Page 107 of Ashes of the Past
Tears spill down my cheeks again, and Rachel softens, pulling me into another hug.
“I just—I feel like I failed her,” I whisper.
“You didn’t.” Joanne’s voice is warm and steady. “You’re here. She’s here. And she’s safe.”
I close my eyes, letting their words sink in, letting their presence steady me. The guilt still lingers, but for the first time tonight, I feel like maybe I can breathe again.
Chapter Forty-Four
Jack
I sit on the porch of the old farmhouse, elbows resting on my knees, hands clasped together, staring at the dimly lit windows of Brynn’s house. The night is still, too still, and every second that passes feels heavier on my chest.
Olivia’s in there. Brynn’s in there. And I’m out here, completely powerless. I want to force my way inside, to make Brynn see that she doesn’t have to push me away. That she doesn’t have to go through this alone. But I know her, and right now, that would do more harm than good.
“I’m going in for the night. You should get some sleep, too,” John says as he stands up.
“I don’t know that I can sleep.”
“I get that. There’s some whiskey in the cabinet if you need a little help. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“She’ll come around. She’s just stubborn.”
“I know. It’s just…hard to be out here and not…that shouldn’t have happened.”
“Shit happens, Jack. I wish I could have protected them, too. That bastard…” John’s practically growling as his fists clench at his side. “Maybe it makes me a horrible human being for saying this, but the best thing that could happen is that Clay dies. He’s been tormenting Brynn for too long.”
“Well, hopefully, after this, he won’t be able to come near her again.”
John shakes his head in disgust. “I hope.”
He storms inside the house, and I lean back against the rocking chair I’m sitting in. I had called my sister immediately after everything happened, knowing that it was better she heard it from me than her husband or the town gossips. I also asked her to come be with Brynn. I was shocked when Rachel’s car came skidding to a stop next to my sister’s.
“Small town gossip,” Rachel had said dismissively as she and Joanne raced into Brynn’s house.
I run a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. My mind keeps replaying everything, over and over, as I try to pinpoint the moment I could’ve done something differently.
Could I have seen this coming? Should I have been more prepared? It’s my fault Lane lost his damn mind—I’m the one who fired him. If I’d handled it differently, maybe he wouldn’t have snapped. Maybe none of this would have happened.
Sometime later, the door to Brynn’s house creaks open, and Joanne steps out onto the porch. I stand immediately, my heart pounding. “Are they okay?”
She holds up a hand, stopping me before I can move toward her. Then she walks over, climbs up onto the porch, and drops into the rocking chair beside mine with a heavy sigh.
I swallow hard. “Jo?”
She nods. “They’re okay.”
I exhale, my whole body sagging in relief. “And Barney?”
“Banged up, but he’ll be fine. I checked him over myself.” She leans back in the chair, rocking slightly. “I took pictures, too. I’ll be taking them down to the station first thing in the morning. If those bastards somehow slip through the cracks on the other charges, they sure as hell aren’t getting away with animal abuse.”
I nod, my jaw tight. “Good.”
We sit in silence for a moment, the creak of the rocking chairs the only sound between us. I can’t hold it in anymore. “Can I go see her?”
Joanne sighs and shakes her head. “Rachel’s staying with her tonight.”
