Finding Madelyn

by Suzette Vaughn

  She scanned the foyer with a cynical laugh. “I’ve been sitting here thinking about the foyer. How much of my life it’s seen. I met you here.”

  He took another step hoping she wouldn’t try to run, afraid if she did, it would spark the memory of the repeating dream.

  “I had people I trusted lie to me in this room.”

  He was close enough to see her body shutter as she tried to breath.

  “I lost you here, in this room.”

  He took a hard seat.

  “Watched you walk out the door and get in Harland’s car. You never looked back.”

  He’d wanted to. Harland had said it would be easier if he didn’t.

  “I couldn’t tell you how long I sat on the porch and cried. Thinking I’d never see you again. It felt the same when I woke alone in bed but at least I had the thread of hope that you would just clear my name and come back. Instead, we are sitting in the damn foyer.” Her voice broke. “And I’m so scared Galen.”

  He slid down the last two steps and pulled her to him, kissing her check, letting his lips linger. “I wanted to leave you there. The judge said he had to see you and I couldn’t let you not be at Cassie’s funeral. I couldn’t leave her out there with you never knowing what happen to her.”

  With each word, she curled closer while crying harder until her arms wrapped around his neck. She was shaking, her skin smelled of salt from so many tears. Like the ocean she loved so. All he wanted was to make the pain stop, to make the trouble disappear. If he wasn’t so sure the judge would toss them both in jail, he’d take her back to Maine. Now!

  Instead, he held her as tight and as close as he could, waiting for the tears to stop. As they slowed to a trickle, he carefully stood and took them back to bed. He lay her down, putting himself between her and the door.

  “What if they don’t believe me tomorrow?” Her eyes were closing.

  “I’ll think of something.” He pulled her closer.

  

  Madelyn could feel his solid body as she came out of sleep. His eyes were closed and he snored softly. She wondered if he was still having the nightmares. Two nights now in the same bed without him waking her, she hoped they had gone.

  Gently she lifted his arm, trying to slide out without waking him. Instantly his hand wrapped around her wrist.

  “Trying to run again?”

  “Only to the powder room.”

  He released her hand. “Don’t jump out of the window.”

  “You’re no fun,” she kissed his forehead and slipped from the covers.

  His eyes shot open but a smile quickly replaced the morning scowl.

  In the powder room, Madelyn slipped out of the wrinkled cloths and washed her face. The window was tempting but not nearly as much as the door last night. The robe slipped on and she pulled it up enough when she tied it not to trip her as she walked.

  She put the clothes back in her suitcase and stared at the pretty soft pink dress in the closest. The little girl with her first pink dress in church had grown up. Back then all she worried about was keeping the dress clean, her underwear from Galen seeing, and the chickens away from her legs.

  Galen too had grown and not just physically. His sense of responsibility was still as high as the first time he agreed with his mama to play with her. Although these days he wouldn’t be brazen enough to ask someone why they wore jeans instead of a dress.

  If she’d known then what she knew now, she’d have kissed him that first day. The man never waived on what had to be done. She’d rather not have to see the judge today but as long as Galen was there, she would be fine.

  “Coffee?” Galen stepped into the room handing her a cup.

  She set the dress on the bed, took the coffee, drank a sip, and set it on the nightstand. Then she turned back to him and kissed him. No matter what happened today, he would know she loved him. That she didn’t hold him responsible for dragging her back.

  At first, he seemed a little surprised by her actions but it didn’t take long for him to pull her close. His lips parting slightly as she took more. His fingers played under the robe at her exposed skin between panties and camisole.

  She countered with her hands running down his bare chest. His breath shuddered out, making her wonder how many years it would take before he lost that reaction to her? How long would it take her to not melt at his touch? Little would stop her from finding out as the robe slid to the floor. The judge wouldn’t sentence her to life.

  She twined her fingers through the patch of hair on his stomach. Gently her lips skimmed across his chest, then to her tiptoes for his shoulder. Then around.

  He simple stood there taking deep breaths, tensing when she kissed the back of his shoulder. The scar went from his side across and up, stopping just shy of his neck. The tip of her finger fit in the groove and she traced it down.

  He cleared his throat, “I won’t tell you about that one.”

  A shudder escaped her and her finger trailed out of the groove only to find small dots scattered below it, covering a few ribs and the softer flesh below almost to his spine.

  “Glass.”

  Walking her fingers across the glass marks, then sliding that hand up his spine, and the other across his side looking closely for other blemishes. One on the top of that shoulder was the size of a silver dollar. With one finger planted there she moved to stand in front of him and put her other hand over the mark under his shoulder blade.

  His hand shook as he brought it up to hers. Pulling her hand to his lips, she ran it across his chin.

  “We…were…” The breath vibrated from him.

  “You don’t need to—”

  “When I pinned you to the bed at the hotel,” his voice was stronger, “I was dreaming. The same dream…” his eyes closed tight.

  Her heart sank.

  He continued, slowly, “We were somewhere in the east, I don’t even know what country at that point. Six of us looking for…for survivors. I don’t know where she came from, but I saw the dark hair and I swear my heart stopped. It was you running through the woods all over again. Dark hair and soft skin against the snow.

