Beautifully Unfinished (4 page)

Just as she reached down to pick up her coffee, a familiar voice spoke from behind her.

“Lucy,” the voice said. “Is that you?”

Lucy stood up and took a deep breath before she turned to come face to face with her past.

“Tucker!” She exclaimed.

“I can’t believe it’s you,” Tucker said as a broad smile filtered across his face. “How have you been?”

“I’m good, thanks,” Lucy said as she slowly let her eyes meet the eyes that had looked at her with such kindness that night, nine years earlier. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been good,” he smiled, his eyes never leaving Lucy’s. “I was just stopping by to see your dad actually. We are already missing him at the station already.”

“At the station?” Lucy asked, surprised by what Tucker said. “You work with my dad?”

“Yeah,” Tucker replied giving her a strange look. “I am a deputy. I have been working with the chief for almost four years now. I thought he might have said.”

“No,” Lucy shook her head. “But then he doesn’t really talk about anything to do with this place.”

“I see,” Tucker nodded. “Well, he talks about you all the time. I heard you were doing very well for yourself in New York. You have your own photography studio, and it’s very successful.”

“I don’t know about that,” Lucy shrugged and smiled. “I guess it pays the bills.”

Lucy turned and walked slowly back towards her father’s hospital room, followed closely by Tucker. Neither of them said anything for a moment as Lucy tried to get her head around the fact she was actually there in the hospital, talking to Tucker.

“So, how is the Chief?” He asked as they walked slowly back to Lucy’s dad’s room. “Really.”

“He is awake,” Lucy replied. “The nurse was just in checking his dressings.”

She hesitated before she continued. She wasn’t sure if she should mention what the nurse had said about her father’s hip. She knew her dad was a private man, and she didn’t really know how close he was to Tucker. Would he want him to know the truth?

She glanced up at him, and he was watching her closely, but quickly turned away when her eyes met his. Lucy could feel her face instantly burn with embarrassment.

“It’s not good news, is it?” He finally asked as he stole another glance at her. “About the Chief, I mean.”

“They don’t know if he will make a full recovery,” Lucy replied honestly. “The damage to his hip is quite extensive. They don’t know if he will get back the full power or use of his leg.”

“But this is the Chief they are talking about,” Tucker laughed like the doctors clearly didn’t know who they were dealing with. “It will take more than a bullet to slow him down. You wait and see. He will be right as rain in no time.”

They reached Lucy’s father’s room, and she took a deep breath before she opened the door.

“Look who I found,” Lucy said, as she tried to sound as natural as she could when she stepped through the door into the room.

“Hey Chief,” Tucker said as he stepped into the room behind Lucy. He walked to the bed and shook Tom’s hand. “How are you feeling?”

“It’s just a scratch,” Tom said dismissively, and tried to push himself up in the bed, but he winced and slumped back on his pillows. Lucy felt her heart ache. She knew her father hated this. He was a proud man, looking weak or vulnerable was not something he would ever want.

“Hey,” Tucker said as he hurried forward and instantly helped Tom. “We all know you are as tough as old boots Chief, but popping a stitch just to prove it to these nurses, is not a good idea. You need to take it easy; we want you back at the station.”

“I’m okay,” Tom grumbled, and Lucy knew he was embarrassed.

“I know you are,” Tucker replied with a smile. “But taking it easy for a day or two never hurt anyone.” Then he leaned closer to Tom and added in a hushed voice. “Besides, you play this right; you will get Lucy to stay here a little bit longer.”

“Thanks, Son,” Tom said as he patted Tucker’s hand and gave him a grateful nod. “And thanks for coming by to see me.”

“Of course, I was going to come,” Tucker replied. “We’re family.”

Lucy was surprised how close these two men seemed to be, but she was glad her dad had someone like Tucker.

Still, she was surprised her dad had never mentioned him to her before today. She knew her dad didn’t like talking about anything to do with River Springs, but Tucker was obviously important to him, and her dad was clearly important to Tucker.

She sat quietly in the chair next to her father’s bed and listened to the conversation going on between her father and Tucker.

As she sat there, her mind wandered back nine years, to the morning after the party.

Lucy had woken up and found her father asleep on a chair next to her bed. The moment she moved, he bolted up straight in the chair and looked at her, protectively.

