Plain Obsession (Hunters Ridge Book 1)

by Alison Stone

  Violet covered Liam with the blanket draped over the back of the couch, deciding she'd go across to the warehouse and get some hot chocolate for Theo's little boy when he woke up. Unfortunately, she'd have to leave the cozy warm trailer.

  As quietly as she could, Violet tugged on her boots and stuffed her arms into her thick coat. She leaned over the back of the couch to check on Liam. He hadn't moved from when she tucked a pillow under his head and placed the blanket over his little body.

  Ah, to sleep the sleep of a child.

  Violet tiptoed to the door and turned the handle. A high-pitched screech ruined her plans for a stealth exit. She glanced over, but couldn't see Liam over the back of the couch. She held her breath, waiting for a sound to indicate he was awake. Nothing. Kindergarten seemed to be taking it out of the little man.

  She stared in his direction, convinced she'd slip out and get back before he woke up. Even if he did, a five-year-old could manage for a few minutes on his own, right? A niggle of doubt punched her gut.

  No, he'll be fine. She'd be gone for five minutes.

  Flipping up her hood, Violet anticipated the shock from the cold. She slipped outside and ran across the parking lot. The hood blocked out the howling wind. Amazing how much easier she could manage the winter in the right shoes and coat. She'd have to remember to buy some insulated gloves the next time she was out shopping. She smiled to herself. Was she really thinking about staying in Hunters Ridge longer than she needed to?

  Once she learned to manage her panic, did she really plan to stay in small-town Hunters Ridge with its nine-month winters? Her mind drifted to the little boy snuggled on the couch and a warmth coiled around her heart despite the wind whipping at her ears. She thought of Theo, too. There was no denying the attraction there, even if neither of them had acted upon it.

  Maybe God did have more than one plan for her. Maybe her life as a world traveler was over, and now His plan for her was something different. She reached the warehouse and yanked open the door. The whirr of a power saw spun in her ears and the smell of the dust reached her nose.

  Was this supposed to be part of her new life? Keeping books for a small business? Getting an afternoon snack for Theo's son? Being a part of his life? Their life?

  A flash of heat made her yank down her hood and unbutton her coat. An Amish man looked up and tipped his hat in her direction. She smiled and strode across the warehouse to the break room.

  Lorianne was wiping down the counters. The young Amish woman turned around and smiled shyly and dipped her bonneted head as if trying not to be intrusive.

  "How are you, Lorianne?" Violet wanted to say more, so much more, but she couldn't find the words.

  "Fine," She looked up. "Can I get you something?"

  "Oh, I can get it. I thought maybe Liam might enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies."

  Lorianne grabbed a cup. She shook the packet before tearing off the top.

  "You don't have to do that. I can get it."

  "Oh, it's my job to do odds and ends around here. Sometimes there's not enough to do."

  "You must be a good worker."

  Lorianne blushed.

  "Abby was a wonderful worker, too. She was an assistant to my mother and she had a skillful way of getting things done even before my mother realized she'd need something done." Lorianne's face grew red and Violet realized she had said too much. Perhaps mentioning Abby had been a bad idea. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

  "It's okay. It would be interesting to know what my sister's life was like, but I imagine I shouldn't wonder about that. My parents wouldn't like that."

  Violet reached out and took the cup from Lorianne and filled it with cold water. "If you ever want to talk about your sister, I'm here."

  Lorianne smiled tightly and pointed to the microwave without saying a word. Violet put the cup in the microwave and turned it on.

  "Was Abby good at math?"

  "Yes, she was." Violet refrained from explaining some of the jobs Abby had been in charge of, not sure how much she should say.

  "I'm good at math, too. I like to do numbers, but the Amish only let us go to school through eighth grade."

  "Abby had gotten her high school equivalency. She talked of college."

  "Oh." There was a hint of shame to that single word. Abby had been chasing worldly dreams.

  An idea came to Violet as if floating down on a flurry of snowflakes. "How would you feel about using math at work? Would that be allowed?"

  Lorianne's face grew hopeful. "I guess."

