Although it’s four in the morning, she could technically be farther than just three hours down the state.
“Yeah, but we’re lucky they’re not farther away or she didn’t turn off her cell. I gotta say, I can tell we’re dealing with someone who’s never done this before. She’s paying with her credit card for everything since abducting the baby. You can tell this hadn’t been well thought out.”
“Yeah, well, my ex-wife is many things in this world but a skilled fugitive is not one of them.” I stop to fully meditate on his words. “Wait, they’re stopped for the night?” I ask.
“Some little mom and pop motel. The local team should be there in the next ten minutes.”
My gaze turns to Holland. Should I tell her this nightmare will soon be over? We should have our girl back in our arms soon.
“A little advice, M?” Dave begins, and I nod. “Don’t tell her, not yet. This could be a setup. Your ex-wife may be smarter than we’re all giving her credit for. Any cut-rate cop show tells us to turn off our cell phones. She may be luring us there to throw us off her scent.”
My heart falls. My pulse races and I know what Dave has shared could be the truth.
I open my eyes, and I focus on Maguire’s kitchen. Why are there so many people here? Why am I lying horizontally on his bed? What is up with this lumpy pillow I’m laying my head on? When I stir, a hand comes down on my shoulder.
“Holls, honey?”
Why is Teagan’s voice in my dream? I turn my head upon the pillow and I see Teagan’s grayish-blue hair sweep into my face. “What?” Then my memory is replaying in my mind. And I shoot off the bed. “Teagan—tell me there’s news about my baby?” I’m screaming and when I turn—all eyes are on me. Maguire is the first person to approach me and unlike before, I let him pull me into his embrace. “Please tell me we’ve got her back, please,” I’m pleading, pulling at his t-shirt.
“No, darlin’, but they’re working on it.”
I need his warmth and reassurance when I look into his eyes. I need to see the hope that we can put this nightmare behind us. But there’s more. In the way his fingers are trembling on my skin and how he bites his lip—there’s something he’s not telling me.
“I’ll knock you out right now if you don’t tell me what’s going on.” The tone and pitch of my voice even hurt my own ears. He attempts to bring me back into his warmth but I push off of him. “I’m not one to be fucked with right now.”
Teagan, who I’ve forgotten is in the room, speaks up. “Maguire, she deserves to know.”
He tries to touch me but I move farther back until I’m at the wall. “They’ve tracked Christine—to Sacramento.”
The idea of my baby so far from me makes me sick as I grab for his laundry basket to puke. The soft hands of Teagan are rubbing my back.
I look up, where Maguire grabs my body and brings me to the bed. “They have a team making their way to the room. Right now. We’ll be on the road the second they have her.”
“Why is the universe punishing us? Every time we give in, something happens…” My words trail off because my world ends without my daughter.
“No, you listen here, darlin’.” He brings my face to his. “We aren’t doing this. Bad luck, it’s all it is, really bad luck.”
As I fold my body into his, a slew of beeps, phone calls, and text alerts explode throughout in the central part of the house.
“What? Are you sure? Ah, fuck. Keep me posted.”
And it’s then I know they’ve not found my daughter.
Chapter 23
Dave’s at my bedroom door. “Maguire…”
“She’s gone. You couldn’t find my baby.” It’s a statement that comes out of Holland’s mouth. Not a question.
“Um, well, ma’am, your baby isn’t in Sacramento. It was a ruse. But unless you’ve rented a car in the past six hours, Ms. Parrish, it appears your mother-in-law used your Visa card. And if this is true, she’s here in Coral Creek.”
Holland shoots off the bed first, and I’m right behind her.
“Yeah, she’s at the lake. As a matter of fact, she’s down the road—if she’s not trying to fool us again.”
My boots are already on and Holland is slipping on some flip-flops when Dave stops us. “I know your first instinct is to go down there and demand Scotland back. I’m a dad. I get it. But if she’s at the lake, this time of night and this time of year, I’m not sure what her mental state is.”
