The Creek Series: Complete Set: Parts I, II, & III Read online

  “I’m at the hospital. We came to town to get fabric. Mom’s passed away. It was her heart. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Hold on. Stewart’s right here,” she answered, but I heard her whisper to him that Mom had passed away.

  “I’m so sorry, kiddo. Let me come get you.”

  “No. I just need help with the arrangements.”

  “If someone’s there with you, put them on the phone.”

  “Dr. Palmer wants to speak with you.” I handed her the phone.

  He spoke with the counselor for a few minutes, and all she kept saying was “Yes, sir.”

  After they finished speaking, she handed the phone to me.

  “Stay put. We’re on our way, kiddo,” Dr. P said with a breaking voice.

  Dr. Palmer and Sarah Beth arrived a little more than an hour later. Dr. Palmer made all the arrangements for me. Sara Beth drove me in their suburban, and Dr. P drove Mom’s car home.

  I never recalled a mile passing because I was numb, total shock and sadness gripped me.

  The only peace I had was being grateful I was with her in her last moments of life, doing what she loved most in the world.

  I stood at the corner of wood and stone and looked out over the green hills of pasture, listening to the sounds of nature. Cows mooing, birds singing, and the sound of rushing water from the creek welcomed me to our place.

  It was no longer our dwelling. I was alone in the world. I didn’t see it as a welcoming place anymore, yet for some reason, I didn’t want to leave and go back to Denton. My heart was torn from what was and what could be.

  I’d read once that when you’re torn in a decision, the best choice is not to make one at all, so that was exactly what I intended to do.

  I left Karina a voicemail saying Mom had passed, and I wasn’t sure when I would be home. I asked her to inform the school. The next call I made was to Darlie.

  “I thought you would be in China. What the hell happened?”

  “Turns out Dane has secrets. I’m not sure what all happened, but he basically dissed me, so I came home instead. I’m glad I did because my mom died of a heart attack. I’d like to get into it more, but I’m drained. Could you let Edgar know I’ve called and I’ll check in soon? I just don’t know when I’ll be back to work.”

  “I’ll do that, but I wish you’d let me come to where you are.”

  “Thank you, I appreciate that, but I’m in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. I’m fine, and I’ve got you if I need anything. I’ll call soon.”

  No goodbyes, it was better that way.

  The days passed, and I spent the week going through the house and just cleaning up. Mom was more of a packrat than I was. I boxed things up and took them to town to the shelter, except for items I wanted for safekeeping.

  I woke up throwing up early one morning, and it didn’t get any better for two solid days. I knew it wasn’t food poisoning because I hadn’t been eating—my appetite simply wasn’t there. After a few more days of sickness in the morning and then late in the evening, I had a panic attack.

  No freakin way. Life could not be that cruel.

  I drove into town to our convenience store and sat in the parking lot. Since it was Sunday, it was the only thing open. It was such a small town that the last thing I needed was to be the subject of town gossip, so I drove over an hour just to be able to shop in private.

  I made my purchase and threw the boxes in the car. Unable to get the idea out of my mind, I put a box in my purse and pulled into the closest McDonald’s, where I ordered a Diet Coke and sat there until I had the urge to pee. With my test hidden in my purse, I went into the bathroom and hid out in the small stall until I had my answer.

  Pregnant. How in the hell could that have happened?

  Sex was how that happened, but I was careful and never missed a pill. I thought about it for a while, and I realized I didn’t have to miss a pill because I’d taken medications that would affect the effectiveness of birth control pills. A victim of my own stupidity.

  I was angry with God. Angry with the world and felt I’d let myself and all my dreams down. I was very grateful Mom wasn’t around to witness my ignorant acts. She would’ve been so disappointed in me.

  I charged my phone long enough to make a few calls. The first one was to Edgar explaining I was an emotional wreck and unable to return to work and hoped he understood. I also asked that my employment records be protected. I didn’t want to be contacted by anyone.

  I phoned Darlie and left a message that I would not be returning to Denton. The losses I’d suffered were physically daunting, and I wasn’t ready to leave my home place empty.

  I finally was able to reach Karina.

  “You can’t stay there. You need to come home.”

  “This is my home.”

  “You can finish school. Just go to classes and do your rotations and at least finish school.”

  “I don’t know. Whatever you do, you are not to say a word to Dane or his family or tell them where I am. Understood?”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’m not saying a word to that creep.”

  I went to the bench and stared out at the water. Then I looked down at the phone. I knew as the father he had a right to know, but he didn’t want me, and he certainly didn’t want a baby. The longer I sat there, the more furious I became with Dane and the world. Without thinking it through, I reared my arm back and threw the phone as far as I could into the creek.

  So long, old life.

  Justin joined me for dinner. “Your Mom would want you to go back and finish school.”

  “But who’s gonna—”

  He put his fork down and stared at me. “It’s what…not even two months left?” He spread his right arm out. “This place will be just like you left it.”

  “But you’re already seeing to Stephan’s cabin. I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “You’re not asking. I’m offering.”

  He left and I laid on the couch and moped. I thought about what he’d said.

