Her Guardians Lost (Her Guardians Trilogy #2) (11 page)

I nodded. “I do, Simon. I really do. Whomever this little girl is, she deserves to be sent away properly. I need to do it for her, and I need to do it for her mother.”

Sighing, Simon leaned onto his desk. “Well, if it is Lisa Bellmont, I’ll be sure to tell you.”

Hearing her name out loud hit me hard. This poor little girl had her whole life ahead of her, but then some evil monster came along and snatched it away. He stripped her from a life of dreams, loves, loses, and happiness. The tapestry of life she could have led was lost, never to be found again. It broke my heart.

“Thank you, Simon. Can I ask how old she was?”

Running his hand through his hair, Simon exhaled. “She was only eight when she went missing sixteen years ago. She would have been twenty-four.”

The room fell silent as we thought about the possibilities for this young girl. Possibilities that were taken away by Tom Merryfield.

“I’m sorry, Cassie. I didn’t mean for it to get so somber. This is supposed to be a party, but I’ll have you crying in your soup.”

We all chuckled, easing the tension. “It’s okay, Simon. You had to tell me and I appreciate that you did. Now all that’s left is to join your wonderful family and savor this jerked chicken. My mouth has been practically salivating all day thinking about it.”

Simeon chuckled. “It’s true. My passenger seat is filled with her slobber.”

“Stephen, cut it out,” I giggled, pushing his arm. Simeon winked back and, from the corner of my eye, I could tell Simon was closely watching us.

*****

In the brief time we were sitting around the table, I learned that Blake was a DJ at a local club not far from Simon’s house; Rachael was studying at the university and wanted to become a professor; Sharice’s mum and dad both worked in the tax office where they met; and Simon’s dad worked in insurance. The family was big, and the love was shared by all. It was so nice to be filled with such happiness and appreciation around the dinner table. It somehow made me feel like part of the family.

We were just finishing off our soup, when Simon’s mum came out with the jerked chicken. It looked simply delicious. “Here you go, darling,” Caroline beamed, handing me a plate. “Sharice has done a fine job with the chicken.”

With my knife and fork in hand, I smiled at Caroline. “I’m looking forward to tucking in.” She sat down next to me.

“Go on, baby girl. Tell me what you think.”

Smiling politely, I picked up some of the chicken with some rice and placed it in my mouth. The flavours that burst on my tongue were phenomenal. It was spicy, but not overly so. It was sweet, but not so much that it was overpowering. It was wonderful.

“Hmmm,” I hummed in approval as I chewed my food. “It’s jerktastic,” I smiled at Sharice.

Soon, everyone was tucking in. I was so engrossed in eating, I was actually one of the first ones to finish.

“It’s nice to see a girl with a healthy appetite.” Blake winked over at me, making me blush.

“It has to be one of the best meals I’ve ever tasted.”

“Don’t go saying that. You’ll give Sharice a big head,” Simon piped up, earning an elbow from his wife.

“He’s just jealous because he tried it once and he not only burned the chicken, but the rice, too.”

Rachael laughed. “How could you burn the rice, Simon?”

Simon shook his head. “I thought it took longer than what the packet said.”

“Well, you see, here’s the thing. He didn’t
read
the packet. He just shoved me out of the kitchen and told me he had it all under control. Soon, the fire alarms were going off all over the house, and Simon was running around like a headless chicken.”

Everyone laughed again. “Simon, you’re supposed to cook the chicken, not become a headless one,” Rachael snorted.

Simon looked over at Simeon and I. “You see the level of abuse I have to put up with here?”

“Maybe your family just likes to bring you down to earth occasionally, boss man.” Simeon winked and everyone clapped their hands, laughing.

“Too true, Stephen. Too true,” Blake answered.

The playful banter went on for a few more minutes until it was time for dessert. After the soup and jerked chicken, I didn’t think I had any room left. However, when I saw and smelled the ginger cake, I couldn’t resist.

“I’m really being spoiled this evening.” I burped silently, covering my mouth.

Caroline chuckled. “It’s another one of my recipes from home. I brought it with me.”

“It looks and smells delicious, Mrs. Bradley.”

“Child, you’re part of our family now. Call me Mama Caroline. That’s what everyone calls me around here. It seems to have followed me from Jamaica.”

“I’ve never been to Jamaica.”

Caroline smiled and looked off into the distance. “It’s a beautiful place, Cassie. You really should go one day. There are so many things happening and so many things to do. We had spring festivals, which would last for weeks. So much dancing, so much happiness.”

“Why does that seem to make you sad?”

She looked over to me with a smile and patted my arm. “Nothing gets by you, does it, child? It’s unfortunate, but there are too many killings. Once it got close to home, we had to move. Little did I know that we were no safer here than at home, especially after what happened to Molly.”

I squeezed her arm. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”

“Life is what it is, dear child. No one can say things would have been different if we had made different choices. Despite what happened with Molly, we have been happy here. Simon has made a success of himself, and Desmond and I are very proud of him.”

“I imagine you are, Mama Caroline,” I smiled.

“You’re a good girl, Cassie. I can tell you are.” Then she did the one thing I was dreading all night. She placed her hand on mine.

I saw her sorrow straight away. Her brother was shot and killed in Jamaica. They were very close and it tore her apart. She loved Jamaica, but that was lost the day her brother died.

Then something else hit. “Mama Caroline, you have to go to the hospital.”

Caroline’s head snapped up in shock. “Whatever for, child?”

“You’ve been having pain in your right leg, haven’t you?” The shock on her face told me everything. “You’ve been suffering for days and haven’t told anyone.”

“It’s just some swelling and muscular pain. I’ve been on my feet a lot lately, that’s all.”

