find my son. I want to find my son, bring him home to my wife, and put the past behind us.”

  “Technically she’s not your wife now.”

  “She never stopped.”

  “I’m just saying, you might want to put a ring on it someday soon.”

  “I plan on it. If she’ll still have me.”

  “She’s been in love with you her entire life. You know that.”

  “Will she still love me if I’m the reason we lose our child?”

  “Luka. You can’t think like that. You have to remain positive. I can’t see him purposely hurting River. He’s done this to get back at you, Petal, and Mom. He wouldn’t hurt an innocent child.”

  “That’s what your mother was,” I answer, looking out the window.

  That’s when I see him. My father gets inside an old, red Ford Explorer in front of a Speedway gas station. Through the passenger window of the vehicle, I can see a splash of bright blond hair.

  River!

  “Luka, we’ve crossed over into Carter that’s more than ten miles outside of Mason. I think maybe it’s time to—”

  “Black! Over there in the parking lot. That Explorer that’s pulling out! That’s my father!”

  “What? Are you sure?” he asks, the vehicle swerving hard into another lane as he tries to get into the turning lane.

  “Positive!” I yell, flipping the switch that turns on the siren. I grab the radio and key up the mic. “This is Luka. We found the suspect in Carter in front of the Speedway on First and Lime Street. Send backup. The child was spotted in the vehicle. Approach with care and make sure you let my wife know what’s going on.”

  “Roger that, sheriff,” Tani comes back over the speaker. She’s been really good to Petal through this. I hate that there’s a new tension between any of us. I’ve seen the way she keeps eyeing Blue though, so maybe…

  “Luka.”

  “Yeah, I see him,” I answer Black before he can finish. My father is driving into a one-way traffic street—the wrong way—and at a crazy speed.

  “I’m going to cut across Caroline and try to get to Main before he reaches it,” Black explains.

  I hate it. I don’t want River out of my sight for even a second, but Black is right; that makes the most sense.

  We get to Main Street within just a few minutes, but they’re the longest minutes of my life. I’m pretty sure I hear more sirens behind us. I don’t look back to confirm. I figure it’s the state police that Tani would have notified. We get to Main just as my father swerves out onto the main drag—and not quick enough to block him off. Black pushes down on the accelerator as we follow my father out onto the main highway. I breathe a little easier because less vehicles on the road makes things easier to maneuver. The drawback to that is the increased speed, however. My father doesn’t even blink, and I know he has to be traveling over one hundred miles per hour.

  My damned heart is in my chest as we follow him. In my head, I’m sending up prayer after prayer, and I just hope the man upstairs is listening.

  That’s when it happens. Ahead of us is a road block. I see the spikes laid out on the road and a barricade of at least ten other cars crossed behind those. My father is trapped. He slows down enough so that Black can go into another lane, keeping him from trying to make a U-turn and go back the way he came. I roll my window down and motion for my father to pull over. The asshole looks at me, and finally I see the madness in his eyes that he’s kept hidden. He flips me off, then cuts his vehicle towards the guardrail on the opposite side of his car. He somehow avoids hitting it, and instead weaves down the grassy embankment where there is a small opening between a mountain and the guardrail. I don’t understand what he’s doing until I see it. Middlefork River. The name freezes on my lips as I see the Explorer my father is driving jumping up off an incline and then plummeting nose-first into the river.

  50

  Petal

  Present:

  The moment Luka radioed in, I was on the move. Mom and Jansen loaded me into their truck, and we took off. It seemed to take forever before we caught up with the others. I don’t know who Jansen was talking to on his phone, and I didn’t really care. All that mattered was he got me to where my son and Luka were in record time.

  What I didn’t know and didn’t understand until we pulled up was what I would find. We weaved through the crowd of people and policemen. Somewhere in my mind, I thought I would find Luka holding our son and his father in handcuffs. Instead, I didn’t see them at all. I heard them talking about an ambulance being just a few minutes out and a bigger crowd across the road than at the actual barricade.

  That’s when I start to hear what everyone was saying. That’s when reality hits me.

  My son was in a vehicle that dove into the river.

  I scream out River’s name, and I begin to run. I ran so hard that everything around me was a blur. I didn’t stop until I got to the river’s edge. Men were standing around, but on the ground were the two people that are the most important people in my world.

  A drenched Luka is leaning over our son—our son who is just as wet, but who is not moving.

  “Oh God. No!” I cry, feeling like I’m dying.

  Black wraps me up in his arms, but I pull away from him, going to my knees beside my child. Luka is administering CPR, and I do nothing to interfere. I’m lost in grief, but I know if anyone can save our child, it would be Luka.

  I watch helplessly as he blows life-giving air into River’s mouth. I immediately take over the chest compressions he was doing, letting him concentrate on what he needs to while I take over what I can. From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I hounded Luka to do a CPR class and teach me everything I needed to know to help our child in an emergency. He used to think I was insane, but I was terrified of SIDS or anything else that might take my child from me. I’m thankful, because now I know exactly what to do.

  Luka and I work together to bring our son back. We work together seamlessly, and I fight away the panic. I have to.

  Then it happens: River coughs. He coughs!

  I’ve never heard a sound more beautiful in my entire life. My hands freeze as Luka turns him and River begins vomiting up water from his lungs. Luka pulls him up, holding him c
lose. Someone brings a blanket over, and they pull it around Luka and River. Luka’s deep, emotional gaze finds mine, tears and water mixing on his face and running down his cheeks unashamedly as River cries.

  “You’re okay, son,” he says, calming our child. He reaches out an arm to me, and I fall against my family, crying too. “We’re okay, now. We’re all okay,” Luka whispers, and I have no idea if he’s saying that to our son, to me, or even to himself.

  I just know I love the words.

  51

  Luka

  Present:

  “Who was on the phone?” Petal asks, coming through to the living room. We’re finally home again. We’ve been living here together for the past week. Sometimes, it still feels like a dream. I’m living with my wife and son. I’m living with them out in the open, and we’re happy. My mother-in-law is even bringing me lunch to the station. If anyone had told me this would be my life a year ago—hell, even a month ago—I would have called them a liar.

  I got my job back as sheriff. The only dark spot about that was Daniel resigning. He said he felt like he had let me down. I’ll admit, if the roles had been reversed, I may have handled things differently, but I didn’t harbor any grudges against him. Still, he moved to Oklahoma to take a position there, and it’s something he’s been wanting to do for a while. Of course, that leaves me with trying to find a deputy I can trust.

  “That was my mother. She was asking if I was attending the memorial service for him.”

  “Are you?”

  “Lo’, why would you even ask me that?”

  “Well, despite everything, Luka, he still is your father. You said yourself the man you discovered he is isn’t the man you remember growing up,” she reminds me softly, coming to stand next to me.