Indigo knows she is going to go. Her aunt deserves things to be handled by the “daughter I’ve always wanted.” A fresh bout of tears fall as she thinks of those words and accepts her fate.
Sapphire Falls is in her future. Her past is soon to catch up with her with that place on the horizon. It’s something she can just feel in her bones.
2
Arrival
Indigo
Indigo is in the car and regretting her decision to drive. Butterflies are dancing around in her stomach. Why again was she so determined to do this? Oh, that’s right. She is driving from New York to Nebraska just because she can. It made no sense to fly out because everyone was watching those places like the non-subtle hawks they were. Pulling her phone out, she speed-dials her bestie. After they exchange their usual diatribes and greetings, her: “What’s up, jail bait” to Lacey’s: “Dial it down, dance whore,” Indigo launches into the reason for her call.
“My mother has insisted that I come directly to the house. She wants me to be there this afternoon so that she is able to give me her thoughts on how to handle my aunt’s estate. My mother who wants nothing to do with the arts and thought my aunt was out of her mind because of her eccentricities feels she has the right to tell me how to handle things.”
“It is funny to think she wants to give you guidance on this. Do you know how long you’ll be there?”
“No. Not really. I’ve got so much going on, I don’t know which way is up. We’ll stick to the plan for now and I’ll … oh my goodness! Oh my … please God no! Lace, I’ll call you back in a bit. I think I may have hit a dog. Oh, please oh please, oh please.”
“Oh my gosh. Okay. Go! Keep me posted.”
Indigo is out of the car and in the brisk Fall coolness within seconds. Now, she feels one hundred and ten percent worse because it isn’t just a dog. It is a puppy.
“Shit!”
Lifting the little thing up, she puts him or her on the blanket she keeps in the back seat of her car.
“Okay. How am I going to get you in town without you moving and possibly doing more harm to yourself than I’ve already done?”
Quickly making her way around the car she pops the trunk and pulls out her dance bag. Dumping the items out, Indigo moves just as quickly back to the inside of the car. One, to ensure that she doesn’t freeze her tail off. Two, to get back to the puppy that is trying to work his or her way back to all fours.
“No. No precious. Let’s get you in the bag. Hopefully, I won’t hurt you more.”
The puppy yips and Indigo has to fight back tears.
“Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. I should have been paying attention. I’m so sorry, sweetie.”
Driving twenty of the almost twenty-three hour drive gave her a lot of time to think. The short stop off to rest wasn’t enough time to give her the clarity she believed she would get. Her mother hadn’t stopped calling her to fuss or give her grief or teasing details of her aunt’s will. Having hit a puppy makes her regret taking a quick nap and not getting more rest when she had stopped. The recurring thought for Indigo during her stop had been that she was going to be in Sapphire Falls longer than what was absolutely necessary.
Now, she has to get this precious pup to the vet and hope the office is open and available to check on him or her by the time she arrives. Driving like a mad woman she makes it across the town line in no time at all. Her heart is in her throat when she goes to lift the bag and the puppy isn’t moving.
Rushing up the porch of the old vet’s office, she hopes someone is inside to let her know if her distracted driving killed a precious little creature. When she is able to open the front door with no resistance, she practically screams and quickly makes her way to the reception area.
“Please, oh please, tell me that he or she isn’t dead,” she asks as she brings the bag in and gently places it on the counter. A pretty redhead stands at the counter and raises her hands in a calming gesture. A rich male voice is the one she hears speak reassurances that everything will be okay.
Her focus is on the little bundle in front of her. She doesn’t give the amazing voice an acknowledgement. Any other time that voice would’ve caused her to stand up and take notice. This one wasn’t one of those moments. As the puppy yelps in surprise, her phone rings. Indigo knows who it is even before she even answers it.
“Sapphire, where are you? You said you’d be here by now. It’s half past the time you said you’d arrive. The food is getting cold.”
“Ma’am, your pup will be fine. She was just resting up. Looks like the leg is broken. I’ll set it and you can take her home.”