I shook my head. “That’s not all, Caroline. You
need
to go to the hospital.”

Glancing over at Simon, he saw the way his mum’s hand was clasped on mine. “What’s wrong, Cassie?” he whispered.

“Your mother has been getting pain in her leg. It needs to be seen straight away. There’s time to waste,” I implored.

Simon was immediately out of his seat. “Why didn’t you say something before, Mum?”

“This is ridiculous. It’s just been a little sore for a few days. I’m sure it will calm down soon.”

Simon looked over at me and I shook my head. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“Simon, stop being silly. This is a dinner party and we have guests.”

Squeezing Caroline’s hand, I got her attention. “Your health and well-being are far more important than dinner. You have to see someone now, Caroline. Otherwise, the pain will only get worse. Please do it. For me.”

Her eyes searched mine, then Simon’s. “But how…?”

“She found Molly, Mum.”

Caroline looked at Simon and saw his meaning. I could see the confusion coursing through her, but she stood with a nod. “Okay. I’ll go.”

Sighing, I got up and turned to Simon. “Can Stephen and I follow you to the hospital?”

Simon smiled and nodded. “Absolutely.”

“I don’t understand,” Sharice said, bewildered.

“I’ll explain it to you later. For now, I just want to get Mum to the hospital.”

After a flurry of activity, we were on our way to the hospital. Once we walked into the ER, Caroline was quickly ushered in to see the triage nurse, who admitted her straight away. An ultrasound was organized and blood was taken, but I already knew what the results would be.

Finally, a doctor came out to speak with us. “Mr. Bradley?”

“Yes,” both Simon and Desmond said together.

“Mrs. Bradley has Deep Vein Thrombosis. We’ve managed to locate it in her calf. She will need to take anti-coagulants for a few weeks to reduce the blood clot, so I want to start her on a course of Heparin, which will mean a short stay in the hospital. However, if all goes well, she will be able to leave in less than two weeks.”

“Is she going to be okay?”

“It was caught early, so the success rate is better. I’ve set up the Heparin intravenously so she’s all settled in if you want to go and see her.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

“You’re welcome,” he answered, smiling as he walked away.

A nurse soon joined us and we followed her to Caroline’s room. As we opened the door, she smiled brightly and threw her arms open for me. “My beacon of light, my guardian angel. I need to give you a hug.”

Smiling, I walked over to her bed and gracefully accepted her hug. I was warming to Simon’s mother by the minute.

“So, you have a gift, Cassie.” She saw my shocked expression and wiggled her finger at me. “It wasn’t hard to work out after everything you’ve done. Simon didn’t divulge your secret, but I knew there must have been something. You were just too good to be true.”

Sitting on the bed beside her, I smiled. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

Feeling Simon’s hand on my shoulder, I looked up at him. “I don’t know how many times you’re going to save this family, Cassie. But, as always, thank you.”

“There’s no need to thank me, Simon.”

“You have quite the girl,” Blake said to Simeon.

Simeon smiled over at me. “Yes, I do.”

I timidly smiled back. If he was Stephen, I wouldn’t have even thought twice about that comment. In fact, I would have been beaming.

“So, this psychic shit… How does it work?” Blake continued.

“Blake,” Caroline scolded. “Watch your manners.”

He hung his head in shame. “Sorry, Mama Caroline.”

I almost wanted to laugh. In fact, I would have if we weren’t in the hospital. Just the thought that cocky Blake could be reduced to a cowering little boy by the voice of his aunt almost had the giggles surfacing.

“I have to touch someone’s hand to see it.” I looked over at Caroline and smiled.

“I know you must not like dealing with this every day, but I’m glad I touched your hand.”

“I’m glad you did, too.”

“It must be difficult, though,” Sharice interjected. “You must see things you wish you hadn’t.”

I briefly thought about Lisa-Marie’s train crash, and the visions of that poor girl being strangled. “It would be a lie if I told you no.”

“What things have you seen?” Blake asked, leaning toward me.

Rachael swatted him one again, and Caroline sighed. “Blake, Cassie doesn’t want to talk about all this with us now. She must be exhausted. This wasn’t quite the dinner party for which you were hoping. I’m sorry, child.”

Leaning over, I kissed her on the cheek. “It was amazing. Thank you. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. You have a wonderful family, Mama Caroline. You must be very proud.”

Caroline inhaled deeply as the tears formed. “That I am, Cassie. That I am. I hope it won’t be too long before I see you again.”

Rising out of my seat, I shook my head. “I don’t think Simon will hear the end of it if he doesn’t bring me to visit you one day this week.” Looking at Simon, I saw his bright smile.

“Well, if
you
hassling him won’t work, I’m sure
me
hassling him will,” she playfully answered.

Simon shuddered. “One lesson I have learned in my lifetime so far, Cassie, is never say no to Mama Caroline.”

Everyone laughed, and we said our goodbyes. Once we were outside, Simeon was the perfect gentleman and opened the door for me. I smiled sweetly and accepted his gracefulness.

We drove for five minutes before he broke the silence. “You’re an amazing woman, Cassie.”

I laughed. “You sound just like your brother.”

Simeon shook his head. “Which one?” As I felt the stab to my heart, Simeon sighed. “Oh, Cassie. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, Simeon. It’s not your fault. You don’t need to keep apologizing. I bet it feels like you’re forever doing that. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable around me.”

Eyes staring straight ahead, Simeon gripped the steering wheel. “You could never make me feel uncomfortable, Cassie. In fact, you seem to have this uncanny knack of making people feel at peace around you.”

I studied Simeon after that remark. Surely I didn’t possess the same calm-like qualities these angels seemed to emanate.

“Do we all possess this pull?”

Briefly taking his eye off the road, Simeon frowned. “Pull for what?”