The sun was warm on Bailey’s skin.  The heat felt nice to her, because she felt rather cold inside.  She and Justin were setting their food down, grabbing a picnic table outside so they could enjoy the sunshine.

“How did Carter’s visit go with Travis?”  Justin had been away at a conference and unable to find out how things had gone between father and son.  A lot was riding on Travis now, and everyone seemed to be holding their breath.

“Okay, I guess.  Carter said Travis was really awkward.”  Her smiled was rueful.  “He said it was apparent that Travis had never been around kids before.”

Justin took a swig of his drink, watching Bailey carefully.  He was almost afraid to ask his next question.  “What does this mean for the two of you?”

Bailey set down her fork, letting out a long sigh.  “I don’t know.  Carter told me he’d asked Travis if he was going to tell anyone where we are…”

“What did he say?”  Justin’s protective side had him wanting to shield both Bailey and Carter from all of this.  If Travis wanted to hurt them, he very easily could.

A shrug was Bailey’s response.  “He didn’t answer.”  She poked at her salad, a million thoughts running through her head.  “I think we should move, Justin.”  She couldn’t look him in the eyes when she said it, and there was a bitter taste in her mouth.

Bailey had been perseverating on moving since Travis first showed up.  It didn’t matter if he promised to never speak to anyone; he still knew where they were.  He could let something slip or he could get upset and decide to share their secret.  It scared Bailey to know someone had power over her like that.  She could never live comfortably knowing Travis was out there and he could easily give away their location to the wrong person.

“Move?  Where?”  Justin’s heart dropped into his stomach and he pushed away his sandwich.  This was what he’d been dreading.  He was attached to Bailey and Carter, and he knew a move would mean they disappeared from his life.  It would be the only way Bailey would feel safe, he knew.

“I don’t know…” emotions were thick in her throat, making it difficult to swallow.  She didn’t want to leave Justin.  She didn’t know if she could.  He had become a driving force in her life, giving her a happiness she hadn’t known since she was a little girl.  “I…think this is for the best, Justin…”  The words were weak, forced.  She didn’t believe what she was saying, but she couldn’t put herself first.  She had to think of Carter.

Justin was silent.  He wanted to get down on his knees and beg.  He wanted to tell her not to leave him, and that he was in love with her.  But he knew she was right.  He knew she needed to take care of her son, no matter how much Justin hated the idea of losing the both of them.

“I’m sorry…”  Bailey stood from the bench, tears pooling in her eyes.  “I need to go home.”  She grabbed her purse and headed toward the car, not able to look Justin in the eyes.  Quietly, he picked up their food and packed it away, following Bailey to the car.  He didn’t question her or make any comments as he drove her home.  Instead, he grabbed her hand and held on as tightly as he could. 

Maybe he could hold her to him and stop her from leaving.

~*~

Bailey had faced depression in her life.  She had known the emptiness, the desperation and the numbness that came with heavy sadness.  Before she had given birth to Carter, she sank into a dark hole and hid from the world.  She was a teenager about to have a baby, and her boyfriend had just gotten himself sent to jail.  It was the lowest point in Bailey’s short life.

But this…this felt so much worse.  She didn’t want to move and undo everything she had Carter had accomplished since they’d moved to Shelby Forest.  She had already started over; she didn’t want to do it again.  And then there was Justin.  She didn’t think she could break his heart, and she didn’t want to break her own.  She needed help.

“Bailey!  What are you doing here?  It’s a Saturday.”  Amelia was in the office, working overtime since Bailey had cut back some.

“I came to ask you for some help.”  She twisted her hands together, feeling like a little girl.  Amelia smiled, ushering Bailey into the office.

“I had a feeling you would…so I’ve been doing a little research.”  The grin on Amelia’s face gave Bailey the lightest feeling she had had in days.  “Come on back.”

It was strange to be on the other side of Amelia’s desk, as a client and not an employee.  It was nerve wracking, but for some reason she was filled with hope.  Seeing Amelia reminded Bailey that she wasn’t helpless anymore; she wasn’t a teenager.  Something could be done about this situation, and Bailey might get out with her heart intact.

