by Sable Hunter
*****
“Knock, knock. How are you, you ole’ sidewinder?”
Zane turned his head toward the voice. It was a welcome voice, but not the one he wanted to hear above all. He had visited with each family member and now he wanted Presley. Where was she? Only Kane and Lilibet had been truly welcome. And Willow, of course. The others, he preferred in small, small doses. “Noah? Come over here and shake my hand.”
“I’m here too, Zane. It’s good to see you.” Jacob came to one side of the hospital bed and Noah the other.
“How are things? Any news on Aron?”
“No,” Jacob answered quickly. “Nothing, unfortunately.”
“There will be – soon.” Zane was in a very hopeful mood.
“Since I have the two of you together,” Noah began, “I want to ask you something that’s been bothering me.”
“What’s that?” Zane asked.
“Pull up a chair, Noah.” Jacob grabbed him one and Zane could hear it scraping across the floor. “We came to see about Zane, not to worry him with our problems.”
“Your problems are my problems,” he assured his friends and clients.
Noah cursed under his breath. “I hate to even say this out loud.”
“Then don’t.” Jacob cut him off. “If you’re just gonna spout negativity, I’d rather not hear it.”
“It’s not that – I’m not saying he’s dead. It’s just that one of the PI’s asked me if we had considered that maybe Aron didn’t want to be found. Is that possible? Is it possible he did this on purpose?”
CRASH! Zane heard Jacob’s chair hit the wall. “Dammit to hell! No!”
Zane listened to two big men’s heavy breathing. They were like two bulls in a china shop. Something was liable to get broken. “Hey, let’s calm down. We’re all on the same side, here.”
“I don’t want to think that way, Jacob,” Noah ground out the words. “It’s just something that I needed to say out loud. I want you to tell me it isn’t possible.”
“Well, it isn’t possible. Aron would never, ever abandon Libby.”
“No, he wouldn’t,” Zane was as sure as Jacob. “He adores Libby and those twin baby boys that are about to be born.”
“He loves his home, his family – hell, he wouldn’t leave Nathan or you, you idiot.” Jacob whopped Noah on the back of the head – Zane heard the blow. He didn’t flinch, Noah needed it. “Why are you so damn negative all the time?”
Zane laughed – partly because it was funny and partly because he needed to diffuse the situation. “One of these days, Noah is going to fall in love and when he does – his attitude about everything is going to change.”
“Speaking of falling in love, I can remember not too long ago, you wouldn’t even date a girl. Now look at you – have you proposed to that little cutie I saw outside pacing a ditch in the front lawn?”
“Not yet – but I will. I called Sherwood and he’s bringing me a ring tomorrow.”
“Excellent,” Jacob picked his chair up off the floor. “One thing I did want to talk to you about was that phone call the other day. What you said came as a total shock. I want you to know that I started digging up old pictures and I went through daddy’s files and I found some information that substantiated everything you said.”
Zane ran a hand over his bandages, wishing he could see his friends. “I am convinced they are your first cousins. If Presley comes back in, I’ll give you their number, although you could look them up online. They’re as much news-hogs as you troublemakers.”
“I don’t need their number. I talked to Heath last night.” Jacob laughed. “I’ll tell you talking to him gave me the funniest feeling, if he had called me out of the blue – I’d have sworn I was talking to Aron.”
“That’s what drew my attention at Canyon of the Eagles, I walked by and heard a couple of men talking and I felt like I recognized the voices. What did you find in your dad’s files?”
“I found a letter from Isaac to Sarah that he sent her after the divorce. And inside was a picture of Christian. Daddy and Christian were twins, Zane. It’s all true – my family is a helluva lot bigger than we ever thought.”
For Jacob to say that, meant something. Zane knew Jacob loved family, he valued it above all things. “If you have some to spare, I’ve got a couple of mine I’d like to trade you.”
Even Noah laughed at that, “I guess we’ll keep what we got.”
