“Anna’s right,” Sam said, ignoring his wife, with a quick glance my way, acknowledging my name choice. I smiled at him in appreciation. “It will be hard to prove, especially now that there is no evidence.” We all looked at him with matching confused expressions. “No bruising,” he explained. “Cops have kind of a code, we stick together. And if they don’t, and one speaks up against another, it can get difficult for the one speaking out. It doesn’t help that every man in the family is a cop, and his father is a captain. I think its best to keep her hidden, and watch her when we can. If he happens to find her, we might get lucky if he hurts her.”
“Sam!” Kathy yelled.
Noah’s jaw locked as he sat forward in his chair, a sign of aggression I had never seen from him, especially directed at his best friend.
Sam raised a hand. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound harsh. But if we can catch him in the act we’ve got our proof.”
“That’s not going happen. He’s not going to get anywhere near her,” Noah yelled, slamming his hand on the table with a loud smack. The salt and pepper shakers shook bumping into one another, and the salt fell over, leaving little white granules in a pile on the oak table.
I flinched at the loud pounding sound, closing my eyes. Noah’s warm hand wrapped around mine, and when I opened my eyes again he mouthed the word “sorry,” his expression filled with guilt. I nodded to him and squeezed his hand, hoping to return the comfort. We both turned back to our guests, getting back to the conversation.
I understood what Sam was saying, I had listened to a lot of police talk when I was with Nick. I knew proof wasn’t always enough. Sometimes getting caught in the act was the only way.
Sam leaned back in his chair, glaring at Noah, clearly annoyed by his friends behavior.
“Sorry,” Noah mumbled, looking down at the table.
Sam nodded. “Okay then, we just keep her hidden, and see what happens.”
After they left, Noah and I moved to my place to watch a movie. I got out my photo albums, wanting him to learn more about me. Since I couldn’t introduce him to my family, I wanted him to see pictures of us together.
“Is that you?” he asked as he stared at a picture of me, posing in front of a lake wearing a floral bikini. I was ten.
“Yes, that’s me.”
He leaned closer. “Very cute, I love the freckles.” He laughed as I punched him. “Is this your parents?”
He was pointing to a professional photo of my mom and dad. “Yes, this is actually the picture that was in my locket.”
“What happened to it, I’ve never seen you wearing it?” His eyes turned soft with concern. “It obviously means a lot to you.”
I frowned, shaking my head. “Nick got mad at me and threw it in the garbage disposal, after he almost choked me to death. That was the night before I left him. He knew how much that locket meant to me. It was like I lost my father all over again.” Tears clouded my eyes as I quickly flipped the pages of the book looking for a particular picture, and finding it, I stopped. “That’s it right there.” I pointed to a close-up of me when I was eight; my father had just given it to me. You can see the locket perfectly; It was all I had left of him. I rushed on blinking away the sting that threatened at my eyelids. “Anyway, that was the night I decided to stop my excuses and leave, only I didn’t know where I was escaping to. Until your grandmother came the next morning and handed me a note.”
His eyes widened in interest. “What did it say?”
“It said: “I know. You have to leave. This is the address to my cottage in Shimmer Lake. Leave today.” When I finished reading it, all she said was, “Thin walls.” Then she told me she was going to stay with your mom for a few weeks, and she came to say goodbye. I think she was worried that my apartment was bugged. I don’t think it was though.”
“God, I love her. She’s actually renting out the apartment. I think she’s eventually going to sell. Now I know why.”
After my very emotional weekend, things returned to normal. Noah had an order to fill, and I had a second draft to write, using the notes Debbie had sent. I went to Martin a few times to send the changes to Debbie. And I was pleasantly surprised to find letters from my family waiting. My favorites were from Haley and Justin. The problem with those letters was that they made me happy while I read them, but when I finished, I was always depressed for days after. I felt sorry for myself, that all I had from them were words written on paper. I wanted to see their faces. I missed the wrinkles on my mother’s face when she smiled. I missed my sister’s advice even though I never listened to it. I missed seeing Justin get dirty no matter what he did, and Laurel’s sweet smile.