“I’ve been doing a little looking into the life of our Travis since he was released from prison.”  Amelia settled into her office chair, pulling a file from the cabinet behind her.  “I couldn’t find much.  It seems he kept pretty low key when he got out.”  Bailey’s hope fell a little.  “But…I got this in the mail yesterday.”

A manila envelope was pushed across the desk, and Bailey felt her pulse rise when she recognized the handwriting.  “Dad…”  Gently, she brushed her fingers across the paper.  Taking her eyes off of the package, Bailey looked up at Amelia with confusion written all over her face.  “I thought…Travis said he was dead.”

A sad smile settled on Amelia’s face.  “I’m sorry, Bailey.  Your father did pass away.  I checked into that, too.”

Bailey sniffled, brushing the tear from her eye lashes.  “What’s this, then?”

The grin returned.  “It seems that your father was a very savvy man.”  She picked up the envelope and gently dumped the contents on her desk.  “He had this sent to me through a friend of his.  I think he knew you’d be needing it.”

“What is it?” 

Amelia slid a letter across the desk into Bailey’s hands.  Shakily, she opened it, her father’s handwriting stealing her breath.

Ms. Robinson,

I am writing to you on behalf of my daughter, Sarah Hudson.  You will know her as Bailey Beckett.

She was placed in a protection program after she testified against a known murderer and drug dealer in Boston.  Her protection and anonymity is of the utmost importance to me, so I’m asking that you do everything you can to help her.

I was recently contacted by a young man, Travis Williams.  He is the father of Bailey’s son, Carter, and I fear that he might hurt my little girl and my grandson.  I believe his intentions are innocent, that he just wants to meet his son.  But, I am concerned that he might inadvertently share information that could hurt Bailey and Carter.  I have enclosed some papers that will help ensure my daughter’s safety.  Please, take care of my baby.

And if you could, please tell my little girl that I am so proud of her.  She is the strongest, most beautiful woman I have ever known and I know she is doing everything she can to take care of herself and her son.  I wish I could be there to tell you this in person, my Baby, but know I am always with you and I will watch over you.  I love you, Sarah Elaine.  Stay strong.

Yours,

Red Hudson

Bailey set the letter down, her entire body shaking with sobs. 

Amelia handed Bailey a box of tissues and let the girl have a moment.  She was shocked to get the package and the letter; she could only imagine what Bailey was feeling right now.

“What’s…what’s in the package?”  It took a while for Bailey to collect herself, but she knew there was business to be done.  She could mourn her father later, in private.

“Well…” Amelia pulled out a few things, showing them to the younger woman.  “It seems your father was expecting Mr. Williams to come looking for you, so he did a little research in preparation for their meeting.”  Bailey wasn’t sure what she was looking at, giving Amelia a confused look.  “Your father had friends in the police force, and in this package are copies of pictures and witness reports that all have Mr. Williams selling and buying illegal substances on numerous occasions.”

“Right, that’s what he went to prison for.”

Amelia’s grin widened.  “These were taken three weeks after Travis was released from jail.”

“I don’t…I don’t understand.”

“Bailey, your dad has enough dirt on Travis to send him back to jail for the rest of his life.  If these pictures got out, Travis would be breaking parole, which means automatic 25 to life.”  She gave Bailey a moment to let it all sink in.  “He can’t tell anyone where you are, Bailey, because there’s a police officer in Boston that Travis has to check in with daily or else this same package is going to his parole officer.”

The information rolled through her like electricity.  She was numb, but she could feel her pulse racing at the same time.

“We don’t have to move?”  It was whispered, as if Bailey were afraid of jinxing the moment if she spoke it too loud.

“You don’t have to move.”  Amelia stood from her chair and rounded the desk, pulling Bailey up into a tight hug.  “And if you want that asshole out of here, I’ll go rub this in his face right now.”

For the first time in weeks, Bailey laughed.