Anna entered her hotel room, dropping her bag by the door. She took a deep breath, glancing out the peep hole to make sure no one had followed her to her room. She eased to the bed, sitting down and staring at her image in the mirror on the wall next to the television. "All right Anna, you have a decision to make here." She took a deep breath, whispering to herself. She was afraid to move or speak any louder. "You can either help Jeremy…or you can help Reba." She slowly ran a hand through her hair, feeling tears well up in her eyes. It shouldn't be such a difficult choice to make, and on her way here she had thought she knew what she was going to do.
Anna removed her eyes from the mirror, letting them fall to her lap. She rubbed her hands down her thighs, trying to ease her nerves. When she flipped her hands over, her eyes focused on the scar along her palm. She ran a finger over it, remembering how much trouble Jeremy had gotten into for cutting their hands. She sighed, lowering her hand and shaking her head. Jeremy was her older brother, and he had done everything to protect her and keep her happy her whole childhood. Could she really turn against him now? Could she believe that he wasn't the hero but the villain instead? Anna closed her eyes, falling backwards on to the bed. She had no choice in this. She had to do the right thing, didn't she?
She took a deep breath, running her hands through her hair. Suddenly, a memory came flooding back to her from long ago. It was a fight between Jeremy and his best friend, Leroy Hensley, about Leroy's sister. Anna jumped to her feet, her breathing increasing with each second. Leroy had accused Jeremy of raping and tormenting his sister. When she had asked Jeremy about it later that night, he had simply told her that Leroy was heartbroken from his sister's suicide and had needed someone to blame for it. Anna took a deep breath before leaving the hotel room. She had something she needed to do before Kyle got to Houston.
Reba took a deep breath as she and Brock stopped at the small convenience store just a few miles from the cabin. She followed Brock inside, glancing over the small list of items they needed in order to stay at the cabin. Brock smiled encouragingly at her before reaching for her hand. Reba smiled back at him, slipping her hand around his. "So, we just need a few items for now, and later in the week, once we've settled in, we can get some more stuff, okay?" Reba nodded her head, taking a hand basket from Brock and following him up and down the aisles.
"Let's just get some cheese, butter, and bread. I could make grilled cheeses. We can get the rest of the groceries later. We'll probably need to clean up a bit so I think a few cleaning supplies would be necessary, too." Brock placed the groceries in her basket, nodding his head as she talked. They quietly walked around the store, finding what they needed quickly. They were both tired and ready to get to the cabin for the night. Brock chuckled when Reba slipped a big bag of mini candy bars into her basket before leading the way to the cashier.
"I thought you said just cheese, butter, and bread for now?" Reba glanced over her shoulder at him, smirking at his comment.
"Hey, with what I've been through I think a little chocolate is understandable. Oh, we'll need coffee and milk, too." Brock shook his head at her, turning around to get their last minute items. Reba smiled at the cashier, placing the items on the counter as she waited for Brock.
Ten minutes later they were turning off the main road onto a dirt road, and they both knew they were almost there. "How you feeling?" Brock asked quietly, unsure if he could take forcing her to stay if she wasn't comfortable with it. Reba smiled slightly, studying the trees around them.
"I'm okay. It's a little scary, but…I'm okay." Brock nodded his head, removing his right hand from the steering wheel and holding onto her left hand as they drove for another five minutes before pulling into the driveway of the large old cabin. "Oh, man, I forgot how beautiful it is here." Reba stared at the log cabin, slipping slowly out of the truck. Brock smiled at her, shutting off the vehicle and moving to the back to grab their suitcases.
"Yeah, you always did enjoy coming up here this time of year." Reba snapped out of her trance, and grabbed her purse and suitcase from the floor board before following Brock to the cabin. He opened the door, letting her walk past him as he held it opened. Reba stopped in the living room, looking around as old memories raced back to her. Her eyes filled with tears and a watery smile stretched across her lips. Brock was worried for a minute when he saw her reaction, and set the suitcases on the floor before gently touching her arm. Reba jumped slightly, chuckling at herself.
"Sorry. Just memories." She smiled at him, setting her suitcase down and letting her purse fall into the chair next to her. The room hadn't changed since she had last visited, and she was completely glad that it hadn't. It was comforting to finally have a place where only good memories existed. Brock nodded his head, watching Reba for a few seconds longer.
"Memories, huh?" He asked quietly, remembering a few trips as he glanced around the room. Reba nodded her head, pointing to the far corner of the room.
