RESCUED

by Lyz Kelley

  Did that mean Thad had a right to know as well? She ignored the thought.

  “I have some more news for you.” Karly slid a chair out from under the nearest table. “Do you mind if we sit?”

  Jenna picked up the end of her apron and wiped off her hands. “From the look on your face, this is serious. We might need some coffee and treats.”

  “Carbs are always good.” Karly placed her backpack on the floor and forced a smile, but the outer expression was the opposite of her inner turmoil.

  Jenna busied herself behind the counter and returned a few minutes later with a tray. The bitter coffee mixed perfectly with the chocolate yumminess.

  “Okay, tell me. What’s the news?” Jenna asked while settling on one of her olive green leather-covered chairs.

  “Vivian will be charged with several counts of sex trafficking and selling babies on the black market, plus a handful of other charges.”

  Jenna's leg started bouncing, and she pushed a hand down her thigh. “Grant told me after he got a call from his mother.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “There are thirty-two counts against her, and I believe you’re right. She’ll be put away for a long time, especially since Grant refused to represent her, and told her to hire someone else. My father-in-law is not speaking to her, and has refused to pay for a seasoned attorney.” Jenna passed Karly the creamer. “There’s a rumor going around town that Vivian was the reason you were kidnapped.”

  “It’s only partially true. Vivian was manipulating my mom, pressuring her to get me to take another job. When that didn’t work, Mr. Clairemont sent one of his men to get me out of the way. But, that’s not what I came to talk to you about. I want to talk about your sister.”

  “Caitlyn? My sister?” She sat up straighter, her hand going to her throat. “Oh, God. Don’t tell me.”

  Karly took a deep breath. You can do this. She deserves the truth.

  “It’s not bad news. Well, at least not for Caitlyn.” Karly captured Jenna’s hand in hers and squeezed, letting her churning thoughts settle into resolve. “I met a woman while I was being held. Her name is Sung.”

  Jenna’s brows furled. “Caitlyn’s been gone for over five years. How does Sung know my sister?” She hesitated, then her eyes widened. “Please tell me Sung hasn’t been a prisoner all this time.”

  “Well…” Karly’s lips folded inward, and she nodded her head in a slow, meaningful way.

  “Noooo. How awful.” Jenna placed her hand over her mouth.

  Saliva pooled in Karly’s mouth, and she swallowed hard. “She was sold by her parents and transported here. What’s even worse is, she thought being chained and forced to package drugs was paradise. It got her off the streets, but still.” Karly pressed her fingers into her temple to relieve the ache that started to poke the back of her eyes. “That’s not what I wanted to come to tell you. The important part is Sung knew Caitlyn. In fact, Sung helped your sister escape.”

  “I knew it. I knew Caitlyn was taken that night.” The startled inhalation of breath and the promise in her friend's eyes gave her courage. “Ashley and I agreed she was too methodical to run away without a plan.”

  Tears filled Jenna’s eyes. She fought honorably, biting her lip to hold back the flood, shifting in her chair, looking away, doing anything and everything to hold on.

  Karly placed a hand on her thigh and waited. Karly could empathize with the feeling of drowning. Not being able to catch a breath. She’d been barely holding on for years.

  “Your instincts were right.” Karly tried to infuse her words with a bit of cheer. “During Sung’s first pregnancy, she met Caitlyn.”

  “Was my sister okay? I mean, was she healthy? Had she been abused?”

  “Sung didn’t say, only that she hoarded food and coached your sister about how to beg for spare change and hide until she could collect enough for bus fare to leave town. She even taught her how to change her appearance.”

  Jenna’s gaze sharpened as her chin quivered. “I take it Sung didn’t leave with her all those years ago, if she was still a captive.”

  “She couldn’t.” A deep sorrow made Karly’s voice thin. “She was days away from delivering her first child. She told me to pass along how sorry she is about Caitlyn’s passing. I told her about you and Kyle. She’s grateful Caitlyn got to keep her baby.”

  Jenna swiped at her nose and leaking eyes. “Where is Sung now?”

