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Mom was waiting for us when we got home.
“Beth.” Dad halted just inside the door, half-carrying me. We were bloody and battered, and I was still in tears. “Alex was caught in—”
“If you can’t tell me the truth, Raleigh, stop talking.” We both stared at her. “I’m not an idiot, you know. Something has been going on, and I will wait until you feel you can tell me. Just don’t keep me waiting too long.”
She took us into the kitchen, examined all of Candace’s handiwork, then set a plate in front of each of us—with what had been a well-planned turkey dinner. Now it was cold, the gravy a glop of brown goo on the mashed potatoes, and the rest of it just as unappetizing. Dad flinched.
“Honey, I—”
“Call the next time you’re going to try to save the world while lying to me about it. I’ll hold dinner for you. Now go to bed, Raleigh. I’ll take Margaret up.”
That stopped his protest. I fought to control my tears as he limped out of the kitchen, a low moan accompanying every step.
“Mom.” She turned around, and I caught the fear on her face before she managed to cover it with a smile. “I’m sorry.”
The smile faded. “I want to believe you trust me, sweetheart, as much as you trust your father.”
That stung. Worse, I deserved it.
“I do. It’s just—you—”
“Panic easily?” She sat down, took my hands. “When it comes to you, I have a hard time. We are so different—I loved dolls, and wanted to be a mom. You wear motorcycle boots, and try to kill yourself on that mountain bike of yours. No, let me finish.” I closed my mouth. “That doesn’t mean I won’t protect you with my life if necessary.”
“Mom—” The tears came again. I seemed to have lost control over them.
She helped me stand, careful of my bandaged back, and led me through the quiet house. “Tell me what you can, when you can, sweetheart. Until then, I’ll trust you to come home again when you walk out that door.”
My mom was more awesome than I could have imagined.
I really wished I could tell her the truth.
~ ~ ~
Halloween passed in a blur of costumes, laughing kids, and mountains of candy. I passed it out because it was something to do to keep my mind off, well, everything. And since pretty much everyone does the trick or treat route—age not a factor here—I was busy most of the night.
It kept my mind occupied, and I really needed that distraction right now.
Katie and the two brothers were fine, home with their families—and probably out there, grabbing their share of candy. Kids were resilient.
Me—not so much.
The last of the die-hards wandered through just around midnight. Exhausted, I turned off the porch light and locked the door.
The house settled around me, deadly quiet. Dad had rallied after a good night’s sleep, and he and Mom attended their annual all-night dinner dance, with Dad using his costume as the perfect excuse to have a cane. He went as Charlie Chaplin.
So I was home, alone. The absolute last thing I wanted right now.
Resigned to a sleepless night, after everything that had happened, never mind the constant reminder of my injuries, I headed for the stairs. A knock on the front door turned me around.
Without even thinking about it, I picked up the half empty candy bowl and unlocked the door, swinging it open.
“You’re lucky—I was just about to—”
I clutched the door, and stared at Sam.
“Hey, Alex.”
“Sam...” My throat locked up. Taking in a shaky breath, I focused. “Are you okay?”
“Better.” He flashed a smile. “Candace did a thorough examination.” His smile faded. “I’m leaving Emmettsville. I just—I wanted you to know, to tell you myself. To thank you. I’m so sorry for what happened.” Before I could think to react, he leaned down and kissed my cheek. “Goodbye, Alex.”
I limped after him, my mind screaming what I wanted to tell him.
Don’t go. I want you to stay. I’m in love with you and I don’t know what to do about it.
All that came out was his name. “Sam.”
He paused next to his SUV, as scarred now as its owner, and refused to look at me. “I have to do this. I can’t be trusted—” He yanked the door open, and slid in, finally lifting his head. “I’ll miss you.”
I watched him slam the door, gun the engine, drive away. And stood in front of my house, the music of my neighbors’ Halloween celebrations floating in the night air as my heart shattered.
~ ~ ~
“He did what?” Misty slammed her books on the library table. Heads popped up around us, and Mrs. Swiller gave her the evil eye from across the library. She simply nodded at me, and went back to reading the book on her desk.
Misty lowered her voice this time. “You just let him walk away.”
“I didn’t—there was—” I laid my head on the table. “Yeah.”
“So why are you just sitting here?”
“What?”
“He’s still home.”
I lifted my head. “He didn’t leave?”
“Not yet. Candace went out to the mansion today to do a follow up.” I stared at her, hope threatening to break through the ache that had locked me in its grip all weekend. “Well? You have a thing for him or not?”
I blushed. “I—he—”
“Good God, Alex. A blind man the next town over could see how you feel. Now go tell him.” I glanced at Mrs. Swiller. “I’ll create a distraction.” Misty rubbed her hands together. “Now go spill your heart out all over him.” She touched my wrist. “He couldn’t do better.”
My blush deepened. “What if he—”
Misty pulled me to my feet. “He won’t. Now get out of here.” She gave me a gentle shove toward the door, and headed across the library. “Mrs. Swiller—I really need your help finding this book.”
Mrs. Swiller stood, surprise on her face. “Miss Corwin? Did I hear you correctly? You need assistance with a—book?”
“Last I checked, this was a library.”
Laughter followed me out the door.