Baby Doll(51)

Anguished, Lily moved over to Sheriff Rogers and clutched his arm.

“You can’t let this happen. This is what he does. This is how he controls things. The way he manipulates people.” Lily’s voice was growing louder.

Sheriff Rogers patted Lily’s arm, and Abby realized he was probably used to handling hysterical women.

“It’s okay, Lily,” Sheriff Rogers said. “I’ll be right there with Abby. We’ll get her processed, pay the bail, and she’ll be home before you know it. Hanson can’t do anything to you. You’re safe now.”

Wes addressed Abby as Sheriff Rogers took her arm. “I’ve already called a lawyer. He’s going to meet us at the station.”

Abby barely registered Wes’s statement. She was watching Lily, who was on the verge, tears streaming down her face.

Abby fought not to show how ashamed she was. She locked eyes with Lily. “Don’t worry about me. I won’t let that f*cker hurt either of us.”

Sheriff Rogers led Abby to the front door. She glanced back and saw Lily watching them go, Wes by her side. He grabbed Lily’s hand, leaning in close to whisper something in her ear. What was he doing? She wanted to yell at him to get lost, but right now she had to focus on Missy Hanson. Abby was going to do whatever it took to make Missy sorry for ruining her and Lily’s perfect day. God, that bitch would be sorry.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR


LILY


Wes drove, hands gripping the wheel, eyes on the road as he steered his pickup toward the county jail. Lily sat beside him in the truck, trying to remain calm, trying to remind herself that Abby had done this for her, because she loved Lily.

There was no question that Lily would do anything for Abby. She loved her sister enough to leave her daughter behind. She’d left Sky and climbed into Wes’s truck to accompany him to the police station, entrusting her mom with Sky. She’d been distraught leaving Sky behind, but Lily had no choice. Not if she wanted to make sure Abby was all right. She also hoped her sacrifices would lessen the blow when she and Wes were together.

Only they’d been driving for ten minutes and Wes hadn’t glanced at her once. In fact, it was almost as if she wasn’t even there.

Look at me, Lily wanted to scream. I’m the one you want. It’s me! She was prettier than Abby, thinner… Lily had counted on her new hairstyle and new clothes to transform her into someone desirable, a woman that men would want, a woman Wes should want. But he hadn’t even noticed.

Lily knew it was dishonest. She should have told Abby that she still had feelings for Wes. There’d been plenty of time for them to have that discussion. Lily wasn’t doing anything wrong. Wes had been her first love. Abby had to understand that. Once she and Wes were back together, and Abby saw how happy they were, she would have to forgive Lily. How could she not?

Wes nervously tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he eyed the pack of cigarettes in the truck’s console.

“If you want to smoke, go ahead. It doesn’t bother me,” she said.

“Really? It drives Abby crazy. Even if I just have one here and there, she acts like it’s the end of the world.”

“Smoke all you want,” Lily said, promising herself that once they were together she would never impose rules and regulations on him. They’d both be free to do whatever they wanted. She’d be the perfect girlfriend.

Wes gave her a brief smile, grabbed the pack of Marlboros, and quickly lit one. He drew in a heavy drag, and then blew out the smoke. “She’s always doing this. Not thinking before she acts. She’s so damn reckless.”

“She did it because of me.”

Wes shook his head emphatically. “She does dumb shit like this all the time.”

He reached out and grabbed Lily’s hand, squeezing it. His tender touch transported her back to that innocent girl, riding shotgun with the boy she loved. When Wes put his hand back on the wheel, Lily experienced a profound sense of emptiness.

“Abby’s so damn emotional and headstrong. She drives me crazy.” Lily fought the rush of annoyance that he was still talking about Abby. She reached out and gently touched Wes’s hand.

“She’ll be okay,” Lily said.

She needed to remind him of how he’d felt when they were together. He needed to remember. He smiled and this time he didn’t let go. She knew it. He did care. She knew it wasn’t a grand gesture, but she’d take things slow, build back up to where they were before. Right now this was enough. She loved Abby. She’d do anything for her sister. But as far as Wes was concerned, all bets were off.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE


ABBY


Abby held her breath, trying to stay calm as she paced around the holding cell they’d placed her in. How could she have been so stupid? This was the last thing Lily needed. This was the last thing any of them needed.

It had been almost five years since she was in any legal trouble, but it appeared nothing here had changed. The metallic, piss-like smell remained, along with the shouting and hopelessness, the endless stream of crazy criminals and the overworked cops who dealt with them. As a teenager Abby had done everything she could to punish her mother, to punish the world for Lily’s disappearance. She could still recall Mom’s disappointed face staring back at her each time she was called down to the police department, checkbook in hand, ready to bail her out of trouble. She remembered the lectures and the threats, which did nothing to deter her. But she’d gotten her shit together. Abby didn’t belong here. Missy Hanson was the one they should be locking up. She fought not to yell out or cause a scene.