  "What about computers?"

  The young Amish woman pressed her fingerless gloves to her cape. "Me? I don't know how to use a computer, but I learn quick. The bishop understands the need to use technology in the workplace if it's absolutely necessary."

  Violet felt a smile curve her lips. "Would you like me to ask Theo if you could learn how to keep the financial records up to date? It would involve working with numbers and using a computer."

  "I would." Lorianne tipped her head shyly, an eager gleam in her eyes. "I do try to keep busy, but sometimes I run out of work to do. I like having a job."

  "I'll talk to Theo and Chad. See what they think. The ultimate decision is up to them. They hired me to work for them."

  "Okay, denki." Thank you. "I'd like that. At least I think I would."

  Violet pointed at the tray of cookies sitting on the counter. "Do you mind if I bring some of your cookies to Liam? He's in the trailer."

  "Yah. Please do."

  Violet fixed a plate while Lorianne got the cup of hot chocolate out of the microwave.

  "Any chance there's still coffee around?" Violet scanned the counter and noticed the glass pot was upside down drying on the rack.

  "I could make some instant. Would that be okay?"

  "It's fine. But I'll make it."

  Lorianne showed her where everything was and they put the water in the microwave. Not exactly the coffee she had grown accustomed to in fancy coffee shops throughout the world, but it would do.

  Well, on a cold day it actually sounded wonderful.

  Violet wrapped the cookies carefully in a napkin and balanced them on the lid of Liam's hot chocolate. She turned to leave and Lorianne called after her. "How much longer will you be in Hunters Ridge?"

  "I'm taking one day at a time." Violet's pulse beat in her throat. She forced a smile and lifted the cups, careful not to knock over Liam's cookies. "Thank you. Liam will enjoy this."

  Violet strode across the warehouse, balancing the treats. She turned her back to push open the door, then spun around to face a cold winter slap. She squinted against the snow, unable to lift her hood with her occupied hands.

  A whiff of something reached her nose. Her gaze drifted to the trailer. A plume of black smoke poured from the vent in the top of the trailer.

  Violet dropped the cups and they landed with a splat at her feet. She broke into a sprint to the trailer, screaming. "Liam! Liam! Liam!"

  With her heart racing in her throat, she stomped up the metal stoop. She turned the handle and the door wouldn't budge.

  The door!

  Panic narrowed her vision. With two hands she twisted the handle and pushed, but the door wouldn't open. Liam was trapped.

  Dear Lord, help me!

  "Liam! Liam!"

  Chapter 13

  Theo climbed out of his truck and immediately heard shouting and banging. Terror seized his heart when he saw Violet pounding on the door of his trailer and calling his son's name. Flames shot out of the window and black smoke pumped into the cold winter sky.

  Theo raced across the parking lot. Violet looked up at him with panic in her eyes. "Liam's in there. The door's stuck!" The words came out in breathless gasps. His worst fears were realized.

  "Move!" He was barely able to get the single word out through a throat clogged with emotion. When she didn't move fast enough, he grabbed her by the waist and set her aside. Her sobbing ripped through him.

  He went
into military mode. He had handled far worse situations when he was on duty in the army, but none had tore through his chest and made him think he was going to pass out.

  His son was in danger.

  His son.

  Theo elbowed the glass above the door handle. It shattered, the sound like an explosion with the crackling flames. He feared what giving the fire more oxygen could do, but he had to get his son out. He reached in, scraping his wrist against the jagged glass, and turned the hot doorknob. With a firm slam of his hip against the frame, the door swung inward then jammed against something. Covering his mouth with the collar of his coat, he wedged himself through the partial opening. Nothing would stop him from reaching his son.

  "On the couch! He's on the couch," Violet shouted from behind him.

  But Theo didn't have to go as far as the couch. His son lay on the floor near the door. Theo crouched down and scooped up his son's limp body. "I gotcha, buddy. I gotcha."

  Theo spun around and emerged outside. He gulped in breaths of frigid air, filling his lungs.