Indigo absentmindedly nods without offering any corrections to about the ownership of the puppy. Her mother’s words are distracting.
“I’m sorry. Mom, I’ll be there soon. I had an accident. I hit a puppy and brought her to the vet’s to be checked out. I’ll be there shortly.”
The male nods and makes his way to one of the back rooms. The woman smiles genially at Indigo and the gesture causes her to take a deep breath.
Indigo’s thoughts remain on the fact that her mother hasn’t taken an active interest in her well-being in years. Suddenly, she needs to know her every move. It makes her want to scream. Groaning, she takes yet another deep breath before opening her eyes and finds light green ones staring at her.
“Sorry. Did you want me to take down your number so I can call you and let you know how the little one is doing, Darling?”
Pulling the phone away from her mouth, she nods and responds, “Thank you. Yes. I’d appreciate that. Um … here. I’m going to be staying at …”
Indigo’s phone begins to ring again. She’d apparently disconnected the call by mistake. Looking at the screen, she blows out an exasperated breath. Her mother won’t see it that way and she knows it. She can’t hold back the sigh that she needs to release. It’s accompanied by a growl of frustration. Sliding her thumb across the screen, she attempts but fails to mask her annoyance.
“I’m leaving now, Mother. I was trying to leave my contact information so I can know how the puppy is doing. Mother …”
Goodness!
“Lord, give me strength because this woman … I am going to go crazy if she keeps at it,” Indigo mumbles as she quickly writes her number down on a sheet of paper.
She’s attempting to write her name when she hears a shrill tone come from her phone.
“Mothers. I have one that is just as much of a handful, Honey. Go. It’s a small town. I’m sure if you’re sticking around we’ll run into you and will be able to give you an update. Go, before your mother sends out a search party.”
“Thank you,” Indigo calls out as she quickly makes her exit.
* * *
It doesn’t take long for her to reach the turn onto the street of her childhood home. Indigo pulls up in front of her parents’ home and completely ignores the posh look of it in such a rural area. She’s surprised at how quickly she arrives at her parents’ home from the vet’s office. Dismissing any negative thoughts, she attempts to focus on the task of dealing with her patronizing mother. She is out of the SUV and on the porch in seconds. Figuring she needs to do this as quickly as possible, she ascends the front porch steps so that she is able to get the hell out of the Warren household just as fast.
Using a key that would have cobwebs and dust collected on it if it hadn’t been for the fact that it was on the key ring she keeps all of her keys on, she lets herself into her old home.
“Mom!”
The house is quiet as she takes in all that is her parents’ home. She won’t take the time to mention all of the over the top pieces and useless knickknacks that adorn the walls and hallway or the lavish furnishings that make up the living room, family room, and dining area. When she was younger she found herself wishing every day to live in something more befitting of her family.
“Sapphire, my darling girl, please stop stretching those lungs of yours. I’m right here. I’ve been right here since the orig
inal time you said you would arrive. I believe we need to get you a different watch to tell time by. This is not the one o’clock hour you assured us would be your arrival time. I told you that you shouldn’t drive.”
“Hello, Mom. I missed you as well.”
“That wouldn’t be a truth even if you weren’t being sarcastic.”
“I really don’t have to be here. The Bed and Breakfast is a suitable place for me to sleep.
“Now settle down. The two of you don’t need to stir things up already. It’s been too long since we’ve had all of our family under the same roof. Let’s get you through the door, Saph, and to the dining table. With regard to where you’re resting your head tonight, I’m surprised you would want to be here. Your mother must not have shared the fact that your aunt left you her house over on Crimson Street.”
“John Carter, why would you tell her that?”
“My question would be why didn’t you tell me? You made it seem as if you didn’t know what was going on. Do you know whether or not the studio has been gifted or did you lure me here under false pretenses?”
“Emily, tell me that you didn’t make it appear as if you hadn’t been there when Dinah made out her will?”
