Fixing Fate: A Pleasant Valley Novel

by Anna Brooks

  “I realize that I’m probably doing the wrong thing by letting everything go, or at least trying to, but I’m so damn tired of being tired. I just want to pretend for a bit, if that’s okay.”

  “Of course.”

  “Whatever you need.”

  Jay and I speak at the same time, resulting in a laugh from all three of us. A doctor walks in carrying a laptop and looks at us like we’re a little strange, given the situation. “Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting to walk in to a bunch of laughs, but I can say I’m pleasantly surprised.”

  “Sorry, Doc.” Jay sticks his hand out and shakes the doctor’s. “I’m Jay Jamison, Mellicent’s brother.”

  “Dr. Miner. Nice to meet you.” He shakes my hand as well when I stand up. “Smith Porter. The boyfriend.” Hopefully, that title will change soon, but for now, I’m happy just being hers.

  “Ah, well, it seems you’ve certainly got yourself surrounded by men who love you, Ms. Jamison.” He gently grasps her hand and untwists some IV line.

  “I do. I’m really lucky.”

  The gray-haired man scrolls through some things on the computer screen. “Would you like some privacy while I go over some instructions?”

  “No, they can stay.”

  “Very well.” He pulls over a circular stool on wheels and sits close to her bed. “As you know, you have one broken rib and several bruised surrounding the area of impact. And aside from some dehydration when you initially arrived, I’m pleased to say you’re free to go. I’m prescribing pain medication. You’re sure to be sore and achy, so don’t hesitate to take them to get relief.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Now, I’m giving you the number to a phenomenal therapist. From the looks of things, you seem to be all right... right now. But I would highly recommend giving her a call and at least having a chat, okay?”

  “Sure.” I’m not sure she’s sold on the idea, but she takes the card anyway. She told me her last therapist didn’t do anything, other than tell her to count backward from ten when she had a panic attack. “Can you put this in your wallet?”

  I take it and glance at the name before sliding it behind my credit card.

  Elizabeth Reynolds

  The doctor leaves, a nurse comes in and has her sign some papers, then gives Mellie a prescription for pain meds before removing the IV. I push Mellie in the wheelchair outside to where Jay is waiting for us. He drives a Tahoe, so I lift her up and set her in the front seat then scoot it back a little so she can extend her legs and avoid pressure on her ribs.

  I hop in behind her, and wrap my arm around the seat so I can touch her. I need to touch her. My thumb sits on the side of her neck, and my fingers rub back and forth over the smooth skin of her collarbone. Jay drives us away from the hospital. When he doesn’t get on the interstate, she asks where we’re going.

  “Back home. To my house.”

  “Where’s your truck?” She tilts her head up and asks me.

  “Impound.”

  “What?”

  “They needed it for evidence, and I haven’t gotten it back yet.”

  She bites her lip and looks back out the window then turns to her brother. “Jay?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I don’t want to stay in Chicago. I want to go back home with Smith.”

  The silence in the cab of his SUV is so loud it almost hurts my ears. Jay’s fingers tighten on the wheel, and my hand stills against her skin. If I could stand up I would, so I could jump up and down. I thought for sure she would want to stay in Chicago, especially since we were headed down there when she was kidnapped.

  “Are you sure?” Jay barely gets the words out between his clenched teeth.

  “Yes.” She links her fingers between mine. “I’m sure.”

  Chapter 24

  Mellie

  This might be the best decision I ever make, or I might regret it tomorrow. I don’t know, and frankly, I don’t care. Free of worry and threats, I want to finally be with Smith like I dreamed. That I’m sure of.

  “Fine,” Jay clips.

  “Jay…”

  “No, Mel. I understand. Really.” He gently pats my thigh then returns his hand to the steering wheel. “I couldn’t ask for you to be with someone better.”

  Smith squeezes my hand. “Thanks, man.”

