My Heart’s Home by Kris Michaels
Chapter 16
Mercy almost bounced out of the tent when she heard Bull greet Cam. What she didn’t expect was the other men with him.
The smile slid off her face in an instant. “Cam?” She looked at him warily, the presence of the other men scaring her, although she didn’t have a reason to be afraid. Right?
“It’s okay. There have been some developments with Ian. He’s in prison.” Cam moved closer and took her hand. “He was tried for your murder.”
“What!” Mercy snapped her attention to the others. One nodded his head. “But I’m not dead.” She stated the obvious because it was the only thing she could think of saying.
“Do you recognize the name Kelsey Whitmere?” Cam asked.
“Yeah, she was my mom’s best friend. She helped get me on my feet after my mom died.” Mercy’s hand went to her mouth. “Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. But she’s tenacious and the reason Ian Patterson is in jail,” a man wearing a suit and a fancy long coat spoke.
“I don’t understand.” She looked back at Cam. He smiled at her, which eased some of her anxiety.
“I don’t doubt it. We’d like to explain it to you,” the fancy coat man spoke again.
“Am I in trouble?”
“No.” Cam’s voice was resolute. “No, you’re not in any trouble, but now that the DA knows you aren’t dead, there is probably going to be another trial for Ian. His defense will want to go for a lesser sentence and no doubt cast doubt about the rest of the convictions.”
“Trial? But you said he was already in jail.” Lord, she wasn’t stupid, but she couldn’t understand what was going on. She began to shake uncontrollably.
Cam pulled her into him and whispered, “You’re safe.” He lifted away and spoke louder, “Mr. Cain is the District Attorney. His predecessor was the man who put Ian in jail for murder. Yours and three other women.”
“Mine? Three others? When? How?”
“Yes. It seems Ian Patterson found women who he could isolate and kill.” The man Cam had introduced as the district attorney commented, “When you and your daughter were declared missing, homicide detectives obtained just enough evidence for a warrant and completed a forensic search of the house. That man was smart, but he didn’t know how to cover blood evidence very well. There was a lot of your blood found between floorboards and on the walls. Circumstantial evidence, in your case. Not in the others. You have nothing to worry about. Ian Patterson won’t breathe free air for the rest of his life. I know this all comes as a shock, but we would be grateful if we could talk to you at length about what happened while you were with Ian.”
Mercy nodded. “I can do that. Tonight?”
The DA smiled and shook his head. “Tomorrow would be fine. I’m here because I wanted to see you in person. It’s not often one of our victims comes back from the dead. Cam, call my office in the morning, and my secretary will let you know when we’ll be ready for the interview.”
“Will do, sir.” Cam still had his arm around her.
The man extended his hand to her. “Ms. Cahill, I am delighted to make your acquaintance, and I’ve never been happier to give a defense attorney an opening for a retrial.”
She extended her hand and shook his. He and another man, who hadn’t spoken a word, turned away and carefully walked back down the incline.
“Sorry, I wanted to explain it to you later, after we got home, but he was insistent on laying eyes on you.” Cam wrapped her up in a hug. She drew on his strength and warmth.
She tried to comprehend everything she’d just heard. “He’s really in jail?”
“He is. Are you ready to go home?”
Mercy pulled away and stared up at him. He was a remarkably handsome man. She lifted a hand and cupped his cheek. “Home sounds wonderful. I’ll wake up Dezzy. She fell asleep about a half-hour ago.”
“Perfect. I’ll get Bull.”
Mercy looked around. “He was just here.”
Cam chuckled. “He ducked back into his tent.”
“Oh.” She’d been so focused on the strangers she hadn’t noticed. Cam opened the flap for her, and she went into the tent. Before she woke up Dezzy, she took a moment to stare at the little nest they’d made for themselves. It had been a good place. She wondered if the late-night conversations she’d shared with Cam would linger and bring the next occupant warmth and joy. Hopefully, they would.
“Dezzy.”
“Mmm.”
“Destiny, come on. We’re going home.”
