Chasing Tara (Bryant Station Curves) (8 page)

CHAPTER 8

“Mom! Dad!” Jason called out to his parents. Silence greeted him, causing him to frown. “Mom! Dad!”

“Something’s not right.”

Jason put his arm around Tara, pulling her close to him. “They’re probably out back.” He kissed the top of her head.

“Jason, thank the Great Mother Bear you here.” A worried look
was etched onto her face.

“What’s wrong?” Tara tried pulling out of Jason’s arms. She knew that look very well, because of the number of times she had seen it staring back at her in the mirror. “Where are the kids?”

“They’re missing.” Mary’s eyes were red from crying.

Tara’s guilt wrenching cry cut through Jason faster than the sharpest claws. He pulled her tighter to him, trying to give her the comfort she needed.  She wrapped her arms around him.

“Mom, what happened?” Jason wasn’t sure what he felt. Ben and Haley should have been safe on the ranch. They should be here laughing and playing, not missing.

“Your dad went to the barn to check on the mares. Ben and Haley went with them. Ben and Haley decided to come back to the house.”

Tara stared at Jason’s mom. Tears ran down her checks.

“Robert caught a scent and found some track behind the barn. Others are out looking right now.”

“Has Todd been called?” asked Jason.

Mary nodded.

“Who’s Todd?” asked Tara.

“He’s my cousin and the town’s sheriff.”

Find cubs.
Jason’s bear pushed hard against his rib cage.

We will.
Jason tried reassuring the animal. His skin itched.  His bear fought for control.

“Jason, we don’t need an angry bear right now. We need calmer human heads.”  Mary wrapped her arms around herself. “Todd has his men setting up roadblocks as we speak. The rest of the family will be here any minute. We will find them.”

“This is all my fault,” whispered Tara. She had no one else to blame. The children were missing because of her. If she had just kept going, this wouldn’t have happened.

“If you had kept going, we wouldn’t have found each other.” Jason’s voice was more of a growl. His bear was too close to the surface.

Tara paled. She hadn’t realized she had spoken aloud.

“You can’t blame yourself for the actions of others,” said Mary. “We will find the cubs.”

Tara shook her head. It didn’t matter what anyone said. This was her fault. Haley and Ben were in danger because of her selfish actions. Tara’s stomach churned. She felt the bile rising up her throat. “Bathroom.” She clasped her hand to her mouth.

“It’s around the corner, the first door on your right.” Jason let Tara go. He knew she blamed herself, and nothing he said would change that fact. He had to find the cubs. He had to eliminate the threat to her. “Mom, watch Tara.
I’m going to join dad and the others. Tell her I will find the children.”

His mom nodded and watched him leave the room.

*
              *              *

Tara rinsed out her mouth and splashed cold water on her face. Her stomach still churned, but there wasn’t anything left in her stomach. She gripped the counter and stared at her reflection in the mirror. This was her fault. She knew better. She should never have let Haley out of her sight, and then there was Ben. Why would Donald take Ben? It didn’t make any sense.

Something on her rear buzzed.

Tara almost screamed, but clasped her hand over her mouth at the last minute when she realized the cellphone in her back pocket buzzed. She pulled it out and looked at the screen.

Donald’s name blinked.

Tara flipped open the phone. “Where are the children?”

“What? No hello or how are you?” Donald’s voice was smooth.

“Where are the children?” Tara flushed the toilet again and turned on the water, hoping it would make her voice hard to hear.

“Fine.
Have it your way. The brats are with me, but what happens to them is up to you.” Donald’s threat hung in the air.

Tara swallowed. “What do you want?” Donald’s laugh sent cold shivers through her.

“What could I possibly want?” He paused. “I want you of course.”

“If you want me, why did you take the children? They aren’t worth anything to you.” Anger flickered to life.

“Because, my sweet Tara, I knew it would get your attention. You’ve been ignoring me, and that is not nice of you.”

“You have my attention. What do you want?” The anger grew.

“Do I really have your attention? Honestly, I don’t think I have your undivided attention. You have too many things on your mind, including this whiney brat. I’m glad now I took the other one. At least he’s useful for keeping the brat quiet.”

Tara’s heart almost stopped. “Don’t hurt the children.”

“I wasn’t planning on hurting them. I was thinking about getting rid of them permanently. That way, I have your undivided attention.”

