Part 14
What if it was her family that she’d run away from? What if they were what she was terrified of? AJ’s mind was out of control with ‘what if’ and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop them. He’d promised to take care of her, never let anyone hurt her, but he could very well be the one bringing the ‘hurt’ to her. Thank goodness Marcus had shown up for breakfast. If it was her family that she was afraid of, then Marcus could get them out.
Stormy had tried her best to be cheerful but it didn’t seem to be working. Even Marcus had noticed that AJ wasn’t himself.
“What’s up with ‘Bone’?”
Stormy shrugged her shoulders to tell him she was clueless too.
When the doorbell rang, AJ’s mood darkened even more as he headed to answer it. He left Stormy in the kitchen cleaning up but Marcus followed when she motioned for him to go too.
Before opening the door, AJ looked back at the kitchen to where he’d left Stormy. Please God, let this work out and not let her get hurt again.
The tall, distinguished man from the TV stood at the door with a beautiful buxom blonde beside him. Behind the couple stood an older lady that bore a striking resemblance to Stormy and a young girl, about sixteen, that was a carbon copy of Stormy.
Sticking out his hand, the gentleman said, “Hi, I’m Dr. Christian Troy and this is my wife, Teresa.”
AJ shook his hand, “Alex McLean. Nice to meet you. Stormy is in the kitchen.”
“Stormy?”
“Sorry. That’s what I’ve been calling her since I didn’t know her name. It was storming that night.” AJ stepped aside to allow the small group into the house. “How was your flight?”
“Good,” nodded Dr. Troy.
The younger version of Stormy stood gawking at AJ, quite obviously a fan, so AJ asked, “What’s your name?”
In an excited whisper, “Tabitha.”
“Hi, Tabitha,” smiled AJ as he gave her a kiss on the cheek eliciting a giggle of delight.
The older lady whom Stormy resembled said, “I apologize for Tabitha’s behavior. She’s a fan and you just happen to be her favorite.”
“It’s okay. I’m use to it.”
“I’m Connie, Danni and Tabitha’s mother and Christian’s ex-wife,” introduced the lady.
AJ took her hand kissing it on the back, “A pleasure to meet you. I can see where Stormy and Tabitha got their good looks.”
Connie was impressed by AJ’s charm.
The small group stood in awkward silence for a few seconds before Dr. Troy asked, “Does Danni know we’re coming?”
“Uh…no. I didn’t tell her. I wasn’t sure how she would react and I didn’t want her to take off.”
Marcus spoke from his spot near the kitchen door. “I’ll go get her.”
“No, I’ll go,” said AJ but before he could move, the door from the kitchen swung open.
Stormy stopped in her tracks seeing her family but her eyes immediately lit up like stars in the night sky.
Seeing her sister, Tabitha suddenly forgot she was in AJ’s house and rushed into her sister’s arms crying, “Dannie! I’ve missed you so much!”
AJ was relieved that Stormy was glad to see her family but it meant that she would want to be with them and leave him.
“We can sit, if you’d like,” suggested AJ, his eyes betraying the pain he was feeling.
Dr. Troy’s wife took a seat but the two parents remained standing as they watched their daughters continue to hold each other. The relief of having their daughter safe was plain but the strain of the past year was obvious.
Dr. Troy finally spoke, “Tabitha, let your sister go.”
The younger girl obeyed and Stormy looked at her parents. She didn’t hesitate and moved to her mother first hugging her happily. Then she turned to her father and floated into his arms. She was quite obviously a ‘Daddy’s girl’ as she buried her head in his chest taking in his scent and she began to cry. She’d missed her father a great deal and the regret for the pain she’d caused him was overwhelming.
“Oh thank God you’re safe,” whispered Dr. Troy into his daughter’s hair. “We thought we’d lost you too.” The doctor set Stormy back so that he could look at her and smiled. “Your hair is so much longer but you’re too thin.”
“Christian,” scolded Connie.
“I’m only teasing her. She’s as beautiful as ever.”
“I can’t imaginer her being anything other than beautiful,” said AJ softly garnering knowing looks from Teresa and Connie.
Stormy looked at AJ too and saw the hurt in his eyes. She realized now that he was afraid of losing her and she ached to tell him that she loved him. As they all took seats, she chose to sit with AJ wrapping her arm under his and lacing her fingers with his.
Watching his daughter with AJ, Dr. Troy said, “I guess we should explain this to you.”
“It’s really none of my business.”
“Finding our daughter and taking such wonderful care of her entitles you to know anything you want about us,” said Connie.
