Luna shook her head and explained what had happened, “Traven used what Whittaker did to his advantage.He sold faulty safety vests to the military, he then put a couple on when Traven came after him.So Traven shot him in non-lethal places, knowing that the vests wouldn’t hold up.In the end, he sliced his throat just like Whittaker did to our dad and then dumped the proof right on our doorstep.So we would all know that Whittaker was gone for good.Then Traven just disappeared.”
Collette went silent for a long moment as she took all of this in, then she scoffed.“So the man died the same way he lived, but I can’t say that I’m all that surprised.He really was a cold, inhuman monster.I did remember that when were little kids we were always locked up in our rooms.He wasn’t a father...he was a warden.Then when we were older, he sold us off to the highest bidder.Like who does that?He enslaved his own daughters then he made deals when he cashed us in.Like we were merchandise.It’s sick.”
Charli went over and sat down on the bed.Then she reached for Collette’s hand.“I know you have a lot to consider.But I need to ask this as it is...”she paused.“...Really important to this family.What are you gonna do about Annabelle?”
Collette shook her head.“I don’t know.I hated her father for what he did to me.I felt nothing for the baby I carried and I should have cared even a little bit, right?I mean she was my child too.She was innocent of the sins of her father. I think it was because I thought the baby and I would never make it out of there alive.”She paused then stared at Charli.“What about the couple she is with right now?Do they at least care about her?Do they love her, will they take care of her?”
Charli smiled at her.“They love her dearly.She is showered in great blessings, believe me.She is a happy little girl for sure.Jade took her because the woman who raised her from an infant was Jade’s sister.She asked Jade to take care of her and to love her.Then Jade met and married Jack, one of my husband’s brothers.I know Jack and his brothers absolutely consider Annabelle to be one of their own.”She sighed heavily.“But now Ace is wondering about what might happen since you know you have a daughter here.”
Collette shook her head.“At the moment I can’t even think about it really.I haven’t even seen this child yet.”She hung her head.“But like I said, I hated her dad and I never felt any sign of maternal instinct when I carried her.I don’t know if I could love her or not.And I feel horrible about that too.”
Charli patted her hand in understanding.“I think I understand even if it’s hard to think about.I know I loved my son the whole time I carried him but our circumstances were different from the start.I don’t know how I would feel if I had gone through everything you did either.It is just a miracle that you came back here.Really, it is.”
Collette nodded.“Like I told Mario, when I heard the name Braaken Ridge I had to come with him.It meant something to me.I just didn’t know what.Now all the pieces are beginning to click into place and I still don’t know what it all means to me.Some of the memories I have here aren’t pleasant at all and I’m beginning to remember even more the longer I’m here.I just don’t know if I want to remember any more of it.”
Charli nodded.“Yeah, I get that.It’s going to be hard for a while.There may be some decisions you will need to make, but those can wait.I’ll just leave you two to talk some more.And breakfast will be ready in a half hour.”She got up and walked to the door.Before she left, she turned back and said, “Things might heat up around here very soon.But you don’t have to get involved in what’s coming.If you want, you can just stay in here.But just know that you are welcome to stay.”Then she walked out and closed the door behind her.
Chapter Nine
Charli walked downthe hall to her own room.As soon as she opened the door, she went over to the crib and looked down at her son.Ben was sleeping so peacefully and she reached out to touch his cheek softly.“My sweet baby boy, I’m here and I will protect you above everyone else.”
Ben opened his eyes briefly and smiled at his mother.Then closed his eyes to be lost in that sweet baby slumber again.
Charli went over to her bed and curled up covering herself with the blanket folded on the end of the bed.She tried to close her eyes but her mind wouldn’t let her sleep.So much had happened and she raised her hand to brush away her tears.She just laid there with her eyes open as the stillness of the room surrounded her.Lost in her own thoughts on the bed trying to wipe her tears away.
Ace quietly stepped into the room.With a troubled sigh, he went over to the bed and knelt next to the bed to face her.“Baby, please don’t cry.I’m sorry.”He took her hand in his.
Charli just stared at him, then she sighed and closed her eyes.“I’m not going anywhere and I’m not giving up this farm or my family.I just won’t.”
Ace nodded and squeezed her hand in his.“Good, because I love you more than you realize and I won’t give you up either.”
Charli rolled over onto her back and stared at the ceiling and didn’t say anything then she finally spoke, “I’ve been here since I was five years old.I watched Ben and my grandma bury my parents and you know who else was there?Mario and Jullian.My dad had four brothers and three sisters and the only ones who showed up was Jullian and Mario.They stayed long enough to see my parents put into the ground, then they left.I didn’t see them again until I was fourteen because Mario insisted I come for a visit.We spent two weeks together but I only saw Mario and his father.No one else came around, no one else even called to talk to me.When Ben came to get me and we traveled back here, he never said a word to me about them not showing any interest in me.Mario would call me now and again, he seemed to be the only one who cared.Then I heard they all moved back to Italy.But I didn’t hear from them in person, mind you.I got a postcard from Mario telling me about the move.He wrote that he didn't have my phone number.Then nothing until last night.”
Ace nodded.“Ben mentioned this to me once.It was when we were both up one night before that last battle.He poured us a drink and talked a bit.Yes, he wasn’t a man who said a lot but his few words told it all.About your parents and a few things about your dad’s family.”
“What things?”she asked.