“They’re all coming over. We’re gonna have a pow-wow, a regular family reunion. It seems we’re both in crisis – they have Philip’s murder trial and we have Aron’s disappearance. It’s my hope that we can help one another.”
“Of that I have no doubt.”
“Nathan is just anxious to meet Pepper and Ryder. He said he didn’t know McCoys could be born girls.”
“I bet they’re hell-raisers.”
“I bet they are too.”
“Can I come in?” Presley asked from the door.
“You better get in here,” Zane held out his hand. “I was just about to send a posse looking for you.” His hand was outstretched until she placed hers within it and he pulled her close. “Did you two hear how my baby protected me? She’s done that twice, you know. She saved me from getting bonked on the head at work and from a scared rearing horse last night.”
“I’d say you have a keeper in Miss Presley,” Jacob laughed.
Presley exchanged looks with Noah. She hadn’t met him before. He had been staring at her mouth, then looked sheepish when he noticed she was aware of where his eyes had been focused.
“I do plan on keeping her,” Zane kissed her loudly on the cheek.
“Well, we best be going.” They said their goodbyes, and Presley was about to question Zane when another knock at the door caused them to pause.
“Can we come in?” Adam poked his head around. He wasn’t alone. It was a woman. For a split second, Presley expected it to be Renee, but she realized it wasn’t – it was someone much, much better.
“Oh my goodness!” Presley couldn’t hold back her joy. “It’s Laney!”
“Adam!” Zane called out to his friend. “Bring Laney over here so I can kiss her on the cheek.”
Laney looked nervous, but Presley was happy to see she was holding Adam’s hand tightly. “Hello,” she spoke shyly. “I wanted to come thank the both of you.”
Adam hovered over her protectively; the sight of them gave Presley a warm, warm feeling.
“Laney, this is Presley. She, more than anyone, is responsible for our finding you.”
“So, I heard. Thank you, Presley. I’m forever in your debt.” She accepted a hug from Presley and a peck on the cheek from Zane. “How are you,” she asked him.
“I’ll be right as rain as soon as I get these bandages off my eyes.”
“This is wonderful, Man – just wonderful.” Adam sat beside Zane’s bed. “I remember the last time you tried a transplant, it didn’t go so well.”
“No, it didn’t,” Zane agreed. “But this time – when Willow checked my reaction, right after the surgery, I saw her face. It wasn’t plain, but I saw my cousin.” He reached out for Presley, who gave him her hand. “Now, there are other faces I want to see.”
Presley looked at Adam and Laney with a hesitant glance, but she only saw happiness and welcome. “It was my pleasure to help you, Laney. We were all so drawn to you, that video you made at the police station touched our hearts.” Adam most of all, there was no doubt of that. He had been captivated by Laney from the start. Presley was so thankful their story had a happy ending; now she wanted one for her and Zane.
They visited a bit longer, but before they left, Adam updated Zane on Philip’s case. “We’ve begun questioning people who can substantiate Philip’s whereabouts when Dalton was murdered and I’m also putting together a list of other suspects. Come to find out, there were quite a few people interested in that lost mine.”
“I bet there are. Has the McBride woman cooperated with you?”
“Wow,” Presley was intrigued. “I’d love to help you when I can. This sounds like a plot from a movie.”
“Presley,” Laney said her name, softly. “I have something I’d like to give you,” she took her purse in her lap and opened it up.
“For me?”
Laney held her hand out and gave Presley a piece of parchment paper. On the paper was a drawing of a white dove flying free away from the open doors of a cage. “I drew it while he kept me imprisoned. Being free was only a dream, but you and Adam saved me. Would you like to have this?”
Reverently, Presley took the sketch. “I’ll treasure it, Laney.” She was amazed at the intricacy and passion in the lines that gave the bird life. She could almost feel the air rush over her cheeks from the beating of the wings. “Your being here with us today is an answer to prayer.”
