Vanished In The Night. Lynette Eason

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      “I’m not blind or deaf. Of course I know his reputation. But it’s in his past. He’s not the same person he was two years ago.”

      “So you keep saying.” He heard the sarcasm in his voice and couldn’t do anything about it.

      She stood. “Yes. He’s changed. You don’t think people can change?”

      “People like Garrett Martin? No. No, I don’t.”

      “Then you need to spend some time in prayer. You can go to your room now.”

      Joshua’s jaw dropped. “What?”

      “You heard me. I’m a grown woman. I can make my own decisions about who I will and will not marry.”

      “And I’m a grown man. You can’t send me to my room.”

      “My house, my rules. Just like it’s always been.” She stared at him. He stared back.

      And finally dropped his eyes. “Mom, I don’t want to fight with you.” And he wouldn’t disrespect her. “All right, tell me. What is it about him that you love so much?”

      She sighed. “We’ve been friends for a long time. He and your father were friends as well, you know that. Garrett Martin is a good man. Deep down. He loved Stella so much. When she died, it nearly killed him. He pulled away from everyone, including poor Kaylee, and poured himself into his work.”

      “And poured alcohol down his throat.”

      “Not to the extent that everyone thinks. Yes, he got a DUI shortly after Stella’s funeral. And yes, four years ago, the pastor found him passed out in the back pew of the church. Garrett was mortified and it was his wake-up call. Pastor Hall got him into a six-month rehab program. Your father and I visited and supported him. Encouraged him. When he got out, he wrote a long letter about how much our friendship meant to him. And then your father died, and Garrett was there for me.”

      “I remember him at the funeral.”

      “Yes.”

      “I’m just having a hard time wrapping my mind around this. Kaylee is, too. I guess I just don’t understand how it happened.”

      She smiled. “It happens for older people the same way it does you young people. The late-night chats, after-work dinners and Sunday-morning worship services have all led to something more. Something special. He needed someone and I was there as a friend. When I needed a friend, he was there. And now...it’s just more.”

      “He needed someone, huh?”

      “Yes, he did.”

      “And that someone had to be you?”

      She tiled her head and studied him. “No, it didn’t. It could have been anyone, but I chose for it to be me.”

      “Mom—”

      “Drop it.”

      “I’m not dropping it. Not by a long shot.” He paused. “What about Kaylee? Garrett pushed her away to the point she may never want anything to do with him again.”

      Sadness flickered. A real grief that shot pangs through him. “I know. That’s Garrett’s one remaining relationship he wants to repair, but is so unsure how to go about it.”

      “I don’t know how to help there. Kaylee only returned home because she was desperate and alone.”

      “I know, but the fact that she was willing to move in with him gives him hope that this will provide them another chance to get to know one another and allow him to make up for his neglect as a father.”

      “I really hope it works out. If not for him, then for Kaylee. I think she needs him.”

      “Of course she does. He needs her, as well. Anytime there’s discord or conflict between a parent and their child, it causes that parent severe inner turmoil.” She raised a brow at him.

      He met her gaze. “I’m sure it does the same to the child.” With a glance at his watch, he sighed. “I have to go. Clay texted and said he was going to go by and talk to Kaylee before she’s discharged from the hospital. He asked me to be there.”

      “You?”

      “Well, I did fight off the guy that attacked her.”

      “I know.” She frowned. “You could have been shot.”

      “But I wasn’t.” He grabbed his keys from the end table then kissed her cheek. “I love you. We’ll talk later.”

      “Talk or argue?” she called after him.

      “Probably both.” He climbed into the SUV, slammed the door and started the vehicle.

      The hour’s drive to the hospital passed quickly for him and he soon found himself on Kaylee’s floor. Her door was open and he could hear Clay’s voice coming from inside the room.

      “You didn’t think you needed to tell anyone that you had a stalker?”

      “No. I mean, I thought it was all done. He’s in custody. How could it be him?” Kaylee said.

      Joshua stepped into the room. “What’s this about a stalker?”

      “Kaylee had one back in Nashville,” Clay said. “Looks like he’s returned to finish the job.”

      “Finish what job?”

      Clay read from a piece of paper in his gloved hand. “‘You thought I was gone, but I’m not. I would never abandon you. I’ve had a lot of time to plan it all out. I know we can be very happy. I know you think you don’t want to be with me, but I’ll show you how much you can love me—and how much I love you. I hope you like the black roses. Red roses are so cliché, so I decided to be different. Different just like our life together will be. We have so much to look forward to. See you soon, my darling.’”

      Kaylee held the baby against her shoulder. She’d read the words and had debated what to do. If Patrick Talbot wasn’t sitting in jail, she would have no doubt who could have sent the “gift.” She supposed he could have had someone, like his brother, do it for him, but as far as she knew, Patrick’s family didn’t have a lot to do with him. At least, that had been her understanding. She’d spoken to his brother and sister and they’d been severely grieved at his actions. Stalking with letters, then escalating to breaking into her home and trying to take her. If not for the quick actions of her neighbor, Kaylee wasn’t sure how that would have ended. Although, she had a pretty good idea. She shuddered.

      After opening the box, she’d left three messages with the detective who’d handled the case and he still hadn’t returned her calls. Then she’d tried Patrick’s lawyer and he hadn’t answered, either. Her last call had been at three o’clock this morning when she’d finally contacted Clay Starke and explained the situation. The sheriff had arranged protection on her room for the remainder of the night and promised to be at the hospital first thing this morning. She’d been waiting for him when he’d walked in.

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