“I walked.”
“From Boston?”
“Yes. I had just read in Luke about Jesus challenging His followers to leave everything behind and follow Him. And I’d felt the prodding for some time that I was lukewarm, the only way to be on fire for the Lord was for me to leave that life behind. So I did. I sold everything I owned in Boston, packed a backpack, and set off on my journey.”
“Wow.” Had to give the guy credit. That was a lot of miles to cover. “You walked all the way here? How long did it take?”
“Indeed I did. Plenty of people offered rides, but I declined. It took the better part of seven months. Covered over 6,000 miles.”
“Guess you took the long way, huh?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes. I wasn’t entirely sure where I’d end up.” Sean looked down at his hands. “For many years I’ve been sequestered among the social elite. The chosen few my father allowed into our ‘circle.’ Everything was about title, money, speech, and appearance—to be quite blunt—a façade. I hated myself. Didn’t even know myself.”
“That’s intense. To have the guts to just pack up and leave? How’d your family take it?”
“Not well.” Sean’s green eyes met his. “My father is not pleased.”
“He knows where you are?”
A sad laugh. “Unfortunately. He has unlimited resources. And likes to know everything.”
Cole nodded. “I can imagine.” He patted Sean on the shoulder. “Sounds like you did the right thing. And you’ve got us to help you through it.”
“What do you do?”
“Oh, a little of this and a little of that.” Cole smiled at him. “I’m in the military. A lot of stuff, I can’t talk about.”
“Understood. It’s good to know you’re here though. I would greatly appreciate a solid male friend.”
“Man, we’ve got to work on you. Get you to loosen up. We’ve got a men’s Bible study every other Saturday morning. Sometimes my work keeps me away, but it would be a great opportunity for you to meet with other men. And we hold one another accountable, which is a good thing.”
“Sounds exactly like what I’ve been looking for. And I would love help in ‘loosening up’ as you put it. You don’t have any idea how difficult it is to blend in.”
Cole chuckled. “You should’ve heard Andie the first day. You and your button down Oxford shirt. Leave it to a thirteen-year-old to put you in your place.”
“Well, when the majority of the wardrobe you’ve had for fifteen years is three-piece suits, and you wore them almost around the clock, it’s a little difficult to discern what one wears to work at a dog kennel. Believe me, I was afraid Anesia would kick me out in my Oxford.”
Cole chuckled. “You don’t want to mess with Anesia, that’s for sure.” Something in the trees caught his attention. “But don’t worry. We’ll help you figure it all out. I’ll get your number from Anesia and call you about Bible study.” Hopefully he didn’t sound too rushed, but his gut told him something wasn’t right.
“Yes. I need to find out what needs to be done next.” Sean walked toward Anesia.
As Cole headed to the tree line where he’d seen movement, he scanned the perimeter. He slid a hand inside his down jacket and pulled his sidearm free.
Rustling greeted his ears.
Snow crunched.
Then antlers appeared.
Cole exhaled and, as he holstered his gun, the moose grunted at him. But as he turned to head back to their picnic, something else caught his eye.
Footprints. Of the human kind.
And they were fresh.
* * *
SEAN
January 17
1:34 p.m.
Even though he’d been through an information overload, Sean forced his brain to alertness. To watch and learn. These people had deep relationships. They knew each other well. Closer than any other family he’d witnessed.
Yet the undercurrent of fear was tangible. Anesia seemed to tackle the day, almost forcing everything to be . . . what? He wasn’t sure. Cole and Jenna appeared like any other newlywed couple. In love, enjoying every minute. But Cole . . . no missing that edge of vigilance. How he never quite let his guard down.
Sean watched Cole as he crouched in the trees. What was he looking for? When he turned and came back to join them, a smile cracked his face. Maybe it was nothing.
Anesia caught his attention. Sharp, attentive, intelligent, independent. She poured her life into her work. His new boss intrigued him.
“Time to eat.” She smiled at him before she started tossing bags to everyone.
Cole approached him. “Hey Sean. Let me show you something real quick.”
Jenna placed hands on her hips. “Don’t take long, babe, we’ve got a feast waiting.”
As Sean followed Cole, he heard Jenna say to the girls, “Men. Gotta love ’em.”
Several yards away from the others, Cole turned. A stiff smile on his face. He pointed to his left. But stared at Sean. “Paste on a smile and don’t say anything. I saw something in the trees earlier and found footprints. I think we’re being watched. Keep your eyes peeled.”
“What?”
Cole gripped his shoulder and laughed heartily. “Don’t you dare scare them. Keep it light. Pretend, Sean.”
Pretend. He’d never been in a situation like this before. And even though Cole appeared to be joking with him about something, it was all an act. The man was protecting his family.
Years of suppressed emotion and desire welled up and shattered the shell surrounding him. Like a cocoon falling away, Sean felt new life surge forth inside him.
More than anything he wanted to be part of a real family. More than anything he wanted a reason to care.
More than anything he wanted to protect Anesia and Zoya.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ZOYA
January 17
1:46 p.m.
A breeze floated by.
I blinked. Tried to pull myself out of my thoughts. I needed to stop thinking about the murder. The gun. The blood. But how could I when they wouldn’t let go of my mind? That guy I saw pointing at me wasn’t real. It was just my imagination.
Auntie Jenna and Cole laughed. At Sean no doubt. Andie tried to lick sticky, half-frozen strawberry jelly off of her hands and face. Mom sat reorganizing the lunch boxes.
