Oblivion

By Karolyn Cairns

Lindsay Morgan and Jace Turner had their whole lives ahead of them until one horrific act changed everything. Lindsay has to learn to live without Jace and come to terms with his murder. Jace finds himself in another place, off the beaten track from Heaven. A place called Oblivion. Determined to get back to his girl and make his murderer pay, Jace realizes the meaning of life and love.
With help from his mentor named Merrick he learns the secrets of Oblivion. Between dodging demons and creatures called deadheads, he learns the ropes to get back to his girlfriend in time to save her from the one who killed him.
Lindsay agrees to go after Jace's murderer, determined to get justice, never realizing every step brings her closer to death's door. She soon finds out the painful truth that you can't know everything about someone in a shocking twist after his death. Jace has come back to make things right, for his girl, his family, and the one thing he can't take back. With the help of the town's other ghosts he sets out to avenge his murder. Reaching out to Lindsay for one last goodbye, he shows her love really does last forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karolyn Cairns
• Release date: Apr 19, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476009162

Karolyn Cairns

Karolyn Cairns-Black lives in West Virginia with her husband Adam and three rescue dogs. She's busy at work. Its been a great year. She just wrapped up the fifth and sixth installment of The Wicked series in two parts, both available now.The follow up novels in The Viking Horde series are underway. Collin and Meghera's story titled A Viking's Heart is in works, the third in the series. The fourth installment about Joran and Allisande's son Storm is finished, to be published on the heels of A Viking's Heart. Two more novels are intended about their daughters Star and Wynter.Karolyn also writes suspense thrillers under the pen name KJ Black. The Gift Horse, her second novel was a finalist winner in the Greenlight Award Contest.Karolyn enjoys reviews and comments from her readers. She thanks you for all your encouragement and support!

Book preview

**~ ~ ~**

OBLIVION

By Karolyn Cairns

**~~~**

Copyright 2012 by Karolyn Cairns All Rights Reserved

I’d like thank my family at Amazon for their effort in helping writers get their work to the people. With that said; I’d like to thank the readers who inspired me. I appreciate their clever incite and helpful suggestions.

I would like to dedicate this book to my twin daughters, Caitlyn and Claudia Bright, who make life more interesting one page at a time.

Chapter One

Heels crunched upon the rocky dirt shoulder as the girl walked down the steep mountain road. High beams dogged her every step on the uneven terrain. She didn’t look back. She didn’t have to. Jace wasn’t going anywhere.

Lindsay, come on! Get back in the truck! Jace called behind her, sounding annoyed. Her boyfriend since the eighth grade wasn’t leaving her to walk back home in the dark. He knew she’d calm down before her ridiculous heels gave out.

Truthfully, she was already over the fight that sent her flying from the passenger side of his ancient pickup to stomp down the mountain road.

You got a lot of nerve, Jace! She hollered over her shoulder, almost tripping over her own feet again. What had she been thinking wearing these three-inch wedge sandals? You drop a bomb like that on me and expect me just to take it with a smile?

No, but you gotta hear me out. I love you, Linds! Come on, let’s talk about this.

Talk about how you’re leaving me? She tossed an angry look over her shoulder.

No, talk about how I love you! Jace called back as the truck kept pace with her now. We can make this work, Lindsay! Please just talk to me!

Blue eyes softened. No, she couldn’t stay mad at him for very long. Even if she felt as if her heart was ripped out she knew he hurt worse. He told her it wasn’t easy making the decision that would put them on opposite sides of the country after graduation. His father needed him at home.

Jace turned down dozens of football scholarships to good schools to stay here, in Little Bend, Montana. His sacrifice was for his father, Everett Turner. The man was the town drunk. After Jace’s mother died, Evie as he was known, fell off the wagon and rode it around town the last ten years. He left his family farm in upheaval and his three kids high and dry

Jace was giving up going to school to care for his younger brother and sister claiming he would take classes at the local community college. They both knew that wasn’t going to happen. Dougie, his ten year-old delinquent brother and his fourteen year-old sister Sara would keep him too busy playing father to them. The real one sat in Hooligan’s bar half the day.

It wasn’t fair he made the choice without considering her. Knowing how close he was with his siblings; she should have known his leaving for Georgia Tech in August would be hard. Now she would go alone.