  Jay turns on the radio, and when an old-school rap song comes on, they both try to sing along. Neither can keep up, and we all laugh. Carefree and loving it, I roll down the window and breathe in the fresh air. I end up falling asleep until we reach Smith’s house five hours later.

  Erik opens the front door, and before I can walk up the steps to him, he jogs down them and hugs me. “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” He removes his arms, and I pat his scruffy face. “I’m really good.”

  I don’t wait for anyone else and hurry inside so I can see Mouse. While the guys are all chatting, I sit on the couch and cuddle with her. Jay plops down next to me and wraps an arm around my shoulder. “Do you need me to stay?”

  “No. I mean, of course I’d love to have you around, but I understand that you have a life to get back to.”

  “Are you sure?”

  I scrunch my brows. “Yes, why?” Something’s up with him.

  “I’m gonna take off, then.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Nothing for you to worry about.”

  “Jay, if something—”

  “I’m fine. Everything’s fine.” He sighs and sinks into the couch. “You want the truth?”

  “Of course, I do.”

  “I need to get away. From everything. From Chicago, from work, from life.”

  Me. “Oh.”

  “Get that look off your face. It’s not you. But since you’re with that asshole,”—he nods at Smith, who is drinking a beer at the kitchen island—“I won’t feel guilty.”

  “Guilty for what?”

  “For leaving you.”

  “You need a break; trust me, I understand. Just don’t be gone too long, okay?”

  He wraps an arm around me and gives a gentle hug. “I’m just going on a little road trip.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “West Coast.”

  “Damn, Jay. How long have you known about this?”

  He releases a frustrated breath of air. “Once this case was wrapped up, I already had a few weeks of vacation scheduled. Of course, I wouldn’t have gone if Norman hadn’t been caught. But If I don’t take it now, I’ll lose it... and Mel, I really need it. I need a damn breather.”

  “I know you do.”

  “Besides, you don’t want me to cramp your style and be a third wheel around here, do ya?” He chuckles and ruffles the top of my head.

  “Just be careful and keep me updated.”

  “I will.”

  “Stay safe.” I can never say it enough. He always seems to find danger, and it petrifies me.

  “Always, Mel.” He hugs me and holds on a little longer than he usually does. “Call me if you need me, okay?”

  I nod into his shoulder and sniffle when the tears threaten. Then I wipe my snot on his shirt like I always used to when I was little. I have always been a crier, so when he would hug me, I’d wipe my face on his shirt like the immature brat I was.

  “Ew, Mel.” He pretends to gag. “You’re disgusting.”

  “You love me.”

  He messes up my hair and kisses my forehead. “I do. Even if you’re a brat.”

  “Never.” I grab his hand before he steps out of the living room and walks away for God only knows how long. “I love you, Jay. Thank you for everything.”

  “You’re my sister, Mel.”

  I let his hand drop and I wipe the corner of my eye. That was his go-to line when I apologized for being a burden, or when I ruined his plans, or when I felt guilty for him having to raise me instead of partying like all the other guys his age did.

  From my place on the couch, I hear him talking to Smith. When the front door close
s, I get up and almost run into Smith. He smiles. “Hey. You okay?”

  “Yeah. I am.”

  “Good.”

  “I need a shower. Badly.”

  “’Kay. What sounds good for dinner?”

  “My stomach still feels kind of funny from the drive-thru earlier, so how about something light?”

  “All right, baby. Go shower, and I’ll figure it out.”

  * * *

  I never made it back downstairs to eat. After my shower, I sat on the bed to put socks on. When that was done, I lay down and fell asleep.

  I don’t think I’ve ever slept as peacefully as I did last night. Smith’s arms are still around me, and even though I don’t ever want to move, I quietly slip out to use the bathroom. When I finish, my stomach rumbles, so I head down to make something to eat. When I pass Erik’s room, his door is cracked, and I peek in since the light is on.

  He’s sitting on the end of the bed with a bottle of vodka dangling from his fingers. I tap my nail against the wood, and he whips his head up.