“Hey, Peanut,” he whispered with a sad smile, as he reached for her hand but she pulled it back. “You are okay; you’re safe. I am right here.”

“Daddy,” she said as the tears instantly trickled down her face. “I’m so sorry.”

“Lucy,” Tom said quickly. “You have done nothing to be sorry for, Sweetheart. This is not your fault.”

“I should have never gone upstairs,” she whispered and closed her eyes as flashes of the night before filled her mind, but she couldn’t look at the sadness etched on her father’s face anymore. “I was just trying to find Riley.”

“Lucy,” Tom said, as he took his daughter by the hand. “What happened was not your fault. This was all that animals fault, and I am going to make him pay for what he has done to you.”

Lucy pulled her hand free, turned her head into her pillow and silently sobbed.

“Everything is going to be okay,” her father reassured her, but she could hear the doubt in his voice. “I will never let anyone hurt you again.”

Lucy lay in the bed curled in a ball and cried until there were no more tears left. She lay there in silence, staring into space, lost in her thoughts. She wondered where Riley was? If he would come by to see her. Would he ever want to see her again?

There was a soft tap on the door, and Lucy held her breath. She wasn’t sure she was ready to see anyone, not even Riley.

When the door opened, a nurse put her head around the door and smiled. Then looked at Tom.

“Chief,” the nurse said, and Lucy wondered if she knew her father. “That boy is back again, and is asking to see Lucy.”

“Okay Maggie,” Tom nodded and smiled before he looked at Lucy. He reached for her hand again but once again, Lucy pulled it back.

“I DON’T WANT TO SEE ANYONE!” She cried out, and she pulled herself up in bed. “Not even Riley.”

“It’s not Riley,” Tom replied, and Lucy could hear an edge in his voice. “It’s a boy called Tucker. The boy that was here when I got here last night. He said he was the one who brought you here. He sat outside for hours before the nurses made him go home.”

“Tucker?” Lucy asked in surprise. She thought back to the night before, some of it was foggy, but she remembered his eyes.

She remembered how he held her and protected her. He was the only one that did.

“He said he promised that he would stay and keep you safe,” her dad continued. “I haven’t seen Riley though; he was gone by the time I reached here last night.”

“He…he left?” Lucy asked as her eyes glazed over with tears again and she couldn’t hold them back. “I don’t want to see anyone.”

“Lucy,” Tom began to protest. “He just wants to…”

“NO!” She snapped angrily through her tears. “I don’t want to talk to anyone.” She curled up into a ball in the bed once again, then closed her eyes and covered her ears with her hands, as once again she tried to shut the world out.

“Lucy!” Tom called weakly, pulling her from her thoughts. “Sweetheart, you look tired. Maybe you should go home and try to get some rest.”

“I’m okay Dad,” Lucy replied and reached out to take his hand.

“Please, Sweetheart,” Tom pushed giving her a pleading look. “I don’t want you getting sick from exhaustion.”

“Okay,” Lucy said with a sigh as she reached for her bag and stood up. She bent down and kissed her dad on the forehead.

“Tucker,” Tom said, turning his attention from Lucy to him. “Would you do me a huge favour, and make sure Lucy gets home for…”

“Dad!” Lucy exclaimed, cutting him off mid-sentence. “I can get myself home.”

“I don’t mind at all, Lucy,” Tucker quickly said as he stood up and looked at Lucy.

“But there is no need,” Lucy replied, giving him a grateful smile. She didn’t want to seem rude or ungrateful, but she didn’t want to have to spend more time with Tucker than she had to.

“Lucy,” Tom said, and winced as he tried to sit up. “I don’t want you on your own. Not here, and you know why.”

“Dad,” she sighed again. “He doesn’t scare me. What happened was a long time ago. I have moved on.”

Even as she said the words, she knew in her heart she was lying. She hadn’t moved on. If she was honest, she wasn’t sure if she ever would. She couldn’t bear to be touched, couldn’t bear to let anyone close to her, and being back in River Springs just made her feel weak and vulnerable again.

Yes, she had dated over the years, but every time her date tried to get close to her, she would back off, keeping them at a safe distance. On the couple of occasions that she really liked someone, she would push herself to try and let her walls down. She would let the guy kiss her and touch her, but every time it would end the same, with her having a panic attack and the evening would come to an abrupt end.

