CHAPTER TWENTY-Three

Hope was exhausted from the brave face she wore like a painted on mask. She tried to appear confident that they would find Andy and bring him home but didn't share their confidence. Maybe that was because she knew the mean streak, Rob camouflaged with charm. He might look like a dream but was just the opposite. A nightmare.

She cut a look at Brady, standing at the fence rail, one foot on the bottom rail and his forearms on the top, staring out over the land. Was he having difficulty maintaining his own mask, or was his confidence genuine? Did he wear a brave face, or was bravery part of his nature?

"What will you do if the birds come," she asked quietly as she walked up behind him.

He turned at the waist to look back at her. "I'll go get Andy."

"What if Rob tries to stop you from taking him?" She stopped at the rail, turned her back to it and looked up at him.

"He'll fail."

"He can be mean – well he could back then. I don't think people change who they are—not at the core, anyway— and at the center of Rob is a mean, self-centered narcissist."

The look on Brady's face told her more clearly than words, he was surprised to hear that level of rancor in her voice. So was she. When had she become so bitter?

Truth has a way of rearing up in your face like a horse that refuses to be broken. You have no choice but to face it. Hope knew the truth she ran from, it'd always been there, tucked away in the darkness, protected from her. And her from it.

And because she made it her prisoner, she became its hostage as well. Misery loves company.

She felt like the world's biggest dolt for not realizing it until now and before she lost her nerve, she started talking. "The truth is, Rob was the most handsome guy in the world as far as I was concerned. I watched how women would light up whenever he smiled at them, and how they watched him.

"It was like he was a celebrity or something. So when he chose me, I was thrilled. At least at first. And then he showed me who he was. He took what he wanted, when he wanted it, and never gave a thought to my feelings.

"I broke up with him three times and three times I took him back, and each time it got worse. He became abusive and I was scared of him—scared he'd do what he said, if I opened my mouth. So, I'd be his sweet bitch and bend over when he said bend over, and I'd get to be the envy of every woman in the county. As long as I pleased him, that was."

Hope forced her gaze upward to meet Brady's. "I reached a point where I hated him. I think I hated myself more, but I couldn't admit my complicity. I needed a villain, and he fit the bill.

"But I didn't want anyone to know what I'd done, what he'd done to me, so I made up a story that worked and kept anyone from knowing what I'd done."

Hope paused and cleared her throat. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I've been hiding that bit of nasty for a long time, but I understand now what a waste of energy that is.

"I read or heard somewhere that truth is like water and it seeps in the low and the weak places, slowly eroding whatever bars its way. It always gets out."

Brady turned and enveloped her in a hug then pulled back and looked at her for a moment. "You don't have to atone for being human, honey. You were young and infatuated and fell for the wrong guy. But that Hope belongs to a woman who was afraid. You're no longer that woman."

"No?" she asked, feeling very much the scared woman.

"No. You're She Who Calls the Birds."

"Pardon?"

"Grace told me. Sadie's grandmother used to tell Sadie and Grace tales of She Who Calls the Birds. They grew up hearing the tales, and wanting to find her.

"Now they have. She's no longer afraid of that man."

He delivered a smile that lit her entire world. "And even if she is a little afraid, that's okay because she's got me, and you can take it to the bank that I've got her."

"You promise?" The words were out before she could stop herself, and she felt embarrassed to be so in need of his strength and love.

"Till death us do part."

"Brady," she giggled awkwardly, "that's what you say when you get married."

"Yeah, I know."

Hope opened her mouth to tell him she loved him with all her heart, but at that moment it appeared. A white dot against the sky, coming toward them.

"Brady." She grabbed him and forced him into a turn. "Look!"

His gaze turned in the direction she pointed and a moment later he glanced at her. "What do we do?"

"We let her take us to him."

"And she's going to do that how exactly?"

Hope turned from watching the owl to look at him. "I have no clue."

*****

Brady never imagined he'd one day find himself geared up for battle, driving a truck and following an owl to an undisclosed location to rescue a young boy from his biological father. Correction. Sorry ass, no good sperm donor. He didn't deserve the title of father.