Lindsay chose the school for obvious reasons. It was in the heart of the south and close to her favorite Aunt Billie’s residence in Savannah. Jace went along for her, deciding he could play football anywhere.

How like Jace to wait until the last minute to tell her? He was the recipient of the LBHS unheard of ‘free ride’ scholarship put up by the town’s business owners. Her and their friends would have killed for it. He thought nothing of turning it down to stay here and try to fix his unrepentant drunk of a father.

Jace had his reasons; all good ones if anyone considered that without him, his two younger siblings would go to foster homes. Still, she wasn’t looking forward to leaving him behind. Jason Turner was her life since they were eighth graders.

The truck pulled alongside her. The engine growled noisily. His young, handsome features looked troubled in the darkness.

Come on, Lindsay, don’t do this to me! Get in and we can talk about this.

Don’t do this to you? She asked in outrage with a toss of her high-lighted, shoulder-length blonde curls. She shivered under the khaki jacket in the late March chill. The tight low rise jeans accentuated her tiny figure to perfection. What about me, Jace? You put everybody ahead of me, as usual.

Lindsay just get in the truck! He ordered her more forcefully. You’re going to break your neck in those stupid shoes! Now get in!

No, I’m not getting in the truck, Jace, she nearly shouted, tears in her eyes. You go and give up everything and don’t say a word to me! When were you gonna tell me you’re staying? The day we were leaving?

Jace’s face tightened. I was waiting for the right time.

Well, looks like your buddy Cameron spilled it for you, she said in resentment, irritated his best friend Cameron Chase knew his plans before her.

Lindsay, I can’t leave my family. Pa’s a mess. Dougie is on probation until he’s forty almost. I can’t dump that all on Sara! Jace snapped and slammed on the brakes, getting out of the truck to follow her down the shoulder. He grabbed her arm and stopped her, looking down at her with a sad look in his brown eyes. Please don’t be like this. You know this isn’t what I want. His handsome face looked stricken in the glow of the halogen beams. She could see how upset he was to let her go alone.

Lindsay Morgan loved Jason Turner since they met in science class back in the eighth grade. The only thing they had in common back then was the desire to be anywhere but Little Bend. The last four years the relationship deepened into something that seemed to annoy her mother and amuse all of their friends.

They knew they would be together for the rest of their lives the minute they set eyes upon one another. The way Jace adored and doted on her was obvious and envied by every catty girl in her graduating class. He only had eyes for her. Lindsay took comfort in that when every girl in school tried to steal him from her over the years.

When Cameron stuck his head in the truck window tonight and asked how she felt to be going to Georgia Tech alone; she felt her life unravel. Jace glared Cameron into silence. He was drunkenly promising to keep her boyfriend in line after that. They drove away from the party with a fight brewing.

She saw how anguished he was to make the decision to stay behind. Jace would never hurt her or disappoint her unless he had no choice. A frustrated sigh escaped her as his strong hands guided her to the hood of the relic he called transportation.

He was built like a linebacker and towered over her, always a pillar of strength. He stared down at her with a sorrowful expression. His brown eyes held hers.

Lindsay, just give me one year to get Pa in a program, he began and she cut him off with a sarcastic laugh.

I don’t see your pa doing twelve steps anywhere but back to Hooligan’s, Jace, she countered with flashing eyes. He doesn’t deserve you giving up your life for him. What’s he done for you since your mom died? All he does is layup drunk and let the state take care of you guys. What do you think giving up your life is going to solve?

Jace stiffened at her angry words and his hands dropped from her forearms. He stepped back, his dark eyes dark with resentment. He knew it was the truth, every word she said. Still, it had to hurt to hear it. He was sensitive about his dad’s issues, having lived with it all his life. Evie Turner for a father was hard for any kid to live down.

Some of us don’t have the choices you do, Lindsay. We don’t have a big bank account to see us through school.

You have a choice and you just threw it all away, she flung back, biting her lip, hating the tears that sprang up.

Lindsay, I’m staying here. My mind’s made up. I gotta get my dad on track before I leave the kids.

Jace, I won’t have a long distance relationship, Lindsay warned softly, pain in her heart as she looked up at him. If you don’t go with me this is it. You need to decide here and now.