I wallowed in self-pity until Noah reminded me that those letters were more than I had a month ago.
The next few months went by in a blur; it was amazing how fast time flew when you were truly happy. Noah continued to get me to try new things. Now he was on a food kick. I wasn’t enjoying this as much. I had tried venison, liver, and crab cakes. So far the crab cakes were my favorite.
One day in early December, Kathy talked me into Christmas shopping in Martin. This time I was wearing my hair up in a hat and wore colored contacts Kathy insisted on. She said it was either that or I had to dye my hair, and I really didn’t want to do that. It worked though; we went to the same bookstore without anyone noticing me. Although it helped that my picture was now down. I bought a couple of books for Kathy’s boys. They were some of mine and I planned on signing them, saying that I got them from the author. We were still keeping my identity a secret from them. They had big mouths. Kathy told me that Jamie had informed his entire class that his Uncle Noah’s girlfriend walked around outside in a robe. Apparently, I wasn’t as sneaky as I had thought.
I went to a music store for Noah, picking out a few CDs of his favorite bands, and I thought Sam would like the same. I headed to the hardware store for Noah’s next gift. I had ordered a special chisel with his name engraved on it. The man on the phone had informed me that this particular one was perfect for carving intricate designs. Kathy didn’t know it, but I had already purchased her gift.
After a few more stores and some more purchases for Noah, we headed for the library so I could check Steve’s email. There was a letter from Debbie saying that the publishers were hoping to print my new book, The Quest For Mouse City (the title they chose) by the end of next week, just in time for Christmas. They were a little worried that I couldn’t promote it, but since it was Christmas they were sure sales would be great. My sales seemed to have improved immensely with all the publicity on my disappearance. They had even issued a statement that I had sent in multiple manuscripts before I disappeared and that Debbie had power of attorney. That was what Debbie had fed the people in charge. Her boss was the only one that knew the truth. In the statement they announced that all the proceeds would be kept in a trust until I returned, or kept for my family if I didn’t.
One night about two weeks before Christmas, I walked into Noah’s house and heard him talking on the phone. “Okay, I guess, but do you think there’s enough room for everyone?...Mmm-hmm…no don’t worry about it. Sure there’ll be enough room. Okay, see you then.” He hung up and turned around. His brow was creased and he wasn’t smiling. My heart dropped, expecting bad news. “Um… I’m not sure how you’re going to take this, but my family is coming down for Christmas. I figured it was okay, they’ve done it before, so if Nick was watching my grandmother, it’s a normal thing for us. You don’t look happy.”
A feeing of anxiety formed in my stomach. “No, I’m fine, just I’m nervous to meet your parents. What if they don’t like me?”
He grinned, placed the portable phone on the table, and stepped toward me. “My grandmother loves you, and so will they. She didn’t mention you, so I think she must be trying to be careful too.” He furrowed his brow. “You still seem upset.”
I was fighting tears. The closer it was to Christmas the more depressed I became and the words just gushed out
of me. “I just wish my family could meet you. I’m a little jealous that you can spend Christmas with yours. I’ve never missed one in my life.”
He wrapped his arms around me, enveloping me in his warmth. He was wearing an oatmeal-colored sweater. The material was soft against my skin; his spicy scent helped cheer me up. “It will be fun. And we will have other Christmases to spend with your family, I promise.” He leaned his head on top of mine. “I can’t wait to introduce you to my sister and her family.”
“Are we going to have enough room?” I mumbled into his chest.
He stepped back to face me. “Yeah, you can stay with me, and they can stay at Grandma’s cottage.”
“Okay, it sounds fun really.” I clapped my hands together. “Oh, I got the first few editions of my book. They were sent to the manager at the bookstore in Martin as a favor to Debbie, and they sent them to me. I’m going to send them to Haley and Justin. They always get the first.”
