by Mary Alford
“OK, Mommy.” But the next spoonful was only slightly smaller.
Kara sipped her second cup of coffee and played with the oatmeal in her bowl. The dream was still too fresh for her stomach to allow food. Even though Eli had been sentenced to twenty years for a federal kidnapping case, he’d managed to escape right after sentencing while being transported back to prison. The FBI, the police, as well as the U.S. Marshal’s office, had been searching for him for years. Would there ever be a time when the nightmare would be gone?
“Mommy, when’s Christmas?”
The simple question brought Kara’s attention back to the most important reason she had for staying hidden. “December twenty-fifth.”
“Will we still be livin’ here?”
It tore at her heart that her daughter remembered all their moves. “I think so. Why, baby?”
“The kittens.” Maya whispered shyly, and then gave her mother a full toothy grin.
“Oh, I see. You want a kitten for Christmas?”
Maya’s tiny curls bobbed as she nodded.
“I’m not sure if we can take care of a kitten, baby.” At her daughter’s crestfallen expression, she added, “I’ll have to see. It’s a few weeks away, still.”
“OK, Mommy.”
Kara tried to push aside her doubts. Maybe this time…
Amy’s kitchen light flipped on with their pre-arranged signal.
“OK, you, time to get dressed. Looks like Amy’s ready. Remember today is Sunday. We go to church today with Amy.” She helped Maya change into jeans and a light sweater, and then they went downstairs to put on their jackets.
“Mommy, when does church start?”
Always the same question. Her daughter loved Amy and Kara trusted her neighbor completely, but being on the run had cost them a lot. They both needed lots of reassurances.
“Around eleven. You remember when that is?” Kara triple checked the door lock and made sure nothing was out of place before heading to the garage. She strapped Maya into her car seat. With a silent prayer, she hit the garage door opener, and the door swung up. She scanned her rearview mirror, but no one was around. Then she backed the vehicle out and closed the door once more. She pulled the vehicle up in front of Amy’s place. Kara got out and went around to Maya and helped her out.
“When the little hand is on ‘leven and the big hand is on twelve?” Maya answered.
“That’s right.” Kara rang Amy’s doorbell and waited.
Maya was well ahead of her age group due to Kara’s barely used college degree as an elementary school teacher. As secretive as Kara had to be about their lives, she’d had to keep Maya from other children and so taught her daughter herself. Maya could read and tell time, she could even do simple arithmetic
Amy opened the door and scooped Maya into her arms. “Well, good morning, you two,” she said before glancing up at the sky which was barely visible in the murky darkness. “Looks as if we’re in for some more flurries today. Winter’s coming, praise God.”
Kara saw only the clouds. “How do you know?” She stepped inside and closed the door, carefully locking it, and then caught Amy’s raised brow. It was a habit she couldn’t break. Even in a small town like Delaney Mountain.
“The clouds get all puffed up. Sure sign we’re in for snow.” Amy sat Maya down. The little girl giggled at Amy’s description. “Oh, you think that’s funny, do you?’
“Yes.” Maya laughed.
Amy winked at Maya. “You two feel up to staying for our annual pot luck luncheon today? I made my buttermilk pie, just for you, child.”
Maya turned to her mother. “Can we, Mommy? Please.”
It was easy to get caught up in her daughter’s enthusiasm. What could it hurt? She and Maya had been attending the small church for almost a month now. She’d begun to feel comfortable with the congregation. Everyone seemed truly genuine. Kara grinned at her daughter. “I don’t see why not. But we’d better get going, otherwise we’ll be late.”
Overnight, the snow had continued to fall until it blanketed everything in sight. So far, the temperature hadn’t dropped low enough to make the road too impassable, but for a former Texan, it didn’t take much to make Kara a nervous driver. She wondered how she’d cope when the snow could be measured in feet.
Once Maya was safety inside the SUV and Amy was seated next to her, Kara slowly drove into town to the small church she’d come to love.
