Chapter One

Three years later

Bridgette stood outside looking at the remains of her childhood home. All that was left was a charred frame and a foundation that had been weathered by the years of bipolar Texas weather. The fire that she had started to remove any trace of her existence still remained heavy on her mind. She had whispered a sad goodbye to her home and the memories of her family that night. She had buried her daughter’s remains in the dirt floor of the old shed her family had built years ago. Bridgette said a silent prayer begging for forgiveness for not saving her from the horrors of her father, covered the grave with straw and old boxes, and left vowing that she would one day return. Now she was back.

“Hey, Bridge.” A small voice called out to her.

Bridgette turned with a small smile on her face as the six year old girl climbed out of the car. Her only friend for four years had passed away. Like Bridgette, she was all alone so she had asked her to take care of the little girl. Bridgette couldn’t deny her request no matter how much it hurt. So after Laurel’s death Bridgette signed the papers for her six year old child.

As much as it pained her it also made sense that she be placed in her care. The three of them had gone into hiding together. Bridgette had changed her name and appearance. Her once curly dark red locks were now a straightened dark blonde. Her once blue green eyes were now a brilliant ocean blue thanks to her contacts. She wore makeup to cover her freckles. Everything about her previous appearance that could change did. She wasn’t about to get caught because she was too lazy to maintain the changes to her appearance.

Bridgette was no longer Margo Harrison. Instead, she went by Bridgette Thomas. Sammy was her daughter as far as everyone else was concerned. No one needed to know that they weren’t blood related. No one needed to know that she was her adopted daughter. No one needed to know these things because that would just lead to questions, and questions were never a good thing. Questions were the very thing that had led to Bridgette’s best friend dying. No. Questions were to be avoided at all costs.

“What is this place?” The girl asked softly.

“This? It was my childhood home.” She answered, smiling fondly.

“What happened to it?” Sammy asked, frowning.

“There was a fire.” She whispered.

“Is that how you lost your family?” She asked.

“No, Sammy.” Bridgette whispered.

“What happened to them?” She asked.

“Sammy, I promise one day, I will tell you everything.” Bridgette said, softly.

“Fine, but I know that is why you cry at night or look so sad sometimes.” Sammy whispered.

“Yea. I know. I can’t hide anything from you, munchkin.” Bridgette grumbled, hating how the little girl seemed to be able to get under her skin so easily. She hated it but she would fight tooth and nail for her come hell or high water.

The blonde haired blue eyed pixie was very observant. The kid had already been through hell. It was one reason they got along so well. It was also why she had gravitated towards Bridgette so easily. Sammy, like Bridgette’s own daughter, was the product of rape. When Sammy’s father, David, put his hands on the little girl for the first time Laurel had made the decision to flee with her child. Somehow he had caught up to them though. It was the whole reason she hated questions. All because someone couldn’t leave well enough alone, Sammy had watched her father beat her mother to such a condition that she had died three days later in the hospital. Sammy had been clinging to her mother’s side and refused to leave even as her heart beat its last beat.

Bridgette tried to push away her thoughts. It always led her to other thoughts that she hated. Thoughts about how she wished that she had finished off her father and left him to die in the gutter where he belonged. It had been Laurel that had stopped her. Laurel’s pained voice whispering softly for Sammy.

“So what are we doing here?” Sammy asked, looking around at what remained of the old house.

“We’re going to live here.” Bridgette said, looking at the surrounding land.

“But there’s no house.” Sammy said, doubtfully.

“I know.” Bridgette said, shrugging.

“Are you getting enough sleep?” The little girl wondered aloud.

“What?” Bridgette laughed surprised at her direct questioning.

“I’m just saying that the last time you didn’t sleep you made some strange decisions.” Sammy said, holding up her hands.

“We’re going to build a new house.” She said, still laughing.

At the sound of an approaching vehicle all mirth disappeared from Bridgette’s face. Bridgette turned towards the sound, putting herself between Sammy and the newcomer. She watched with narrowed eyes as they grew closer. She didn’t know who that was but they were not welcomed here. She wouldn’t be nearly as forgiving as Laurel had been. It was both her best and worst quality.

“Bridge?” Sammy asked, tugging on her shirt.

“Get back in the car and stay out of sight.” Bridgette whispered.

“What’s going on though? Who is that?” The little girl asked.

“Someone who doesn’t belong here.” Bridgette growled. “Now do as I said.” She said, whispering the last part.

“Okay.” Sammy mumbled, climbing back in the car.

Bridgette sighed when she finally did as she was told. She was thankful that the driveway was so long. Bridgette folded her arms across her chest. When the person became visible she swore under her breath. Her Aunt Ginny was one of the last people that she had ever expected to see here. She hated the country. She hated this land.

“Can I help you?” Bridgette demanded when they got out of the car.

“Oh! Umm…. I was just coming by to see what you wanted to do with the property.” The older blonde woman said.

“May I ask why?” She asked, keeping an aloof expression.

“Well, it's just that this property has been in my family for generations.” She said,

“Your family?” Bridgette asked with raised brows.

“Yes. Well, my husband’s family.” She said, looking around.

Bridgette’s eyes narrowed on the woman. She wondered what the hell she was trying to pull. A million questions and accusations swam in her mind. This woman had never been married to her father. Her entire family died in the house that used to stand there. She knew that her parents never had a close relationship with her aunt and for all her questions she was beginning to see just exactly what their problem with her was.

“I’m sorry, but I was told that the homeowner and his entire family died in what I assume was the house over there.” She said, gesturing towards the foundation.

“Yes. My whole family died that night. “ She whispered sadly.

What the hell are you doing, Aunt Ginny? Bridgette wondered to herself, fighting the urge to scream at the woman.

“I see. I’m sorry to hear that.” She mumbled. “Well, since you asked. My plan is to build a home here.”

“I see,” the older woman mumbled, not looking too pleased with the information. Just what the hell are you up to? Bridgette wondered.

“Well If you’ll excuse me. I have a few things to attend to before the day gets away from me.” She said, opening the door to the car.

“Excuse me, but is there any way that I could talk you into selling the land back to me?” She asked.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.” She said, pulling a face that she hoped passed as sympathetic.

“Oh, okay…” Ginny mumbled.

“Please leave my property.” She said, climbing in the car. “Stay down.” She whispered when she shut the door.

“Okay.” Whispered Sammy from under her blanket.