Before Love Had a Name: Book 2: Before Love, #2

By Joyce DeBacco

In Book 2 of Before Love Had a Name, Robbie comes of age; tension escalates between the twins when the girl they both love chooses one over the other; and Hurricane Andrew barrels across the island, leaving widespread damage in its wake.

 

Disclaimer: Before Love Had a Name is presented in serial format with the main story in each book continuing into the next one. Series will be complete at four books.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joyce DeBacco
• Release date: Dec 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393667889

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Mommy! Mommy! Robbie screamed. Breaking free of her father’s arms, the hysterical child ran after the car. Lee caught up to her and carried her back kicking and screaming.

Holding back tears, Nina wrapped her arms around the little girl. Baby, come inside now. You’re getting yourself all worked up.

Let me go! Let me go! Robbie screamed. My mom would’ve stayed if you weren’t here. I hate you! I hate you! With that, the distraught child ran in the house.

Beyond comfort, Robbie stayed in her room for the rest of the day. Lee tried to talk to her; Nina tried to talk to her. But the child was inconsolable, crying into her pillow for hours.

Shortly before eight, the crying stopped. Around ten, Nina announced she was going home. My presence here has only made matters worse.

It’s not your fault, babe. This would’ve happened anyway. And I know she didn’t mean what she said this afternoon.

Unconvinced, Nina merely shrugged. I’ll check on her before I leave. Her light didn’t come on all evening, and I’m hoping she finally fell asleep.

Opening the door a crack, Nina peeked in, saw a still form bundled under a blanket, and breathed a sigh of relief. She was about to close the door when she remembered that Robbie’s blanket was usually folded at the foot of her bed, pulled up only on those rare cool nights.

Panic suddenly seized her, and she flung back the blanket to find her worst fears realized: Robbie wasn’t asleep; she was gone.

* * *

Tippy, go home, Robbie said in a stern voice. Afraid she might miss the ferry’s last trip of the day, the little girl tried to chase her best friend away. I can’t take you with me, Tippy. Go home. Now!

Lowering his head, the dog peered up at her with doleful eyes before taking a tentative step forward.

No! Stay! she ordered, and the dog sat back on his haunches. Good girl.

For several seconds, dog and child stared at one another as if testing the other’s will. Child took a step back, and dog stayed where ordered. Certain she’d handled the situation, Robbie wheeled around and ran, stopping only when a painful stitch in her side forced her to rest.

Dropping to the ground, she leaned against a tree. A minute later, a rustling in the brush suggested she was not alone. She remembered her father’s warning to stick close to home after dark because that’s when wild animals come out to hunt. A wild boar, a hungry coyote, even a nasty raccoon could leave her a bloody mess. Then a soft whimper eased those fears.

Tippy, she groaned. I told you to go home.

The dog inched forward on her belly, aware her mistress was upset.

Oh, all right, she said, relenting. But we have to hurry.

With the landing in sight, the ferry’s horn sounded, signaling its imminent departure. Oh, no! See what you did, Tippy. You made me miss the last ferry. Now we have to find a place to hide until morning.

Breaking into a run, she made it to the ticket office before they locked up for the day. With money saved from her allowance, she bought a bag of chips and a can of soda from the vending machines, ripping into the chips on her way out of the building. One chip fell to the ground, and Tippy gobbled it up. Returning inside, Robbie bought another bag of chips to share.

Determined to catch the ferry first thing in the morning before anyone discovered her missing, she hid inside a little-used shed at the landing. With only one small window for light, she had to feel her way around. Coming upon a corner free of tools and oil cans, she plopped herself down and devoured her chips and soda. Then she leaned back and settled in for what promised to be a long night.

Weary in body and spirit, she closed her eyes, swollen from crying. Some time later she awoke with a start. How long had she slept? Was it still night? Forcing her eyes open, she squinted up at the small window and saw only an inky black sky. Tippy stirred, and she snuggled against her, willing the night to pass quickly.

Seconds later, a pattering of tiny feet alerted her to unwanted roommates. Hoping Tippy’s scent would keep the little critters at bay, she tried to go back to sleep. But her mind kept wandering to the vermin sharing the shed with her. Her heightened imagination saw roaches big as her palm crawling in and out of every crevice, rodents large and small feasting on the remains of her chips, and sugar ants sucking up the last sweet drops in her soda can.

Afraid to fall asleep lest they start feasting on her, she kicked her heels against the floor of the shed, creating both a vibration and a noise. The scurrying ceased, and she lay back down, relieved to have routed the undesirables. Curled up against her furry companion, she slept soundly until the jarring creak of a door woke both her and Tippy.

Bolting upright, she gasped as the silhouette of a man appeared in the doorway. Beside her, Tippy growled.

When the intruder realized he was not the only one seeking shelter for the night, he paused. Then he squatted down and tried to calm the growling dog. Easy, girl. Nice doggie, he crooned. Backing out the door, he gave a sharp whistle. C’mere, girl.

Robbie held tight to the dog’s collar. No, Tippy, no!

It’s all right, the man said. I won’t hurt her. C’mere, Tippy. I got somethin’ for ya.

The man tossed something on the ground, and the hungry dog made a dash for it.

No, Tippy, Robbie screamed.

The man quickly darted inside then slammed the door shut, leaving Tippy to whine and scratch at it.

Frightened, Robbie cowered in a corner. What do you want? she cried.

