Ch.41 - Talia

"This is fascinating," Jackson announced, clearly impressed with the scenery. "I can't imagine what it's like to look out at this every day of the year."

Charlie smiled, his body language more relaxed than it had been in days. Talia knew getting him out on the airboat would be good. "Wait until we get into the thick of it. You'll be amazed."

Jackson nodded his head in approval. "I already am."

The boat slowly made its way through the sheet of fresh water gradually picking up pace. Sawgrass rippled around them like green waves while two white pelicans swooped overhead, finally settling on a shallow location to fish.

Talia watched as Jackson took in their surroundings, his expression tight as he eyed a crocodile sunning itself on the shore. "So, how did you end up here in the Everglades? Do you get to choose where you go to write your articles?"

Jackson was quiet for a moment before answering. "I've always had an interest in the Everglades, ever since I vacationed here with my parents as a child. But the truth is, my editor came up with the idea. She wanted a series of pieces written on the Florida Wetlands. I started out in the Okefenokee Swamp then gradually made my way here."

He glanced at her with curiosity. "Did you grow up here, Talia, or are you a Northern refugee?" He laughed. "It seems most everyone I've met on this trip came from some place cold."

"Charlie grew up here, but me. . ." She saw no reason to lie. "I was born in Michigan and eventually found my way here."

Jackson laughed again. "I thought I detected a Midwestern dialect." He looked at her closely. "So, are you a Yooper or a Troll?"

Talia shifted in her seat cradling Carter closer and widened her eyes in surprise. "Oh my goodness, I haven't heard those terms in years! I was born in Ann Arbor. That's in the lower peninsula, so I guess that makes me a Troll. Yoopers live in the U.P." She suddenly chuckled. "I never did like those nicknames. I always wished we were Yoopers instead of Trolls! No kid wants to be referred to as an ugly elf with crazy hair."

"What are you two talking about?" Charlie asked, amused. "Why are you considered a Troll?"

"It's just a silly Michigan thing," Talia explained. "Anyone who lives in the upper peninsula, above the Mackinac bridge, is considered a Yooper--for the U.P. If you live under the bridge, you're a Troll." She laughed again, enjoying herself. "Get it?"

Charlie's smile spread across his face. It was good to see for a change. "I get it."

It had been a long time since she thought about her roots in Michigan. Reflecting on her childhood brought on thoughts of her parents, which in the past Talia would avoid at all costs. Losing them the way she had, their senseless murder, still haunted her. The drifter who'd broken into their home made off with a minimal amount of money, barely enough to fill a gas tank, but he'd shot her parents anyway. It made no sense. If she hadn't been spending the night at a friend's house, she might be dead, too. For a very long time, she wished she'd been killed along with them. It would have been easier than living on her own. Since she began meeting with Rebecca Blair, Talia found many things were getting easier and easier for her to do. Thinking about her parents; thinking about Steven; finally feeling stronger and in charge of her life. She'd been skeptical about seeing the psychologist at first, she wasn't quite sure it would help. But after getting to know her through her work at Heeling Hearts, Talia felt a connection, and the therapy seemed to be paying off.

After everything that had happened with Steven, part of her "rehabilitation" had been to attend sessions with a doctor. The state of Florida placed her with a man who'd been in practice for more years than she'd been alive. During their appointments, he'd just stare at her over steepled fingers, asking questions like, "And how did that make you feel?" It'd been been one big joke. The day she went in for her last meeting with him had been one of the happiest days of her life.

"Look over there!"

Charlie pointed to a dark lump in the water deliberately making its way closer to them. Talia held onto Carter a little tighter and scooted away from the edge of the boat. She had never been a fan of the crocodiles living behind their house, but she'd accepted their presence in her new life. They were interesting to watch from a distance, but she made sure never to get too close. When Carter was with her, she took extra precautions.

"Amazing," Jackson whispered underneath his breath. He unzipped the black bag draped across his chest and removed the camera. Moving closer toward the slow-moving reptile, he lifted the camera to his eye and adjusted the lens. He took a few pictures then re-positioned himself. The crocodile raised its head from the water and opened its mouth, revealing two rows of sharp teeth. It snapped its mouth shut, its teeth interlocking over gray-green lips.

