“But I thought your name was McRoberts?” Virginia asked.
“My mother had it changed after my she got her divorce. You sound as if you know Tyler.”
Virginia hung her head. The decision that had seemed so right at the time, now felt stupid and senseless. “I do, I mean I did. After your mother’s divorce I married Robert. Tyler lived with me for a little over what, six, seven years. Then I found out what he was doing to the boys…”
Leah’s eyes lit up. “You know where my brother is?”
“No. After the divorce he went into foster care. My youngest son Carry is real close to him. He might know where to find Tyler but…” Virginia started to sob in Michael’s arms.
“Oh, you poor thing.” Grandma said.
“I’m really sorry Ms. Virginia. I really didn’t mean to…”
“It’s okay.” Michael said as he stood up with Virginia. “I’m going to help her to bed. It’s been a long day.” Michael led Virginia up the stairs and into their bedroom for the night.
“Grandma, you can head to bed if you want to. Billy and I will clear the table and take care of the dishes.”
After Grandma had gone up to bed Leah and Billy did as they said they would do as cleared the table. They talked as they washed the dishes.
“How’s the baby, Leah?”
“She’s Okay. I can’t wait to have her outta me though.”
“Is she gonna be really small. I mean you don’t show much for being five months along.”
“Billy, don’t worry. The doctor said that I’d be fine. He said that it was just my small build and that lots of girls with my body type don’t show until their eighth month, and in some cases not at all.”
“I just worry about you, that’s all.”
“I know.” She leaned over and kissed Billy on the cheek.
Billy took his hands out of the water and dried them on a towel. “I know I should have done this when we were all in the dining room, but I guess I got nervous.”
Leah looked questioningly over at Billy as she dried her hands.
Billy knelt down on one knee. “Leah McRoberts, will you marry me?” He opened up a ring box that held a gold ring with a diamond in the center. “I know it’s not the biggest or prettiest ring, but I promise I’ll buy you a better one when I can afford it.”
“Oh, Billy it’s perfect. Of course I’ll marry you.”
Billy put the ring on her finger and kissed her.
Virginia stood unnoticed in the doorway with a smile on her face as all this happened. Still unnoticed she retreated to the den. She remembered what it was like when she found out what the boys had been through. She was glad that Leah had not gone through the same thing. What would she be like today? She fell asleep on the sofa thinking about her life, the boys, and Leah.
No one heard the lock being picked or the front door opening. No one heard as Robert slowly checked each room for Leah. He saw Virginia and thought fortune had smiled on him. But, Virginia was not what he had come here for. He would return for her later, after he had Leah. When he found her room he crept in and held a rag over her mouth. She put up a protest before her body went limp. “Like candy from a baby.” He walked out of the house with Leah in his arms. He laid her down in the back of his van, tied her up and drove off.
Grandma’s house was in a blaze when she realized that Leah was gone.
Virginia took to comforting the old woman while Billy and Michael searched the house.
Billy seemed even more distraught than Grandma was.
“There’s no sign of her anywhere. It looks as if the front door lock was picked and whoever took her just waltzed in here. There’s muddy footprints all over the house so I’m guessing he searched for her for some time before he found her room.” Michael said.
“Michael, do you suppose…” Virginia didn’t have to finish. The thought was already on everyone’s minds.
Michael tried to be hopeful and strong for everyone. “I’ll call the police.” Michael left for the parlor to call the local police with Billy. They returned back more sullen than they had left.
“They can’t do anything with the storm.” Billy stated.
“Well if someone can drive here and kidnap Leah, then why can’t they drive her and find out who did it. Things weren’t like this when I was younger. Back then cops weren’t afraid to face Mother Nature in order to get the job done.” Grandma ranted as she left the den to cook breakfast.
“I’m going to call Jack and see if they found anything. I’m going to tell them what happened.” Virginia went into the parlor and called her house.
“Hello?” Jeff answered the phone with a groggy voice.
“Hi sweetie. Is Jack there? I need to talk to him.”
“Yeah, hold on mom. I’ll get him.” Jeff muffled the phone until Jack spoke.
“Hey Vee, what’s up?” Jack asked.
“Has there been any change?” Virginia asked.
“No. None whatsoever.”
“Listen. The place where we’re staying is run by Leah’s grandmother. Leah is Tyler’s twin sister.”
“Vee, where are you?”
“Michael and I are in an inn near Ankona.”
“Stay there. Does Michael have his gun?”
“Gun? Why? ”
“Tyler was taken from his foster home some time ago. If he’s picked up Leah, why hasn’t he picked you up yet?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he doesn’t want me now.”
“Or maybe he has other plans. Promise me you’ll try and find somewhere else to stay. Promise me you’ll stay in Michael’s site at all times.”
“Jack, I think you’re…”
“Damnit, Vee, I may not be with you anymore, but I still love you. I don’t know what the boys would do without you. Just stay with Michael. He’ll protect you.”
“Okay Jack. I will. How’re the boys holding up?”
“They’re okay. They’re worried sick about Carry and you. They want you both home safely.”
“Tell them I love them and I’ll be home as soon as I can. Look, I have to go. I’ll call back tonight around seven. If I don’t call back you’ll know something’s wrong.”
“Bye Vee. Take care of yourself.”
“I will. Bye Jack.” Virginia hung up the phone and started to head back to the den when she saw Billy sitting in the hallway. “You okay, kid?”
“Yes ma’am. I’m just worried about Leah and the baby.” Billy replied.
“My son’s with them and so are two other good upstanding boys. They won’t let him hurt her. These boys would give their lives before they let him hurt her.”
“I don’t know how you can stand it Ms. Virginia. I just can’t stand not knowing.”
Virginia wrapped her arms around Billy’s shoulders. “I know how hard it is. My boy’s been gone since yesterday. You just have to have faith.”
“Faith…”
really amazing. still.
thanx.