Hunter's Mark

by Wendy Smith

  I shrug, and I can’t help the grin on my face. “I can’t think of anything you could do better.”

  “Except not take you anywhere that you can fall and twist your ankle.”

  Raising my index finger to my lips, I look up at the ceiling as if pondering a response. “I’m pretty sure I could have done that anywhere.”

  Corey laughs. “Maybe you’re right. Doesn’t make me feel any less guilty.”

  Turning, I limp toward the hallway that leads to the bathroom. “Well, I feel guilty for all the hot water I’m about to use. Let’s call it even.”

  I smile when I close the door behind me. While I was joking, it does concern me that I’m staying here for nothing. How will I ever pay Corey back?

  I need clothing, and I need a job, or some way to make some money to pay him back.

  My ankle screams as I strip off and take a step into the shower.

  I’m not doing anything until this is better.

  The heat of the shower felt good on my ankle.

  When I limp back to the living room, Corey’s been as good as his word. The couch is clean, and scent of chocolate hits me. “That smells amazing.”

  “I forgot I had a tin of hot chocolate in the cupboard. After a crappy day, I figured it’d be good.” Corey comes up behind me, grabbing my arm and pulling it around his waist as he helps me back to the couch. Two cups sit steaming on the coffee table.

  “I think this and a good sleep and I’ll be alright,” I reply. He lowers me onto the couch and takes the bundle of clothing from my hands. “Oh, I was going to put that in the washing machine.”

  “I’ll take care of it.” He smiles. “Sit there and drink your hot chocolate. I’ll help you to bed, or you can sleep on the couch if you like.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll make sure it’s all dry for the morning. And if your ankle’s no better, I’ll take you down to see Doc Paton.”

  Tears prick my eyes, and his eyebrows dip as his expression changes to one of concern. “What’s wrong?”

  “Why are you being so good to me? I mean, it’s wonderful, Corey, it really is, but this is way beyond …”

  He places my things on the table and takes a seat beside me on the couch. Letting out a sigh, he slips his arm around my shoulders. For a moment, I search his eyes and all I see is a sweet, caring man. He doesn’t have an ulterior motive. He’s doing this because it comes naturally to him. “You have nothing. Or, should I say, had nothing. When you came through that fence, you had no plans and nowhere to go. But now, you have me.”

  I lick my lips and keep my gaze on his. In such a short time, he’s come to mean so much to me. He’s become my friend.

  “I like you, Constance. You keep me on my toes, and I like you being around. I know you’ve been through a lot, and I’ll be damned if you have to go through any more.”

  Tears roll down my cheeks, and he catches them on his index finger.

  “Thank—”

  “Don’t you dare say thank you again. You don’t owe me anything. I’m here for you as long as you need. I promise.”

  His breath catches as I wrap my arms around his neck and lay my head on his chest. I’ve never felt so comfortable with anyone else before.

  I think I love him.

  8

  Owen

  My little girl is five.

  It’s hard to believe she’s only been in my life for the past year, but now I get to celebrate a milestone that I would have never known about if things hadn’t happened the way they did.

  I’m only sorry that her other parents don’t get to see it.

  “Ready.” She grabs her backpack and puts it on. Her blonde hair is tied in pigtails, and her blue eyes shine with excitement. All of a sudden, she looks so grown up, I don’t know if I can handle it.

  “Well, Ginny’s not quite ready yet, sweet pea.” I laugh. I squat in front of her, holding my arms open. “Give me a big hug. I’ll be thinking about you all day.”

  She throws herself at me, and I hold her, bag and all. How did I ever survive without Ava? My prior life is so distant now, it’s almost as if it never happened.

  I love my family.

  “Are you ready … oh.” Ginny’s voice comes from the hallway. I look up to see her approaching, amusement written all over her face.

  “She was ready before you were.”

  “I can see.”

  “Are we going to school now?” Ava asks.

  Ginny nods. “It’s exciting. You’re going to love your teacher. Miss Anderton is lovely, and she knows all about you.”