The parking lot was packed already.
“Our pot luck luncheons are always popular. People who don’t always come to church will show up for the meal,” Amy commented on the crowd as they got out of the vehicle.
Inside, just about every pew was filled. Kara couldn’t remember ever seeing the church so crowded. She glanced up to the front of the sanctuary. Their usual seats were still vacant.
“I can’t believe the crowd today,” Amy whispered to Kara as she looked around the church. “There are quite a few new faces I don’t recognize.”
Kara cast a watchful, wary glance over the congregation, dismissing newcomers she didn’t recognize. Only one person was a threat to her and Maya, and she didn’t see that face in the crowd. She relaxed slightly, but remained on guard.
Andy Jacobs sat next to a blonde and seated beside him, closest to the aisle, was Kara’s boss, David Delaney. She’d not known they were members. They’d not been to church in the four weeks she’d been attending. Or perhaps they’d been invited by one of the congregation to the potluck. Either way, her heart did a little skip before she quelled it.
David spotted her and the surprise on his face turned to a smile. He waved and then faced the front.
The music started and the choir took the stage.
He’d been popping into her thoughts most of the time, now. His kindness was getting to her. She’d enjoyed their time together the day before, the meal they’d shared and then getting to know him a little better. And that scared and saddened her. She would never be able to stay in one place long. But this time, heartache would follow her to their new home. Her longing for a friend, for a normal life, had put a crack in her heart.
She would really miss him when she had to leave Delaney Mountain. And she would, eventually.
Kara was at church. And she had a little girl with her. In the two months he’d known her, he had no idea she had a child, or that she attended the same church as his brother and Grace. But then again, both hadn’t been to church since Grace was put on bedrest, and Kara had told David she hadn’t lived in Delaney Mountain for long before he’d hired her.
Andy spotted the direction he was looking. “Didn’t you know Kara goes to this church?”
David managed a quick shake of his head. Seeing her here had thrown him, but what the pastor talked about erased that from his thoughts.
“If you’re feeling lost. Empty. As though you’ll never overcome your past, well, I’m here to tell you, you are not your past. And God is greater than anything in the past that’s holding you back.”
It was as if Pastor Mark Andrews was speaking directly to him…or more to the point, God was, through the pastor. David swallowed, but the lump in his throat just wouldn’t go away. He’d let the past cripple him since he was a teen. He’d blamed all his past failures on his upbringing. His father’s drinking. His mother’s untimely death. Even his brother Kyle. But the truth was, he was the only person responsible for those failures, and it was time he stopped letting the past define him.
When the final hymn was sung, Pastor Andrews made some announcements.
“We’ll be decorating the church for Christmas tomorrow at six if anyone would like to join in the fun. And as usual, we’ll be doing a candlelight service on Christmas Eve, so please plan on attending. It’s always a tremendous blessing.” The pastor stopped and smiled. “Now, I hope everyone’s hungry because the ladies of the church have outdone themselves and you are all invited. So, let’s offer up a prayer of thanksgiving, and then we’ll head on over
to the annex for a meal and some church fellowship.”
When the final prayer ended, Trish turned eagerly to her husband. “We should go. Everyone here is so nice. I’d like to come back again next week. What about you, David? Do you mind if we have lunch at our place another time?”
David wasn’t about to let Trish down either. “Sure, we’ll take a raincheck. Besides, it sounds as if there’s plenty of food.” He smiled at Trish who clasped his hand.
“Thanks, David.” She was excited.
“No problem.” He was actually looking forward to meeting some of the congregation himself. He knew some of the people from dealing with them for the ranch. Others he vaguely recognized from years before. And several had stopped by earlier to introduce themselves. All seemed thrilled to learn that he was Kyle’s brother.
Kara and the little girl who clutched her hand tight were off to the right. Why had she never mentioned having a child? There were no personal photos on her desk. She’d never once complained about the long hours they’d worked. Where was the child when she stayed late?