“I’ll make you a deal.”

“You’re in no position to make any deals. You should never have run from me. This is all your fault! Whatever happens to the brats is your fault! You have no one to blame but yourself.”

The cold evil tone sent chills down Tara’s back. She had to get the kids away from him. “Let the kids go and I’ll go with you.
I’ll do anything you want. I’ll be anything you want.” Tara tried to keep her voice low and sexy.

“Tempting idea, but there’s one small problem.”

“And what problem is that?” asked Tara.

“Those people you’ve hooked up with. They are a huge problem.”

“I’ll meet you alone, somewhere in the middle of nowhere, somewhere isolated. The kids will have to travel a long distance to get help.” Tara prayed he would go for it. She just had to get Haley and Ben away from him.

“Boy, where are we at?”

Tara heard Donald’s muffled voice.

“Give her directions.”

Tara heard a rustling noise.

“Tara, it’s me, Ben.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” he muttered.

“Tell her!” Donald screamed.

“Ben, just tell me where you and Haley are at.
Don’t worry about anything else. Do you understand?”

“We’re at the old Bryant Station Bridge going over Little River. When you go out of the gate, turn left and follow the gravel road for about five miles, and turn right onto County Road 106. Make sure
you’re on 106 and not one of the letters. The road will bend several times, but keep following it. You’ll have to cross the bridge to get to us.”

“Don’t worry. I will be there in a few minutes,” said Tara.

“Tara, I have to go,” said Ben.

“This is so touching. You have fifteen minutes. If you’re not here, one of the brats is going for a swim.”

The line went dead.

Tara closed the cellphone. “You can do this,” she told her reflection. Tara turned off the water. She put the cellphone back into her pocket before she left the bathroom.

The living room was empty when Tara walked back into it. She looked over at the table by the front door. Several sets of keys were on it.

“I brought you a cup of hot, herbal tea. It’ll help soothe your stomach.” Mary came back into the room with a mug.

Tara plastered a smile on her face. “Thank you.” She took the mug of tea from Jason’s mother. “Where is Jason?” Tara was both disappointed he wasn’t waiting, and relieved at the same time.

“He went to search for the children.”

Tara nodded. She took a sip of the tea. “I’m not feeling too good.”

“In your condition, it’s understandable.
I’ll turn down the bed in Jason’s old room. I know you’re worried, but you have to take care of yourself.”

Tara nodded. She watched Mary leave the room. As soon as she was gone, Tara put down the mug and dashed for the front door. She looked at the keys and grabbed a set. “Please be the right ones,” she prayed to whoever was listening.

Outside, Tara looked around the yard.

No one was there.

She ran to Jason’s truck and pressed the open button. The truck’s lights flashed and the driver’s door locks clicked. She climbed into the cab. There wasn’t any way to hide the fact she was stealing the truck.

Tara closed the door, turned the truck on, and threw the transmission into reverse. She turned the truck around and floored the gas pedal. The truck fishtailed on the gravel driveway, but Tara kept it on the road. She looked up into the rearview mirror. Mary walked out the front door of the house. Jason and several other people came around the side of the house.

“I’m sorry Jason, but I won’t let anyone else get hurt because of me.” Tears ran down Tara’s face. As long as Haley and Ben were safe, it didn’t matter what happened to her. 

CHAPTER 9

“106B. 106A. What were they thinking when they named these roads? This is ridiculous. Give the roads different numbers. Don’t throw letters after already existing numbers.” Tara tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “Please, please, be around this corner.”

The gravel road turned to the left. Tara slowed down, but as soon as she was around the corner, she pressed the gas pedal. The surge of power sent the bed of the truck swinging from left to right. Tara almost went into the ditch a couple of times before the truck quit fishtailing.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the green sign marking County Road 106. Tara slammed on the breaks. The tires locked up and the truck skidded several feet. Rocks and dust flew in all directions.

Before the truck stopped moving, Tara drew the transmission into reverse and stepped on the gas. The truck jerked and groaned at the sudden change in directions. Tara backed up about ten feet.

She slammed her foot down on the brake. The truck skidded to a halt, and she shifted it back into drive. The engine whined as Tara turned the steering wheel to her right.

Finally, she was on County Road 106.

