Finding Abigail (42 page)

This was it.
After everything I did to get away from this monster, he was going to do what
he started—kill me, and as a bonus—Noah. We would not get our happily ever
after, after all. As light faded to darkness, I heard the sound of Nick’s
laughter.

A Threat

The sound of
beeping far away pulled me from a very deep sleep. My throat felt like I had
gargled with nails, and my head was pounding in tune with the annoying sound.
My chest ached, and my limbs felt like rubber. What was going on, where was I?
The sound of footsteps alerted me that I wasn’t alone and for some reason the
icy claws of fear rushed through my veins. I didn’t understand my reaction, but
as I tried to open my eyes to see who it was and where I was, they stuck together
as if they had been super-glued. I couldn’t move my limbs either, something was
wrong.

“How is she?” a
female voice asked. It sounded like Pamela.

“They said
she’ll be fine, but she’s been though an emotional shock and her brain needs to
catch up to her body.” Happiness soared through me at the sound of this voice.
It was my mother. She was here. But where was here? I tried to remember,
thinking of a lake and sapphire-blue eyes. Just like that, the dam of memories
broke and it all came flooding back. Nick had killed Noah and then me. But...I
wasn’t dead. I was here listening to our mothers talk.

“Noah’s still in
surgery, but they said once they get the bullet out he should recover fully.”
Pamela’s voice was strained, as if she’d been crying. Of course she had, my
psycho ex had shot her son. Her good news made me want to wake up, and some of
the weight, lifted from my body. Struggling with my eyelids, I lifted them
slowly.

My mother was
sitting in a cushioned chair next to me, her sandy hair up in a twist, with
stray strands falling out. Pamela was leaning against the empty bed next to
mine. They both looked harried, like they’d been through hell and back. My
mother turned to the woman next to her.

“That’s such
good news, Pam. I would hate for Abby to lose him now that they can be togeth—”
She stopped speaking when Pamela’s eyes widened and stared at me with surprise.
“What’s wrong?” my mom asked, spinning her head to face me. “Oh, baby, thank
God you’re awake.” Relief swam in her eyes as she jumped off the chair to rush
at me. “Pamela, can you get the doctor,” my mom commanded, her nursing instinct
kicking in.

Noah’s mom
grinned at me before disappearing out the door.

“Hey, baby, how
are you feeling?” My mom’s voice was soft, edged with emotion.

“Water,” I
managed to squeak out. My voice was faint and raspy.

“Of course.” She
moved to the counter which held a jug and two cups, and filled a glass with icy
water. “Small sips,” she instructed. “Your larynx was strained. You need to be
careful.”

I did as she said,
taking small sips. The fire in my throat eased to a simmer. I held onto the
cup, knowing I’d need more. “Nick.” Another squeaky gasp.

The relief in
her eyes turned to storm clouds. “He’s here in the hospital, under observation.
He’s okay, but he’ll have a hell of a headache.” Her lips turned up into a
smile at the mention of his pain.

I was confused.
A chunk of time was missing. How did I get here and why was I alive?

My face must
have shown my confusion, because her face softened. “I guess you wouldn’t know
what happened, would you?” Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a woman in a
white doctor’s coat walked in followed by Pamela.

“Abby, this is
Dr. Williamson. She’s been taking care of you.” My mother squeezed my hand and
moved back to let the doctor in.

“Hi, Abby, how
are you feeling?” The woman was tall, brown hair, kind eyes.

“I’ve been
better.”

“I bet you
have.” She began looking me over, my heartbeat, checking my throat, inside and
out, and finally after she checked my blood pressure, she stepped back and
smiled. “Everything looks good. You were strangled, your larynx was obstructed
which cut off air flow to the lungs, producing asphyxia. That coupled with the
blow to your head, you lost consciousness. The damage to your throat is fine,
it will be sore, but as soon as you were able to breathe again you began to
heal. The concussion prevented you from waking. Otherwise you would have
regained consciousness awhile ago.”