He, Jud, and Hope were on their way to get Andy. Brady cut a glance at Hope. He'd tried his best to convince her to stay behind but she was having no part of that.

"Andy's my son," she argued. "He needs to see me when you save him, Brady. I need to see him."

Brady couldn't argue with her, more for the expression on her face and the way her voice trembled when she spoke than her actual words. So, he relented and now here they were, following an owl.

"There!" Hope pointed. "That road on the left. The owl turned there."

"Right under our noses," Jud commented from the back seat.

"You know who lives here?" Brady asked.

"A gal who works for us as a cook for the morning shift. Nice lady. Sharon."

"Wonder why the owl is leading us to her house?"

Hope spoke up. "Is she single?"

"Yep," Jud answered.

"That's why. Rob probably needed a place close by so that when he took Andy he could get off the roads and out of sight fast. And he probably met and cozied up to the woman and convinced her to let him stay with her."

"Why would she do that?" Jud asked. "He's a complete stranger."

"A handsome one with a silver tongue," she replied. "A silver tongued liar and con man."

"And you know that how?"

She turned to look at him. "Are you a completely different man now than you were in your twenties?"

"No, wiser, I hope, but essentially the same."

"Exactly. Rob was always a con man. I don't see why he'd change since his looks, charm, and grifter ways is all he has going for him."

"Good point." Jud paused and pointed. "Up ahead on the right."

"Lime green," Hope added.

Brady pulled over onto the shoulder of the road. "I need you to stay in the truck."

"I won't get too close," she argued.

"In the truck," Jud added. "This isn't a negotiation and sorry to sound like a hardass, but there are two people in that house he could hurt. We don't want to give him another target."

"But—"

Brady cut her off. "Hope. Sweetheart, please. Let us do what we do best. We'll bring him to you. I promise."

She stared at him for a long time then reached over and put her hand on his arm. "I could promise you I'd do as you ask, but that would be a lie. I have to go with you. That's my child and I have to. I'll stay behind you, but I have to go. For him, Brady. I have to go for him."

Brady's eyebrows drew together slightly, betraying his opposition to her insistence. She smiled at him. "He needs you to be his hero, Brady. He worships you. That's why you have to save him. But I'm his mother, and I promised him and Joe that I'd lay down my life without hesitation to save his. Andy needs to know that hasn't changed."

No one said a word. For a long time. Hope wondered if Brady was waiting on her to speak. She hoped not. She had spoken and had nothing left to say.

"Stay behind us," he said.

"You can count on it."

Brady jerked his head toward the gravel driveway and Jud nudged her to follow Brady. That left him to bring up the rear. It took her a few seconds to figure out why he wasn't behind Brady, who would have said that Jud had their six. He made sure no one could sneak up from behind.

It didn't take long to see the house through the trees. Grace was right. Bright lime green. Oddly, she didn't find it offensive or something to be ridiculed. Hope saw a home that housed someone who was trying hard to make it a happy home. Right down to the happy green. That's what she saw.

How sad. The woman who lived here worked so hard to be happy, or at least fool herself and everyone around her into believing.

Hope understood the cost of living a lie, in whatever size or shape it might be. Talk about rotten luck. If this woman turned out to be what Hope envisioned, then meeting Rob Wingate was one of the unluckiest moments of her life. If he hadn't already started to control her, using whatever abuse he saw fit, then he soon would.

Brady executed some hand signals and Jud tapped her on the shoulder. When she glanced at him, he gestured for her to change directions. Brady continued forward, while she and Jud circled around the house, keeping in the cover of the trees.

Once they reached the back corner of the house, Jud paused and after a look around, turned to her. "We're going to the house and will make our way down the side to those bushes that are tall and extend beyond the house.

Hope nodded, not trusting her voice. She felt like Jud should be able to hear her heartbeat. His sudden stop had her almost running into him. Clearly, she was following too closely and that embarrassed her somewhat. No one knew they were coming so no one would be looking for them. She had to let go of the paranoia or she would spin out of control.

