Chapter 52
Fifty-Two
“ O h my goodness! Edie, look at this one.” Esther held up the tiny dress she’d unearthed from the box of things their mom brought over. The satin and chiffon lavender dress with tiny white flowers felt miniscule in Esther’s hands.
“That was your first Easter dress, Edie,” Faye said, a soft smile crossing her face. “You were only a few weeks old. All that fabric about swallowed you whole,” she said with a chuckle.
Edie’s nose wrinkled. “Yeah. It’s… it’s a lot.”
Faye chuckled again. “Don’t look so thrilled. I’m not asking you to put your baby in it. At the time, that was the height of fashion for baby girls.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I don’t mean to sound…” She broke off and waved her head side-to-side.
“I know. And I get it.”
Esther looked at the dress again. “Well, I, for one, think it’s beautiful. I might snag it if I ever have a little girl.”
A knowing look entered Faye’s eyes. “Poor Asher. I think he better get ready quick.”
Edie laughed. “He says he’s not ready, but he’ll do anything you want, Essy.”
Esther held up a hand. “He’s got some time. I want kids, but I’d rather walk down the aisle first. Maybe your second child and my first can be the same age.”
A bright smile blossomed on Edie’s face. “I’d like?—”
Her words died as the overhead light went off and the hum of the furnace stopped.
“Did the power go out?” Faye frowned, staring at the light.
Esther caught Edie’s eye. Her sister’s expression had turned fierce.
“Stay here.” Edie got up.
“Edith, you can’t?—”
“Mom, please. Stay put.” Edie waved a hand.
Faye huffed and got up. “No. You’re pregnant. I’m not letting you run into danger without backup.”
“It’s probably nothing.” Esther slowly got to her feet, wincing as her incisions pulled.
“Seriously?” Edie sighed. “Sit down, Esther.”
“I’m going to check the breaker box.”
“I’ll do it. You stay put. Mom, make her sit.” Edie hurried away.
Esther crossed her arms and glared at her sister’s retreating back. Edie knew she couldn’t walk that fast.
“She’s right, honey. You should sit.”
“I’m fine. Why don’t you go after her?”
The tinkle of glass breaking turned Esther’s muscles to stone.
“What was that?” Faye turned toward the sound, which had come from the back door at the end of the hall.
“Mom, call 9-1-1.” Esther reached for her phone to call Asher.
Shadows shifted and the air pressure of the room changed.
Someone had opened the door.
Esther pushed to her feet and grabbed her mother’s hand.
“Esther, what are you doing?” Faye looked up from her phone.
“Come on,” Esther hissed. “And keep quiet.” Moving much faster than was wise for her healing body, she dragged her mom toward the kitchen.
“I still haven’t called for help,” Faye whispered.
“Me, either.” Esther ducked behind the island, then peered over the top. She couldn’t see the hallway from here, but there was nowhere to hide where whoever broke in couldn’t see them. “Let’s get to Edie.”
Footsteps tracked across the wooden floor from the hall. Esther eyed the open space between herself and the door. If she could run, it wouldn’t be a problem, but whoever was in the house was too close. Based on the footsteps, he or she was near the dining table.
Her mind whirled as she tried to come up with a plan. Asher had been gone almost thirty minutes. Audra, Brooke, and Annabeth should be back any time.
“Esther…” a male voice called to her in a sing-song tone.
Chills went up her spine.
“Esther, I know you’re here.”
“Mom, send a text to 9-1-1.” Esther’s voice was barely audible. “Tell them there’s been a break-in and give them my address, then turn off your ringer.”
Faye nodded.
Esther opened her texting app and sent a quick message to Asher. She silenced her phone and opened the cabinet door just enough to shove the device inside. She took her mother’s when she was finished with her message and did the same.
“What now?” Faye mouthed.
Esther held a finger to her lips. She eyed the door again and prayed Edie wouldn’t come through.
“Come, now, Esther. Don’t make me search for you. I know you’re here. I watched your lady friends leave a while ago. Your boyfriend too. It’s a shame you took that bullet for him. I am sorry for that. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I should have killed him outside Lindy’s house instead of taking him hostage. Would have saved all of us some trouble.”
The door to the garage opened. “Well, it’s not the breakers.”
Faye darted out from their hiding place and grabbed Edie’s arm, yanking her down. Just in time too. A bullet plowed into the wall near the door.
“Jesus! What the hell?” Edie pushed her hair out of her face as she maneuvered into a crouch.
No sooner were the words out of her mouth than Lennox appeared in front of them. In the dim light, Esther could see the glow of his white teeth as he laid a merciless smile on them.
“Well, hello, ladies.”