Swept Away (23 page)

Shae nodded. “I’ll call in a few favors, and you should legally be Josie by the end of the week. Though I wouldn’t suggest McCoy. The judge frowns on picking celebrity names.”

“We’re getting married. It’s not like she’ll have the name long,” Tucker said.

“Ah, what the heck, it’s obscure. He may never notice. If he does, I’ll suggest Boone. You wouldn’t be the first gal to not change last names in her marriage.”

“How about Morgan? Eventually, I’d be Josie Morgan Boone. I like that,” Josie suggested.

“Sounds good to me.” Shae made notes. Then she dropped her pen. “Okay, here’s the plan. I’m going to collect all the info. You’ll not talk to anyone. Reporters, police—listen, even if the freaking pope himself calls, you send him to me. I’ll start today on the name change, and I’m going to file a restraining order against Stone based on the rape and abuse. I wish we could get one against the media, but it’s their right. And I warn you, once the media finds you, they will hound you. Do not engage. Don’t even make eye contact. You either, Mr. Boone. They’re going to ask you things that will make you want to pop them in the nose, but you walk away. I’ll nudge the Applewold Prosecutor’s office to see if we can get rape charges filed, but I’m not holding my breath.

“And lastly, I’m going to have to put together a legal team we can trust in Pennsylvania. If they do file charges against you—which I don’t see happening, but still must prepare for—I need people familiar with Pennsylvania laws.

“And I’ll also get the civil suit filed, because we will definitely sue the son of a bitch. I’m not certain at this point where it will land or which court would be in our best interest. Technically, you and Stone are both residents of Pennsylvania, so PA courts would take the case. But if I can make the case that Josie is a North Carolina resident, and since we’ll be suing for more than $75,000, then we can bump the civil suit to a federal court. And that may free us of having to deal with cronies of Jeb’s. Any questions?”

One week later, they drove to the hospital. Josie was quiet. Today was the day. Tucker was getting his stitches out, and the baby was getting his or her—its sex depended on Josie’s fluctuating powers of discernment— own check-up.

“When we’re done, maybe do some shopping? Grab some lunch?” Tucker asked.

Josie laughed. “Do I look that nervous that you’re offering to take me shopping?”

Tucker grinned. Josie smiled and let out a long sigh. The worry lines on her forehead smoothed. “It’s going to be fine,” he said.

“Do you really think so? Honestly and truly?” Josie looked less convinced.

Tucker took a breath and shrugged. “Yeah, I think things are fine.”

Nodding, she looked out the window. “I just need to hear it or see it. Something that proves it’s real. It’s like, until then, it’s too good to be true.”

“Well, we’re here. Let’s go see how things are going.”

Walking her through the hospital, he kept a hand at the small of her back. He lied when he said he thought everything was all right. His gut was twisted tighter than a bowstring.

The doctor’s office was crowded with pregnant women, all in differing stages of belly bump. He sat with Josie in a corner and held her hand. A guy nurse with brown curly hair came out and called them in immediately. As they walked back to the office, the nurse said, “I’m John. I’m a nurse, and no I am not gay—not that I have anything against anyone who is gay, but I don’t want you fixing me up with your single guy cousins. If you have any of the hot female variety, then we can open a discussion.” He ended his introduction to show them their room. “Here you go. This will be your room.”

Josie stepped into the pink room. There was a table, two regular chairs, and one swivel chair for the doctor.

Nurse John started taking her vitals. As he checked her pulse, he said, “We’ve had media crawling all over us. They didn’t catch you in the lot, did they?”

Josie shook her head.

“Good. Dr. Simon assured everyone if there were any leaks, every single person on staff would get fired. That must have worked.”

“Why are they calling here?” Josie asked.

John frowned. “Seems the hospital let it out that you’re pregnant, and that you’re coming here for your prenatal care. They’ve been trying to figure out when your next appointment is.”

“Why do they care?” Josie asked.

“It’s got everything a sensational story needs. A rich man, a beautiful young girl, sex, lies, baby. It’s made for TV, sweetheart.”

Josie paled, but said nothing.

The doctor came in the room. “Hello, Miss Josie. You’re looking pale and skinny. Are you eating?”

Josie nodded.

“Still having morning sickness?”

“No,” Josie said with some hesitation.

