Sarah stretched her aching muscles from the long flight. It has been years since she's been back to visit her family. She had always kept in touch and wanted to visit often, but her job and Jason's music career kept them away until now and this visit wasn't entirely one of pleasure. As much as she wanted to catch up and enjoy the company of her family, she had other, more pressing things on her mind.
Digging into Jessica's disappearance had led her to believe it was a case of human trafficking. Organ harvesting, to be more precise but generally handled by the same unsavory types. The fact that the girl was still listed as missing, or a possible runaway with no real leads was her first clue. Couple that with the disappearance of the private investigator's under cover informant, the death of the classmate and the impromptu retirement of the girl's mother as well as the principal of the girl's school confirmed Sarah's suspicion of foul play.
Evidence was the one thing she lacked. Everything she had unearthed so far had been merely circumstantial. She needed hard evidence to prove anything. Without proof, she could never reveal the truth of Jessica's death to her parents. They would never know what happened to their little girl. Well, her father wouldn't know. Sarah was convinced the mother not only knew what happened, but was involved in it as well.
"Sarai!"
The sound of her old name snapped out of her thoughts. She turned to see George jogging up to her location with a big smile on his face. "Uncle George!!" She threw her arms around the tall man as he approached her with open arms. He picked her up in a bear hug and swung her around.
"It's so good to see you!" he exclaimed. He set her down, took her bag and led her to his car. "How was the flight? And Jason? Things are good with you two?"
"Yes, yes, Uncle. The flight was good. Jason and I are great!"
"Oh, Sarai. I've missed you so much." He pulled her into a side hug and kissed the top of her head. "It's been too long."
"I know, I know. It's been way too long. You know I go by Sarah now, don't you?"
"I know. But you'll always be my little Sarai." He grinned as he opened the car door for her. "Besides, Sarah is back at the house now too."
"Sarah? That's great! When did she come back?" she asked as he got in the car and pulled into traffic.
"Gosh! When have we talked last?"
She lowered her eyes in shame at the question. How long indeed? Too long, to be truthful. Why had she let life keep her so busy? "I'm sorry I haven't called. I don't even have an excuse for not keeping in touch since Pop's funeral."
"Really? It's been that long?" He scoffed a bit. "Well, the phone works both ways, I guess. I'm sorry too. A lot has happened since my brother died."
"Like?"
"Well, that first year was rough for all of us, but we managed. Since then, Sarah's daughter came to live Gram."
"Found herself in trouble huh?"
"You could say that. She was higher than a kite the day she got there. But she's all good now."
"That's good news. I remember when she was a just a baby."
"Yeah, she's all grown up now with babies of her own."
"Sounds like there's quite a story there."
"Yes, but it's hers to tell."
"Indeed." She knew not to press for details. It was a family rule not to tell each other's secrets which was one of many things she loved about these people she called family. "You said Sarah is back too?"
"Yep. Her and Jimmy tied the knot finally."
"Sweet! I always thought they belonged together." She smiled at news as she accepted the bottle of water George had offered.
"Gram and I got married too." He said as she had taken a drink. She coughed out the water in mouth all over her lap. George reach over to pat her back. "It's okay," he consoled. "Breathe."
She coughed a few more times. "You and Mom?!" she gasped. "You... married Mom?"
"You seem surprised."
"Shouldn't I be?"
He shrugged. "You'd be the only one."
"Really?"
"Really." He smiled at her. "I wanted to ask the kids' permission before marrying her, so I started with Missy Ann. And do you know what she said to me when she came to pick me up at the airport?"
"Huh hu."
"Yes." He said with a chuckle. "I didn't even get to ask her. She just said 'yes you can marry my mom.' Then when I got home, Jimmy said the same thing. So, I did. But little Missy came less than a month later, so we didn't get to live as husband and wife until recently. We knew how much time and attention she would need and decided to keep our relationship under wraps for the time being."
"So she knows about it now, I take it?"
"Oh yes. She's still 'processing' she says, but she knows."
"So, you live at the farm with Mom now?"
"We split our time between the farm and my house in town. I forgot to ask. Which place do you want to stay?"
"The farm, if I can. I don't feel incredibly safe right now in heavily populated areas."
"And there's no safer place than Gabbard Farms."
"Exactly. Like I said on the phone. I need some help."
"Is Jason okay? Is he safe? How's his heart?"
"Jason is fine. He will join me this weekend after he finishes up recording the Christmas album."
"And his heart?"