He looked outraged at her words. Don’t pull that on me, Lindsay!

No! You need to think about what you’re giving up. I’m not letting up on you until you see that you can’t help him. This is our life! Our time, Jace! Why can’t you think of yourself for once?

Jace looked sad as his eyes met and held hers briefly before he looked away. We’re done if you can’t wait for me a year. My brother and sister aren’t going to any damn home, even for you, Lindsay. You’re nuts if you think I could ever walk out on them now. Get in the truck.

Lindsay’s mouth dropped at his words. She hadn’t expected him to accept she would break up with him if he didn’t go with her. Obviously her ultimatum backfired. She went around to the passenger side of the truck and got in huffily.

He got back in and put the truck in drive. I’m sorry, Lindsay, but maybe it’s for the best. We both know you aren’t coming back here, not with your mom and dad splitting up and Lance gone.

Lindsay felt a cavern open in her heart with every word. True, she wasn’t taking her parents imminent divorce well. That didn’t mean she would never come back. Her mother was a mess. Her father was dating a waitress half his age. Her older brother left home and they hadn’t heard from Lance in months. It didn’t mean she wasn’t coming back. How could she stay away with him still here?

You don’t go and make decisions for me, Jace! You spring this on me tonight and expect me to just accept you’re giving your whole life up to take care of a drunk.

Sara and Dougie need me.

How are you going to take care of two kids, Jace? You make minimum wage at the mill and barely get fifteen hours a week. Zeke can’t give you any more hours.

I have to try.

You aren’t doing them any favors, Lindsay said in a hard tone. They deserve better than that. I told you they could get into a good foster home. That probation officer told you he would hand pick one.

I don’t expect you to understand. Jace looked away. I promised my mom I’d take care of them. I always have. I can’t be selfish.

What good are you to them without a decent job, Jace? Try getting a better job than the mill without school, she pointed out, determined he listen to her. We both know you won’t go to college if you don’t go now.

My dad could get help.

Jace, you got a lot riding on that hope. Where was he the night your mom died?

He said nothing as he guided the truck back onto the road. The night his mother passed away from a relatively short struggle with cancer, his father was dead drunk in an alley alongside Hooligan’s.

He was then responsible for his three-month old brother and four-year old sister. Lindsay couldn’t know how hard it was for a seven year-old, and a boy at that, to take care of a baby and a little girl.

He did it. In the short time his mother had left in this world she instructed him on how to take care of Dougie. He raised him; literally. His father was pretty absent in those days after Dawn Turner died. They would go days without a word from their father. Thankfully, Jace was in tight with Ms. Hawthorne at the pharmacy and she cashed his mother’s welfare checks so they had food and diapers.

After her death, the woman cashed their social security checks. Jace was both a mother and a father to his younger siblings. Who could understand such an unbelievable situation?

Lindsay was a spoiled little rich girl until her parents split up. She never knew what it was like to shop at the Goodwill store or pilfer the lost and found at school for decent clothes. She never worried about where her next meal was coming from.

Until recently she drove a brand new vehicle, never realizing how much he depended upon this ugly, two-toned rust-bucket truck with nearly four hundred thousand miles on it. No, Lindsay would never understand.

He recalled staying up all night with a colicky Dougie, missing unimaginable days of school to stay home with him. That was when the State of Montana stepped in. Everett Turner was found and sobered up. For a few years he stuck close to home, unwilling to lose his meal tickets, as he called his children.

Things went bad quick after that. When Jace turned twelve he was going to work, taking every paper route and odd job he could find to keep food in the house. Welfare paid the utilities but their food money fell prey to Everett’s addiction every third of the month.

Jace had his hands full with the kids and trying to avoid truancy officers. Finally at thirteen, he was emancipated and able to get his driver’s license and a work certificate. His grades suffered then. Lindsay Morgan was assigned his tutor in eighth grade science and math.

She was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen with her huge blue eyes, creamy complexion, and bouncy blonde curls. The first time he saw her he knew he would marry her one day. From that moment on they were inseparable.

She brought up his grades. If not for her, he would have never gotten a passing score on his SAT exam to get into Georgia Tech. Coach Dawes assured him it was just a formality.

