Authors: Victoria Smith
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Violet sat and reached for a tissue.
“Sydney, wait. You don’t know what you’re talking about right now either. I need to talk to you.” Daisy pinched her hard enough that her words finally soaked through her anger.
“What?”
“Outside. Now. Just shut up and don’t say another word.” Daisy tugged her arm and Sydney glared at Violet as she followed her sister.
“What?” She nearly yelled.
“It’s a lie. Everything is a lie.” Daisy paced in front of her, her arms crossed over her chest.
“What’s a lie?” Daisy sat on one of the benches and Sydney followed. “Tell me what’s going on here.”
“All that stuff Jace told you yesterday is a lie.”
Sydney’s heart lightened.
“Most of it anyway. Some is true.”
The feeling vanished, her heart settling farther into her chest.
“Would you quit beating around the bush and just tell me what the hell you’re talking about?”
“Gramps never cheated on Gram. He did father Violet’s daughter. The daughter that died delivering Jace. He’s not our uncle, but our cousin.”
“What difference does it make?” She leaned back on the bench and rested her head against the side of the building with a sigh. “Violet still has no right to make demands for him. He may technically be a true heir, but it was Gramps decision not to leave him the campground. From what Jace told me, Gramps talked to him about his plans and he did take care of Jace in the will.”
“I know. That is the issue though. Al’s not sure what’s going on. He wants us to stick to the issue of the will and not bring up their daughter right now. He’s sending DNA samples so we know what we’re talking about. You’re the last one he needs.” Daisy tapped on the window and pointed inside.
Al came out, gently taking her arm and moving to an area where they couldn’t be seen from inside. “Something doesn’t make sense to me. I want to try this. The results will tell us how to proceed. Keep your tongue and I’ll take care of Violet.”
He swabbed the inside of her cheek before giving her a hug. “It’s probably best if you don’t come back inside. Violet is up in arms about how you paid for the improvements. She feels like the agreement has been breached and wants to take immediate possession of the campground. She even called her contractor to set up a start date.”
Sydney tried to move past him, her fury returning.
“No. Jace has already informed her she has no legal right to demand anything. She’s listening to him for now.” Al held her arm and she didn’t struggle.
“What about the contractor?” She so badly wanted to confront the evil woman and had a hard time listening to Al’s reason.
“Won’t come without proof of ownership and the proper permits. Since the town is so divided about what Violet wants to do here, he won’t take the chance of ruining his business. We’re fine here. Go and let me handle Violet.”
“Fine, but I need to know everything as soon as you do.” She tried not to sound like a bitch, but she felt like this whole thing was set up without her.
“I promise. She’s coming. Get out of her sight.” He pointed and though she didn’t want to, she followed his instructions.
Sydney followed one of the new hiking paths, one she hadn’t had time to check out before. The trail led from the office to the activity building, then to the pond. Jace’s idea. The pain in her heart hadn’t changed. Jace was still off limits. The sadness inside of her threatened to make her not care anymore. What was the point anymore? They’d worked so hard to get the campground ready and beat Violet.
Even though they’d met every stipulation and challenge, there was still a chance Violet could win. Sydney kicked a rock in the center of the path, hearing the resulting thud as it smashed into a tree.
She passed the activity building, the smell of fresh paint following her. She should have stopped and checked out the finished product, but didn’t feel like it. She’d return once she’d worked off most of her anger and continued down the path and into the woods.
This section of trees was thicker than the rest. The temperature difference did nothing to cool her hostility and bitterness. She reached the halfway mark before she started to calm. A bench sat on each side of the path, the area widened to give people a chance to rest if they needed to. Wildflowers had been planted immediately surrounding the area and even though most of the trees still held fresh buds, the scene was perfect.
She sat on a bench. If she wasn’t careful she’d let bitterness consume her. The sheer irony of the situation should tell her how screwed up she was. The sense she wasn’t alone filled her as the scent of Gramps’ aftershave eased through her confusion. Sydney wished he was really here so she could hug him and ask for the truth. She almost asked her questions anyway, but before she could, the familiar smell vanished.
“Read the journals.” Sydney wasn’t sure if the whispered words were something she made up in her own mind, or if Gramps said it to her before he vanished.
God, she was cracking up big time.
