chapter 81

Has fate finally given us the answers we'd been searching for? Could we finally figure out why Jake was left out in the storm and why his mother did this? I looked at Joe and mulled over what he had said about his missing employee.

Had we finally found Jake's mom? The timeline was too much of a coincidence all the pieces were falling into place. But the million dollar question hadn't been answered yet.

Where was she now? Before I got a chance to question him, Star started to bombard him with questions. Poor man would open his mouth but before he could answer she would ask another one. I caught Popeye's eye and motioned him towards Joe, we needed answers and Star was not letting us do our job, she was excited I got that but we needed to be careful of what we said to the man, we needed to keep our cards close to the vest there were too many questions still not answered.

I asked Star if I could talk to her. Before she could ask another question, she came to me.

"Boss man, why did you pull me away? This is important we finally have a solid lead; Sabrina could be Jake's mom and we need to get as much information from Joe."

I smiled down at her, "Yes but you're letting your excitement overshadow what we need to know. Popeye is talking to the man, and we will know more about Sabrina and maybe even why she did what she did. I need you to let us take care of this okay? No going out on your own to follow up on any leads. Boyd is still out there. We need to take this threat seriously, and I've gotten more gray hair these last two days worrying about the women in my life. Star, I couldn't stand if anything happened to you and CJ would have my hide."

She hugged me and agreed to stay close.

"No worries their Boss man I won't be stepping out unless I have one of you with me, I get it trust me. I might be calm on the outside but seriously I'm shook, I don't know why this psycho is after me. I don't know what I did to have him want to hurt me with what happened to Wick, Tiny and Beast. I won't take any chances you guys have enough to worry about."

I pulled her in for another hug and reassured her that we would keep her safe that he would not get that close to her ever again.

She pulled back and smiled, "I know I am safe as long as I'm with my family. He tried to hurt me and failed, you guys made sure I was safe. I haven't felt safe in such a long time, thanks Boss man for not letting me push you away that day on the pier, I don't know where I'd be."

"You'd still be safe, Sweet Pea I'd freaking guarantee it!"

We turned around. Luca and Will had arrived at the Bar. Luca made a bee line to Star and she met him half way and he engulfed her in a hug, Luca looked like the weight of the world had been lifted off of him as did Will.

He came over to me, "Hey Cuz, I swear I've never been happier seeing you and everyone here. When CJ called and told us what happened at the Pier and that Star was missing we came right over. Don't worry Luca has literally an army guarding our family at the hospital. They are an intimidating bunch no one is going to mess with us there and he sent out the word that Star was missing and his people are scouring the boardwalk and pier. They all know what Boyd did and like Luca said the man has minutes to live not hours. They'll find him."

Popeye agreed and asked if there was any word on Wick and Tiny he shook his head. Star came up to Will and threw herself into his arms and started to babble.

"Will I'm so sorry about Beast? Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? It's all my fault I put my best friend in danger and now he's hurt and I understand if you don't want me hanging around him anymore and if you don't want me to take care of him it will hurt but I don't ever want my buddy to ever be hurt because of me."

She burst into tears and Will looked around, with all the commotion they must have forgotten to tell him about Beast. He held her close and looked at me and mouthed Beast? I whispered he was alright and at the moment at the Vet's

"Will, he had attacked Boyd when he had gotten too close to Star. Went into attack mode and yeah he got hurt but he's on the mend trust me, he's in good hands."

He pulled her away and she gasped. "Star, he protected you. That is what he would do for all of us but especially you, he protects those he loves and you don't have to ask for forgiveness he would do it all over again you know this. He's a tough guy and it seems he's more yours than mine. I'd like to go see him if that's possible."

Luca was shocked but Popeye filled him in what Tiny had told us at the pier before he was taken to the hospital.

"He's with Dr. Carter, she's keeping an eye on him. Luca I had one of your guys that was at Houston's go over and keep an eye on her and the hound from hell. The others had to stick with Sarah. She's at Houston's remember? Will if you want to go check on him it's a walking distance from here."

