The Willows: Haven

by Hope Collier

  The Willows: Haven

  Copyright © 2012 by Hope Collier

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher.

  Cover design by Neil Noah

  Printed in the United States of America

  Dedication

  For Matt, who never bats an eye when I interrupt life to take notes. Thank you for your endless support and willingness to share me with fictitious friends. Your enthusiasm makes writing an adventure.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One Expectations

  Chapter Two Encounter

  Chapter Three The Beginning

  Chapter Four Discovery

  Chapter Five Insight

  Chapter Six A Carnival of Truth

  Chapter Seven A Life Less Ordinary

  Chapter Eight Forbidden Fairytale

  Chapter Nine Changes

  Chapter Ten Complicated

  Chapter Eleven Whose Funeral?

  Chapter Twelve What We Found There

  Chapter Thirteen Responsibility

  Chapter Fourteen Taken

  Chapter Fifteen The Truth

  Chapter Sixteen Confrontation

  Chapter Seventeen Desperation

  Chapter Eighteen Traitor

  Chapter Nineteen Unexpected Company

  Chapter Twenty The Valley

  Chapter Twenty-One Transition

  Chapter Twenty-Two Reflections

  Chapter Twenty-Three Family Ties

  Chapter Twenty-Four Acceptance

  Chapter Twenty-Five Ancient History

  Chapter Twenty-Six Confessions

  Chapter Twenty-Seven October Rain

  Chapter Twenty-Eight Resolution

  CHAPTER ONE

  Expectations

  My mind raced as I weaved a path through the crowd.

  “Harry, can you hear me?” I yelled. Holding the phone to my ear, I struggled to make out what he said over the poor signal and blaring noise — then the call died. Lights flashed as the music rang out, pulsating through the ground. I pushed against the partygoers occupying every inch around the pool, trying to make my escape. Rounding the corner of the villa, I smacked into a wall of muscle and bounced back.

  “Hey, Ashton! Happy… birthday,” Kyle’s sentence fell away, his gray eyes pinched in concern. “Where are you going? Is something wrong?”

  I shook my head and squeezed around him, ignoring the well wishes and congratulations till the thick horde fell behind.

  A valet shot up from his chair and greeted me when I burst through the side gate. He fidgeted with the zipper of his vest while I rummaged frantically through my handbag. I shoved my keys at him and watched him disappear through an alley of luxury vehicles lining the driveway.

  I redialed Harry’s number, but it went straight to voicemail. Where could he be? Why wasn’t he answering? My steel-colored BMW Z4 convertible rolled into view. The dark-haired guy toppled out of my seat and squeezed his slight frame against the inside of the door, trying to avoid me as I slid behind the wheel.

  A heavy hand slammed against the doorframe. I jumped and looked up to find the cold smoky eyes of my boyfriend staring back at me.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Kevin demanded, his knuckles white beneath his olive skin.

  “I have to go!” My voice broke.

  “Go where? You can’t just leave. Do you have any idea who’s here?”

  I ignored him, turning the key in the ignition. Music from my favorite band carried across the courtyard as I slid sunglasses on to cover my tear-filled eyes.

  “This is your party.” His voice grew threatening. “I spent a fortune on it!”

  Yeah, happy 18th to me. “Get out of the way, Kevin.”

  His hand snapped around my wrist, and I gasped. Pain shot through my forearm and the blood pooled in my finger tips.

  “Ashton,” Kevin growled, his eyes narrowed into slits, “you’re not leaving. Get out of the car. Now.”

  “Hey!” Kyle, Kevin’s younger brother, hurried to the car, concern etched in his face. His eyes darkened when they locked onto the hand clenched around my wrist. A silent hostility thickened the air.

  “What’s going on?” Kyle’s voice turned icy. Kevin met his glare.

  Kyle shook his head in warning, and their gaze shifted to me. A breath later, Kevin’s hand fell away. My tires squealed against the hot pavement as I peeled away, leaving my party, and possibly my sanity, behind.

