Just A Moment
Despite her near escape from the reapers, happiness bubbled through Esme’s system, momentarily shoving down the terror.
Wyatt loved her back. The rest was just details they’d figure out once Marcus arrived.
Even the need to know more about the reapers was dulled by the knowledge that she wasn’t alone.
Wouldn’t be alone. She was in love with an incredible man who loved her back.
When the shaking started, and it would, she knew he’d be there to keep her in one piece.
Gray, Lawson, Boomer, and Bibi disappeared into the woods to conduct a perimeter search to ensure no one else lurked in the bushes, looking for pictures or to cause trouble.
The group kept the three people separated, with armed men surrounding each of them .
The reapers faced the other direction, and Esme wasn’t sure how she felt about seeing their faces.
While she wanted to know who’d tried to hurt her, there was a large part of her that didn’t want to know anything more.
Then there’d be proof that someone hated her enough to have her attacked twice.
Now that the panic was over and she was safe, she tried to analyze the woman’s voice. She hadn’t spoken since their friends had surrounded them, and Esme had been too afraid to concentrate before that.
Amber walked to where Esme and Wyatt stood behind the captured people. “Mara messaged me. She and the others have all the guests inside the inn with the security system set. They’re playing Halloween games and snacking. Everyone is having fun. Seth, Nash, and Farid are heading this way to help.”
Farid was the father of the teddy bear family. “Are Farid’s twins okay?”
Amber smiled. “I doubt he would have left if they weren’t. You can ask him soon.”
Knox joined them. “We’re walking back as a group, but we’ll keep the three separated so they can’t talk to each other. Marcus is on the way and he’ll meet us at the farmhouse. Are you okay, Esme?”
She nodded, and soon they were moving, although she and Wyatt remained behind the group.
When Seth, Nash, and Farid met with everyone, the latter moved straight to Wyatt and Esme. “I’m sorry we gave them a chance to grab you, Esme. Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I’m fine. It’s not your fault. I’m glad you and your family are safe. Are the boys okay?”
He rolled his eyes with a smile. “They’ll be talking about it for ages. They said Wyatt sprang into action like a superhero in real life. They’ve decided Gomez is a super dog, too.”
Esme squeezed Wyatt. “They’re right. I’m glad they weren’t traumatized over it.”
He nodded. “If they get stressed or have nightmares, we’ll deal with it. Haniya is a therapist, so she knows the signs to look for. Knowing you’re okay will go a long way to helping us all deal with it.”
Esme blinked back tears. “They’re terrific kids. They were rocking the scavenger hunt.”
Farid grinned. “They’re loving all the activities. Let me know if you need anything. Haniya said she’s available if you want to talk it through.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
Farid moved to the group surrounding the male reaper, adding another layer of protection.
Wyatt tugged Esme to a halt. “How are you doing? It’ll be a lot once we get back. What do you need?”
Some of the nerves that had been resurfacing settled. “That’s an easy question. All I need is you.”
He brushed a kiss over her lips. “Same. If it gets to be too much, let me know, and we’ll slip away for a bit.”
“Thanks, but I hope I’ll be okay.”
His gaze ran over her face, and he frowned. “We’ll get those cuts taken care of first.”
She nodded, not wanting to add to his stress. “They’re not deep. She tried to scare me, make me anticipate the pain and the scars. Because you found us so quickly, she didn’t have a chance to do anything worse.”
He hugged her tightly. “I was so fucking scared.”
She nodded into his chest and held on. “Me too. Thank you for keeping me safe.”
For a few minutes, they held onto each other in the quiet forest. Gomez sat at their feet, waiting it out.
When she was steady enough, she straightened and swallowed her emotions. “Thanks for that, too. Let’s unmask the reapers.”
Once they reached the farmhouse, they saw Downey and the reapers seated at separate tables of the Halloween activity stations. No one wanted any of them inside their home. Their friends stood guard at each spot.
Wyatt kept her hand in his, and Gomez trotted along at their side as they approached. Lawson, Gray, and the dogs returned as well, their nods proving they’d found no one else.
Wyatt stopped off to the side of the tables and turned to Esme. “Why don’t we go inside and make hot cider for everyone?”
She shook her head. “I need to see who she is.”
“Are you sure?”
Was she? After a quick internal survey, she reminded herself that Nans hadn’t raised a coward. “I think so. I don’t understand why anyone would hate me enough to do this. The man called her John, but I doubt that’s her name.”
“There’s a John who leaves nasty comments on your videos. That can’t be a coincidence.”