  Ava’s eyes widen. “I want you to be my teacher.”

  Ginny shakes her head. “It doesn’t work that way, baby. I teach older kids. You have a very special teacher who will help you to learn. And soon, you’ll be reading that bedtime story to me.” She extends her hand to Ava. “Shall we get going? Say goodbye to Daddy, and we’ll go to school.”

  Ava’s grip tightens around my neck.

  “You be a good girl, and I want to hear all about school when you come home. Okay?” I ask.

  Ava nods, and I plant a kiss in her hair.

  “Love you.” I give her a squeeze and let her go.

  I stand and lean over, giving Ginny a tender kiss. “You be a good girl, too.”

  “I’m always good at school. It’s the night-time you have to worry about.”

  I grin. “I’ll look forward to it.”

  A little piece of my heart walks out with them. Ava turns at the door and waves. I blow her a kiss and she’s gone.

  For a moment, I stare at the closed door before shaking my head and heading into the bakery kitchen.

  Mel fixes a sympathetic gaze on me. “How’d it go?”

  “Today is going to be the longest day ever.”

  “You know Ginny will make sure she’s okay.”

  I nod. “Yeah, but it’s a big step. Maybe I should have gone to—”

  Mel shrugs. “You don’t know how she’s going to react. If you’re there, she might make a scene. At least she knows Ginny’s at school all day and she can go to her if she has any problems.”

  Sighing, I lean against the door. “You’re right. I know you are.”

  She nods. “Get to work. That always takes my mind off things.”

  I tap my fingers against the doorframe. “You know what? I’m going, too.”

  Mel grins. “See you soon.”

  I run through the house and grab my car keys. I jump in my car, starting it up and backing down the driveway.

  I swing into the car park and pull into a visitor spot. Ava and Ginny are already out of the car.

  “Daddy.” Ava laughs. She runs for me, and I pull her up and onto my hip.

  Ginny’s lips twitch. “I thought you were leaving me to take care of this?”

  I shrug. “I changed my mind.”

  A smile crosses her face, and she grasps my chin, planting a tender kiss on my lips. “I love you.”

  “I have the best girls in the world. And I want to be there for the big things,” I say. Ginny slides her arm around my waist. I tilt my head to kiss Ava. “Besides, I think I missed enough of those big things already.”

  I drop Ava to the ground, and she slots her hand in mine. Ginny positions herself on the other side of our daughter, and the three of us walk toward the classroom together.

  My heart’s settled.

  After this, I think I’ll be okay.

  “Daddy.”

  I already know it’s quarter past three from the clock I’ve been watching all day, and the sound of Ava’s voice fills me with joy.

  “Who’s that?” I look around as if I don’t see her.

  She giggles. “It’s me. Ava.”

  “Where’s Ava? I can’t see her?”

  Ava grabs hold of my hand and tugs on it. “I’m here.”

  I look at her with wide eyes. “Oh. There’s Ava.”

  She grins as I sweep her into my arms and bury my face in her neck.

>   “Did you have a good day?”

  Her mouth falls open. “It was awesome. I can read.”

  I laugh. “Can you now? I thought you could already read. Ginny’s been teaching you for months.”

  “I can read better now. I’m a year one.”

  Nodding, I suppress my laughter. “I’m sure that’s right. You can read me a book tonight at bedtime.”

  She rolls her eyes. “I can’t read a whole book yet.”

  “Oh, silly me. Maybe that happens in year two. Want a cookie?”

  Her blonde pigtails swing as she nods with enthusiasm.

  I let her down to the floor. “You know where they are.”

  “Do I have to use the tongs?”

  “Even year-one girls have to use tongs.”

  She heads straight for the display cabinet, and I don’t need to look to see she’s picking a gingerbread man. It’s always the same choice. I’m not exactly sure if it’s because she loves them as much as she says she does, or if it’s because they’re the biggest cookies in the cabinet. Either way, she takes a huge bite and gives me a grin full of crumbs.