They wanted his throwing arm bad enough to overlook the score. He took it personal. He strived to do his best on it. His score wasn’t nearly as high as Lindsay’s was, but few could claim that. Lindsay was one of those naturally brainy people who never forgot anything they were taught. She wanted to be a doctor one day.

How do you think I’d feel if I left knowing they were in foster care, Lindsay? Jace asked her in a choked voice thick with emotion. Do you think everything would just be hunky dory knowing I walked out on them?

I worry you’ll wind up like your dad if you stay.

I won’t ever be like him, Jace said in contempt, staring broodingly out over the dashboard.

~ ~ ~

Unlike the rest of his football team that caroused back at the party in the woods, Jace didn’t drink. Considering what he went through with his dad who could blame him?

Lindsay had to sober up before he dropped her at the two-bedroom apartment above the grocery store. Deborah Morgan kept Lindsay tight under her manicured thumb. Curfew was non-negotiable, midnight, even if she was eighteen.

Lindsay knew it tormented her mother’s pride to live in the two-bedroom apartment above the store where she worked. Lindsay’s father owned the only hardware store in town. He had the money to put them up in a better place until the divorce was final. He just didn’t.

His twenty-four year old girlfriend aside; he was selfish and moved on in his own life. The fact he waited until she was eighteen to file for divorce told her that. Her mother would get modest spousal support and a small settlement, but no child support.

Deborah worked for room and board. Her mom and Mr. Merriman dated occasionally, but since his wife left him too, they both just needed a shoulder to cry on. What little extra her father gave his wife and daughter was spent on food.

Lindsay was relieved her tuition was prepaid. Her grandparents set aside a large trust of money for her when she was born. Her dad and mom couldn’t touch it, much to her relief. Her brother took his and ran recently.

We can talk more about it tomorrow, she said moodily as she stared out the window. I don’t want to think about it now, Jace.

Jace sighed. Your Ma will be happy. She never did like the thought of us living together out there.

My mom is having a tough time right now, Jace. Leave it alone.

No, you put my dad down for being a drunk and a loser. Why don’t we look at your mom? She’s done nothing but toss out the negative since the day you told her we were going to Georgia. She’s been filling your head full of shit ever since your dad walked out! You can hate him all you want, Lindsay. You know he did it to get away from her, Jace said harshly and pulled out on Cutter’s Pass, the road leading back to Main Street in Little Bend.

She refused to answer him. Old arguments they were. Deborah Morgan made anyone in her vicinity miserable with her negativity and pessimism. Lindsay loved her mother, but grew tired of her endless whining, complaining, and blaming.

I knew you’d bring her up. The difference is my mom does what she can. Your dad could care less.

You even sound like her now, Lindsay. You pass judgment on everybody; just like her.

Just drop it. I don’t want to talk about it.

No, you don’t talk at all anymore, Lindsay. You hear something you don’t like and you go off; just like her.

Lindsay wasn’t defending herself or her mother. He was right. The last year changed everything. Finding out about her dad’s affair and the divorce pretty much affected her for the worst. Gone were the trips to Helena for designer clothes, movies, and eating out. These days, she relied on rented DVD’s and frozen pizzas for entertainment.

Overnight they were moved out of their sprawling home in an affluent neighborhood in to a cramped, dinghy apartment above Merriman’s Food and Drugs. Even her car went back to the dealership to save on expenses.

Her brother Lance took it the hardest and just packed up and left in the night. He left a note saying he couldn’t take it anymore and he was gone. They hadn’t heard from him since.

She drove her mother’s five year-old BMW station wagon now. The cute, sporty Volkswagen Beetle with the personalized plate was gone. Being the only daughter was to her advantage once. Her mother bought her whatever she wanted.

Now it was a struggle to pay for her senior pictures, cap and gown, and the prom was out of the question. Jace didn’t have the money to take her anyway. A party was planned instead up at The Point with their friends. Cameron was planning it and said it would be the blowout of the year.

Her father felt no guilt in dumping his old life, wife, and kids. His girlfriend Margene moved into their home and the forty-year old went crazy. He got a membership at the gym and squired his young girlfriend around town like a trophy.

Margene was in it for the ride. She worked at Hooligan’s as a barmaid. The heavily-made up hussy was on every guy’s short list to score with on the weekend. She had two kids from two different guys that lived with her parents in Helena.