“In the name of Peter, Paul, and Mary, I don’t give a fuck!” Holland screams but it’s more than a scream, it’s a howl.
Dave looks at me for help.
“Darlin’, he’s right. The best thing is for her not to feel threatened. She’s probably on the dock. It’s where she and Scott spent the few days together when visiting before heading back to Virginia, it makes sense. I know you don’t want to hear this, but I think Chris is legitimately out of her mind.”
I remember the little cry we heard before Holland and I made love. It had to have been when Christine grabbed her. She had to have seen Holland and me together. Coupled with the loss of Scott, no parent will ever get over and Elise’s death, it makes sense. But as soon as my words defend Christine, I don’t see it coming. And where this girl has always slugged me, jokingly, her left hook is painful.
“You’re fucking right, I don’t want to hear it.”
Teagan has Holland now, holding her tight. The only thing I can do is leave her be and hope like hell I can talk Christine off a ledge.
It takes Ned, Teagan, and Jase, who has shown up in the past ten minutes, to hold Holland back as a select few take the short five-minute walk to the lake. When we round the corner, Christine’s figure is the first thing I see sitting on the dock, her feet over the ledge. It’s only the first part of February and it’s fucking cold outside.
Dave, along with three other officers and a negotiator, fall back at the entrance of the dock when I approach Christine. I slip down next to her and she looks over at me, like we’re best friends.
“Ah, M, you found us. I didn’t mean to scare you, but you know Scott and his colic. He’s been so fussy. He’s bundled tight, but the night air seems to help him.”
It takes me a second to understand what she’s saying. Shit! How in the world has it gotten this bad? She thinks Scotland is our son. Placing my arm around her, like I would when we were married, I bring her into the same side I’d just had Holland tucked into.
“It’s a great idea, sweetheart. And you didn’t scare me. I know Scott is always safe with you.”
She moves her head to mine and smiles. “M, honey, you look so tired, you should go back to bed. I’ve got this. I love holding him when he’s asleep, all cuddled in my arms. One day, he’ll be all grown up and he won’t let me do this anymore.”
I stroke her arm and kiss her on the forehead, all affections I had done when we were married. “No, sweetheart, you must be tired. Up all night with a colicky baby. Let me take him. Let me let you go back to bed.”
Her smile is as pure as it was the day we brought Scott into this world. “No, honey, I’m fine. But sit with me. I’ve missed you.”
My body becomes tense. Ned, Teagan, and Jase will only be able to hold Holland off for so long before the mother in her breaks free and comes running down the path, breaking this illusion for Christine. And when this happens, Christine’s behavior will be unpredictable.
“Oh, you’re right, sweetheart,” I begin. “I’ve missed you, too, but I’ve barely been able to hold him today. Can I have him for just a second?”
She’s moving Scottie’s little body over to me when she stops, bringing the baby back to her own body. “No, you’re only going to take her from me.”
I don’t miss Christine referring to the baby as a her when she begins to sing the same song she had hummed for Scott when he was little.
“Chris, please, I want to hold him, just for a second. I promise I’ll give him back t
o you.”
She starts to give me the baby but I don’t wait for her to pull Scotland back this time. I almost yank our granddaughter out of her hands and she’s left with nothing. The second I have Scotland in my arms, the police officers swarm the dock.
Christine looks up at me. “Where are you going with my baby?”
I don’t know what to believe when it comes to Christine, I just know I need to get Scotland away from her.
“I am taking her back to her mama.”
I’ve escaped the grip of my three friends. I know their intentions are the best but none of them have had a child. They don’t understand the indescribable bond there’s between mother and child. I have the door open when I round the back of Maguire’s house leading to the lake. Twenty feet ahead of me is Maguire. My heart stops until I see the little bundle he’s holding in his arms. I run to her, to him, to them. I don’t stop until I see it’s my daughter, my baby. The only thing in this world that matters to me. I scoop her out of his arms.
