Blue Skies, Season 2, Episode 8 (Rising Storm) (11 page)

For a moment she wavered, and then she nodded, turning to close the distance between her and her siblings. “Hi,” she said, feeling like an idiot, but not knowing what else to say. “How’s your arm?”

“It’s just a graze,” Marcus said with a shrug. “How are you?”

“I’ve been better.” She tried for a smile and failed miserably. “But at least I didn’t get shot.”

“Oh, Dakota, I can’t even imagine what it must have been like,” Mallory said, her baby sister reaching out to grab her hands. “I’m just glad you’re okay. Where have you been?”

“I, ah… I’ve been at the lake. Thinking.”

Marcus nodded. “I figured you’d go there.”

“Did you send Patrick?” She frowned, suddenly wondering if Patrick’s concern was Marcus’s doing.

“No. He volunteered. I just steered him in the right direction.”

“How’s Mom?”

“She’s beat up. And it’s going to take a while for the injuries to heal. But she’s going to be okay.”

Dakota wished like hell that healing would truly be as simple as a few mended bones.

“She’s been asking for you,” Mallory said.

“Oh, God.” Tears threatened and Dakota stared at the ceiling, trying to get her tumbling emotions under control. “I’m not sure I know why.”

“Because she’s worried about you. I mean you were there when…when…”

“It’s okay, Mal,” Marcus said. “You can say it. Dad is dead.”

Dakota felt a fresh stab of pain. “Is he…I mean is the body…”

“The sheriff’s department took him to the morgue.”

She nodded, her stomach clenching as the memory of the day’s horror played again through her mind. “And Sheriff Murphy? He’s not…he’s not in trouble, right? I mean, he was defending us.”

Marcus looked surprised, and she felt ashamed that he’d doubt her stance on how things played out. “He’s going to be fine. There were plenty of witnesses.”

“I’ll be happy to give a statement if it helps,” she said, wishing there was something more she could do. Like wipe out the last five or six years of her life.

“I’ll let Dillon know.” He paused for a minute, his gaze searching hers. “Do you want to see Mom?”

Yes. No. God, if only it were as simple as one or the other. She pulled in a ragged breath. “Yeah. I do.”

“Good for you,” Mallory said, her smile giving Dakota a moment of peace. Of all of them, their father’s malevolence had touched her the least. Which was something good to hold onto. “Do you want us to come with you?”

Her eyes met Marcus’s again. “No. Patrick’s right. This is something I have to do myself.”

For a moment she thought she saw a flash of pride in Marcus’s eyes, but of course after everything she’d done, that wasn’t possible. Still, just the idea made her feel stronger. “Dakota, you know that none of what happened at the house was your fault.”

“Maybe not directly. But we are where we are in part because of my actions. And pretending otherwise isn’t going to change the facts.”

This time she was certain it was a sparkle of pride. Too little too late, but she’d cherish it anyway.

“Ready?” Marcus asked as they came to a closed hospital room door.

“As I’ll ever be.” She reached for the door handle, and then stopped for a moment to look back at her brother. “Marcus?”

“Yeah?” he replied, his eyebrows raised in question.

“I’m sorry. For everything.”

“I know. Honest to God, I do. And believe me, I sure as hell know what it feels like to spiral out of control.”

She held his gaze for a minute, and then pushed open the door and walked into her mother’s room.

Joanne was lying back against her pillows, her face turning every conceivable shade of purple and blue. Her arm was in a splint and monitors beeped incessantly behind her as various machines kept track of her vital statistics. She looked so small and helpless. And yet in Dakota’s mind’s eye, all she could see was her mother leaping in front of her, drawing her father’s wrath away from her. The truth was that Dakota’s mother was the opposite of small and helpless.

She’d stood strong against a monster for years. She’d taken beatings just so that Dakota and Marcus and Mallory would be safe. Everything good in Dakota’s life was due to her mother’s diligence. And she’d thrown it all back in her mother’s face at every opportunity. Shame washed through her, hot and heavy, threatening to tear her into pieces.

“Oh, honey,” Joanne said, holding out her arms. “Come here. Let me see you. I just want to know you’re okay.”

Dakota felt the tears fall as she ran to her mother’s side. “Oh, God, Mom, I thought he was going to kill you.”

