Die Before Nightfall Read online

  “That’s right.”

  “She’s here at the cottage with me. I’m afraid she got a bit confused and—”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  Shane knew he was being rude, knew he should have given the woman a chance to speak, but his relief at knowing his aunt was safe overwhelmed his social skills. Not that he had many to begin with.

  “Is she—?” Martha’s voice trembled, her wide brown eyes still overflowing with tears.

  “She’s all right. I’m going to get her. Do me a favor and brew some of that tea she likes. What’s it called?”

  “Chamomile?”

  “That’s the one. I shouldn’t be more than a few minutes.”

  He knew the cottage. Had been there as a child and had no trouble finding it now. The driveway was still dirt and gravel, the house still pale yellow. Shane pulled up close to the porch and hopped out of his Mustang convertible.

  The front door opened before he had a chance to take a step, and a woman walked out. Flower child. That was Shane’s first impression. Curly, untamed hair, flowy confection of a dress, and bare feet scraped and covered with dirt. He figured her to be flighty, naive, maybe a little scattered. Then he met her gaze and was surprised at the calm intelligence he saw there.

  “You must be Shane.” Her voice still sounded pleasant, though decidedly cooler than it had on the phone.

  “And you’re Raven.”

  “Yes. Come in.” She stepped aside, allowing him to pass.

  He caught a whiff of something flowery and light, heard the rustle of her dress as he brushed by, and thought of summer nights and fancy parties. Then he saw Abby and froze. She looked frail. Old.

  “What am I going to do with you, Aunt Abby?”

  Raven heard the pain in those words and her judgment shifted. She’d thought the man careless, unconcerned, but realized now she’d been wrong. She moved beside him, placed a hand on his arm and was surprised by a jolt of feeling. She’d thought herself immune to men, hoped herself immune.

  Apparently she’d been wrong. She dropped her hand, but couldn’t resist the urge to comfort. “She’s all right. No harm was done.”

  “No? I disagree. Look at her. Sleeping like a baby. How will she feel when she wakes up, not knowing where she is? Maybe not even knowing who she is?”

  She sensed his frustration. He wanted to fix things, couldn’t, and was angry at his own inability. Raven could understand that. She was ready to say as much, when Abby surged off the couch, screeching, screaming, arms flailing as she lunged across the room.

  “Dead! Thea’s dead!”

  Chapter Two

  Raven sidestepped, not quite avoiding the clawed fingers aimed at her face. Heart hammering, she moved behind the older woman, brushing against Shane who’d leaned in to help, and slipping an arm around Abby’s waist. “It’s okay, Abby. You’re dreaming. Wake up now. Your nephew is here.”

  As she spoke she led Abby back to the couch and settled her onto the cushions.

  “I need to go home.”

  “Shane’s come to take you there.”

  “Shane? Such a fine boy. It’s been years since I’ve seen him, you know.”

  “Well, you’re in luck today. He’s here.” Raven wished the man would take his cue and step forward instead of watching with such concentration.

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Right there.”

  She gestured in his direction and Shane finally got the hint, hurrying forward and placing a kiss on his aunt’s cheek.

  “Aunt Abby. I’ve been worried about you.”

  “Then you should have come to visit. I’ve missed you.”

  “And I you. Come on, let’s go home.” He held out a hand and helped his aunt up, the look on his face more gentle than Raven would have believed possible from such a big, hard-looking man.

  “Let me get some slippers for Abby’s feet.”

  “I’m fine, dear. Don’t bother yourself.”

  “Bare feet again, Aunt Abby? We’re going to have to do something about that. Can’t have you walking around town with your toes hanging out.” Shane smiled down at his aunt, kindly, smoothly taking the decision out of her hands.

  Still, it stung. Raven could see it in the sudden coolness of Abby’s eyes. Her memory might be going, but pride still lived in the woman’s soul.

  “I think I have just the thing.” Raven grabbed some sandals from the closet and held them out. “Perfect for a sunny day.”

  “Lovely. Thank you, dear.”

