39. Chapter 39
July 12, 2011
6:37 pm
Sara clung to Gavin as they stood around the gravesite. Funny, she thought rain would be more fitting for such a sad day, but it was the sun that showed it was a force to be reckoned with, though it wouldn’t be out much longer. Not a single cloud filled the sky, much like the day when this all began.
A bird perched on a tree branch just above the gathering, as if to signal that Carter was with them.
Sara shifted slightly, trying to ease the pain in her stomach. Though it had been a week since Ryan had stabbed her, she still found herself feeling as if her abdomen had been ripped to shreds. The doctor tried to prescribe her something for the pain, but she refused. She’d rather writhe in pain than become addicted to painkillers.
Hailey and Gavin had been nothing short of amazing during her recovery, both of them taking turns to help her clean her wounds and change out her bandages or drive her around. Even Trinity helped her get dressed or would make Sara lunch.
At first, she had fought with them. She didn’t need them to take care of her. But she quickly realized she did, in fact, need them. And, to her surprise, she found herself thankful she didn’t have to recover on her own.
For the first time, Sara wasn’t alone. She had people who loved her and who wanted to take care of her, who didn’t see her as a burden. She wasn’t quite sure how to process that. So, for now, she simply let them dote on her; something her younger self would appreciate.
Breathing slowly to ease the pain, she brought her attention back to the preacher who spoke of Carter’s strength and kindness. Sara found herself mourning the man she’d hardly known. She was grieved she had only gotten to spend a few days with him before he was tragically taken from his friends and family.
His mother, father, and three sisters clung to one another as they cried in agony. Life was cruel. The good die young but the monsters seem to live forever. While Carter would be lowered into the ground, Lauren was living and breathing. She may be behind bars, but even that was too good for her.
Both Sara and Hailey had been livid when they found out the D.A. made a deal with her. After all she’d done, they were willing to give her a life sentence with the possibility of parole after only fifteen years if she told them everything about her crimes.
What a freaking joke the system was.
Finally, the preacher finished the service with a touching prayer and then invited everyone to place a rose on the casket and give their condolences to the family.
Gavin gently pulled himself from her grasp and looked at her. She gave a soft smile. “Go. They need you right now.”
He kissed her. “I’ll be back in a few.”
Sara watched him walk away as Hailey came and stood next to her. “I can’t believe this is real. It feels like a dream.”
“More like a nightmare,” Sara said.
Hailey nodded.
Sara sighed. “So, have you decided if you’re staying in town?”
“For now. I can’t leave you unattended. We both know you attract trouble like a damn magnet.”
Sara smiled inwardly. She didn’t dare tell her sister she was happy Hailey had decided to stay. Their relationship still needed a lot of work, but after all they’d been through, it was safe to say they were doing better than when they’d started.
“So where are you staying now that Angie is back in town?”
Sara chuckled. “Miraculously, she didn’t kick me out. But Gavin asked me to stay with him.”
Hailey raised a brow. “What did you say?”
“I needed to think about it.” She shrugged. “It feels really fast and part of me wonders if it’s just some type of trauma-bond or something.”
“Sounds like you’re making excuses.”
“Maybe. But I think I need to be on my own for a while, at least in that aspect. I like having him around, but I know I’ll need my space.”
Sara watched as Gavin talked to Carter’s mother across the yard. She hugged him and kissed his cheek. Then, he pointed to Sara and the woman beamed and waved at her.
Sara awkwardly waved back and looked at the ground.
Hailey shook her head and smiled. “He’s smitten.”
“He’s not half bad.”
Genevieve walked up to Hailey and Sara and hugged each of them. “That was a beautiful service for such a kind man.”
Hailey nodded. “Yeah, it was. I still can’t believe he’s gone.”
Genevieve smiled sadly. “You know, he called me earlier that day and asked me to make them cookies, but I accidentally burnt the batch.” She giggled. “He still ate six of them.”
Sara smiled. “He’s going to be missed.”
Genevieve kissed Sara and Hailey on the cheek and took their hands. “I’m so proud of you both, for being there for one another and for finding the truth.” She looked at the ground. “I’m sorry I didn’t help you when you were kids. Maybe things would have been different if I had.”
A tear slid down the woman’s cheek and Hailey said, “Gen, you did what you thought was best.”
