Disclaimer: Same as pervious.
Authors Note: For those who haven't re-read the story, just a quick reminder before this chapter begins: Sarah and Shane's ages were changed to bring everyone closer together in years. Because long as this story is going to be (and yes, it is going to be long), I didn't want y'all (or myself) to go gray waiting for certain things to happen.
Also, to answer one question…
Yes, this story is going to take our beloved characters through and beyond the ill-fated wedding. That's right. Beyond. I do have some setting up to do, however, so we can see several characters evolve, relationships fall apart, allow some to grow etc.
With all of this said, back to our story. Enjoy!
She Knew Him When . . .
Looking to the horizon, Sarah could clearly make out the rocky shoals and tree-lined borders making up Harper's Island. Her hands rested on the metal railings of the ferry as it approached the small harbor.
It had been almost two years since she'd last visited. She'd been sixteen, almost seventeen when she was ushered from the cab of Shane Pierce's truck and into the boat that took her away from the rampage left behind.
That was what it had been called, the Rampage. It hadn't simply been a description; a thing. It had been an event. One day filled with horrors the locals would forever live with, and some visitors would never forget.
Sarah knew she definitely wouldn't. Knowing what she knew now…
In the tiny, run down shed, she'd been a few feet away from death-a fact that didn't help her nightmares of smoke and fire. After she'd seen the news stories broadcasted across Seattle's TV stations and heard several whispered conversations between Trish and Henry, she also knew that Abby had seen it. Her mother murdered, hanging in a tree with other parents. Other husbands, wives, someone's sister or brother…families ripped apart by one man for some inexplicable reason.
John Wakefield.
No one knew what had sent him on his killing spree that day. There was no rhyme or reason to it. The only thing the locals could do in his wake was find comfort in that Sheriff Mills shot him dead. No one blamed him for pulling the trigger instead of bringing him in. Those living on the island understood. Wakefield's death allowed people to grieve and mourn without fear. And when Reverend Fain refused to allow the murder to be buried on consecrated ground, the locals felt that, too, was justified.
It wasn't until Trish, Henry, and a few of his fraternity brothers decided to go back for the summer that Sarah woke up. She couldn't be afraid of a place forever. Her fears were in her mind-something everyone told her she'd move past in time. But she had to confront that fear first. Or so she was told.
It seemed almost ridiculous, considering she hadn't experienced what others had. Abby especially. But the memory of that door knob turning, and seeing just what the man on the other side of the door had been capable of? It was enough to give anyone second thoughts about going back to the island.
Yet here she was, watching the land grow larger as they grew closer. She didn't feel scared, as she thought she would have. In fact, other than a little lingering anxiety, she was pretty excited about it.
"Doing ok?"
Jumping at the voice, Sarah sighed as Henry's hands flew up in apology.
"I shouldn't have done that. Sorry." His dark eyes darted to the island and back. "I just wanted to make sure you were all right. We hadn't seen you since we boarded and Trish was getting worried."
"Thought I jumped overboard and was swimming my way back to port?" Sarah asked flippantly.
"Not exactly."
Henry's voice was easy as always.
"I'm fine. Really," she assured him when his eyebrows rose skeptically. "Just a little jumpy."
"Yeah, well, I'd be surprised if you weren't."
He leaned his arms against the railing next to her, smiling gently in understanding.
"You didn't leave Harper's with the best memories," he said quietly.
"Neither did you," Sarah recalled. "You were there at the marina. You saw much more than I did."
Henry was silent as he stared off into the distance. Concerned that she'd brought up some of his own bad memories, Sarah touched his arm.
"Henry?"
Blinking, he shook his head ruefully.
"Spaced out there for a minute." He ran a hand through his shaggy hair. "You're right, though. It wasn't exactly the stellar summer Id' been hoping for. But I learned a lot after that day."
"You did?"
"Yeah." Henry looked down at her intensely. "I cherish every day I have-more than I did before. J.D., Trish, Abby, my friends, you…" His hands lighted on her shoulders. "You're all very important and I think up until that point, I was taking it all for granted."
"Wow." Sarah looked at him, impressed with his ability to find such bright silver lining. "You really mean that, don't you?"
"More than you know."
"How is J.D.?" Sarah asked. Henry winced as he rested his haunches along the hard rails.
"Not very happy with me right now." Then adding, "Or with Uncle Marty."
"Because of the doctors?"
"Because we had to institutionalize him," Henry confessed softly.
Sarah's mouth fell open in shock. "What? Why?"
"We knew he hadn't been handling our parents death well." Henry looked to her, his eyes reflecting desperation and guilt. "Neither of us were, really. But the clothes, the music, dyeing his hair-well, we knew he was going through something. We just didn't know-"
His voice cut off abruptly as his head fell down against his chest.
"Henry?"
