Page 89 of The Moment They Can Never Forgive
“That’s my guess,” he said, returning to look in the safe.
“I’ve seen a lot of money before but never that much actual hard cash,” Sawyer said, still bent over and looking in the safe with his uncle.
“Not helping.” Dan elbowed him in the ribs.
Sawyer shot Leah a look. “Sorry.”
“Let’s bag this up, finish the search, and then head back to the station,” Sheriff Dans said. “Make us some coffee, Leah,” he added. “This could take a while.”
She didn’t want to stay down here looking at the money they pulled out of her father’s safe. In fact, Leah was pretty sure she never wanted to come down here again.
She climbed the stairs and then ran back to the house as fast as her legs could carry her. Hudson was sitting on the front porch with Birdie and Ally. They were inspecting the flowers he and Leah had recently planted in a long trough by the front door.
The sound of a vehicle had them all looking toward the driveway.
“Who is that?” Birdie asked.
Leah watched a white sedan take the turn toward the house.
“I don’t know, but Hudson, you stay here with Birdie, and I’ll go and see,” Leah said, shooting her friend a look. Birdie frowned but nodded.
Walking back down the steps, Leah squinted at the car, but sunlight was hitting the windshield, making it hard to see who was driving. When it stopped, she got her first look.
“No way,” Leah whispered, running to the car as the driver’s door opened. “Uncle Callum?”
The tall form of her mother’s brother got out, and he held open his arms. Leah didn’t hesitate. She ran at him. The tears came again as she inhaled his familiar scent. It felt good to have someone who loved her hold her.
“H-how is it you’re here, Uncle Callum?”
“I flew back from Peru five days ago and checked my post box. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and held on.
“Our sweet Cassie. I still can’t believe it,” he said into her hair.
This man had been in and out of her life since she’d been born. He never stayed in one place and had no physical address. Uncle Callum travelled the world doing what he loved. When she was younger, he’d come home with exotic gifts for her and Cassie. His visits had happened less and less after his sister passed, and Leah’s father had made it clear he didn’t want the man on his property. He’d started spending more time with them again after Chuck Reynolds had gone to prison.
“You’ve been gone for twelve months this time. I didn’t know how to get hold of you, so I just wrote that letter to your post box, knowing you’d get it at some stage,” Leah said. Uncle Callum didn’t have a phone or email. Social media were swear words, asfar as he was concerned, and the destruction of society as they knew it.
He eased her back, grabbing her shoulders to study her, and she did the same. He wasn’t tall, but he was fit. Uncle Callum was always working out and a legend at martial arts. In fact, he’d taught Cassie and Leah how to protect themselves. His hair was silvery gray and had been since he was in his thirties, and his eyes were blue like her mother’s had been. Dressed in his usual uniform of cargo shorts, which he told her had the best pockets for all his needs, and a tan T-shirt, he looked exactly as he always had.
“My poor girl, what you must have been through. I suppose that waste of oxygen is still in prison?”
She nodded. “He is and won’t be getting out while he’s still breathing, from what I gather.”
“Good.” He squeezed her shoulders. “And Hudson. He’s with you permanently?”
“I’m his guardian now.”
“Good, good, and coming back here where you have so many friends and people who care about you was an excellent move. Plus, I’m here now,” he said.
“When do you fly out again?” Leah asked as they walked back to where Birdie, Ally, and Hudson waited, watching them.
“I’m not going anywhere for a while. I’ll stay right here with you if you’ll have me.”
She gulped back a sob on those words. “W-we would love that.”
“Hello, Birdie. I remember you,” Uncle Callum said, releasing Leah to hug her old friend. “How are you, dear?”
