Anchored (24 page)

They’d driven for an hour before David pulled over. Mia swung the door open and stood to stretch. She’d never been to this part of the beach and longed to take off down the path to explore. The road was lined with gum trees, rambling grasses and small dry bushes. She loved the little bays hidden along the coast.

She turned to hurry David up and saw him reaching into the boot for something. Mia’s heart jumped in her chest. Could David be the one wanting to kill her? Had she exposed herself by trusting him and coming here? Who else knew where she was?

Stepping back she glanced around. They were isolated and alone. Her instinct was to run.

David slammed the boot closed and ambled towards her. He had a rug slung over his shoulder. Mia’s face paled as she looked at him.

“What’s the matter? You look scared.” David scouted the area and turned back to her.

Mia’s chest constricted. She felt a physical jerk as if something had snapped inside her. Tears streamed unchecked from her eyes and she spun around and raced off down the path.

David’s mouth dropped open as he stared after her. “Mia, wait.” Picking up the rug he charged after her.

She could hear David calling her and she wanted to stop. Sand flicked up as she stumbled and sank to her knees. What a fool she was. Mia hung her head in shame, allowing the sobs to release the tension that had been carefully hidden for days.

David arrived and hunched beside her. Reaching over he scooped her up close to his chest. 

“Mia, there isn’t anyone else here. You’re safe with me.” He reassured her.

Mia could feel the fast thud of his heart and smell the earthy cologne he used. The heat in her face intensified and she burrowed her head into his neck. How could she think he might hurt her?

David stayed still until she moved slightly. He released her and stepped back.

“Can you tell me what happened?” he asked gently.

“I’d rather not.” Mia shook her head and her hands wiped at her cheeks. David reached over and captured her hand. His other hand cupped her face.

“It’s okay—tell me.” Mia could hear the concern in his voice and looked down.

“I panicked when you lifted the boot. I thought you had something in there that—” She couldn’t finish. “I’m sorry, David.” Mia’s eyes pleaded with David to understand.

“You thought I was getting something out of the boot to hurt you with?”

Mia dismally nodded and her head slumped forward.

“I’d never hurt you. Never!” David ran his hand through his hair and kicked at the sand.

Looking up he stepped towards her, picked up her hand and lightly brushed his lips over her fingers. Lacing their fingers he began to walk towards the beach.

Mia tightened her fingers and walked beside him. She gazed at the gulls gliding effortlessly in the wind, and felt comforted by their familiar screech.

David stopped walking, spread out the rug and dropped down. He stretched out his long legs and looked away from her.

Mia sat on the corner of the rug and turned to him. She longed to touch him, to apologize again.

When David looked at her, his deep blue eyes showed his pain. She’d betrayed him by her action.

David’s hand roughed his hair and he twisted to face her. “When my parents were killed in a car accident I felt I had to hold it all together for Patrick. I blocked my fear of not having them around and became this stone walled guy.”

“David I—” David’s hand stopped her. His eyes welled up as he continued. “One day Pat was going on about Mum, how much he missed her, and I cracked. Told him to shut up and he went off at me. I said things that were unforgivable—told him he was a sissy and a mummy’s boy.” David’s hand came up and he smoothed back a wisp of Mia’s hair. “If that wasn’t bad enough, I slugged him one and blacked his eye.” His eyes flared as he pulled her towards him. “Denying my fear and pain only built up friction inside me until it burst.” David’s hand gently rubbed her back and Mia sighed.

Mia shifted slightly and tilted her head to look at his face.

“Mia, you’re not alone in making mistakes. If it wasn’t for God’s grace I’d not have a brother who loves me.”

Mia twisted in his arms and shuffled to the corner of the rug. Her fingers curled and tensed and her heart ached. “My own father used me. My mother loved me but not enough to give him up. I ran because I saw the hurt and disappointment in your eyes.”

She had to make him realize she wasn’t who he thought she was. “I’m no good for you, David. I know you wouldn’t hurt me—yet the thought invaded my mind. I felt like I was back in the ocean— being tossed around. I wasn’t running from you, I was running from myself and my fear of trusting you.”

