Stranded

by Jessica Frances

  How did it begin to feel like home?

  “I’m not overstaying my welcome with you, am I? I mean, your aunt mentioned getting me accommodation—”

  “No way! I love having you stay with me. You’re welcome for as long as you want, or until you move in with Rocky.” She winks.

  I laugh, because there is zero chance of that ever happening. “Maybe when his kid has moved out of home, if I’m still traveling and single, I’ll swing back through Midsummer,” I offer, but she just gives me a knowing smile.

  God, she’s so annoying sometimes.

  “I’ll see you at home.”

  I scoot out of the seat and smile when she gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before she drops some bills on the table and leaves.

  I sit back down and wallow in shock for a little while before my appetite returns to me. Then I eat a sandwich while contemplating if I should head back to Midsummer or explore Paxton. All I’ve heard about Paxton is what June and Love have said about it, which is clearly a bit biased.

  I doubt I’ll ever love Paxton. I mean, they hired Deputy Dickhead, so they can’t be too bright here, but I don’t have any reason to rush back home, especially if everything is going down with King Sr.

  Home. Shit. How did that happen?

  I mean, technically, home is just a word, but it’s also a feeling, and fuck me if I don’t feel like Midsummer is home in both senses of the word.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Deciding I need some sense talked into me, I call my best friend from Chicago, Sasha. Half an hour later, I’m not sure what to think, but I do know I’m all talked out. So, I hit up a movie, do some window shopping at a surprisingly busy mall, and sit on a park bench and people watch.

  I’ll never admit it to Love or June, but Paxton isn’t so bad. However, sitting on a bench, checking out my social media and replying to comments, I notice something from the corner of my eye.

  I don’t know what makes me look up, or why I take a closer look when it’s obviously a bright red parker on a small kid, but something holds my gaze, and I slowly realize that I recognize the kid.

  I watch her for a moment, noticing that she’s on her own. She has a backpack by her feet and a frown on her face.

  I glance down at my own phone, searching the time, seeing that school should have finished a while ago. Yet, here she is, sitting on her own.

  I stand, wondering if she’ll remember me, or if her stranger danger instincts will kick in and I’ll just seem like some creepy dude approaching a ten-year-old kid at the park.

  I bring up Rocky’s number on my phone, but when I call, he doesn’t pick up.

  I don’t bother leaving a message.

  The best way to figure out what’s going on is to ask her.

  “River?” I call out, hoping I don’t alarm her. I hold my arms out just in case so she can see I’m not holding anything. There is a good chance I’m completely overreacting here.

  I met her briefly a couple of weeks ago. Who is to say she’ll recall? And weeks feel like years to a kid, so I’m sure she won’t—

  “Connie!” she cries, excited to see me, even if she’s using a nickname that I wish she wouldn’t. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m just seeing what Paxton has to offer. What about you?”

  “I like the park.”

  I nod, figuring there isn’t much to dislike about this park. “But shouldn’t you be home by now? Or at least on a bus heading home?”

  She stares hard at her hands resting in her lap, and even without knowing her, I sense her guilt.

  “I didn’t go to school today,” she answers softly.

  “You mind if I sit?”

  She shakes her head, and I sit next to her, leaning back against the large tree behind us.

  “How come you didn’t go to school?”

  River shrugs while she pulls out blades of grass.

  It’s uncanny how much she looks like her dad. They share the same ocean blue eyes, the same smile and, given her moody attitude right now, I surmise she has the same ability to put people on edge. Her hair color is lighter than his, the shape of her face rounder, and she’s short compared to the giant Rocky is, but there is enough about her that Rocky as her dad is undeniable.

  I spend minutes trying to figure out what to say, but everything in my head sounds lame. Finally, I settle on the truth.

  “I used to hate school. I was skinny, nerdy, and a momma’s boy.” Not to mention gay.

  “That’s better than being fat,” she grumbles.

