Shadow of Suspicion (Haunted by the Past) Read online

  More sounds rose from above her. She could definitely hear a male voice, possibly two. Who was it? Had walkers stumbled across them or had Sophie reached help. Callie didn’t care. She had to make them realise she was alive and in desperate need of help. She hit the lid again and again, sobbing hysterically. She lost all sense of time. How long had it been since she’d heard the voices? Were they still out there?

  A loud blast reverberated through the darkness. Callie froze. Was that a gunshot? Her teeth chattered together. Had her rescuer been hurt or was it Trish? Tears streamed from her eyes and sobs stuck in her throat. She shook so badly she wondered if she’d fly into a thousand pieces. What if there was no one left up there to help her? Her body went icy cold.

  Suddenly the lid above her split open. Fresh air and daylight streamed in. Callie squeezed her eyes shut against the blinding glare. Strong arms closed around her and pulled her upwards.

  “It’s okay, Callie. I’m here.” Jason’s wonderful voice filled her ears.

  Crying hysterically, she clung onto him as he pulled her into his lap. She buried her face in his neck and gripped his t-shirt in her fists. She was sure she would never be able to let him go ever again. He held her in his tight embrace and she let the sense of safety envelope her. Slowly, her panic began to ease.

  “Oh Jason, I thought I’d never see you again.” She could barely speak through her sobs. “What happened? However did you find me? Where’s Trish?”

  She moved away from him, suddenly fearful the woman would sneak up on them and attack. Jason grabbed the side of her head and shoved her back against his chest. He covered her eyes with one hand.

  “Don’t look, sweetheart. It’s not pretty.” His voice held a note of sorrow.

  “Jason, please tell me what happened. I thought I heard a gunshot.” Callie clung to his t-shirt, her fingers curled into the material.

  “You did. Trish killed herself, Callie,” Jason informed her quietly.

  Callie gasped and pressed a hand to her mouth. “Oh, no. This is all my fault. I should never have come here.”

  Jason grasped her face with one warm palm. He lifted her gaze to his. “This is not your fault. You can’t blame yourself.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Come on. I think it’s best if we move away from here.”

  Jason climbed to his feet and pulled her up. He swung her into his strong arms. Callie squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face in his warm neck. She didn’t want to see Trish’s body. She had been through more than enough to give her nightmares for years to come as it was. She breathed in the masculine scent of Jason deep into her lungs, trying to block out the smell of earth and wood.

  Nausea welled up inside her and she trembled. Jason carried her with swift strides from the area. She snuck a peek from between her lashes. They were back at the lake. Jason sat down on the tree stump that she’d occupied earlier, before Trish had pushed her into the trees. He settled Callie into his lap and hugged her tight.

  It was so strange and surreal to be back where she’d been only a short time ago. It seemed like a lifetime ago to her. Callie stared out at the lake, hardly able to believe she was alive. The warmth of Jason’s embrace settled over her and her heart swelled. She licked her lips and closed her eyes in bliss. He threaded his hand through her hair. Callie winced and bit back a cry.

  Jason jerked. “What is it?” He grabbed her head before she could reply and examined it carefully. Callie hissed with pain as his fingers passed gently over her injury.

  “You’ve got a goose egg here.” Jason sounded as mad as hell. “We need to get you checked out.”

  “Fine, but not yet, please.” Callie clung onto him. “I just need a little time before I’m ready to deal with the rest of the world.”

  “Okay, but then I’m driving you straight to a doctor.” He pulled away from her and gazed deeply into her eyes.

  Callie’s breath caught in her throat at the love and concern she could see shining from his deep brown orbs. Surely she was mistaken. Jason didn’t feel that way about her, he’d made that clear. Her heart thundered in her ears, so that she had to strain to hear his words.

