“You don’t have to say anything, but whatever you tell me I’ll keep in confidence. I know what it feels like to need to talk, but something holds you back.”
She started to ask him about it but realized this wasn’t the time. Taking a cleansing breath, she stared at her laced fingers in her lap and murmured, “My ex-husband can’t find me. If he does, he’ll kill me.” Slowly, unsure of his reaction, she peered into his eyes—full of compassion and something else. Anger?
A nerve twitched in his jaw as he covered her clasped hands with his. “Why do you think that?”
“I’m the one who turned him in to the police for his illegal activities. Once he was in jail, I ran from him, taking Robbie with me. Through the New Life Organization, a group that helps abused women leave their husbands, I was able to divorce him and get complete custody of my son. If it hadn’t been for them, I don’t know what I would have done.”
Although Josiah’s expression was fierce, his touch against her hands was gentle. “Did he ever hit you or Robbie?”
“Only me, but he’d come close to hitting Robbie toward the end. I’d tried to leave him a couple of times, and he always found me, dragged me back home. I discovered the first time I ran away that his associates were ruthless and would stop at nothing to get what they wanted. That was how Keith was, too.”
“Then how were you able to finally get away from him?”
“I arranged through our maid to give the police information I’d discovered about Keith’s criminal activities. She was a lifesaver and the reason I’m a Christian. I don’t know what I would have done without Rosa. Everyone else who worked for my husband was terrified of him. God sent her to me when I needed her.”
“What happened to her?”
Ella could remember so vividly when she’d said goodbye to Rosa. The emotions of that parting inundated her, and the tears welled up in her throat. “I gave her some money, and she went back to her own country. Originally she was going to come with me, but she was homesick. I miss her so much, but for Robbie’s sake, I’ve cut off all ties to my past, including my parents.”
“If you turned your ex-husband into the police, why isn’t he in prison? Or was he released?”
“He was charged but never went to trial. I found out that he had turned the state’s evidence against the crime organization he was part of.”
“Is he in the witness security program now?”
“No one will tell me for sure, but I know he disappeared. I imagine he is, but he has his own problems. The people he worked for won’t hesitate to kill him if they find him. I’ve scoured the internet for any trace of him and never found anything.”
“And now you’re afraid he might see that photo of you and know where you are?”
She nodded. “I’ve always been so careful not to have my picture taken. Nowadays one photo can live on the internet forever. TV networks and newspapers all put their photos and videos up on the internet. Now I don’t know what to do.”
“You think he’s still looking for you?”
“I have to think he is. To ignore that possibility could mean tragedy. When Robbie went missing, my first thought was that Keith had found us and he’d kidnapped him. For a few seconds, I was relieved it was Foster. But he’s become a problem in his own right.” The thumping of her heart made breathing difficult.
“Foster will be found.”
“I’m not so sure. He’s been eluding the police for a while now. Don’t forget, Alaska is a big state.”
Josiah frowned. “True, but it seems as though he’s losing all sense of reality. He’ll make a mistake soon and get caught. I have to believe that.”
“Because the alternative is that there might be two people who want to come after Robbie?”
“We have some dedicated people looking for Foster, and now the public is involved.”
“I hope we catch him. I love living here, and I don’t want to run again. I’m tired of running.”
He pulled her toward him, and slipped his arm around her. She nestled against him. “Your ex-husband has his own problems. If he has powerful people coming after him, then I can’t see him coming after you. He’ll do what he needs to do to protect himself. Drawing attention to himself could alert the criminals he turned against.”
“Keith always put himself first, so you’re probably right.” She laid her head against his shoulder and savored the moment. Right now this was the safest place for her and Robbie. She needed to practice putting herself in the Lord’s hands, because the alternative was living a life of fear.
“You’ll see. After Foster is captured, everything will return to normal.” His hand rubbed up and down her back.
Normal? She wasn’t sure she knew what that was. Her life hadn’t been normal for years.
“But one thing I promise you. Your past is safe with me. You don’t have to do this alone.”
She’d always dreamed of someone saying that to her, but Josiah had his own problems that he kept secret. Even though she’d become a very private person out of necessity, she’d never fall in love with someone hiding part of himself. Not after Keith. She couldn’t go through that again.
“I think we need to plan something fun to do after Foster is caught. Any suggestions?”
“I think Robbie would like a camping trip.”
“What about you?”
“Whatever Robbie wants, I want. But I have to warn you. I’m a complete novice. I’m not even sure I can put up a tent.”
“We can remedy that. I’ll make my business calls tomorrow, and then we’ll set a tent up in the backyard. You need to know how and so does Robbie, especially if we do go camping.”
“That would be great.”
“Okay, now, what would you like to do for yourself?”
“Robbie being happy is something for myself.”
“What’s your heart’s desire?”
The fact that Josiah had even bothered to ask her that stunned her. Not once had Keith or anyone else asked her. She couldn’t tell him her heart’s desire was to be loved unconditionally. “I’d love to go out to dinner at Celeste’s. I’d never be able to afford it, though,” she said instead.
