In the Dead of Night (17 page)

The curtains billowed and snapped at the balcony, ushering in the scent of the sea and a warm kiss of California sunshine. Outside, gulls cartwheeled and swooped, their cries carrying like the sound of children’s laughter. Beyond, the Pacific Ocean churned blue and green, capped with white in a kaleidoscope of color so lovely it took Sara’s breath away.

Three weeks had passed since that terrible day on the cliffs. Brett Stocker had died at the scene from a bullet wound. The following day, his father, Blaine, had been arrested in connection with the film Sara had found. He admitted to murdering four young women twenty-five years ago and capturing their deaths on film. He also confessed to the murders of Nicholas Tyson and Alexandra and Richard Douglas, who’d been working on a tell-all book.

Sara was still recovering from the bullet wound that had grazed her left bicep. Eight stitches and she’d been released from the hospital the next day. That same morning, she’d contacted the
Cape Darkwood Press
and spent an afternoon with a young reporter hungry to make his mark in the world of journalism. The next day a front-page article shocked the community with a truth no one could ever have imagined, exonerating her father and the reputations of Nicholas Tyson and Alexandra Douglas.

Much to Sara’s surprise, the young journalist had also interviewed the caretaker, and discovered Skeeter had been the one to write the warnings on her car. Not to frighten her, of course, but to warn her of the dangers. Unable to speak and frightened of the police, it was the only way he could think of to try to keep her safe. The unsettling nature of the messages was due only to his near illiteracy.

Sara had also learned what happened the day someone pushed her off the cliff. Skeeter had seen Brett Stocker snooping around the mansion. Skeeter tried to warn Sara by leaving the message on her car. He’d expected her to flee, but she’d surprised him by giving chase. Frightened, Skeeter had run toward his cottage down the beach. The caretaker later told the police that Brett Stocker had been the one to push her from the cliff.

And then there was Nick.

Just thinking of him made Sara’s breath hitch. He hadn’t left her side the entire time she’d been in the hospital. It had been there, in the chaos of the emergency room that he’d proposed. And it was there that Sara had accepted.

Stepping back from the mirror, she frowned. “It’s too tight,” she said.

“It’s perfect.” Sonia smoothed the waterfall of ivory satin with her palm and stepped back to admire the dress.

“The veil is crooked.”

“The veil is exactly right.”

“What about the bouquet?”

“Stop being so persnickety. I’ve got it right here.”

“It’s my wedding day. I’ve got a right to be persnickety.”

Laughing, Sonia handed her sister the bouquet of salmon-colored roses. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were nervous.”

“I’m not nervous.” Taking the flowers, Sara grinned. “I’m terrified.”

Sonia stopped fussing with the flowers and looked at her younger sister. “Terrified of what, honey?”

“Everything. Nothing.” Realizing she wasn’t making any sense whatsoever, Sara choked out a laugh. “I want to get this right.”

“You got the most important thing right.” Sonia squeezed her shoulder. “I talked to him this morning, sis. He’s so in love with you he couldn’t take his eyes off the staircase where you’ll be making your appearance.”

The thought of Nick waiting for her downstairs calmed her frazzled nerves. “I’m crazy about him.”

Stepping back, Sonia eyed the dress her younger sister wore and smiled. “You’re beautiful. Mom would have loved it that you’re wearing her dress.”

“It feels right.”

They were standing in the same room they had shared as sisters. Sara in her wedding gown, Sonia in her matron-of-honor gown. With the sun shining through the balcony doors and the ocean breeze filling the room with the scent of the sea, Sara thought it couldn’t be any more perfect.

“I think Mom and Dad would have liked the wedding taking place here at the house,” she said.

Sonia’s eyes went misty. “Good memories to replace the bad.”

“I wish they could be here.”

Smiling, Sonia hugged her sister. “They are, honey.”