“She’s okay, darlin’, she hasn’t woken up.”
I stand still, pushing away the layers of blankets she’s swaddled in, inspecting her for any scrapes or bruises.
“Ms. Parrish,” the man in charge begins. “I have an ambulance up at the house. It’s just a precaution. But we want to get her checked out.”
I’m holding her so tight, she begins to whimper. “Ah, sweetie, I’ve got you, little one. I’ve got you.” The small cry is music to my ears as I turn around, making my way to the house, my world in my arms.
Jase is at the ambulance when I round the corner. The familiar look of the same paramedics who had delivered Scottie and were the first on the scene the night of the fire, have the back door opened for us. Maguire is about to hop in with me and my hand stops him.
“No, I don’t want you with us. Jase is coming.”
I can see the hurt forming in his eyes the second Jase hops in the rig with me. I could explain my reasoning, Jase is practically a doctor. But it’s more. I’m so mad at Maguire. But I’m madder at myself.
“I’ll be right behind you, and I don’t care what you say, I’m coming.”
Everyone barrels into the waiting room. Though I’m back in the ER at this point, I hear them all especially Maguire, asking to come back. But I’m not ready to see him, not yet. After the doctor leaves, performing a very in-depth check-up, I look over at Jase. He’s such a good man, driving the five hours to get to me, to Scottie.
She’d been gone for almost eight hours, six of which I imagined every scenario in which I’d never hold her again. And once again, I recognize the universe is plotting against me.
“I did something stupid tonight, Jase,” I begin.
His gentle smile is kind. “You finally gave into your feelings for Maguire?”
Cocking my head to the side, holding my sleeping baby, he laughs at me. “How did you guess?” I ask. He’s hinted before he knew of my love for Maguire, but I wasn’t expecting him to guess I’d act on it.
“Ah, shit, Holls, don’t insult my intelligence. But that aside, why was it stupid? You love him, he loves you.”
I close my eyes because the images of the fire still play out in my mind as well as Christine kidnapping my child. “Because, it almost cost me my baby. And another time, when I gave into my feelings, my life literally went up in smoke.”
“Oh, Holls, it’s not the universe telling you the two of you don’t deserve one another, it’s just bad luck.”
I let out a long frustrated breath, startling Scottie. “If this isn’t the universe telling me we don’t belong together, then I don’t know what is. Bottom line, both times, almost cost me my child and there won’t be a third.”
“Holls, don’t beat yourself up over this, who could have known Christine purposely got off her flight and came back to Maguire’s? It’s dumb luck. I’m not defending her, but let’s face it, she’s not been the most stable person in the past…”
“You’re right, you better not defend her.”
He extends his hands, lifting them. “Okay, I hear you. So, what are you going to do? Ignore this chemistry you share with Maguire when you see him every day?”
“You know Diane? My boss?”
His smirk is adorable. “Yeah, it’s a small town, Holls. It’s safe to say I know everyone.”
“She’d sent my portfolio off to a colleague of hers in San Francisco. They offered me a paid internship while I attend college. They see potential in my designs. I’d planned to turn it down, but now, I’m thinking about it. And it helps to know I have at least one other person in the city.”
“I won’t lie, I’d love to have you there. You’ve turned into one of my best friends. But, I know this is all we’ll ever be.”
Ah, hell, this man is so sweet, why can’t I love him, I ask myself for the hundredth time.
“But you know I’d be there for you anytime you needed it.”
The nurse pops her head in. “I’m sorry but the grandpa is getting quite cranky out there, can I send him back?”
I nod my head, looking back at Jase. “Not a word to Maguire,” I instruct.
“You think I want to be in the middle of the shit storm this will create—hell no.”
He’s right. Maguire will flip his ever-loving lid.
