The Vanishing Girls by Callie Browning (read this if txt) 📕

“Really, really.”

Holden pressed his lips against hers and for a fleeting moment, in the space where she’d set up her new gallery, in the arms of the man she loved, Eileen’s mind flashed back to the dark night they’d met. She remembered the months they’d spent getting to know and then finally growing to love each other.  It dawned on her then that if they were to spend the rest of their lives together that there was no time to lose before she told him her secret.

Chapter 34

The Truth and Nothing but the Truth

Lloyd Greaves’ arrest sent shockwaves across the island. The idea of a well-to-do businessman like him committing murders was enough to set tongues wagging about what other nefarious deeds he might have gotten up to. Commissioner Derricks held a press conference declaring the police force’s undercover sting operation to be a roaring success as he thanked members of the public for their help in apprehending the culprit.  “Well,” said Holden as he closed the newspaper the next morning. “I guess Greaves will be going away for a good long time. Derricks has provided the prosecutor with enough evidence to see to that.”

“Derricks sat on his chunky ass for months and never once listened to anything we told him until it was time to collect the credit,” Eileen fumed as she rolled her eyes. Clifford sat on the edge of Holden’s desk looking across at her as she grumbled. “And up to now he can’t even find that last prisoner that escaped.”

Clifford chuckled. “At this rate, that fellow is going be on the run for the next twenty years.”

“Nah…” Eileen waved her hand dismissively. “On the run for twenty years on this little two by four island? Impossible.”

“Meh,” replied Clifford. “Stranger things have happened.” He sauntered outside, whistling the cheery tune he always did when he felt sure that his prophesies would come to fruition.

Eileen grinned. She had never come across anyone with such outlandish convictions as Clifford. Holden shook his head wryly. “The day he dies, his brain will be sold to the highest bidder.”

“I’d pay good money to read their findings,” said Eileen with a giggle.

Holden smiled. “So…” his heart caught in his chest as he contemplated her for a moment. “I was hoping we could finish our conversation if you don’t mind.”

She bit her lip and said, “Yes, we can.”

He pushed his chair over to her desk and sat down next to her. His mouth grew dry as he tried to recall what he had practiced in the mirror as he had gotten dressed that morning. “I came in early this morning and sat by myself for hours trying to find the best way to express myself what I have to say.” Holden studied his fingers for a moment, willing himself not to lose his nerve.

He dropped to one knee in front of her. He pulled a small box from his jacket pocket and said, “You’re spunky, creative, you make me laugh and if I had to be marooned on a dessert island with you, I suspect we’d turn it into a lifelong holiday.”

The tiny hinge on the velvet box creaked softly as Holden opened it. Inside was an elegant gold band, topped with a glimmering stone.

Eileen rested her hand against her chest and tears formed in her eyes. “I love you too.”

He slipped the band on her finger and kissed her softly. She put her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with such tenderness that Holden thought he would melt in her arms. Moments later when they pulled apart and rested their foreheads together, they sighed in unison.

“So,” Eileen said. She caressed her fiancé’s cheek. “Should we seek Clifford’s blessing before we run off to get married?”

Holden’s deep laugh echoed through the office. “He likes you more than he likes me anyway, so I doubt that will be a problem.” He grinned. “I’m glad you two get along so well. Clifford is cordial with everyone, but he never clicked with the other assistants the way he did with you.”

Eileen smiled. “He’s like the father I never had.”

Holden pursed his lips and tried to choose his words carefully. “I know it won’t make up for the fact that you didn’t know your parents, but we’ll have a beautiful family of our own some day.” His chest grew warm at the thought of having children with the woman in front of him.

Eileen cleared her throat. “I haven’t been entirely honest with you about my parents.” She tore her eyes away from his and fixed her stare on her fingers as she twisted them together. “I do know who they are.”

Holden was confused. “Then why say you didn’t know them?”

Eileen got up and started pacing, her breath coming in sharp gusts as she spoke. “I didn’t lie; I never met them. But I know who they are.”

Holden stood up slowly. Something uncomfortable wormed its way into the pit of his stomach. “Eileen…what are you telling me?”

She took his hands between hers and looked at him with pleading eyes. “I don’t want to keep this from you if we’ll spend our lives together. But…I didn’t want you —or anyone else — to judge me for what my parents did.”

Eileen sank down into a chair, a deep frown on her pretty face. “I’ve heard the rumours,” she said bitterly. “I knew how I’d be treated if anyone found out the truth about who I really am.”

Loving Eileen was easy, but Holden was suddenly worried for his future wife’s safety. Never before had he seen her so agitated. His palms grew sweaty. He wiped them on his pants, knelt in front of her and asked, “Who are you?”

Her eyes met his and for a fleeting moment, Holden feared she would refuse to tell him. That she would run away and he’d be left nursing a broken heart.

“My mother is the woman they call Pretty-Eyed Susan.”

He tried to stop himself but couldn’t