Chapter 16
Lucy
“Boston was two in this picture. We were living in the city at the time. In Boston—that’s where he got his name. Gilbert and I met at a restaurant. I thought it was love at first sight. He was…handsome and powerful in his nice suit. He was surrounded by men dressed just like him, but he took one look at me and I knew my life would never be the same. I was young here, visiting relatives. Gilbert swept me off my feet. He stopped me just before I walked out the door and we’ve pretty much been together ever since.”
Joy smiled, flipping to the next page of the photo album. “Boston was born less than a year later. Gilbert and I married when I was seven months pregnant. We stayed in the city for the first three years, then he moved us here. Such good times.”
I mirrored her smile, sweeping over the memories that kept causing her to tear up.
“He’s gone a lot now. Will I meet Boston’s father soon?”
“Oh…” She glanced over. “Yes, I suppose he’ll come home for Christmas. I guess it’s time for him to meet you. I have to be honest, Lucy, I wasn’t very accepting of this at first. I was worried for Boston, for both of you, but…you calm him. You make him better. I see that now. And you seem happy.”
“I am. Thank you. What happened between Boston and his father?”
She paused, flipping to the next page. “The two of them don’t get along very well. They haven’t for years. It’s nothing in particular, just little things that have happened and built over time.”
“I see. Well…maybe now.” I frowned as I turned my attention to the large glass windows that gave us a view of the guesthouse. Boston was probably still downstairs working out. That’s all he ever seemed to do anymore. For the last week, he had lived in the gym. He hadn’t even tried to touch me, which was so unlike him. I had been afraid before, but now I just…needed him. There were so many times I wanted to go see my mom. To ask her what to do, or just hear her voice. Even the need to talk to Jeff was there. Someone. Anyone. Now, I didn’t even feel like I had Boston.
“We’ll see how it plays out. Gilbert’s supposed to call me after his meetings.” She quickly shut the book, standing. “Boston mentioned heading into the city soon to get a new car. Maybe you both can meet him for lunch.”
“I would love that. I’m sure Boston would too.”
I rose from the sofa, following her to the door. She gave me a quick hug and I headed out as a car pulled into the driveway. My feet grew heavy and I came to a stop as an older man stepped out. At the sight of him, my pulse exploded. I’d seen him before. More than once. At the hospital, the day Boston woke up, and…the movie of Boston. The doctor. Yes, he was the man talking and asking the questions.
“Well now, what do we have here? You must be Lucy. Joy told me she had a new addition to her family.”
Taken aback, I forced a large smile. “Yes, we met at the hospital. I’m sorry, I don’t remember getting your name.”
My hand went out, and he shook it. “Dr. Patron. I’m actually here for Boston. Is he around?”
“He’s in the gym.”
“Great. Before I talk to him, I’d like to ask you a few questions if that’s okay.”
“All right.”
The older man’s white hair blew back from the wind, and I took in his leather clad hands, fancy suit, and trench coat.
“I’m not sure if Boston’s remembered or told you about me, but I’m his therapist. He’s been seeing me since he was young. Twelve, to be exact. I know you’ve known him for just as long. He’s always been a quiet boy. Very shy. Very reserved. Would you agree that was his behavior before the accident?”
“Yes.”
“You’re closest to him. Would you say that’s his behavior now?”
I took a moment to think over his question. “Not toward me. Not anymore, but around other people, I’d say yes.”
He nodded. “And how would you describe his emotional status? Is he happy most of the time? Angry? Does he upset rather easily?”
Unease settled and I looked toward the guesthouse. “Most of the time, he’s great. There are moments he gets upset. I wouldn’t say he gets overly mad.” I paused. “I have noticed he doesn’t like to be away from me. He’ll pace. That’s really it, though.”
“Perfect.” He glanced back toward where Boston was. “I heard your mother recently passed. How are you? Is Boston helping you with that?”
A slight smile wanted to come as I thought over just how supportive he’d been. “Boston is the only thing keeping me together right now. I don’t know what I’d do without him. He’s been amazing.”
A grin appeared. “I’m happy to hear that. And he’s in the gym, you say?”
“Yes, right this way.” My hand gestured, and he followed as I opened the door and turned left. Boston was right where I knew he’d be. But he wasn’t lifting weights like I’d thought. He had his earphones in and he was hanging from a bar doing pull-ups. His six-pack tightened through the fluid motion, and his muscles bulged in his arms. It had my eyes widening as I took him in. He already looked bigger after only a week.
As if he knew I was there, his lids rose, and he paused in the hanging motion before dropping to the ground. He pulled the headphones out, not saying a word as he grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat from his face.
“Dr. Patron is here to see you. I’ll just be outside.”
“Outside?”
Boston headed in our direction, the concern visible in the way his speed increased.