“How long have I
been out?”

“Four hours.
That’s not bad considering the trauma you’ve been through. Other than the head
injury you’re fine. But because of it, we’re going to keep you here for
observation for the night, just to be on the safe side.” She glanced at me, my
mom, and Pamela. “Do you have any questions?”

I shook my head.

“I’m sure if you
do, your mother could answer them for you.” With a quick nod, she left us.

Pamela smiled at
me. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Abby.” She moved to my side and leaned down to
give me a kiss on the forehead, the scent of lavender whirling around me. “I’ll
leave you alone with your mom, and I’ll go share the good news.” She left the
room, leaving me with more questions.

Once she was
gone I stared at my mom. “How... did you get here?” The words hurt my throat
but I had so many questions.

“I got a call
from Sylvia, telling me that Larry and Pamela were on their way to come and get
me. Our kids were hurt and they needed us. That’s all I knew, but I was waiting
when they pulled up along the curb. Larry drove like a mad man to get here and
we made it in three and a half hours. I was told it usually takes five.”

I nodded,
knowing that was how long it took me.

“Apparently,
they received a call from Noah’s friend Sam. He let them know that Nick had
found you, shot Noah, and you ran from him. While you were gone, Noah managed
to call Sam, and Sam called the ambulance. That’s all we knew until we arrived
here at the hospital. After Noah made the call, he found you in his workshop,
with Nick strangling you. He grabbed a two-by-four and clocked him over the
head with it. After that Nick didn’t give him much trouble. Sam found all three
of you passed out on the barn floor. Noah’s in surgery, but he is going to be
fine.”

It was a lot to
take in. But I was disappointed to hear that Nick was alive, because I knew
that that was the only way he’d ever give up on me.

“Noah...passed
out?” I breathed heavily, the effort to speak was difficult.

“He lost a lot
of blood.” A wash of anxiety flooded through me, but was interrupted when Kathy
and Sam rushed in.

“I’m so glad
you’re all right,” Kathy mumbled into my shoulder. She was sprawled over me,
holding me tightly. Her bright red hair fell onto my face. It smelled like
strawberries. Sam stood in the doorway grinning at his wife.

“Um...My
throat’s a bit sore,” I managed to squeak out.

She released me
instantly. “Oh, I’m so sorry.” She smiled shyly.

I glanced at my
mom and held my aching throat.

“You must be
Kathy. Abby has told me about you in her letters. I’m her mother, Laura.”

“It’s great to
meet you. Anna, I mean, Abby, has spoken very highly of you.” Kathy was rubbing
my hand as she spoke to my mom.

Sam cleared his
throat. “Um...Abby.”

I glanced his
way and the grin I saw earlier disappeared. “Nick wants to talk to you before
he’s transferred. You don’t have to, but if you do, I’ll be there.”

My mother
gasped and Kathy swore, and then apologized to my mother.

I ignored them
and focused on Sam. “Is he…cuffed?”

“Yes.”

I nodded. It
was all I could manage. My throat was burning.

“Abby, no. He’s
has hurt you enough. I don’t want you near him.” My mother’s expression was
unyielding.

I glared at her
in attempt to let her know she couldn’t stop me.

It worked. She
pursed her lips and eyed me thoughtfully. “Is there any way I can talk you out
of this?” she asked. I shook my head. “Fine, I’ll help you up.”

My limbs ached
as I stood. I leaned on Sam as he led me down the hall and into a private room.
A policeman standing guard at the door. Nick was lying in a pale green hospital
gown, just like my own. Gauze was wrapped around the top of his head; spikes of
dark hair shot through the top. He glanced at us as we entered the room. His
dark brown eyes burned with rage when he saw me. No doubt disappointed to see
me alive.

I turned to
Sam, who was wearing his police uniform. He must have been at work when Noah
called him. “Alone?” was all I said, trying not to speak.