Chapter 24
Revenge is a nasty bitch. The second Scotland was back in my arms, I was plotting my vengeance from the back seat of the ambulance. So, when Maguire showed up at my house two days later pleading grace for Christine, I slammed the door in his face.
Grief has done a number on her. I get it, especially being a mother now. My brain is full of so many thoughts as I sit on my bed, Scottie sleeping near me. I’ve never been one to believe in spirits, but in my desire to communicate with my husband, I read an article about communing with the dead. I try to clear my mind. Meditation is key one article states.
“I know this may seem silly, Scott, I’ve never wanted to kill someone like I have with your mother.” I elevate my voice toward the ceiling, as though he’s above me. “What do I do? Is there forgiveness?” But in my need to talk to my husband, I find I don’t want to spend it talking about his mother. I shift this conversation, because I truly believe he can hear me. “Honey, I messed up. I don’t know what to do. How can I fall in love with your father? So often I thought it was because he’s so much like you. But he’s so different, too, and he’s moody. He can actually be quite the asshole. But then when I want to be mad at him, he does the sweetest things for me. Why did you throw us together? Shit, I love him, but I love you, too, so much, and miss you every day.”
Scotland takes in a long breath and begins to snore again, her abduction seems to be something she slept through. But it’ll haunt me for the rest of my life.
“Our daughter is amazing, Scott. And I used our name we picked out. But I went rogue on the middle name. Instead of Marie, like mine, I used May. It seemed fitting, especially since I wear this necklace your dad gave me, around my neck with me everywhere I go.”
I hold on to the necklace, bringing it to my mouth to kiss it.
“She’s amazing and looks just like you. She makes these faces that make me long for you so much. And she loves your dad—and jumps for him when he enters the room.”
Scotland moves slightly to one side and I scoot her back to the middle of the bed.
“I have an opportunity to study under great mentors. I didn’t think I wanted it but now, hell, honey, I don’t know what to do. It’ll be hard leaving your dad. But part of me knows how much disrespect I’m heaping on your memory. Shit, I wish you could give me some sort of sign.”
It’s been two days since I’ve left my house. Maguire has texted me almost every hour. We’ve been down this road before and he’s aware I’m convinced the universe is plotting against us. The night at the hospital, he encircled Scottie as though she was part of his body.
Diane is the only person outside of Jase w
ho knows I’m leaving. I’m giving myself very little time to regret this choice. Jase will be here in two days to help me pack having secured an apartment in his complex for Scottie and me.
When my thoughts return to Scott, my heart warms. Our life was never perfect but we were perfect for one another. The grief is still in my heart. My world has changed and in it, I’m still getting used to living without him, as I have fallen in love with someone else. These wishy-washy sorts of emotions that spring on me are all the reasons I have for leaving Coral Creek.
Searching the blank canvas of my boring apartment, leaving this place won’t be difficult. But leaving Teagan, Ned, Josh, and especially Maguire will break my heart. But if I don’t put miles between what I can’t have versus what I crave, it will devastate me. I can only hold back my carnal desire for so long.
I’m lost in these thoughts when my doorbell rings. Steam seeps from my nostrils, I set pillows on either side of my baby, running to the door. I open it up to a man whose nostrils flare even more than mine. Oh, shit! On the other side of the threshold is Maguire and in his stance, his deep glare, and his brows furrowed, I know he knows.
“What the hell are you doing, darlin’? Did you not think I’d find out?”
My arm is against the frame of her door. My free hand balls up and I’m about to hit the other side of the wall.
She turns around and scurries to her room and sure as shit, I follow her quickly. She turns, placing her index finger to her mouth. As quick as she’s in her room, she’s out with the baby in her arms. She takes her to her own room, placing her in the crib. My Scottie can sleep anywhere.
I follow Holland to the living room and she says nothing before falling back onto her couch.
“Well, are you going to say anything?” I demand.
She lifts her chin up a bit. “No, not really. I don’t have to defend how I live my life.”
Different as Night and Day Page 16