“Mom, you know what Aunt Dinah’s will says?”
“John Carter, I didn’t tell you that I was with her that day.”
“You didn’t have to. Shane told me all about it. He said our girl should be a blessing to that studio. When I asked him to clarify what he meant by that statement, he told me that the three of you sat down and completed Dinah’s will and some of the details of it. I’m sad to know that I can’t say I know from personal knowledge of our daughter’s talent. It’s not a statement that I’m making with pride either. I make it with all of the regret that I can muster. I’m saddened that I haven’t personally seen our daughter on a New York stage. I am looking forward to seeing you in action at Dinah’s Studio.”
“Thanks, Dad. That means a lot to me. I have some recordings that I could have sent here if you want to see them.”
“No, my dancing girl. Your sister showed me how to go on the YouTube and see quite a few of them. I wasn’t aware there was a website dedicated solely to you and your style of dance.”
“There is? Why?” her mother asks.
Just like that, any peace or sense of hope that this time with her parents would be different flies out the still open door behind her. She begins to roll her eyes, but the look her father gives her stops her mid-gesture.
“Didn’t you know, Mom? Ms. Indigo has made quite a name for herself both on and off the stage.”
The harsh words come from her brother, Colt. She was hoping to get through this visit without having a blowout with her family. Evidently, that isn’t going to be the case. One part of the gruesome twosome is going to make sure of it. Unlike her parents, Colt—her older brother—must’ve been keeping tabs on her to know that there are headlines in New York that mention her name. She wonders how much longer she will have to remain in the house before she can make a quick exit. Knowing her aunt’s house is now available, there is no way she is going to stay with her parents in the den of tension and doom.
“Don’t start. We are going to have a nice family visit sans the childish squabbles. We are also nixing the mother-daughter animosity. Go on now. We’ve made everyone wait long enough.”
“Dad is right. Let’s have a nice sit down moment now that Ms. Ever Talented has decided to grace us with her presence.”
That snarky remark came from Indigo’s older sister, Ryan, as the group rounds the corner. Indigo takes a deep, calming breath before entering the family room where the rest of her family waits.
As soon as everyone is seated, Ryan turns to her and smiles. It isn’t a friendly smile. There isn’t any welcome in that smile. Sitting forward in the chair that is conveniently positioned in the central area of the room, Indigo prepares herself for what is to come. No amount of breathing could have her set to receive the cruelty that her sister unleashes.
“It’s so nice to see you again, Sis. What’s it been like eight years? Deliver a bastard kid, run off to New York with a new name and make a career for yourself in typical Sapphire fashion. Wait … should we start calling you Indigo? Whatever. You can change your name, but the truth of who you are still reigns true. Now you’re back where you started. Aren’t you the fortunate one to have such a loving aunt that worshiped you because you had the opportunity to lead the life that she couldn’t?”
Indigo is out of her seat before she knows what she is doing. The sound from her hand connecting with her sister’s cheek echoes around the opulent room.
“Sapphire!” her mother’s exclamation makes her want to slap her sister again for good measure.
Instead, she straightens and tugs her camisole back in place.
“Apologies. I won’t be able to stay for that family visit. I have a new home and business to attend to. This has been fun. Let’s do this again in say another eight years.”
With a glare in her sister’s direction, Indigo turns on her heel and retraces her steps back to the door she’d entered not fifteen minutes prior. Her phone chimes in her pocket and it’s a text from her father. Walking out the door, she pulls out her phone as she descends the steps.
Dad: I’m so sorry. I will stop by tomorrow and help with whatever you need me to.
Indigo sends him a quick, “thank you” before walking back to her car. She also fires off a text to Lacey and Juliette to let them know that she arrived in Sapphire Falls safely. Docking her phone in the charger, she starts the car. If nothing else happened today, she knew she was definitely going to need to pound the pavement as soon as she drops her things off at her aunt’s place. She only runs … actually jogs if she doesn’t have access to classes and need to clear her mind.