“Amen,” Adam said as he kissed Laney’s hand. “When will you get those bandages off?”
“Sooner rather than later if it’s up to me,” was Zane’s reply. After a few more minutes of conversation, Adam and Laney took their leave. Presley walked them to the door, then stood there for a moment just taking in the reality that a woman had been rescued from the hands of a monster. And their law firm had been instrumental in making that happen. “It feels good to make a difference in people’s lives, doesn’t it?”
“Yes it does, but I think you ought to know something.”
“What’s that?” she turned to look at Zane. It hurt her to see him looking so vulnerable, his eyes swathed in gauze and tape.
“No one has made a greater difference in my life than you. You, Presley Love, have made my life worth living. Come give me a kiss.”
He didn’t have to ask twice.
*****
“This is different, Margaret. He has his vision back.”
“Are you sure? You got my hopes up before and he was still as blind as a bat.”
“If you want Zane Saucier, you better get your skinny ass over here. He thinks he’s in love with a woman named Presley Love and she’s here.”
“Zane could never want someone as much as he wants me. He used to beg for my touch,” she laughed. “I was stingy with my affection. It’s good to keep a man hungry, they’re easier to control.”
“This woman is no match for your looks, in fact she’s, uh – unfortunately handicapped, but she seems to have him wrapped around her little finger.”
“A blind man will never touch me, but if Zane Saucier becomes the man he used to be, I want him. I want his muscular body, but what I want more is his name and all of that yummy Saucier money.”
“We’re at Breckenridge Hospital on the second floor. Hurry.”
*****
The time had come. Willow was on her way and soon they’d know what the verdict was. Zane was on edge and Presley had gone down to the lounge to get him coffee. As she walked by the elevator, the doors opened and an amazing looking woman stepped off. She was golden – her hair, her skin, even her eyes were even a beautiful shade of amber. Presley stared; something about the woman was familiar. And then it hit her – this was Margaret, Zane’s ex-girlfriend. She almost dropped the hot cup of coffee. Teresa rose from a chair to greet her and everyone else in the room looked uncomfortable. Estelle and Robert Lee had returned, as well as Kane and Lilibet. The family had gathered to lend Zane whatever support they could.
Teresa and Margaret spoke and then the goddess turned and looked straight at her. Presley didn’t know what to do, so she leaned on her southern roots and tried to be polite. She smiled, tentatively, and said ‘hello’. Instead of returning the greeting, the woman assessed her – looked her up and down and then she smiled, but it was a fake smile, a cold smile. Without saying another word, Teresa and Miss Icicle walked out.
What was she doing here? Had Zane called for her? Dread filled Presley’s heart. She didn’t need this strain on top of her worry about Zane. Glancing at the family, she noticed they were as uptight as she was. Kane paced. Robert Lee talked on his phone and kept checking his watch and Estelle drummed her fingers on her ereader. She knew they all cared, but they all handled their stress in different ways. Presley’s stomach was tied into knots.
Heading on to Zane’s room, she walked head down, keeping the cup steady. Surely, Willow hadn’t started without her. Minutes passed and she decided to see what was going on. What if something had happened? As she turned the corner, she almost walked right into Margaret. “Excuse me,” she sidestepped, but the woman blocked her progress.
“Do you know who I am?”
“Yes, I do, and I’m pleased to meet you. Please let me introduce myself, I’m Presley Love, Zane’s girlfriend,” she held out her hand.
“Hahahaha,” the other woman laughed, ignoring Presley’s extended hand. “You are Zane Saucier’s girlfriend? That’s a joke, right? Yes, I am Margaret Fenmore, I was practically Zane’s fiancé and as soon as he is whole again, I will resume my rightful place. He deserves a woman as beautiful as me. You are an embarrassment to him, he just doesn’t know it yet – but he will.” Presley just stood there in shock. Glancing around, she hoped no one was listening.
“I guess that will be up to Zane.”