  My arm ached as I zipped toward Pacific Coast Highway. Kevin had some nerve. Angry or not, he’d never hurt me at the risk of someone else seeing him. My purse buzzed, and I reached down to grab the phone.

  “Speak of the devil,” I mumbled when Kevin’s picture popped up. I pressed decline and called information instead.

  Information. What city, please? Para continuar en español, marque ocho.

  “Los Angeles.”

  What listing?

  “Los Angeles International Airport.”

  Press one for flight schedules, a recording began, press two for ticket information ... I tapped the icon and waited to be connected with customer service. Smooth saxophone music droned on in the background, creating an unsettling contrast between my agitated mood and the intended relaxing tone of the melody.

  Traffic slowed to a crawl. My fingers drummed against the steering wheel as I inched forward to sit in idle. It was Friday and rush hour — not a convenient combination when you’re in a hurry.

  “Ticket agent, how can I help you?” A nasal voice came on the line.

  “I need a flight into New York,” I ordered.

  “One moment…”

  Please, take your time, I thought and rolled my eyes.

  “I’m sorry. It looks like the weather has grounded all flights in and out of the New York airports indefinitely. If you want, I can search for flights in neighboring…”

  My father’s attorney Harry Waterford’s picture flashed across my screen, and I hung up on the agent midsentence. “Harry, where have you been? Why wouldn’t you answer your phone? I’ve been calling for over an hour! Look, I’m stuck in traffic, and the stupid airports are shut down over there, but I think I can—”

  “Ashton…” he interrupted me, his voice strained.

  “Harry?” A cold fear washed over me.

  “Ash.” The silence stretched on before he took a shaky breath. “Your dad, he … he had a heart attack. He didn’t make it. I’m so sorry.”

  My hands shook around the steering wheel, tears blurring the highway. Harry’s words echoed through the crunch of the gravel as the car came to an abrupt stop in the emergency lane.

  “W-w-what?”

  “I’m sorry,” he repeated. “The doctors did everything they could, but his heart suffered too much damage.”

  I stared at the blue and white insignia in the center of the steering wheel, the colors blurring through hot tears. This had to be a mistake. Harry had to be wrong.

  “I realize this is the worst time possible, and I hate to ask, but I need you to meet me in Kentucky. It’s where he … where we need to finalize everything.”

  “Kentucky?” My voice sounded distant, small.

  “This isn’t the best time for explanations,” Harry urged gently. “Meet me in Cumberland on Thursday. It’s in the southeastern part of the state. I’ll email you the directions and more information.”

  I couldn’t answer.

  “Do you understand, Ashton?” His tone deepened with a sense of urgency.

  “Yeah. Kentucky. Southeast. Six days.” I stared mindlessly into the setting sun. A gust of wind carried across the ocean, taking my breath away.

  “Ashton, say somet
hing, please. Should I call Kevin? Perhaps he should escort you.”

  “No, it’s fine,” I said quickly. “I’ll see you soon. Bye.”

  My body went numb — all except the ache around my heart — as I fought to keep the tears at bay. I drew a deep breath and forced my emotions to shut down, years of practice making it possible.

  “Excuse me?” A voice spoke beside my car, causing me to flinch. I looked up. Pale-blue eyes of a police officer greeted me with concern.

  “Are you all right, Miss…?”

  “Blake,” I murmured.

  The officer nodded, his shoulders relaxing. “Are you sure? Is there anything I can do for you? Someone I should call?” His eyes fell on the white-knuckle grip I had on my cell.

  “No. Thank you,” I whispered as my empty gaze shifted across his decorated uniform. “I have to go.”

  Somewhere in the reasonable part of my mind, I registered the fact that he didn’t ask for identification or question me in any way. That seemed odd in comparison with the multiple law enforcement interactions I’d experienced in the past.

  “Look, I don’t know what’s happened to upset you, but it’s going to be all right. Do you hear me? Everything will work out,” he assured.

