Redemption (The Restoration Series Book 1) (11 page)

 “It looks like everything went according to plan, for the most part.” He spared a glance at my crutches and his jaw clenched.

 “How are you feeling?”

 “I’m fine.” I shrugged as Monica offered me a Styrofoam cup of steaming coffee. My lips lifted into a small smile. “Thanks. You always make it just right.”

 Grant studied me momentarily before continuing his informational session, rehashing all the details for the police reports. When he concluded, I reached down and picked up one of the letters and slid it across the table to Grant. Curiosity filled his eyes as he lifted the paper and began to read. His shoulders instantly sagged and sadness emitted from him.

 “Are you sure?”

 “Yes. I just… can’t do it anymore.” Scrubbing my hands down my face, I glanced up at the wide eyes of my staff. “I have done the last five years doing this work. It’s hard and wearing. After losing Amanda…” My voice
cracked but I pushed through it. “I was on a mission to avenge her. But living a life purposed for revenge is not the kind of life I want to live. And although we were helping people tremendously and with the help of God, I know it’s time I step away and work on my own
healing, and my life. I have to move on, I know it’s what I should do.”

 Jared reached out and patted my shoulder. “I get it, man. That’s why I turned in my resignation this morning as well.” Everyone chuckled a little, but there was a sad undertone.

 We said our goodbyes before Jared and I headed out of the office. We lingered on the pavement and Jared shoved his hands into his jean pockets and took a seat on the bench outside the cafe.

 Jared glanced up at me with a serene look in his eyes. “Now what?”

 “I don’t know, man. I’m going to go home and spend some time finding myself again.”

 “I get that. I think maybe I’m going to take up surfing for real. Maybe teach a few classes.”

 I smiled at him and saw the freedom from stress and worry. It was nice to know he was doing the same thing as I.

 “Well, if you ever feel like visiting the States, call me. You can stay on the ranch for a while if you’d like. I could teach you the ropes on ranching.”

 “I might just take you up on that.” He chuckled. I couldn’t complain since the thought of him on a horse in the country caused laughter to bubble out of me. Here was a man who was at home on a surfboard.

 “Why don’t you come by the house around two? I need a ride to the airport.”

 “Sure. I’ll be there.” 

 I nodded and stepped back toward my truck, parked on the side of the street.

 I slipped into the cab and pulled onto the road, heading toward my house. When I arrived, I slid my sleek black phone out of my pocket and placed a call to a moving company, explaining that I’d be leaving this afternoon and arranging for them to come in and pack everything to ship back to me. I took my time packing the bags that I would take on the plane with me, filling them with all the essential items I’d need to tie me over for the next few weeks. I glanced at my nightstand and reached for the framed picture of Amanda and myself, letting my fingers brush gently across her face before sliding it into my briefcase.

 Time flew by and I was a bit surprised when Jared pulled up to the curb, glancing at my watch to see it was already that time. I locked the door behind me and slipped the key under the welcome mat for the moving company to find.

 “You ready?” Jared asked as he strolled up to my door, hands shoved into his jean pockets. Glancing back
over the beach house, I took it all in, remembering the last three years, then turned away.

 “Yes.” I tossed the keys
into his hand.

 “You sure about the truck?” he questioned.

 “It’s yours, man.” Nodding at him, I watched as he tossed my bags in the truck bed. I gave one last look at the house and then loaded into the truck. My leg complained at the exertion, and I grunted as I maneuvered my crutches to rest between Jared and I. We pulled up to the airport and Jared jumped out, pulling my bags from the back and setting them on the curb.

 “Thanks, man.” I hugged him roughly, knowing I would miss having him by my side every day.

 “I’ll miss you, brother,” Jared whispered into my ear. I nodded and pulled away.

 “Yeah, me too. I’ll call you when I land.” With one final handshake, I reached for my bags and slowly hobbled over to the curbside check-in counter, where I deposited the luggage on the metal shelf.

 “Welcome to Aussie International, where are you traveling to today?” The burly man behind the counter asked.

 “I’m headed to the States. San Antonio.” I set my confirmation paper and my ID on the counter in front of him. A few minutes later he had my bags tossed on a belt and my boarding pass tucked
in my hand.