“Yeah. I thought I’d take a walk around the property or something. Nowhere far. Just around.”
“I can go with you if you want to wait. This won’t take long.”
I laughed, stepping back toward the main door. “It’s okay, really. Take your time.”
Before he could work harder to convince me, I headed back out the door. I wasn’t sure what to think about the doctor being here. I had seen the type of patients he kept and heard where Boston fit in. It was all because of me. But now that he had me, what exactly did that mean?
The door shut behind me, and I turned toward the side of the guesthouse. The tree-line opened into a path and memories of Boston chasing me filtered through. But not for long. Movement had me jolting to a stop. Twigs snapped and I jumped as a squirrel raced up the tree.
Pushing my hands into my jacket pocket, I rolled my eyes, continuing. Deeper, I went, walking slowly through the slightly rolling terrain. Crunching. Footsteps? I walked faster while scanning my surroundings. The forest wasn’t as dense here at it had been by the cabin, but it didn’t ease the feeling of being watched.
Minutes went by and I rounded to the far side, knowing I was somewhere behind the main house. Darkness enclosed around. It had been overcast, but it almost appeared night as the trees encircled above. Rustling had me spinning just as a dirty hand slammed over my mouth. Mud was caked to Jeff’s face and his eyes were bloodshot and wide as shuddering breaths shook his entire body.
“Shhh-shhh.” He broke down, letting go and crushing his arms around me in a hug. “I didn’t think you’d ever come. Tell me it’s not true,” he sobbed. “Tell me Mom’s not dead.”
The urge to fight was there, but at the mention of my mother, pain had it wavering. I held Jeff, letting my sorrow release for only a moment before I jerked free.
“It’s true. They say she overdosed on pills. She…killed herself.”
“She wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t have left us.” He cried harder, wiping his face as he tried to get close to me again. “This is my f-fault. He did it because of me. Because I tried to take you away.”
“Boston didn’t kill Mom,” I snapped. “She took them before he even got there. Besides, do you hear how crazy you sound? You need help. This has gone too far. You have to turn yourself in. I won’t press charges for what you did in the forest. Just get help, Jeff.”
I turned, heading back the way I came. Distrust had me on my toes. Jeff lunged just like I feared he would, but I was ready. I sprinted with everything I had. A scream barely broke from my lips before he crashed into me. We slid through the dirt, fighting to get control of one another. My fist swung, but he deflected almost every hit.
“Don’t do this, Lucy. All we have is each other. We have to hurry.”
Fingers tore into my jacket as he attempted to lift me. I kicked against his thighs, screaming and clawing at his forearms. Pain tore into my hair as he used it to drag me off the path. The harder I fought, the rougher he jerked, grabbing more.
“Let. Go. Of her.”
He stopped and let go at Boston’s cold tone, raising his hands as he backed away. I rolled, seeing Boston standing not feet away with a shotgun. He had it at his side, glaring ahead. When I jerked back to Jeff, he was already gone. Not once did Boston look away from the darkness ahead as he came and helped me up.
“Are you all right?”
“You could have killed him.”
Intense eyes lowered to me, but only for a second. “I could have, but would you have wanted me to?”
“N-No. Of course not.” My arm wrapped around his. When he immediately pulled away, it left me feeling empty. He took a step, handing me the gun.
“I didn’t think so. Take this and go back to the house. I’ll look for him. Jeff has to be brought in. If I can find him, we’ll call the cops and have him taken care of.”
“You don’t want me to call them now?”
“If I can’t find him, they won’t either. Let’s spare alerting the police if we don’t have to.”
Boston began forward when I reached out, taking his hand. “I don’t want you to go. What if something happens to you? I couldn’t take that. I can’t lose you.”
Emotion drew in his features and his lips pressed in mine, full of heat—full of passion. My arm wrapped around his neck while I pulled him in closer.
“Stay with me. Go back inside with me,” I begged.
“Don’t ask me to do that. I can’t bear telling you no. I’ll be back soon. I love you.” He kissed me harder, breaking away and running off through the trees at a surprising speed. Fear drove me back down the path at a jog. Just as I made it to the tree-line next to the guesthouse, I slowed to a stop. Mrs. Marks and Dr. Patron stood at the entrance, and Joy was shifting her feet nervously.
“We heard you scream.” Her eyes went to the shotgun in my hand, then behind me. “Where’s Boston?”
“He went after Jeff. I think he’s going to try to convince him to turn himself in.”
The two looked at each other, and Dr. Patron held her shoulder securely. Something unknown to me passed between them. It was enough to have Joy calming. His hand came out to me as he smiled. “Come, child. It’s cold out here. Let’s get you some hot cocoa. Boston will take care of this. After today’s talk, I’m positive he’ll get your brother all the help he needs.”