  “I won’t take chances with you, Callie. I thought I’d lost you today and I can’t bear to go through that ever again.” His voice broke as he cupped her face with his warm hands. His thumb traced her jawline. “I was so afraid I would never get the chance to tell you how I feel. I have been a fool, pushing you away to protect my heart when I should have been honest with you. I won’t make that mistake again. I want you to know…………I love you, Callie.”

  Callie gasped, hardly daring to believe her ears. Tears welled up in her eyes and her vision blurred. “Do you mean it, Jason? Don’t say it if you don’t. I would never survive it.”

  “I do mean it. With every beat of my heart, with every breath that I take, I mean it,” he whispered passionately.

  Callie’s heart soared to the heavens as his lips descended on hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and drank in the taste of him on her tongue. Tears choked her. She ran her fingers through his short hair, loving the feel of the silky texture against her skin.

  A horrible thought reared in her head. She wanted so much to block it out, but it persisted. Her stomach lurched sickeningly. She pulled back and stared down at her hands.

  “You may not feel the same way when you learn the truth about me,” she whispered. “The reason Trish did all this…………it’s too awful for words. I really don’t know how to tell you.”

  She glanced at him, devastation clouding her heart. She would lose him now, she just knew it. Tears filled her eyes. Part of her never wanted him to know, but she’d seen the damage done when a secret was left to fester. She couldn’t do it. If they had any chance of a future together, she had to tell him.

  Jason smiled at her and threaded his fingers through hers. “Don’t look so worried love. I already know.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her knuckles.

  Callie sucked in a deep breath. “You know? How? Doesn’t it bother you?”

  “Why would it? You can’t help who you’re parents are any more than I can.” He squeezed her hand. “You are a wonderful, loving person. That doesn’t change because of what Sandra and Max did. That is their sickness, not yours.”

  She closed her eyes briefly. “But I’m a product of that sickness. I’m a child born of two siblings. How can you be okay with that? I sure as hell am not.”

  “I’m horrified by what they’ve done, I won’t lie to you.” He sighed and glanced out over the lake. “But you and Sophie are two of the most beautiful souls I have ever encountered. How two such innocent and wonderful people were born from such ugliness, I’ll never know. Maybe the Divine decided something magnificent had to come from something so wrong.”

  His words washed away all her doubts and fears. Callie wrapped her arms around his neck. Tears slipped silently down her cheeks. “I love you, Jason Hawkes. With everything in me, I love you. You are a very special man.”

  He pulled her close and kissed her again. Callie drank him in deeply. His love soothed some of the raw wounds that lay bleeding at the surface of her consciousness. How had she got so lucky? She didn’t know, but she’d spend the rest of her life appreciating the incredible man she’d found. Meeting Jason was the one thing that made her happy she’d come to Devon…………the only thing.

  Something he’d said flittered through her mind. Callie frowned and pulled back. She gazed at Jason, puzzled. “Hang on, you said me and Sophie are two of the most beautiful souls you’ve ever encountered. How would you know that Sophie is? You’ve never seen her.”

  “Oh, yes I have.” Jason grinned. “How do you think I found you?”

  “You saw her?” Callie gasped. Wonderment filled her entire being.

  “I sure did.” Jason hugged her tightly. “It was quite a shock, I can tell you. But that little girl was determined that I got the message that you needed me. She warned me you were in danger. She saved
your life, Callie.”

  Callie closed her eyes, love flooding her heart to bursting point. Somehow her sister had done it. She’d made someone hear her. Callie would never be able to repay such a debt.

  “How I wish someone had been there for her,” she whispered, her mind conjuring up the small helpless girl that had died alone and afraid. It was more than she could bear. She would never be able to forgive Trish for that. She’d stolen away someone precious and that could never be forgotten.

  “I wish that too.” Jason kissed her knuckles. “We can’t change what’s happened, but we can make a wonderful future. I want to plan that future together. What do you say?”

  Callie sniffled. “I say it’s a resounding yes.”

