Beyond the Pine (22 page)

Six Months Later

Riley

Faith is a powerful thing.

For the bulk of my life, I’d surrounded my entire existence around it. My faith had been nurtured, relied on, tested, abused, taken advantage of and that night in the forest, I’m ashamed to admit, temporarily abandoned.

As I sat beneath the trees that night, the same trees that had served as both my protection and my prison, I clung to my faith in ways I never had before. I stared up at the same stars I always had, praying harder than I ever had before, but tragedy still found us.

When it did, I cursed the faith that had ignored my plea.

When I woke up, I was in a white room, unnatural light shining down over me, blinding me.

I remember very little of that night, but one thing I’ll never forget was how cold I’d been. The coldness didn’t permeate just my body, but all the way into my heart as murmured words swam around me, pulling me back to a brand new reality I wanted no part of.

I wanted nothing without Asher.

I laid silently, the feel of people working over me barely registering as visions filled my mind, turning my stomach.

I saw him, my sweet gypsy, his eyes sparkling over me in a distant memory before an unfamiliar voice broke my thoughts.

“Riley?” it whispered, the deep timbre of his voice making my head pound before flashes of red,
blood,
on his clothing made my stomach turn. “She’s waking up.”

“Asher…” I rasped out, the tears somehow still falling down my cheeks, regardless of the coldness filling me. “The baby.”

“Your baby’s just fine, ma’am,” the voice replied. “You had some bleeding, you’ll need to rest, but the baby’s okay.”

“Asher,” I whispered again, but received no reply, instead feeling a sharp pinch in my arm, followed by more murmured voices.

Then darkness.

Days came and went, my reality broken between past and present before finally, my eyes fluttered open inside a different room.

Beeping surrounded me, unnatural bright light spilling over me once more, this time from a lamp above my head.

“Oh good, you’re awake,” I heard, the alien voice startling me slightly as a pair of brown eyes I’d never met stand over me.

“Where am I?”

“The hospital,” she’d said, pressing buttons on something behind me before meeting my eyes again, halting me from movement.

“Don’t move, sweetie,” she’d ordered softly, giving me a look of concern. “Your babe was lucky, but we don’t need you pushing your luck.”

“Where is he?” I asked, remembering the blood stained clothing of the last voice that had woken me.

She looked down at me, her eyes compassionate as she patted my arm, releasing a sigh.

“Officer Culbreth?” she said quietly over her shoulder. “There’s a police officer here, honey. They’ll be able to tell you whatever you’d like to know,” she smiled sadly. “Press the button if you need anything.”

The officer appeared, a pretty, brunette with a warm smile that would have, any other time, put my troubled heart at ease in an instant. As she explained what had happened that night, my heart shattered in ways I’d never known it could.

They’d found his body from the woods, only a few feet away from where I’d been waiting, praying beneath the trees. In the struggle, the gun had fired, his life slipping away in only seconds as his blood spilled out, covering the earth. A truck driver had heard the blast and called for help.

They found me first, the screams leaving my heavy chest leading them through the forest to where I’d been hiding.

I don’t remember any of that.

“We’re investigating the compound,” Officer Culbreth had said solemnly, releasing a sigh. “A few of the elders have been taken into custody, but most of the members have just been questioned. Once you’ve rested, had time to process everything, we’ll need to ask you a few things as well. For now, take comfort in knowing you’re safe.”

Her words had struck me, had me swallowing passed a lump in my throat as I stifled a sob.

I’ll do anything to keep you safe.

Asher’s words flooded my mind, the break in my sanity finally taking me.

In the weeks that followed, angry and heartbroken as I was, I knew my faith, the very thing I left behind in the trees that night, was the only thing that would have the power save me.

Once I was released from the hospital, I did my best to adjust to the new life I’d been given. It wasn’t easy, the noise on the busy streets in town invading my quiet thoughts, the air different than anything else I’d ever tasted.

While little felt familiar, I found comfort in the subtle similarities I’d been lucky enough to find along the way.

Early mornings, I woke to the sound of birds singing, the tall trees that surrounded this place reminding me of home.

On clear nights, I sat beneath the windowsill, somehow able to gaze up at the same stars as I had in all my nights before.

It was the simple things that I clung to, the simple things that helped me transition from the life I’d known to the life I’d chosen.

Once the investigation was concluded, Tobias took his rightful place as the new Reverend at the farm. Many things changed in the months that followed there under his direction, including the abolishment of outdated practices like arranged marriage. Of course, with both me and his father gone, Tobias was free to marry Sara, but it put my soul at peace knowing others would have the freedom of choice as well.

When a few of the female members came forward with claims of abuse at the hands of the former Reverend, the authorities offered assistance to anyone who chose to leave, but with the farm being left under Tobias’ guidance, few of them did.

Many of them had been there their entire lives, same as me. Life on the farm had always been a quiet, tranquil one filled with service and community. Although we’d seen hardships, throwing it all away over the corruption of one man, a man who was no longer a threat, wasn’t something any of them were willing to do. It was something I understood all too well, but my life on the farm was over before I’d even left.

The difference between them and me was that they couldn’t imagine another life, while I couldn’t imagine ever returning to the one I’d left behind.

With the looming threats gone from the farm, I could have returned, but it wasn’t where I belonged anymore. Too much had happened in my final days, final moments in that place. I knew before I ever left that I’d never be able to look at it through the same eyes I once had. I would still visit, but I could never call it home again.

I brush my fingers over my mother’s worn, leather Bible, the feel of it granting me comfort like little else as I return it to the table, focusing on my swollen belly.