  “Are you okay?”

  A humorless laugh echoes in the sparse room, and I step inside.

  “Erik? What’s up?”

  “I didn’t drink it.” He holds up the clear glass. “I wanted to, but I didn’t.”

  “That’s good.”

  “I was pukin’ my guts out the other day. Thought I had the flu or something.”

  “Are you better now?”

  “I was really fuckin’ worried about you, Mellie. I was scared and felt helpless that I couldn’t do anything other than be here to feed your cat.”

  I lean against the dresser while he finishes talking, ’cause I don’t really see where this is going.

  “I was detoxing, Mellie, and I didn’t even realize it. I’m a fucking alcoholic.”

  “Do you need me to do something?”

  He shakes his head and tosses the bottle from one hand to the other. “Nah. I’m just glad you’re okay. I think I’m going to try to sleep now.”

  “Okay.” I walk out and close the door behind me but not before hesitating. Ultimately, I go down to the kitchen, babying my side on the steps.

  My body craves caffeine, even though I had a good sleep, so I brew a pot of coffee. While waiting for my cup of coffee, I search the fridge for something to eat but find it empty. My clients will be pissed or worried; I’m not sure which. I disappeared without a word, but I hope they’ll understand when I explain I had an emergency. So I just open my laptop and wait for Smith so we can go out to breakfast. As I’m replying to emails and sending messages, my hair is brushed to the side, and a warm mouth tickles my neck.

  A girly giggle flies out of my mouth. “That tickles.”

  “Mornin’, sunshine.” He kisses my cheek and heads for a mug and the coffeepot. After he tops mine off, he sits next to me and rests his chin on my shoulder. “Whatcha doin’?”

  “Playing catch-up. Speaking of,”—I turn to him so my legs are between his—“what’s going on with the house?”

  “It’s done.”

  “What? Really?”

  “Yeah. The boys all worked overtime to finish. I called the realtor you wanted to use, too. So she’s just waiting for you to sign some stuff before she puts it on the market.”

  That’s such a relief. The last thing I wanted was to deal with that damn house. Although, if it wasn’t for the house, I would have never met Smith. “Okay. I’ll do it right away.”

  “She actually has a couple interested in it already; they’re coming to look at it before it officially goes on market.”

  “That’s awesome. The sooner we get rid of it, the better.”

  “Nate found a box under the back patio when he was finalizing the landscaping yesterday. Said we should come take a look at it.”

  “Hmm.” I take a sip of coffee and then close my laptop. “I’m ready to have the best thing ever in my mouth again.”

  He chokes on the drink he just took and pats his chest. “What?”

  “Those pancakes. I’m starving.”

  “You... okay. Let’s get ready, and we’ll go.” He stands and adjusts himself before he reaches for my hand and leads me upstairs.

  We get ready, I feed Mouse, and then we head out to the restaurant. They are seriously the best pancakes ever, and I will totally be coming here on the regular. Since Nate thinks the box is something we should see, we head to the house next.

  I have a hard time looking at Richard’s house. He stalked me then saved me. It’s difficult to process. I haven’t really tried, to be honest.

  Smith opens the front door of my grandpa’s old home. “Wow, it looks great.” I walk through and am amazed at how good it looks. “It’s like a completely different house.”

  “Yeah. It’s not as good as one of mine normally is, but it’s still acceptable to put on the market.”

  “How good are yours normally?”

  “Better quality material. Better paint. But because we ended up doing a rush job at the end, the guys had to settle for some things we don’t normally use or do. It’s still a great house, though.”

  I stop in the kitchen and lean against the counter. “You’re really passionate about what you do, aren’t you?”

  He shrugs.

  “Why do you have a hard time admitting that you actually like your work?”

  “You’re standing in the exact place I first saw you, ya know?”

  There goes his avoidance again. “Yeah?”