  There were snipers all over, everyone knew to keep their heads down. I couldn’t leave her out there. The guy must have already had her in his sights…”

  He let the word fall off, his arms holding her tighter. Then his arms trailed hers as they did that first day in Maine.

  “So much pain…I thought it was you and…I went numb…I got home and…and you weren’t here.”

  His stomach shook under her hands.

  “I’m here now,” she whispered. “I’m here always.”

  They moved together, slow and rhythmic like the tide pushing against the shore. Greedy for more but taking the time they needed together. A unique version of one last meal before she was tossed in jail or, at least, flew back to Maine.

  His fingertips played over her shoulder, followed by his mouth and she realized how different this was. They were no longer the youths exploring, using each other for the sensations. Instead, it was more feeling, more caresses, more love.

  Peaking was long and drawn out, infuriating and intoxicating. His eyes searched her face. Her lips whispered his name. She pulled him into her pleasure.

  They ran up the courthouse steps with less than five minutes to spare and her body still humming. If they let her out of here with him, she planned to never go without him again.

  Galen slid into the bench behind Harland. She flopped down in her seat with far too much energy to be sitting still and a smile she wasn’t sure she could remove.

  “What are you so happy about?” Harland looked at her like she’d lost her mind.

  She leaned close. “I’ll plead the fifth on that one.”

  His eyebrow rose, then raised more and he turned to look at Galen who chose that instant to look at the other side of the room.

  The bailiff announced the judge and all three jumped to attention. Madelyn’s smile faded.

&
nbsp; Twenty-Two

  Galen led her out of the courtroom heading toward the stairs. She didn’t understand what the judge said by he was done with her. Why exactly were they going upstairs?

  “Galen? What just happened?”

  “I’ll explain in a minute.”

  She pulled her arm making him stop and look at her. He was smiling; at least that was a good sign. His fingers wrapped back around her arm and he was pulling her along again.

  “Please, I really don’t understand.”

  Harland had hardly said two words. In light of new evidence she was no longer a suspect…What in the world did that mean?

  He stopped and looked at her. Something about his eyes were unnerving.

  “Fine. You are free, after we go upstairs and take care of one last thing.”

  “Free?” Had she really heard him right?

  “Enough so to do as you please.” He wasn’t nearly as chipper as he had just been.

  While she was still in shock, he continued up the stairs. At the top she stopped and wondered if she were insane.

  “I need to tell you something.” She bit her lip, flinching as he turned and glared.

  “It won’t wait a few minutes?”

  “It could but I think it’s better not to.”

  He ran a hand over his chin and crossed the floor back to her. “Alright, what is it.”

  The nervousness of the courtroom was back and even worse so. She had to tell him the truth.

  “I wasn’t entirely honest about what came out of the safe.”

  His eyes grew.

  “Now, just wait a second before you go getting any ideas.” She drew a hard breath. “There was more in the envelope than what you saw.”

  “What else was in there?” He sounded like he was prodding a child.

  “Money.” She set her face straighter and quickened her pace. “Which is good, if they take all your inheritance, you and Harland can split what I ended up with.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Can we go on now?” His charming smile was back.

  “You mean you’re not sore with me?”

  “If you don’t quit dragging your feet I will be.”

  She stopped. He stomped.

  “You are the most stubborn woman I’ve ever known.”

  “Yes, I am.” She smiled and strutted to him with the complete urge to kiss him. He was easy to oblige, slowly conforming to her lips. When she pulled away he looked a confused.

  “Thank you.” She smiled and stepped past him only to turn back when he didn’t follow. “Are you coming or not?”

  He laughed and looked heavenward. Then walked to the door she had almost passed. “This is our stop.”

  She strode back and reached for the door, stopping when his hand held hers.

  “Madelyn, you know I love you right?”

  “I’ve always known.” She stared at the door feeling her heart quicken.

  “What do you plan when we leave here?”

  The quickening thudded in her stomach. “I plan to go back to Maine.”

  “What if I wanted to join you?”

  Her eyes shot to him. “I expect you to. I don’t want to go back without you.”

  “Then marry me and give me beautiful stubborn children, just like their mother. ”

  She pulled back to look at him. The boy that she’d always loved stared back at her almost petrified.

  “There is nothing I’d rather do.”

  He slid his hand from her back and opened the door. “Good ‘cause I’d hate to tell a room full of friends and family that you said no.”

  Try Me

  Also

  From

  Suzette Vaughn

  It was just out of reach. All those fuzzy thoughts. Memories flowed in and out but nothing stayed long enough to grasp but she was trying. The wall directly before her looked to be moving, beige sand under the waves. A familiar feeling but she couldn’t remember why and she didn’t like it.

  A name. “Tyler.”

  Is this your name? “No. Jonathan? Johnny? No.”

  Your name is? Still just out of grasp. “Doyle?”

  She looked at her hands, Doyle wasn’t right, that name caused the breath in her throat to catch. Her eyes clamped shut. She wouldn’t do that again, wouldn’t look at anything living. While the walls looked odd in their beige crawl, her hands were grotesque as the skin writhed.

