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as normal as possible, but there was nothing normal about the situation.
    Randy's hair was long and shaggy, his clothing unkempt.
    “I've been here for a while, darlin'. Ever since I found out your were moving in.” He grinned. “We have some unfinished business. I was in love with you, and you left me and did worse than that.” His voice shook with rage.
    “No, I never loved you. You took advantage of me. I was only 15 !” Amelia held on to the doorjamb, feeling faint.
    How can this be happening? She thought of Lark, on the way. The height of the window prevented car lights from shining in. Hopefully, Randy wouldn't see the car or hear it, and Lark could help her—if Randy didn't kill them both, along with Lottie.
    No. I won't let that happen. Please hurry.
    “Once I found out who you had married, it got easier to keep up with you. I've been watching you, Amelia. You're prettier now than you were then.” He whistled low, and she flinched.
    “Please leave, or I'll have to call the police.”
    Her cell phone was downstairs.
    “No, you won't do that. I also know about the abortion, Amelia. You killed our baby. How could you do that?” He screamed the words at her.
    Under his words, she heard gravel crunching. He didn't act like he heard it at all.
    Please God. Help me figure out what to do. Don't let him hurt me or Lark.
    “What was I supposed to do? I had no one to help me—no one who would have believed me.”
    “I loved you.” Randy advanced toward her. “ N ow, we're going to settle the score. I don't want you anymore. You're a dirty whore!” He spat on the floor. “But I do want your baby. I've always wanted a baby. I've never had a wife or a woman who loved me since you.” His voice went soft.
    Suddenly, before Amelia could move, he charged at her and grabbed her. Randy dragged her to the window and pressed her against it.
    “You're going to die for what you did—know what it feels like to suffer like our child did!” He clenched her forearms, hurting her as he struggled to hold onto her and push the window up.
    “No. Please!”
    This is it. Lucy Vincent was right. I can't take care of my baby—of any of my babies.
    Her eyes filled with tears even as she kicked out at him, trying to get away. “Please! I have money.”
    He slapped her then, so hard, she saw stars. She heard the window screech upward, felt cool night air against her back. Behind Randy, she saw Lucy Vincent watching her with sorrow.
    This is it. I'm so sorry, Lottie, Bard, and Lucy.
    She felt herself pulled forward, heard a groan as Randy fell on the floor, writhing in pain and cursing.
    Bard stood over him, a knife in his hand. “Who the hell is this?” He kicked Randy, and the man howled. Bard took Amelia into his arms. “Are you alright?”
    She collapsed into tears, just as Lottie began to cry softly.
    * * * *
    “I didn't think I could tell you. I didn't want you to think I was a monster or incapable of loving a child. I was so torn and hurt, even back then. I'll never forget—the first baby. I named him Alexander, in fact.” Amelia sighed and started sobbing again. It was the second time in the last few minutes.
    Bard hugged her more tightly as they sat on the front porch. The house was surrounded by police cars and an ambulance. “Of course you could have. None of that was your fault. You were a kid, Amelia. He raped you over and over and threatened you. You had no one. What could you have done?” He wiped her tears away, gently. “I'm so sorry I haven't been home like I should have been. I can't even think about what might have happened if I hadn't decided I wasn't staying until 10 tonight.” He sighed.
    “But you came. That's all that matters, and we're here.”
    Lark walked over to them, Lottie in her arms. “You two okay?”
    She had driven up just after Randy had been taken down by Bard.
    “Considering, yes. I think we're going to be a lot better now.” Amelia looked up at Bard. All she saw was love in his