  Karly reached in her backpack for a tissue. “I don’t know. She’s in protective custody, but what I can say is she’s now in a much safer place. Somewhere she can build a good life.”

  “Wow.” Jenna blew her nose. “That’s just…wow.”

  Uncertainty pressed down and made it hard for Karly to take a complete breath. “Was I right to tell you? Does the knowing help?”

  Jenna’s shaky hand began to lift her mug to her lips, but she set her cup back on the table. “Yes. I needed to know. If not for me, for Grant.” Her voice strengthened and assumed an edge. “He’s always blamed himself for his sister’s disappearance. They had a fight the day she disappeared, and he thinks her disappearance is his fault.” Jenna touched Karly’s hand. “Thank you for telling me.” She pulled a napkin out of her apron pocket and bunched it in her hand. “What about you? Will you tell someone your story?”

  Anxiety rattled her core. Could she describe the kidnapping? Being chained to a wall? The not knowing if she was going to die? Should she? Her experience didn’t compare to what Sung endured. Her stomach churned just thinking about what Sung and the other women had lived through.

  “I’ve given my statement to the FBI, and I might have to testify in court, but I hope it doesn’t come down to that.” A memory stirred, and she studied Jenna while she took another deep breath for courage.

  “One more thing.” Karly hesitated to continue, but the need to know on Jenna’s face left her no options. “Sung told me Vivian knew Caitlyn was pregnant with Jason’s child. She was going to adopt her grandchild through one of her agencies after it was born, to make it look legitimate. Vivian liked the idea that her son and Caitlyn had a child together.” Karly felt sick. “Sung said Vivian wanted to keep everything in the family.”

  “That fruity-frosted-fudgey bitch!” Jenna stood and started pacing, her jaw muscles pulsing. “Good thing she’s in jail, or I might be tempted to do something stupid.” Jenna walked around in circles a few more times, until she settled enough to sit.

  “Thank you.” She reached for Karly’s hand. “Thank you for telling me. Wait until I tell Grant. You think I’m mad. Wait until he hears this.” Jenna picked up her fork like she wanted to jab it into the sweet bars, or something more practical, like Vivian, but she put the piece of silverware back on the table, and let out a long, slow breath. “Is there anything I can do to repay Sung for her help?”

  “I don’t think so.” Karly wished she could do the same. “Sung will have a new name and new life soon.”

  The slight smile on Jenna’s face was about how she felt inside—small, and aware of how many things were not in her control.

  “Which leads me to the second reason I stopped by.”

  “There’s more?”

  Karly found a way to reflect back Jenna’s smiling courage. “Yep. I need to place an order for three dozen cupcakes, and a pan of those Krane Konfections. They’re amazing. I’m throwing a thank-you party for my volunteers tomorrow, and I would like to invite you and Grant to come, since I know you both helped get my animals back to the shelter safely, and feed them while I was gone. I want to help this community heal. I would like it if you’d stop by and help me celebrate.”

  “Will Thad be there?”

  “I invited him, but I’m not sure he’ll show. I’m expecting about thirty people, so I’m thinking we can make it a party.”

  “Heck, yeah.” Jenna moved to the counter to grab the order pad. “Sounds like an excellent idea.” Jenna patted the rest of her tears away. “I had this idea for a joint community fundrai
ser for the shelter as well.”

  “Helper Shelter? My place?” Karly shoved the sweet bar in her mouth and let the gooey richness pump some sweetness into her soul. “Oh, this is so tasty.” She rolled her eyes, letting the ecstasy fill her pores. “I’d love to hear any ideas. Did I tell you I’m thinking of consolidating, and just focusing on service dog training and boarding? There’s an adoption center over in Eagle where I can take most of the remaining animals. Besides, I’m not sure how long Brad Clairemont is going to want to stay in town. He’s the only vet, and I would have to have one on record if I stayed with animal adoption.”

  “No you didn’t tell me. You’re right. I don’t think Brad will stick around long. I think that’s smart to think about that now. Running an adoption place and boarding dogs seems like a lot of work.”

