by Robin Caroll
Sixteen
“Mommy?” Eva asked, her heart pounding so loud she was sure the woman could hear it over the crackling of the fire.
At the exact same moment Mags asked Savannah, “Aunt Eva?”
Savannah nodded. “Yes, Mommy. This is Aunt Eva.”
From her side, Mags pulled out a gun and pointed it at Eva. “Who, exactly, are you?”
“She’s a friend of Daddy’s, Mommy.” Savannah hugged Eva’s legs, all smiles. And why not? She didn’t realize what was happening.
Oh, Lord, help me. Help us.
“Is she now?” Mags gaze never left Eva’s face.
Eva held Savannah close. She had to figure out what was going on. “Savy, honey, you know your mommy’s in heaven.”
“No, she’s not. This is my Mommy. She told me so. Right, Mommy?”
“Of course, sweetheart.”
Eva licked her lips. “Savy, honey, your Daddy told you all about your mom going to heaven. Don’t you remember?”
“Mommy?” Eva hated hearing the uncertainty in the sweet little girl’s voice.
Mags glared at Eva. “Savannah, sweetheart, I told you they lied to Daddy and told him I was dead. But I’m not. I found you and now we’re just waiting for Daddy to meet us here. Then we can be a happy family again.”
The bile burnt the back of Eva’s throat. This woman was full out crazy.
“You let her go? Alone?” Darren resisted the urge to throttle Maddie.
“She didn’t ask my permission. I told her not to go, but she did anyway.”
“We’ll move in. You stay here,” Wilson said.
The group was huddled under the back hatch door that they’d lifted. Wilson handed vests to Rafe, Nick, and Darren.
Maddie nodded. “We’ll stay here.”
Darren stripped off his coat, pulled the bullet proof vest on, secured it, then slipped into his coat. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
“Wait just a second.” Wilson grabbed his arm. “Hagar and I will head to the front door. You and Baxter cover the back.”
Darren nodded, then pushed forward.
How could Eva have been so careless to go after Mags alone? Did she have a death wish?
“Hey, slow down just a bit. If we fall down and hurt ourselves, we’re no good to Savannah or Eva.”
Rafe was right. Darren slowed, but only a little.
“Just curious, buddy, if you’ve figured it out on your own yet.”
“Figured out what?” It was like falling back into the same routine between them. It was a comfort to Darren to have his best friend and former partner at his side for something so important.
“That you’re in love with Eva, of course. If you haven’t figured it out yet, just thought I’d mention it.”
“Not that it’s any of your business.”
Rafe’s chuckle came through the wind. “It’s always my business.”
Darren took another step, then froze. They’d reached the cabin and from this angle, he could see right into the kitchen. The sight both reassured him, yet scared the living daylights out of him.
“See, Aunt Eva? Mommy’s not dead.”
Darren couldn’t breathe. Every muscle in his body tensed.
“Did Savannah just call her Mommy?” Rafe whispered.
He couldn’t answer. All he could see was Mags Brewster had a gun pointed at Savannah and Eva.
At that moment, Wilson and Nick stormed into the front. Rafe blasted past Darren into the back door. A gunshot rang out, followed by two, quick bursts.
Darren nearly tripped into the kitchen.
“Daddy!” Savannah was in his arms and Eva was on the floor.
He held his baby tight, kissing her cheek, looking over her shoulder as Rafe yanked a towel off the counter and pressed it against Eva’s chest, soaking it with her blood. Dear Jesus!
Wilson grabbed a blanket off the couch in the adjacent living room and covered the body of Margaret Brewster.
“Hey, honey. Come see Uncle Nick.” He took Savannah from Darren, walking her into the living room.
Darren dropped to his knees beside Eva. “Why would you come in alone?”
“Savy?”
“She’s fine.”
Eva smiled, then closed her eyes.
Darren’s heart stuttered. “Eva!”
“She just passed out,” Rafe said quietly. “It’s a clean shot. I think she’ll be okay. But we’ve got to get her out of here.”
“Backup is already on the way, along with emergency medical services. They should be here by the time we get to the cars.” Wilson slipped his radio back into his pocket. “You get your daughter, Timmons. We’ll get Ms. Langston.”
Darren hesitated. What was he supposed to do? He felt like he was being torn in two.
“Go with Savannah. I’ve got this.” Rafe nodded at him. “I promise you, she’ll be okay.”
Thank you, Lord. For keeping them both safe. Darren kissed Eva’s forehead, nodded at Rafe, then went to hold his daughter.
Epilogue
“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Hagar.”
Eva blinked away the tears as she took Savannah’s hand, fell into step with Rafe, and followed Maddie and Nick down the church aisle. The bell choir began their chorus as the crowd erupted in applause.
Maddie grabbed her and hugged her.
Eva winced.
“Sorry. I forgot.” Maddie was all smiles.
“It’s okay. I’m so happy for you.”
Maddie nodded. “And me for you, too.” She leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you at the reception.”
“There you are.” Darren eased up beside her, planting a kiss on her temple. “My two favorite girls.”
Savannah laughed as he tweaked her nose.
“Hey, squirt, let’s go get some cake, shall we?” Riley held out her hand to Savannah.
“Can I go, Daddy?”
“Sure. Just stay with Riley.”
Alone for the moment, Darren swept Eva into his arms. “You look beautiful.”
Eva couldn’t believe how happy she was. Getting shot had brought clarity to both her Darren, and both wanted to give their relationship another try. Over the last two weeks, they’d seen each other almost every day. Savannah seemed to have adjusted well to being told that Mags was just someone who’d gotten confused about who she was. She didn’t ask about her any more. The resilience of children seemed to be a gift.
But the biggest and best gift of all was the resurgence of Eva’s faith. Somewhere along the path of life, she’d lost her footing in her faith. But with Darren and what she’d experienced, she’d come full circle. Life might not always be perfect, but Eva knew she’d never be alone.
Eva was ready to live her life to the fullest. Without fear. Without dread.
And with a life of love with Darren and Savannah.
Her family. Her faith.
Happiness.
How To Help The Author
A special note:
“Word-of-mouth is the most powerful marketing tool—even stronger than the love of Eva and Darren. If you enjoyed reading about their adventure in The Christmas Bell Tolls, I’d appreciate you rating this book and leaving a review. Even just a sentence or two is greatly appreciated.”
Please leave a review of The Christmas Bell Tolls HERE
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for joining me in this adventure. I received so many emails from readers after the release of Strand of Deception, asking for Darren and Eva to have their own story. It was time. I hope you enjoyed their story.
If you are interested in discussion questions for this novel, please visit my website at www.robincaroll.com and click on FOR READERS. You’ll find many extras there, just for you, my reader friend.
I’m always delighted to hear from fellow readers. Click here to sign up for my newsletter on my website so we can stay in touch. I’m on Facebook under Author.RobinCaroll
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Blessings! And keep reading,
Robin
Other books by Robin Caroll:
Justice Seeker Series
Injustice for All
To Write a Wrong
Strand of Deception
The Evil Series
Deliver Us from Evil
Fear No Evil
In the Shadow of Evil
Hidden in the Stars
The Bayou Series
Bayou Justice
Bayou Corruption
Bayou Judgment
Bayou Paradox
Bayou Betrayal
Blackmail