As Winona stepped inside to fix another cup of coffee, Amy pattered down the hall, rubbing sleep out of her eyes.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” Winona cooed. “You okay?”
Amy nodded. “I feel like having cereal today.”
“I think Reagan has some. Let me check. Jake and the others are outside.”
“I feel like watching cartoons this morning.”
“Okay. Go ahead. I’ll bring you a bowl of cereal. Do you need help with the TV?”
“No. Reagan showed me how to operate it. Where are the kittens?”
“I think they’re in their bed in the living room.”
“Okay.”
Amy slipped into the living room as Winona peeked out the door. “Amy is awake. I’m going to fix her some cereal. Is it okay if she eats cereal in your living room?” she asked Reagan.
“Of course.”
Reagan started to stand, but Winona held up her palm. “I’ve got it.”
“Do you need help with anything?” Jake asked.
“No, I’ve got it. Anyone need more coffee?”
“Nope,” they all declined.
“Be right back.”
She heard the television click on, and Amy barely looked up when Winona brought her cereal. “Thank you.”
“Anything else?”
Amy shook her head and shoved cereal into her mouth. She reminded Winona of herself before her morning cup of coffee.
Winona made a stop at the bathroom. Jake was opening the door as she was walking out. She ambled into the kitchen to meet him when she heard Amy’s voice in the next room.
“That doesn’t look like the man who took me.”
Winona halted, her eyes crashing into Jake’s hard gaze. He scowled, and they both stormed into the living room. Amy brandished her spoon at the television. Winona cringed when she noticed Amy watching the news about her dad and the man who killed him.
Jake grabbed the remote. Eyes wide, Winona stared at him as he clicked off the news. He glared at her before turning to Amy.
“Amy?”
“Yes, Uncle Jake?”
“You shouldn’t be watching that.”
“I know. My mom tells me not to watch any of the news. Ever. The news said that mean man kidnapped me and hurt my daddy. But he didn’t kidnap me.”
“He didn’t?”
“No. The man who took me wanted to play games with me. And he took me swimming, but he doesn’t swim like you. He said we’d wait for Mommy and Daddy. And he had longer hair.”
“Maybe he cut his hair.”
“No, I don’t think so.” Amy continued to eat her cereal, and Jake eyed Winona before returning his attention to Amy.
“Did your mommy or daddy ever come see you when you were with this man?”
“No. But I wasn’t with that man. The news said that man killed my daddy. What does that mean?”
Jake’s hard gasp cut through the silence.
“Did your mom give you to this man?” Winona asked, ignoring her question.
“No. I was with my daddy. And I was taking a nap. And when I woke up, I was with a man. I was kind of scared at first, but he gave me a stuffed doll and a piece of chocolate, and told me my mommy didn’t want me to be afraid.”
“Have you told your mom this?” Winona asked.
“She gets mad at me when I talk about it.”
“Have you told the police this?”
Amy shivered. “I don’t want to talk to no policeman. They’re all mean, anyway.”
“Who says that?”
Amy shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Does your mom say that?” Jake asked.
Amy nodded and chewed on her lip.
It was the first time Winona had seen Amy act like a child. She seemed to shrivel under Jake’s piercing gaze.
“Do you remember the name of the man who you were with?” Jake asked.
Amy shook her head. “No. I don’t remember nothing. I told the police all I know. I don’t want to talk to them again.”
Winona patted her leg. She didn’t want to traumatize the girl by asking her questions. “It’s okay, darling. You don’t have to talk about it anymore.”
“What about Dillon? Do you know Dillon?” Jake asked.
“I … I know Dillon. But I wasn’t with him, either.”
Jake paced away, still clenching the remote.
“Can I watch cartoons now?”
• • •
Jake turned on the TV and switched it to the Nickelodeon channel. He turned it up, probably so he could hear if the news came on, and kept the remote as he stormed into the kitchen.
Winona followed. Jake’s body tensed and he whirled to face her, as if ready to pounce on her when she walked in.
“I told you. I told you that wasn’t the guy.”
“Jake. Calm down. I’ll call the police and talk to them. See what we can do.”
“I can’t take her home. Not now.”
The door squealed open, and Garret stepped in. “Everything okay?”
“No. Winona let Amy see the news. They had Matthew Carter on, and news about him killing Brandon. She said that guy wasn’t the man who kidnapped her. And her mom doesn’t allow her to watch the news and she’s scared of the police.”
“I didn’t let her watch the news, Jake.”
Jake ignored her as he continued to talk with Garret. Winona grabbed her phone and ducked outside to call Lieutenant Litton. She explained to him what Amy said and though he promised Amy would be questioned, he urged her to make sure Jake took Amy home.
“Jake Inman has no rights to her. She’s visiting, and as soon as that visitation is over, if she’s not home, Lillian could file kidnapping charges. She could probably try now if she really wanted to.”
Winona paced the length of the yard as she listened. “But you have to admit this is a strange situation.”
“Of course it’s strange. All custody battles are strange. And all deaths where there’s a separation or custody battle is strange. We’re investigating it to the full extent of the law, and the district attorney’s office is involved in all aspects of this case.”