Joanne smiled through her own tears. “I thought he was going to kill you.”

“But he didn’t. We’re here. And we’re alive. And he…” She swallowed, trying so hard to make sense of this new reality. “He’s dead.”

“I’m so sorry, baby. I know you loved him.” Joanne reached out to stroke her hair, the gesture bringing memories of so many other times when she’d done just the same.

“No.” She shook her head. “I loved the idea of him. But the father I believed in never existed. I was lying to myself, Momma, and because of that I hurt you so much. I’m the one who’s sorry. How can you ever forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive. You’re my child, Dakota. From the first moment they laid you in my arms, I loved you. And there’s nothing you can ever do that will change that fact. Nothing.”

Dakota gave her mother a watery smile. “Well, you’ve got to admit I gave it a good try.”

“You were always my wild child. And you know what’s really funny about that? I was just like you when I was growing up. I hated this town. And I hated the restrictions my family kept trying to put on my life. So I rebelled.”

“And married Daddy.”

“Yes. But it didn’t turn out quite like I’d planned.” A shadow passed across her mother’s face.

“I’m so sorry. I thought you were making it all up. That you were persecuting Daddy. But all that time, he was… he was…”

“Your father was a very sick man. He wasn’t happy with his lot in life, and he chose to take that out on the people around him. I just happened to be the closest person in line.”

“And you kept it from us so that we wouldn’t get hurt, too.”

Joanne’s smile was tender. “Like I said, you’re my children. Nothing is more precious. I’d happily give my life for any of you.”

“You almost did.” Dakota wiped away her tears, forcing herself to stand strong. If her mother could do it, so could she. “But at least now it’s over. Have you…have you talked to Sheriff Murphy?”

“I have.” This time her mother’s smile was wistful and hopeful all at the same time. She looked ten years younger.

“And did he propose? I mean, it’s pretty obvious he’s always been crazy about you.”

“No. And even if he did, I wouldn’t agree to marry him. At least not now. It’s important sometimes to make your own way, Dakota. And as much as I care about Dillon, I need to find myself, figure out who I want to be.”

Dakota frowned, confused. “So you’re not going to see him?”

“I am. I’m just not going to jump too fast into anything. Right now, I want to concentrate on you and your brother and sister. And I want to help Tate win that election. Truth is, I just need time to heal.”

Dakota nodded, although she wasn’t sure she completely understood. Wasn’t having the right man in your life the goal women were supposed to strive for? At least it had always seemed that way to her.

But then she’d been wrong about most things so far, so maybe this was something else she’d managed to totally screw up. Maybe her mom was right. Maybe the more important thing was to figure out who she truly was—or more importantly, who she wanted to be. Maybe the only one who could really save her was herself.

Crazy notion.

But then again, maybe not.

* * * *

Celeste stood outside Ginny’s room wanting so much to walk through the door and at the same time being terrified to do so. Her grandson was waiting inside. Jacob’s son. Jacob’s, Ginny’s—and Logan’s. As much as she’d struggled with the idea, she knew now that the two of them belonged together. And that what they felt for each other had nothing to do with how Ginny had felt about Jacob. Or how Ginny felt about his son.

Lost in her own grief, Celeste had almost lost the most important gift Jacob could have left behind. A piece of himself. Made in a moment of love with his very best friend—of that she was convinced.

She also knew in her heart, that this new life, this new Jacob, could never replace her son. And that the idea she’d even entertained the thought for a second was ludicrous. But now, if Ginny could forgive her, she had a chance to be a part of this new family.

Everything around her was shifting and changing. Her sister’s life. Her niece’s and nephew’s. Even Travis had a new direction, though she’d heard through the grapevine it wouldn’t be with Kristin. The point was that this was her chance for something new. For something better. With her daughters. With her sister and her family. And with her new grandchild.

Sucking in a fortifying breath, Celeste pasted on a smile and walked into the room. Ginny lay propped up against the pillows, Logan sitting on the bed beside her, the baby wrapped in a blue blanket cuddled in Ginny’s arms.

It was a miracle in the truest sense of the word. And Celeste prayed that they’d let her be a part of it.

“I hope it’s okay that I came,” she said.

“Of course it is,” Ginny replied with a beaming smile. Logan slid a possessive arm around her shoulders, his look not nearly as welcoming. Not that Celeste blamed him. “I know you’re dying to meet your grandson,” Ginny continued.