“You can trust me. I love you.” Mia gasped at his words and shook her head.

“Don’t say that.” Her voice trembled.

“Why not? Just because you’re too scared to admit someone could love you doesn’t mean I’m going to stop telling you—I love you.” David’s lips twisted in a sad smile. His hand reached over and his fingers gently stroked her cheek.

He hesitated for a moment as if he wanted to say something else, then shrugged and walked off towards the water.

Mia hugged her knees and watched him move away. Minutes ticked by and Mia tried to work out what she’d say to him when he returned. Her shoulders slumped and she closed her eyes.

The rustling in the bushes startled her. She sat up and turned to look. Shivers rippled down her spine as her eyes scanned the bush. Something was in there—something big. Mia scrambled to her feet and braced herself. Nothing moved, even the air felt still. Her skin crawled and she felt uneasy, watched.

“Miaaaaaaaa.” David screamed her name and was running towards her. Mia didn’t hesitate but spun around and ran towards him. Her heart lurched as her feet sank in the sand. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw what looked like a large person dressed in black scuffle back into the bushes.

David reached her and caught hold of her arm. “Go stand by the water’s edge, facing this way. Don’t move. I’m going to check it out.”

Grabbing his shirt Mia held on tight. “No way. You don’t know what’s in there.” She glanced at the bush and whispered, “What if you get hurt?”

David placed his arm around her shoulders and she shivered.

Without taking his eyes off the area of bush where they’d seen the person, he took out his phone and called the police.

Chapter 36

Robert’s mouth tightened when he saw the drawn look on Mia’s face. He shouldn’t have suggested David take her out. His face flushed red as he contemplated the danger he’d put her in.

“Tell me what happened,” he demanded, his eyes flicking from Mia to David.

Mia glanced at David and then shrugged. “I heard a rustling in the bush and saw a large dark shape and panicked.”

Robert spoke softly yet his voice was firm. “What did the person look like? What made you suspicious of him?”

“He wore a black balaclava and his body seemed to merge into one form. The fact that he came out of the bush and didn’t speak felt menacing.” Mia covered her face with her hands.

David looked across at Robert and his eyes spoke volumes. “The police said they couldn’t find anyone. There was evidence of someone having been there and they found a plastic sheet and an old blanket. The consensus is it may have been a homeless person camping out in the bush.”

Mia stood and moved around the room, absently picking up things and putting them down. She ran a hand through her hair. “I can’t go around presuming everyone is out to get me. I’m sorry, David.”

“If I remember correctly it was me who screamed for you to run. Whether the person was dangerous or not we need to be more careful. We need to take this threat as serious.” David yawned and collapsed into a chair.

Mia wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m going to go crazy if I have to stay here all day, every day. Surely if I’m at work in an environment where there are lots of people I’ll be safe.”

Robert understood what Mia was saying but all he wanted to do was wrap her up in cotton wool like a piece of precious crystal.

He looked down at his feet as he heard the words in his heart,
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…
his hands cupped his cheeks.
Lord, I know I need to release Mia to you—trust you.

 
Sighing, he looked at Mia, his heart thumped at the notion of losing her. “What we need is a plan. I think it’s time to get Alex and Ian in for an update. Then we can work out a roster of people to be with Mia. David, when are you available?”

“If Mia’s happy to hang out at my place—any time. I’ve got a project I need to complete by Tuesday and a few other things are backing up.”

Robert watched Mia take a deep breath and release it. He saw her chin rise and his mouth lifted slightly at the corners.

“Thank you, David, but that will be the same as being here. You will be working and I will be twiddling my thumbs. I want to go to work. I know the danger is real—so what I’m suggesting is a roster of people to pick me up and drive me to work.”

Mia smiled and Robert felt like the sun had come into the room. Tears shimmered to the surface of his eyes and he blinked.

Mia continued. “We can call Alex and see what he thinks of our roster of people and then set it up.”

Robert nodded. “There’s me, David, Patrick, Terri.”