The road made several sharp turns. Each corner caused Tara’s nerves to tighten more. She came to a turn that had to be close to ninety degrees. She slowed the truck so she wouldn’t slide off the road. As soon as the truck rounded the corner, she saw a sign for the Bryant Station Cemetery.

She had to be close to the bridge.

“Donald, you had better not have hurt my children.” Fear of the unknown fueled the anger growing inside of Tara.

The road made a sharp turn to the left. Tara came around the corner and found the river and two bridges looming in front of her.

The bridge closest to her was newer. It was made of cement with metal side rails. The bridge further away was an outdated monstrosity. It was an iron cage with a wooden road going across the river.

Tara looked down at the river as she drove across the newer bridge. She heard the roar of the water even though she had the windows closed. The water moved swiftly under the older bridge.

Donald’s threats of throwing either Haley or Ben into the river took on darker meanings as she stared at the waters. If one of the children went into the river, he or she would not make it out alive. She wondered if an adult would even make it out of the murky water.

The road coming off the bridge had a steep grade and disappeared around the corner to the left. As soon as Tara rounded the corner, she saw Donald’s expensive SUV parked in a small clearing on the banks above the river not far from the old bridge.

Tara turned the truck so it faced the direction she had come and pulled into the clearing but kept the truck close to the road.  She put the truck into park but left the engine running. Tara opened the door and slid out. She turned to move around the truck, but stopped. Pulling the cellphone out of her back pocket, she tossed it into the center console.

“What are you waiting for? Get your butt over here.” The designer clothes he wore looked ridiculous out in the middle of nowhere.

Tara pushed her hair out of her eyes. She bit her lip to keep from telling Donald what he could go do. She had to get Haley and Ben away from him first.

“Quit wasting my time.” Donald climbed out of the SUV.

“Where are the children?” Tara stopped at the front of the truck.

Donald opened the back door of the SUV. Ben climbed out with Haley in his arms.

Tara swallowed and blinked several times to keep the tears from falling. Relief hit her hard. She wanted to rush over to them and hug them, but that wasn’t possible. She had to get them away from Donald. That was her priority.

“You’ve seen them, now get your fat ass over here. You and I have some unfinished business.” Donald crossed his arms. He thought she would blindly follow his orders.

“Send the children over first.”

Donald snorted. “Do I look stupid?” He yanked off the dark sunglasses he wore and hung them from the collar of his shirt.

“I have no clue what you’re talking about.” Tara figured playing dumb was her best bet. Donald thought he was smarter than everyone around him was. She hoped to use that to her advantage.

“Get your ass over here and then we will talk about what to do with the children.”

Tara knew better. If she did what he wanted, the children wouldn’t be safe. “What if I start walking to you and you send the children in my direction?”

“Will it get you over here faster?” Donald sounded frustrated.

“Yes.”

Donald grabbed Ben and shoved him toward Tara. “Get moving and don’t stop.”

Ben walked as fast as he dared. He didn’t look left or right, he kept his eyes on Tara as she walked toward him.

“Can you hear me?” Tara whispered.

Ben nodded.

“Can you drive?”

Ben nodded. He cradled Haley to him.

Tara felt a spark of hope. “Put Haley on the passenger floor and drive away from here.”

“I’m not leaving you,” Ben whispered to her.

“You don’t have a choice. I need to know you and Haley are safe.
Don’t argue with me; just get to your dad as fast as you can. Do you understand?”

Ben pressed his lips together. His eyes narrowed.

“Don’t say anything just do what I told you to do.”

“Don’t do it. There has to be another way.”

Tara paused when Ben and Haley reached her. She frowned when she saw the bruises on Ben’s face.  “Just get to safety. Let me worry about this.” Tara waited until Ben walked past her and then she started walking again. She slowed her progress, tying to give Ben as much time as she could.

“Would you hurry up? I want to get out of this stinking, backwater town. We’ve got a lot of miles to cover, among other things.” He leered at her, making her skin crawl.

Tara heard the crunch of gravel as the truck drove away. She smiled. Her babies were safe. She studied her surroundings. “Donald, you need to leave.”

He stared at her. “Oh, I’m leaving, but you’re going with me. I’ve got plans for you.”

Tara shook her head. She had a good idea what his plans involved.

“Get over here and get in the truck. You’ve got an audition.” Donald laughed.