Trish and Andy got caught up talking to a group of women eager to get to know the newcomers.
David edged his way closer to where Kara stood.
The older woman she was with rang a bell in David’s memory. Amy Dawson, the former owner of Amy’s Diner. He’d heard about her husband’s death and her subsequent retirement from the restaurant.
One of the church ladies pulled Amy aside right before David reached Kara. God was looking out for him. He hadn’t been looking forward to having a conversation in front of Amy. “Kara, hi,” he said as he tapped her on the shoulder.
She jumped and turned, her eyes wide with fear.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he apologized, wondering about her skittish behavior.
She mastered composure so quick it was startling. This woman hid a huge part of herself even in a place as innocuous as church.
“No, it’s all right. I just didn’t see you there. Hello, Mr. Delaney.”
“I didn’t realize you went to this church.” His heart sank at her formal demeanor. “My brother and his wife usually come here, but Grace is homebound with the pregnancy.”
She nodded and glanced down at the little girl who was watching their exchange curiously. “Maya, this is mommy’s boss, Mr. Delaney.”
David waved to the little girl who was the spitting image of her mother, with the exception of huge, brown eyes. “It’s David,” he whispered conspiratorially to the little girl. “But you’re mom doesn’t know how to say David. Can you?”
The little girl grinned up at him. “David,” she said and then giggled and buried her face against her mother.
Kara looked slightly embarrassed, and he felt guilty. “Sorry, I’m not trying to embarrass you. It’s just that most people call me David. Mr. Delaney was my father.” David couldn’t quite keep the bitterness out of his voice, and she obviously picked up on it.
She had the same curious look as her daughter.
“Mommy, can’t you say David?” her daughter asked.
David chuckled. The little girl was adorable.
Kara actually laughed. It was the first time he’d heard it. It made her appear much younger than the twenty-seven he knew her to be. He had a feeling she didn’t have a lot to laugh about. He wanted to change that.
“Yes, I can say David.” She enunciated his name.
Their eyes met briefly and her smile disappeared. She looked away and he struggled for something to say. “Are you and Maya going to the potluck?”
She seemed relieved to shift the discussion to something more neutral.
“Yes, we are. We came with our neighbor, Amy Dawson” --she glanced around the sanctuary “--who seems to have disappeared. What about you? Are you staying as well?”
He nodded and looked over his shoulder to where Andy and Trish were still talking with a young couple. “I am, and it looks as if Andy and his wife are preoccupied. You want to head over together?” he asked.
She hesitated, and then nodded.
He let go of the breath he’d held onto. She’d actually agreed. David was genuinely thankful that he’d decided to come today.
Together, they followed the line of people heading to the annex.
When they reached the serving line, Kara stopped so quickly that he almost slammed into her. She was staring out the window and her face had drained of color.
“What is it?” he asked, alarm coursing through him.
“Nothing. Just…” Kara didn’t finish.
There were secrets hidden in her silence. He glanced out the window. Only the parishioners who weren’t attending the lunch were heading to the parking lot to leave.
Her hands were trembling as she fixed plates for herself and Maya.
David took one of the plates. “Here, let me help you out.” He finished putting food on the plate intended for Kara.
Once they were through the line, David spotted a couple of vacant seats at one of the tables and held out a chair for Kara.
“Thank you,” she murmured and handed Maya a spoon.
He dove into the delicious meal.
She kept a close watch on the window as if expecting something bad.
“Mommy, can we get a Christmas tree this year?” Maya asked, drawing her mother’s attention from the window.
“I’m not sure yet, baby. We’ll have to see,” she answered and then looked at David.
He smiled. “I remember when I was about Maya’s age, decorating the Christmas tree was something I looked forward to for a long time.” And then his mother had died and his life changed forever.
Kara tucked her hair behind her ear, a nervous habit he’d seen before.
