Swept Away (16 page)

Tucker held Josie in bed. She snuggled close. His hands smoothed her hair over her shoulders as he listened, without really hearing, to her chatter about the baby. Josie could rattle off names quicker than a machine gun spewed bullets. Simple
mmm hmms
and an occasional
sure, sounds good
seemed to keep her satisfied as his mind tortured him.

After finding the picture of his dad in Hetty’s living room, he knew there was a connection between his dad and Josie. Reason told him to simply ask her, but he couldn’t form the words. And honestly, he feared if she gave the wrong answer, then what? They could never legally marry, even if Josie could look past them sharing a parent. They’d break up for sure; she might even be repulsed by him, and his child would call someone else dad. Being honest wasn’t at the top of his options list.

“Are you listening, Tucker?”

“What?” he asked, looking down at her.

“I asked if you ever talked to your friend. The one who can get ID’s?”

“Yeah, I did. He said he knows a guy who can help.”

She nodded. “I really should explain. It’s just…” She grew quiet and her eyes squeezed closed.

“Don’t worry about it, Josie. It’s not important. Let’s just start our lives from right here. There’s no sense digging up the past.”

Burrowing tighter, she pulled the blanket to her chin. “It doesn’t bug you that I’m not being completely honest with you?”

He took a deep breath. “Honesty is overrated. We don’t need to pile our shit on a table and sort through it. We’ve got more important things to worry about right now.”

“You’re worried? You said you were happy.”

“I am happy. And no, I’m not worried, I just mean we have more important things—“

“No, you said we had bigger worries. Those are your words. I knew something was wrong. I tried to convince myself it was nothing, but you’ve been lying to me. You say you’re happy, but—”

“Come on, you’re talking crazy. I’m happy. I swear to God, I’m happy.”

“Liar. You’re distant, and something is wrong. Very wrong. Is reality finally starting to hit you?”

“There is nothing wrong, I swear. This,” he ran a hand across her belly, “gives me more clarity than you can imagine. Nothing matters to me more.” He pulled her even closer, kissing the top of her head. He admitted to himself that he was a sick bastard not to be the least bit revolted she could be Maddy. No, he wasn’t sad or upset about the baby. His only worry was keeping her; his only guilt was never telling Gloria her daughter might be alive.

“We should get some sleep,” he said.

“I’m too wired. We should’ve watched a movie or went for a walk,” she said with a yawn. “We’ve got so many decisions to make. Like where will we live? Neither of our places are big enough, but then babies are small, but they do grow….”

Tucker tried to listen to her. Tried to be as excited as she was, but he couldn’t. His thoughts kept wandering back to the same problems as his fingers moved lazily through her hair. In no time, her eyelids grew heavy, and she was out.

Sleep didn't come as easily to Tucker. He lay there a while trying to relax, but his brain kept imagining the worst outcomes – like Josie hating him, or even worse, Josie hating herself for loving him. The girl already had some issues with guilt. A blind man could tell it wasn’t her
friend
who was raped. His eyes burned with the thought. His grip on her tightened until she stirred in her sleep.

“Shh,” he said, not wanting to wake her. She looked so fragile and innocent in the faint moonlight that poured in the window. What was he doing to her? How could he lie to her? He should just ask her, “Are you Madison Morgan?”

Then she could tell him no, and they could move on with their lives.

Or she could say yes, freak out from the shame of incest, and have nothing more to do with him. Then she'd have the baby without him. Or would she? Suddenly, the possibility that she could abort crossed his mind.

Oh, hell no,
he thought.
I can't let that happen.

He couldn't be honest. There was too much at stake. But then, he couldn't keep fooling her. Josie was a freaking mind reader; he'd never be able to convince her nothing was wrong much longer.

And who else did everyone say could understand things, verging on the paranormal?

Ariel Stone.

Looking down at the sleeping Josie, Tucker brushed the palm of his hand across her smooth cheek.

Everything about her pointed to Ariel, not Maddy. And Santos said they never found Ariel's body. Relief washed over him.

Crawling out of bed, he grabbed his phone and made his way to the living room. Just like a kid with a wound, he needed someone else to assure him he wasn’t going to bleed to death.

“Hey, Mom, did I wake you?”

Marlene cleared her groggy voice and said, “Uh, no, of course not. I was reading. Is something wrong?”

“I couldn’t sleep. I keep thinking about this Maddy thing…are you sure Gloria didn’t see any resemblance between Josie and Ariel?”

“No, but to be honest, Ed’s right; she wouldn’t want to see any resemblance to anyone but her daughter.”

“That’s right. She’s desperate to have her daughter back.” Tucker felt hopeful again.

“But what explains the Stone woman? Wouldn’t she be just as desperate for her daughter to be alive?”

“You’d think…but then, maybe she has been through the murder trial and has come to terms with the loss. Maybe she sees it as opening healed wounds.”