  Mom would want me to finish school; he was right. There was no reason I couldn’t. It would be a challenge, but I could hide from Dane and his family if I was careful.

  I threw my clothes into a suitcase and called Justin.

  He was actually quite proud of himself for convincing me to do the right thing and promised to take care of everything until I came back. “You need to take the Taurus. Your car is leaking oil, I noticed. Leave your keys on the table, and I’ll take a look at it.”

  “So you know the engine’s in the back, right?”

  “Yes, smartass. Did they teach you that in school?” He laughed out loud, something he rarely did.

  “Now who’s being the smartass? Thank you for everything.”

  “You bet.”

  “Oh, and I don’t have a phone. I got mad and threw mine in the creek today. I’ll get one tomorrow and call you with my new number.”

  “You’re an idiot.”

  “I know.”

  I got the garage door opener out of my car and some of my school papers and quickly got on the road. At the earliest, I wouldn’t get back until two o’clock in the morning.

  At least Mom’s car had a decent radio. It wasn’t new when she’d bought it, but it had been owned by a little old lady in town. It’d barely had any miles on it, and Mom hadn’t put a whole lot more on it the seven years she’d owned it. It needed new tires, and I would do that as soon as I got out of class.

  When I opened the door to the kitchen from the garage, Karina stared at me with a baseball bat in position for a hard swing. “What in the fuck are you doing?”

  “I decided you and Justin were right. I needed to get back and finish class if they will let me. I’m not going back to work, though. That would be asking for trouble.” I scooted past her and unloaded my arms on the table.

  “You’ve got trouble all right. He’s been here, his private investigator has been here, and it’s been crazy. There’s no way you can hide
from him. Just call him and tell him to fuck off.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “I threw my phone in the creek. I don’t know his number.”

  “You’re an idiot,” she said, returning the bat to its parking spot in the laundry room.

  “So I’ve been told. Look, I think I know a way to hide from him just until school is finished. Then I’m going back to Arkansas.”

  We went to bed, and within a few hours, I was back up getting ready for school. I laid down in the backseat of Karina’s car, and then she opened the garage door and pulled out. She made sure she wasn’t followed and drove us to class.

  “I still think this is stupid. You need to tell Darlie you’re back. She’s been calling me. She was pissed you left her a message and didn’t return her calls.”

  “I turned the phone off, so I didn’t have to speak with Dane.”

  “You know, all you had to do was hit ‘ignore’ to his calls and talk to the rest of us.”

  “Damn thing rang constantly. I couldn’t think, much less resist the urge.”

  “That’s because you care about him whether you want to admit it or not.”

  When class was over, I dropped Karina at work, and I went to get a new phone. I called Justin and let him know I was fine.

  He assured me everything at home would be okay for the next two months while I finished school. “Just focus on getting through one day at a time, Wrenn,” he said.

  “How’d you get to be so smart?”

  “By watching people.”

  I knew there was something to what he said. He didn’t talk much, but he didn’t miss anything either. Justin always seemed to have his finger on the pulse. A hard worker and a quiet man, he was always busy tinkering with something, keeping his hands busy, but I often wondered where his mind drifted to.

  Then I went to the cancer center to see Darlie. I parked at the front of the hospital and walked through the back way until I could sneak into her office.

  “Where the hell have you been?” she all but yelled at me.

  “Shhh. Only my instructors and Karina know I’m back. I’m pregnant, Darlie. I got knocked up by an idiot who’s a cheater and a liar.”

  “He’s been raising all kinds of hell around here, wanting to know where you’re hiding. In fact, he and his grandfather just left.”

  “Shit.”

  “Care to talk about what happened?”

  I sat down in the chair across from her desk and gave her the cliff note version. I explained that less than twenty-four hours before I was certain I was never coming back. But there I was, honoring my mother’s wishes and trying to finish the commitment of what I’d started.

  “All you have to do is tell him it’s over. Hiding is just stupid.”

  “Oh, yeah? And then he finds out I’m pregnant and starts throwing his money around for a custody battle or tries to take my baby away and remains a thorn in my side forever. He and his family will think I did this on purpose.”

  “I see your point. How far along are you?”

  “A few weeks.”

  “So, you won’t be showing until after school is out. If anything, it would be just a little like you’ve gained a few pounds.”

  “Right.”

  She opened her purse and removed a business card. “This is my brother’s card. Carson does family law. I’ll call him and fill him in. Why don’t you send Dane an email stating you have no desire to see or speak to him and cc Carson on the email? Put in there that it is to serve as written warning. That’s documentation. He will leave you alone after that, trust me.”

  “I don’t have his email.”

  “I do. He left it here along with his cell number in case I saw you.”

  “Okay. Oh, and here’s my new cell number.” I left her office in time to meet Karina after her shift was over, so we could go home.

  “You not hiding in the back?”

  “No. Darlie gave me great advice. I’m emailing Dane to leave me alone and copying her brother, a lawyer. I’m not going to hide, but I’m keeping the pregnancy a complete secret, not even telling the instructors.”

  “Good idea.”

