One of Six (Den Hollows #1)

15. Beatrice

15

BEATRICE

I’m curious about Ridge as he holds my hand. His gaze sweeps over my face as we drink the iced tea, lost in our thoughts.

I'm aware that Galen is watching us, but I can't think of anything to say to him. I sense he's upset with his brother, and I'm sure it has everything to do with me.

My eyes travel to Violet, who raises an eyebrow when our eyes meet. I offer a small smile and shake my head.

I don't want the feeling of Ridge to go away. I feel safe with the Redd brothers. I want to hold on to this family. I swallow and look down at my hand wrapped tightly in Ridge's big, strong hand. The man is a lady's man, as I know from gossip. I find I don't care as he comforts me.

"I don't know what's going to happen now," I say quietly. "I don't know what to do."

"Can you tell us what happened?" Ridge asks.

I turn my face to his and the need to confide is overwhelming. I swallow hard and turn away. I can't look at anyone while I'm lying. "Someone broke into our house and shot Mom." I blink back tears. "I hid under my blanket. I was so scared. It's all my fault." I burst into tears. Ridge curses, and the next thing I know I’m sitting on his lap with his arms around me.

The man rubs my back and I cry harder. I can't seem to stop as I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on tight. "Hey, I got you," he whispers. "You didn't do anything wrong, Bea. None of this is your fault."

I shake my head, trying to control my tears. "I'm sorry." I sit back. "That's twice today that I've cried all over you."

"Don't apologize." He grabs a handful of tissues that Violet hands him and shoves them into my hands. "You're red and blotchy."

For some reason, that makes me laugh. I wipe my face, blow my nose, and grin. "Thanks for making me laugh."

He smiles. "I was serious."

"I know how bad I look when I cry, so I believe you." I lean into him, not planning to move. I rest my head on his shoulder and look into his face. His eyes meet mine, and for a moment we just sit in comfortable silence. I feel a sense of peace come over me.

"We're friends, Bea. The Redd family will help you. You have Violet there." He nods his head in her direction.

I smile. "I have Evelyn too."

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway makes us all move. Ridge helps me to my feet and whispers, "I'll find you later." His lips brush my cheek before he runs inside with Galen.

I look at Violet, wondering what just happened. My eyes widen as I notice the four glasses on the table. "Quick," I say to Violet, reaching for them.

"The grill!" She squeals.

I open the lid of the grill and just close it when her mother, Adel Beauregard, walks out to join us. Violet engages her mother in conversation, so I walk over to the chaise and make myself comfortable.

My fingers press against my tingling cheek as I look toward the house. What is wrong with me? I know I've lived a sheltered life in my eighteen years, but that's no excuse for the attraction I feel for three of the Redd brothers.

I really liked the way it felt to be held in Ridge's arms. I'm sure I'm going to hell.

Violet suddenly appears and I know from the worried expression on her face that something is wrong. "Mom says she has to take you home. Your dad called her and wanted you to come home. Apparently, there are a lot of visitors coming to the house." She winces. "Mom's not too happy because she had to cancel the lunch with Grandma."

"Damn it," I mutter, fear cutting into me. "I don't want to go." The words fall out of my mouth as I get to my feet. "If you get a chance, will you tell Galen and Ridge what's going on?"

She winks. "I'll tell Galen."

I roll my eyes as I pull her close to me. "Thanks for being here for me." Arriving next to her mother, I say, "I'm sorry about your plans, Mrs. Beau."

"It's okay, honey. It's not your fault." She pats my hand and I know she’s telling the truth. "We should go before your father calls me again."

I catch her anger at Richard as she turns to her car.

The townspeople enter the house with bowls of food, which Evelyn accepts from them. The dining table is about to run out of space if it hasn't already. I feel like I'm on display, which is what Richard wanted. My hair is neatly braided, and I wear a dark green dress that ends below my knees. I have a light coat of blush on my cheeks to give me some color, and my lips are coated in a pale pink gloss.

I feel like shouting at the visitors standing around Richard. He doesn't deserve any sympathy. I don't understand how he can act like he lost the love of his life. He is the one who took that life.

The more I watch, the more anger boils inside me. Evelyn blocks my view and grabs my arm. "I know this is not easy, but you have to be careful, Beatrice," she whispers. "Judge is here somewhere. I don't want him catching you looking like you want to kill your father."

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I try to suppress my anger, knowing that Evelyn is right. I can't let my emotions get the best of me, especially when I have no proof of what happened. I hold Evelyn's gaze. "I'm okay now. You might need to remind me of that once in a while."

A tingle of unease creeps over me, furrowing my brows. I turn to find Jason approaching. I narrow my eyes at the man.

"Beatrice," he says, holding out his hands, which I ignore, "I'm sorry for your loss."

Evelyn slips away while I concentrate on the asshole. "Why are you here?" I look at him, and if Richard worked him over last night, it couldn't have been that bad, because there are no bruises or cuts that I can see.

"Look," he comes closer, "I'm sorry about what happened on the date. I really screwed up. It won't happen again." He takes a breath and backs out of my space. "I thought you might need someone to talk to."