When she stepped inside, Jake whirled on her again. “How could you let her see that?”
“I had no idea. I thought she was watching cartoons.”
“Calm down, Jake,” Garret said. “Do you really want to frighten Amy?”
“As if that news didn’t frighten her enough,” he fired.
“Why don’t I take Amy to her room and help her pack?” Reagan asked.
“She’s not packing. I’m not taking her home.”
“You have to, Jake. I just spoke with the lieutenant. If you don’t take her home, Lillian could file charges against you. You’d be arrested.”
“So I’m supposed to just give Amy over to her psychotic mother?”
“Okay, I’m taking Amy to her room now.” Reagan clapped her hands as if to warn them to drop the subject until Amy was out of hearing range. “Amy, baby, are you finished with your cereal? Do you need anything else?”
“I’m full now.” Amy carried her bowl into the kitchen and set it in the sink.
“Do you want to go to your room with me and help me pack your belongings?” Reagan asked.
Amy looked up at Jake. “Where am I going?”
Jake looked ready to snap. His lips tightened, brow furrowed, and he clenched his hands together.
“Jake has to take you home,” Reagan answered.
Amy’s shoulders fell, but she straightened and grabbed Reagan’s hand. “Oh. We better go pack up then.”
Jake opened the door outside and nodded at Winona to follow him. Thank God he had chosen not to continue this argument inside, with little ears listening.
“Lillian is her mother, Jake.” Winona said as she stepped outside behind him and shut the door. “There’s nothing you can do—nothing legal, anyway.”
Jake clenched his fist and paced.
“Would you stop? You’ll t
ear up Reagan’s yard. And you’ll stress Amy worse than she’s already stressed. Let’s just make the best of this situation.”
Jake stopped, turned, and pointed a finger into her face. “There is no good in this situation.”
Winona stood her ground. “You can’t risk being arrested. If you think something is wrong, being in jail isn’t going to help.”
“You told Litton Amy said that wasn’t the man who kidnapped her.”
“Yes.”
“And you told him about my suspicions about Lillian.”
“Yes, Jake. I told him everything. He’s looking into it. Plans on talking to Lillian, making an appointment to have her bring Amy in. They’re doing everything they can. But he specifically said you need to take Amy home.”
“I can’t believe you let her see the news.”
“I didn’t exactly let her see the news, Jake. But you know, if she hadn’t seen that, we still wouldn’t know Matthew Carter wasn’t the man who had her.”
“I knew that all along. You should have listened to me.”
“She said she was asleep when she was taken. It could be that he took her and gave her to someone else.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“You’re not willing to believe anything other than Lillian killed her own husband, kidnapped her daughter, and gave her to some man, probably to make it look like a murder and kidnapping, and this guy was willing to do this for her, willing to go to prison for her if he was ever caught, and now Amy has been found safe and all is well. And they framed some other guy, who happens to have been burglarizing homes in the neighborhood.”
“That’s exactly what I believe.”
“It sounds pretty crazy.”
Jake continued to pace the yard, but his strides grew lighter and less aggressive. His shoulders, though tight, relaxed. Winona stood, watching, waiting.
Amy opened the door. “Jake? I’m all packed and ready.” She said it like she had no care in the world, like she had no concern for her safety because she could trust her Uncle Jake to do the right thing.
Winona hoped taking her back was the right thing, but they had no other options.
Jake faced Winona and spoke lowly, his voice a growl of warning. “Okay. Fine. We’ll take Amy home like I have to do. We’ll make the best out of this impossible situation. But if Lillian harms one hair on the head of that little girl, she’s dead.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Before you go, I have something to give you girls,” Reagan said as she clutched two gift sacks.
Amy dropped her luggage and ran to Reagan. “A gift for me?”
Reagan nodded and handed her a bag with pink elephants stuffed with lime green tissue. “Uh-huh. This one is yours, and this one is Winona’s. You wanna go sit on the couch and open it?”
“Yes!” Amy zipped through the kitchen and disappeared into the living room.
Winona furrowed her brow as she accepted the bag. “I’ll be back in a few days.”
“I know.”
Winona followed them into the living room, Jake a few steps behind. Amy landed on the couch and patted the seat beside her. “Sit here, Winona.” She patted the other side. “And you here, Reagan.” She grabbed Reagan’s stuffed moose that sat where she wanted Reagan to sit, hugged him, then handed him to Reagan once she was seated.
“Do you want to go first?” Amy asked Winona, her face scrunched and body teeming with excitement.
“No, that’s okay. You go.”
Amy dug into the bag and pulled out a stuffed moose and several pieces of clothing to fit him. She squealed and hugged him. “He’s so cute.”
“That’s to remember your time here. And I thought you’d like to have your own moose. I know he isn’t exactly the same, but—”
“But I love him!” Amy bounced into Reagan’s arms. “Thank you thank you thank you.” Jumping from the couch, Amy whirled and tossed the moose in the air. “I think I’ll call him Rooroonay.”
“Rooroonay?” Jake asked, his deep voice plugging the pinpricks that had lanced Winona’s skin from the emotional moment.