  "Liam! Liam!" He jostled his son, praying he'd look up at him, as he made his way down the stoop. Violet stood with her hands covering her mouth, the horror in her eyes mirroring that in his soul. A crowd of gawkers had gathered to watch the tragedy unfold.

  "Put him down here." Violet held out her arms and pushed back the crowd. She peeled off her coat and laid it on the icy gravel.

  Theo knelt down and placed his son on top of it. As he checked his son's airway, he was vaguely aware of Violet telling him she had called 9-1-1.

  A flutter of Liam's breath brushed across Theo's cheek. A rush of relief washed over him.

  Thank you, Lord.

  Liam's pulse seemed steady.

  "Liam, it's Daddy. Are you okay?"

  Liam coughed and sputtered and struggled to sit up.

  "Rest easy. Rest easy." Theo put his hand on his son's shoulder. "Lie back."

  Violet got down on her knees and kissed the crown of his son's head. She brushed his hair from his forehead marred with soot. "Liam, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left you."

  "You were supposed to stay after school for intramurals. Why were you here? Why were you alone?" Theo's absolute fear had morphed into confusion and anger. He could have lost his son.

  Violet opened her mouth to answer, tears creating tracks down the smudges on her cheeks. "I went to get him a snack. When I came back…"

  Theo's urge to lash out at her for leaving his son alone was quelled when he heard sirens approaching. He waved frantically, redirecting his frustration toward the crowd gathered like seagulls over a child's unattended plate of french fries. "Step back. Step back. Leave room for the ambulance."

  "Step back!" The terror and anger in Theo's eyes cut Violet to the core. She pushed off the ground, the gravel digging into the palms of her cold hands. She stumbled back into someone's solid hands.

  "It's okay. Everything's going to be okay." It was Lorianne. She must have heard the commotion and come running like the rest of the employees. The sea of black hats and chattering in Pennsylvania Dutch scraped across Violet's already frayed nerves.

  "Back up," Violet said as the lights from the siren flashed at the entrance of the parking lot. "Liam needs the ambulance…" Her voice broke over the last word and she saw her fear mirrored in Lorianne's eyes.

  She moved forward and held her arms out, creating a path through the crowd for the ambulance. The lights cut across her line of vision. Someone else, someone more commanding, pushed the crowd toward the warehouse to make room for the fire truck.

  Violet backed up and found herself at Lorianne's side again. "I shouldn't have ever left Liam."

  This was her fault.

  A thick band of regret, guilt and terror bound her lungs, making it impossible to draw a decent breath. The black smoke choked her. She concentrated on the firefighters scrambling to do their job, refusing to give in to her panic. Refusing to pass out and deflect attention away from Liam. She felt like she was having an out of body experience, hovering over the chaos, over little Liam. His blue tennis shoes, one untied, as the EMTs lifted him onto the stretcher. Thank God he was alert and leaning toward his father, trying to tell him something. Violet bent over and braced her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.

  "Are you okay?" Lorianne asked, the subtle lilt of her voice a soothing balm to her fiery nerves.

  Violet glanced up at Lorianne and could only see Abby.

  Her dear, sweet friend Abby's lifeless body. A crimson trail of blood flowing from her ear—a delicate silver hoop earring pierced her lobe—and disappearing under the collar of her silk blouse. In her memory, Violet's gaze drifted down her friend's arm. Her perfectly manicured fingers were still wrapped around her cell phone with its bedazzled case, something Abby carried around as a joke after a lifetime of being told she couldn't have anything fancy.

  "Who would expect a business professional to carry a bedazzled case?" she'd say, then laugh, tossing her blonde-streaked hair over her shoulder. But Violet knew it was more than a joke. Abby wanted to always remember to not take herself too seriously, to remember to see the joy in each moment even with the stress of working for Violet’s demanding mother.

  The little details of Abby's murder were what kept Violet up at night.

  The siren on the ambulance wailed, snapping Violet out of her violent memory and into her current nightmare. How much time has passed? The crowd pushed back and the vehicle bobbled over the ruts in the gravel parking lot until it reached the road. The tires spun before gaining purchase and racing toward the hospital.