“Celeste’s. Done. I suspect that isn’t really what your heart’s desire is, but I can understand your reluctance to reveal the truth.” He smiled, a gleam in his eyes that made her feel cherished. “I hope one day you’ll be able to tell me. It’s hard being alone.”
The way he said that last sentence held a wealth of loneliness. She wanted to ask him what had happened, but she swallowed the question and pushed to her feet. “Thank you for your help.”
A glint of sadness winked at her as he rose, clasped her upper arms and leaned toward her to kiss her forehead. “Good night.”
Too good to be true. Remember how Keith had been such a gentleman until you got married? Like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
She squeezed her eyes shut, the click of the door closing indicating he was gone from the room. But not from her thoughts—or her heart.
* * *
Josiah watched Robbie help Ella put up the tent in his backyard. The sight of them working together was beautiful to see. After hearing about Ella’s ex-husband, he admired her even more. But he worried that he had too much baggage to be the right man for her. She needed someone who didn’t have occasional panic attacks, who didn’t wake up soaked in sweat in the middle of the night from a nightmare, who was afraid to ever give his heart to another.
“Mom, you also forgot to tie the poles together at the top. If you don’t, it might collapse on you.”
After following her son’s instruction, Ella moved back from the tent. “Is this what you mean?”
“Yup. Good job.” Robbie crawled inside, then poked his head out as Ella made her way to Josiah. “Are we going to your friend’
s to pick out a puppy?”
“Yes, but he wants to keep the puppies another week before you can take your choice home.”
“Aw, I was hoping he could come home with me.”
Ella placed her hands on her waist. “Young man, we are not going to get a puppy until we’re back in our own home.”
For a few seconds Robbie pouted, then his eyes lit up, and he grinned. “But I can choose today, and he won’t be sold to someone else?”
“Yes. He’ll hold him until you can take him home.” Josiah began disassembling the tent.
“Even if it’s weeks?”
“Yes. Now help me pack this tent up so we can go.”
“I’m going in to get our lunch. We’ll have a picnic out here first. I don’t know about you two, but I’m starved.”
While Ella strolled toward the deck, Josiah glanced over his shoulder at her. He couldn’t stop thinking about Ella’s past. How could a man treat his wife like that? What kind of man was he? He thought about the bullies he’d encountered in his life, and anger festered in the pit of his stomach—the same kind he’d endured while held captive.
“Josiah?”
He looked at Robbie. “Yes?”
“Can Buddy go with us? He might want to see his puppies.”
“Sure.”
“Does your friend have Alaskan huskies, too?”
“No. Only a couple of German shepherds right now. Why?”
“I want to be a musher in the Iditarod Race when I’m old enough.”
“Maybe next spring we can see the race end in Nome.” Josiah finished stuffing the tent into its bag, spying Ella heading toward them, her arms full with the food hamper, jug and blanket. “Go help your mom while I put this away.”
Robbie hopped up and raced toward his mother, taking the jug from her.
“Stay, Buddy,” Josiah said.
His dog’s ears perked forward, and he remained still while Josiah carried the camping equipment to the storage building. Inside he paused, realizing that in a short time he’d grown accustomed to having Ella and Robbie here. He cared about them—more than he should. It would be quiet when they left.
A bark, then another one, echoed through the air. He poked his head out of the shed and saw Sadie trying to get Buddy to play. But his German shepherd stayed where he was told to. Buddy had been so good for him at a rough time in his life. The puppy would be good for Robbie, too.
“Lunch,” Ella said as she spread a blanket over the grass.
Josiah’s stomach rumbled, and he hurried from the storage shed. Robbie plopped down on the cover, reaching toward Buddy and scratching him behind his ears.
“Play, Buddy.” Josiah sat on the blanket next to the basket.
On the other side of the food hamper, Ella removed the roast-beef sandwiches. “You have to tell him to play?”
“After I give him a working command like stay, saying play is my way of telling him he has free time now.”
This time when Sadie barked, Buddy ran after her.
Robbie rubbed his hands together. “I can’t wait until I teach my dog that.”
“It takes a long time and a lot of patience to have a working relationship with a dog, especially if you want one that does search and rescue. The more we work together, the more in tune we are.”
“I can do that, too.”
After Ella blessed the food, Robbie grabbed a sandwich and began eating. Josiah smiled, watching the boy stuff the food into his mouth and wash it down with gulps of lemonade.
Five minutes later, Robbie jumped up. “I’m gonna play with Sadie and Buddy. I haven’t thrown the tennis ball for them today.”
Josiah stared at the two dogs and Robbie. “Buddy and Sadie aren’t going to know what to do once your son leaves here.”
“They’ve been good for him. Helped take his mind off Foster.”
“I was talking with Alex this morning before she left for the store. She suggested camping on one of the islands. She’s been wanting to try out some new equipment.”
“That sounds great. I haven’t gone to any of the islands off Alaska.”
