Chapter 15
Several weeks after her fantastic Fourth of July with Bear, and many more wonderful times with him, Rae found herself inside the courtroom, wondering if the past months in King Creek had been her last as a free woman.
Next to her sat her attorney, Luther Deming, who studied his notes. Across the aisle from him sat the prosecutor, a hard-looking woman with a confident demeanor, who honestly scared the hell out of Rae.
Bear had intended to be here today, but she had flat out insisted he couldn’t come and demanded he respect her wishes. She refused for his last memory of her to be seeing her in handcuffs, being taken away to prison.
He had argued, but in the end, he had respected her desires and said he would wait for her phone call. He’d clearly been upset, but watching her walk away in chains, if it came to that, was unacceptable
Carrie and Marlee, however, sat behind her. Both her sister and her cousin could not in any way be dissuaded to stay home. They were her family and had been with her every step of this horrible ordeal. Bear was important to her, but this was different.
Rae tried to swallow down her fear. This could become the worst day of her life. Losing her freedom would be far worse than everything that had happened to this date.
And it would mean she’d lose Bear, someone she’d come to love.
Love. What an awful time to admit to herself that she was in love with the wonderful man, who had changed her life.
Tears stung at the backs of her eyes. Her hands shook and she rubbed her palms on her thighs, over the tailored suit skirt.
She couldn’t allow herself to give in to the despair that hovered on the edge of her mind. Over and over she told herself that she would be found innocent and she would not go to prison.
Luther leaned close to her. “Hang in there, Rae. You have nothing to worry about. It is going to be tough going through this, but in the end, I am positive you will be found innocent.” He gave her a fatherly look. “It’ll be okay.”
She tried to nod but she felt frozen, her entire body stiff now.
The command to rise for the judge’s entrance caused a jolt to go through her. This was real. It was happening now.
Luther touched her elbow and guided her to stand. Somehow, she got to her feet without collapsing back into her chair.
Everything blurred, and Rae thought she might pass out. But once the judge was seated, she sank back into her chair and waited for the next moment and the next, the minutes and hours spent that would determine her fate.
The trial lasted almost three full days, but the jury came back with the verdict in an hour.
Which terrified Rae. Either the twelve jurors had all agreed she was guilty, or all agreed she was innocent within no time at all.
Rae felt as if she’d been to hell and back as she stood next to her attorney to learn her fate.
Her ears buzzed as the verdict was announced and she was afraid she hadn’t heard right.
Not guilty.
She’d been found innocent of all charges.
The judge stated she was free to go and slammed down his gavel.
Rae heard Carrie sob with relief and the loud exhale Marlee made, as if every moment spent in the courtroom had left her unable to breathe until now.
Luther helped Rae to her feet as the courtroom broke into loud conversations. “You did good, Rae. Congratulations.”
She turned and hugged him, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Thanks, Luther. Thanks for saving my life.”
He patted her on the shoulder, and she stepped back, brushing tears from her eyes with the backs of her hands.
In the next moments, she was hugging Carrie and Marlee, their tears mingling with their conversations. They intended to go to Carrie’s house and have a celebratory dinner accompanied by wine, and lots of it. Rae planned to call Bear with the news, so that he wouldn’t worry any more, and she could share her relief with him.
In the hallway outside the courtroom, Larry’s family and friends glared daggers at her and she knew they would never believe she was innocent.
She swallowed down the pain and anger that rose inside her. She didn’t deserve this, but she’d have to live with it for the rest of her life.
Rae, Carrie, and Marlee made their way outside. Rae was immediately assaulted by reporters. Locals bearing signs with Murderer emblazoned across them screamed at her. The horror of the last year and now this assault, threatened to cause her to lose control. She wanted to shout for everyone to leave her alone, to stop throwing accusations her way despite the verdict in her favor.
She had been found innocent by a jury of her peers—yet in people’s minds, they would still wonder if she was guilty, or would believe she absolutely was guilty, and that she had somehow gotten away with murder.
Could she stay in King Creek? Was it far enough from Coyote Lake City that she would be away from all the hatred and evil that was the only thing left for her here?
Rae hadn’t reached out to Bear after the “not guilty” verdict. She hadn’t been able to get herself to make that call.
Instead, after the trial was over, Marlee had made the call to Bear for her, despite protesting that Rae should be the one. She’d heard her cousin make excuses for her, telling Bear that Rae wasn’t feeling well and was exhausted from the ordeal.
All of that was true, but more than that kept her from talking with Bear.
Her heart couldn’t take it. She was in love with him.
More than she wanted to admit.
More than she could allow herself to feel.
When they’d arrived at Carrie’s home, two signs had been staked on her sister’s lawn. Rae Fox got away with murder, the signs read.
Rae had thrown up on the grass.
Even Carrie’s world had been tainted by what had happened to Rae.
Marlee and Carrie had been beyond pissed and took the signs down and threw them in a nearby construction dumpster. Rae sprayed her sick off the lawn with a hose while she felt like she had been crushed, a ten-ton weight resting on her chest.