Joe stepped closer to us, Will pulled Star closer and Luca stood next to her eyeing him.

Joe was stunned, "What happened at the Pier? Was Sabrina hurt? Is she at the hospital? Why were they trying to hurt Star? Can someone fill me in before I just go straight to the police? This is way beyond what I expected to find out and I need to use your phone Cheryl must be going crazy not knowing what's going on and I don't want a pissed off pregnant wife. I need some answers guys."

Luca looked at us, "Sabrina? Who's that? Wait, your Farmer Joe don't you have a pregnant wife? Where are you here on Friday? Popeye, is that Jake's mom?"

Everyone started to talk at once and I rolled my eyes and the Preacher whistled loudly and they all stopped.

"Joe is a farmer from up north, his wife Cheryl is at home but they did send down one of their employees to sell for them her name is Sabrina and she is pregnant. I hope that answers your question Luca and Joe. I think we should head to my house and tell you what we know and hopefully you can fill in the blanks".

Luca nodded and Popeye chimed in, Joe this is Houston. Houston I told him you are a PI and said you'd be happy to help him find Sabrina and his missing truck."

I shook his hand and said we would do everything we could to help him find Sabrina. He asked about Jake and wondered if it was Sabrina's baby and kept shaking his head.

"She's not due for another month, I had reservations about her coming down by herself. I was coming with her but I got sick and everything was packed in the truck. She said she had been looking forward to visiting friends, because it might be the last time she'd be able to travel before the baby came. Cheryl told me yesterday that Sabrina was having second thoughts that something was bugging her but she didn't want to let us down and told my wife that she was worrying about nothing and decided it was going to be a good trip. "

He pulled his cap off and put his hand through his hair. You could tell he was worried.

"My wife is due 2 days before her, they bonded and that's why we offered her the job at the farm. It calmed Cheryl down to have someone going through the same thing as her. I'm really hoping it's not Sabrina's baby at the hospital. Popeye filled me in on how he was found and that does not sound like Sabrina. She has no family and the baby's father passed away. Preacher you might know him, he went by Jimmy, nice kid."

Preacher nodded, "Yeah he died in a motorcycle accident about 5 months ago. I didn't know they were together, Sabrina was a regular here at the pier till she left with a bunch of kids or so I thought didn't know she went up north with you Joe. I think Momma would know more, she always has a soft spot for the pier girls."

I made a mental note to ask momma later what she knew about Sabrina. I suggested we go to my house and talk some more. I needed to call the hospital and check on everyone, especially CJ. I really needed to hear her voice and see how Jake was doing.

"Yeah Cowboy, let's go to your place, Preacher you're going to have to come with us we are going to need all the information you can remember about Sabrina."

He nodded and suggested he'd tell his crew to come back when he would be there to supervise, saying he loved his crew but could get into some trouble if he wasn't there to keep the peace.

"I don't think they can mess it up anymore than it already is right Popeye?"

He shrugged his shoulders and said they could stay, "Preacher told them they can't be sneaking a beer or any type of alcohol, I don't want to lose my liquor license."

Preacher agreed and went to see what progress they had made and to tell them to be on their best behavior.

Will was going to check on Beast real quick Star went with him and we went to the Bar to get Preacher to go to my house. We would go through the tapes and see if we could identify her if she even made it to the market and if so was anyone watching her or was she with someone. So many questions and no answers. Yet.

The bar was starting to look better, Popeye was giving one of Preacher's crew some cash. He wanted the wall painted; he didn't want Star to have any reminders of Boyd and I agreed. They promised to have the painting done and get rid of the message. The others were sweeping and seeing what could be salvaged. Most of the chairs were still in decent shape but most of the alcohol had been smashed.

Luca put his hand on his shoulder and tried to console him.