“Don’t worry. Lie back, let’s have a listen.” The doctor grabbed a wand and turned it on. He offered a quick, “This will be cold”, before a dollop of gel dropped on her belly. With a single swipe from her belly button to her hip, there was the woosh, woosh, woosh he was looking for. “There’s your baby. Heart beat sounds good.”

Josie laughed. Her body shook and a tear slid down her cheek.

“You okay?” Dr. Simon asked.

“I’m great. Thank you.”

“Good then. I’ll see you in a month. John will give you papers on nutrition, your vitamins—all that exciting stuff.” The doctor turned to John. “I also want blood work before she leaves. Any questions?” the doctor asked, turning back to Josie and Tucker.

They both shook their heads. Tucker wanted to ask about sex, but all things considered, he wasn’t sure if it was even appropriate to care.

“All right then. Until next time.”

They had their meeting with John, Josie offered up her arm for vial after vial of blood, and then they left. Leaving the doctor’s office, Josie wrapped her arm around his and squeezed. “We’re having a baby. I shouldn’t be so excited. We’re unmarried, only sort of employed, and I’ve only known you a summer, but I’m so happy. Are you happy, Tucker?”

Her eyes shined. Her smile was so brilliant it could have illuminated the depths of outer space. If someone would have told him that poor planning in the heat of one magical moment would bring him to this perfect place, he would have said they were smoking something. But here he was, standing in a hospital hallway looking down at his future. The feelings of guilt and futility were replaced with purpose.

He kissed her until she had to grab a fistful of shirt to maintain her balance. Stepping back, he assured her, “I am the happiest man on this planet. Let’s go get these stitches out, and then we’ll buy Peanut a gift.”

“Peanut. That can’t stick. The baby is going to kill you for it when he’s twelve.”

Josie’s phone rang, and she answered. Hanging up she squealed. “It’s a good day. Meet Josie Morgan. Shae said I can stop and get the documents.” Clutching his hand, she started walking along with him. “You know what that means, right?” she asked.

“All new monograms on your towels?”

She slapped him playfully. “Nope. It means you can marry me now.”

Tucker pushed the button at the elevator then turned to her. “I can? Who said I wanted to?”

“I’m a fallen woman and you’re to blame. You have to marry me.”

Tucker’s laugh filled the hallway. “Fallen? We’ve got to get you watching some modern movies.”

Stepping onto the elevator, he pulled her into him and kissed her as the doors closed. “I will gladly marry you. Fallen or not. Once I’m stitchless, let’s get you a ring.”

Josie sat in a chair while they pulled the stitches out of Tucker’s back, side, and shoulder. Finished, Dr. Morris popped off his gloves and told Tucker he was free to go.

As they were leaving the office, Tucker handed his phone to Josie. “What do you think? Or is that not romantic enough?”

It was an all-inclusive wedding package in Vegas. Josie smiled. “I think that sounds awesome. Can we leave tonight?”

“I don’t see why not. Let’s go pack a bag and buy a couple of plane tickets. We could be Mr. and Mrs. by midnight.”

Tucker and Josie never made it to Vegas. When they pulled into the gravel parking lot of their apartment, there were three police cars waiting for them. Two sheriff deputies stood in front of them, holding up their hands for them to stop. Their guns were still holstered, but Tucker could see they had their snaps undone for a quicker draw. There were two other deputies squatted behind their squad cars. Tucker assumed they did have their weapons drawn.

“What’s going on?” Josie asked.

“I don’t know.”

“You think Greg escaped?”

Tucker rolled his window down. “Something wrong, officer?”

Deputy Woodruff, or so his name tag said, approached the open window. “Sir, I need you both to step out of the car and put your hands on the hood.”

“Is something wrong? Did Meyers escape?”

“Sir, please just get out of the car. Miss Stone…”

Josie opened the door and got out, clutching the teddy bear they’d bought the peanut. Tucker followed behind her, his eyes glued to her form the entire time. The other officer approached. 

“Miss Stone, I have a warrant for your arrest,” the deputy said.

“You what?” Josie’s voice was small as she squeezed the bear tighter.

The two deputies behind the car approached, circling them. The first deputy said, “A warrant, ma’am.” He held out a piece of paper. Josie didn’t move, didn’t even bother to reach for it.