Rick, Carrie’s husband, had the news on when they walked through the door. A reporter attacked her with barbed questions in a clip, insinuating she had gotten off when she shouldn’t have. The anchor went on to say that social media had blown up with accusations that she was a murderer who’d gone free.
Carrie had asked Rick to turn off the news. He did so immediately and apologized—he hadn’t realized they were home. He was a good guy, and Rae knew he’d never want to hurt her.
But after all of this, even New Mexico was far too close.
King Creek seemed like another lifetime ago.
Maybe she’d go somewhere big, where she could get lost in the crowds and just be another human being in an ocean of beings. New York City or L.A. seemed to be the best candidates for total absorption of her life.
Both cities were expensive places to live, but she could cash out her investments and stock portfolio as needed, and she’d be okay for a while, at least long enough to get settled and find a job. Maybe she could get back into real estate.
But could her heart take it if she left Bear?
Carrie and Marlee had tried to get Rae to celebrate her freedom tonight, but the best she’d been able to do was drink the wine they handed her. She was grateful to be free, but it felt like the whole situation was far from over. If she stayed around, it would only last longer. Even people in King Creek had probably heard of the trial and connected it to Rae.
All the wonderful people she’d met, and the new friends she’d made, must think less of her now. She could imagine the small-town gossip mill would be at full strength.
She rubbed her forehead with her fingertips, her head aching.
Marlee curled her feet under her as they sat together in the living room with their glasses of wine. The kids were in bed and Rick had gone up to his study.
“What are you thinking, Rae?” Marlee asked, drawing Rae out of her thoughts.
Rae shifted on the couch and stared at her wine glass. “I need to move out of state, but Albuquerque is too close. Maybe New York City.”
“Are you serious?” Carrie’s eyes widened. “After you’ve built a new life in King Creek?”
“I thought you changed your mind.” Marlee looked at her with astonishment. “You really would leave everything you have behind?”
“What do I have?” Rae struggled to keep her voice steady. “I have you two and my nieces. Otherwise, I have people who hate me and won’t ever forget what happened and won’t ever stop blaming me.” She waved her hand toward the front of the house, as if she could see the signs still posted there. “I’m Rae Fox, murderer, according to them.”
“The horrible people who left those signs shouldn’t be allowed to dictate your future,” Carrie said.
“You have King Creek to go back to,” Marlee said quietly. “You have Bear.”
A lump stuck in Rae’s throat as she fought not to cry. “I should never have developed a relationship with him. I can’t let him be with me when this horrible ordeal is now stuck to me like a stain. I will never get away from it all.”
“King Creek is small and far enough away that no one from here will be able to hurt you,” Carrie said.
“You’ve made a lot of friends since you moved in with me,” Marlee added. “People love you there.”
Rae squeezed her eyes shut as she considered what her cousin and sister had to say. Her voice cracked. “Three hours isn’t far enough from this place.”
“Don’t make any decisions today.” Marlee moved to the couch on one side of Rae. “You’ve had a rough time, to put it mildly, and you need to allow yourself time to think things through.”
Carrie sat on Rae’s other side. “Marlee’s right. You have a lot going for you in King Creek and with Bear. Don’t throw that away.”
“Group hug,” Marlee said and Carrie echoed her as they hugged Rae.
Rae tried to smile as two of the most important people in her life hugged her. It was so hard to feel any happiness with all that had happened with the trial. Yes, she was free now. But she had a lot shackling her at the same time.
Bear had become one of the most important people in her life and living without him would make her beyond heartsick.
Rae hugged her sister and cousin back, squeezing them tight. She was a lucky woman. She had her freedom, Carrie, and Marlee.
She would do as they asked and not make any decisions at this very moment. But she didn’t think her mind would change.
Tainting Bear’s life was the last thing she wanted to do.
Rae had just finished breakfast with her family when the doorbell chimed. Her stomach clenched as she imagined finding news reporters on the doorstep, or hateful people here to verbally attack her again.
“I’ll be right back.” Carrie left the kitchen to answer the door.
After a minute or so, she returned, looking pleased. “Someone’s here to see you, Rae.”
Rae startled. It couldn’t be bad, or Carrie wouldn’t be almost cheerful. Before Rae could ask her sister who it was, Carrie left the kitchen again.
Rae followed, feeling nauseated. She walked into the living room, where Carrie was talking with a big man wearing a cowboy hat.
Her heart stuttered as the man raised his head, his eyes meeting hers.
Bear.
Carrie backed away and Rae was barely aware of her sister leaving the room.
Rae fought to keep from running to him and throwing herself into his arms. “What are you doing here?”
Bear moved closer, so that they were mere inches apart. “I’m taking you home.”
She found herself shaking her head. “I don’t have a home. I was just staying with my cousin. Right now, I don’t have a home anywhere.”
“You have a home in King Creek.” His words were firm, a steely glint in his eyes that she’d never seen in him before. “You have family and friends who care about you. You have me.”
“I’m moving to New York City.” She blurted out the words. “I need to get as far away as I can from this place, and King Creek isn’t far enough.”