Someone came toward her. A moment of panic filled her but she fought the urge to run away. There was no one here that would hurt her. At least not more than she’d already been hurt.
Marshal finally appeared at the curve in the path. Sydney considered getting up and going by him. She didn’t know what to say to him, didn’t know how much he knew or what he felt. She didn’t want to hurt him. Even though Jace was off limits she couldn’t be with Marshal either.
“Having a rough day?” Marshal sat on the bench on the opposite side of the path.
“You could say that.” She sighed and tried not to make eye contact.
“Want to tell me about it? Everyone is acting really weird around here lately. What’s going on?” Marshal kicked at the ground like the last kid picked for the dodgeball team.
“I can’t tell you yet. My legal counsel has advised against speaking of the situation.” She sounded snotty. Hopefully he realized she didn’t direct that at him.
He gave a half-laugh. “That good, huh? Listen, if you need some money I can probably help. I’ll try to help regardless of what you need.”
The innuendo in his words made her want to cry. She shook her head. “Thanks. I think things will be okay. And I’ll tell you what’s going on when I can.”
Yeah, things would be okay. Maybe for everything but her heart.
Marshal shuffled his feet before getting up. “Listen, I can’t be the guy you need and that’s my fault. I guess I have some issues to work out before I can actually have a relationship. I realized that over the course of the last few days. It has nothing to do with you and Jace, though I know you will be really happy together.”
His honesty brought tears to her eyes. “I’m not sure things will work out, but thank you. You’re a good guy, Marshal. One day you’re going to be some girl’s perfect man.”
“Only because you gave me what I needed to figure myself out.” He grabbed her hand and squeezed.
“How? I didn’t do anything but flirt with you.”
“Just because of who you are, how you handle yourself, and how you stand up for the people you love. You treated Jace and me fairly. You didn’t play us off each other and use us. You’re a true lady, Sydney.”
She squeezed his hand. “Thanks. You gave me a chance to be free for the first time in my life.”
“Yeah, I think you still owe me. I never got to collect from our pool game.” He wiggled his eyebrows, but laughed.
“You cheated. No dice.” She didn’t feel threatened. Marshal had many chances to collect on their bet and hadn’t. Probably because he sensed she didn’t know how she felt anymore.
“If Jace breaks your heart, you come and see me. I’ll kick his ass. I’m not sure I want to be a consolation prize, but if things don’t work out, I’m here. I can at least help you find yourself again.” Marshal’s sincerity brought tears to her eyes again. She couldn’t tell him things with Jace were already in the toilet.
“Thanks.” She reached up and hugged him tight, kissing his cheek before touching his face.
“Nice.” A sarcastic voice sounded behind her. “You move fast. I know I don’t have a thing to say about it and maybe I’m glad of that now.”
Jace walked by them, his posture angry.
Sydney watched him, guilt, hurt, and humiliation making the tears fall.
Marshal guided her to a bench. “I’m going to go kick his ass.”
“No. Let him go. There’s a lot going on right now. The simple truth is we might not be able to work out what’s between us. It might be impossible.” She stared down the path but Jace was long gone.
“Nothing is impossible.” Marshal patted her shoulder.
“This might be. It is already. I’m sorry I can’t tell you what’s going on.” She stood.
“You know where to find me. I meant what I said. If you need me, I’m yours.” God, the man exuded sexuality. Too bad that even though he was the second most attractive man she’d ever met, she wouldn’t act on what was now the memory of her fascination with him.
She’d been so unfair to him.
He left her alone on the bench.
Sydney was sick of crying, sick of feeling sorry for herself and sick of the pity everyone seemed to send her way. Even the ones who supposedly didn’t know what was going on seemed to know something.
Locking herself in her bedroom, she opened the battered journal where Gramps had recorded parts of his life. Sydney still wasn’t sure she wanted to read his personal feelings, but maybe some of the questions would be answered inside.
She sifted through page after page of mundane campground experiences—angry customers, animal and insect infestations, and fishing stories. Just as she was ready to give up, she found a section of ghostly experiences. Page after page of interactions with some of the same spirits Sydney had encountered, now and when she was younger.
Why hadn’t Gramps told her she’d inherited this ability to see and talk to spirits from him?