Jackson stared at the beast in awe for a moment before raising the camera once more. Suddenly, he looked at the small piece of equipment and his face fell in dismay. "No, no. Not now." His fingers quickly rifled through the leather case.

Talia's eyebrows pinched together. "Is everything alright?"

"Shoot. No. My extra battery pack's not in here." Jackson looked off to the side as if in deep thought. "I must have forgotten to put in back when I cleaned out my bag." He glanced down at the crocodile and let out a sigh. "This is such a great shot here, with the crocodile up this close. I need to get these pictures in to my editor before she has a fit. She was actually hoping to have them a couple days ago. Guess I'll need to go on a boat tour after all. Hope they work with me when I see a picture I'd like to take." Reluctantly, he placed the camera back into the case and zipped it up.

"I'll take you out again," Charlie offered. "It actually looks like rain anyway. We should probably head back. These crocs come up to the boat most every time we're out here. They're used to us." Charlie glanced into the sky at the gray clouds rolling in, the wind nuzzling brown waves of hair across his forehead. "How about we try this again tomorrow after I get back from visiting my mother? If everything's okay there I'll take you out in the afternoon."

"That would be great, Charlie. Thank you." Jackson looked at Talia. "Do you ever take the boat out on your own?"

Talia nodded. "Sometimes." She thought for a moment. If Charlie would agree to take Carter to the hospital with him she could just take Jackson out on her own, that way Charlie could stay with Enid. She knew deep down he wouldn't want to leave his mother a second day in a row. He liked to be with her as much as possible, but sometimes he needed to come home and shower and visiting with his daughter. She turned to Charlie. "If I can drop Carter off with you tomorrow, I'll take Jackson out. Besides," she added, glancing down at the baby. "She needs to see her grandmother."

Charlie stiffened. "You know I don't like to have Carter there. She's too young, it might scare her."

"Charlie," Talia began softly. "It'll scare Carter more if she never gets to see her." She kissed the top of Carter's head, her blonde curls tickling her chin. "Maybe Enid will sense her there. You know what the doctors said: talk to her as if she can hear. Having her granddaughter there might be just what she needs. I'll pick her up as soon as we're finished."

Charlie silently stared ahead.

"What do you say, Charlie?" Jackson asked. "I won't keep Talia out long, and I hate the thought of taking you away from your mother. If something were to happen to her and you weren't there..." His voice trailed off. "Well, I just don't want to be responsible for that."

"You're certain you're okay with this?" Charlie asked Talia, looking uncertain.

Talia gave him as reassuring a smile as she could. "Of course I'm certain. I promise, I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't. I've taken this boat out plenty of times, it's the kayak I don't like. Jackson can get his pictures and you stay with Enid. As soon as I'm done, I'll join you."

Charlie maneuvered the boat around a small island just as a raindrop landed on Talia's cheek. The expression on her husband's face was still hesitant, but she knew he would cave. This plan would work out great. Once she dropped Carter off at the hospital she could pick up a pregnancy test and solve the mystery of her missing period once and for all. When she met up with Charlie after the boat ride maybe she'd have some news to share.

"Alright," Charlie finally said. "As long as you're okay with it."

"I'll be fine. Stop worrying." Talia looked at Jackson. "Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"

Jackson smiled.

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Hello and thank you for reading Secrets and Lies! If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a vote/comment. Next update is Tuesday! :)

Jackson's plans for getting Talia seem Pretty obvious. I'm not so sure she'll be safe if she's with him!

I have good news for those of you who didn't get to read Strawberry Wine before it was pulled from Wattpad. I've been invited to repost the original version! I'm adding the chapters back every other day until the entire manuscript is available to read. Then January 31st 2017, the much longer, revised version will be available in book stores everywhere! Head on over to my profile and start reading today! And sign up for my email list to be eligible for book giveaways and exclusive content!

Have a wonderful day, Darly