"I have someone to talk to. Thank you anyway. Now if you'll excuse me." I quickly move away so I'm out of reach and sigh with relief as I see Mr. Gleeson enter the house.

"Beatrice, dear. I am so sorry about your dear mother." Mr. Gleeson hugs me tightly and I sink into him for a moment. "Are you all right?" he whispers.

"I will be." I pull away. "Thanks for helping me."

"Anytime." He clears his throat, his eyes glancing over my shoulder. "Sheriff," he mutters as David comes to my side. "I was shocked to hear about your sister-in-law. Is there any news about the perpetrator?"

"Not yet... I'd like to speak with my niece." David takes my arm and leads me into the kitchen. "Jason is here. Richard wants him to help you with this."

I pull my arm free and move around the counter, away from the man. "I don't need any help. I certainly don't need or want Jason."

His lips twitch and he runs a hand through his cropped dark hair. "You need to keep the peace," he says.

I take a step closer and a surge of adrenaline rushes through me at the prospect of surprising him. "I will never marry Jason. I don't want anything to do with him. He was the one who set Richard off last night."

He frowns. "I don't know anything about that."

"Ask him." I clear my throat and grin at Cherilyn Bradley, who has been after David for a long time. Mom used to call her 'the Merry Widow.’ "Hello, Mrs. Bradley."

"Beatrice, I am so sorry about your mom, honey." She puts one hand on my arm and the other on David's.

"Excuse me," he says, bursting into the back of the house.

Mrs. Bradley hides a grin. "That man will be caught someday."

Choking on spit, I take a sip of the drink she offers me, and I feel fire burn down my throat. Evelyn comes over and shoves a glass of water into my hand.

"What was in that?" I hiss.

"Gin! Maybe that wasn't the ideal drink to help," Cherilyn admits.

I shake my head. "Instead of teasing David, why don't you ask him out?" If David is busy, his attention will be diverted from what I am doing. On the other hand, would I be setting her up for the same treatment my mother received?

"I'm not sure," she says, just as Richard gets my attention.

"Richard's calling me over. Please excuse me."

I've had enough of being on display as I approach Richard and Jason. I look between them. "I've been here for two hours. I'm done."

"I was thinking the same thing. Why don't you go get some fresh air with Jason?"

I stare at Richard in disbelief. "No." I focus my eyes on Jason. "I already told him I'm not interested." To Richard, "We have an agreement, and he is part of it. Remember?" At these words I enter the kitchen and find Evelyn.

"I'm done, Evelyn. Is there anything I can take upstairs to eat since I'm going to lock my door until morning?"

"We have enough food to feed the town for a week." She winces. "I put your favorite to one side, though."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Cajun mac n' cheese."

My stomach grumbles at the prospect. "I can eat now."

"Good... Let me serve it up.”

"How long are you staying today?"

"Your father asked me to stay until everyone leaves." She brings me a dish and the smell makes my stomach growl. She continues, "Don't worry about me. Go read in your room." She reaches over and kisses my forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow."

Evelyn dashes out into the foyer as I head up the back stairs.

It's nice and quiet up here. In my bedroom, I leave the food and the bottle of water on my desk. While Richard is distracted downstairs, it’s an excellent moment to sneak into the master bedroom.

I listen carefully to the muffled chatter downstairs and move quietly into their bedroom. My heart is pounding so loudly that I can't hear anything but the blood rushing through my ears.

Not wanting to be caught loitering, I dash into the room and close the door behind me. I avoid thinking about last night as I look around. I once caught Mom taking a phone off a shelf. She fiddled with it before hiding it in the bathroom.

That's where I am now, looking for the hamper. It’s not here. Does Evelyn have it downstairs? Mom hid the phone in a zip pocket.

I was really hoping to find it and see what was on it. It wasn't her everyday phone. A different color too.

Back in the bedroom, no matter how hard I try not to think about it, I can't stop wondering where she died. Tears itch behind my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall.

I center myself and move slowly around the room. The white shelves hold photographs, vases, flowers, and literature. And there it is. Mom has a white cell phone. I take it out of its hiding place between two books. The books had been pushed together, but there was still enough room for the camera to see the room.

The door handle rattles, causing me to panic. I quickly put the phone in my pocket and grab a book called Butterflies and Darkness.

Richard walks in and stops dead in his tracks. "What are you doing in here?"

"I wanted a book to read. One of moms. I miss her."

He refuses to look at me and motions for me to leave. He slams the door behind me, making the hinges rattle.

My legs feel like jelly as I walk down the hall. I walk into my room and lock the door behind me.

That was close.

I take the phone out of my pocket as I throw the book on the bed. The phone is dead. I unlock my desk drawer, grab my charging cable, and plug everything in. The battery icon appears, so that's fine. I don't need a full charge. Just enough juice to see what's on it.

When I saw Mom with it, I assumed she was recording something. I cringe and hope she wasn't recording them having sex. That would totally freak me out. I put the phone and cable at the back of my desk and put the small bulletin board in front of it so that no one would see it if they come into my room.

The book catches my attention, and a pang of remorse runs through me. Mom would never let me read this. Too sexy.