“Yeah, that’s a good point.”

Marlene sighed. “You’ve really gotten yourself in a pickle, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, a big one. I love her, Mom. I love her more than I’ve ever loved anything or anyone.”

“I hate to say this Tuck, but the best thing you could do is walk away. Just leave and never look back. That’s the only way she’ll never find out you’re Robert’s son.”

“No, I can’t do that. I told you, I love her.”

“Yes, you can. You think I didn’t love your father? I loved that man with every fiber of my being, but I couldn’t trust him. Before I got pregnant with you, chasing him from bar to bar while he chased anything in a skirt was fine. But once I knew I had a child on the way, it all changed. You needed stability. I didn’t love Ed when I married him. I picked him with my head, not my heart. He was thoughtful and caring…the perfect father.”

Marlene was silent for a long time. Tucker was glad to have a moment where he didn’t need to speak. His chest was tight, and he wasn’t sure he could pull enough air in to breathe, much less speak. His voice cracked when he tried to speak. Clearing his throat one more time, he said, “I’ve thought of every possible scenario. I know, even if we could legally get away with it, if people knew, Josie and the baby would be humiliated. But that could happen whether I’m with her or gone. She knows my name, and if she is Maddy and ever has a change of heart and goes home, Gloria knows all about me. Isn’t it better that I’m there if it should ever get out? Honest to God, if I thought I could just walk away from this and only break my own heart, I’d do it.”

“To be honest with you, the idea of having a grandchild somewhere on this earth and not knowing them kills me too.”

“I can’t let that happen. I don’t know what I can do or where we can go, but I won’t lose my kid.”

“Well, I suppose there is France,” Marlene said with a sigh into the phone. “Ed and I were looking tonight, and France allows siblings to marry.”

“Shit. Why didn’t you lead with that? That’s a much better solution.”

“Well, it doesn’t save you from public humiliation or Josie rejecting you when you tell her.”

“I won’t tell her. No one ever needs to know. Not even Josie.”

“The truth always comes out, Tucker. I did my best to hide you from Robert, and look where it got me.”

Tucker gave a half-hearted chuckle. “So, technically, this is your fault.”

“You’re such an ass.” Marlene’s laugh was a bit too loud, then she grew very quiet. “I better watch; I’ll wake Ed.”

“You go. Get back to sleep.”

“I was reading.”

“Sure, you were. Thanks, Mom.”

“Any time. Nothing is more important than your babies, but I think you know that.”

Tucker felt much better after talking to his mother, but he still couldn’t shake the guilt of deceiving Josie. So, he spent his anxious, sleepless night searching through Josie’s belongings. In cabinets, under the sink…anywhere she might have something hidden that would prove she was either Josie McCoy or Ariel Stone.

Five hours later, he had nothing. She didn’t even have so much as a credit card or a driver’s license in her purse. No pictures. No bills. No letters. Even her phone was clean. He wasn’t even listed as a contact. She must have every number in her life memorized. He even looked through the bedroom with a flashlight. Nothing. He’d thought he’d found something when he found a jewelry box, but there was nothing in it but sea shells, and the piece of sea weed he’d picked out of her hair that first day on the beach. His eyes stung as he carefully put the box back in its place on the shelf.

Giving up, he decided to take a shower. As the hot water poured over him, he began to relax and plan. France was the best option. He could probably talk Josie into going there by selling her on the idea of adventure. In France, they could live openly and his mom and Ed and Hetty and Murray could visit them, so there was no need to cut ties. All but Gloria. He tried to shove the skinny woman out of his mind as he climbed out of the shower. When he pulled a towel out of a corner hutch, he noticed a round notch cut into the base, like a finger hole. He tapped on the bottom of the shelf. It was hollow. There was a good bit of space between the bottom and the floor. He emptied the cabinet and took a deep breath. Maybe it was nothing more than a hollow base, not a hiding spot.

His heart beat was suddenly erratic and his mouth was dry. His gut told him to put everything back and walk away, but he couldn’t. He lifted the board and underneath was a small, hollow space inaccessible by any means but through the false bottom. Sitting back on his heels, surrounded by all the towels and toiletries he’d emptied from the cabinet, he took a deep breath. It was definitely a hiding spot.

Behind him, there was a commotion. Someone was pounding on the front door. Tucker heard Josie’s feet hit the floor, so he dropped the piece of wood and hurried to meet her.

Murray banged on the door calling, “Josie!”

Josie’s eyes were round. “Do you think Hetty told him?”

“I don’t know,” Tucker said. “You wait here. I’ll go talk to him.”

Tucker opened the door. Murray’s face was tight, his brow knitted together over his eyes. “I need to talk to Josie. Alone.” Looking over Tucker’s shoulder, Murray spotted her. “Josie, get on over to the house with Hetty.”

