Free Dylan's Redemption by Jennifer Ryan Page A

nothing to do with Buddy Thompson.
    “Sooo, give,” Lynn prompted. “What’s she been doing all this time? Where has she been?”
    “She didn’t say.” He wasn’t going to say any more. Unfortunately, Lynn had other ideas.
    “You know, some folks thought she left to find you. I think most people dismissed that notion when your mama told everyone you’d joined the military. Seems she told everyone just a couple weeks after Jessie up and left.”
    Interesting. Jessie called his mother after she’d left town. Maybe his mother wanted everyone to know she wasn’t with him. Had to keep up appearances and propriety. That’s why she constantly told him to “stay away from that no-good girl. She’s nothing but trouble.”
    “Other folks said she ran off with a boyfriend she’d met on one of those construction jobs she worked with her daddy. Course, no one said who that might be. She tagged along after you and her brother. Seems she stayed real close to you two as much as possible.”
    He knew, now, why. She wanted to be safe with them. In the end, she hadn’t been. They’d both walked out on her. He couldn’t believe he’d been that guy. Stupid, idiot, teenager. Well, he’d never be that guy again. This time, he wanted forever.
    “Most folks believed her daddy finally killed her.”
    “Finally? What does that mean?” Lynn held his full attention now. “As far as I know, no one knew Jessie was being hurt. At least, that had been my perception.”
    Lynn let out a incredulous laugh. “You were just a kid, engrossed in your own life and teenage dramas. Sports, school, girls. Those things held your attention.”
    He had to agree. Self-absorbed described most teens, himself included.
    “Weren’t no big secret old Buddy Thompson was meaner than a rabid dog to that girl. After her mama killed herself and Buddy took to drinking as his full-time job, he was known to leave a mark or two on her. A couple of her teachers noticed a few times and sent her to the office. Nothing was ever done. Buddy would come in and say how she’d fallen or gotten hurt at one of his construction jobs. Jessie backed him up, afraid to say anything against Buddy. Without any evidence, or a witness to the abuse, nothing was ever done.
    “Who could blame her? On the days she went to the office, she’d come back the next day with more than a few bruises. Teachers became too afraid to say anything for fear the poor girl would pay for it. From the third or fourth grade on, teachers ignored her and the kids stayed clear of her. They figured if the teachers didn’t want anything to do with her, neither did they.
    “I remember she was real smart. Brainy, most would call her. Quiet. Shy. I don’t think that girl ever had many friends, except you and Brian.”
    On a roll, Lynn continued. “Now Brian, that boy got everything Jessie went without. You’d see him with new shoes and clothes. Jessie was always an afterthought with Buddy. Seems if he’d done better by her, others would have treated her better as well. Even your mama said more than a few unkind words about poor Jessie hanging around you. She didn’t like it one bit. Thought Jessie was no good. I bet your mama never thought you’d join the military and become an officer of the law.”
    Surprised didn’t begin to cover it. He’d had more than a few arguments with her and his father about his chosen profession. The only concession he’d made to his parents’ dream for him was getting his degree in criminology. He’d worked damn hard to earn it, starting with correspondence and online classes during his military stint and finishing during his first year on the police force. He owed Jessie for that too. Her death made him think about what he really wanted for his life. He hadn’t saved Jessie, but he’d dedicated his life to saving others.
    “Your mother blamed your life choices on Jessie too. She discovered you snuck Jessie into the prom and afterwards you didn’t even talk to