  “Love you, sweet pea. Go and chill out with Ginny, and I’ll be home soon.”

  “We are home.”

  “Do you sleep in the bakery?”

  She shakes her head and sprays crumbs everywhere.

  “Neither do I. So I’ll be home in a little while.” I let out a contented sigh as I watch her disappear back through the kitchen and into the flat. In the distance, the sound of the television starts up, and I shake my head with a smile.

  “Do I get a cookie too?” Ginny’s voice comes from behind me.

  “Only good girls get cookies. Have you been a good girl?”

  She grins. “Like I told you. Always, during the daytime.”

  I wrap my arms around her waist and close my eyes as I hold her tight.

  “I’ve told you before. No canoodling in the shop.” Mel walks past us, coming in from the kitchen with Tammy in tow.

  “I’ll leave the shop to you and canoodle in my home, then.”

  She laughs. “Later, boss. I’ll close up today.”

  Ginny detaches from me, grabs a cookie and disappears back through the kitchen. I shake my head.

  “Go on,” Mel says.

  “Don’t have to tell me twice. See you in the morning.”

  I walk through the kitchen and into my flat. Ginny’s sprawled on the couch, Ava on the floor in front of her, and they’re both watching cartoons.

  Shaking my head, I lift Ginny’s head and slide my legs underneath, dropping her back onto my lap.

  “Hello,” she mumbles with a mouth full of food.

  “Hi.” I grin.

  She snuggles against my legs, and I stroke her hair while we all watch television.

  It’s the simple things in life that are the best.

  Ava’s had a big day, and she falls asleep curled up on my lap. I carry her to bed, and Ginny tucks her in as I return to the couch.

  When Ginny appears, she looks tired, too. She nestles in against me.

  “How was your day?” I ask.

  “Long. I keep thinking about this appointment with Doctor Phillips. I’m so scared, Owen.”

  I take a deep breath as I stroke her hair. “Me too. I want so much to be the man to give you what you need.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  Grasping her chin, I pull her gaze to meet mine. “We’re in this together. No matter what.”

  “I love you.”

  I smile. Every single time she says those words, it puts a smile on my face. “I love you, too. More than anything. Don’t you ever forget that.”

  Ginny shakes her head, and I lower my mouth to hers for a tender kiss that leaves her breathless.

  “Let’s get to bed. Miss Ava has her second day of school tomorrow, and it would be terrible if you were late for it.” I grin.

  She laughs. “Heaven forbid.”

  “You know, next thing she’ll have boobs and the boys will be hanging around. I’ll have to buy a shotgun.”

  Ginny rolls her eyes. “I’m pretty sure you’re safe for a while. Besides, Uncle Corey already has a shotgun, and he’ll be very protective of his favourite girl.”

  “I’m sure you’re right.” I lean my head against hers. “I wonder if Corey will ever find his perfect woman. He’s in town more often since Adam came back, and it’s been good to see him. But I always wonder if he’s lonely.”

  “He must enjoy his own company living up the mountain by himself. Maybe he just needs to find another loner.”

  I smile. “Probably. And I’m not sure why I’m worrying about my brother’s love life when I’ve got my girl in my arms and I could be indulging in some insanely amazing sex.”

  Ginny laughs. “So, what are you going to do about it?”

  “Drag her off to bed and show her what amazing sex is like.”

  “Oh, really?” She sucks on her top lip to stop herself from smiling.

  “I find it offensive that you think that’s funny. And that thing you’re doing with your lips is just making it worse.”

  “Come on then, big man. Show me what you’re made of.” She stands, holding her hand out for me to take. It wasn’t that long ago that the love in her eyes would have terrified me. I’d have made an excuse and bailed if any other woman looked at me like that.

  But I’m as smitten today as the night I met her.

  “Big man, huh?” I take her hand and pull myself up.

  “It’s just an expression.”

  “Sure.”