  “Fat? You think you’re fat?” I gasp. I know kids can be cruel, but this is ridiculous.

  “I know I am. I’m the biggest in our class.” She taps her almost non-existent belly then tugs on her cheeks. “See? Fat.”

  “Trust me; you’re not fat.”

  “You’re just saying that because you’re old. Old people don’t get it. Dad doesn’t understand either.”

  I’m not sure if I should be insulted that she called me old, but I guess I am compared to her.

  Shit, when did I get old?

  “Speaking of your dad, does he know you skipped school today? Or where you are right now?”

  She rolls her eyes like she expects nothing less than this kind of questioning from an old person, but I sense the guilt in her avoidance.

  “He doesn’t care. He doesn’t get it.”

  “I really do think he cares. He loves you.”

  “Yeah, because he’s my dad. He has to love me!” She says this like I’m simple.

  “My dad doesn’t love me,” I whisper, wincing that I let it slip.

  Her big blue eyes bug out of her head at me. “Really?”

  “Yeah, but that isn’t a story for now.” Or ever, if I can help it.

  She sighs in annoyance, moving back to destroying the grass around her. “Well, my dad has to love me.”

  “Right. So, what’s the plan then? Is this you running away from home?”

  “No,” she grumbles. “I don’t have enough money to run away.”

  “Smart.”

  “Mia said that her mom said that you’re just passing through town. Are you running away, too?”

  I snort, because I suppose I am in a way.

  “Yeah, I guess so. But I really think you need to get home. If your dad doesn’t know you’re missing, then he will when you don’t get off the bus.”

  “He won’t understand why I couldn’t go to school, but Mia was sick today, and it’s so much worse when I’m alone. I couldn’t take another day of it,” she tells me sadly.

  “I’m sorry. People can be cruel. Would you believe me if I told you things will get better one day?”

  She shakes her head.

  “Okay, then I’ll get your dad to tell you that. That man is damn convincing.”

  River just continues to shake her head. “He doesn’t get it,” she repeats, her attention still on the grass beneath her fingers.

  “You’re too young for this. You should be carefree at this age.”

  “Old people always say that.”

  “I’m not old,” I deny. “You’re going to give me a complex, kid.”

  “I don’t know what that means.”

  I sigh, figuring I’m not going to get through to this girl, and it isn’t really my job to.

  “Look, whether you believe it or not, your dad is going to be worried about you. You got a phone on you?”

  “Yeah, but when Mia texted me to say she wasn’t coming to school, I got angry.” Her voice wobbles. “I dropped it.”

  “It’s broken?”

  She gives me a watery nod. “Another reason for Daddy to be angry at me.”

  “He won’t be mad about that. And right now, I bet he’ll be happy to hear your voice.”

  “He’ll be mad about me skipping school. He never lets me skip school.”

  “I’m sure he’s just going to be relieved to know you’re okay. I’m going to call him, and then I’ll take you back home. And even if he
’s mad, just know that, underneath, he’s just relieved that you’re okay. In a few hours or, at worst, days, this will all blow over.”

  I wait for her nod, even if it’s uncertain, before I pull my phone out and call Rocky.

  Unfortunately, I think her issues with school will take a hell of a lot longer to get over.

  I listen as my phone rings through once before I’m immediately sent to voicemail.

  I bite down on my annoyance that he just did that, mainly because I’m aware he’s likely freaking out about River and I should give him some slack.

  When I send a quick text explaining that I have River, and that she’s fine, he doesn’t respond either. Which means he just ignored my message.

  I give Love a call, hoping she might have a better idea for getting Rocky’s attention, but it turns out she isn’t willing to let me get a word out either.

  “Can’t talk. River is missing, and the whole town is freaking out. Talk to you later!” She hangs up then.

  I figure my only option left is calling the station directly. Someone has to answer and listen to me then, right?

  “Midsummer Police Station, how can I help you?”