  Her heart was beating fast, too fast. Adrenalin? No the only time that would happen, she’d be afraid and running not sitting…sitting on…the coffee table.

  “Name?” this time her voice made it through the mud clogging her ears as it echoed off the walls. Then more sounds came through. Crying. A baby? Her baby. Her son. “Tyler?”

  She stooped, making sure she wouldn’t fall over, then stood from the coffee table. What an odd place to sit, she shook it off and opened a door. Bedroom. No baby. Her room…hers and… “Tyler?”

  He stopped crying. “Mamma.”

  She took a weight off the knob and opened another door and he laughed. “Mamma, I couldn’t get out. Are you okay?”

  “No, baby, Mamma not okay.”

  How could she do this and not look at him. His skin would be crawling like her hands. Use instincts. She had mother’s instincts. That would work. She followed the shadow out of the room, moving much slower than him.

  “Badda.”

  Had Johnny left something out he’d get a hold of? Johnny, Jonathan, her husband, Badda. What would he leave out that the baby couldn’t have?

  “Why is he Badda?”

  “He’s sleeping at the table.” Little hands touched her hand. “Is it a moment, Mamma?”

  A knock was at the door. Which door? “Not a moment.” What was a moment?

  “Cereal, please.”

  “Door, cereal in a minute.”

  He ran to her, she opened her arms, keeping her eyes averted from him. A wet face pressed against hers. Kisses. She kissed him back, keeping her eyes downcast.

  She opened the door letting her eyes rest on black pants and shiny black shoes. “Can I help you?”

  “We had a report of a child crying.” A deep voice sounded from in front of her.

  Her heart rate actually increased. That would be adrenaline. “That was him, Tyler, I didn’t hear him for a while.”

  “Miss, can you look at me?”

  “I’d rather not, please come in.” She pushed open the door and started back through the small living room.

  She heard the unmistakable sound of the snap on his gun holster. “Miss, stay right there.”

  “My son would like his breakfast if you’d rather follow me.”

  Shoes on the tile entry. A silent partner.

  “There is a gun in the bedroom, this side’s nightstand. And one in the hall closet. Hall is loaded so please don’t shot yourself.” Why in the world did she have Tyler and a loaded gun?

  “Mamma, good guys.” Little legs kicked in excitement.

  “Yes, Tyler, police officers.” She kissed as close to his forehead as she could, sure that she got part of his eye.

  “Badda.” He pointed as she got to the refrigerator.

  She pulled out the milk and glanced where he pointed, at the body sitting at the kitchen table. Not that she could focus on it. And even if she could would she recognize him as Johnny? She’d yet to figure out her own name. The box of cereal didn’t wiggle as much as anything else she looked at, it was the right box and not her bran.

  Tyler kicked excitedly. “That’s it Mamma.”

  “Thanks, Tyler.”

  “Simpson?” The voice from the entry sounded, somewhere in the bedroom now.

  A female voice answered from not too far away. “She’s just fixing the kid cereal.”

  “Officer…Miss…Simpson…Officer Simpson, that would be right. Can you tell me that there is cereal in the bowl and not anything else?”

  “She’s definitely on something.” Simpson yelled toward the rest of the apartment.

&n
bsp; “I haven’t done anything in almost five years.” She thought for a few seconds. “What haven’t I done?”

  “A flashback maybe?” Simpson didn’t yell this time.

  A flashback. She’d done that before. Freaked out in the middle of the grocery store. “This is not that. Whatever that is.”

  “Looks good Mamma, can I eat now?”

  “Sorry, sweetie.” She tried the kiss again, not feeling eyelashes on her lips.

  She heard a clang next to her on the counter. “The nightstand wasn’t loaded, shells close. The closet was loaded.”

  “The closet one is mine, and I did warn you. Johnny doesn’t know it’s there. He knows it’s somewhere, just not where.”

  She picked up the bowl of cereal that she couldn’t look at either, though she wouldn’t tell Tyler what it looked like to her. Once he was secure in his chair with his cereal she kicked, Jonathan.

  “Get up, asshole.”

  “Bad, Mamma.”

  “I know, Tyler. I shouldn’t call him an asshole.”

  “We don’t hit either.” Tyler added.

  “Don’t do that again please.” The deep voice said from across the kitchen.

  Simpson was in the living room, whispering into her walkie-talkie.

  “What did you all do last night?” The officer still in the kitchen asked.

  “I didn’t do anything.”

  “Sure. You wake up every morning after your son’s been crying long enough for us to get a call, and not be able to see straight?” Even in her half-full state she caught the sarcasm.

  “I can see, a little blurry mind you. I just don’t like what I see.” She returned to the cereal box and put it up. “As far as what Johnny might have done last night, your guess is probably as good as mine.”

  “So they guy, asleep over there, is Johnny? The kid is Tyler, and you are…?”

  The milk went back to the fridge. “I assume the man asleep is Johnny. Johnny is my husband and Tyler called him Badda. Bad Dad. And I would like to know who I am as much as you would.”

  “Mamma.”

  “Yes sweetie, I’m mamma.”

  “Does mamma have another name?” The officer asked.

  The kid didn’t answer.