The ghost stuff was interesting, but not what she needed to know right now. Skipping past that, she flipped to the back of the journal, landing on an entry written close to her grandmother’s death. Sydney swiped at the tears as she read, feeling Gramps’ pain as he faced a future of loneliness. By the time she got to the section where Violet came to town the last time, Sydney didn’t know what to think.
She almost felt bad for being angry with Gramps for possibly cheating on Gram. Obviously, he loved Violet, too, and had for most of his life. Still, she hadn’t found anything that referenced the children he supposedly fathered with her or why he married her.
Then she did.
And it was as cryptic and confusing as any of Gramps important words.
She’s in there. I know she is. The girl I loved way back then. The girl I still love. I see her sometimes, but not often enough. I know I can help. I know I can bring her back. I have given up much to try, lost much. If they could only see her like I do, they would understand.
What?
Sydney grabbed her car keys and purse and got behind the wheel. Jace appeared at the edge of the clearing. She looked over, wanting nothing more than to go to him.
No. No matter what, they couldn’t be together. She started the car and drove away.
CHAPTER 24
Daisy tapped her pen on the desk. Damn this situation. Damn Violet and damn Gramps for bringing this on them all. Her heart broke for Sydney. To finally figure out who your future belonged to only to have the entire dream pulled out from under you like some slippery rug.
That sucked. Almost as much as your own mother trying to kidnap you for financial profit. Daisy picked up the phone to call their parents, dropping it before even dialing. There was nothing they could do. There was nothing anyone could do.
Thinking about Sydney kept her own sorry love life out of her mind. Tucker was gone and Graham was acting like the biggest jerk on the face of the earth. Really, her mind was already made up. Apparently there was nothing she could do about it though.
Tucker didn’t bother to say goodbye.
He hadn’t even looked at her when he’d left.
It didn’t matter how much she loved him. She wasn’t willing to have the babies he so obviously wanted. And that was the deal breaker.
She threw the pen and pushed back from the desk as Sydney tore out of the parking area, taking several layers of stone with her in the process. Jace stepped onto the porch when she opened the door. From his expression, he was in the same mood she was in.
“Where the hell is she going?” Her words were accusing and she knew it.
“How would I know? I’m not in charge of her.”
“What did you say to her?” She should leave and not even try to talk to him.
“Something I shouldn’t have. Not that it matters.” His voice was sad. “Call me if anything weird happens. If Violet comes back. You shouldn’t have to worry about Nadine, or her cronies.”
Daisy placed her hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Jace. I really am.”
“Yeah. Me, too.” He gave her a quick hug.
Marshal stomped up the porch, his gaze fixed on Jace. “I ought to kick your ass.”
“Go ahead.” Jace turned, obviously ready for a confrontation.
Daisy stepped between them, placing a hand on each solid chest. “You two are idiots. Knock it off.” They pushed against her hands until she finally stepped away. “Fine. Freaking idiots. Go ahead and kill each other. That’s just perfect and will solve so many problems.” She slapped them both and walked away with a frustrated scream.
Sydney knocked on Kay and Ed’s hospital room door before peeking around the corner. Ed appeared to sleep while Kay fiddled with a floral arrangement. She smiled as Sydney stepped into the room. Kay patted the bed beside her.
“So you know.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Sydney reached for a tissue, pissed at the tears that kept falling despite the fact she no longer wanted to cry.
“It wasn’t my story to tell. Del and Violet, as mismatched as they were, had this connection. Different from your grandma, but still deep and abiding. Time changed Violet and she shifted into someone Del didn’t know anymore. I think he wanted to save her. But he ended up killing himself in the process.” Kay grabbed a tissue from the box and dabbed her eyes.
“Why didn’t Gramps tell us about their daughter?”
“Probably figured that it didn’t matter because she died before he and your gram married.”
Sydney sniffed, stopping and replaying Kay’s words. “What?”
“The little girl died before she was two. I think she got the whooping cough, but I don’t know for sure.” Kay offered her the tissue box.
“Wait. I don’t understand.” She told her both versions of the story she’d heard, watching shock and horror cross Kay’s face.
“Oh my. No wonder you were mad at me for not telling you. Honey, I had no idea you and Jace were related. None at all or you can be sure I would have said so.” Kay shook her head, her eyes narrowed as if going over her memories.
“Well, what Jace found out is different than what Al says.” She told her about the DNA samples and how strange Al acted. “He didn’t even want me near Violet, though I think he was afraid I’d take her apart with my bare hands.”