  I can hear the smarmy bullshit in his voice.

  What the hell is Deputy Dickhead doing there? And answering calls, no less?

  “Weren’t you fired?” I blurt out.

  “You fucker. What the hell do you want? Sheriff Green’s daughter is missing, and we’re all fucking looking for her. No one has time for your bullshit.”

  “Wait!” I yell. “I need to speak to Rocky immediately.”

  “He’s busy.”

  “I know where his daughter is!” I quickly snap, afraid he’ll hang up on me before I can get the words out.

  There is a pause, but it doesn’t last long. “What are you talking about?”

  “Is he there or not?”

  “He’s not. Now explain.”

  “Can you just tell him that I found his daughter and get him to call me?” That said, I hang up, not waiting around to hear what other douche comment he’ll make, and glance down at the small girl.

  What the hell was she thinking being out here all on her own? Anything could have happened to her.

  “Let’s go.”

  “I’m not sure I want to go home yet.”

  “I don’t think you get a choice.”

  When she pouts, I rub my chest.

  “Ouch, that actually hurts to resist your sad puppy eyes. Stop it!” I tease, getting at least a small smile from her.

  “Daddy always says he’s in trouble with me because he can’t say no, but he says no all the time.”

  “Then just know that it probably hurts him to say it, but he does it because, for now, he knows what is best for you.”

  “Whatever.” She sulks, clearly not wanting to accept this answer.

  “You ready?” I hold out my hand after I stand and am relieved when she places her small hand in mine.

  “Okay.”

  I lead her back toward where I parked my car, placing her in the back seat since that feels safer than having her in the front. I don’t know; what age do you put your kid in the front?

  “I used to get in trouble all the time when I was your age,” I tell her as I head back in the direction of Midsummer.

  “Really?”

  “Yep. Want to know how I learned to soften the punishments and cut off the legs of my parents’ anger?”

  She nods eagerly, her ears basically perking up with interest.

  “Just tell your dad that you love him. Every time he goes to yell, say you love him. It’ll take the wind out of his anger. He’ll melt a little with time. Also, say sorry as soon as you see him and every chance after that you get. With you all cute, apologetic, declaring your love for him, he’ll be lost. I bet any punishment will be weak.”

  She tilts her head, clearly considering my suggestion.

  When my phone begins ringing from my passenger seat, I pull over so I can give Rocky my full attention.

  “Hey—”

  “What the fuck is this about you having River?” he hollers through the phone.

  I wince as I pull my phone away from my ear. “So, you got my message?”

  “Don’t fuck with me, Conner. What’s going on? Why do you have her? And what the fuck have you done with her?”

  My mouth drops open in shock. “Excuse me? Are you serious right now?”

  “Randy told me you took my daughter. Now, what the fuck were you thinking? Is this some lame-ass attempt to get my attention? Because I’ll have you arrested so fucking fast that your teeth will rattle!”

  I bite my tongue for a second, because I don’t think I can hold the expletives on my side back, and unfortunately, I have a listening kid in my vicinity.

  “I can’t fudging believe you would even think this, Green! Even if sh … poo-for-brains Deputy D-head twisted my words to make it sound as bad as possible, how could you think I would do something so messed up? How about you check the text I sent you to see what the hell … o I am doing with your daughter. Now, hang on one fudging second while I put her on the phone.” I turn back to her, waving my cell in front of her, which she hesitantly takes.

  “I’m sorry, Daddy. I love you,” she rushes out, and I smile at her when her shoulders droop from whatever Rocky’s response is, which is likely to assure her that he loves her, too.

  “I know. I’m sorry. I promise I—”

  She is silent for a while as I pull back into the slow traffic, determined to get River home, and then get as far away from Rocky Green as I can.

  How the hell could he think I took his daughter? I know he has trust issues, but he should know me well enough to know I’m not a child kidnapper!