"That's what I need help with. I know this is going to sound crazy but I'm pretty sure the donor was abducted and murdered for her heart, but I can't prove it. And the people closest to her are turning up dead, strung out, imprisoned or missing. Social media profiles have either vanished or been altered and what little evidence I've been able to obtain has been removed from my computer."
"Oh, that's not fishy at all." Each word dripping with sarcasm. "Let's talk more at home." He placed his hand on hers to comfort her as they finished the drive home in silence.
*
Sarai was welcomed by a host of people at Gram's House. It took a full thirty minutes just receive hugs from everyone. She had forgotten the kind love this family poured out. The over exuberant welcome she was receiving made her long to return for good. Maybe it was time for Jason to retire from music so they could come back here to settle down and raise their children.
"Sarai!!" A woman exclaimed. "Oh my gosh, it's really you!"
She turned around just in time to get bear hugged by a very pregnant Sarah. "Sarah? Is that you?" She hugged back tightly. "I missed you my dearest friend. What ever happened to you? You just dropped of the planet for while?"
Pulling back from the embrace with flushed cheeks, Sarah sheepishly answered. "Yes, well. I ran away from my problems then. Not smart but that's the truth of it. But I'm back now. For good, this time. You? How have been?"
"Good, good. You're pregnant."
"Yes." She beamed. "Due next month." She ran her hands over her enlarged abdomen. "Ultrasound says it's a boy."
"That's wonderful! I'm glad you and Jimmy are finally together! I mean, you ARE with Jimmy, right?"
"Of course! Who else?"
"Indeed." She leaned into Sarah's ear and whispered. "I'm pregnant, too. Four months." She withdrew with her finger to her lips. "Sssh, for now. Okay?"
"Oh sure. No worries." She turned her fingers against her lips to demonstrate locking her lips. "So, you're good?"
"Yeah. All good. Where's Mom? I haven't seen her yet?"
"Oh, she had to go pick up Magpie because her car broke down on the way home."
"Magpie?"
"My daughter. Melissa Ann."
"Oh. Interesting nickname."
"Well, you know Gram."
"Yes," she chuckled. "She always called me India."
"Only because you and I were here at the same time. Sarah and Sarai. I could see where she'd have trouble keeping our names straight."
"And I go by Sarah now so..."
"Oh, and I called you Sarai. I'm so sorry."
"No worries. I'm still good with it. I only go by Sarah because most folks call me that anyway."
*
Sarai spent the next three hours getting caught up on the family drama while she waited for her mom to return. During that time, she was reacquainted with her closest siblings, Melinda, Jimmy, and Sarah. They laughed and talked non-stop until they finally saw Gram's truck roll up the driveway. George and Jimmy excused themselves to help Melissa with the twins so Gram could greet Sarai.
"India! My dear sweet girl! Come give me hug." Gram called with her arms wide open. She wrapped Sarai in her arms and felt her daughter's embrace squeeze her waist. "Not so hard, sweets. You'll hurt your sister."
Sarai pulled back in shock. "Sister?" Her eyes shot over to the retreating Melissa and back. "Why would my hug hurt her?"
"That isn't your sister, dear. That's my granddaughter. Your sister is right here." She place her hand on her abdomen and grinned.
"Ha. Ha. Funny." She chuckled not believing her.
"Not a joke."
"You mean you're... At your age??"
"Is there anything impossible for God?"
"I suppose not. It's just..."
"Surprising? Agreed. But George and I are pleased. We trust God to see us through this... even at our age." She winked at Sarai then led her into the house to have a quiet conversation.
"When are you due?"
"Around the same time as you, I would imagine. Christmas?"
"New Year's." She admitted. "I'd ask you how you know, but I've known you long enough to know better."
"That's my girl. Come have a seat. As much as I would love to believe otherwise, I know you didn't just pop in to visit."
"I wish I was."
"This is what family is for, India. Whatever you need, it's yours."
"I know. I'm sorry I haven't called before now."
"Don't worry, I know your heart." Gram put a hand her shoulder for comfort. "Now... what is it that you need from us?"
Sarai sheepishly glanced at Gram before dropping her eyes. "The dungeon?"
"It's that serious, huh. Okay. George!" she called. "Take her to the dungeon." She instructed when he arrived with Melissa in tow.
"Dungeon?! You have a dungeon?!" Melissa demanded.
Gram ignored the outburst. To Sarai she added. "Breakfast is normally at six, but you can eat whenever you get hungry. You remember where the kitchen is?"
Sarai nodded and thanked her mother then followed George to the underground tunnels.
"Seriously! You have a dungeon? Like with iron bars and stuff?"
"It's what we call that particular room, Magpie. It's not what you're thinking."
"Have I seen it?"