Kay laughed, her smile turning into a frown. “I think you ought to listen to Al. When Ed wakes up, I’ll ask him what he remembers. I know there was a chance that little girl wasn’t Del’s. Del was furious Violet hadn’t told him before the baby died, that she hadn’t allowed him to be a part of her too short life. But even then, he wasn’t convinced the child was his. He would have treated her like his own regardless.”
A spring of hope started in her chest. “Really?”
“Now that was a long time ago. I don’t know. No one talked about those kinds of things. Del wouldn’t have thought that for no reason. Don’t get your hopes up, sweetie. As for Jace being Del’s, I just don’t know. It’s possible. Violet did come back here once when your Gram went home to bury her mother. She stayed the weekend in a cabin at the campground and left before your Gram returned.”
Sydney waited around for Ed to wake, visiting with Kay and hoping to keep Jace from her mind. She’d already ignored the request for visitors to leave for the afternoon so when the nurse came in, she figured she’d better go or end up in big trouble. She and Daisy already had reputations in this hospital. Sydney didn’t doubt they’d toss her in jail if they could find a good reason. She stood, kissed Kay and Ed goodbye and headed out. Wishing for things that would never be.
Jace’s camper was gone.
Sadness filled her, but Sydney fought the tears. She couldn’t feel this way, couldn’t mourn what could have been if it wasn’t for that stupid DNA they shared. Her broken heart was wrong.
Marshal met her at the car and hugged her as soon as she got out. “Remember what I said. I’ll always be here for you. No matter what.”
“You deserve better. You deserve a woman who will love you with her heart and soul.” She sniffed. She would never be that woman and they both knew it.
“Doesn’t seem to be in the cards for me. I’m okay.” Marshal took her packages. “I know I’m not ready for a relationship right now, but I’d try for you.”
“It’s just not fair. Why couldn’t I have fallen in love with you? Things would be so much simpler.” She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth. Marshal was hurting, too and she’d done that to him. “I’m sorry. That was unfair.”
“No. It’s okay. I wish things had worked out that way, too. But we can’t fight fate.”
“Yeah, fate leaves me hopelessly in love with a man who’s most likely my uncle, at the very least a cousin. How fair is that?”
“You know in the old days that would be considered a perfect match.” Marshal smiled and though he was gorgeous, she didn’t get that hitch in her heart she felt when Jace smiled at her. Why hadn’t she noticed that before?
Sydney shook her head. “Ick. And all our kids would be genetically challenged. Sounds like a great life.”
“See that? At least I got a smile out of you.” Marshal waited for her to open the door, then he set the bags on the table. “I hope you brought cat food. Daisy said this crew is going through it.”
“I did. I guess I’m destined to be a cat lady. I’d better get used to buying cat food and litter by the truck load.” She sighed and moved to feed the meowing herd.
“I hope not. That would be a damn shame.” Marshal helped by filling the water dish. “I have footage ready for you to view. When you’re ready.”
“Great. Any idea where Daisy is?” She might know if she listened to the message Daisy left on her phone. She should have by now, but had forgotten.
“No. She said she was going to call you.”
“She did. I forgot to listen to her message.” She activated the mailbox on her phone.
Daisy’s fake cheerful voice erupted in her ear. “Hey, Syd. Just to let you know, I have to go into town and sign some papers regarding Nadine. I’m putting it off as long as possible because I’m hoping you’ll come with me.”
Sydney looked at the clock. She exited out of the message center without hearing everything Daisy said and hit the button for Daisy’s cell phone.
Daisy answered on the first ring.
“Where are you?” Sydney hated herself for being so wrapped up in the tragedies of her personal life that she’d neglected to take care of her sister.
“Just got to the sheriff’s office.” Daisy sounded nervous.
“Wait for me. I’ll be there in a minute.” Sydney finished feeding the cats and turned to Marshal. “I have to go. Daisy needs me.”
“Anything I can help with?” Did he have to be so completely wrong for her?
“Thanks, but I don’t think so. I don’t want her to be alone. Nadine has put her through enough.” Sydney grabbed her keys.
“Call if you need anything. If Daisy’s up to it when you get back we can go over the evidence. We’ll probably head out tomorrow. As much fun as I’ve had here, I have to get back to the real world.” Marshal’s expression was unreadable and Sydney couldn’t spend too much time thinking about it or she’d cry again.