His expression didn’t change. He took her by the upper arms and gripped her firmly, as if that could make her stay. “Let’s go home, Rae. We’ll talk about this more.”
“No.” Teardrops rolled down her cheeks. “I can’t face all of those people.” She pleaded with him. “I can’t even face you.”
He moved his hands to her face and cupped it while wiping tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. He lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers.
Rae went stock-still, unable to move. But Bear didn’t stop. He moved his mouth over hers, gently prodding her, encouraging her to respond. She fought to keep from melting into his arms, but she wasn’t strong enough.
She sank against him as he wrapped his arms around her. His kiss remained gentle, as if knowing that was what she needed right now. She sighed softly into his mouth and he captured the sound.
When he raised his head, she didn’t think she could breathe anymore, much less think straight.
“Let’s go home.” He stroked her hair. “Where you belong.”
“I came with Marlee,” she said.
“I can drive home alone.” Marlee’s voice came from behind her. “You can ride with Bear.”
Rae looked over her shoulder at Marlee, who smiled. “Bear will take care of you.”
“Always,” Bear said, drawing her attention back to him.
“I’ll ride back with you,” Rae said. “But I’m not making any promises about not moving away.”
He caressed her cheek as he pushed hair away from her face. “One step at a time, hon. We’re not rushing into anything, and that includes you leaving.”
Rae packed her suitcase and Bear took it from her when she reached the top of the stairs. She watched his big back as he walked through the door, out to his truck.
She turned to face Carrie and Marlee, who stood just feet away.
“Did you two ask Bear to come?”
Carrie shook her head and Marlee said, “No, but he did ask for Carrie’s address and I texted it to him.”
“You should have told me that,” Rae said.
Marlee tipped her head to the side. “Would you have told him not to come?”
Rae sighed. “I know you both want the best for me.” She hugged Carrie, then Marlee. “But this is my life and I need to make my own decisions.”
“Just make sure your head is on straight when you do,” Marlee said.
Rae nodded. But how could she do that while being around Bear?
“Thanks for everything, you two.” She swallowed down the lump in her throat as Bear returned. “Thanks for being there every step of the way.”
“Of course,” Carrie said. “We’re family.”
“I’ll see you at home,” Marlee said. “Let me know what’s going on.”
Rae walked with Bear to his truck and climbed into the passenger seat when he opened the door. She strapped on her seatbelt and waited for him to start up the vehicle. She held up her hand in a little wave to her cousin and sister, who stood on the lawn, watching her go.
Bear didn’t ask her about the trial for two-thirds of the three-hour drive, and she was grateful for that. Instead, he talked about his animals, his practice, and his family, keeping the conversation positive.
When he did raise the subject, he said, “Do you want to talk about it?”
He didn’t have to say what “it” was.
She shook her head. “I want to put it all as far back behind me as I can.” Her throat ached as she added, “Which is why I need to move.”
Bear was silent a moment. “Give yourself some time,” he finally said.
She looked out the window and didn’t answer.
When they reached King Creek, Bear continued through the town and reached Marlee’s neighborhood. Cars lined the normally quiet street. Must be a party at the home of one of Marlee’s neighbors. It was Saturday, after all.
She was grateful it was so quiet at Marlee’s house. Her car was parked in the driveway. She wondered when Marlee would get home. Knowing her, she probably thought Rae needed some time with Bear.
She dug out her key, but Bear took it from her and opened the door.
“Welcome home!” The shouted cheer startled Rae, and she took a step back and stared at the room filled with people. A big banner hung along one wall that read, “We love you, Rae!”
Rae tried to make sense of all the people in her cousin’s home. She was hugged by so many people that she was too stunned to respond to their greetings.
It seemed that all of Bear’s family was there as well as Mickey, Jane, and even Patty from work, and other people she’d gotten to know since moving to King Creek. The mayor, of all people, was also in Marlee’s living room, and Rae had never actually met him.
Someone pressed a wine glass into her hand, and she saw that it was Bear’s mom, Julie. “Welcome home, sweetheart.”
“Thank you,” Rae managed to get out.
“A toast to Rae.” Colt caught her attention and she looked at him. “One of the newest members of the King Creek family.”
Cheers went up from the people around her, who shouted, “To Rae.”
Dumfounded, she looked at Bear. “Did you…”
“No. It was Marlee’s doing.” He gave her a soft smile. “Everyone is here because they love you.”
Marlee squeezed through the crowd and moved to Rae. “I almost didn’t make it here before you did. I’d hoped you didn’t see me zipping down the highway past you and Bear.”
With a soft smile, Marlee rested her hand on Rae’s arm. “You know the night I came home, the day before the verdict? So many people had seen the news and told me they were praying for you. I wanted you to see that people here care about you and don’t see you any differently than they did before. They’re happy things went the right way for you.”
Rae swallowed and fought back tears. “Thank you. I think.”
“Believe me when I tell you that there was nothing but support in this town for you, every day of the trial.” Bear rested his arm around her shoulders. “I hope you see that you belong here.”
She tipped her head to meet his gaze. “I don’t even know what to think.”
He kissed her soundly, then smiled. “I believe you know. You belong here.”