Celeste wasn’t sure she’d ever heard sweeter words, but she held her ground. “I am, but first I need to apologize to you. I didn’t handle any of this very well. And I wasn’t kind to you. I didn’t even try to understand.”

“I was the one who lied,” Ginny said. “You had every right to be upset. And as far as I’m concerned, it’s all water under the bridge.”

“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m truly sorry. And if you’ll let me,” she paused, her gaze moving to Logan, “if
both
of you will let me, I’d like to be a part of the baby’s life. Only as much as you’ll allow, of course.” She searched their faces, looking for some sign that they weren’t going to throw her out of the room. “I don’t want you to think I’m going to try and take over or demand more than is warranted under the circumstances. I realize I haven’t given you any reason to believe that, but…”

“Celeste,” Logan said, raising a hand to stop her. “We want you to be a part of Jake’s life.”

“Jake.” She repeated the word like a prayer.

“Yeah,” Ginny said, stroking her son’s silky cheek. “It’s too hard to call him Jacob. You know?”

Celeste nodded, still rooted to the spot.

“He’s got Jacob’s eyes,” Ginny said, this time shifting to offer the little boy, who was squirming, tiny fists flying as he scrunched up his face.

Celeste walked over to the bed, sitting down in the chair beside it, her heart pounding as she held out a hand and Jake grabbed a finger. “It’s too early to know for sure,” she said. “Their eyes can change color still.”

“I know, but look at him,” Ginny said. “He’s got Jacob’s smile, too. And that isn’t going to change.”

Ginny held out the baby, and Celeste tenderly took him into her arms. He was so precious. So beautiful.

“I think he looks like Ginny, too,” Logan said, his arm still around her, but he was smiling now, looking down at the baby, his eyes full of love.

“Definitely. Especially all that curly dark hair.” Celeste smiled. “You’re both going to be amazing parents.” And in that moment, Celeste realized she truly meant that. Had Jacob lived, things would surely have been very different, but it seemed somehow that things had worked out okay anyway. Life always found a way. She of all people should know that.

Ginny blushed and Logan’s arm tightened around her. “We are going to be good parents,” he agreed. “And what we don’t work out on our own, you and Marisol and my mother will make sure we figure out.”

“It takes a village,” Celeste said with her first true smile. “Or, whether you like it or not, at least half the people in Storm.”

“I heard about Travis,” Ginny said, her face full of concern. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Celeste shook her head, rocking her beautiful grandson. “It was a long time coming. And we’re all going to be better because of it. I truly believe that. What we have to do now is concentrate on the future.” She cooed at the baby, then looked up at Ginny and Logan with a smile. “And from where I’m sitting, it’s looking pretty bright.”

Chapter 9

Lacey sucked in a breath and looked out across the crowd gathered for the dedication of Jacob’s bench as Pastor Douglas recited a prayer. Her mother and her aunt stood off to one side with Francine Hoffman. Lacey had to admit that despite everything, Celeste looked really good. For the first time in forever, she seemed to be more herself.

Her father stood at the opposite side of the gathering, looking tall and handsome and maybe a little lost. She and Sara Jane had been spending time with him at their mother’s urging. Funny that, even though she’d all but washed her hands of him, her mother was still watching out for her dad. Lacey smiled, thinking that Jacob would have been proud of Celeste.

Once he’d gotten over the enormity of being a father.

Close to where her mom and aunt were standing, Ginny and Logan stood surrounded by various Murphys and Morenos, including Mallory and Luis, who grinned and waved when they caught her eye. Ginny was holding baby Jake. Jacob’s son. Her nephew. Lacey’s stomach clenched at the enormity of it all.

It had been almost a month since her life and half the town’s had literally imploded around them. Hector Alvarez was dead, which to hear most tell was a blessing. But Lacey knew that he’d left behind a legacy that wouldn’t easily be forgotten. Mallory’s mom was getting better. Stronger every day. She’d resumed working Tate’s campaign, and she and the sheriff had been seen out and about more than once.

Marcus and Brit seemed to be settling down. He’d even started building a ranch house out on some land he and Ian Briggs owned. And Ginny and Logan had made it official. They were getting married. Which seemed like a good thing. Something her brother would probably approve of.