“Okay. Thanks, Marshal.” She gave him a quick hug and rushed to her car.
Daisy sat on a bench in front of the sheriff’s office when Sydney arrived fifteen minutes later. Daisy gave her a grateful smile.
“What exactly do you have to do here?” Sydney hugged her as she stood.
“Give another statement about what she did. I don’t know why. Sign some papers. I’ll probably have to testify at her trial too.”
“We’ll get through it. I’ll most likely have to testify, too. The important thing is making sure she doesn’t bother you anymore. I know you had high hopes for the future, but I think it’s just too late for Nadine. Her way of life has finally caught up to her.” Sydney didn’t know if she was helping or making Daisy feel worse.
“I know. I keep trying to remember that she did me a favor by abandoning me. It’s hard, though. All my life I just wanted her to want me, to love me like Mom always does. She doesn’t have it in her though. It’s all about what I can do for her and how I can help support her habits. It’s not fair.” Daisy’s eyes filled with tears, but she didn’t cry.
“I know, honey. It isn’t fair. You deserve better than that.” She hugged her. As she squeezed, Daisy let go of the control she’d managed, her body shaking as she sobbed.
“I can’t find someone who loves me no matter where I go. I mean, besides you and Mom and Dad. What is wrong with me?” Daisy sobbed into her shirt.
“You will. You will. I think you’re trying too hard. Trust me, there’s someone out there perfect for you. Someone who will treat you the way you deserve to be treated and who will love you so deeply it humbles you.” The words caused Sydney to fight her own tears. She might have had that, if Jace hadn’t turned out to be a relative.
“I’m sorry. I know comforting me when your world has fallen apart isn’t easy. You know exactly what to say to make things better.” Daisy straightened, wiping her nose with a tissue pulled from her pocket. Seemed like they both needed a never-ending supply of tissues these days. “Let’s get this over with. We have a campground to open.”
Sydney followed Daisy inside, hoping they wouldn’t have to face Nadine. Somehow, she didn’t think that was going to come true.
Sure enough, Nadine sat in the room where Daisy was ushered. At first they told Sydney she had to wait in the tiny, dank waiting room, but she’d insisted and they finally relented and allowed her to stay with her sister.
Nadine dabbed her eyes as they entered, her face showing a regret that Sydney couldn’t help believe was fake. “Oh, my baby. I’m so sorry.”
Daisy ignored her, facing the officer with irritation. “You didn’t tell me she would be here.”
“She’s not supposed to be. We’re waiting for transport to the county jail. I apologize. You were to be shown to the other room.” He stood, giving Nadine a warning glance and moved to open the door behind Sydney. “If you’ll go across the hall, I’ll be with you shortly.”
Sydney stepped backward, not taking her eyes from Nadine. Daisy held her head high as she turned to leave the room.
“I’ve always loved you. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m so sorry,” Nadine wailed.
Daisy spun, and Sydney caught her arm. “The only loving thing you’ve ever done was dump me off. Trying to use me to support your habit is not love, hurting people I care about is not love. I’m sorry, too, sorry that you’re my mother and that every day I have to fight the idea that I’m going to end up just like you. I’m even afraid to have children because I don’t want to share your genes with innocent children. I don’t want to know you. I have always been nothing to you and now you are nothing to me.”
Daisy left and Sydney shot Nadine a glare as she followed her to the identical room across the hall. She banged the door shut behind her and gathered Daisy into her arms and held her as she cried.
Sydney could hear Nadine screeching from the little room. She demanded to be able to talk to Daisy and try to explain why she did the things she did. She screamed to be released, saying she didn’t have any idea why they were treating her like a criminal and that she didn’t do anything wrong. That she’d made sure her daughter was provided for and hadn’t broken any laws. From what Sydney could tell, the officer with her either didn’t say anything or spoke very quietly.
Obviously, Nadine had gone over the edge. She didn’t seem to remember that she’d kidnapped her own daughter for profit and future income or how she’d purposefully hurt people her daughter loved. Sydney hugged Daisy tighter, not saying anything as she cried out years of pain and frustration.
Finally, Daisy stepped away and dried her tears. “I don’t hate her as much as I should.”