  Raven helped Abby slide her feet into the shoes, conscious of Shane’s gaze. When she straightened, she met his eyes and was surprised by the intensity she saw there. “She’s all set.”

  “Thanks. I’ll return the sandals to you this evening.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I won’t miss them.”

  “I’ll return them.” He put a hand under Abby’s elbow and led her outside.

  Raven closed the door and released the breath she’d been holding. There was something about Shane Montgomery that threw her off balance, made her jittery and tense. She didn’t like the feeling. She didn’t like it at all.

  A harsh knock sounded at the door. Raven pulled it open, then stepped back. Silhouetted in the doorway Shane seemed even larger than he had before.

  “I forgot to thank you. I do appreciate what you’ve done. Aunt Abby is…” His voice trailed off.

  “She’s your aunt. A wonderful, strong, funny woman.”

  “Yes. She is. It’s just harder to see that sometimes. Sorry about your cheek.”

  His finger skimmed across her stinging flesh. Gentle, tender. Just as his touch had been with Abby.

  But Raven was caregiver, not invalid, and she shifted away, uncomfortable with the gesture. “It’s nothing.”

  “It’s something and I’m sorry it happened. Now, I’d better get her home.”

  This time Raven waited at the door until the car disappeared from sight, wondering about the man who drove it. Shane seemed both gruff and caring. Devoted to his aunt, yet already burdened by her care. Would he be the kind to turn his back when the already rocky road got rockier? Would he stick it out until Abby didn’t know him anymore? Until she didn’t know herself? Or would he be one of the few that stayed until the last breath?

  Raven wouldn’t even try to guess. Shane and Abby were family, and family was something she had little experience with, something she’d come to Lakeview, Virginia, to learn about. If she dared.

  Her hands trembling just a little, she walked to the phone and picked up the phone book that sat beside it. She didn’t need to read the circled number. She’d memorized it earlier, had fought with herself about whether to call. Was still fighting with herself.

  Had he changed much? As a scared eight-year-old, she’d seen Ben as a father, not a brother. It wasn’t until years later that she’d realized how young he’d been. Perhaps to him, being taken from their home had been a blessing. Perhaps he wanted nothing more than to put that part of his life behind him. If so, did Raven want to know? She’d been disappointed so many times in her life. Each time had hurt just a little more. Now she wondered if it would be better to forget the idea of reconciliation with her brother. Leave things as they had been so many years ago when she was too young to know that knights in shining armor were as tarnished as the rest of the world.

  But it was too late to back out. She was here. All she had to do was work up the courage to reach for what she so desperately wanted—family.

  Muscles tense with anxiety, she picked up the phone and dialed the number. Then closed her eyes as the phone rang. Once. Twice.

  “Grace Christian Church, Penny speaking. May I help you?”

  Raven swallowed hard and forced words past the fear in her throat. “Yes, I was wondering if Pastor Ben Avery is in today.”

  “He is. Would you like to speak with him?”

  “No. Well, yes, but I’d prefer to speak to him in person.”

  “I’m sorry. His sc
hedule is full. Would you like me to take a message?”

  “Will you deliver it to him now? It’s very important.”

  “Yes. Of course.”

  “Tell him Raven called. Tell him I’m on my way to the church.”

  “I—”

  “Thank you.” Raven hung up, grabbed a sweater from the closet, slid her feet into clogs and walked out the door.

  She didn’t think, didn’t plan. What good would it do? Life had a way of happening in exactly the way it was meant to. No matter how hard one fought against it.

  The church parking lot was nearly empty, the man standing in the center even more noticeable because of it. Faded blue jeans, a dark sweatshirt, sandy hair just a bit long, he watched Raven’s car as she parked near the church. Watched as she got out. Even from a distance she could see his eyes—startling blue in a tan, handsome face.

  And she knew. Knew before he took the first step, before he sprinted across the area that separated them. Ben. Older, broader. A man now, not a boy, but still it was Ben running toward her, pulling her into his arms. The embrace so familiar, yet completely different.