“Yes. For Reagan, and Winona, and Naomi.” Amy jumped back on the couch. “Will you save the other dolls for me? And the chalkboard? So when I come back next time they’ll be here for me?”
Reagan’s gaze skipped to Jake and back to Amy again. She ruffled Amy’s hair. “Of course I will. If you’d like to take them with you—”
“No, that’s okay. I’d rather keep them here.”
“Okay.”
“It’s your turn,” Amy told Winona.
Winona smiled and peered into the sack, pulling out a stuffed eagle wearing a war bonnet. “Oh wow, he’s beautiful.” Tears burned her eyes and she smiled at Reagan before hugging her.
“I remember your Native American name was Dancing Eagle.”
“Yes. Yes, it was,” she said, emotion clogging her throat. Her mother’s tribe had given her the name before she’d been given up, and still called her that to this day.
“What’s my Native Merica name?” Amy asked, her words running into each other.
Winona glanced at Jake.
“Water Dancer,” Jake said.
“Ooh, I love it. And I bet Reagan’s name is Walks with Moose.”
Reagan laughed. “That’s a good one.”
“And Naomi’s is Running Bear.”
Everyone laughed at that one. Winona thought it was too bad Naomi wasn’t around to hear her new name. Only now could they all laugh about Naomi being chased by that bear.
“We’d better hit the road,” Jake said as he stood.
“Okay, let me say bye to the kittens,” Amy said. “Where is Snowbound?”
“She’s at my house,” Winona said. “Reagan is going to go get her and bring her here to take care of her while we’re gone.”
“But I have to say bye to her, too. And I can’t leave without saying bye to Chay and Nay.”
Everyone giggled at her use of names.
“We can make a stop at Winona’s,” Jake said. “Then we can bring Snowbound back here so Reagan doesn’t have to go get her. Will that work?”
Winona caught Reagan’s smile and smiled in return, but the emotion in the room was growing too thick for her. She’d already felt a lot of emotions this morning, and she needed time to process it all. Amy was leaving, and that meant Jake would soon leave.
They all said their goodbyes and made their way to Winona’s condo. Amy hadn’t ever been to the condo, so she found the cat and carried her as she explored, oohing and aahing. Winona knew Jake was ready to get on the road, but he didn’t rush Amy.
Winona gathered the cat food and carrier, then stood in the living room as Amy bustled through the rooms.
Jake stopped beside Winona and clutched her hand. “I’m sorry I got so upset with you earlier.”
Heat flushed her body and she smiled and nodded. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not okay. I never should have overreacted like that.”
“You weren’t overreacting. I can understand why you’d be upset.”
“I shouldn’t have blamed you.”
“Well, I won’t disagree with you there,” she said and smacked a kiss on his cheek.
Chayton and Naomi came over to say their goodbyes.
“Hi, Running Bear!” Amy flew into Naomi’s arms.
“Hey yourself.” Naomi grinned and squinted her eyes at Winona. “Running Bear?” she asked.
“It’s your Native Merica name.”
“Oh.” Naomi laughed.
“Mine is Water Dancer. Jake says. And Winona’s is Dancing Eagle. Pretty cool, huh? We both have dance in our name. What’s yours, Chay?”
Chayton’s chest puffed and he smiled. Months ago his mouth would have been turned into a scowl. “Red Falcon.”
“That’s cool. You and Winona both have birds in your name.” Amy soared away and grabbed the cat again.
Winona and Naomi hugged and another set of heartfelt goodbyes
were said. Winona caught Chayton and Jake talking. She wondered if Chayton was lecturing him about keeping his sister safe.
Chayton shook Jake’s hand and then they hugged. Chayton walked over to Winona. “Be careful and call if you need anything,” he told her.
“Yes, brother.”
“I mean it. You have a family now. You don’t have to do everything alone.”
“All I’m doing is going with Jake to take Amy home. Then we’re turning around and coming home. It’ll be about a week, and I won’t be alone.”
“Call me and update me.” Winona rolled her eyes and Chayton continued. “I mean it. I already told Jake to make sure you call me every day.”
“Every day?” Winona shrieked.
“Okay, every two days. Just make sure to call and check in. Or at least send a text, let me know where you are.”
“Yes, brother.”
Chayton chuckled and took her in his arms. She savored the warmth of her little brother’s embrace. Despite her eye-rolling brush-offs, she appreciated that he cared and she knew he’d do everything he could to keep her safe. He was her family now; the only family she had that would last. Jake and Amy were fleeting, a part of her life she would always remember, but Chayton and his family would remain hers for life.
She often wished she could take her brother’s last name as hers so she didn’t have to share it with the man who had given it to her. She had never known her real father as he had died when she was a baby. Her mother had hooked up with a violent man, and Winona had been given his surname. As her mother told it, he had insisted, and it was the only name Winona had ever known. She’d often wondered why her mom would allow her to keep the name of the man from whom she was trying to hide, but that remained an unsolved mystery.
Winona Inman sounded good on the lips, but Jake would be gone soon. And why was she thinking of marriage anyway? She’d be alone for a while, considering she wasn’t interested in anyone in Tanyon and didn’t plan on leaving. And Jake … she didn’t want to think about being with anyone else.
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