"That's where we would put the Christmas tree up during our group vacations and over there was where Cheyenne learned to tie her shoes." Reba took a deep breath, pausing a minute to remember her daughter's excitement. "Um, Kyra lost her first tooth after Ralph's son, Tyler, pushed her down for calling him a big cry baby." Brock chuckled softly, shaking his head as he remembered the rest of that night. "There're just a lot of really good memories here, Brock. I'm glad we came." Brock smiled at her comment, pulling her closer for a hug. Reba returned his hug, taking a deep breath as her anxiousness left for the time being.
Brock cleared his throat before bending down to pick up their suitcases. "Uh, I thought that you could have our old room, and I'd sleep next door in Ralph's room. Is that okay?" Reba slowly nodded her head, her attention drifting away from the memories and back to reality. She glanced down the hallway, fighting back the fears of sleeping alone. She'd eventually have to learn to do it again at some point. Now would be as good a time as any. "Once we get settled in a bit more, I'll check for firewood." Reba's attention shot to Brock, and as she registered his words, she felt a chill spread up and down her body.
"Now that you mention it, it is a little chilly in here. Was it always so cold up here?" Reba wrapped her arms around her body, rubbing her hands along her arms for warmth. Brock nodded his head, glancing around the cabin living room.
"Yeah, that was really the only negative thing about this place." Reba nodded her head in agreement, letting silence wash over the cabin. "Oh, shoot, the groceries are still in the car." Brock, once again, set down the suitcases before turning to leave the cabin. Reba watched him for a minute before grabbing her suitcases and heading down the hall for their old room. She slowly pushed the door opened, easing into the room. She tossed her suitcases onto the bed, opening the small pocket that held Barbra Jean's phone. As she turned it on, she quickly checked the hallway for Brock. When she didn't see him, she shut the door and focused her attention on the phone.
"Uh, Reba?" Brock's loud voice echoed down the hallway, causing Reba to jump. She placed a hand over her heart and tried to calm her breathing. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to bring a phone with her? It was too stressful trying to not get caught with it. "I'm going out for firewood, okay? I'll be right back. I'm taking one of the walkie-talkies with me." Reba tossed the phone to her bed before sticking her head into the hallway.
"Ok! Uh, just set the other one in the kitchen. I was gonna start dinner soon." Brock yelled an 'okay' before slamming the front door shut behind him. Reba took a deep breath, shaking her head. She turned around, walking back to the bed. She grabbed the phone, sending Barbra Jean a text message stating that they had arrived and were safe. She only had to wait a minute before the blonde sent her one back, saying that everyone there was safe and enjoying a movie before going to bed.
Reba took a deep breath, holding back tears. She could make it a few weeks without her family. She had to be strong now more than ever. They were counting on her to make it through this, and she was determined to do it. She sighed before hiding the phone once again, and leaving the bedroom to start a late dinner.
Anna pulled into a deserted parking lot, shutting down her car and taking a moment to calm her heartbeat. She took a deep breath, quickly climbing out of her car and running to the front door of her office building. She unlocked the door, easing inside the dark building quietly. She pressed the security code in before heading upstairs for her office. There had to be information on Leroy somewhere in the system. He had worked for her father for about five years before he lost his sister. She knew her father was a stickler about keeping up with all recent and past employee information. He never liked to throw anything away. She could only pray Jeremy hadn't changed that since he started working there.
She dropped into her chair, turning on her computer. She tried to ignore the feeling threatening to overtake her as she realized this was the room where Jeremy had killed their father. She took a deep breath, shrugging out of her jacket before typing in the password for her desktop. Twenty minutes later, she found what she was looking for, and smiled at the seven digit number flashing back at her. She quickly wrote the number on her hand before shutting off her computer and leaving the building.
Anna drove to a gas station just down the road from the hotel she was staying in for the night, and parked her car next to the vacant phone booth. She dug in her purse, finding enough change to make one phone call. After slipping in the change, she dialed the number on her hand, praying Leroy still had the same phone number. She sighed when a man's voice tiredly answered the phone. "Uh, yes, I'm sorry to be calling so late, but I was looking for Leroy Hensley." The voice on the other end sighed, and Anna listened as a bed creaked underneath his weight.
"Who's asking?" Anna took a deep breath, clearing her throat as she glanced around the parking lot. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to make this phone call so late? Forcing her fears to the back of her mind, she returned her attention to the conversation.