  “Raven.” No shout of joy. Just a whisper against her hair.

  She pressed her cheek against the thud of Ben’s heart, wrapping her arms around his waist, pretending for just a moment that twenty years didn’t separate them.

  They stood that way for several minutes. Then Ben pulled back, loosening his hold but not letting go. “Do you know how long I’ve been praying for this?”

  His gaze skimmed her face, her hair, the flowing dress she wore. “You’re all grown up. And beautiful.”

  “Not beautiful.”

  “Yes, beautiful. Come inside. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

  And as easily as that, he accepted her.

  Raven allowed herself to be led through the church hall and into an office. A slim blond woman looked up as they walked in, her green eyes narrowing as she caught sight of Ben’s arm draped across Raven’s shoulder.

  “Penny, this is my sister, Raven.”

  “Sister?” Penny’s face relaxed and she stood, her hand extended in greeting. “I had no idea you had a sister, Ben. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “A pleasure to meet you, too.”

  “Are you in town for a visit?”

  “I—”

  “No third-degree today, Penny. I’m going to grab my things and head home. Can you call Jim Ross? See if he minds filling in on visitation today.”

  “Of course.”

  Ben nodded, then ushered Raven into a small room. “This is my office, such as it is.”

  She imagined him sitting behind the old wood desk, his brow furrowed in concentration as he worked at the computer. Imagined him standing in front of a congregation, preaching, teaching, ministering. It fit.

  Her brother the pastor.

  “You’re smiling. What are you thinking?” He spoke as he grabbed a briefcase and led her back out of the office.

  “That this fits you. The church. The office.” They stepped into the hall, and Raven leaned close. “Even the jealous receptionist.”

  “Jealous? Penny?” He laughed. “She’s got bigger fish to fry. Last I heard she was dating a doctor. You still like pink lemonade?”

  “It’s my favorite.”

  “You’re in luck, then. I always keep a pitcher of it in the fridge. My house is right through those trees.”

  Decorated in neutral tones, the small, one-level house didn’t seem to reflect anything about the owner. No photos. No knickknacks. Just clean white walls, a few tasteful prints and comfortable furniture.

  “Have a seat. I’ll be right back.”

  Raven did as she was asked, easing down onto the sofa and trying hard to look relaxed. Ben was both brother and stranger to her. That made things awkward.

  “You’re sad.” He handed her a tall glass of lemonade and sat beside her.

  “A little. You’re not the big brother who gave me piggyback rides to the grocery store and bandaged my scraped knees.”

  “I know. And you’re not the little girl with braids and ribbons. But we’re still siblings. Still family.”

  “That’s why I came.”

  “Then there’s nothing to be sad about.”

  “We’re strangers, Ben. Not family.”

  “Families are built. One day at a time. One experience at a time.”

  “You seem so…accepting about this.”

  “I guess I’m too happy for anything else. When I got your letters I thought—”

  “Letters?” Raven felt the breath catch in her lungs.

  “Six or seven years ago. You said you’d contact me if and when you were ready.”

  “I didn’t write you.”

  “I kept the letters. Come on, I’ll show you.” He led Raven down a short hall and into a room that was almost a replica of his office at the church. “Take a look.”

  There were four letters, each dated more than six years ago. Each typewritten with Raven’s name scrawled across the bottom.

  “I didn’t write these.”

  “Sit down. You’re pale as a ghost.” Ben pressed her down into a chair and crouched in front of her, his vivid eyes filled with concern. “Tell me. If you didn’t write the letters, then who?”

  “My husband.”

  “I’d wondered.”

  “Did you?” Raven ran a hand through her hair, felt the tangles and wished she’d tied it back prim and proper, the way she’d worn it for so many years. “I didn’t. I just assumed what Jonas told me was true. That you’d forgotten all about me. Gone on with your life.”

  “You married young.”

  “Not so young. I was twenty.”

  “And your husband was what? Forty?”

  “You seem to know an awful lot about my life.”