She shuddered and pressed her lips together. More proof this wasn’t an out-of-the-blue attack. That woman hated her enough to stalk and attack her . What would Nans tell her to do?
Nans generally took the high road and gave people the benefit of the doubt, but in this case, she imagined Nans would tell Esme to truss the woman like a turkey and toss her in the oven. The thought made her smile. “Marcus would probably want us to wait for him.”
Wyatt pointed at the headlights turning into the driveway. “Good timing; here he comes.”
Two squad cars pulled up close to the farmhouse. Marcus spoke to two deputies, who moved to cuff the three. Then they stood in front of the tables, faces stern and arms crossed.
Marcus walked to her and Wyatt. “Looks like you’ve got your attackers under wraps. Good job. Are you hurt, Esme? Lia, the doctor from Midnight Lake, is on the way.”
Esme smiled. “I’m okay.”
Wyatt shook his head. “The woman used a knife on her. She has several cuts on her face that need tending first.”
Esme protested, but Marcus agreed. “Let’s take this inside. There are lots of guards out here. They’re not going anywhere.”
As they passed Tristan Downey, he called out. “I was just taking pictures. I’m not part of them, but I’ve got pictures.”
Esme didn’t respond. The shakes were starting, and she wanted to be far away. Once inside the kitchen, Marcus sat in a chair opposite her. “I’d like to take pictures of your wounds as evidence. They’ll only ever be used for evidence and won’t be released to the public.”
That had her blinking away tears. “I trust you. Go ahead.”
The police chief snapped photos from several angles. She called on her modeling experience and stared straight ahead as if she were on the job. Thinking of it that way helped.
When the alarm sounded from the mudroom, Wyatt slid his arm around her and Marcus rested his hand on his weapon. She knew the criminals wouldn’t have the security codes, but having the men react as if they did reassured her they were safe.
Sure enough, Jolie walked in with Lia, the doctor. They’d met during the apple harvest, and Esme liked the quiet woman.
Jolie hugged Esme again. “I’m glad you’re okay, but Lia would like to check you out. You can use the library if you don’t want to go upstairs.”
When Wyatt started to rise, Lia placed her hand on his shoulder. “Just give us a minute. We won’t be long.”
Esme squeezed Wyatt’s hand and stood. “I’m okay.”
With the library door closed behind them, Lia smiled and pointed for Esme to sit in the desk chair.
She tilted Esme’s chin to get a better look at the cuts in the light.
“I’m sorry for what happened to you. You’ve been through several traumas, and you need to give yourself a lot of grace.
Thankfully, these cuts are superficial. I’ll clean them up and apply butterfly bandages to your temple and cheekbone. Nothing is deep enough to scar.”
Esme blinked back another round of tears. “It’s okay. I can live with scars.” Not that she wanted any more, but she’d survive them. Wyatt loved her for her; another scar wouldn’t change that.
Lia lifted her hand. Scars covered the palm and wrist. “Me too. Joe said they prove we’re strong and resilient. I think he’s right.”
Esme wondered at Lia’s history, but wouldn’t ask. She knew how intrusive questions could be. She wouldn’t speculate for the same reasons.
As if sensing her questions, Lia smiled. “We’ll sit down and talk about the story one day, but the simple version is a bullet went through my hand. Like you, it sent me away from one career and into another. One I never dreamed I’d love.”
Esme managed a smile. “Me too.”
Lia grinned. “See, resilient. Okay, you’re cleaned up.
You’ve been through trauma before, so you know the effects can last a long time.
Let Wyatt pamper you, as he’s been through a different version of the trauma.
Men like him and Joe would prefer to be the ones under threat.
He’ll be dealing with blame, guilt, and fear.
Hang onto each other and keep talking about it.
When you hide it, it festers, and no one wants that.
How about I send him in here for a few minutes before you talk with Marcus? ”
“Perfect. That would be perfect.”
Wyatt couldn’t sit still. He knew Esme was safe with the doctor, but he didn’t like being separated from her, not after what she’d been through.
Marcus stood to make a pot of coffee and fill the kettle. “You’ve got yourself a hell of a woman there, Wyatt.”
That arrowed right to his heart. “I do. She’s amazing. Strongest person I know.”
“Have you told her how you feel?”
He couldn’t contain the grin. “Not too long ago.”
Marcus chuckled. “Good. Keep it up. Let her know she’s loved and safe. It’ll help you both.”
He sensed movement and turned toward the swinging door as Lia entered the kitchen. She waved him forward with a smile.
When Esme didn’t follow, he moved. “She’s okay?”