“You’re so loved,” I whisper, the feel of our baby moving inside me sending my heart into a flurry. “And I’ll always keep you safe.”

“Baby,” I hear, his voice breaking through my thoughts. “Did you hear me?”

“No,” I admit, turning my head, a smile spreading over my lips as I take him in. He pulls his cut off, resting it over the back of the chair across from me before bending to kiss me sweetly, setting his beer down on the table beside him and pulling my feet into his lap.

“I asked how you were feeling?” he repeats, his eyes running over me before returning to my eyes. “Anymore contractions?”

“Okay,” I smile, watching him sink into the chair, pulling my feet into his lap. “A few here and there.”

“You think today’s the day?” he asks, his eyes dancing slightly as he begins gently rubbing my tired feet, gesturing toward the main room of the house where we can hear a few of the other club members. “They were takin’ bets in church. I could probably still get in on something.”

The way he refers to the private meetings held in the clubhouse never ceases to put an odd expression on my face. He takes it in and chuckles deep, the sound filling me with joy.

“No,” I admit, looking back down at my belly, releasing a gentle laugh. “I’m starting to think he doesn’t want to come out of there.”

“Smart kid,” he smirks. “If I could choose between being close to you and dealing with the rest of the world, I’d stay put, too.”

His words make me blush, the sight of it making his eyes dance with amusement as he smiles wider, tipping the last of his beer back before tossing it into the trashcan nearby.

“You hungry?” he asks, pulling a nod from me as he returns my feet to the carpet. “Okay, let me go take a shower, wash work off of me and we’ll get some supper.”

“Okay,” I nod, my stomach rumbling in agreement as he leans over, his arms caging me in the chair as he kisses me once more.

“Love you, sugar.”

“I love you, too, Asher,” I reply, the sight of him bending further, pressing his lips to my belly making me smile.

“Papa loves you, too.”

As he stands, taking in my expression, he shoots me a wink as he pulls his t-shirt over his head, my eyes roaming over him greedily as he moves through our bedroom. I take him in, the dip and sway of his arms and chest making me lightheaded, the ink splayed over him still rendering me speechless. Evidence from that night still scars his skin, the pink, jagged marks marring my thoughts, the not-so-subtle of reminder of what he’d risked to keep us safe threatening to take me back to that horrible place when his voice pulls me back.

“Hey,” he whispers, his fingertips cupping my jaw, gently nudging it up to take my eyes. “Stop thinking about sad shit.”

“I’m sorry,” I smile, making him shake his head at me.

“Don’t be sorry, baby. Be happy,” he whispers, running the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. “You? Josiah?” he continues, gently caressing my belly as he holds my eyes. “You’re forever safe, forever loved.”

“Hmm,” I hum, leaning into his palm, a willing captive to the blue eyes with green flecks that had afforded me peace. “You are, too.”

He smiles, retreating to our small shower as I move to change, ready to spend time with Asher and see Sara for our weekly visit.

I look around the small room we now called home and can’t help the sigh that leaves me. We’d fought so hard to get here, risked so much for the life we’d found.

It wasn’t what I’d imagined on the farm all those nights as I stared up at the night sky, but we found what we needed in each other day after day. What we received was far more than either of us ever could have hoped for.

We found love.

We found happiness

We found freedom.

Most of all, we found salvation beyond the pine.

The End.

From the very first time I heard their whispers, I’ve been completely in love with the story of Riley and Asher.

I hope I did them justice.

Thank you God for giving me the passion to write stories I love like the air I breathe and for the insatiable desire to never stop telling them.

Thank you to my husband Sean, who co-authors my very favorite love story of all every single day. I love you so completely and am honored to belong to you.

Thank you to my parents and my grandmother for always believing in me, even on days when I didn’t want you to. I’m the luckiest girl in the world because I get to call you mine forever.

Thank you to my family for being unrelentingly epic in each and every way. Your support means the world to me and I hope you know how much I love you.

Special thank you to my sweet sister, Sara, for letting me bring you into this story. Riley needed someone special to help her through this journey and there’s no one else I trusted with her heart more than you.

Thank you to my PA, Heather, for being so awesome. It’s going on three years since I first jumped into this world headfirst and through it all, you’ve been right beside me. I can’t tell you how much your love, friendship and support has meant to me. Love you, girl.

To my beta and admin girls, Heather, Charlie, Sara, Jenna, Nikki, Patti, Christie and Laura, thank you for being brave enough to look my unedited-crazy in the eye and come back with constructive feedback! Ha! I love you, girls.

Thank you to my gorgeous cover model, Macy Gray, for helping me capture Riley. Your support means so much and I’m honored to have you be a part of her story!

To my street team, thank you for your endless support and the hours of hard work you put in to every release! I’m so grateful for everything you do! Also, the ladies of Benson’s Book Babes: You girls never cease to amaze me! I’m so honored that these stories have brought us together and I am constantly blown away by your support! Thank you so much!

To my readers, thank you. Thank you for reading, your messages, your reviews and your unwavering support. Everyone says their readers are the best, but I find it impossible to believe they’re better than mine.

My best friends, Janet, Anna, Angie and Amanda for making me smile and reminding me to breathe and just embrace the crazy.

Special thanks to: Jennifer Culbreth, Sarah Elizabeth, Kathy Coopmans, Jenna Schmitt, Jen Andrews, Liz Cicchini, Stephanie Mae, Stacey Peterson, Lauren Peters, Panty Dropping Book Blog, New England Naughty and Nice Book Blog, Crazy Cajun Book Blog and anyone else who helped make this book possible.

Last, but never least, to my characters. Thank you for choosing me. I love you and I hope you never leave.

XO Kate