Images of his audition flickered through her head, making Tara sick at her stomach. She shook her head. She couldn’t get into the SUV. If she did, she would never see the children or Jason again.

Tara did the only thing she could do. She turned and ran.

“You fucking bitch! Get back here!”

Tara tripped on a branch hidden in the grass. She stumbled and almost fell, but managed to stay on her feet. A hand grabbed her shoulder. The next instant, she was facing Donald.

“What do you think you’re doing? You can’t get away from me. You’re not smart enough.” He grabbed one of her breasts and squeezed it. “You’ve been nothing but a tease. Now, you’re going to pay for that, and when I’m done fucking you I’m going to make a lot of money with this body. I’ve already got men waiting to fuck you.”

“If you’re so desperate for money, you fuck them because there’s no way in hell I’m going to.” Tara planted her fist into Donald’s stomach causing him to let go of her shoulder and double over.

“Bitch!” Donald’s eyes glazed over with pain and anger. His face contorted into a weird grimace. “You’ll fuck whoever I tell you to, even if I have to tie you to the bed.”  He stood. “But first I’m going to teach you what it’s like to be with a real man between your legs. There will be no question who’s in charge when I’m through with you.” He took a step toward her. “I’m going to enjoy breaking you.”

Shaking her head, Tara took a couple of steps backwards. She had never seen this Donald. She turned to run and ran again.

Donald grabbed her arm and jerked her.

Tara’s world exploded with a thunderous roar. Her ears started ringing. Pain radiated throughout the right side of her face. Tara tried focusing but the pain blocked out everything. She
wasn’t even sure if she was still standing because she couldn’t feel her legs.

“That will teach you to hit me.”

Tara knew someone spoke to her, but she could barely make out the words.
DONALD
, her mind screamed. Tara swung her right fist, hoping to make contact. She heard a grunt and the sting of her knuckles connecting with flesh. She tried smiling, but wasn’t sure if the muscles in her face were working or not.

She tried swinging her fist again, but her face exploded. The new pain was worse. Tara tasted and smelled blood—her blood.

Darkness threatened, but Tara fought it.

Donald grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled her. Tara stumbled.

“Fall down and I’ll drag you.” He yanked her hair.

The pain caused Tara to scream before she could stop herself.

Donald’s laughter filled the air. “This is more fun than I anticipated. If I had known you like playing rough, I would have done this a long time ago. It would have saved me from chasing you.”

Tara fought the pain and focused on staying on her feet. It seemed like an eternity before he stopped dragging her. She looked up. One eye was swollen shut, making her world fuzzy. She stood next to the SUV.

“Get your ass in. I don’t have all day.” Donald shoved her toward the passenger seat.

“No!” Tara turned to fight, but her body refused to cooperate.

She felt herself picked up and dumped onto the seat. The door slammed shut.
No, this isn’t happening,
her mind screamed. Tears fell out of her good eye and run down her cheek. Her stomach rolled at the taste and smell of her blood.
Jason, please take care of Haley and Ben. I’m so sorry. I don’t want to leave you. I want to have cubs with you. Watch them grow up. I want to grow old with you. Please forgive me. Please forgive me.

Donald got in on the driver’s side and slammed the door. The engine roared to life. Donald laughed. “Looks like I’ve hit payday after all.” He put the SUV into drive.

Tara felt the movement of the vehicle. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“Too late, bitch. The men will love you. All my debts will be paid off in just a few months.”

“I’m not going with you.” Tara threw herself at Donald. She grabbed the steering wheel and jerked it toward her.

“Get off of me you crazy bitch!” Donald pushed and hit her.

Tara felt every blow, but she didn’t let go of the steering wheel. Her back hit the console.
Jason, please forgive me. I love you.
Tara twisted and let go of the steering wheel at the same time. She threw both hands on Donald’s right foot, forcing him to push down on the gas pedal.

The SUV lurched forward.

Donald yelled and turned the wheels hard to the left as he stomped down on the break with his left foot. He drove his right knee into Tara’s face.

Tara heard a loud crack as her head hit the bottom of the instrument panel. Stars danced around her.

The SUV spun.

Donald yelled something, but Tara
didn’t hear it. Everything dimmed. Tara felt the SUV tip and roll. Her body was thrown around the cab, hitting everything in its path.
Jason, I love you.

Darkness claimed Tara as the SUV crashed into the river.