  “It has been.” Karly picked up the box of her treat samples just when the bakery door opened and Peggy Sue rushed in. “Did you hear Vivian Newhall and Richard Clairemont were having an affair?”

  Karly looked at Jenna, and they both started laughing.

  The town gossip spread rumors faster than mayonnaise on bread, but one thing was for sure, Buck Newhall’s office assistant was as loyal as a cocker spaniel. She’d worked with Buck for years, and she wasn’t about to let Vivian’s antics tarnish her employer’s reputation.

  “See you later, Jenna.” Karly settled her backpack on her shoulder and lifted her hand to wave goodbye.

  Thrilled to be escaping that conversation, Karly opened the door just as Jenna said, “Hi, Peggy Sue. Did you stop in just for gossip, or for more of your grandson’s favorites? How is he today?”

  Karly let the door ease shut.

  Another chapter closed.

  Now if only she could find some closure for herself.

  She needed to find a way to tell Thad the truth.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Reaching for the rescue’s lead, Karly turned and smashed into a passerby. She scrambled to keep the bakery box from toppling, and both bodies from hitting the pavement.

  Hearing the muffled gasp, Karly loosened her grip.

  “Mara, it's me, Karly.”

  She empathized with the fear on her friend’s face. Being on the teetering edge. Being off balance. Not seeing what’s coming. The inability to scream for help. The helplessness.

  “I’m sorry.” Mara’s muscles relaxed beneath Karly’s hands. “I should have been paying more attention. I’ve had a lot on my mind, and I didn’t hear you coming.”

  “We’re all a little jumpy these days. It’s going to take a while for me not to flinch at every little sound.”

  Mara reached for Buddy, and Gus, Joey’s search and rescue dog, to make sure they were okay. “It will take longer than you think. When Mark attacked me, every time someone entered the flower shop, I wanted to scream. For weeks, I couldn’t stop shaking. That’s one of the reasons I turned Blooms over to my brother and sister-in-law. I couldn’t stand to hear the worry in Tony’s and Gina’s voices. My brother can be overprotective.”

  “Well, Mark Walters and Jason Newhall are both dead. I hope Brad Clairemont figures out his life, or he’ll wind up like his best friends.”

  Karly reached for the malamute's leash to assure the rescue dog that everything was okay. “Where are you headed?”

  “To the shelter. I want to help you set up for tomorrow’s celebration. I can blow up balloons or something.”

  “Great. Let’s walk over together.” Karly shoved the baked goods in her backpack, then looped her arm through Mara’s. “How are the Gacciones holding up?”

  “Joe has his hands full. The family’s relieved Sam’s killer has finally been caught, but his Dad’s not thrilled about waiting for a trial. It could take years before this is settled. His dad prefers the old west style of justice.”

  “Oh, boy. There are lots of trees and ropes around here. I don’t envy Joe. He has a mess to clean up, that’s for sure.”

  Mara stopped at the corner to wait for the light to change. When Buddy stood and leaned forward, she took a step onto the asphalt. Gus and Karly and the rescue trailed a half-step behind.

  “How’s Thad?” Mara kept her steady pace.

  Thoughts of Thad made the sun disappear under a cloud, and the cold sadness caused a small shiver. A magpie flew from one of the building tops on Main Street to get a better view of the humans passing by.

  “I guess he’s recovering. I haven’t seen him.”

  “Why haven’t you seen him? He’s been looking for you.”

  A shudder of nerves made her steps falter. The malamute looked to her for a new command, but she didn’t have one. She reached for the dog's furry ears. “I…he asked me to marry him.”

  “That’s great!”

  The silence wafted in the breeze as Karly struggled to catch her breath, her palms sweaty.

  “Or not.” Mara’s brows crunched in confusion. “You’re not happy about Thad asking?”

  “It’s not that.”

  “Is it because—”

  “I can’t have children. There, I said it.” Karly took a gulp of courage. “I had a tubular miscarriage in high school. Now you know.”