  A throat cleared behind them. Callie jerked in Jason’s arms and glanced over his shoulder. She stiffened. Max stood several feet away, his face as white as a sheet. What the hell was he doing here? How had she not seen him before now?

  She glanced at Jason, suddenly realising how he’d found out about her parentage. She’d assumed it was Trish, but apparently not. Jason mouthed an apology. Callie closed her eyes briefly and her stomach clenched tight. The last thing she needed right now was to deal with Max!

  “I’ve phoned the police,” he informed them quietly. “They are on their way.” He ran his eyes over Callie. “I’m so glad that you’re okay, sweetheart.”

  Callie threw up a hand. Fury surged through her like a tsunami. “Don’t call me that! Don’t speak to me! Don’t even look at me!” She turned to Jason. “Get me out of here, please. I don’t want to deal with him right now.”

  “Sure.” Jason cast a dark glare at Max. Her body shook as he helped her to her feet. Callie leaned heavily on Jason’s arm, unsure her legs would hold her up by herself.

  Max stepped forward, his expression shocked and hurt. He held a hand out to her. “Callie, please. You have to let me explain. I’m sure whatever Trish told you was put in the most terrible light. I don’t want you to go away with her version of the truth in your head.”

  Callie couldn’t believe her ears. “And what could you possibly say that would make your version okay?” She glared at him. “Unless Trish had it wrong or was lying? Tell me you’re not my father and maybe we have something to discuss.”

  He hesitated and shook his head. “I can’t say that. I am your father.”

  “Then we have nothing more to say to each other.” Callie struggled to keep her voice steady. “Please, Jason, just get me out of here now.”

  They turned to leave, but Max swiftly darted around them and stepped into their path. “I have to talk with you, Callie. We can’t avoid this forever. You are my daughter. I led Jason here. I am part of the reason you’re alive right now. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

  Callie stared at him incredulously. “My life wouldn’t have been in danger in the first place, if it wasn’t for you.” She pointed back the way they’d come. “Your wife is lying dead back there because of what you’ve done. Your son has no idea about any of this. Don’t you think you should be concerned for him? He’s lost his mother today.” Her voice broke and caught in a sob. “You can’t stand there and act like my father. It’s wrong on every level.”

  “I will tell Mitch everything. I guess I have no choice now.” Max held his hands out to her. “I know today has been awful, but I want us all to try and be a family. Shouldn’t something good come out of all of this? I lost one daughter, Callie, I don’t want to lose you too.”

  Callie stepped towards him and stabbed a finger at his chest. “You can’t lose what you never had. As far as I’m concerned, my father is Peter Price. He’s the man that brought me up, gave me my direction and morals in life. He’s a wonderful man that would never, ever do the things you’ve done.”

  Max shuddered and wiped a hand over his face. “Please, let me make this up to you.”

  “There is nothing you can do that could possibly correct all the harm you’ve done.” Callie turned back to Jason and slipped her arm through his. “Go, be with your son. Although I doubt he will want anything to do with you either, when he finds out about his mother. I can’t say that I’d blame him.” Her voice shook. “As for me, don’t bother getting in touch. I can assure you, I won’t want to know. Now, get out of our way.”

  Max held his ground. His jaw worked as if he wanted to say something, but didn’t know what.

  “You heard her, Max. The least you owe her after everything you’ve done, is time to recover from her ordeal.” Jason’s hard voice bit through the air.

  Callie slumped against his side. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  Max heaved a sigh, as if the weight of the world hung around his neck. “If that’s what you want.” He glanced behind him and cocked his head. “However, I will have to head back to the road with you. I need to wait for the police so I can take them to Trish.”

  Jason nodded sharply and waved a hand for Max to walk ahead of them. Callie bit her lip and held her tongue. As much as she wanted nothing to do with Max, she was grateful not to have to deal with the police straight away.

  She glanced around at the beautiful natural habitat. It was a crime to have had such terrible things happen in a place of such tranquil beauty. It seemed so wrong, but then nothing about this situation could be called right. Callie’s teeth chattered together. She felt so cold inside.