  9

  Corey

  “Are you okay? You’ve been staring at that cup of coffee for at least ten minutes.”

  Lily’s voice knocks me out of my stupor, and I look up and smile at her.

  “I’m fine. Just got a lot on my mind.”

  “Do you want me to get Adam? I know he’s in the middle of an engine rebuild, but I’m pretty sure his brother is more important than that.”

  I shake my head. “Nah. I came to have coffee with my favourite sister-in-law, and I’m sorry if I’m flaking out.”

  She leans over, grasping my hand. It’s funny how things change so quickly. Three weeks ago, my body would have reacted to her touch.

  It’s actually a relief for her hand on mine to not affect me.

  “What’s going on?” Her blue eyes search mine as she releases my hand.

  I swore to do everything I could to protect Constance, but I know I can trust Lily. For years, we’ve confided in each other as friends. “I’ve met someone.”

  A smile spreads across Lily’s face. “Is that good? Bad? You’re so hard to read sometimes.”

  “I think it’s good.” I avert my gaze. “It is good.” Reaching out, I take a sip of my coffee.

  “Tell me about her.”

  I can’t help but smile thinking about Constance. “She’s feisty. She gives as good as she gets. And she’s sweet. Really sweet.”

  “Sounds lovely,” Lily says.

  “She is. We haven’t known each other that long, but I really like her.” I take another sip of coffee. “She’s younger than me, only twenty-two, which worries me a bit, but the heart wants what it wants, right?”

  Lily grins. “How long have you known her? You haven’t mentioned her before.”

  “About three weeks.”

  Her eyebrows creep up. “Three weeks?”

  “How long was it that you and Adam knew? You were kids, but you were practically tied to each other as soon as you met.”

  She laughs. “I guess you’re right.”

  “I just have to keep her safe.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I sigh. “She’s from next door.”

  Lily’s eyes widen. “You mean …?”

  “She came through the fence one night about three weeks ago with nothing but the clothes she was wearing.”

  Lily’s mouth falls open. “What did the police say?”

  “I ha
ven’t told them.”

  She sits back in her seat. “Corey. She could help them put Ash Harris away.”

  “Maybe, but I don’t want her interrogated. There’s not a lot she knows about whatever Ash is up to.”

  Lily nods. “I’m not surprised. But there might be something she does know that could help. You have to tell Graham about her. Why isn’t she with you?”

  “She hasn’t left the house yet. Well, she has, but she had a fall and hurt her ankle.”

  “So she’s been stuck in your house for three weeks?”

  I nod. “She’s happy. I think she’s scared that if she goes out, Ash will see her, and he’ll try something.”

  “She must be terrified.”

  I sigh. “I can see the fear in her face when she talks about it. I promised her I’d keep her safe.”

  “You can’t let her live like this.” She lets out a loud breath. “Tell you what. I’ll get some of my clothes together so she’s got something to wear, and I’ll drive her to Carlstown to get new clothes myself.”

  “That might be a lot for Constance to deal with.”

  Lily cocks her head. “I know you want to protect her, but you can’t smother her while you do it. She’s never been free to dress the way she wants, to live her life the way she needs to.”

  “You’re telling me I have to let go of her, aren’t you?”

  She shakes her head. “No. But I am telling you that she’ll need more than to be trapped inside your house wearing your things. She needs to find herself to live a full life.”

  “How’d you get to be so wise?”

  “It wasn’t until I came here with Adam that I felt free. Maybe before then I had all the freedom to do what I wanted, but for many years I struggled. I was trapped in a world I couldn’t see my way out of.” She licks her lips. “My circumstances might have been different to Constance’s, but I think I can relate to her. And she’s so much younger than I am.”

  I fist my hands under the table to squeeze out the stress. I can’t pretend that the age gap between Constance and me hasn’t played on my mind. But at the same time, we seem to be bridging it just fine.

  “If she’s okay with it, you can come over and take her shopping. I’ll give you some money.”