Her daughter sat up, instantly awake. “Now? Cam’s here?”
“Cam’s here, and there’s something else.”
Destiny rubbed her eyes and yawned. “What?”
“Ian is in jail. We never have to worry about him again.”
Destiny dropped her hand and blinked owlishly. “Really?” She nodded, and Dezzy threw herself into Mercy’s arms. “Don’t wake me if this is a dream.”
“It’s not a dream, squirt. Let’s go.” Cam’s voice from the flap startled them.
They pulled out their meager belongings, and together, the four of them walked out of the camp. Before they reached the car, Bull stopped at a shanty and whispered a few words. A slight woman came out and excitedly looked up the hill. Bull nodded, and the woman popped back into her shelter only to emerge moments later with a young boy, followed by a man who didn’t look very well. He extended his hand to Bull. Bull shook it and nodded up the hill. The man reached back and grabbed two worn blankets before he followed his family up the hill to Cam’s tent.
Mercy held Dezzy’s hand and smiled. They’d left everything that someone could use to survive, including a two-day-old peanut butter sandwich. She prayed the little family would make it through the rest of the winter. Perhaps, if she got a job, she could bring some things back. Her mind drifted on those thoughts. What could she do to help people like her? What would make a difference?
The ride to Cam’s house took almost an hour. They pulled into a neighborhood with towering, established trees and houses that weren’t built in the same fashion or style. When he pulled into the driveway of a long, ranch-style house, she sighed. Made of a yellow-brown brick, it had dark brown shutters and a large front porch.
“It’s beautiful.” She leaned over to see more.
“I grew up here. After my parents passed, I had someone take care of the yard. I always knew I’d come back to Hope City and settle here. Ready to see it?”
Destiny was out of the car first. Bull was next, with an, “I’ll grab the packs.”
Mercy’s eyes filled with tears. “I can’t wait.”
Cam leaned across the center console and kissed her. “Welcome home.”
Mercy smiled at him. “My heart’s home is wherever you are.”
Cam dropped for another kiss just as Dezzy tapped on the driver’s side window and asked loud enough to be heard through the glass, “Can we go in, please?”
Mercy loved Cam’s laughter. They exited the SUV Cam had picked them up in, and Dezzy was the first to the front door. “Take off your shoes,” Mercy reminded her daughter. They hadn’t been inside a home in so long.
Destiny kicked off her shoes and stepped in when Cam unlocked the door. He flicked on the interior light, and both she and Dezzy gasped. “A Christmas tree!”
Dezzy walked forward and then ran. She spun in the large front room. “For us?”
Cam smiled and nodded. “For all of us.”
“This will be the best Christmas ever.” Dezzy approached the tree and held a glass ornament in her hand.
“Where do you want this?” Bull asked from behind her. She stepped into the front room to allow him to pass.
“Dezzy’s room is on the left, second door. We’re back on the right.” Cam dropped an arm around her. “Why don’t you get settled? I’ll take Bull downstairs and show him his place.”
She nodded and waited until he left with Bull before she let the emotions she was trying to hold slide down her cheeks.
“Mom?”
She sniffed and wiped at the tears. “Let’s go look at your room.”
Dezzy smiled, and they explored together. Down the long hallway was a full bath and an office on the right that sported dark wood and built-in shelves. The next room on the left was the bedroom with Dezzy’s pack, a double bed, dresser, an oversized comfortable chair in the corner with a reading light, and a small desk and chair on the far wall. “Wow.” Destiny stood at the door and gaped. The light wood and mint green walls coupled with the darker green drapes and bedspread were beautiful.
“You put your things away. Then take a nice long shower. You don’t want to get the sheets dirty.”
Destiny nodded. “I’ll wash my hair, too.”
“Good idea. I’ll braid it before I go to bed.”
Dezzy looked down. “Mom, do you think we can stay here with Cam?”
She pulled her daughter into a hug. “I do, baby. I really do.” She held her girl for a moment and wondered how they would both overcome what they’d had to endure. Just moving into a house wasn’t going to change the things they’d seen or had to do to survive. But maybe there was some free counseling they could receive. There had to be programs of some kind.
