Gone (Gone #1) (29 page)

He patted the ground as though patting her back. "Well, the truth is that life must move on. We don't have you with us, as much as I wish we did. Wishing doesn't make it so, just like that book you always used to read Heather when she was little. Do you remember that? Of course you do. It was about sinks, and you bought it before she was even born. I put the book aside, and I'll bring it back out and remind her when she's ready. For now, I think it's too painful for her to think about you."

His knees ached, so he readjusted. "I can't stay long, Karla. I'm not as young as I used to be. This is goodbye. Please don't cry—it has to be this way. Think of Heather. We need to move on, and we can't stay with my parents much longer. She's beginning to understand what you never would: the importance of following my leadership, and the fact that there are serious consequences for not doing so. Rebellion is not accepted. You know that now, don't you?"

Chester raised his hand to his face, kissed two fingers, and then placed them on the ground. "I can't say whether or not I'll ever be back. I hope so—I hate the thought of never seeing you again. You will always be my one true love. Please don't forget that. No matter what happens, I'll never be able to love another like I loved you. So rest sweetly, and don't get your hopes up. I wouldn't want you agonizing for me. Just expect that I won't return. It's for the best, as much as I know you wish I would stay."

He ran his fingers in a zig-zag pattern along the frosty dirt, thinking of all the times he had made the same pattern on her back. "We'll miss each other, but Heather needs us to move on. There are too many memories here. I haven't decided what to do with our house, either, Karla. What do you think? Should I keep renting it out, or should I sell it? The renters keep asking about buying it. Again, there are so many memories. I don't know if I dare bring Heather back there. What if she regresses? She's finally doing so well. She's really becoming obedient, you know? I'm raising her to be the way a woman should be. No stupid questions. Just sweet submission."

The sun had risen over the clearing, shining more light on it. It warmed Chester's back. "I ought to get going, my dear Karla. Everyone will be waking soon. Don't worry about us, because we'll be fine. I promise you that. I know it hurts you to hear that we're going to move on, but we must. Life has to go on. I'll come back and let you know how things turn out if I can. This is goodbye, but years down the road, I'll try to come back. I did knock down some of the markers, but I think I can find my way back without them if I had to."

Why was he being so wishy-washy? He had meant for this to be goodbye. No more returns. She would have to pay the price by never seeing him again. Why was it too much for him to bear? He couldn't think about his life without returning to her again. Karla had once been his whole life. But she wouldn't cooperate, despite how hard he worked to help her see the error of her ways. She just wouldn't listen.

Now it was time to move on and begin his new life with their daughter.

Chester rose and took his time getting back to the farmhouse. The sun beat down warming his back even as the frost crunched under his feet. By the time the farm was in sight, only frost in the shade remained.

He found Heather working in the barn with his parents.

"Heather, we need to talk. Come with me into the house."

She nodded and followed him without a word. Once inside he indicated for her to sit at the kitchen table. Chester sat next to her and didn't say anything for a minute.

Heather fidgeted without making eye contact.

Chester cleared his throat. "We're moving somewhere new. I can't tell you where, but it's quite a drive and we'll get a fresh start as a family. It's just what we need, don't you think?"

She stared at him, her skin looking pale.

"You're so excited you're speechless?" He smiled. "You'll love it and your new mom, too. She can't wait to meet you."

What will happen to Macy next? Will she manage to get away from Chester and back to her family?

Find out in Held, coming in October 2014. Links will be
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Other books by Stacy Claflin

Gone series

Gone

Held - Oct 2014

The Transformed series

Now Available

Fallen (Prequel)

Deception (#1)

Betrayal (#2)

Forgotten (#3)

Silent Bite (#3.5)

Ascension (#4)

Duplicity (#5)

A Long Time Coming (Short Story)

Taken (Novella)

Hidden Intentions (novel)

Coming Soon:

Book #6

Saved by a Vampire (novel)

Sweet Desire (novel)

Other books

Chasing Mercy

Searching for Mercy

Secret of the Cure (Kindle Worlds short story)

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Author's Note

I greatly appreciate you reading this book! I hope you enjoyed it.

I've spent many hours writing, re-writing, and editing this work. I even put together a team who helped with the editing process. As it is impossible to find every single error, if you find any, please contact me through my website and let me know so that I can fix them for future editions.

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