"He tried to kill himself, Sarah." Henry's voice was muffled as he ran a hand over his face. "There was a girl with him. She died, and he would have if I hadn't thought to come home then."
"God." Sarah wrapped her arms around herself. The wind off the water was less chilling than this news. "Trish never said anything about it."
"It was only last week," Henry explained, expression torn. "She was so busy with finals, I didn't want to unload this on her, too."
"Henry James Dunn." Sarah hugged the man she thought of as an older brother. "Aren't couples supposed to share in everything together? Even their burdens?"
"I'm going to tell her," he promised, hugging her back. "How about we change subjects?"
"Absolutely."
"Have you tried talking to Abby about-"
"Yo, Henry!"
A tall man with blonde hair jumped down off the steps from the upper deck. He looked around before catching sight of Henry and Sarah, his face breaking into a grin.
"Hey, you two!" Slapping his hands on either one of their shoulders, he looked between the pair. "What's going on here? Is one Wellington not enough for you, man?"
"Sully…" Henry sounded exasperated.
"Kidding! But in case you guys hadn't noticed, we're almost there." He nodded to the boat-lined dock. His eyes lit up at the sight. "Henry, I owe you BIG. Summer on this island paradise?"
Laughing, Henry patted his chest. "Relax, Sully. Just have a good time, don't mess with the locals too much, and we'll be even."
"What do you say, Sarah. Give me a private tour later?" Sully took his smile up a notch as he looked at the younger woman next to him.
"I think I'll leave that privilege to Henry. But thanks for asking." Sarah gave them a wave as she headed back up to the others in their group.
Watching her walk away, Sully followed her movements with rapt attention.
"Henry-"
"Don't even think it," the other man shook his head, pointing at his friend knowingly, "Trish would have my head if you went near her. Sarah's off limits."
"But she's so hot! Do you see that body?"
"No!" Henry laughed at his friend's expression. "You're only asking for trouble if you go there."
"Hey," Sully clapped him on the back as they headed towards the exit. "I can handle a little trouble."
"Uh-huh. Right." Henry shook his head as Trish hurried towards him. "NO."
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It took the group the better half of the day to settle into their digs, but once they had, the guys headed into town, Trish was getting on the phone to their father to let them know they'd arrived, and Sarah was feeling antsy.
"Go into town and find the guys," Trish suggested, waving the phone's receiver in the direction of the door. A wry smile touched her pink lips. "Knowing Daddy, I'll be a while and you didn't come back to stare at these four walls."
"No indeed," Sarah agreed. Grabbing her room key she started towards the door, then paused. "Thanks, Trish."
"Hey." Trish set the phone back into its cradle and hugged her sister tightly. "What are big sisters for?" Looking at her searchingly, her tapered eyebrows arched in concern. "You're sure you're ok?"
"Better than," Sarah promised. "Look, I'm going to find the guys in town, we're going to have a great dinner, then we're all going to enjoy an incredible summer."
"That's the spirit!" Trish jumped up and down, her smile wide as she clapped her hands in delight. "I'm so glad we're doing this. I've missed you this year."
"I've missed you, too," Sarah confessed, and she had. Cliché as it may have sounded Trish was her best friend. "This is going to be good. For all of us," she added. Trish nodded in agreement, pearls clacking against one another as she took her sisters hands.
"Just a word of warning," she said, leaning closer as if she expected someone else to be listening. "Sully?"
"What about him?"
Trish seemed to contemplate the most delicate way to warn her sister away from the notorious blonde. In the end, though, delicacy was defeated by frankness.
"He's a dog."
"I kind of figured that one out, thanks."
"Yeah, ok," Trish giggled, pushing Sarah's hair over her shoulders. It was a motherly gesture. "I guess it's pretty obvious."
"He asked for a private tour of the island."
There was a beat before they both burst out into hysterical laughter. Trish put a hand over her stomach.
"He did not!" The two sisters were still in stitches as the phone rang. "That's just bad-hello?" Trying to control her amusement, she wiped tears from her eyes as she gasped out, "Daddy! Yes, we're just fine." She quickly ushered Sarah from the room, her laughter under control as she winked. "Just enjoying some girl time."
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Laughter really was the best medicine, Sarah mused. She was fortunate to have such a good sister in Trish. The laughter they'd shared helped to ease the last bit of worry away.
Walking out onto the familiar dirt path near their cottage, Sarah followed the scent of pine and sea air into the center of town. Her steps felt lighter as she looked at the landmarks that had filled her summers; spying familiar faces, hearing well-remembered voices.
"Sarah Anne Wellington."
Turning at the sound of a particularly familiar voice, Sarah returned the elated grin worn by the older girl.
"Nikki!"
The two shared a tight embrace.
"Oh my God you look…" Nikki held her back to inspect her from head to toe. "You are gorgeous, Sar."