“What the hell? What do you mean she’s under arrest?” Tucker’s question wasn’t answered. In a blink of his eye, he was slammed against the hood of his car and handcuffed. “Settle down,” Woodruff said. “We’re only doing our job.”

The arresting deputy said, “Ariel Stone, you’re charged with conspiracy and fraud. You have the right to remain silent…”

“This is bullshit; she gets to call her attorney,” Tucker yelled.

Josie’s eyes glistened when she turned to Tucker. “It’s all right; you call Shae. And take care of this.” Setting the white bear on the hood beside him, she held out her hands to the officer. The officer took her by the shoulder and started to spin her. The other officer said, “That’s not necessary, Wayne. She isn’t going to fight you. Let her be comfortable.”

Wayne nodded and clicked the cuffs on her wrists from the front. 

“This is insane. What the hell?” Tucker asked. He jerked his arms against the cuffs, but it did no good.

They escorted Josie to the squad car. Tucker tried to rush the officer holding Josie’s arm, but the two watching grabbed him by his cuffs and pulled him back. Officer Woodruff shook his head. “Settle down, son. That won’t do you or her any good.”

Tucker turned to Woodruff. The man pulled off his hat and rubbed his sandy blond hair. His brown eyes were soft and Tucker could see remorse in them.

“We didn’t want to arrest the girl.  But we didn’t have a choice. The warrant came in this morning, and we had to serve it.”

Tucker nodded. He couldn’t trust himself to speak. His throat felt tight.

Josie was loaded in the back seat. She looked over at Tucker as they closed the door. Through the window, she looked more like a reflection. His heart ached. She looked lost and more than a bit confused. His chest hurt, and his eyes burned. He couldn’t do a damn thing other than watch her be taken away.

Once the car was gone, the officer let Tucker loose. Tucker batted the bear off the hood of the car, sending it flying into the parking lot. The damn thing mocked him with its happy little threaded smile.

“I’m sorry, son,” the officer said. “She’ll be treated right.”

“She’s pregnant; they know that, right?”

“I’ll be sure they know. Call her attorney and then follow me down to the station. She’ll be allowed to make bail. And you better fetch that bear. Seemed to mean a lot to her.”

Tucker called Shae. Then he walked over to the bear. Picking it up from the asphalt, he brushed the dirt from its fur before tucking it into the crook of his arm. 

Shae beat him to the station. She already had Josie in a room discussing her options.

“Applewold will not consider rape charges against Jeb, but they filed fraud and conspiracy charges against you. It’s a joke, but has to be dealt with. They filed a petition for extradition. We could block it, or we could go ahead and face them in court. I think you have a good case to defend your running away. But if you want to slow the process down, we can keep them busy with paperwork.”

Josie’s hands flitted to her tummy. “I prefer to get it over with.”

“Then you’re going to be released on a personal recognizance bond, and you will drive yourself to Applewold to turn yourself over to their police.”

Josie sighed. “I swear, every time I think I’ll be happy, something happens.”

Tucker kneeled beside her. “It’s a glitch, Josie. We’re still on the right path.”

Josie nodded. “All right,” she said. “Where do I sign?”

A few papers shuffled here and there, and Josie was free to leave. Shae assured her she would meet her in Pennsylvania. They went to the house to get their clothes, and then they drove north. Josie had to report to Applewold Police in two days to be charged.

They drove a few hours before stopping at a drive-thru window. They took their dinner to a hotel and ate while they discussed everything from what was on television to the weather, anything but Josie’s looming arrest.

It wasn’t until the next morning as Tucker ran his hands over her bare belly that Tucker suggested they run. They should just grab a flight south and never look back.

“I’m tempted,” she said. “And I stayed up last night thinking about it, but then I thought of Peanut. We’d be looking over our shoulder all the time. That’s no life for our baby. And then, if I was arrested a few years from now, he’d see it. No, this is better. Let’s get it over with. Shae says I’ll win.”

“Shae said you’d never get arrested too.”

Josie smacked his arm. “You’re supposed to make me feel better!”

Kissing her bare shoulder, he said, “My only intention is keeping you with me.”

“Come here, you awesome stud. How about you love me, very gently. No straining the scars or anything. Just love me and know that no matter what, I’m going to be with you.”