Chapter 47
Charlotte
I lie in the bed, staring at the bodies next to me, scared to move in case they wake. I’ve been looking at them for about twenty minutes now. Sutton’s sitting right by my bedside and Preston is curled in his lap. They look cute together, the two of them clutching my hand.
Then I turn my head and look back at my father. He hasn’t moved the whole time I’ve been watching. Sitting on the seat across the room, head hung low, staring at the floor. I’ve heard him cry. I’ve heard him whimper. It’s like the grief of losing Mom all over again.
My foot tingles, so I wiggle my toes a little, and his head shoots up. His bloodshot eyes meet mine, and for a full minute, we just stare at each other. The silence is overwhelming.
“I thought I lost you…” His voice cracks, and a tear runs down his cheek. “Tell me I haven’t.”
I swallow, my eyes watering. My heart feels like it’s ripping in two. But he’s my dad.
“Maribel?” My words whisper across the room to him as his jaw clenches.
“With police. I can’t believe it… I can’t believe any of it.” He shakes his head, rubbing a hand down his face. The oil tycoon looks broken.
“You weren’t there for us…” I keep my features schooled, my jaw set, but my resolve is crumbling. I just want my dad back. The one who left when Mom died.
“I wasn’t a good father. You deserved better. Much better.”
I take a shaky breath, letting him continue.
“But I want to try again. I lost your mother. I can’t lose you and Preston too.
I will do whatever it takes. Whatever it takes.
I promise you.” I see the determination in his eyes, his love for us shining through.
There’s a lot of work to be done. My trust in him is completely shattered, but I know he was dealing with his own grief demons, Maribel taking advantage of all that.
I swallow roughly and give him a small nod.
“I love you, Dad…” I can barely get out the words as he rushes to me. Scooping me up tight, holding me close, just like he used to.
“I love you too, sweetie. God, I can’t believe I almost lost you.
Lost Preston… I’ll never let anyone harm you again.
Ever again. You’re both my everything.” He grips me tight, and I wince a little, my muscles sore, but I hold him back just as tightly.
I can’t stop the tears, and I feel my hair growing wet from where his face is buried.
“You’re awake?” Preston’s voice is groggy and Dad pulls back slightly as we both look at my brother.
“Come here, you,” I tell him, and he dives in, the three of us hugging. It feels so nice. So good to be back with our father. It won’t all be erased, and it’ll take time. But I know he loves us.
“Hey, buddy. We’re alright. We’ll be alright,” I whisper to my brother, hearing him cry.
I look over Preston’s shoulders and see Sutton sitting up, watching it all. I love you, I mouth to him, my heart full.
“I love you too, Tinker.” The sound of Sutton’s deep voice has my father pulling back, all four of us wiping our eyes.
“Tinker…” Sutton comes closer, and my dad is silent, giving us room as I turn, looking at the man who does have all my trust. “Hey, baby… How do you feel?” he croons, sitting forward as his hand comes to my face, caressing me so softly I barely feel it.
“Like I have a hangover without the fun of a party.”
“The liver metabolizes the drugs, and it takes time for the body to clear it, rehydrate, and restore normal brain function.”
I grin at hearing the small tidbit.
“Well, that’s what Hudson said…” He looks sheepish, even though his eyes canvass me, still searching for any other signs of distress.
“Maribel’s gone. Sheriff took her. Williamstown police are involved. She has clear ties to the two people who grabbed you guys,” Sutton explains, and Preston’s hands tighten around me.
“Who were they?” My brain is starting to connect as visions of the older couple from the diner come back to me.
“Her brother and his wife.” My dad scoffs, shaking his head.
“She wanted you and Preston gone. She wanted to be the only family tie to me. She did it for money. It was all about the money.” He looks and sounds disgusted.
Disgusted with her and her behavior, but also with himself for the poor choices he made.
“I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe any of it. ”
“We got to you just in time. They were both amateurs. They left you and Preston tied together while they went to find their getaway car. Got lost in serial killer forest while trying to find their way out. My team found them pretty quickly.”
“They got caught by the forest?” I can’t help but chuckle at that fact.
“Yeah… looks like you, me, and Preston are the only ones who know our way around those woods. And our little call box came in handy too.”
“It was your good idea to put it there… See? You are resourceful,” I tell him as my hand clutches his, and he squeezes it back before lifting it to his lips and kissing my knuckles.
“I was so scared, Tinker…” Vulnerability shines through as his eyes get a little glassy.
“Me too,” I whisper to him, holding his gaze, my love for this man expanding.
“Me three…” Preston murmurs.
I hold him close, brushing back the hair off his forehead as his eyes meet mine. “I’m sorry you had to go through that alone when I blacked out. You must have been so scared.”
“It’s okay. They didn’t do anything else. Just tied us up and left. I was mostly scared about if you were going to wake up, but I kept watching you breathe. I knew Sutton would show up and save us.”
Another tear trails down my cheek as we both look at Sutton.
“Always, buddy. You can always count on me,” he says, swallowing past more emotions.
“Looks like you’ve all made a little life for yourself here in Whispers…” Dad stands at the end of my bed, watching all three of us with a softened look in his eyes.
“We have.” Sutton nods, protectiveness coming to the surface.
“You’ve been taking care of my kids… when I couldn’t…” My dad pauses, shaking his head, but Sutton doesn’t let him stumble as he stands, walking toward him.
“I fell in love with your daughter the moment I saw her. And I fall more and more in love with her every second of every day. She’s incredible, and Preston is like a little brother to me.
We’ve started building a life here, one where they are safe, loved, and cared for,” Sutton says as my father turns to face him.
“I can see that. And I thank you for everything. For loving them.”
He nods in understanding, but then says, “I don’t need thanks. I just need them. And here in Whispers, I’ll make sure they’re happy.” Sutton smiles, but I know he’s stamping his authority.
My dad looks at where Preston and I are, clinging to each other and watching the two men we love talk. He nods at me, and I nod back. A silent conversation that this is where we want to stay.
“Well, looks like I’ll be doing a lot of traveling to Whispers, then, doesn’t it?” He holds out his hand for Sutton to shake, and Preston and I both tense, waiting to see what Sutton does.
“You’re always welcome in Whispers.” Sutton takes his hand, and they shake, and I blow out a breath and feel Preston sag in my arms.
It’ll take a while, but I know we’ll be okay. And we won’t be leaving Whispers.