Latching onto the middle-aged businessman was the best she could hope for in Little Bend. Known to be as easy as she was on the eyes didn’t hurt. Her father was acting like an idiot now and it pained her to watch it.

Yeah, she was bitter. Who wouldn’t be hating life about now? Maybe not Jace, she thought. For all his problems, you didn’t hear him whine like she did. They endured the drive back into town. They didn’t talk. She was too upset and he had no fight left in him.

He pulled into Merriman’s and she got out, tripping over the strappy sandals again. She cussed under her breath, eyes bruised to know this evening didn’t end as it should have.

Jace came around to her side and looked resolved. I’ll call you tomorrow. We can talk, but my mind is made up.

I’m not giving up, she retorted as she snatched up her purse off the seat and made for the single stairs leading to her apartment. You aren’t getting off the hook, pal.

Jace grinned then, displaying that charming smile that dubbed him the cutest boy in school all of his life. He laughed and blew her a kiss.

Round two can pick up after I drop Dougie at probation. Sara has to babysit for Mrs. Alton. I’ll call you while I’m waiting on Dougie. I love you, Lindsay. Please don’t forget that. We can do this. Just trust me.

I love you too, she said with a catch in her voice. She loved Jace too much. He was everything to her. Didn’t he know he made it impossible for her to leave now? She knew that was the main reason he waited to tell her.

No more talk about breaking up, Lindsay. We can make this work for a year, Jace said and looked hopeful. Sleep on it, babe.

Lindsay nodded and was glad he didn’t kiss her goodnight. She didn’t want to turn into a marshmallow the minute his lips touched hers. She wanted to be sore as she watched him get in the truck and pull out of the lot. Standing there as all went dark and silent with only the scurrying of stray cats in the dumpster nearby; she began to cry.

She didn’t want to go in right away. Her mom would see her face and hone right in on her misery. For now, she needed to be alone with her thoughts. Thinking of leaving alone come August made her cringe.

Her mother would be pleased to learn her boyfriend was staying behind. Deborah Morgan seemed to think the world should be miserable because she was. She would enjoy knowing she finally gotten her way. For some reason her mother always hated Jace.

Her boyfriend was always a gentleman; always got her home on time. The heavy-petting never went beyond set boundaries. He was the perfect boyfriend and he couldn’t have ever pleased Deborah. Jace knew it finally and gave up walking her in when they were sophomores.

Lately, she’d been the pushy one to have sex but he refused. They would wait, he said, until they had their own place. Jace said he wanted everything to be right when they became lovers finally.

She felt like the only virgin in her graduating class and was disgusted by it. Out of all the irresponsible boys she went to school with that pressured their girlfriends for sex, she dated one that was content to wait.

Unlike Deborah, her dad liked Jace. The two had a lot to talk about. Jace worked for him for a time. Money was tight now. He had to let all the part time kids go to keep Sal, his fulltime worker. She should have been happy her dad approved her choice. That was hardly any consolation given how angry she was at him right now. No, her life stunk, no two ways about it.

The porch light went on alerting her that her presence was known. Deborah thought Jace and her were out here making out. She wished they ended the evening that way. Instead she would cry herself to sleep knowing there was nothing either of them could do.

~ ~ ~

Lindsay woke up glad her mother was working. The argument the night before still stung. Deborah was pleased Jace wasn’t going with her daughter and made no bones of it.

You’re better off and don’t even know it, her mother had raged, holding a cigarette between her fingers, her embittered red-rimmed eyes attesting to how she spent the evening. The half-empty bottle of vodka aside, her mother’s misery could never be drowned. Still, she tried, when thoughts of how her husband betrayed her nipped at her. Something must have set her off tonight. Turners are nothing but trash, through and through.

Mom, just go to bed, Lindsay snapped as she tossed her purse on the kitchen table. I’m not talking to you when you’re like this.

Deborah got ugly then, her once-pretty face filled with resentment. You got your nerve, Lindsay. When things were good my daughter never talked to me with disrespect. Now the money’s gone and your brother’s gone and you talk to me like this?

You’re drunk! I’m not fighting with you, Mom!

I told you that boy was nothing but trash, didn’t I? her mother flung and laughed in a raspy voice. In the end that’s what men all do, my daughter. They just let you down. I’m not surprised.