She followed, being as quiet as possible, and found herself amazed that a man of Jud's size could move so silently. Once more she was reminded that the Blackstone men really were something extraordinary.

By the time they'd crept down the side of the house and about ten feet into the yard, Brady was mounting the wooden steps that led to the front door.

Hope was shocked when he rapped on the door with his weapon. A few seconds passed and the door opened. the blond woman stepped out. Her behavior captured Hope's attention. It seemed like classic prey behavior when cornered. Eyes constantly shifting from one spot to another, searching. Nostrils flaring in fear at the clarion call of attack from that which hunted them.

She was his prisoner. "What do you want?"

Brady didn't answer her question. The woman hesitated, then yelled over her shoulder. "Hey, some guy's here."

It wasn't long before Rob appeared. "Who the fuck are you and what do you want?"

"I understand you have something I want."

"Oh, what's that jackass?"

"Andy Evans."

"Never heard of the guy."

"It'd be in your best interest to bring Andy to me. Now."

"Or what, asshole? You gonna beat me up?"

"Nope," Brady replied. "Just this."

Before Rob could react Brady reached out with one hand, grabbed him by the throat and squeezed. Within seconds, Rob was gasping and clawing at Brady's hand.

Shortly thereafter, his eyes rolled back and his body collapsed. Brady turned and called out. "Jud you wanna hog-tie this fella and call the law?"

"Yep," Jud responded.

Brady then stepped over Rob calling out as he entered the house. "Andy?"

At the same time Jud moved to the front door. Hope followed on his heels, stopped just on the other side of the line of trees and watched as he fastened a big zip tie around Rob's wrists. Next, Jud grabbed one of Rob's arms and hauled him up.

Jud was one strong man. She realized how strong when he slung Rob over one shoulder, turned and headed for the truck.

The sound of Andy's voice had her turning toward the door. "Mr. Brady! I knew you'd save me."

Hope's feet were moving before her mind made the decision to do so. By the time she reached the steps of the porch, Brady appeared, holding Andy's hand.

Hope ran up the steps and engulfed him in a tight hug. "He saved me, Mom." Andy said. "Mr. Brady saved me."

"Yes, he sure did." She fought back tears. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

"Only once. Ms. Sharon stopped him, and he beat her up. She's not bad, Mom. He hurt her worse than me."

Hope cut a look at Brady. "She works for us and just got conned, honey. Don't think too harsh of her. She took the beatings for Andy and was probably just too scared to report it."

"I understand." She did. All too well. It wasn't uncommon for victims to feel guilt over what their abusers did to them.

"I'm grateful to her for protecting you," she said to Andy. "And to Mr. Brady and Mr. Jud for saving you. I think we owe them a big thanks, don't you?"

"Yes, ma'am." His grin lifted her spirits. With his hand outstretched, he turned to Brady. "Thank you, Mr. Brady. Mom says you always repay acts of kindness, so all you have to do is ask, and I'll pay you back for being nice and for saving me."

"Hmmm," Brady reached up and stroked his chin with index finger and thumb. "Well, there is one thing."

"You name it."

"You can stop calling me Mr. Brady."

Hope saw the crestfallen expression that came onto Andy's face, and felt an echo of it insider herself. Why did Brady say that.

"But—but what will I call you?" Andy asked, clearly upset.

Brady looked at Hope, winked and gave her that smile that said, everything's going to be fine, then looked at Andy.

"How about dad?"

"Really?" Andy asked.

"Really. What do you say, Andy. Can I marry your mom and be your dad?"

"You bet!"

Hope's eyes filled with tears at the expression on Andy's face and she remembered what he said about Brady, that one day a boy would be the luckiest kid in the world, because Brady was his dad.

She smiled through her tears as Andy launched himself into Brady's arms. Brady looked at her and with one smile all the pain, fear and sorrow of the past slipped away. In its place was joy.

She and Andy had both been granted their dream come true. Hope found love and Andy found a dad.

Ain't life grand? She heard Joe's voice in her mind and smiled.

It was indeed.