  “Connie found me. He asked me if you knew where I was, and then he said I had to come home. He didn’t hurt me, Daddy.”

  My anger ratchets up with her answer, which paints a clear picture as to what his question was.

  “I love you, Daddy. I’m sorry.”

  She passes the phone back to me, and I again pull over to take the call, feeling too angry to manage talking to Rocky and driving safely at the same time.

  “We’re just leaving Paxton. I’ll have her back at your place as soon as I can.”

  “Conner, I’m—”

  “Save it,” I hiss, tapping my phone to end his call.

  I’m fuming when I get back on the road, and when River indicates that she loves whatever song begins playing on the radio, I turn it up so I can focus on calming myself down rather than talking to her.

  But seriously, is Rocky for real? After everything we’ve been through, how can he think such awful things about me?

  When I pull onto Rocky’s street, I see he’s waiting in front of his driveway with his arms crossed, his gaze locked on my car.

  I park in his driveway then turn back to face River. “Don’t forget, sorry and that you love him, and a few tears won’t go astray, either.”

  A fist taps at my window, and I’m tempted to ignore him, but in a town this size, I’m not likely to get that wish anytime soon.

  “And you need to tell your dad what’s happening at school. It’ll suck while you tell him, but you’ll feel better for opening up,” I finish, watching her give me a slow nod in agreement. I then wind down my window, but only an inch, knowing this annoys Rocky, even if he looks like he swallows his complaint.

  “We need to talk.”

  “I disagree.”

  I listen to a door shut and glance to the front where River is hesitantly walking around to our side to where her dad is. She drops her backpack on the ground as he immediately envelopes her in a hug, and whether or not River does it on purpose, she cries in his arms.

  He spends a few moments soothing her, while I’m mesmerized by the sight. I’ve seen a few sides to Rocky, and I’ve even seen the softer side come out when he saw River in his office a couple of weeks ago, but right now, he’s in full comfort mode. I don’t think I’ve see
n him looking so gentle yet so scared at the same time.

  Once River stops crying, I start my car up again, needing to get out of here.

  Rocky places her back on her feet, and after a quick word, he rounds back on me, moving back to my window while River grabs her bag then steps onto her porch and onto the swinging bench there.

  “I’m sorry for what I said to you and insinuated, but you have to know that my thoughts were not in a good place. I lost my girl for hours. When the school called me, no one could even fucking remember if she got on the bus to head into Paxton.”

  I hear the self-recrimination in his voice and have to bite my lip to absolve him of any wrongdoing when it comes to his daughter.

  He was a dick to me, and he deserves to suffer as far as I’m concerned.

  “Please, Conner, just try to see things from my point of view,” he begs me through the window.

  I glance down at my lap as I take in his words. I can’t say that what he’s saying doesn’t hold some merit, or that he might not be right about where his frame of mind was, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less.

  Before I can say anything, his phone begins beeping, and I watch as he chooses to not ignore this message like he did mine. He grimaces when he reads whatever it says, and it’s almost like I watch as a ton of bricks set up residence over him. His tired eyes are suddenly exhausted, and his shoulders hunch downward. Basically, the man looks like he could use a vacation. A long one.

  “I need to make a quick call. Don’t leave!” he orders, turning sideway as he presses the button to call whoever. Then his expression turns from exhausted to determined as he listens to the other person. “I’ll be there in ten. I just need to find someone to watch Riv. Yeah, she’s fine. Wait for me.”

  Rocky hangs up then locks eyes with mine. I think he might be giving me a pleading glance.

  Pleading for me to forgive him? Yeah, I’m not sure that’s likely anytime soon.

  “I don’t suppose you’re free right now to look after River?”

  I snort before it turns into a full-blown laugh. “Are you for fucking real?” I snap. How unbelievable can he be? He’s seriously going to ask me for a favor? After basically accusing me of kidnaping his daughter not even a full hour ago?

  “John Troy has woken up from his coma, and he’s talking.”