Part 305

Finally. The last day was here, and Becca and Nick were to be reunited. The night before had held little sleep for Becca. Aside from the anticipation of seeing Nick again, Garrett must have sensed her anxiety as well, because he fussed for most of the night. Becca was awake well before daybreak and decided to check her mail one last time. She was almost afraid that plans had changed and was looking for a message from Nick. What she found instead would severely alter the course of the next few days.

There was nothing in her personal mail, which was a good sign. The list mail held the usual, concert reports, pictures, and …the last chapter of "Dark Riders". Becca smiled. Sarah was really getting into her writing, and she was happy for her. She knew from experience that writing was a great way to work through your problems and lose yourself for a while. She opened the email and began to read.

Her smile turned to a frown the more she read. She read in horrified fascination as Brian was shot and killed and her stomach lurched as Nick, the sheriff, appeared in the doorway. Her heart broke for him as he wept for the loss of his best friend. Her hand went to her throat as he pulled his gun on Howie and Sarah and she actually cried out when Sarah shot him. She read on as Kevin appeared.

"Oh my god…." she whispered. She killed him. Sarah had killed her husband. Okay, wait, it was fiction, right? But she knew from her own writing that good fiction is almost always drawn from reality. Something had to have happened for Sarah to look at Nick this way. And to want him dead?! The words she'd read rang in her head.

That was just plain hateful. And she'd left Rebecca, the cook, a widow with a baby son. No stretch of the imagination there. Very near tears, she shut down the computer and began to get herself ready for the trip. She'd been so looking forward to seeing everyone again, but now, now she was just dreading it and wishing Nick was meeting her alone.

As Becca gathered hers and Garrett's things, Julie chattered on cheerfully, unaware of the turmoil Becca was in. "Got everything? This is so exciting! I'll bet you can't wait to see Nick again, huh?" She laughed. "Silly question I guess. And Sarah! God, you guys are practically like twins you're so close. I can't imagine how you've managed being apart this week."

"I'm sure she was just fine," Becca mumbled sullenly. Probably had Lisa to keep her mind off her best friend all week. At least it had certainly seemed that way. Every time she had tried to talk to Sarah she was out. It was Lisa this, and Lisa that, hell she spent more time with Lisa lately than she did with Howie.

"You ready to hit the road?"

"Now?" Becca looked around blankly.

Julie laughed. "Bec, have you heard a word that I've said?"

"Umm, yeah. Sure."

"You're out of it, Bec. Must be all that anticipation of getting to see Nicky again. But yanno, if you can't handle it I'll gladly take your place…." She grinned at Becca and finally got a genuine laugh in return.

"I don't think so. I'm sure I'll be fine." She stopped and took a deep breath. "Julie-"

Julie shook her head. "Nope, don't even start. This is hard enough without you getting all sentimental on me. Grab Garrett and we're outta here!"

Lynne was at the car ready to say goodbye and pressed a small gift into Becca's hands. "Open it later, okay? If you need anything, call me. You have my number and I can get hold of Dr. Anthony for you at the drop of a hat."

Becca looked at both women, tears in her eyes. "You guys … you're the best. What you did for me …" she sniffled and wiped her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered before being wrapped into a group hug.

"Let's get you on the road before Nick thinks we got lost." Julie helped her strap Garrett into his car seat and then they were on their way out of Toronto and back to Nick, where they belonged.

Part 306        The Dance Index(3)