“What about Klara? Maybe if I tell her I need her help she may not feel so alone.” Mia clapped her hands and spun to face David. “Purpose restores. Isn’t that right, David? If I can go to work I’ll have something else to focus on. Let’s call Alex.”

~~~

Judy laughed as she recalled the fear on Mia’s face. She’d planned everything, even the old blanket and plastic sheeting. Laughing, she threw her head back and twirled. She changed clothes and pulled out the cotton wool from the balaclava. Amazing how easy it had been to take on the height of a man.

This day was getting better and better. Jonathan had left a message on her phone asking her to call. She knew the day would come when he’d be begging her to take him back.

She inhaled her perfume as she sprayed a mist down her arm. Jonathan loved this aroma. She could imagine him holding her arm and kissing her softly. It wouldn’t be long now. She’d make him wait before she called him back.

Chapter 37

Mia wondered why phoning her father was so difficult. She’d forgiven him, but involving him in her life was another thing. Her counselor told her she could press charges against him for what he’d done to her. That it was a criminal act and punishable by law.

Would that bring closure to the pain she felt? Maybe it was right for some people, but she was glad she’d said no when the police asked her if she wanted to lay charges. It was all so confusing.

Before she changed her mind she dialed his number. “Hello, Dad, it’s Mia.”

“Mia, Robert told me what’s been happening—have they any leads on who’s responsible for the threats?”

“No.” Mia felt all her words freeze up inside her. Why did she phone him? How could she talk to him as if they had a relationship?

“Mia, I’m glad you called.” Her father’s voice sound different, softer.

“I don’t know why I called.” Mia’s finger twirled her hair and she sighed heavily.

“I’m sorry this is happening to you. You’ve been through enough.” Mia heard the sympathy in his voice and her throat clogged with unshed tears.

“I can never make it up to you, Mia, or your mother. I want you to know I’ll do anything you want me to do. If you need to take charges out against me, I’ll understand.” Mia closed her eyes and heard her father sniff.

“Are you crying?” she whispered.

“Yes. Don’t mind me, I find I get quite emotional lately. For a man who has been hard as rocks all his life, now I find I cry at a sunrise!”

Mia frowned at his words. “You’ve never talked like this before, what’s happened?”

It was several seconds before Jonathan spoke. “I’ve met Jesus. I understand now what you were trying to tell me.”

Mia caught her breath. “You gave your life to Jesus?” She dropped to her knees beside her bed and rested her head on her arm.

“Yes. Mia I—I love you. I can’t hide from the truth any more. It’s hit me hard between the eyes. I don’t deserve to be called your father. I’m not expecting you to love me, but if there is anything I can do which will—” His voice caught and he stopped.

Mia didn’t know what to say, she’d longed to hear these words and now he was saying them over the phone. As a little girl she’d tried to be good, tried to please him, and all she’d heard was criticism. No matter what she did it wasn’t good enough. Could you forgive someone for something terrible and yet not want them to be too involved in your life? How did you allow them to try and rebuild trust? Was it okay to keep them at a distance?

Knowing she was letting him down Mia ended the call.

Lord, you alone know what happened with my father. I forgive him, I do. I’m glad he’s forgiven and set free of the past. Yet—yet I don’t know if I can allow him to get close to me. What if one day I have a daughter? What if he hurt her? How could I ever take that risk?

~~~

Judy slammed the car door annoyed that Jonathan had insisted they meet at a café. Curving her lips she smiled as she spotted him. Jonathan stood as she approached and pulled out her chair.

“What, no kiss hello, darling?” Judy moved swiftly and kissed him on the lips.

Jonathan drew back and looked around.

She scowled at his action and smiled slightly when she noticed he’d already brought her a hot chocolate.

“Have you missed me, darling? I knew you’d eventually call—we are meant to be together.” Judy reached over and placed her hand over his.

Jonathan snatched his hand away and sat further back in his chair.

“Judy, I don’t want you to get any ideas. I needed to talk to you about a number of things.”

“I have a few things to tell you too. You look good by the way.” Her eyes devoured him.

“Thank you.” Dropping his gaze Jonathan coughed into his hand. When his eyes snapped back to hers she caught her breath. His direct gaze unnerved her.