“I know. I loved Christmas growing up, too,” she said in a wistful tone.
This was one of the longest conversations they’d had and he was loving it. He noticed a faint accent that sounded Texan. “And where was that?” he asked. “Texas?”
She shot him a look. “How did you know?”
“The accent. It’s faint but there. I take it you moved around a lot?” he asked.
“Not really. Not until my husband died. Afterwards, well, we moved around a lot.”
David had never thought to ask her about her husband. “That must have been hard. How long has he been gone?”
“Almost five years. Maya wasn’t even born.”
She’d had to raise the child alone. He couldn’t imagine. “It must be hard going it alone with a child.”
She struggled to find the words, which was all the answer he needed.
Amy stopped beside her and spared him a quick look. “Honey, my friend Iris isn’t feeling so good. I’m going home with her to take care of her. Will you and Maya be all right by yourselves?”
Kara looked concerned. “Of course. Do you need me to drive you over?”
Amy shook her head. “Oh, my, no. Iris is quite capable of driving. I think I’ll stay the night with her just to make sure she’s fine.”
Kara got to her feet and gave Amy a hug. “That sounds like a good idea. I can pick you up there tomorrow if you’d like.”
“That’d be nice, honey. I’ll call you later and let you know how things are going.” She gave Maya a kiss on the top of her head. “You two enjoy the meal.”
David decided he would take Kara and Maya to buy that Christmas tree. And maybe find out what caused that underlying look of fear she was so quick to hide.
5
Kara couldn’t get what she’d seen off her mind. She had to be mistaken. Surely, it wasn’t Eli. And yet she couldn’t get the brief image of the man through the window out of her head.
David had been watching her, seeing all the things she didn’t want another human being to see.
“It looks as if everyone’s clearing out. I guess we should go as well,” she said and hated that her voice actually shook a little. She couldn’t imagine going back to her house and facing the nightmare if Eli was here. A
nd she couldn’t afford to be wrong.
She’d have to leave Delaney Mountain, right before Christmas. It would break her heart to tell Maya they’d have to leave Amy.
“Do you think you could give me a lift to my Jeep?” David asked unexpectedly.
She studied his expression. Did he know how scared she was? Momentary relief crept in. “Oh course. Where are you parked?”
“Over in front of McDougal’s Grocery. I rode with Andy and Trish, but they seemed to be enjoying talking to the couple they’re with. I’ll just go tell them I’m leaving and I’ll be right back.”
She nodded, and then her focus returned to the window. She shivered. How many more times would she and Maya have to move before the nightmare ended?
“All set,” David said.
She jumped. She hadn’t seen him approach. Her hand went over her racing heart as she tried to calm down.
“Sorry. Are you ready to leave?” he asked.
She was behaving irrationally. Jumping at shadows. She’d just caught a glimpse. “Uh, yes, I’m ready,” she said and got to her feet.
Maya stared up at her and then at David. Her daughter wasn’t used to having a strange man hanging around. It had just been then two of them for so long, until Amy. Could she trust David with her child?
Once they were outside, Kara glanced nervously around the area. There were only a handful of church members getting into their cars. No one lurked in the shadows waiting to pounce. Please, Father…let me be wrong. “I’m over here,” she said. David probably thought she was crazy.
He nodded and got into the front passenger side while Kara secured Maya in her car seat. Her hands shook still as she put the SUV in gear and left the church parking lot.
“The snow is really coming down. Looks like the perfect Christmas weather.” David smiled at her and in spite of everything, she found herself captivated. She’d heard rumors. He had a troubled past. So did Kara. They had that in common.
“Mommy, can Santa find us here?”
Her daughter’s question tore at her heart. They’d moved so much. She hated the need. Prayed it wouldn’t be necessary this time. She was ready to put down roots. Find her permanent place in the world. Stay somewhere long enough for Maya to celebrate more than one birthday there.