"This is Anna," She paused, realizing if this was Leroy then he wouldn't recognize her married name. She cleared her throat again, starting over. "This is Anna Shelton. My brother went to school with Mr. Hensley throughout high school and part of college. I really need to ask him some questions. It's really important." Anna tried to hold back on the desperation in her voice, but figured she might need it to win this man over.
"Well, Leroy's not here. Won't be able to talk to him for another five hours in the least." The man mumbled something that Anna couldn't make out; leaving her to wonder if she'd ran into a dead end. Anna took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She couldn't let this go so easily. There had to be a way to talk with Leroy.
"Can I leave a number where he can reach me at?" Anna smiled slightly when the man grumbled his okay, and quickly told him the number to her hotel room. Hopefully, she'd be able to talk with Leroy before Kyle made it to Houston. If not, then she'd have to find a way to tell her husband. Anna left a message before hanging up the pay phone and darting back to her car. She drove back to the hotel, impatiently awaiting a call back.
Reba took a deep breath as her grip on the walkie-talkie tightened. She could hear noises outside, and was trying not to over react. She kept her back to the kitchen wall, her eyes darting to every corner of the large room. She was safely hidden between the refrigerator and the counter with the empty trash can in front of her. When the front door banged into the other side of the wall, Reba yelped before covering her mouth with her hand. She felt her heartbeat increase as a few loud stomps could be heard coming from the living room. She took another deep breath, holding it as she tried to calm her heartbeat long enough to listen.
"Reba?" She relaxed slightly at Brock's voice, and tried not to get too excited that it was only him. "Honey, where are you?" Standing up slowly, she pushed the trash can out of her way. Brock walked into the kitchen, rain drops falling from his soaked body. Reba smiled at him, trying not to let on that he had just scared her half to death. She slipped the walkie-talkie on the table as Brock stepped out of his boots.
"Did you find any firewood?" Reba sat down at the table, taking a few deep breaths in hopes of calming her trembling body. Brock walked to her side, sitting down in the chair across from her. He nodded his head as he studied her for a minute. Reba looked away from him, afraid he would read the fear in her eyes.
"Are you okay?" Reba nodded her head, fighting the want to bite her bottom lip. She had to be strong. Brock sighed, giving her a look that said he knew she was lying. "Reba, you're shaking. Now, what happened? Please, talk to me." Reba sighed, standing up to walk away. Brock's eyes followed her movement.
"Nothing, okay?"
"No, not okay. I let you slide by with that excuse too many times in the last few months. I can't let another…I just don't want you to bottle it all up until you have another flashback like the one last night." Reba looked over her shoulder at him, and frowned at his black eye. She owed him at least one free pass after beating him up like she had. She sighed, letting her arms fall to her sides, and moved back to the chair across from him.
"You scared me coming inside. See, no big deal." Reba jumped slightly when thunder boomed, causing her cheeks to shade a slight pink. Brock scooted his chair closer to hers, and held onto her hands gently. Reba looked him in the eyes, letting out a frustrated breath.
"It's okay to be scared. It's okay to think he's coming back, and it's okay to not believe anything I'm about to say; but just know you're gonna get past all this." Brock paused, waiting for a sign that Reba was listening. When she took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulder muscles, Brock continued. "I'm not expecting you to come here and then instantly be better. It's not gonna work that fast. I know that. I'm willing to wait as long as it takes, Reba. I'm not gonna leave you or walk away from this. So if you get scared or if you have a problem with something…I want you to talk to me about it. I want to work through it with you…if and when you need me." Brock squeezed her hands gently, staring into her eyes as he waited for a reaction or response.
Reba took a deep breath, holding back her tears. She pulled her hands away from him, nodding her head at his words. She cupped his cheek with one of her hands, using the other to cover her mouth. "Thank you, Brock. I'll try to keep that in mind." Brock smiled sweetly at her as she pulled her hand away.
"That's all I'm asking for." They sat in silence for a minute before Reba snapped out of their trance. She stood up immediately, taking a few steps away from him and wiping her cheeks. Brock stood up as well, but stayed next to his chair.
"Uh…" Reba swallowed to clear her throat, and moved to pick up his boots from the middle of the kitchen floor. "You should get out of those wet clothes before you get sick. I'll wash them in the morning. Um, I guess, for now just leave them in the bathtub." Brock nodded his head as he followed her out of the room.
"The storm is crazy tonight. I'm glad we made it here before it starting pouring." Brock walked down the hallway, not surprised when Reba told him to quit dripping on the floor. He chuckled to himself, glad to see a little bit more of her old spunk returning. Maybe this cabin would have the exact medicine she needed?