  I thanked him and offered a pitiful excuse for a smile. He nodded and turned back to his car, lifting his cell phone to his ear as he walked away.

  I switched on the GPS and entered Cumberland, Kentucky into the destination box. Tracing along the interstate, I noted the route ran through Granbury, Texas. Charlie, my father, had a home there. I marked the city on the map and drew a deep breath as I thought about what to do. Six days was more than enough time to get to Kentucky. If I left now, I could avoid Kevin and kill a couple of days at Charlie’s lake house. That wouldn’t be too life altering.

  A cool breeze brushed across my exposed shoulder. I shivered, watching dark clouds roll in. Rain pattered the soft roof as I pulled onto the highway.

  Shifting in my seat, I tugged at the waistline of the black satin digging into my side. The mid-thigh cocktail dress hugged a little too tight. Even though it looked great, I couldn’t help make the correlation that it was like everything else in my life ... it restricted me. My naked toes breathed a sigh of relief as I worked my feet out of the evil stiletto heels. Why they labeled them Italian when torturous was more appropriate, was lost on me.

  After an hour and a half on auto-pilot, a billboard ahead flashed with pictures of a San Bernardino mall. I pulled into the closest spot, quietly groaning as I stuffed my toes back into the heels, then hurried inside. Thirty minutes and two credit cards later, I headed back to the car with a three-piece luggage set and enough clothing to last me a week.

  The phone buzzed again as I merged on to the interstate. The image of my smiling best friend lit up the screen. “Hey, Kyle.”

  “Ashton, thank God you answered,” Kyle spoke quickly, his tone little more than a whisper. “Are you okay? What’s the emergency?”

  “My dad had a ... a heart attack.” I swallowed against the knot in my throat. “He didn’t make it.”

  “Oh, Ash, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say.” Kyle sighed. “I know you guys weren’t especially close, but still, he’s your dad.”

  My stomach tightened. “Yeah. I know he wasn’t much, but he was all I had.”

  “You always have us.” His voice deepened. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Yeah. Do me a favor and don’t tell Kevin. I’ll deal with him when I get home.”

  “You sure?” Kyle’s voice rose in surprise. “You know he’s going to feel like a jerk for acting the way he did.”

  “If I could only be so lucky,” I muttered. “Look, I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you much before I left. I know it’s been a while since we got to hang out.”

  “Please, don’t apologize. Just focus on you right now. Do you know about the funeral?” Kyle asked after a moment of silence. “I can meet you if you want. Kev doesn’t have to know.”

  I hesitated. “The details are still being worked out. I’ll give you a call in a few days.”

  “Ash?” His tone grew soft yet serious. “Please watch out for yourself. And know if you need me, I’m here.”

  “I will. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

  “As you say, Monet,” Kyle whispered on a sigh and disconnected.

  I tossed the phone into the backseat and concentrated on the double yellow lines of the highway. My thoughts drifted back to memories of my childhood…

  “Happy birthday, dear Ashton,” Harry and my nanny, Ms. Lynn, sang with a smile. “Happy birthday to you!” Their applause carried through the open air, echoing across the endless lake at our home in Louisiana.

  The sound of loons swelled in the background as the cheers faded away. My best friend Allie smiled from across the picnic table. I leaned forward, prepared to blow out the candles dotting the pink cake. I had one thing in mind, one gift that I wanted more than anything. I squinted in thought, my unspoken wish more of a silent prayer, then blew out the flames.

  Harry wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Thirteen, huh? You look older. Do you feel older?” His eyes bored into mine, as if my answer were somehow vitally important.

  “I’m just joking, kid.”He grinned at my guarded expression.

  My heart grew heavy as I eyed the vacant seat across from mine.

  Ms. Lynn patted my back “Your dad has a lot of business going on right now. I’m sure he’ll pop up in a bit.”

  I sighed, disheartened as Allie wove her arm through mine.

  “So—” Her blonde curls bounced as she plopped down “—what was it you wanted for your birthday?”