  “Want me to tell you more? Mom regained custody of you the year after we were taken away. You lived in Chicago. Then Baltimore. You graduated high school there, at the top of your class, a year ahead of your peers. Four years later you received a degree in nursing from the University of Maryland. Married the same year. A doctor.”

  “Like I said, you know a lot about my life.”

  “I cared, Raven. There’s never been a time that you weren’t in my heart and mind. It just took me a long time to find you. Mom—”

  “Was Mom.” Raven didn’t want to dredge up the past. Didn’t want to open the old wounds.

  “She didn’t have credit cards. Didn’t use her real name most of the time. It was hard to track you down. Once I found you I tried to call. You didn’t want to talk to me. At least that’s what your husband told me. So I wrote a year’s worth of letters. And at the end of that year, I got those—” Ben gestured to the folder Raven held.

  She wanted to offer an explanation, to tell him the truth about her life with Jonas, but she wouldn’t. Her past was something she didn’t share. “I’m sorry Jonas lied to you.”

  “Don’t apologize for your husband. Let him do that.”

  “He died three years ago.”

  “Now it’s my turn to say I’m sorry. I lost my wife over five years ago. I know how much it hurts.”

  “Were you married long?”

  “Two years. Not nearly long enough.” There was sadness in his eyes, but he smiled anyway. “At least I have some wonderful memories. How about you?”

  “I have memories.”

  He eyed her for a moment, his gaze intense. Then, as if sensing her reluctance to discuss her marriage, he stood and held out a hand to pull her to her feet. “You left your lemonade in the other room. Let’s go get it.”

  The phone rang as they walked back into the living room, the answering machine greeting cutting in after the second ring. Then Raven heard, “Hey, Ben. It’s Ray. Mom and Dad said you were flying in tomorrow. Said I should pick you up. What time’s good?”

  Mom? Dad? She ran the words through her mind as Ben reached for the phone.

  “Hi, Ray. Listen, my s
ister’s here—Yeah. I can’t believe it, either. Can you tell Mom and Dad I can’t make it this year? I don’t know. Maybe. Listen. I’ll call you tonight and tell you more. Bye.”

  He hung up the phone and smiled at Raven. “Sorry about that. My foster family has a reunion every year. Ray’s in charge of coordinating it this time.”

  “It starts tomorrow?”

  “Yes. Two weeks at Camp Remington. Fifty adults. Dozens of kids. Lots of food.”

  “You’re not going to cancel because of me?”

  “I’m going to cancel because I want to.”

  “Ben, no.”

  “I see my foster parents every few months, the rest of the family a couple of times a year. They won’t miss me.”

  “Please don’t cancel. I just arrived, I’m still settling in. I’ve got unpacking to do. A job to find.”

  “I can help you with all that.”

  “I need to do this on my own. Go to your reunion. Enjoy yourself. When you come back, we’ll talk more.”

  He was going to refuse, Raven could see it. A memory flashed through her mind. Ben, much younger, but just as determined, begging the grocer to give Raven a sandwich from the deli. He’d been tenacious. Unwilling to take no for an answer.

  The boy lingered in the eyes of the man.

  But time must have tempered Ben’s will. He nodded. “I can see you need some time. I’ll give it to you. But just the two weeks. Then we talk. And I want your phone number, so I can call. Otherwise I’ll think this was all a dream.”

  Raven smiled at his words, some of her tension easing. “You’re still bossy.”

  “And you’re still my little sister. Which gives me the right to boss you. Come on. Let’s go into town. There’s a great diner there. We’ll get some lunch and I’ll show you around.”

  He flung his arm around Raven’s shoulder, the gesture so right, so natural, that for a moment she could almost believe they’d never been apart.

  Chapter Three

  By the time Raven returned to the cottage, daylight had given way to evening shadows. She stood on the front porch, her gaze drawn to the horizon, watching as the last rays of light disappeared. Her time with Ben had been easy and comfortable, their reunion much like she’d always hoped it would be. Still she wondered—at the family he was so much a part of, at the wife he’d loved and still missed.