Sam crossed his
arms in front of him leaning against the door. “No.”

“What am I
going to do?” Nick asked, lifting up his arm that was cuffed to the bed.

Sam only glared
at Nick, disgust shining in his eyes.

I reached out
and laid a hand on Sam’s arm. “I’m okay.”

He sighed
heavily, his face hard. “I’ll be right outside.”

I watched him
walk out, standing by the door, leaving it open. “What do you want?” I tried to
speak clearly, not wanting to show my pain. I didn’t want him to know he hurt
me.

Fury simmered
in his eyes. “I wanted to see you so I could let you know that I will get out.
And when I do, I’m going right for your man to finish what I started. It won’t
be long. I already have my family’s lawyer working on it. It’s not our first
domestic abuse problem.”

“You shot
someone in front of a witness. They won’t let you out.” I wanted to say so much
more, but even the little I was saying, was making my throat burn as if someone
had stuck a hot poker down my throat.

“Oh, I’ll get
out, and I’ll have you back, you’ll see.” He smiled, knowing he had gotten
under my skin. “It’s not over.” His words opened a wound that Noah had healed,
reminding me that my life in Shimmer Lake had been a fantasy. He would never
leave me alone. This man in front of me was unfortunately my reality, but he
didn’t have to be Noah’s. I could feel the hate coming from him as he glared at
me, a wicked smile tainting his lips. He was even more of monster since I had seen
him last. I couldn’t be near him any longer.

I stumbled out
of the room, still feeling weak as he laughed behind me.
Damn it, I let him
get to me.

My room was
more crowded when Sam and I returned. Larry and Pamela were sitting on the
empty bed, talking to Kathy and my mom. “Noah?” I asked his mother.

“The operation
was a success and he’s in recovery. We expect he’ll be fine.”

Relief washed
over me as I crawled back into bed, holding the awkward gown closed. “It’s my
fault,” I whispered. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. It was in my mind and
I couldn’t get it out. Everyone turned to me, wearing the same expression—pity
and annoyance.

“Don’t be
stupid, Abby.” It was Kathy who spoke first.

I glared at
her. “Nick wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me,” I whispered. My throat didn’t
hurt as much when I spoke softly. I glanced around, glaring at everyone. “Nick
is a monster, and he won’t stop. Even bars can’t hold him. And I unleashed him
onto the man I love. Whose fault would that be?” Despite my whispered words,
they all heard me. Anger coursed through my veins. It wasn’t them I was mad at.
I was frustrated that I couldn’t just have a normal life with the man I love.
What made a person think they owned another? That they had control over another
human being. I didn’t understand it and I realized that there was no way to
understand what went though Nicks head. It wouldn’t change anything. He still
wouldn’t let me go, and he was still a threat to Noah.

I closed my
eyes, feeling embarrassed. My throat was sore from straining it and my head
ache was returning.

“Could I have a
minute alone with my daughter?” I heard my mother ask.

I opened my
eyes just as they exited my room. Kathy was the last to leave. She winked
before she headed out into the hall.

Once we were alone,
she sat on the edge of the bed. “Honey, you have every right to be upset. But
you also have every right to fall in love again.” She leaned over and brushed
hair out of my face. “Nobody blames you, so please don’t blame yourself. This
is on Nick, not you.” She leaned in and kissed my forehead as Pamela had done
earlier, but my mother smelled of lilac, as she had since I was a kid. “Get
some rest, I think you need it.”

She was right,
I was exhausted. But I wanted to see Noah when he got out of recovery. Maybe
I’d just close my eyes for a moment.

I fell asleep
and the sounds of hushed voices woke me. I opened my eyes and looked around.
The room was full again, with one extra person—Noah. He was lying in the bed
next to me, talking to his father.

“Feeling
better?” Kathy asked when she noticed my eyes open.

I blushed,
feeling guilty for the way I had talked to them. “Yes. I’m sorry, everyone,” I
croaked.