Dezzy pulled away. “Do I get to go to school again?”
“Yes, absolutely.” Now that Ian wasn’t a problem, they could be… normal. Whatever that was.
“Oh, but…” Dezzy looked down at herself and then at her small pack of clothes.
“No worries there, I’m buying you and your mom a new wardrobe.” Cam leaned against the door frame and smiled at them.
Dezzy raced over and hugged him. “Thank you, Cam.”
He hugged her and smiled at Mercy. “Why don’t you grab that shower?” Mercy prompted her daughter.
“Shampoo, soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste should all be in there. Extra towels are under the sink.” Cam bopped Dezzy on the nose, and she rolled her eyes but laughed anyway.
He chuckled and glanced at Mercy. “I’ll let you get a shower, too. I’ll make us a midnight snack. Meet me in the kitchen when you’re done.”
“Cool!” Dezzy spun and grabbed the only clean set of clothes she had before bolting into the bathroom. Mercy walked down to her new room and opened the door. A massive four-poster king-sized bed dominated the bedroom, dwarfing the two matching dressers and two small chairs that sat in front of a fireplace. She walked over the wonderfully soft carpet and flipped the light switch by the fireplace. Instantly, a gas flame burst out over glass pebbles. The warmth was immediate. She wrapped her arms around herself and did a three-sixty, looking at the room. The furniture seemed newer than the rest of the house.
She heard pans clattering in the kitchen and kicked herself into gear—a shower. The thought was divine and coveted. She pushed open the door to the master bath and sighed. A large shower and a claw foot tub, a two-sink vanity, and a private toilet area were done in greys and blues. The tile of the shower matched the tile on the floor. It was functional, exceptionally clean, and beautiful.
She took off the layers of clothing she had on and folded them carefully, avoiding the mirror. She wasn’t ready to see herself yet. Not until she was clean. She turned on the hot water with a twist of her wrist and carefully adjusted it to the perfect temperature. She stood under the waterfall and closed her eyes. The delicious warmth surrounded her and started to chip away at the cold that she’d carried since the first frost this year.
She used the shampoo and washed her hair three times before using the conditioner and twisting her hair on top of her head, letting the solution work on her hair. Finally, she grabbed the disposable razor and a bar of soap. She hadn’t meant to spend so much time in the shower, but when she was done, the water was running cooler. She dried off and combed through her hair, dressed before she brushed her teeth, and then padded out to the kitchen.
Bull and Dezzy were at the table, and Cam was at the stove. “Just in time. Your pancakes are hot.”
She sat down and stared at the dinner plate-sized pancakes. “Wow.”
“Right?” Dezzy said as she put another bite into her mouth.
“You have your choice of maple, strawberry, or blueberry syrup.” Cam motioned to bottles. “Butter is there. Milk?”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
“I used all three. I couldn’t decide.” Dezzy licked her lips and cut another bite of the fluffy cakes.
“I didn’t have a problem choosing.” Bull wagged his eyelids and forked a huge bite into his mouth.
“He said he was a traditionalist,” Dezzy said. “I’m more of a modern mixture. Right, Cam?”
Cam sat a large glass of milk down in front of Mercy. “Right. Bull, can I get you more?”
“No, thank you. I’m full. I’ll just let myself downstairs and use that shower. See you in the morning.”
“Night,” Dezzy and Mercy said at the same time.
Cam poured more batter onto the griddle, and by the time she’d spread some butter on her cakes and finished a few bites, he’d sat down beside her.
“So, tell us about Ian,” Mercy asked in front of her daughter because Dezzy had every right to know what had happened to that horrible man.
Cam took a bite and swallowed it before he began. “I’ve only been given the barest of details, but from what I was told, your friend Kelsey came to Hope City to find you. When she couldn’t and Ian was a total roadblock, she and her husband hired a private detective. You disappeared without a trace, so the detective dug into Ian since Kelsey thought for sure this guy had killed you. It turns out Ian made a habit of finding women he could isolate and abuse. Only the abuse ended in their deaths.”