His brow furrowed. “How are you going to do that?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll drive to a city a few hours from here and mail it. I’ll also use the name of Jeff’s parents for the postmark. That way, it can’t be traced back to Shimmer Lake or me.”
He smiled. “Good idea, we’ll make it a road trip.”
“Or I could get Debbie to send them one, but I usually sign it for them.”
“We’ll think of something,” he said, tightening his hug.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
A Christmas Wish
“Merry Christmas, honey!” Daddy said, handing me a small box wrapped in candy-cane wrapping paper. It was Christmas morning, and I sat with Brenda on the floor of our rec room, buried in wrapping paper. The brown paneled walls were strewn with red and gold garland, and the tree was decorated with ornaments that Brenda and I had made. Mommy let us decorate down here while she took care of the upstairs. If you asked me, we did a better job ’cause we made everything.
“Brenda, here’s yours. These are the last gifts, girls. So don’t expect any more,” Mommy added.
“What about Granny and Grandpa?” Brenda asked, her blond hair hanging in her eyes. Jeepers, you’d think she could brush her hair before she came downstairs, it was Christmas after all. Although I had forgotten too, but I think mine looked better than hers.
“I’m sure they’ll bring you gifts, Brenda, but don’t ask for any, it’s not polite. I meant that’s the last for now.” Mommy sighed, looking tired.
“Come on, girls, open it,” Daddy urged, looking as excited as we were.
Brenda and I looked at each other and then we grinned. “On your mark, get set, go!” she yelled, and then we tore the wrappers off and stared at a small blue box. Together we lifted the lids and gasped. In my box was a heart-shaped locket. Daddy came over and sat between us, smelling of cookies. “This is just from me. Mommy and Santa get to have all the fun shopping for you, but this time I found something that I thought would be perfect for you.”
“Why?” Brenda asked, holding up the delicate chain. The lights from the Christmas tree reflected off the silver locket.
“Well, because I have to leave often for my job and I miss you both. So I thought you could have this, so you wouldn’t miss me.”
“Why won’t we miss you?” I asked Daddy. I had to hold back my laughter, because he didn’t brush his hair either, and it was sticking up on his head like Alfalfa from Little Rascals.
Daddy grinned, looking from Brenda to me. “Because these are special lockets.”
I woke with a start, my throat burning with the threat of tears. Two days away until Christmas, and I already missed my family. I didn’t need the reminder that I wouldn’t see them this year.
I buried my head in my pillow, wishing I could get the dream back. I was in my own bed. My depression over my family was taking on a new high and I didn’t want Noah to suffer, so I chose to stay at home until tomorrow when his family would be here.
I was very excited to see Sylvia for more than one reason. I wanted Debbie to open a P.O. box so Sylvia could put my presents for my family in there. I had already written Debbie about it and just needed to give the presents to Sylvia to deliver. They would be late but I was sure they wouldn’t care.
I was still in bed when I heard the front door, and Noah yell for me. “I’m in here,” I yelled back.
He stood leaning against the bedroom door frame, wearing his trademark jeans and a gray knit sweater. He looked cozy enough to snuggle in front of a fire place sipping hot chocolate. “That’s it. We’re getting out of here. You’ve been moping around for days. I’m taking you for a drive.”
“Where?”
“We’re going to Bellen Hill.”
“That’s three hours from here, why are we going there.”
His eyes shone with secrets, his lips turned up at the edges. “To make a phone call.”
I pointed toward the living room where I had left the portable phone. “Um… I don’t know if you realize this, but there’s one in there.”
He smirked, looking very full of himself. “We’re calling your family, to wish them a Merry Christmas. There’s a very large insurance company in the city and a friend from college works there, he said we could use his office phone.”
I suddenly felt excited and nervous at the same time, as I sat up in bed. “You mean if Nick happened to check Brenda’s phone records it wouldn’t look unusual for her to get a call from an insurance company?”
