She’d sat there with those women and realized that this was where she belonged now. No matter what happened with her father or Jake, Howling was her home. These people had made it so; they’d pulled her into their lives. Mikey, Buster, Penny, and Belle—the list was long and each was now dear to Branna.
She needed to settle things with her father. He was living in her house, and she couldn’t avoid him or what hung over them forever. The thought made her stomach roll. Branna had so many angry feelings toward Declan O’Donnell, and after what she had shared with him that day in Buster’s café, she knew that when they got down to talking, it would be long and emotional. At the end of it, she had no idea if she and her father would have a relationship, or if he would leave and never come back, but it had to be dealt with for her to move forward.
Jake was another person she needed to talk to and be honest with, especially if they were to have any future together. Where was he? Would he be back soon?
Looking out the window, Branna saw a flash of white by the drugstore. Slowing more, she heard something whimpering. Pulling into a parking spot, she listened again. It was soft and pitiful, like an animal in pain or a child crying. Looking around, she could see no one else on the street and no car lights approaching. Her cell phone said it was eleven o’clock, so it was getting late for anyone to be out here; it must be an animal.
Being an only child meant Branna had been schooled repeatedly on the dangers of being out alone at dark and told never to approach strangers. Finding Belle’s number, she got it ready in case she needed back up, then opened her door and got out.
“My name’s Branna, and I’m not sure what you are, but I’m coming to see if you need my help.”
“G-go h-home.”
The voice was female, which relaxed her slightly, although the words were slurred, which told her that maybe whoever it was could be drunk or high on something.
“I’m coming closer.”
“N-no.”
She kept walking, lifting her cell phone to light the way down the narrow space between the drugstore and Mr. and Mrs. Parson’s craft shop. Unlike Jake, she didn’t have the flashlight app, and now wished to hell she’d downloaded it like he’d told her to.
“Go away, Branna.”
The words were slowly spaced, as if saying them was an effort. Whoever this woman was, she knew Branna. She saw her then, legs curled under her body, arms wrapped around her waist.
“Macy?” Dropping to her knees, she reached out a hand, but the woman winced.
“He’ll come soon, and if he finds you, he’ll hurt you.” The words were a furious whisper.
Her eyes were wide, face wet with tears, a bruise was forming on her chin, and she was a mess. Her hair was everywhere and her makeup was smeared over her cheeks.
“You need me to take you to see Dr. McBride, Macy?”
“No!”
“Okay, no doctor then,” Branna soothed, as Macy looked terrified. “But, you have to know I’m not leaving you here alone, don’t you, Macy?”
“He’ll c-come and find me s-soon.”
“Then we need to get out of here before he does. Will you let me help you to my van?” Branna didn’t wait for consent; instead, slipping an arm under Macy’s shoulder, she helped her to her feet. “Can you walk?”
“I-I think so. But we have to h-hurry and you can’t tell anyone.”
“All right, Macy, we’ll do whatever you want,” Branna soothed, as she half carried the woman to her van. Then, opening the passenger side, she helped her in. Closing the door, she ran around the front and got in the driver’s side.
“I-I’m going to hide on the fl-floor. Drive slow and w-wave if you see anyone, like you’re just going h-home.”
“Okay.” Branna heard Macy suck in a breath as she crouched on the floor so no one could see her. Her teeth were chattering, so Branna put on the heater.
What the hell was happening? Where was Brian? Surely he wasn’t responsible for the state of his wife… was he?
“I s-see lights!”
“It’s a white sedan, Macy.” Branna lifted her hand and waved as the car passed her by. She didn’t see who was driving it, because it was too dark and because she didn’t want to make it obvious she was looking.
“Th-that’s him.”
“Brian?”
