My head swings towards Mrs. Ira’s voice.
“What do you mean? Where did she go?” I growl at the old lady.
“Your mom picked her up maybe five minutes ago. You just missed them.”
My body deflates.Thank fucking God.
“Thanks, Ira.” I run from the steps and make it to my place in record time. I have so many questions, and I’m pissed that she’s been keeping this from me, but right now, all I want to do is hold her.
“Jade!” I shout, storming into the house. I go from room to room, my chest tightening each time I find one empty. She wouldn’t leave, would she? I stop and look around for any clues of a possible struggle but don’t see any. That’s when I see the patio door is open just a crack.
“Jade!” I run down the deck and find her on the L-shaped couch with her cat and tears in her eyes. “Baby,” I choke out, pulling her into my arms, glad she’s safe.
“West.” Her voice cracks.
I need to know she’s really here. I run my hands down her frame and kiss her soft lips. “You’re okay,” I state.
Her body wracks with sobs, and my fucking heart breaks. My brave, beautiful girl.
“I need to tell you something.” She cries, looking into my eyes.
I shake my head. “I already know. It’s okay, Jade. I’m here. You’re going to be okay.”
“You know?” She sniffles through sobs.
“Shhh. We can talk about it as soon as we both calm down.”
I sit with her in my arms, watching the blue sky turn dark and ominous. I try not to think of it as a warning.
“Talk to me,” I encourage her, not letting my tight hold on her go.
I feel her take a steadying breath before she speaks. “My mom named me after the river.”
Warm tears melt into my shirt, and I squeeze her, giving her comfort. “You wanna tell me about it?”
There’s a beat of silence, and for a moment, I worry she won’t want to share it with me, but then she starts.
“My parents met while they were both renting cabins on the river.” I hear the smile in her voice and rest my chin on her head as she continues. “They fell in love so fast. After they got married and started trying for a baby, my mom knew that if they had a girl her name would be Hadley.” Her voice cracks on her name, and I pull her in tighter, kissing the top of her hair.
“I wanted to tell you so badly.” She cries into my chest.
“I’m hurt you didn’t,” I confess.
She pulls back and looks me in the eyes before inhaling a breath. “My birth name is Hadley Hollis. When I was a teenager, I was attacked by the same person who took my family from me. By some miracle, I survived. The person responsible was an ex-boyfriend. He has never been captured, so I’ve been in hiding ever since.”
“I don’t understand. The articles I read said you died. Are you in WITSEC?”
She shakes her head. “No. Not officially. There was just a really great cop who helped me fake some documents to hide.”
“And no one else, not even other family, knows you’re alive?”
“No,” she says sadly, and my heart hurts for her. “Nick said the town I grew up in held a memorial service honoring my entire family and we each have a grave.”
I blow out a puff of air. “Then how did he find you?”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense. I don’t have an online presence, and I’ve never really left Lavender Falls since relocating here. How did you find out?”
“The red car was a match to the name Graves. I read some articles and your picture popped up. You may have been ten years younger with a different hair colour, but I could recognize your beautiful face anywhere.”