“Presley, it’s time.” Willow motioned from the door of Zane’s room.
“Excuse me,” she said again, but this time, she escaped. The coffee wasn’t so lucky, she sloshed it liberally on the floor and had to stop and clean it up with a napkin to keep someone from slipping.
“Presley!” Zane called and she answered.
“Coming!”
“I love it when she says that.”
Presley darted in the room and blushed when she saw he was talking to his brother while teasing about her orgasms. “Be nice,” she fussed. God, how normal she sounded when all she wanted to do was get in a corner and scream. So, she did the only thing a good girl did at times like this – she prayed. “Lord, please give Zane his sight. I want that more than anything. Please!” And because she was taught that you have not because you ask not, she added a couple of extra requests. “And please, Lord, let him love me, even when he sees how I look and please send that she-devil Margaret back to whatever hole she crawled out of.” Part of her prayer was selfish and probably wouldn’t be answered, but at least she was honest.
“Stand by me, Presley.”
She stood on one side and Kane on the other while Willow snipped at the bandages. Slowly, she unveiled his eyes and Presley held her breath while Zane blinked.
“Close the blinds,” Willow instructed when it became apparent the light was hurting his eyes.
“I’m all right, dammit!” he fussed.
“What can you see?” his cousin pushed for information.
“I see shapes. Everything is still blurry.”
Presley bit her lip, stiffened her spine and stepped into his line of vision. “Can you see me?”
Their eyes seemed to meet. Behind her, Kane didn’t say a word. Zane stared at her, blinked his eyes and looked again. “Baby, I see your outline, but I can’t make out your features very well. I’m sorry. Willow?” He sounded worried.
“It’s okay, Zane,” the doctor spoke in a soothing tone. “Give yourself a little time. Let me get some dark glasses. You can see, and soon you will see well.” He started to rub his eye and Willow stopped him. “No, you’ll mess up the stitches. Let me put some eye-drops in. Presley, will you run down to the nurse’s station and ask for a pair of glasses that they give to patients after cataract surgery?”
“Good Lord,” Zane fussed. He was getting frustrated.
“Hush, it’s just for now.”
Presley was shaking as she exited the room. How well could he see? Would he get any better? Teresa was coming down the hall, “How is he?”
“His vision is blurry.”
“I’m g
oing in,” she made her way to the nurse’s station. In order to get there, she had to walk past Margaret.
“Teresa’s going to tell him I’m here. What do you suppose is about to happen?” The woman’s superior, know-it-all attitude made Presley sick. She retrieved the glasses and started back. When she returned to the door, Margaret was right there. Before she could enter, Kane came out.
“Zane wants to see you.”
Presley takes a step forward. “He wants to see Margaret, I’m sorry, Presley.”
“Here are his glasses,” she held them out – helplessly. Her whole body was shaking with nerves. What did this mean?
In a moment, she knew, Teresa came out with a smug look on her face. “You’d might as well leave. He’s chosen. I guess his vision wasn’t as blurry as he led you to believe.”
Presley backed away. She stood there a moment. Her whole world was behind that door. Walking away was the hardest thing she’d ever do, so she didn’t walk – she ran.
*****
“What are you doing here, Margaret?”
“I have come to take you back, Zane.”
“Kane, leave us, and make sure my Presley is okay.”
“Presley? Do you mean that hare-lipped wonder that’s been hovering by the door?”
Zane literally growled. “I want you out of here and I never want to see you again as long as I live. You disgust me.”
For once in her life, Margaret was speechless – momentarily. Finally, she hissed like a snake. “If I leave this time, I’m never coming back.”
“Who in the hell asked you to come back this time?”
Margaret flounced out the door and left.
“Kane! Tell Presley to come in, please,” His shoulders felt lighter, like a weight had been lifted.
His twin stuck his head in the door. “I can’t find her. I’ll look around.” Zane waited – and waited. After about half an hour, he returned. “She’s gone.”