Pawned Virtue - #wattys2015 BK4 TPBS - Completed 1st draft

-35-

Not edited.

Jones was grinning from ear to ear as he followed Tara to the beach house. He had to force himself not to run up to her as she got closer to the door. He'd leave that first contact to Maggie and after he'd messaged Adam he knew that he'd find some excuse not to answer the door when Tara knocked.

He sat in his car back far enough that Tara didn't know that he was there and watched aa she almost stumbled up the front steps. He itched to give her a hand but again he forced himself to stay hidden. She had to do this on her own... but they'd be there to catch her from now on.

She stood at the large white door and slowly raised her arm. Her hand moved to make to take the large brass knocker between her fingers. With a sigh she dropped her head and gently let the handle handle go so it didn't make a sound.

She ran her sweaty palms over her jean clad thighs before stealing the resolve she needed to something as simple as knock on a door. She took a step backwards. Was she making a mistake coming here?

She didn't know.

She listened to the sounds coming from the house and she could tell that there were people inside. Her throat constricted as she heard the voice of the woman who helped her through so much. She knew that Maggie was doing a job when she took over her care but it was the light bulb moment that Maggie had no need to care as much as she did that led her to come here.

A hefty breath and she became determined to go through with this on thid very day. She missed Maggie. She missed Jones and Adam too. They'd become her family.

She moved forward and grabbed the knocker and knocked before she could change her mind... and waited.

She heard footsteps as they came to the door and the gentle clicks of locks being unlocked and then a handle turning before the door swung open.

Her eyes met with the older lady's as a gasp left Maggie's mouth and hands covered it up.

"Hi Maggie."

Arms suddenly reched out and pulled her into a warm cocoon as tears fell with relieved abandon. They stayed like this for what seemed like hours but would surely have pushed the hands of time to make it through even minutes.

"Tara! Oh my goodness. I missed you sweet girl" she pushed Tara out to the length of her arms. "Let me look at you... oh my darling girl... you've lost weight!"

Maggie's face held a sterness to it as she pulled her back in.

"But that's ok. You're here now and we'll take care of you."

Tara realised in that one moment that she needed to explain.

"Maggie, I'm just here to visit."

"Oh hush child. We'll talk about that later." She moved back and with a smile that belied her tears she wrapped her arm around Tara's shoulder "Come into the kitchen. Adam's there and chances are there won't be any cake left if we don't hurry."

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