Page 84 of Unbearable
My eyes stung as I messily shoved everything into my suitcase, struggling to close it. After one last glance, I closed the door and drove back to the ranch house. Rain cascaded down the windshield, the dreary weather mirroring my emotions about leaving Woodstone Falls again.
The fragile bubble Trent and I had created over the last few days suddenly popped with Noah’s call, leaving me to face the implications. We both had been avoiding the inevitable until it could no longer be ignored. As much as we wanted to continue in ignorant bliss, reality had other plans.
As the ranch house came into view, I saw Dorian, Trent, and Colt on the front porch, talking despite the cold and rain. Dorian’s face was etched with worry as I approached.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
Dorian ran his hand through his hair. “Colt.” he gestured to my brother.
“Have you heard of the Marketplace Murderer? It’s been all over the news lately,” Colt said, his tone unusually gentle.
“Is that the guy who finds girls on Facebook Marketplace, meets them to buy something, then drugs and kills them?” I asked.
“Yeah, that’s the guy,” Colt confirmed.
“Did they finally catch him?” I asked, confused by the relevance.
Dorian cleared his throat, his weight shuffling back and forth on his feet. “Well, kind of.”
The three of them exchanged looks.
“Can someone tell me what the hell is going on?” I demanded.
“They think that’s Noah’s boyfriend,” Trent said. His green eyes were dim in the gray weather. The blood drained from my face, and my skin turned clammy.
“What? No way. I know the guy. He doesn’t seem capable of something like that.”
“He must have known the FBI was on to him. Hedisappeared a few days ago, and no one knows where he is now,” Colt explained.
“There’s no way. Does Noah know?” I asked.
“No, I’m not even supposed to know this. I called the detective from your case in Seattle, and he filled me in because the case originated there,” Colt said, pushing his long, dark hair from his face.
“What the actual hell is going on lately?” I pressed my fingers to my temples and rubbed. Trent pulled me into a hug, his body pouring life back into me when I felt so drained. Colt shot Dorian a glance, raising his eyebrows. Dorian shook his head in response.
“Don’t let Noah go anywhere alone for now,” Dorian said.
Trent checked his watch and let out a breath. “You need to get to the airport, or you won’t make your flight,” Trent said.
“Let me go inside and say bye to Dad, Gracie, and Sawyer.”
The three of them sat at the dining table, talking. “I have to head out, but I wanted to say goodbye,” I said, walking over as my dad stood up from his chair. He wrapped me in his arms and kissed the top of my head.
“There’s a container of food on the counter for you. Take it with you and eat on the way. I love you, Dotty. Please be careful,” he said.
“I always am, Dad. I love you.”
Gracie clung to my leg. “But Aunt Dotty…” Her bottom lip wobbled. “I’m not ready for you to go bye-bye.” I bent down to meet her at eye level.
“Me either, Gracie girl, but it will be okay. I promise I’ll see you soon.” I squeezed her small body, and I swallowed the lump in my throat.
When I arrived in Woodstone Falls, I thought leaving would be a relief, but now everything felt off.
As Sawyer walked over, I stood up, Gracie still clinging to me.
“I love you, sis. Be safe,” he said, hugging me tightly.
“I love you too,” I replied, my voice tinged with sadness.