"Like you're not," Sarah replied. "Last I remember, all of the eligible boys in your class were after your heart-and even some who weren't so eligible."
"Oh, it wasn't my heart they were after," Nikki remarked off-handedly. "Trust me on that one."
She grinned wickedly when Sarah's cheeks pinked. "Come on. Now tell me what you're doing here!"
"Vacation with Trish and the boys."
"Oh, yeah? Boys?" Nikki drew out the word as if it had massive appeal. "Good-looking boys?"
Blonde curls spun as she turned on her toes.
"If you're into fraternity types, yes."
"Yum." Nikki twirled her keys around a finger while walking back to her car. "And no Daddy Wellington?"
"Nope."
"Wow. I guess that means you're all grown up now."
"Eighteen and headed off to college."
"Well then." A mischievous sparkle danced in Nikki's eyes as she motioned to the other side of the car with her chin. "Get in."
"Where are we going?" Sarah asked even as she was opening the door. Sliding on some over-sized sunglasses, the blonde grinned at her.
"Work."
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"You work at The Cannery?"
Sarah's blue eyes took in the local bar with interest. She'd heard many humorous stories that involved this place. Funny. Now she was actually old enough to enter the establishment.
Amusement was written all over Nikki's features as she bumped the back door open with her jeans clad hip. Grabbing some towels on a low shelf, she passed them to Sarah.
"Well, there are so many options for a girl here on Harper's Island," she said sardonically. "And considering the male specimens I see daily, well, let's just say I'm not in any rush to become an obedient little housefrau."
Sarah laughed, following her into the open space. "You enjoy it here."
"Hell, yeah!"
Nikki's enthusiasm was contagious, and in that moment Sarah realized she'd missed it all terribly. Holding up an old cigar box, the blonde deftly flipped the lid open to reveal dozens of butane lighters.
"Could you grab a few and-" she gestured to the votives in little red candle holders.
"Sure."
Paul McCartney was crooning Photograph on the jukebox as the girls chatted and caught up. They managed to do it while dancing around any mention of the Rampage, though it made it a little awkward when either one mentioned Abby.
"You talk with her often?" Nikki asked slowly. She was rubbing down the bar with a cloth as Sarah took chairs down. The fabric of her blue sundress gently swished around her knees as she moved to another table.
"Once a month or so." Sarah pushed her hair over her shoulders and sighed. "Henry was trying to get her to come back this summer but," she shrugged. "I don't think she's ready."
"I don't blame her," Nikki said, her voice grim. "After everything that happened-everything she saw-"
"Beer!"
The door flew open, startling them both. Banging against the outside wall, the window rattled as a tall, broad-shouldered man with brown hair sauntered through.
"Seriously. Did you leave your manners on the boat?" Nikki demanded irritably. She threw her rag onto the bar as he took a seat. "I just had that window replaced from the last time it broke."
"Beer." The man repeated, slowly the second time. "Please."
"Better," Nikki admitted grudgingly. "But until I'm 21, I can only man the bar, not serve from it." She ignored the bristling customer and waved a hand at him. "You can wait three months, or until Bruce comes in at six, Shane. Your choice."
"Shane!" Sarah echoed in disbelief, swiveling around from the table she'd been cleaning.
"Yeah?" His voice sounded bored, if not borderline hostile.
In no real hurry, he turned on his barstool. Obviously he hadn't been expecting her. Still, his expression caught her off guard-because he wore no expression. His face was strangely reserved, blue eyes boring into hers as he nodded.
"Sarah."
Even when he spoke his voice was unnaturally even. At the very least she'd expected him to register some surprise. She knew she had been. But this…this was odd.
"Shane."
"Hey. Back in town?"
His expression remained neutral.
"Um, yeah. For the summer."
"Groovy."
Then breaking his gaze, he turned back to the bar, using both hands to push himself up.
"You know what? I, uh," he cleared his throat. "I forgot I told Jimmy we'd unload some of the fish we caught today. I'll have that beer some other time."
"O-kay." Nikki looked bewildered as he headed back towards the entrance. Reaching it, Shane turned to give them a mock salute.
"Ladies." Deftly pushing against the door, he slid back out. The roar of a truck filling the air moments later.
"Wow." Nikki shook her head in disbelief. "Just…wow."
Stunned, Sarah looked at her friend asking, "What was that?"
"I have no idea," Nikki sniffed. She peered out one of the square windows overlooking the parking lot. "But just when I think I don't understand why he is the way he is, I understand him even less."
Feeling unexpectedly bothered by his attitude, Sarah's eyes remained fixed on the window Nikki was staring from.
"Shane's just a jerk." The blonde huffed, making her way behind the bar once more. "Has been since school. Don't let him get to you."
Sarah nodded, but Nikki's words had fallen on deaf ears.
He'd already gotten to her.