“Can I shower and change?”

“No time. We need to talk.”

“But, I—"

“No buts, Josie. You’re coming with me.”

“But I want to stay with Tucker,” Josie said wrapping her arm around his waist.

Murray took a deep breath. “Come on, now.”

“Did Hetty tell you about…last night?”

“Josie? Please?” Murray was starting to sweat.

Tucker thought of the mess in the bathroom. He just needed a minute alone, so he gave Josie a nudge. “Go on.”

Looking up at him like she’d never see him again, she shook her head. Rubbing the small of her back, he assured her. “It’s fine. I’ll get dressed and be right over.”

“Okay,” she said, slipping her feet into a pair of flip-flops by the door. Murray grabbed her by the arm and walked her out of the cottage. Tucker watched until he could see them no more, then he made a beeline for the bathroom. Tossing aside his towel for a pair of shorts, he dressed quickly, then turned his attention to the cabinet. Stripping away the loose board, he found a shoebox. He carried it with him to the couch. It was covered in hearts and butterflies, like a little girl’s treasure box. Taking a deep breath, he slowly opened the lid. Right on top was a diary with more butterflies. He opened the cover to find written in large girlie handwriting -
Property of Madison
Nicole Morgan. Keep out!

His stomach tightened, and he seriously thought he might vomit. Setting the book aside, he lifted out a picture. Two adolescent girls on the beach, arm in arm. The back said Ariel and Maddy. There were more pictures of the two girls but none said which girl was which. And it was hard to tell them apart. Similar builds, one with brown hair, one blonde. Looking frantically through the other pictures, he tried to find one that was labeled, so he could verify which girl was which.
Damn it,
he thought
. Who are you, Josie?

The door swung open. “Tucker,” Josie said.

He looked up at her as he dropped the pictures in the box.

“I can explain,” he said. “I just found it. I never should have opened it.”
              “Why you say that, boy?” Murray said, stepping past Josie into the room. “There’s nothing wrong with looking through a box of pictures…unless you know what you just found.” Murray took another step closer and said, “And I can tell by the look on your face that you know damn good and well what you found, so I’m going to ask you just this once, who the hell sent you?”

“No one.” Tucker knew the lie didn’t roll off his tongue, and he could tell by the set of Murray’s jaw that he wasn’t buying the denial either. Tucker let out a long sigh and decided to come clean. “Gloria Morgan sent me. She’s looking for her daughter, Maddy. I stumbled onto a clue and ended up here. I swear, I thought it was a dead end. I didn’t think I’d ever find her.”

“You what?” Murray’s voice was sharp. He gave Josie a shove toward the door. “Get on back to the house.”

“Murray, I– ” Josie said.

“Go girl! Don’t argue. Get out of here,” Murray yelled at her, and she took off.

“Murray, I swear I can explain.” Tucker took a step forward.

“No, you don’t. You’re gonna stop right there.” Murray pulled a gun out of his waistband and pointed it at Tucker. “I trusted you. Hell, I let you get close enough to Josie to knock her up. I honestly thought you were good people. I was coming here to get you and tell you everything, but it seems you know. You sick son of a bitch. How can you use a girl like Josie? Who the hell sent you? Did they pay you to hurt her?”

Tucker held up his hands in surrender. “No. And I’m not here to hurt her. I love her. I swear to God. I love her more than anything in this world.”

“Yeah, sure. Lying little asshole. You best just get in your car and get the hell out of here.”

“I’m not leaving. Josie needs me.”

Murray’s answer was to cock the gun.

“Can I please talk to Josie first?”

“I’m gonna give you to the count of five. One…”

“If you’ll just let me talk to her!”

Murray fired a shot at his feet.

“You’ll have to shoot my ass, Murray. I’m not leaving. I’m not leaving Josie. I’m not leaving my baby.” He shrugged. “Go ahead. Shoot.”

Murray’s jaw clenched, but his hand relaxed, and he lowered the gun.

Tucker decided he best come clean rather than risk Murray losing patience with him and getting trigger happy. “I was looking for my father, Robert Morgan. My mother is Marlene Boone.”

“Marlene Boone? Short woman, fiery temper?”

“That’s her. She told me about Robert when I joined the corps. When I got out of the military, I wanted to meet him, so I went to his house. Gloria said he’d had a stroke and was in a nursing home. Then she insisted I try to find Maddy.”

Murray’s eyes narrowed. “Gloria doesn’t know Robert brought the girl here. So, how the hell did you know?”

“I followed the clue Gloria thought Maddy sent. The note?
I’ve gone Mad, Mags
?”

“I don’t know anything about a note.”

“There was a note. I’ll show you.” Tucker realized he was at Josie’s and his papers were in his cabin. “They’re not here. I could—“

“You’re not going any damn place. You come with me. We’ve got bigger problems than a god damned letter.”