“No, I did what was convenient. And both of you paid the price for it and I’ll forever carry that with me.”
Sara clutched Genevieve’s hand. “You don’t have to carry that. We forgive you. And now we all have a fresh start, so don’t be too hard on yourself.”
Genevieve smiled. “You both have grown into such beautiful women. Your mother would be proud.”
Trinity called to Genevieve from across the cemetery, waving at her to come back as Trey tried to quiet her down. Genevieve looked at Hailey and chuckled. “She’s my new slave driver now. She wants me to take her home to make cookies with Cecilia. Go figure.”
Hailey smiled. “You better go, then. She’s not very patient.”
“I wonder where she gets it from,” Sara quipped.
Hailey rolled her eyes. “From her father, obviously.”
Trey winked at Hailey as he waited for Genevieve to walk back over to him and Trinity.
“I better go. I’ve got wedding planning to do,” Hailey said.
Sara nodded but before Hailey walked away, she said, “Hailey…”
Hailey turned around and looked at Sara.
“Thanks…for having my back.”
Hailey smiled. “Always.”
Sara squeezed Hailey’s hand for a brief moment before Hailey walked away. Sara turned around to see Gavin walking toward her.
He said, “I tried to keep busy talking to people while you were with Hailey. It looked like a serious conversation.”
Sara shrugged. “Just sister stuff.”
“Is everything okay?”
“For once, yes.”
He took her hand and led her to the truck. “Let’s go grab some dinner.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to go be with Carter’s family?”
“Momma A. blatantly told me life is too short and I better not screw this up with you.” He chuckled. “Obviously, she’s devastated that Carter is gone, but she also knows life doesn’t stop and we should live it to the fullest…at least that’s the gist of what she said.”
Sara smiled. “Well, then let’s go live a little- in memory of Carter.”
He kissed her and she opened the door to the truck. As he walked to the driver’s side, a flock of birds flew across the sky as the sun’s rays beamed down on her. She closed her eyes and took in a breath.
Freedom .
Except this time, she had everything to lose. And that was somehow far more liberating.
And with that, she climbed into the truck.
Hailey kicked off her shoes near the front door. It wasn’t until she sat on the couch that she realized how much her feet ached from the heels she’d been wearing all evening.
The funeral had been beautiful, but she couldn’t help but feel such anger about the injustice of it all. Even her father wasn’t going to be charged since he wouldn’t be alive much longer. Hailey still wasn’t sure how she felt about that, nor did she think she would ever be able to make sense of the conflicting emotions she felt toward the man.
But at least she knew the truth.
Hailey sighed as Trey extended a hand to her. She placed her hand in his and he gently pulled her to her feet. She groaned. “My feet are killing me.”
He laughed. “You’ll be fine. Come on.”
He led her to the front porch where he stood behind her near the railing, his arms wrapped around her waist. The setting sun painted the sky beautiful shades of pink, orange, and purple. The same sunset they’d watched together as love-struck teenagers.
Life had changed so much in such a short amount of time.
She was finally home with Trey, watching the sunset with him while their daughter baked cookies at a friend’s house.
Hailey smiled. Home .
She laughed at the sentiment. He had always been home to her, even when they thought they hated each other.
They hadn’t talked much about the future. The last few days had been far too crazy to even think about it. But she wore the ring Trey had bought her, a promise she intended to keep this time. She couldn’t help but stare at it. As a teenager, she had dreamed of becoming Mrs. Trey Harbor. She wanted nothing more than to be his wife, to love him forever. And now, after thirteen years, it was becoming reality.
That night all those years ago, as they lay entangled together under the moonlight and the glow of the stars, she had meant what she’d said when she claimed to love him forever. And even through the worst of the worst, their love somehow lasted.
And now, they would raise their beautiful daughter together.
She sighed inwardly. Hailey’s heart broke for Trinity. Her daughter had been in shock the night they’d been held hostage, needing to be sedated once they had gotten to the hospital. She had screamed and sobbed hysterically as the doctors attempted to assess her. Hailey and Trey had slept at the hospital while they waited for her to calm down, neither one actually sleeping as they kept a watchful eye over her.