A quiet tap on the door spun both women around. Before Sonia could answer, the door opened. Tension crept up the back of Sara’s neck when Laurel Tyson appeared. She wore a soft-blue dress with matching shoes. Her tastefully coifed silver hair was piled on top of her head. She looked elegant and regal, but her eyes were melancholy.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” she said.

Sonia glanced at her sister as if to gauge her reaction.

“Come in,” Sara said.

The older woman entered the bedroom. Her eyes skimmed over Sara and her mouth curved into a rare smile. “My goodness, you’re stunning.”

Uncertain what to expect, Sara remained silent. Sonia went to her side, took her hand. “It was Mom’s dress.”

“I remember it well,” Laurel said. “I was her bridesmaid of honor.” She laughed. “My dress wasn’t nearly as lovely.”

Laurel seemed to gather her composure, then spoke. “I owe both of you an apology. If your parents were here, I’d owe them an apology as well.”

Sara had suspected Laurel would come around. She just hadn’t expected it so soon. She saw the same surprise on her sister’s face. “Thank you,” she said.

“Your mother was my best friend,” Laurel said. “I loved her like a sister. It hurt to believe she betrayed me. Hurt even more to lose her.” She toyed with her beaded bag. “I let that hurt turn me into a bitter old woman. Thanks to you, Sara, I don’t have to be that way any more.” She extended her hand. “Thank you for exposing the truth. I hope you’ll accept my apology for being so awful to you. I hope even more that we can become friends.”

Unable to speak for the emotions crowding into her throat, Sara reached out. Laurel took her hand and squeezed. Tears filled the woman’s eyes, but she turned away and quickly left the room without speaking.

“Don’t cry or you’ll ruin your makeup.”

Sara choked out a laugh and turned to her sister. “Thank you for being here.”

“I wouldn’t miss my little sister getting married for the world.” Sonia hugged her tightly. A second knock at the door made her roll her eyes. “What now?”

The door swung open. Sara’s heart did a little jig in her chest when she saw Nick standing in the hall. He looked strikingly handsome in his black tux.

“Don’t you know it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding?” Sonia said.

“I couldn’t wait,” he said. But every ounce of his focus was on Sara. She took his breath away, and for a moment he couldn’t find his voice.

“You’re stunning,” he heard himself say.

As if realizing they needed a moment together, Sonia started for the door. “You’ve got five minutes, guys. I’ll be in the hall.”

Nick didn’t hear her leave. Didn’t hear the door close. Before he even realized he was going to move, he was across the room and reaching for his wife-to-be. “I couldn’t wait to see you.”

Sara went into his arms. Wrapping his arms around her was like coming home after a long and grueling trip. For the span of several heartbeats all Nick could do was hold her, take in her scent and thank God he’d found her again after all these years.

“If I didn’t know better, I might think you missed me,” Sara whispered.

“Desperately.”

“Me, too.”

“Was my mom nice?”

“She’s kind and sweet and sad,” Sara said. “We’re going to be just fine.” Smiling, she brushed her lips across his. “Did I thank you for saving my life the other day on the cliffs?”

“A couple of times.” But Nick knew that while he might have saved her life in a physical sense, it was Sara who’d saved his in all the ways it counted. For months he’d been so blinded by grief that he hadn’t been able to open his heart. Sara had changed all of it.

Pulling back slightly, he looked into her eyes, felt the floor tilt beneath his feet. “I just came up to tell you I love you.”

“I’m glad you did.”

“I loved you even when I was twelve and you were seven. That kiss sort of sealed the deal.”

A laugh bubbled up from her throat. “Who would have thought?”

Nick gazed into her eyes, loving her so much he could barely contain the joy burgeoning in his chest. He wasn’t sure why he’d been compelled to see her when they were to be married in just a few minutes. He knew they had their entire lives ahead of them. But that was the way things had become between them, and he wouldn’t change it for the world.

Downstairs the first notes of the bridal march began to play. “What do you say we go get married?”

“Best idea I’ve heard all day,” Sara said and walked with her husband-to-be toward the door.