“I’m going to check around to see what would be fun and adventurous.”
Both of her eyebrows hiked up. “Adventurous?”
“Robbie told me he wants to have an adventure. Hunt animals but not shoot them. He said he has a camera. He wants to take pictures.”
“Shooting photographs, not bullets, is fine by me.”
“I thought it would be a good time to teach him about being in the wilderness and how to act around the various animals.”
“I could learn that, too,” she said with a chuckle. “I freaked out when I saw the bear prints in the park. You didn’t. I’ve heard animals can smell fear.”
“I’m going to make you into an outdoorswoman before this is over with. That’s one of the beautiful things about Alaska. We’re the last frontier in the United States.” Josiah took a sip of his drink. “Have you talked to David today?”
“No. When I left the search for Seth, he told me he didn’t want to hear from me until Sunday. This was my time off. He said he wouldn’t answer my call.”
“That sounds like him. I haven’t heard yet when the postponed training session will be held.”
“He wanted to wait and see if Foster is caught. I think he’s worried the man will try to take another child.” Ella busied herself putting the trash and bag of chips back into the food hamper. “Has Thomas called with an update?”
“Right before I came out here to demonstrate the camping equipment. And before you say anything, I was going to tell you when Robbie wasn’t around.” He continued when Ella looked at him, “He dumped the car he took in Girdwood and has stolen another one.”
“Where?”
“South Anchorage. The police are tightening the noose, so to speak. Watching traffic cams, keeping a close eye out for any missing vehicles. I don’t think it will be long before he’s caught.”
Ella scanned the yard, her gaze zeroing in on the woods at the back of his property. She shivered. “What if he’s back there watching us right now?”
“Not possible without Buddy and Sadie knowing. They guard this property well.”
“I knew I should have gotten a big dog when we first came to Anchorage. Foster would never have gotten into my backyard that night, but back then I didn’t even know if I would be staying.”
“No one should have to live in fear.” He could remember each day he was a prisoner, wondering if it was his last one. After a while, he’d become numb to the fear.
“I’ve forgotten what it’s like not to be afraid, but over the years the more I’ve learned to turn it over to the Lord, the better I’ve been able to handle it...except last night.”
Josiah covered her hand on the food hamper handle. “With good reason. We all have moments of vulnerability.”
“Robbie doesn’t know most of what I told you last night. In fact, very few people do.”
“He won’t learn it from me. It’s not my story to tell.”
“What is your story, Josiah?”
“Boring and dull.”
“Josiah, can we go now?” Robbie shouted as he tossed the tennis ball for Sadie.
“He lasted longer than I thought he would.” Ella picked up the blanket and folded it.
“Let’s go.” Josiah carried the food hamper toward the house, thankful for Robbie’s timely interruption.
Ella’s son said goodbye to Sadie and ran toward the deck with Buddy at his side. “I’ll get his leash.”
Josiah set the basket on the kitchen counter for Linda and walked into the hallway. “I need to get my keys. Meet you two at the truck.”
As he climbed the stairs, he glimpsed Robbie leading Buddy toward the kitchen
. In a short time, he’d come to feel as though Ella and Robbie belonged here. He’d miss them when they returned to their own house.
More than he realized.
* * *
“Okay, David, I’ll put the training session on my calendar for that Saturday.” Josiah reclined in his desk chair in his home office. “Do you want me to tell Ella, or are you going to?”
“I’ve been avoiding talking to her. Every time I do, she asks a ton of questions about what’s going on with Northern Frontier and when she can return to work.” A heavy sigh came through the line. “I’ll call her. I think I have an idea how she can work from your house and get most of her duties done, if you’re okay with it.”
“Sure. She’s been talking about work more and more the past few days and keeps checking the news to see if Foster has been found. That sighting yesterday got her excited, but so far nothing has come of it. I’ll keep you informed with what’s happening with Ella.” Josiah hated seeing disappointment on her face. She tried to hide it, especially for Robbie, but he always saw a glimpse when she didn’t think anyone was looking. This was wearing her down.
He swiveled his chair around to stare out the window. Gray sheets of rain fell from the sky. It was a dreary day. Most of the time, when he wasn’t working, he, Robbie and Ella were outside enjoying the outdoors. The last thing he’d taught them about camping was how to make a fire without the benefit of a lighter or matches. Robbie learned right away. Ella was a whole different story. They would starve if they depended on her to make the fire.
Suddenly his cell phone rang. He saw that it was Thomas and quickly picked it up. “I hope this is good news.”
“It’s about Foster.”
NINE
Robbie sat in front of the window in the den with his face flat up against the glass. “Mom, it’s been raining all day. When is it gonna stop? Buddy is bored and wants me to throw the ball for him.” He spun around and grinned. “I’ve got an idea. What if I throw the ball down the upstairs hall? It’s long and—”
Ella held her hand up. “You will not do that, and if you do, you’ll be grounded. You think this is boring. Wait until you’re by yourself the rest of the day.”
To Save Her Child Page 10