Indigo is going to need to work off a bit of this frustration and nothing helps her more than going for the occasional outdoor conversation with the elements and her tennis shoes.
3
First Meeting
Noah
“Who in the hell was that?” Noah asks as Louisa walks into the room where he’s wrapping the leg of the little puppy the blonde blur dropped off in his clinic.
“That was …” Louisa pushes her red hair off her shoulder and pulls a piece of paper from her front pocket before continuing. “Indigo?”
“Are you asking me or telling me, Lou?” Noah chides as he pets the puppy repeatedly licking his palm.
“Ha Ha, Cousin. You’re so funny. If only you could wrangle that humor and use it to get a female in that big house of yours.” Louisa raises her eyebrows and pauses before speaking again. Conveniently enough, she chooses to speak in the moment he prepares to respond to her jab at his bachelor status. “The paper says that her name is Indigo. There’s no last name. It could have something to do with the fact that her mother kept ringing her phone. I would hope she wasn’t trying to do the whole one name thing. That’s irritating.”
“True. It’s an interesting name. I don’t think I’ve heard of anyone in town with a child named Indigo. Maybe we have some new neighbors that the town gossips haven’t had a chance to share just yet.”
“The only thing that I’ve heard from Dottie’s was about the Warrens. Their daughter is supposed to be coming back to town soon. Maybe that was her. Although, I could’ve sworn their daughter’s name was Sapphire.”
“Is that all? Or is there more you’re getting ready to lay on me, Lou?”
Before Lou has a chance to respond, the front door opens and slams shut. Quick steps make their way toward them. The pace of the movements lets Noah know that Hayden has returned.
“Hay Belle?”
“Hi Daddy. Ooooohhh, a puppy! Daddy, does this mean you’re going to keep your promise? Am I finally going to get my puppy? Aw, what happened to him? Wait. Is it a him or a her? I can’t tell. Please Daddy. Please tell me I have a new puppy.”
“Hayden. Whoa there, girly. Hold on now. Someone
brought this little … beauty in to be fixed up. We need to find out if she wants her or not. You can’t just lay claim to her when we don’t know if she’s available.”
Hayden’s little face falls at the disappointment of not being able to have her puppy. Noah has to fight the urge to contradict his statement. He hates seeing those blue eyes sad. His goal is to always keep her happy and smiling. Her smile is one of the things that keeps him going. Her golden brown hair falls in soft curls around her little pudgy face and showcases just how innocent she still is.
“Come on, little Hay Belle. You can’t give your daddy the pout. He didn’t say no. He just said that we had to wait a little while before you get your very own puppy. Do you think you can wait for a little bit longer? We have to find out from the lady if she wants to keep her or not.”
“Okay. I guess I can wait for a little longer, Aunt Lou. While I wait, can we go to the petting zoo?”
“Well, that didn’t take much. Let me give ‘Puppy’ a quick once over then I’ll close up shop so we can all go together.”
It didn’t take long for Noah to finish up with ‘Puppy.’ The black and white collie looks pitifully at him when he puts her into one of the carriers.
“Not you, too. I don’t think I’m going to be able to handle two of you working me over with sad looks if we do take you home.” The puppy whimpers and scoots toward the door of the cage and Noah concedes. “Damn. Having a little girl softened my damn hard edges. I’m going to have to do something about this.” Lifting the puppy out of her cage, he is granted little puppy kisses. “Come on. Let’s go. The only good thing about this is the fact that I’m about to make Hay Belle’s day.”
Hayden’s squeal of honest to goodness happiness at seeing “Puppy” in his arms as he walks to the front is worth him giving in and bringing the puppy along. He knows he shouldn’t allow his girl to get attached, but he has a feeling the woman that brought the puppy in isn’t going to want the dog. No tags means she—the puppy, not the woman—didn’t have an owner. Maybe this would work out for the best. Climbing into the cab, he starts his truck up and drives them over to the center of town where the Petting Zoo is located.
Sapphire Falls: Going After Indigo (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 2