Once Brock had changed clothes and started a fire, he and Reba settled onto the love seat in front of the fire place with half a grilled cheese each. "Thanks for splitting this with me. I wasn't really that hungry after dinner at the restaurant." Reba took a small bite as she watched Brock search for a blanket that didn't have a storage smell to it.
"No problem." Brock walked back to the couch, wrapping half the blanket around Reba before sitting next to her and wrapping the other half around him. "This is the only one that didn't smell too awful." Reba nodded her head, realizing they had a full day of cleaning tomorrow. "Are you warm enough?" Reba smiled at his concern, nodding her head before scooting a little closer to him. She ate the last bite of her sandwich, keeping her eyes away from his.
"Do you really think this will work, Brock? I mean, it's been a while since that afternoon and I'm still nowhere close to where I need to be." Reba kept her eyes on the flames from the fire, too nervous to look at Brock. She heard him sigh, and bit her bottom lip. Brock wrapped his arm around Reba, leaning his head on hers when she rested it against his shoulder.
"Yeah, I think it'll work, and you're not giving yourself enough credit, Reba. You're closer than you think." He paused for a second, the fire taking him captive for a moment. "You've let Cheyenne and Van move back into their house. That's a step…a pretty big step if you ask me." Reba sighed, interrupting him.
"I didn't want to though." Reba whispered, folding her legs underneath her as she wrapped her arm around Brock's waist. He nodded his head, his thumb rubbing a small comforting line on her upper arm.
"I know, but you let them go anyways." He paused, letting his meaning soak in for a bit. He felt Reba sigh, and knew she wanted more examples. She needed more convincing. He took a deep breath, stretching his legs out and resting them on the coffee table in front of them. "Let's see, you've left the house, continued to go to work and grocery shop, and went back to your house. Those are some pretty big deals if you were to ask me." Reba scrunched her mouth to the side, snuggling closer to Brock for comfort.
She stayed silent, afraid arguing with him would only lead to her winning, and she really needed him to be right this time. "I hope you're right, Brock. It'll be hard living like this." Brock bit his lip, staying quiet and letting her words haunt them before kissing the top of her head.
"We'll make it work if I'm wrong…but I know I'm right." Reba smiled slightly, concentrating on the flames. Brock let the subject drop, feeling her body relax against his. It wouldn't be too much longer before she either fell asleep or headed to bed.
"You promise?" Reba whispered softly, tightly closing her eyes as she awaited his answer. She bit her bottom lip and held back the tears when Brock said he promised and would keep this promise no matter what happened. A minute passed before Brock felt a slight trembling coming from the body next to him, and looked down at the redhead.
"Reba, are you cold?" Reba took a deep breath, mentally cursing when her breath shook from the tears falling from her eyes. Brock scooted away from her, gently turning her face so he could look at her. "Oh, Honey, what's wrong? Did I do something?" Reba shook her head, trying to control her outpour. She raised her shaking hand, beginning to wipe away the tear tracks on her cheeks. Brock gently rubbed his thumb over her cheeks, helping her quietly.
"I'm just…tired." She took a deep breath, smiling sadly at him. Brock nodded his head, staring into her eyes as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Reba let out a breath, glancing down to her hands which rested in her lap. "You really aren't going to leave me again, are you?"
"No." Brock shook his head, adding emphasis to his answer. Reba gave him a half smile, looking to the side for a moment before returning her eyes to his. "Even when I'm better? When we move back to our houses, and move on from this…when we get back to our old lives…before Jeremy came into the picture?" Brock took a deep breath, reaching for her hands. Reba swallowed the lump in her throat, finally letting it sink in that Brock had no plans of leaving her any time soon.
"Well, we're still good friends, aren't we?" Reba nodded her head. "Then I say…you ain't rid of me yet, Red, and you won't be for a very, very long time…even then I'm positive one of us is gonna haunt the other one." Reba chuckled softly, nodding her head in agreement. He always had known what to say to make her feel better, and Reba leaned in to give him a hug.
"Thanks, Brock. This was just what I needed." Brock returned the hug, closing his eyes in relief. He had been nervous that she wouldn't believe him. He felt her pull away, and watched intently as she stood to her feet. "Uh, I think…I'm gonna head to bed. We have a big day of cleaning tomorrow. Don't stay up too late, okay?" Brock nodded his head, wishing her a good night and watching as she walked out of the living room and down the hall to her room.