  Violet gasped, and quickly covered her mouth.

  "Easy there." A deep voice rumbled behind her, snapping her out of the dark tunnel she was falling down. Chad.

  "She's fine," Lorianne said, speaking up for her.

  "It's okay," Violet said. She didn't need someone to speak for her. "Go on back inside, Lorianne. It's cold out here. And you’re getting wet from the overspray." She turned her unfocused gaze to the hose pouring water over the trailer fire.

  Quickly turning away, Lorianne disappeared into the crowd in the direction of the warehouse. Guilt cut through Violet. She shouldn't have been so quick to dismiss the young woman. Lorianne was only trying to comfort her.

  Violet straightened and turned to face Chad, pushing back the mix of confusion and dizziness. Theo's cousin and business partner gave her a half smile meant to be reassuring, but it only made her feel worse.

  “Looks like they got the fire under control. Don’t worry,” Chad said.

  “I’m not worried about the trailer,” she bit out, holding the collar of her sweater closed around her neck. “I don’t know what I’ll do if Liam isn’t okay.”

  "What was the little guy doing in there anyway?" Chad said, his mouth pursed tight. "Hasn't he been staying after school?"

  "Change of plans," Violet muttered.

  Chad ran a hand across his forehead and exhaled sharply. "He's gonna be okay." He seemed to be trying to convince himself.

  "He was conscious when they took him in the ambulance," she said, trying to reassure him.

  "That's good, right? Oh man, I'd hate for anything to happen to my little buddy."

  She nodded, and a fresh wave of grief washed over her in a full-body tremble. The cold reality of the situation coiled tight in the pit of her stomach. "I should have never left him alone."

  Chad rubbed his hands up and down her arms to warm her up. "Why was he in the trailer alone?" The tone of the question lacked the accusation that she expected.

  Violet cleared her throat. "He fell asleep on the couch, so I thought it would be okay if I ran over to the break room in the warehouse to get him a snack." She covered her mouth. "I don't understand…" A pounding began behind her eyes as the acrid smell of smoke filled the air.

  "Let's get you inside the warehouse before you freeze to death out here." Chad led her gently by the elbow to the warehouse past the fire truck. Once they
reached the break room Lorianne offered them coffee. Violet wrapped her hands around the Styrofoam cup. She doubted she'd ever be able to get warm again.

  Chad leaned across the table. "Any idea what happened?"

  Violet rubbed her temple, and then the stark reality hit her and she sat upright. "I had lit a candle. It was so stuffy in the trailer." Pinpricks of panic blanketed her skin like a wool blanket wound tight around a newborn. "How could I have been so stupid?"

  Chad's eyes momentarily flared wide before he seemed to catch himself. "Accidents happen."

  Violet shook her head, the pounding growing behind her eyes. "I should have been more careful. I know not to leave a burning candle unattended." She fisted her hand and pressed it to her forehead. "This is all my fault." She took a sip of coffee to both hide her tears and fight the nausea welling in the pit of her stomach.

  Chad squeezed her free hand. "Everything will be okay." He looked as sick as she felt.

  Violet knew she was to blame with the certainty of a person who knew her life had taken a long, windy detour without any street signs or road maps to guide her.

  If Violet had felt lost after Abby's death, she felt absolutely adrift now.

  "This is my fault." Her voice came out hoarse and soft. "My fault."

  Just like Abby's murder had been her fault, too.

  Chapter 14

  The automatic doors of the hospital whirred open and a rush of warm heat whooshed across Violet's already flushed cheeks. She had tried to call Theo on his cell phone, but he wasn't picking up. Part of her wanted to believe he was following some rule about no cell phone use at the hospital, if those rules still existed. But the stark reality was like a knife twisting in her gut.

  Theo probably had no desire to talk to her ever again.

  Who left a child alone? And then the worst possible thing happened. Well, almost the worst.

  Theo might not want to see her, but she had to see Liam for herself. Make sure he was okay. If not, she'd go out of her mind.