The man flicked on a flashlight. There, that’s better. Now let’s see what we got here.

Robbie hid from the light. No! Go away, she said, sobbing.

The man lowered himself beside her, his breath reeking of alcohol and rotten teeth. Why should I? he drawled. I got just as much right to be in this shed as you do.

Robbie shrank into the corner. I want my dog back, she said in a tearful whimper.

He moved closer, trapping her in the corner. Tippy? You want Tippy back? I used to have a dog when I was a kid, but he wasn’t as pretty as yours. Mine was a junkyard dog named Rufus, and he was a mean summabitch. That’s why my old man kept him chained up in the yard. If he got loose, he’d chew your arm off then spit it back at ya. We had fightin’ cocks too. Ever see two cock birds go at it?

Robbie froze as the man went on about the cock fights his family used to run. Aware he was rambling on drunkenly, she sat perfectly still, hoping he’d talk himself to sleep so she could sneak out.

Suddenly, he aimed the beam of his flashlight in her face. Hey, I seen you before. What’s a cute li’l thing like you doin’ hidin’ out in here, huh? he said, stroking her cheek with a grimy finger. Hey, cat got your tongue? Answer me, girl!

His hand dropped to her lap, and she panicked. No! Go away!

He laughed in her face, and his breath assaulted her. Well, ain’t you a spunky li’l thing. C’mere, I don’t bite.

She yelled again. No! Don’t touch me!

* * *

When Lee heard Nina screaming that Robbie was gone, he rushed to her side. What do you mean she’s gone?

She stuffed pillows under her blanket to make it look like she was asleep.

Frantic, Lee checked under the bed and in the closet. Grasping at straws, he even called Arlene Noble to see if she was there with the boys. Told she wasn’t, he and Nina jumped in the van and drove to the ferry landing. If Robbie wanted off the island, that’s where she’d have to go.

Screeching to a stop in front of the ferry operator’s house, he ran up to the door and banged on it until it opened. I’m sorry to bother you so late, Ben, but my daughter’s missing, he said breathlessly. Did you happen to see her on the outgoing ferry tonight?

Sorry, Lee. I haven’t seen her since you picked her up from school this afternoon.

Lee ran a trembling hand through his hair. Then where the hell is she? This is the only way off the island.

The man rubbed his chin. You know, he said pensively. I don’t want to alarm you, but there’s been a drunk hanging around the island lately. I caught him a couple times trying to sneak onto the ferry at night. Let me get my shotgun, and we’ll go check things out.

Lee latched onto Nina’s hand. Oh, God, Nina, it has to be that bum who stopped by when we were doing the front yard. I got rid of him fast when he showed a little too much interest in you and Robbie.

You don’t know that, Lee, she said, attempting to alleviate his fears. That man might be long gone from the island.

The ferry operator returned with gun in hand, and they rushed toward the ferry. They were about to climb onboard when a child’s high-pitched scream quickly followed by a dog’s frantic barking stopped them.

That’s Robbie and Tippy! Lee said, spinning around in circles trying to determine where the scream came from. Robbie! Robbie, where are you, baby? Daddy’s here.

The shed, Nina called out. It sounds like it came from that shed over there.

With Ben and his shotgun close behind, Lee and Nina hurried toward the shed and found an agitated Tippy running back and forth. Relying on sheer adrenaline, Lee stormed the door. In the dim light, he discerned the shadowy figure of a man hunched over in the corner.

Daddy! Daddy! Robbie shrieked.

Beside himself with fear and rage, he lunged at the man, pounding on his face until Ben pulled him off.

I got this, Lee. I got this, Ben said. You tend to your kid.

Lee slammed his fist into the man’s face one last time, then ran to Robbie now cradled in Nina’s arms. It’s okay, baby, he said, too choked up to say more. It’s okay. Daddy’s here.

Calmer now, Robbie allowed Nina to lead her out of the shed. Ben asked Lee to hold his shotgun on the man while he got a length of rope. After he had the man trussed up tighter than a Thanksgiving turkey, he reclaimed his gun and ran back in the house to call police.

Lee returned his attention to Robbie. What happened, baby? Are you okay?

The child shuddered then wrenched free of his arms.

Confused by the subtle rebuff, Lee shot a glance at Nina. A slight shake of her head told him to back off.

So, um, why don’t you two go wait in the van? he said. I’ll wait here with Ben till the cops come. I’m too shook up right now to sit anyway.

Resting her hand on his chest, Nina patted his rapidly beating heart. It’s all right, Lee. She’s safe now.

Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized how close his little girl came to being violated by a smelly, toothless predator who didn’t deserve to breathe the same air as decent people.

Seething with righteous anger, he waited impatiently until a patrol boat with flashing lights pulled up to the landing. He gave his statement, then watched with relief as an officer led the unsavory character away in cuffs. His relief was short-lived, however, when another officer requested he bring Robbie to the station in the morning to give her statement.

* * *

In the van, Nina smoothed Robbie’s damp hair from her brow and pressed a kiss to it. The sobbing child issued one last, deep shudder, then burrowed into her side for the short ride home. Once there, Nina asked if she wanted to take a bath.

No, she said in a whimper. I just want to go to bed and forget today ever happened.

Nina fought back a tear. Okay. Sleep tight, baby.

As she turned to leave, a small hand held her back. "Can you stay with