Dezzy sat her fork down. “So, when Mom and I ran, he was going to kill us?”
“Eventually. That’s the theory.” Cam nodded.
Dezzy turned her attention to Mercy. “Then… all those times you said you made a mistake and that you were sorry for us being homeless… you protected both of us from dying.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I shouldn’t have ever moved us in with Ian.”
“You didn’t know.” Dezzy poked at the remainder of her pancakes. “The other three women who he killed; did they have children?”
“Not that I know of.”
Dezzy looked up at him. “He’s in prison. You know that for sure?”
“I do. And I can check every day if you want me to.” Cam held her stare.
“Yeah. For a while, could you do that?” Her daughter’s quiet response almost tore her heart out.
“You bet. And when we have had a minute to catch our breath, I’m going to find someone for all of us to talk with about everything you’ve been through. To help us figure out a way forward.” Mercy placed her hand on Cam’s leg, and he placed his hand over hers, squeezing it gently. “I know we’ll have growing pains, but we’ll figure it out. I promise.”
Dezzy yawned. “You mean a shrink?”
“Something like that. A person who knows how to deal with everything you’re feeling,” he agreed.
“Okay.” She yawned again. “Mom, could you braid my hair so I can go to sleep?”
“Of course.”
She moved to stand, but Cam stopped her. “As long as you promise not to tell anyone, I’ll braid your hair so your mom can finish eating.”
Dezzy gave him the hairy eyeball. “Guys don’t braid.”
“This guy does.” He stood up and walked behind her. Mercy took a bite of her pancakes and watched as he formed a perfect French braid, using a bread tie from a drawer in the kitchen to secure the end.
Dezzy stared at her. “What does it look like?”
She chuckled. “He’s better at it than I am.”
Dezzy patted her hair and felt her braid with her fingers before drawing the length of it over her shoulders. “How do you know how to do that?”
Cam shrugged. “I used to be married. We were young and stupid and divorced when she found someone she could love. She was hairstyle challenged, and in the Air Force, women had to wear their hair off the collar until recently. Now, you can have a ponytail. Way back then, you couldn’t. I watched videos and practiced on weekends. I was able to braid her hair better than she ever could.”
“So, you didn’t love her?” Dezzy asked.
“Oh, at the time, I thought I did, but when you’re that young, sometimes you mistake other things for love. It was pretty obvious rather quickly that we were better off as friends.”
Dezzy cocked her head and lifted an eyebrow. “Are you? Friends?”
He smiled at her daughter. “Terrific friends. Her husband is a good man, and they have a large family.”
Dezzy yawned again, and Mercy had eaten enough to feed a small family. “Time for bed.” She stood up and picked up the empty plates.
“I’ve got that. You go get her settled. I’ll be back in a little bit.” Cam took the plates from her and bent over to kiss her.
He tasted like maple and sugar. She smiled as he lifted away. “Have I said thank you?”
Cam glanced down the hall where Dezzy had stopped to look at the Christmas tree. “You never have to thank me for loving you. But you could show me.” He winked and gave her one more quick kiss.
Mercy said good night to Destiny and left the door to her room open a crack. As much as her daughter had grown, she knew it wasn’t necessary, but she’d always left the door open when they lived in their own apartment. Ian had forbidden the practice, and once the beatings had started, it was better if Dezzy didn’t hear it.
She wandered into the big bedroom and wished she had something nice to wear. Something that would entice Cam. Since she didn’t, she removed the clothes she’d put on after her shower and slid between the lusciously soft sheets.
Cam stepped in not long after. He made his way over to where she was. “I’m going to shower. I won’t be long.”
Mercy watched him walk into the bathroom. The sound of water falling coupled with her full stomach and emotion-filled day prevented her eyes from staying open. She fought her heavy eyelids as long as she could but finally lost the battle. She let the warmth and comfort consume her.