“Connie is right, Alex,” agreed Dr. Troy. “This all started with my son, from my first marriage. He was ten when Danni was born and he was extremely protective of her. She was a preemie and spent quite a bit of time in the hospital as an infant but Ricky stuck close to her. Unfortunately, as he grew older, he fell in with the wrong crowd and started getting into more and more trouble. On Danni’s sixth birthday, he disappeared. All of my credit cards were stolen at the same time and cash advances made against them. Whoever took them maxed them out and had in excess of a hundred thousand dollars. Since that day, Danni hasn’t made a sound. There was no sign of a struggle, no note, nothing. He just disappeared.”
Connie picked up the story. “Danni was the last person to see Ricky. The morning we realized he was gone, we found her in his room curled up on his bed with the teddy bear he had given her when she was first born. We think she saw what happened to Ricky or knows what happened. The doctors say she’s suffering from post traumatic syndrome.”
AJ looked down at Stormy as she tucked her head and he squeezed her hand. “She talks in her sleep…well, she did once. When I was bringing her in after she was released from the hospital, I heard her say her brother’s name. I didn’t know who he was until last night when I saw you on TV.”
“We’ve never heard her talk in her sleep,” said her father. “We do know she suffers from nightmares because she used to climb into bed with me…especially on stormy nights.”
AJ smiled. “She did the same with me. Was it storming the night Ricky disappeared?”
“Yes, it was. I guess that’s why she’s afraid of storms,” said Connie.
“Where were you when she disappeared?”
“Puerto Rico, at our villa. It was storming that night and she had kept my younger children,” said Dr. Troy. “Some time after we had retired for the evening, she disappeared, no note, no sign of a struggle…just like her brother. The only reason the FBI agreed to investigate was because of the similarities to Ricky’s case and the fact that she never talks.”
“How did she get from Puerto Rico to Orlando?” asked AJ.
“I guess we’ll never know,” said Connie. “I can’t thank you enough for taking such good care of her and for calling us.”
“Taking care of her was my pleasure,” smiled AJ. “Dr. Troy, I’d like to talk to you…privately.”
“Okay.”
“Danni….” AJ stopped seeing her frown and he laughed. “Okay!! Stormy, why don’t you show your sister my awards and stuff?”
Stormy nodded her head and grabbed her sister’s hand pulling her along as they headed to AJ’s studio. Marcus followed so that he could keep an eye on Stormy.
Connie saved AJ by saying, “Would you mind if Teresa and I went to look at your greenhouse?”
“No, help yourself. I’m afraid they’ve been somewhat neglected. The house was closed up for almost a year while I was living in LA.”
“I’m sure we’ll still find something.”
Alone, Dr. Troy said, “I suppose you’d like to discuss the reward.”
“No, I don’t want any reward. Dr. Troy, I’ve fallen in love with Danni.” AJ stopped and watched his words sink in. Before he could protest, AJ continued, “I realize you probably know my history but I’ve changed and Danni accepts me as I am…vices and all. I want to get to know her but…”
“But she doesn’t make it easy by not talking.”
“Sorta. I mean, she doesn’t make a sound but she says so much with her eyes and her expressions.”
Dr. Troy smiled, “Yes, she does. Alex, I’ll be honest. I would love to see my daughter fall in love. I think it would ease the loss of her brother but I have a problem with it being you and it’s NOT because of your past. We all make mistakes.”
“Then what is it?”
“A couple things. First, you’re obviously knowledgeable in the ways of the world and quite a lady’s man but Danni is still extremely naďve. She’s only had one or two dates that ended badly because she doesn’t talk. Second, you’re in the spotlight quite a bit and it would put Danni there too. I’m not sure she can handle that kind of attention.”
“I understand your concerns and as for my being a celebrity, that’s why I have security. I’ve taken Danni out and she was okay with it. All I’m asking for is a chance. I’m not ready to have her walk out of my life completely.”
“I’ll have to think about it, Alex. I want to see what kind of trauma she’s suffered over the last year and she needs to spend some time with her family.”
“I respect that. Can I visit?”
“Give us some time. I’ll let you know.” Looking at his watch, he said, “We need to be heading back to the airport soon. Why don’t you go spend a few minutes saying goodbye?”
AJ felt like his heart was being ripped out. Softly, he said, “She’s got clothes that I bought her…and a kitten.”
“That’s fine.”
“I’ll…uh…I’ll go tell her and we’ll be back in a few minutes. You can wait here.”
AJ left the doctor alone in the living room to go find Stormy.
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