  “I didn’t even see your face, and I knew you were about to change things for me.”

  “I didn’t know it until I ran into you outside and you touched me for the first time.”

  The left side of his mouth tilts up in a sexy smile, and he walks closer. “When we tell our kids how we met, I’ll be able to say it was love at first sight. ’Cause it totally was.”

  My heart swells, and I bite on the tip of my thumbnail. “You want kids?”

  “I want everything with you.” He puts his hand under my chin and tilts it up so he can kiss me, even though it’s something I’m always willing to do.

  I eagerly welcome his mouth on mine and I kiss him back. My hands rest on his pecs, and I grip the material there. He nips at my lower lip and pulls himself away. “Let’s find out what’s in the box.”

  My tongue slides across the love bite, and I nod. “Okay.”

  He reaches behind me and rips open the plastic bag surrounding the metal container. “This is really rusty. Must have been down there for a while.” His fingers tug at the lid and twist it side to side until it pops open. There’s a baggie that has some spots of brown water on it, but otherwise, that’s the only thing in there.

  “What’s in it?”

  “I dunno.” Smith sets the container in the sink and lifts the baggie, giving it a little shake to get the excess water off. He peels the seal apart and takes out a picture. “Oh, my God.”

  “Who is that?” I grab his wrist to twist it so I can see it better. It’s a portrait of a beautiful woman wearing a dress and sunhat so indicative of the days when life was simpler. “Wow. What a beautiful woman.” She’s looking directly at the camera and laughing with love in her eyes at whoever is behind the lens.

  Smith turns the old photo over and reads the writing out loud.

  The one that got away.

  “What in the hell? Can you open that letter, baby?”

  I rip open the envelope and pull out a worn piece of paper. “Do you want me to read it out loud?”

  He doesn’t answer me verbally, but nods as his eyes memorize the picture between his fingers.

  My dearest Bethany,

  It’s been four years since you left me, and not a day goes by that I don’t regret my actions. Even though you married the man who built what was supposed to be our home, this house will always be my reminder that you were real. I hurt you, and he was there to pick up the pieces, and for that, I can’t fault him and will never forgive myself.

  “Oh, my God.” I�
�m the one in shock now.

  My Mellie is expecting, and as much as I try to love her as I love you, nobody will ever take your place. She’s a good woman, and it’s time I let you go. At least, I will try. I know I don’t deserve you, and I never will. My intention is not to sway your opinion of me, but rather to finally close the chapter on us. My only hope is somewhere down the road, our souls will meet, and you can see me for the man I was when we first met... yours.

  Love always and forever,

  Calvin

  “What is happening?” I ask.

  “I... I think our grandparents used to date.” Smith grabs the envelope from my hand and looks at the front. “That’s my grandparents’ old address.”

  “Look.” I point at the red stamp on the front. “It was returned to sender. She never got it.”

  “Or she didn’t want to get it.”

  “I was named after my grandmother. My mom told stories about what a wonderful woman she was; I remember that. Some of her favorite recipes were from my grandmother. She still talked to my mom after she was kicked out of the house, before she passed from cancer. My mom never knew why my grandma stayed with a man who kicked their only child out of their home.”

  Smith sets the picture on the counter and paces in front of me. I’m just as confused as he is, if that’s how he’s feeling. Maybe he’s mad... or happy. I can’t really tell. “Honey, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  “This is insane.” He stops in front of me and grabs me by the shoulders. “Do you realize what this means?”

  “What?”

  The handsome face I can’t wait to wake up to every day for the rest of my life grins. “We made fate our bitch.”

  “Who’s Faith?”

  “No, baby. Fate.”

  “Oh. I’m still not positive what’s going on right now, to be honest.”

  “Your grandpa, who was dating my grandma, fucked up and lost her. My grandpa, who built this house, which, by the way, I didn’t know, was there at the right time and scooped her up. Events happened, decades passed, generations were made—and we found our way back here. To each other.”