Lindsay was angry enough over her confrontation with Jace. She didn’t need her mother ranting against him too. Without thinking her hand swept her mother’s drink off the table. The glass crashed and splintered onto the floor. Her blue eyes bore into her mother’s.

He’s the best thing that ever happened to me! Don’t you ever put him down to me again, do you hear? You never gave him a chance, thinking we were too good for him. Well take a good look around, Mom! We don’t have much more than him now. Instead of sitting here bitching about Dad and drinking; why don’t you get off your ass and do something about it?

Deborah had looked like she’d been hit. Lindsay never talked to her that way before. With everything else, she couldn’t take it right now. Her mother dissolved into sobs. She went to her room and threw herself on her twin bed, feeling horrible to make her mother cry.

She didn’t hear her get up that morning. Deborah was at work when she went out of her room and saw the little apartment was picked up. The mess in the kitchen was cleaned. One thing about Deborah; she never went to bed with a messy house. The apartment might be old and the carpet and tile needed replacement, but she kept it spotless.

Lindsay eyed the phone. The microwave clock said it was half-past nine. She’d let Jace suffer a while yet. When he called, she’d let the machine get it to punish him. Smug to think that would make her feel better she went into the bathroom and ran a bath.

~ ~ ~

Jace put the truck in park and glared at his younger brother. The small dark-haired boy wore a mutinous expression that went along with his attitude. His little face frowned ominously and he hunkered down in the seat.

The probation officer was a nice older man in his early forties named Jack Miller. He volunteered at the YMCA. His little brother just thought the guy was a joke, refusing to see the man had any interest in him outside of settling his six months probation for shoplifting. No, Jack cut Dougie a lot of slack, not violating his probation time and time again when he could.

This Saturday counseling was the price, in addition to their meeting for hoops at the YMCA twice a week. Jack liked the kid, even if he had a chip a mile wide on his shoulder.

Extenuating circumstances allowed for Dougie to get off easy this last time. It wasn’t his first offense. Jace knew it was because they didn’t have any food in the house at the time. Dougie got caught in Merriman’s stealing a bag of Doritos and a frozen burrito.

Had it been anybody but a Turner, old man Merriman might have caved and not prosecuted. As it was, Merriman had his nose broken in high school by Everett Turner back in the day. His son was given no benefit of the doubt.

Go on, get in there. Jace sighed tiredly. We got a month till you’re off probation, Dougie. You know the drill. Just get in there and get it over with.

Dougie eyed him balefully. What does it even matter? We’re just gonna get taken away, Jace. Why do we have to keep coming here?

Shut up! Nobody’s going anywhere! Jace practically hollered at his little brother. I’m staying here. I’ll be eighteen in a month and your lawyer says I can get custody of you two, alright? Now get in there.

Dougie’s eyes widened. You aren’t going to Georgia? Jace, what do you mean you’re not going?

Just what I said, Kid. I’m staying. So go make nice with Miller.

But you gave up the scholarship, Jace? You can’t do that! Coach Dawes really went all out to get that for you.

Jace looked away, feeling the guilt to know the football coach he loved like a father had yet to know of his plans. If he left, his brother and sister would be wards of the state of Montana. How could he be that selfish? He couldn’t. Coach Dawes was the least of it. Thinking of Lindsay made his heart ache. Letting her go felt like his heart was being slowly yanked out.

I’m not leaving you two. We’ll make do, always have.

Chapter Two

Dougie eyed his older brother in anguish, knowing he gave up his whole football career for them. He felt anger course through him. He wanted to go to Hooligan’s where their father was working on getting drunk and bash him upside his head. Jace didn’t deserve this.

Dougie got out of the truck and walked into the sheriff’s office where Mr. Miller waited, feeling the weight of the world on his small shoulders. He looked back before going in, watching to see Jace waited there for him. He didn’t worry. The hour he met his counselor, his brother would sit patiently waiting for him. He would be there when he got out.

~ ~ ~

Lindsay frowned when it went on three in the afternoon and Jace still hadn’t called. Neither of them had cell phones. It was frustrating to wait for the call when they got back to the farm. By five that day, she was working on getting really angry.

She had to meet her dad for dinner at six at Reddy’s diner to beg money