  They moved rapidly through the trees, Jason bearing most of her weight. He offered to pick her up again, but Callie refused. It was wonderful to feel the blood pumping through her veins. Even the aches and pains in her body were good to her right now. They told her that she was alive and that was something she’d never take for granted again.

  They broke through the trees and reached the road. Callie stared at the car that had brought her here and shivered. She hadn’t thought she’d see that vehicle or anything else ever again. Her life had nearly ended here and her darling sister’s had.

  Part of her would always hate Trish for what she’d done, but another part of her felt sorry for the tormented soul she’d been. The conflicting emotions tore at her. Callie prayed she’d find peace with it someday, but she wasn’t sure if it was possible.

  “Don’t think about it,” Jason kissed her forehead and squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll take you to the hospital and then back to my place. You can have a hot shower, some food, and anything else you need. I’ll take care of you for as long as you need.”

  “That sounds wonderful.” Callie smiled and her heart turned to mush at his words.

  She glanced towards Max. He stood to one side, rocking back and forth on his feet. He stared at her, but Callie deliberately turned away from him. She allowed Jason to help her into the passenger seat of the van. Callie smiled at him and kissed him swiftly on the lips.

  “You know, all I really need right now is you,” she told him quietly. “I think I can get through anything if you’re by my side. You give me strength.”

  Jason pressed a kiss to her wrist and slammed the door shut. He moved quickly around the van and jumped into the driver’s side. Callie could see Max hovering at the corner of her vision, but she ignored him. She knew he wanted her to forgive him, but she couldn’t simply condone his actions. She needed time to process everything that had happened and all she had learned. It was not something she could rush. She snapped her seatbelt in place and laid her head against the seat.

  Callie drew in a sigh of relief as Jason started the van and turned the vehicle around. Her head had started to pound. She closed her eyes, but all she could see were the events of the day running through her mind. Numbness descended over her and she wondered if she would ever feel normal again.

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Callie wiped over the kitchen counter with a dish cloth and glanced out of the window to the street below. She watched the many people as they strode through the streets, all moving about their daily business. She envied them. Their lives were so ordinary and uncomplicated, while her life had become
something of a circus.

  She sighed and turned to survey her handiwork. The kitchen fairly sparkled. Jason’s flat had never been so clean, according to him. Callie smiled wryly. Cleaning had been the only thing that kept her from screaming out the pain she was feeling inside.

  She wiped the back of her hand over her sweaty forehead and grabbed the bucket she’d discovered in Jason’s storage cupboard. She hauled it into the sink and added floor cleaner. Turning on the tap, she stared at the water as it gushed into the plastic container with gusto. Instant bubbles frothed up and the smell of alpine fresh filled her nostrils.

  Callie sighed again. Such ordinary things had become something to relish and appreciate. They soothed her tattered soul. The past couple of days had been harder than she’d ever imagined possible. Max and Sandra had both tried to contact her. She simply wasn’t ready to deal with either of them or anyone else. Talking to the police had been hard enough. She knew the town gossips were having a field day with this one. She’d seen enough heads turned in the direction of Jason’s window, while words were exchanged behind hand covered mouths.

  Callie didn’t know what she’d have done without Jason. In a short space of time, he’d become her rock. He’d brought some of her things from the B&B so she could stay with him. Jason understood her need to hide away from the world and lick her wounds. He knew what she was feeling without her having to explain. He gave her the space and time she had to have in order to process everything that had happened.

  Callie switched off the tap and pulled the bucket from the sink. She stuck the mop into it, squeezed it out and swept it across the floor. She glanced up at the sound of a key in the door. Jason swept into the flat. He shot her a wide smile.

  “Hi there, beautiful.” He slung his keys on the table.

  Callie beamed at him. She dropped the mop and rushed to greet him. He swept her into his arms and kissed her breathless.