He nodded. “And the building has sixty floors. It wouldn’t be easy to track down the phone we called from.”
Jumping up, I rushed into his arms, breathing in his spicy scent. Grabbing his face, I squeezed his cheeks. “You are a genius,” I said, kissing his lips. “I have to hurry and have a shower. What am I going to wear?” I asked, suddenly anxious.
He laughed. “They’re not going to see what you look like.”
“I’ll know,” I called over my shoulder as I rushed into the shower. My mood had improved immensely, all thanks to Noah. God, I love that man.
We left half an hour later, wanting to make it there before then end of the work day. We made good time, considering Noah drove the exact speed limit worried about getting pulled over. He was overprotective of me ever since he found out my secret. I secretly loved the extra attention. It made me feel treasured.
We pulled into the insurance company’s parking lot and I looked up. The building was enormously high, all gray concrete and windows. Noah was right; it wouldn’t be easy to trace a call here.
We rode the elevator up to the forty-ninth floor and followed the secretary’s directions to Mike’s office. Mike was around thirty with thinning black hair. His eyes were an olive green, and surrounded by long, thick lashes Debbie would kill for. He greeted us each with a strong handshake and explained that we would have his office to ourselves, because he was just leaving for lunch. We thanked him and wished him a Merry Christmas, expecting to be gone before he got back.
I sat down on the office chair with Noah hovering above me. I was so excited, I felt like spinning around in the chair. A childish thought, I know, but since my dream, and Noah’s idea this morning, I’d been giddy as a school girl. I took a deep breath and began to dial, hoping they would be home. It rang three times, and I was about to hang up when I heard my sister’s voice. “Hello,” she said sounding winded.
“Hi, Brenda,” I said cheerfully.
“Abby!” she shrieked. “I’m so glad to hear your voice, but you shouldn’t be calling.”
“It’s okay. I’m not calling from home. But we won’t stay on long. How are you?”
“I’m great, the kids are great. Mom’s great, but we miss you so much.” I felt tears run down my cheeks, but I didn’t care, I was so happy to be talking to my sister.
“Did Brian check your phone for bugs like Debbie said he would?”
“Yeah, there was nothing that he could see, but he did say he thought Nick was checking our phone records.”
“I
figured as much. But it’s okay. I’m somewhere he can’t trace.”
She sniffed, telling me she had been crying like I was. “Good, because there’s someone here who is dying to talk to you.”
“Okay. I love you and have a good Christmas.”
“I love you too, Abby. Be safe.”
I heard some muffled noises that sounded like the phone being handed over. “Abby?” my mother asked, crying. Her voice washed over me like a hug, bringing back many memories that made me so happy.
“Yes, Mom, it’s me,” I whispered, unable to get the words out.
“Oh, honey, I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too,” I managed to squeak out. I was crying so hard I could hardly speak. I was shaking. My body was filled with months’ worth of emotion. I felt Noah rub my back gently, calming me down.
“I got your letters, sweetie. I’m so happy you’ve found someone who treats you right. You deserve it.”
I sighed, trying to calm down. “You have no idea. It was his idea to come here today. He thought of a plan to make this call. By the way would you like some more insurance?” I couldn’t help the giggle that slipped out.
“Is that where you are? An insurance company?”
“Yes. Noah thought of it, there’s no way a call from an insurance company will be noticed.”
“He sounds smart and thoughtful. I can’t wait to meet him.”
“Oh, Mom, me too. You’ll love him.”
“It’s about time somebody worthwhile realized how special you are.”
Noah’s hand moved to my shoulder, rubbing softly. “Mom, I wanted to call to wish you Merry Christmas. I’m going to send gifts somehow, and Debbie is going to pick them up. They’ll be late, but I didn’t think you’d care.”
She made a sound that sounded like something between a sob and a laugh. “All we need is for you to be happy, and safe.”
“I am, Mom.”
Finding Abigail Page 27