If only they’d been able to reach Julian sooner.
But she doubted much could have been done. The man who sat across from her last night was not the Julian she knew. That frightened her. How long had his mind been ... divided ... like that?
Once it was all out, the sheriff looked down at his notes. “So Damian Walker isn’t real?”
She shook her head. “Something was wrong with Julian’s mind. But I think it was how he survived. He told me that Damian always helped him deal with the beatings from his father. I neversawDamian until yesterday, and I know how strange this sounds, but he was inside Julian. What he called ... the darkness. His eyes changed. His voice changed.” The haunting memory made her shiver.
Josh practically held her up with his arm around her waist. “I think Anna’s been through enough. Is it all right if I take her home now? Her father has been very worried.”
“Go ahead. I’ll come by later and update you on what we find.” The sheriff walked over to the garden.
Josh led her to his horse and lifted her into the saddle. He climbed up behind her and took hold of the reins. “I’m so sorry, Anna. For this. For everything. I hate that you had to endure—”
“I’mthe one who should be apologizing.” She leaned backagainst him, relishing the warmth of his arm around her waist. “I’m so sorry about Mary too. How will your family deal with this?”
“I don’t know.” The words against her ear broke her heart. His family had endured so much.
She touched his arm. “Would you stop for a minute?”
He pulled on the reins. “Whoa.”
Shifting in the saddle, she turned to where she could at least see him. “I love you, Josh. And I never want anything like this to ever come between us again.”
“I love you too.” He leaned down and kissed her. The soft, sweet kiss of reunion and relief.
The sight of her home coming into view sent gratitude washing over her. She might never have seen it, or her father, again. Anna sat up a little straighter. “I’m so glad to be back, but I hate to have to tell him all that happened.”
“It’ll be all right. Take it one step at a time. Your father will be relieved you’re unharmed.” He slowed the horse in front of her house. “I need to get home and tell my family. It’s going to be a hard day, but I don’t want to leave you if you need me.” He hopped down and gazed up at her.
“No. I understand. I plan on resting most of the day and just soaking in my father’s presence.” She gasped as he helped her off the horse. “You were supposed to leave today!”
“Yeah. Zach caught me at the station, and I left my things up there. Don’t worry about it.”
“But what about your schooling? Your funding?” She gripped his arms.
Josh kissed her forehead. “I sent a telegram. I’ll go into town later and see if there’s any response. I’ll probably need to leave tomorrow.” He closed the distance between them. “I can’t imagine leaving you though.”
She laid her head on his chest. “We’ll make it through. As much as I hate the thought of you going away, I know that’s the only way you’ll get back here for good.”
“Well, I’ll come back tonight. It will probably be late, but I have to see you one more time.”
Lifting her head, she welcomed his kiss. “I’ll wait up for you.”
Joshua rode off and Anna went inside.
Louise wrapped her in a big hug and then Anna ran to her father’s bedroom and threw herself into his arms.
“My sweet girl.” Her dad cried against her hair. “I was so worried.”
“You were right, Dad. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen.”
“Your heart wanted to help him. I know that.” He held on tight with his right arm. “I’m praising God that you weren’t harmed.”
She pulled back and wiped at her face.
“Tell me, Anna.” Tears slipped down her father’s face. “Was it Julian who...?” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped.
She closed her eyes against the pain as the truth sank deeper into her heart. “Mary was buried in the garden.” The tears flowed now. She sucked in against great sobs. “Along with Julian’s mother—she never left, his father went into a rage and took her life—andhis father. When Mr. Walker told his son what he’d done to his wife, Julian killed him too.”