"It's just material things Luca, I don't care about that. I am mad but I'm also grateful that he didn't hurt Sarah that I couldn't live with. I'm slowly losing my control though, we still haven't got any updates on Tiny and Wick and that asshole is still breathing, so Cowboy let's get to your house we need to go through those tapes and see if we can find any trace of Sabrina, hey Joe did you have a picture of Sabrina?"

He nodded and pulled out an envelope with pictures. I walked over wanting to see what Jake's mom looked like. I looked down and saw a pretty brunette smiling at me. Jake had the same color hair and a feeling came over me. This was Jake's mom. No doubt my gut told me and it was rarely wrong.

"That was taken a couple of weeks ago and this one is with my wife. They were comparing stomachs she is carrying high and knows it's a girl and Sabrina was carrying low so she knew she was carrying a boy. They made so many plans on how they were going to raise both together and were even planning their wedding. God that seems like years ago. Can we go to the hospital? Also, I want to see the baby and the woman who saved him, once we find Sabrina she's going to want to knit her something. She had so many blankets, booties, and hats done she was so happy she was having a baby."

I didn't know what to say, I looked at Popeye and he was at a loss for words too.

Star and Will walked in and we all moved towards them. Luca motioned that we were leaving and Preacher reminded his crew to be on their best behavior. We got in our cars and made it to my house.

Luca went in first yelling out to his crew that he was there. They came out as did Sarah. She had been hiding in the laundry room and saw Star and came over to hug her.

I went straight for the phone, I need to hear CJ's voice and to get an update on our family.

Will handed me a piece of paper with a number on it. He said it was the conference room we had met this morning and sure enough she answered.

"Houston! Did you find her? Is she okay? Oh God I should have just gone down there with you to find her."

I closed my eyes and listened to her curse and then apologized and made me smile. Everything was going to be okay, she was the balm my wounded soul needed right now. Her being on the phone wasn't enough. I wanted her right in front of me to hug and breathe in her scent. God I miss her.

"Houston, are you still there? Please talk to me."

"We found her, she's fine, a little scared but not hurt. She actually did what she was told to do. Which was a miracle since the women in my life are teaming up to kill me."

She giggled, oh God how I wish she was here.

"We are fine, just a little agitated that we let that jackass get away and hurt our family. Speaking of family news?"

CJ said that Tiny and Wick were out of surgery and were doing fine. Momma and Chris were in the recovery room and once she saw that he was okay with her own two eyes she'd be back in the conference room. I told her to hold on while I relayed the good news.

Everyone let out a sigh of relief and smiles were on all their faces.

Star came over and wanted to talk to CJ. Before I handed her the phone I told her not to say anything about Jake's mom. I wanted to tell her myself and to give me the phone back once she was done talking to her.

She nodded as I handed her the phone. "I need to tell her about Beast. Do you think she's going to be mad? Maybe I won't tell her, but that's not right I need to tell her so okay I will".

Luca motioned me over to the living room.

"Okay Joe tell us when Sabrina came to live with you and everything about her behavior, social life, anything up to the day she came to sell at the pier. Nothing is too small or big. Preacher, I need you to remember anything about Jimmy and Sabrina. We need to see if they have any family they might say they didn't but most runaways are running from something. Maybe she had a family and decided to go back to them but couldn't with a baby. Remember any detail is something that could lead to something bigger."

Popeye filled Sarah in on what was going on and what had happened at the Pier. She was shocked and went over to give Star a hug and stood by her as she talked to CJ.

"Hey Cowboy do you have any leftovers? I am starving and I'm sure everyone else is so let's heat something up or what can we rustle up."

My stomach grumbled and I couldn't agree more with Popeye. Sarah said she would make us sandwiches since she and Luca's crew had eaten all the Italian leftovers and Luca and Popeye groaned and nearly wanted to pummel the guys for not leaving anything.

"I'll make the sandwiches but I'd really like to go to the store to resupply but I can't leave this place right?"

We agreed sandwiches would be fine and Luca's crew said they'd take her to the market if Luca gave them the green light. He said yes and Star came over saying she wanted to help make dinner too.