 “Would you like a wheelchair, mate?”

 “No, thanks. I’ll be fine.”

 “Of course. Well, it looks like you’re all set. Gate C-13.”

 I tucked my boarding pass into my pocket and slowly made my way inside the bustling airport. Getting through security took a while, but eventually I found my gate and took a seat close to the breezeway, waiting for the boarding process to be called.

 Staring out at the tarmac, I couldn’t help but feel peace that this chapter of my life was closing. I was ready to be home on the ranch and working the simple life again. Less complication, less… everything. I was pulled from my reverie when a soft voice spoke.

 “Hi,” she said. I turned my eyes to find Nova standing a few feet away from me, a bag slung over her shoulder. She wore a long-sleeved white blouse with fitted jeans that were rolled up
at her ankles. Her blonde hair was curled and free, resting
around her shoulders and face, which was still dusted with spots of bluish bruises. Her eyes held mine, timidly, as she waited for me to speak.

 “Hi.” Straightening up in my seat, I pulled my crutches from the seat next to me in hopes she would move just slightly closer. She glanced at the chair and then back at me before shaking her head.

 “I’m sorry. I just…can’t,” she whispered, turning her head away.

 “I understand, Nova. Don’t worry.”

 At my words, she seemed to relax a little. She turned to face me again and I attempted a gentle smile in her direction.

 “Headed home?” She prodded, fidgeting with her fingernails.

 “Yes. I think it’s about time.”

 “Are you on this flight to San Antonio?”

 “Yes. You?”

 She nodded affirmatively, sadness etched across her face. She waited a few more moments before clearing her throat and catching my gaze once again.

 “I just wanted to
say thank you, for everything you did to get us out of there. I’m sorry you got hurt.”

 “You don’t have to thank me, Nova. You should have never had to go through those things, and I’m sorry I couldn’t get to you sooner or prevented it from happening at all.”

 “You couldn’t have stopped it. You weren’t even around. But, because of you, I’m here and safe now and those evil men won’t be able to do this again to anyone else.”

 I nodded, glancing toward the runway again.

 “I hope you get better soon,” she whispered before turning away to join her parents on the other side of the waiting area.

 My eyes couldn’t stop watching her as she walked away and my heart clenched at the thought that I’d never see her again after this. Just then, the speakers in the waiting area crackled to life and the attendant’s voice sounded above us.

 “Flight 3870 to San Antonio is ready for pre-boarding. Anyone needing assistance, injured, military personnel, or families with small children may board first.”

 I stood and pulled my crutches under my arms after flinging my backpack around my shoulders. Carefully, I maneuvered toward the gate and handed my boarding pass to the agent to scan. I slipped into my seat on the plane carefully, making
sure not to hit my leg on anything as I moved between the row of seats
to the window. People began flooding into the cabin, stowing their bags and searching for their assigned seats. Moments later a thickly muscled man with dark hair and slipped into the aisle seat of my row, leaving the middle seat empty. I watched as person after person passed by and imagined who would get stuck
between us.

 Moments later I glanced up in time to see Nova’s eyes get wide and her face blanch as she stood at the end of my row, staring at the small seat. Of all the seats on this airplane, somehow she was assigned to the one next to me - me and another man. I didn’t think, I just acted.

 “Hey man, you want the window?” I asked, tapping his arm and motioning for us to switch.

 “Sure.” He smiled and stood, accidentally bumping into Nova, who whimpered. He gently apologized and then moved out of the way to allow me to slide out so he could take
window seat. Once he was settled, I slid into the middle seat and waited for Nova to take the last one. She trembled and I looked at her with confidence.

 “You can do
this.” I whispered, opening my hand in a gesture to
take her bag. She stared at me for a moment before nodding and handing me her canvas tote, which I slipped underneath the seat in front of her. When I was free from her space I moved as close to the guy as I could, giving Nova enough space to relax, and at the same time trying not to touch her. The guy eyed me warily and gently shoved me away. This was going to be an uncomfortable flight, but I’d deal with it.