  Dane,

  Sometimes things happen in life we don’t understand. God knows, I’ve had a good bit of that in my life the last few years. I’m sure you’re wondering what happened to me. My mother has recently passed away, and I have had a change of heart where you are concerned.

  I resigned from my position at the Cancer Center, and I am requesting you no longer contact them in search of me. I also request the same for my roommate, Karina Stillman.

  This letter is to serve as written warning that legal action will prevail should you contact or follow me or my friends and colleagues.

  Regards,

  Wrenn Cunningham

  cc: Carson Harris, Attorney at Law

  Amazingly, I sent the email without getting nervous. I wasn’t sure what to expect or couldn’t predict how he would react, but I knew I had to protect my unborn baby.

  Unborn baby.

  That was the moment my life changed. I started making a list. I needed an obstetrician, and I was grateful my health insurance covered pregnancy. I knew it was important I not drink or eat fish, and I needed to pick up some vitamins.

  I was certain I would move home as soon as school was out. I laid in bed and thought about the lease on the house and knew Karina would be moving on in her career as well. I thought about my home and how I could raise a baby there and work for Dr. Parson. But he was close to retiring. He was waiting on me to get my Nurse Practitioner license.

  Boy, I screwed that up.

  One thing I knew, I had time to plan. I wasn’t going to do anything until after the baby was born.

  Chapter 24

  As the weeks passed, I was surprised, but Dane honored my wishes. There wasn’t a peep from him, and I began to relax. I was looking forward to my first doctor’s appointment and was told they’d be doing an ultrasound.

  Graduation was two weeks away, and Karina and I planned to stay in the house and study until we took our nursing board exams. I figured I’d move home in July.

  “Hurry up, we’re gonna be late,” I yelled out.

  “I can’t wait to see the little peanut,” she said, getting into the car.

  “Me either. I won’t know the sex for at least another couple of months, but I’m thinking it’s a girl.”

  “I was thinking it’s a boy.”

  We laughed… And it felt good.

  Hearing the little peanut’s heart beating and then watching it on the screen was amazing. Precious. I became emotional as I viewed my baby moving around on the screen inside me, yet I couldn’t feel a thing.

  I thought about Mom and her saying, “Life is a circle.”

  After the appointment, Karina wanted to eat sushi.

  “Of course you do, when I can’t eat it.”

  “Oh, shit, I forgot about that. Well, you can eat the cooked stuff, can’t you?”

  “Yes, some of it, but I’m fine with some tempura veggies.”

  Sushi it was. After dinner, I needed to run to the store to pick up some things, and I made the loop around the interstate. When I did, I caught sight of Dane’s sports car in front of the pizza place he owned.

  Guilt gripped me. It was as if the mysterious leather belt returned to slash open more wounds.

  I was just as guilty of secrets and lies.

  I turned a sharp corner and made the block, parking beside Dane’s fancy car.

  “What in the hell are you doing?” Karina snapped at me.

  “Going to do the right thing.” I opened the car door.

  Karina pulled on my arm to stop me. “And what exactly is the right thing?”

  “Tell Dane the truth.”

  “Now? You’re going to do this now? You’re nuts.” Her audible huff expelled the meaning of her words.

  Perhaps I was nuts. I was wishy-washy on my feelings for Dane; that was fo
r sure, but regardless, he had a right to know, and I had a moral compass steering me to do the right thing for our baby. If he chose to walk away, that would be on him.

  I left Karina sitting in the running car, while I quickly approached the door. Nerves gripped me as if my body was about to be cut in half by a saw.

  Do the right thing, I repeated to myself.

  The door opened and a customer came out. Through the opening, I got a glimpse of Dane sitting at his usual table with his back to me as I entered the restaurant. He was not alone. Across from him sat a cute, perky blonde. She watched me intently as I approached the table, but his back was to me, so he didn’t see me coming.

  He was talking about something, moving his hands about in animation, but stopped when I stood at the side of their table. When he looked up at me, pain instantly filled his face, and he rubbed the days-old stubble on his chin with his hand.

  Instantly, I doubted my decision.

  Unable to shake my nerves, I cleared my throat, but that didn’t help my voice from coming out in a shy squeak. “Is it possible I speak with you a moment, maybe outside?”

  The look on his face changed instantly. His jaw tightened, and I saw the muscles in his neck flex. “I don’t know. What would your attorney think about that?” He slammed both hands down on the table. It rocked and the silverware bounced. The noise had everyone watching.

  “Never mind. Sorry to have bothered you. Coming here was a mistake.” I turned toward the unnamed girl. “Sorry, to interrupt your date.”

  I practically ran out of the restaurant. Nerves and the smell of pizza got me, and I barely made it outside the door before I threw up between two cars parked in front of the building. I felt someone touch me and could see Karina’s shoes as she stood beside me and held my hair back.

  After I finished emptying the contents of my stomach, I raised up and looked at her face. She was staring at something behind me.

  Make that someone standing behind me.

  “What’s going on?” the familiar voice was gruff.

  “I’m gonna leave you two to talk, but I’ll be in the car if you need me,” she said, before escaping the war zone.