Tucker followed him to the house. Josie was sitting with Hetty in the living room. Her eyes were red, and she had her legs tucked under her, making her look small and vulnerable. She rocked back and forth, her hands positioned on her belly like she was cradling it. “Tucker,” she said with a small cry. “You’re still here.”

“I’ll never leave you. I swear.”

“Sit.” Murray stepped between them. Tucker sat across from Josie. The space between them was a few feet, but it felt like a million miles.

Murray scraped his lips through his teeth before he explained, “Josie, someone’s asking questions about you and getting people stirred up. I’m beginning to think it’s Tucker here, but I can never be too sure. When Rob dropped you off, he said he’d explain everything later—who we should and shouldn’t trust. Who it was who tried to kill you—but he had that stroke and never made it back.”

“Someone tried to kill her? Tried to kill Josie?” Tucker directed the question at Murray.

“That’s what Rob said,” Josie answered. “I don’t remember. The night Rob got me is all a blank.”

“So, you see why I’m asking you, Tucker, and you better tell me the truth. Why are you here?”

“I told you. I wanted to find my dad. I went to his house, and Gloria gave me a letter that she figured would lead me to her daughter, and she wanted me to try to find her.”

“I’ve gone Mad, Mags?” Josie whispered.

Tucker’s heart stopped. “Yes. That letter.”

“That letter brought you to me?”

Tucker nodded. “Gloria was certain Maddy sent that letter for Ariel to find her.”

“Ohhh. Oh, my goodness, you think I’m Maddy? That’s what’s been bugging you.”

“Hell, yes. You said Toby in your sleep. Gloria told me about the dog. Then I found a picture of my dad while we were looking at the pictures with Hetty. I knew it wasn’t a coincidence you were here. Then I found that diary and shit— I know it’s wrong, but damn it, I don’t care…I love you.”

“Oh Tucker,” Josie said, coming across the room and settling herself next to him. “You should have asked me. How long has this bugged you?”

“Since the storm.”

Running a gentle hand across his neck, she said, “Maddy was my best friend. My only friend, really. I loved her more than I could have ever loved a sister. It’s no wonder I felt so close to you so quickly. Your humor, the things you say. You’re a lot like her. Even your temper. She had quite the temper, you know.”

“So, just to be clear, you’re not Maddy?”

“No, I’m not Maddy. I sent that letter just in case Maddy was alive and she’d need to find me. It took me a long time to accept that she was gone.”

“What the hell were you thinking, Josie?” Murray asked, shaking his head.

Josie shrugged. “Only Maddy would have figured it out.”

“Tucker did,” Murray said.

Josie smiled. “Yes, he did.” Her arm wrapped around his back. “It was destiny.”

“Jesus, Josie. If he found you, anyone can. Do you know why I left town this week?”

“For an engine repair seminar?” Josie answered.

“No, for crying out loud. That was a lie. It was because I got a letter from Jeb Stone’s lawyer asking me to sign an affidavit verifying that I have no idea where Ariel Stone is. Now, why would he do that?”

Josie shrugged.

“I’ll tell you why. He’s heard rumors you’re alive, and he thinks I know where you are. I think they wanted to see my reaction, see if I’d flinch and give away something.”

“What did you say?” Hetty asked.

Murray stood and paced. “I told him I never met Ariel Stone. He asked why I came and I said it gave me reason to visit my old buddy Rob, and to meet with them and see if there was any news on Maddy. I told him we’re always hoping Maddy will contact someone. Thought maybe they knew something since all their letter said was they’d like to discuss new
developments
in the case.”

“Did he believe you?” Hetty asked.

“Seemed to. I asked him, ‘Is there a chance the Stone girl’s alive? Maybe the girls ran away together?’ I was hopeful, almost got myself believing the two coulda run away together.”

“All of this, just because Tucker asked Gloria a few questions?”

“My mother asked questions too,” Tucker said. “My stepdad took a picture of Josie to Gloria, and then to Amanda Stone. Oh, and a friend of mine. Santos got police reports to see if there were any clues about Maddy’s whereabouts.”

“Holy shit, son. Did you call the FBI too?”

Tucker thought of Santos’s connection at Quantico. He shrugged. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Murray sighed and rubbed his balding head.

“Why didn’t you just ask me?” Josie asked.

Tucker squeezed his hands together. “That seems easy now, but I couldn’t. I felt so close to you. I knew I loved you—then the baby. I didn’t know what to do. Both Gloria and Amanda swore you were Maddy. What was I supposed to do? I was afraid if I told you who I was, you’d leave me. You’d take my baby…I’d lose you both.”

“Oh, my poor, sweet guy.” Josie kissed his cheek. “Don’t worry, I’m not your sister, I swear. Maddy and I did look a lot alike.” Josie’s smile was broad.