Lucy had really liked Steve. She had even got used to him holding her hand and kissing her. She thought he would be the one she could let her guard down for.

The night they had tried to take the next step in their relationship, Lucy fought against every urge she had to run, to allow him to do more than kiss her.

Her heart was almost beating out of her chest as he reached for her blouse and slowly began to unfasten her buttons. She could barely breathe as he slowly pushed her blouse down off her shoulder, but then he stopped.

She could still remember the look on his face when he saw the scars on her body from where Trent had bitten her. There were three in total, one on her shoulder, one on the top of her arm and finally, one on the curve of her breast.

Steve tried to mask his reaction, but it was too late. Lucy could feel the same old feeling, building in the pit of her stomach. As she gasped for air, Steve reached out and touched her. It was what finally sent her over the edge.

Steve tried to calm her down, but it was no good, she just lost it and screamed at him to leave.

Lucy felt horrible about what had happened, but when Steve called her the next day, she couldn’t face talking to him. So she did what she always did, buried her head in her work and pretended everything was okay in her world.

Lucy looked up, and her eyes met Tuckers. He had been watching her closely and gave her a small smile when she looked up at him.

She knew she had no choice; she didn’t want her father upset or worrying. She looked at him lying in the bed and smiled.

“Please, Lucy,” he said, giving her a pleading look. “I just want to be sure you’re okay while I am in here.”

“If it will make you happy, Dad,” she leaned down and kissed him again. “I will let Tucker follow me home, as long as he doesn’t mind.”

She looked back at Tucker and his smile widened.

“It would be my pleasure,” he replied as he walked to the door and opened it, then stopped and turned back to Tom and grinned. “I will be back this evening, just to make sure you’re behaving.”

“Get outta here,” Tom chuckled. “You just mind my little girl.”

“That, I will do gladly,” he replied and held the door open for Lucy. She said goodbye to her father, then took a deep breath before she headed out the door, followed closely by Tucker.

As they walked down the corridor together, the memory of the first time they had met filled Lucy’s mind. She remembered their kiss and the memory made her smile.

Over the years, Lucy hadn’t allowed herself to think about that night in any great detail, but now that she did, she remembered that she had liked Tucker from the moment they met. She couldn’t help but wonder just how different her life would be now if she hadn’t walked away from him that night.

Tucker agreed to follow Lucy back to her father’s house in his own car. As she drove through town, she thought back to when she was younger and how she had been happy living here, despite the fact she had never really fit in.

Every day she had gone to school, she was given crap by one bitchy girl or another, but it had never bothered her, she had Riley.

She shut her thoughts down, refusing to let herself go back to that time. It was the past, and that was where it belonged.

She reached over, switched on the radio, and turned up the volume. Katy Perry filled the car, and Lucy tried to sing along with the song, to stop the millions of memories now filling her mind.

When she pulled into the driveway behind her dad’s truck, she smiled knowing that everything was exactly as she had remembered it. She hadn’t realised how much she had missed being home, being here with her dad. She missed her old life.

Lucy switched off the engine of her car and looked into the rear view mirror at Tucker climbing out of his truck before he turned and walked up the pathway to where her car was parked.

She could feel that familiar tension in the pit of her stomach appear as she opened the car door and stepped out.

“Thank you for making sure I got home okay,” she said as she shut the door and walked to the back of the car. “I think I got it from here.”

She popped open the boot and reached in for her suitcase.

“Here, let me,” Tucker said, as he hurried to the back of the car and grabbed hold of her case. As he did, his arm brushed against Lucy’s, and she instantly froze in fear, but he didn’t seem to notice. “I will take it in for you.”

He slammed the boot closed before he made his way up the front steps of the house. Lucy was about to follow him but stopped when she saw him pull a key from his pocket and open the door.

Tucker turned in time to see Lucy giving him a questioning look, and it stopped him in his track.

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly, and Lucy could see a nervous look creep across his face. “I guess it’s just habit. The Chief gave me a key a few years ago, but I shouldn’t have presumed…”

“No,” Lucy said, as she slowly made her way up the front steps. “If Dad gave you a key, he would want you to use it. He trusts you, and knowing my dad as I do, that is no small thing. I was just surprised, that’s all.”