"Star you hung up?"

She shook her head and pointed at where the phone was, Popeye was talking to my girl and flirting. When would this guy give up with everything going on he still likes to yank my chain. I went over and yanked the phone from him and told him to go because I need some alone time with my girl.

I could hear her giggle as Popeye continued with his pickup lines and asking when she was going to dump me. Luca pulled Popeye away as did Will looking at me and whispering I had better be on my toes or Popeye might steal my girl right from under me.

"Not a chance, after all this time I'm not giving up. Right darling?"

There was silence on the line then she cleared her throat, "Were you talking to me or Devin, because you two would make a cute couple and who am I to stand in the way of happiness."

I could hear the laughter on the other side Maureen, Carol and even Uncle Roy were laughing.

"Ha Ha, not funny counselor. I was going to tell you I miss you and we might have found Jake's mom."

The phone dropped onto the table.

"CJ? CJ you there?"

"Nephew what's going on CJ is as pale as a ghost and almost missed the chair she was going to sit in. Did something happen to Star, answer me boy."

I told him what I had just told CJ he relayed the information to the rest of our family, Uncle Roy handed her the phone again.

"What, when did one of Star's leads pay off? Who is she? Is she there with you oh my god Houston we found Jake's mom."

I told her not quite and went into detail about everything we knew and she relayed it all to our family. The last thing I told her was about the pictures.

She didn't say anything.

"We need to find her. He needs her and we are just taking her place till she can come forward. Did this man Joe say she was a good person?"

I relayed what Joe had said about her and how she had knitted him blankets and that she was excited about his arrival.

She sniffled and whispered, "Houston what if…"

"Stop it CJ she could have had second thoughts, she's young maybe…"

"No, if she was excited, maybe someone did something to her, what are you guys going to do, what other leads do you have? With this Boyd situation and the bugs we aren't giving this our full attention. We need to focus on finding her. Houston she could be hurt and it's been how many days?"

She was thinking the same thing: the longer we couldn't find her, instead of searching it would be a recovery.

"We are doing everything to find her. We have a picture that will make flyers and go up and down the coast to hand them out. Luca said he had people looking for Star. These same people can be used to knock on doors and ask and search for her everywhere. You need to be there for Jake, I'll find CJ I promise."

She didn't respond and my heart sank.

"CJ? Please talk to me. You believe me right? I'll find her."

"I know, it's just I wish you were right here with me. I need one of your hugs. They make me feel safe and secure and right now I don't know what I'm feeling. It feels like the world doesn't want us to be together and it's scary."

I could hear the insecurity in her voice and I wanted to reassure her that I wasn't going anywhere.

"Houston, all I know is that you have to find her and I have to make sure Jake recovers, he needs to be able to come home when she's found. We might have to put our happiness on hold. So what's your next step?"

She said the last with a quiver in her voice. I motioned to Will and told CJ to hold on. I went up to my bedroom and picked up the phone I wanted privacy and told Will to hang up.

"CJ, do you know how badly I want to hold you right now. I swear I am tempted to get in my car and go down to the hospital and show you how much. You are my strength. I love you CJ, it's true. Darling, my heart beats for you. I want to spend my life with you by your side, protecting you and showing you that what we have is real. These last few days have shown me what I want and it's you and it took almost losing you to open my eyes. If things were easy for us then it wouldn't be worth the reward. Babe, even though we are apart, remember you will always be the first thing I think of when I wake and the last thing before I sleep and hopefully with you next to me for both occasions."

"Who are you and what have you done with Matt Houston?" She let out a giggle and I smiled.

"He's been here all the time and just finally got his act together. I'll be seeing you real soon, give our boy a kiss and a hug for me and remember what I said, no one will keep us apart ever again."

"Yes sir and you, go find his momma I'll save a special kiss for you."

"Okay gotta go find her and collect my prize."

"Promise?"

"Always."