 Nova sat there quietly and tucked her hands in between her knees, looking across the aisle at her parents. Her mother reached across and brushed her hand across her arm.

 “You’re okay.” Her mother softly encouraged. Nova nodded as if the she hadn’t been sure before, but the information from her mom relieved her a little.

 Mr. Drake leaned forward and caught my eye, nodding in thanks to my solution and protection of his daughter. I know that everyone always says that stressful situations make you feel more, but there was something else deep inside of me. A sense of protection flared up inside and I couldn’t bear to look at that terrified face. I had to fix it for her. I needed to fix everything.

 Moments later we were watching the airline safety procedures being played out in front of us, accompanied by a speech informing us of the rules of the cabin. Once it was finished, the lights dimmed and the engines whirred loudly beside us. I let my head fall back into the headrest of my seat and closed my eyes, letting the sound of the engines lull me to sleep.

 A few hours later I woke to the smell of mint rushing into my nostrils and a heavy weight on my shoulder. Blonde hair clung to the sleeve of my shirt, and tiny breaths of peace rose and fell gently beside me. She didn’t notice of course, and she definitely wasn’t pulling away. I let her sleep and gently rested my head against hers and fell back into the blackness of my dreams.  

Chapter 9

San Antonio, Texas

Nova

 Heavy breathing broke through my sleepy haze. My eyes flew open, and I became aware of pressure on my head. I froze, realizing I had fallen asleep and was touching Davis. My breath quickened and I tried to tell myself that it was just him, that I’d be fine.

 
I’m not a captive anymore. I’m safe. My parents are right next to me. I’m not a captive anymore. I’m safe. My parents are right next to me. I’m not a captive anymore.

 I repeated the mantra to myself a few times until my breathing calmed and I felt the pressure on my head lift slightly. I jerked away from his shoulder and straightened in my seat. Glancing worriedly over
to him, I saw his eyes crack open and hold my gaze.

 “I… I’m… sorry. I didn’t mean to…” Fear rippled through my body for no reason. Logically I knew that Davis wasn’t the Demon in my dreams, but the idea of us touching terrorized me.

 He cleared his throat, wiped his eyes, and shifted in his seat.

 “I didn’t want to wake you. I figured you’d need the sleep.” He smiled gently and gave me the space, not letting my reaction affect him in any way.

 “I’m sorry, Davis. I shouldn’t have touched you.” He moved
his hand toward
mine but I whimpered and clamped my fists between my knees, adjusting slightly so I was facing away from him. His sigh was audible before he spoke.

 “Sorry. Won’t happen again.” I just nodded before glancing over at my sleeping parents. It appeared that we had slept most of the way to the States. The speakers crackled to life above us, informing that we would be stopping in Los Angeles, then heading to San Antonio.

 When we landed, Davis asked the man beside him if he needed to get up, and then he turned to me and motioned for me to stand. I quickly stepped up and moved back up the aisle, allowing them both room to maneuver around me. Davis slid back into the row and moved all the way over to the window seat, allowing for there to be space between us. I slipped into my own seat and breathed a huge breath of relief as we watched most of the passengers get up and leave.

 We were lucky enough to keep that empty seat unoccupied when the plan was boarded again. No one came near us and I repeated my safe phrases over and over in my head until we were taking off the runway and heading home.

 I fell asleep again for the three-hour flight. I woke to the cabin lights coming to life and my mother tapping my shoulder.

 “We’re about to land, baby. Time to wake up.”

 “Thanks, Mom.” I ran my fingers through my hair and straightened my sweater.

 Glancing over at Davis, I saw he was asleep against the window. Finding that place inside of me that gave me courage, I gently tapped on his arm with my fingers, waiting for him to stir. When he did, I jerked my hand back to myself as I waited for his eyes to crack open. They did, and they looked at me, lines crinkling around the edges as he smiled softly. The darkness in his eyes was glistening as he captured my gaze, almost seemingly peering into my soul. And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel uncomfortable. I let him see the fear, pain, and anguish that boiled inside.

 “Nova…” He started to speak, but I cut him off, not ready to hear what he had to say.

 “We’re landing.” I turned my eyes away and shuffled my belongings into the canvas bag beneath the seat.