Page 37 of Secrets That Bind Us
Jason and I finish our workout, and as we leave the gym, all I can think about is how to disrupt Verity’s life just to have her in mine. Little did I know, I wouldn’t have to wait much longer.
It’s past midnight when I’m cruising past the old Baptist church I used to attend with Verity and Mama Marie. Its steeple is tall and painted white- same as the cross that swiftly sways in the late August breeze- stars glittering behind it when the radio sparks to life.
“Hey, Sheriff.”
“Better not be teenagers on the water tower again, Debbie.” I radio back. I don’t always take the night shift, but my deputy’s wife was sick, so I told him I’d cover so he could be home with their four-year-old, Elaine.
“Call just came from the old Huntington place. Says there’s someone in the house.”
“On it.” I hang the radio back up, turn on my lights and siren. I drive like a demon flying out of hell to get to my girl, my future stepson, and theother one I have yet to meet but dying to. And I’ll be damned if any harm comes to my future before I have a chance to claim it again.
When I get there, they’re all huddled outside, every light of the porch is on, but the lights inside are off. I aim my high beam at the house and call for backup, just in case.
Verity is holding a whimpering Noah in her arms when I approach, and when the older one turns around, my heart plummets.
Black hair. Freckles. Her mother’s nose.Myblue eyes.
“Verity.” I rasp.She’s beautiful. She looks just like us.
“Dean.” Her eyes are wide in panic, guilt, and red rimmed. I can only imagine what they went through, but there’s anger rising at my realization of my real-life reflection is staring back at me. Only she’s a girl. And looks to be about twelve.“Not now,”she mouths, shaking her head in the smallest of movements. “Please.”
I curtly nod once, putting on a mask of professionalism when I want to scream. I pull out my flashlight just as another cruiser pulls up, and Officers Warren and McCain hop out to join me and gather around the trio. I face away from her, looking into the home that holds some of the best and worst of my memories of my life- a house that now shelters my daughter.
Inhaling deeply to gather all the courage I can to face her again, I simply ask, “Can you tell us what happened?”
Chapter Eighteen
Verity
Present Day
Four hours earlier
“Noah!” The thumping of Savannah’s feet as she runs down the stairs is loud, and when she finds us having an after-dinner snack in the kitchen, her eyes are narrowed, and her cheeks are pink. “Give them back!”
“Give what back?” He asks around his banana, swallowing it down with a glass of oat milk.
“My paintbrush set! The one dad got me for my birthday before he… give it back!”
Noah looks shocked, but then his brows furrow together, and he puts his banana down. “I didn’t take it.”
“Noah! Quit lying! You’re always taking my stuff! I’m always finding my things in your room or out of place! I told you– I don’t care if you touch my stuff, just put it back!”
My son’s cheeks turn a bright red, and tears well into his big brown eyes. “Savvy, I touch your art stuff, but I know that one’s special. I didn’t take it. I swear I didn’t.”
The thing is, I believe my son. Weallknow not to touch it. Plus, I just got Noah his own art supplies while we were in town earlier so hewouldn’ttouch her things– her moreexpensivethings.
“Mom!”
“Sav, maybe you misplaced them.”
“No, Mom. I keep them in a box on the second shelf of my closet to keep them safe. Hewatched meput them up there.”
“When was the last time you saw them?”
“When I put them up there last night!”
“He can’t reach up there.”