She walked to the door and took a deep breath before she stepped back into the past. She remembered the last time she stood in this hallway, it seemed like a lifetime ago now, and yet everything was the same, just a little bit older and more worn than she remembered.

“Would you like me to put your suitcase up into your room?” Tucker asked, pulling her back from her thoughts.

“It’s okay,” she replied as gave him a warm smile. “Thank you, Tucker. For everything. It’s good to know my dad has someone here, looking out for him.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he replied, looking at her, almost unsure of what his next move should be. “Your dad is a good man.”

“Would you like a coffee?” Lucy asked, half hoping he would just say no and leave.

“Sure,” he said with a smile, as he stepped further into the hallway behind her and closed the door.

Lucy led Tucker through to the kitchen at the back of the house. Everything was just how it was before she left. She picked up the kettle and filled it with water as Tucker slipped onto a stool next to the counter.

“So how long do you think you will be back for?” Tucker asked as Lucy walked to the fridge and took out the milk and set it on the counter.

“As long as Dad needs me, I guess,” Lucy shrugged before she turned and opened the cupboard and took out two coffee mugs.

“He misses you,” Tucker said, and Lucy knew he wasn’t sure if he was crossing a line. Still, he continued. “He talks about you all the time, he is so proud of you, but I know he finds it hard because he doesn’t see you more.”

“I miss him, too,” Lucy sighed as she looked at this relative stranger standing before her, yet there was something about him, something that made her want to open up. “I know these last nine years have been hard on him, too, but that’s changed now.”

She turned back to the cupboard, feeling a little confused as to why she found it easy to open up to Tucker. She opened the cupboard and stretched up to try and reach for the instant coffee. Her dad hated instant coffee, but he always kept a jar for emergencies. She just wished he didn’t keep it quite so high. She leaned up on her tippy toes but couldn’t reach.

“Let me,” Tucker said, and was on his feet and next to her before Lucy had time to think. He came up behind her and reached up into the cupboard, and his body pressed against her back.

Without even thinking, Lucy pushed back abruptly and moved away from him as quickly as she could.

“Lucy! What’s wrong?” Tucker asked, as he gave her a confused look. He stepped towards her and reached out to her but she quickly stepped back until her back was flush with the fridge. “Are you okay?”

“Don’t…don’t touch me,” Lucy pleaded as her whole body went ridged with absolute fear. She pinched her eyes closed and held up her hands. “Please.”

“Lucy,” Tucker said as he stepped closer to her, but was careful not to touch her. “I would never hurt you. Please don’t be afraid of me.”

“I…I know,” she said as she tried to focus on her breathing. “I’m not…I just… I can’t.”

She finally opened her eyes and looked up at Tucker, who was watching her, looking totally stunned. She stared at him but didn’t speak.

“Jesus, Lucy, what did he do to you that night?” Tucker asked as he took one more step towards her. Lucy could see he wanted to hold her, to touch her, but he resisted. “I want to rip his fucking head off.”

“It’s all in the past,” she whispered as she closed her eyes again, completely mortified. “Please, Tucker. Please, can you just leave?”

“I can’t leave you like this,” Tucker replied, and Lucy could hear the worry, mixed with anger in his voice.

“Please,” she whispered, as she slowly opened her eyes and gave him a pleading look.

He stood for a moment and just stared at her before he finally released a long, frustrated breath.

“Okay,” he said as he slowly took a step back, then another. He then reached into his back pocket and pulled a card out. Setting it down on the counter, he looked back at Lucy. “But if you need me, you call me. Anytime, day or night.”

Lucy just nodded but didn’t speak.

Tucker sighed once again before he turned and walked out of the kitchen. It wasn’t until Lucy heard the front door close, that she released the breath she was holding. That was followed by a shuddering sob that came from deep inside her.

She slid down the fridge to the floor and for the first time in so long, she buried her face in her hand and cried.

Even on the night she lost it with Steve, she has refused to give herself over to tears, but somehow, coming home, she seemed to have lost that inner strength she once had.

She didn’t know how long she sat there on the floor, but finally, she pulled herself up to her feet and slowly made her way down the hallway. She turned the latch on the front door then picked up her suitcase and made her way up the stairs, her feet feeling like lead weights.