Finally, she had calmed down enough for them to take her home, though she was still timid and jumped at the slightest noise, worried that Lauren managed to escape and was coming after her. Of course, the nightmares had her waking up screaming and crying at all hours of the night. The three of them had been sleeping in the living room together because that seemed to be the only place Trinity felt safe.
Thankfully, Trey was taking a leave of absence until he felt he could leave Hailey and Trinity alone. Hailey knew he blamed himself for what happened, despite never voicing as much. She innately knew as much by the way he looked at Hailey and Trinity, or by the way he would hover or reach for his service weapon during the night.
“She’ll be okay,” Trey said quietly, pulling her from her thoughts.
Hailey turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I know. I just hate that she’s so scared.”
“Me too.” He kissed her forehead. “But she’s a survivor, just like her mother.”
He was right. Ryan had nearly killed her twice, and both times she had defied his attempts. Trinity was a force to be reckoned with and Hailey knew she would take the world by storm one day.
Much like Hailey once thought Sara would.
Seeing her sister hooked up to a ventilator had been difficult and Hailey hadn’t left her side until she was stable. Thankfully, Sara had pulled through and seemed to be healing quickly. Though, in pure Sara fashion, she had discharged herself against medical advice, making everyone upset. Hailey couldn’t blame her though. Sara had felt confined to the hospital room, and she needed her freedom…something she hoped Lauren would never know again.
Of course, the police were still piecing together Lauren’s crimes, but the FBI was now involved and would be taking over her case. One of the agents who interviewed Trinity had gone above and beyond to help her feel safe. He promised to be there every step of the way and when it came time to testify, he wouldn’t leave her side. He’d given Trinity his card and the teenager had clung to it like a lifeline.
Hailey didn’t blame her daughter for being so scared. Upon hearing some of the FBI’s findings, Hailey was realizing that Lauren shouldn’t be underestimated.
Apparently, she had killed her parents and eluded police for decades. Plus, she had been arrested for killing Nicole, Ryan, Hannah, Bobby, Loretta, Eli, and, of course, Morgan. Not to mention conspiracy and fraud and her attempt on Trey’s life. And there were whispers that she may have been involved in the disappearances of other people, but nothing had come of those rumors yet.
And, unsurprisingly, all of the investigating agencies were having a hard time sorting through the truth and her lies.
Even Trey managed to find holes in her statements. When he finally viewed the footage from Nicole’s restaurant, he was shocked to find that it was actually Lauren whom Nicole had been fighting with. From what he gathered, Hannah had seen the two women fighting and confronted Lauren about it. Ryan was supposed to be the fall-guy, but when Hannah started poking around, she became a liability and Lauren had killed her.
And Hailey hadn't been prepared to learn it was actually Lauren who had killed Eli. The hospital surveillance showed she had been the only person to enter his room in the two-hour window of when he died. She could be seen walking into the room, holding a vase of flowers. She was inside for nearly ten minutes before walking back out, turning back toward the door and opening it where she proceeded to scream and drop the vase, acting as if she’d seen Ryan kill Eli.
She had even used Hannah’s car to drive herself to the hospital, knowing the police likely wouldn’t notice it for days, possibly even weeks. She knew they would escort her, the weeping witness, to the station for a statement and no one would bat an eye at the inconsistency.
Unfortunately for her, Ryan used Lauren’s plan to his advantage when he kidnapped Trinity and demanded that Hailey come for her. Hailey vomited when she found out Hannah’s body had been in the trunk the whole time.
Despite Ryan being absolutely heinous, Lauren was likely the most cunning person Hailey had ever met. Even David paled in comparison to his wife in that regard.
That thought sent chills slithering down Hailey’s spine. But Hailey took solace in the fact that the secrets Lauren kept in the dark for so long were now coming to light.
She studied Trey’s face, memories flashing through her mind. Funny, she had hated this place so much when she first came back to town. But now, it felt like home. And maybe that’s because it was always home, even for all the bad memories it held.
“What are you thinking about, Princess?”
Hailey smiled. “Everything. Our past, our future. Me and you.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“I’m sure you do,” she giggled.
“I love you, Hailey,” he said
“And I love you.”
He kissed her and then twirled her around, causing her to laugh. He pulled her close and they slow-danced together as dusk turned to darkness.
Once night had fallen, Hailey wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him as they made their way to the bedroom. Trey shut the door and Hailey melted into him, knowing she’d love him forever.