  I searched over gift after gift, each one wrapped in the same, shimmering paper, knowing that what I wished for had chosen the office over me.

  Harry offered the first present. “Well, kid, have at it.”

  A half hour and many thank you’s later, one package remained unopened: a simple envelope with my name scrawled across the front. Lifting the flap, a knowing smile tugged at my mouth as I caught sight of a photo.

  “She’s beautiful.” I admired the chestnut mare in the picture.

  Just then, a whinnying sounded behind me. I turned to see a stable hand leading the graceful horse toward us.

  “Happy birthday,” the three called together. Harry pulled me into a tight hug as my eyes fell back to my father’s empty chair. “Go ahead. She’s been waiting for you.” He took the reins and offered to help me up.

  The familiar scent of a hayfield after the rain filled my memories as it always did with the thought of Harry. My heart ached in my chest as exhaustion weighed heavy on my eyelids.

  A dimly lit vacant sign just off the interstate flickered to life, distracting me from my reverie. I exited and pulled into the lot. From the outside, the two-story building appeared more like an oversized duplex than a hotel, constructed of taupe vinyl-siding and stacked sandstone. Arms full of shopping bags, I lumbered toward the front desk, trying to stay conscious.

  “Good morning,” the desk clerk greeted, her curious eyes sweeping over my zombie-like state. “How many nights?”

  “Just tonight … er, morning. Whatever.” I stifled a yawn.

  She held her hand out for my credit card and driver’s license. Her eyes widened as they locked onto my extended forearm. I glanced down to see the imprint of a palm and four fingers in the form of a bluish-purple bruise beneath my skin. I grimaced — not the first time Kevin left his mark — and pulled the arm behind my back.

  “Check out is at eleven. Your room is down the hall; take a right at the ice machine.” She eyed the clock before glancing at me. “Do you need a wake-up call?”

  “Sure,” I mumbled, remembering I’d left my phone in the car. “Eight o’clock, please.”

  The hall dead-ended at my room. I trudged inside and tossed my stuff onto one of the full-sized beds. Slipping out of the dress and heels, I slid under the blankets, welcoming the emotiona
l release sleep might offer.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Encounter

  An ambient glow filtered through the drapes from the streetlamps outside, casting the room with just enough light to make sleep impossible. My leg twitched as I watched each hour tick by on the wall clock, the second hand goading me as it made its pass. A heavy downpour beat against the glass as the wind howled and danced with something metallic outside my window. I sighed and threw my arm over my eyes, but it was no help.

  Several sleepless hours later, my wake-up call rang in. I stumbled out of bed and threw open the useless curtains, shaking my head as I caught sight of a flooded parking lot.

  Climbing into the shower, I turned the heat up and let the spray beat against my back, massaging away the stress. The water soothed my nerves and invigorated me more than a restful night’s sleep ever could.

  Eventually, the hot water faded into cold, and I climbed out. I towel dried my hair and pulled it into a messy knot. Loose brunette strands curled out along my temples and the nape of my neck — an unmanageable feature I inherited from my father, though the waviness and color were the only genetic similarities I shared with the man. Harry always said I looked like my mother. I took him at his word since I’d never known her.

  I gazed into the mirror over the sink, taken aback by the change of my oddly blue eyes. The color seemed more vivid, even through the tiredness. My fingertips moved across the unexplained blush on my cheeks. Must be the stress, I reasoned as I pulled the tags from my new slacks and tank top to dress. Slipping into some flip-flops, I wheeled to the front to check out.

  A mass of a man stood behind the counter. To my unease, the closer I moved, the more he grew. Easily a twelve inches above my five and half feet, he towered over me. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair as a predatory smile parted the five o’clock shadow darkening his skin. I noticed the name “Oren” was scrawled on his nametag as I shifted my focus from his face. He reminded me too much of Kevin.

  “Good morning.” Oren’s voice, deep yet smooth, sent chills across my skin.

  “If you like driving through a monsoon,” I said, shifting my bag on my shoulder as I waited for my receipt.