Page 28 of Until Presley

“I’m learning that.”

We drive through town and pull up to a facility I’ve passed before but didn’t realize until now was an assisted living center. I turn to Ham, who is smiling at me, before he gets out and comes around to help me out of the Jeep.

Ham laces our fingers together, and I start to get nervous for a different reason. I don’t want to see Julia, and I hope his brother likes me. I’ve tried to forget that Julia has a crush on Ham and used Win against us. But I also know if it came down to it, I’d let Ham go for Win. His brother might be a grown man, but he’s also a child in his mind. I’ve learned more and more about him from Flo. She told me he’s non-communicative, and when he can’t get things across, he gets upset.

We step through the doors, and several people turn to look at us. Ham says hello and keeps walking, leading me further into the building. We pass through another set of doors into a section of the facility designated for bedridden individuals. I spot Julia at the nurses’ station, and she quickly turns away when she meets my gaze. I’m relieved she isn’t going to cause a scene in front of everyone, but it’s a bit unsettling knowing I’m the reason she was taken off Win’s care.

Ham stops in front of a door and knocks once before opening it. Lying in bed, wearing a T-shirt and shorts, is a man, not a boy like I imagined. He has a bit of a dark, scruffy beard and the same curly hair as Ham, though his sides aren’t shaved, so he has waves everywhere. He’s quite handsome. He doesn’t show any expression as his dark brown eyes watch us. His gaze briefly shifts to our hands before settling on Ham.

“Hey, little brother. How is it hanging today?” Of course, Win doesn’t answer him. He looks at our hands again. “This is my girlfriend, Presley. I thought I’d bring her by to meet you.”

“Hello, Winslow. Sorry, I just came from work.” I apologize for my attire. “If I had known he was bringing me here, I’d have dressed up more. How is your day?” I ask, even though I know he won’t respond. Still, I want to include him in the conversation.

I let go of Ham’s hand and glance around the room, which is decorated in a combination of underwater scenes and comic book images. “Oh, I’ve dived here,” I say, pointing to an image of a popular night dive in Hawaii with manta rays. I spin around when I hear a grunt, my gaze shifting between Ham and Win.

“Yeah, buddy, she’s probably dived in more exotic places than I have.”

It’s as if I can see the questions in his eyes as they focus on me again. I walk over to the bed and sit in the chair beside it. Ham leans against the chair and rests his hand on my shoulder.

I tell Win about my father, then I talk about what I do and my diving. He stares at me the whole time, taking in everything I say. A part of me is sure he’s still in there. He’s not the child I was led to believe. He’s a man with the urge to learn more.

“I could bring you some pictures of dives and sharks, if you’d like?”

He nods his head, and Ham squeezes my shoulder.

We visit with him for another hour before Ham says we have to go. I pat Win’s hand before we leave, and he squeezes my fingers.

“It was lovely to meet you. May I come back and visit with you again?”

He squeezes my hand again, and I smile at him before I take Ham’s hand.

“Don’t be making moves on my girl, little brother.” Ham jokes before he bumps his fist against Win’s open palm.

I wave as we walk out. When we return to the Jeep, Ham turns me and lifts my chin up.

“You’re amazing, sprite. He’s never nodded before. His new nurse has been working with him more on physical therapy, hoping he’ll get more motion out of his upper body. Maybe someday his mind will unlock, and he’ll talk too.” He kisses me softly and then helps me into the Jeep.

“He wants to learn and do more than just lie in bed. Have his new nurse start him on some water therapy. I know there’s a way we can get him into a swim with dolphins, if you’d like?” I’m excited and want to help, because I can see Win is still in there.

“Baby, you better stop, or I’m taking you to Vegas and marrying your ass right now. You’re wonderful.”

“Don’t tease a girl like that.” I laugh. “Besides, I’ve always dreamed of an elaborate proposal on the water,” I tell him jokingly, but the look in his eyes isn’t playful. It’s serious.

I swallow and quickly turn away, trying to focus on anything but the warmth spreading through my chest at his declaration. I do want to hear him say he loves me. Holy shit! Did I just think that? Panic starts to rise, and when his hand lands on my thigh, I jump.

“Relax, sprite. When I propose, you’ll know it. You’ll also be ready for it,” he says in his deep voice, calm and determined.

As we pull through the gate into his driveway, I’m overcome by a sense of dread when I see the unmarked car parked in front of his house. The special agents walk through the gate, and Ham presses a button, closing us all in before leading us up the path to the front door.

I don’t say anything because I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say. I don’t even know why they are here. I already told the police the last time I saw Leah was that Saturday night at the club. I told them who she was with and that I’d left her messages, but she never responded.

Ham guides us to the living room and sits beside me. He puts his arm around me against the back of the sofa, but I can tell he’s just as worried about this as I am. His body is tight, and he’s not as relaxed as he wants them to think.

“Miss Blanchard, we know you told the police that you last saw Leah on the Saturday night before her body was discovered. We’ve also spoken to the man you identified she was dancing with. But can you tell us if you know of any of these women?”

The agent lays out four pictures of blond women. My throat tightens, and my stomach churns. I stare down at the pictures and then jump up and run for the bathroom. I barely make it to the toilet before I’m vomiting everything in my system.

The door clicks shut behind me, but I can’t stop long enough to look. Then Ham’s strong arms wrap around me, and I break down. Sobs rip from me as I start dry heaving.

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