Page 39 of Serial Love

“It ain’t hard,” Roscoe replied. “Just need a sharp knife and a little know-how.” With a nod, he left her to her privacy and ambled over to the shed.

She sat for a few more minutes, letting the thoughtsof her parents and Gram no longer being here drift away. Her mind flowed to the neighbor who refused to give them a chance.We could have had a shot of making a relationship work, Jack,she thought for the millionth time.At least I was ready to fight for the chance to build something with you!

Sucking in a lung full of fresh, early morning air, she let it out slowly as she rose to her feet. Wiping away her tears, she walked back inside. With a heavy heart, she readied to face the day’s chores.

Jack sat alone in the command center, having had a video conference with the men. Each was reporting back from the interviews with witnesses looking at the photo of the mustachioed man. The results were encouraging. At least two of the victims’ friends had seen someone who looked like him the last time they had seen the victim. Luke had scanned the photo through every known database he had and narrowed the field down considerably. There were still a great number of men in Virginia that made a similar match, but for once Jack felt as though the case was moving in the right direction.

Now, he sat alone in front of one of their security monitor screens. For the wealthy, they offered security cameras that were not monitored twenty-four seven but could be viewed when needed. Except for one. He had one on continuously and he was riveted to it. Onethat he watched almost every day whenever he was alone and had the opportunity.

The one at Mountville. He had not disbanded the cameras that gave him a view of the lodge.Invasion of her privacy? Hell yeah. Going to cut them off? Hell no.

Something was not right. He saw Bethany wander around aimlessly, not with her usual purpose. Sally came but not as often. He watched early one morning and saw Bethany sitting alone on the front porch.Ann. Where was Ann?He knew that Ann was not walking alone anymore, but most days either Bethany or Sally would take Ann for a little walk.

Moving to his computer, he quickly did a secure search. Ann Bridwell was now a resident of Golden Arbor.Damn! That’s why the bracelet still showed her location at Mountville. They must have removed it before she moved.

He scooted his chair back to the monitor and watched, hoping for a glimpse of Bethany, knowing now she would be devastated. Sure enough, she came out to greet some guests. He zoomed in on her face. Smiling…but the smile did not reach her eyes.

Jack leaned back in the chair, shut his eyes tightly, and remembered her smile when it was turned on him.Glorious.And, suddenly, he knew. If he could have that smile beamed on him every morning when he woke and waiting for him when he got home? It would be worth everything.But would it be worth it to her?

Remembering the words of Blaise over a week ago, he realized he never gave her the chance she was willing to take on them.

Not knowing if it was too late, he headed up the stairs and out of the door.Time to man up and convince her that I can be there for her.

Pulling onto the lane leading to Mountville, Jack noted the gathering clouds above. Uncharacteristically nervous, he focused on the task at hand— groveling. Parking in front of the lodge, he unfolded his tall frame from his SUV and jogged up the steps. Entering the room he did not see Bethany, but called up the stairs to see if she was in her apartment. Receiving no answer, he walked through the main room to the back door and out onto the patio. The tool shed was to the left of the lodge, and he was pleased to see the padlock securely on the door.

Roscoe and Sally came from around the front, the cleaning supply buckets in their hands. Both stopped suddenly at the sight of him, and Jack immediately noted the unhappy expression on Sally’s face.

Taking a deep breath, he called out, “I came by to see Bethany. Do you know where I would find her?”

Before Roscoe could answer, Sally bit out, “I don’t know where Ms. Bridwell is. Perhaps you should call at a later time to see if she’s available.”

Moving toward them, he replied, “I deserve you bein’ pissed at me. I made a mistake. Thought I knew what was best for both of us, but that’s between her and me. I’m asking you to please tell me where she is.”

Sally pursed her lips, staring at his face for a longtime. Roscoe wisely kept still, and his mouth shut. She must have seen something that she trusted because after a moment her stance relaxed. Slightly. “She’s out at cabin seven, getting a little work done.” Sally had stepped in front of Jack before he had a chance to move. “Young man, I’ve known Bethany since she was born. I know you must have had your reasons, but you need to know you hurt her badly. And she might’ve been able to snap out of her sadness quicker if other things had not come toppling down on her.”

“Ann,” he said quietly.

“Ah, so you know. Then you also know that right now is not the time to play with that girl. She’s too vulnerable and if you hurt her again, I swear?—”

“I won’t, I promise,” he swore, and meant it.

Sally stared another minute and then nodded down the lane. “Cabin seven is that away.”

“Much obliged,” he said, jogging off.

She watched him then turned to Roscoe and said, “I sure hope that was the right thing to do.”

The two of them went into the shed to put the supplies away, Roscoe not saying anything.

Jack rounded the curve of the lane, cabin seven coming into sight. He ran to the front door, about to call her name when he heard sniffling. Approaching the door carefully he peeked inside. Bethany was sitting on an old rug, her face buried in her knees which were drawn up with her arms wrapped around them. And she was crying. A new rug, still rolled up with the store tags attached, sat beside her.

He walked inside, softly calling her name as hesquatted in front of her. She jumped, her head jerking upright, tears still sliding down her cheeks. Her large, blue eyes, wide with fright, looked at him in surprise. He watched as her expression morphed into confusion.

“Jack?” She swiped her tears with the back of her hand. “What are you doing here?” Glancing down at her discarded tissue, she grabbed it off the floor and wiped her nose.

“I had to come,” he explained. Then seeing her knitted brow, he continued, “I’m so sorry about your grandmother.”

He watched as her face crumpled into tears again and he slid down on the floor in front of her, his legs on either side, and pulled her body into his. For a moment, he held her close as her tears continued to fall. Rocking her back and forth, he murmured words of comfort as her body relaxed into his. As the tears slowed, he knew the instance she processed what was happening.

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