  Mara pulled on her arm as soon as she made it to the sidewalk. “Stop a minute and listen to me.”

  A surge of tears threatened, but Karly gritted her teeth and swallowed them back.

  Mara’s hand slid down to squeeze Karly’s before releasing her fingers. “I’m blind. That sucks. It does. For the longest time, I believed no one would ever love me. I was damaged goods. Then Joey came home and proved me wrong.”

  Karly took Mara’s arm and a step toward her home—the shelter. “He’s such a good man.”

  “So is Thad. Give him a chance, Karly. Have you told him about the miscarriage?”

  “No. I’ve tried to tell him a dozen times, but something always happens, and it’s not something I can text about.”

  “He deserves to know what’s going on.”

  “At first I didn’t think he had a right to know, but after awhile, I knew I had to tell him. Every time I tried, something happened, or he started talking about having kids and I chickened out.” Karly kicked at a rock near her shoe. “He’s always held my heart. He’ll never forgive me for not telling him. Besides, my parents never liked him, particularly my mom, and his mom and sister don’t like me. Can you imagine what would happen at the wedding?” Karly snorted a laugh, but happiness didn’t come along for the ride.

  “Who cares?”

  A jump of surprise made Karly’s breath hitch. “What do you mean who cares? I care.”

  “Why? You’ve always been the one to try to please your family. You haven’t gotten much in return. In fact, when you were taken, not one of your brothers showed up to help, your dad didn’t fly in, and your mom locked herself in the house. I ask you again, why do you care?”

  “Because they’re my family.”

  “No. Family are the people who volunteer to help at the shelter. Real friends. The people who care about you. The people who help you.” Mara reached for her hand. “Between you and Kym, I couldn’t ask for better sister friends.”

  “Oh, poop-on-a-stick.” Karly rubbed her nose with the back of her hand. “You’re trying to make me cry.”

  “I’m trying to help you see and believe that people love you. Including Thad.”

  “He’s the one who dumped me, remember?”

  “A thousand years ago. Every day since he’s been home, he’s tried to make up for it. That guy’s been bit by the love tick, and it’s sucking the blood right out of him. You need to give him a break.”

  Karly laughed. “That’s gross.”

  “Made you smile, though, didn’t it?”

  Mara took a step toward the shelter. Buddy stopped at the next corner and looked for traffic before crossing the street. “What do you say? Why don’t you take the day off and let the volunteers set up for tomorrow?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You a
nd Thad both deserve to find happiness. You could go up to his cabin and spend hours having raunchy sex.”

  “Mara!”

  “What? Just because I’m blind doesn’t mean I don’t have a good imagination, and my hearing is great as well. All that kissy-groaning stuff going on in your office the other day left me hot and horny to the point I had to call Joe and tell him I had an emergency at home.”

  Karly quickly covered her mouth before Mara heard her giggle. “You didn’t.”

  “I did.” Mara took a right into the shelter’s parking lot. “There are advantages to being married to a first responder. They tend to get places rather quickly.”

  Mara, you didn’t just go there.

  Thad had certainly been a mind-blowing surprise. Even now her nipples tingled at the memory.

  Karly looked at her friend. “Do you think the sheriff’s department has a procedure code for a booty call?”

  The blush on Mara’s face was priceless. Karly pulled her backpack off her shoulder and opened Helper Shelter’s front door. The sound of happy dogs and voices echoed off the walls.

  She dropped her backpack on the reception counter while memories of Thad’s long, lean body pressing her against the wall of her office ignited the pilot light in her belly. She could almost feel the burn of his hand circling, driving her into oblivion.

  Just as she was about to go and splash cold water on her face, a familiar voice doused her entire system with a winter’s blast of cold air.

  Mara tilted her head, turning toward the kennel area. “Is that your mom?”

  “Yep.” Karly fought to keep the anger at bay. She’d never before held on to the negative, but this time, getting rid of the resentment had been challenging—and the reason she’d been avoiding her mom whenever possible. Hiding didn’t seem like an option anymore.