When she reached her room, she just dropped her case on the floor, climbed onto her bed and barely had the energy to kick her shoes off before she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Lucy woke with a start, but she didn’t know what had woken her. Sitting up in the bed, she brushed the hair back from her face and stretched. Suddenly the doorbell sounded, and Lucy realised that was what had woken her.

She climbed off the bed and opened to door of her bedroom. She reached the top of the stairs and stopped as fear took hold of her.

What if it’s Trent?
She thought to herself, knowing her fear was totally irrational, but she couldn’t help worry. Coming back here had awoken some of her old fears, no matter how much she tried not to let them get into her head.

Who could it possibly be at the door? She thought that maybe it was best if she just didn’t open the door. Whoever it was, was most likely looking for her father. So she just sat on the top step on the stairs and waited.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang on the door and Lucy jumped with fright.

“Lucy!” Tucker called through the door much to her surprise. “Lucy, it’s Tucker. Open the door.” She stood up and hurried down the stairs, thinking there was something wrong with her father.

“What’s wrong?” She asked the moment she threw the door open. “Is my dad okay?”

“He’s fine,” Tucker said, and a look of relief washed over his face. “He called me to check on you. He’s been phoning you for an hour, but you didn’t answer. He thought that something had happened.”

“I...I didn’t hear it ring,” She said, as she stepped back into the house and tried to remember what she had done with her phone. “I fell asleep.”

She turned and walked towards the kitchen and sighed when she saw her phone sitting on the counter top. She picked it up just as it started to ring again. She quickly hit accept and brought the phone to her ear.

“Hey, Dad,” Lucy said, knowing it would be him.

“You’re okay!” He exclaimed, and she could hear the relief in his voice. “I was calling and calling, but there was no answer.

“I was just sleeping,” she said, sensing Tucker was now standing behind her. “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

“I was just worried about you,” Tom replied. “I wish you would go to a hotel.”

“Dad!” Lucy cried with frustration. “I am okay here. Nothing is going to happen, I promise.”

“Is Tucker there?” Tom asked, and Lucy could still hear the concern in his voice.

“Yes, he is here,” Lucy sighed. “Dad, I will be up to you soon. So please, stop worrying. I am okay.”

“Okay, Sweetheart,” he said before he said goodbye and hung up. Lucy set the phone down on the counter and hesitated before she turned to face Tucker. She was embarrassed about what had happened earlier between them.

“I’m sorry Dad sent you on a wild goose chase,” she said, as she avoided making eye contact with him. Instead, she turned and walked to the sink to get herself a glass of water. “In future, I will make sure I take my phone with me when I go to bed, or anywhere for that matter.”

“He is just worried about you,” Tucker replied, and Lucy could feel his eyes on her. “I guess we both are.”

“There is nothing to be worried about,” Lucy said, then took a sip of her water. “I am a big girl, and I can take care of myself.”

“And what happened earlier?” Tucker asked.

“I am sorry about earlier,” Lucy replied quickly. “I am sorry if you were offended…”

“If I was offended?” Tucker replied in sheer disbelief. “Jesus, Lucy. You were terrified because I touched you. I am not offended; I am worried about you.”

“Why?” Lucy asked. “You don’t even know me!”

“But I know your dad,” Tucker replied. “I know how he worries about you, and clearly with very good reason.”

“Tucker,” Lucy said trying to remain calm. “I am grateful for everything you have done, both for me, and my dad. I know you, and my dad are close, but that doesn’t make me your problem.”

“Is that what you think?” Tucker asked, looking at her in disbelief. “You think this is about your dad?”

“Isn’t it?” She asked.

He looked at her for a moment, and Lucy knew he was trying to choose his words carefully, but then his expression changed as did his whole demeanour.

“You know what?” He said, as he took a step back. “You’re right, Lucy. This is not my problem. I did a favour for your dad, you’re okay, so now I will leave you in peace.”

“Tucker,” she said, feeling like the biggest bitch in the world. “I didn’t mean to…”

“Don’t worry about it, Lucy,” he said as he turned and walked towards the door. “Take care of yourself.”

Lucy stood there in the kitchen, not really sure what the hell had just happened. She jumped when she heard the front door slam, and just like that; he was gone.