Andie giggled. When had she become so happy-go-lucky? Oh, wait. She’d always been that way.
I was the one who changed.
“Mom, how much jelly did you put on this thing?”
Auntie Jenna shrugged and pointed to Mom. “Anesia made the ones with strawberry jelly. I made the blackberry.”
“Oh, so you’re the culprit!” Andie pointed her half-eaten sandwich in Mom’s direction.
She winked.
“Having trouble?” I turned and tried to smile. Just play the part. That’s all you have to do.
“Me? No way!” She giggled. “This is normal. My PB&Js always fall apart and slather my hands in goop. What’s new with you?”
I glanced at the empty Ziploc bags littering her feet. Peanut butter and jelly stuck to the inside and out. I raised my eyebrows. “How many sandwiches have you eaten?”
“Only four,” she smiled, “and a half.”
Mom and Auntie Jenna stood.
“We’ll be right back, we’re gonna put some of these empty lunchboxes on the sleds.”
“Okey-dokey.” Andie nodded.
When they were out of hearing range, she turned to me. “I’m glad you’re okay. What happened?”
“You mean how’d I get out of the depths of despair?” I swallowed. Play the part . . . I nodded to Mom. “I was at the end of my rope. Then Mom and I talked. In the back of my head I knew it w
as wrong of me to think what I did, but I couldn’t help it. I guess . . .”
I stared out toward the trees. A clump of snow fell from one of the limbs. Sunlight shone onto it, making it look like a ball of prisms. “I guess I still think some of those things now.” What? You weren’t supposed to say that! “But it’s okay. I’m good now, everything will get back to normal.” I nodded and kept my gaze on the clump.
So much for playing the part.
She would be able to tell something was missing. I could see just by looking at her face that she didn’t believe me.
“Just know that I’m always here for you, okay?” She reached out and grabbed my hand.
“Okay.”
Mom and Auntie walked back over and sat down.
“We’ll leave these two snack bags where we can get to them, just in case one of you gets hungry, okay?”
“Thanks. But I don’t think Andie will be eating any more for awhile.” I tried to smile up at them. I’m just tired. Yeah, tired.
Okay. You believe it, now just try to get them to believe it.
“I think you’re right. I’ve eaten enough for two people! Ugh.” Andie giggled again and patted her stomach.
Cole and Sean walked over. “Ready to go?”
Mom nodded. “Just about. Do one of you want another sandwich?”
Cole grabbed his stomach and winced. “No thanks. I’m stuffed.”
“Like an overgrown teddy bear.” Andie licked her fingers.
“If your hands weren’t covered in sticky stuff—”
“Oh, come on, Echo, you’re braver than that!” She smiled and held up her gooey fingers.
“Ah, yes. And don’t you forget it!” He crouched down and tickled her sides, somehow avoiding her still icky hands.
A loud screech was her reply.
I closed my eyes. What did it feel like to tease your dad?
“Sean, another sandwich?” Auntie Jenna held up another delicious snack. “Before the PB&J monster snags them all.”
“I won’t eat them all!” Andie grabbed Cole’s hands and tried to pry them from her sides. He tickled harder.
“EEEEK! Stop! Uncle!” Andie laughed and tried to break away from Cole’s grasp.
“What’s the magic word?”
“Pleeeeeease?”
“Nope!”
Massive arms wrapped around her as he leaned in.
“Not a zerbert!”
He smiled.
Pffbbbttttt!
My head jerked back over to the two noise makers.
“Zoya, help me!”
I gave a small smile. “I’m a little tired, maybe later.”
Cole looked to me. He searched my eyes. Probing. And very serious.
I wanted to squirm. Why was he so inquisitive? There was nothing wrong with me. I was fine.
I looked away.
“I think you’ve got things under control.” I stood and walked over to the dogs, escaping Cole’s death stare.
The dogs barked and wagged their tails as I covered the ten feet between us. At least you won’t question me all the time. I focused on the soft feel of their fur coats. Each one had different colors. Each one had a different personality. Each one seemed so excited every time we raced.
Each one looked up to me with those pathetic eyes and stared. As if asking me . . .
Not you too. Will I ever get away from all these questions?
Cole’s and Andie’s laughter rang in the air.
I blinked. Don’t think about it.
“Zoya, you wanna take the dogs out for another run?” Mom walked up to my side and smiled.
I nodded. Good idea . . . yeah. Good.
“Cole and I will stay here with the food if you guys want to go.” Auntie Jenna smiled and poked Cole’s arm. “Maybe a time-out will teach him a lesson on how to be the adult.”
“Mom, give it up already. He’s a giant toddler, we all know that.” Andie smiled and stood, getting just out of his reach.
“Hey!” Cole crossed his large arms. “Sean, are you going along?” Why did he look so stern all of a sudden?
“Can we go now?” I petted Morphine. Not looking any of them in the eye. Better to just get on the trail.
Sean nodded to Cole and hopped on his sled.
Mom gave more instructions.
My stomach churned. Couldn’t we just go? Each minute seemed to tick by as if it were traveling through molasses. But soon we were off.
Andie stayed by my side, as we were instructed, with Mom in the back and Sean in the front. We took the long trail. As we picked up speed, my thoughts began to swim.
Mom said I could race. But was I ready? What if something happened?
My heart wanted to trust God again. But could I after what He had done?
No! I would not let Him deceive me again.
I wanted to tell someone about how I was feeling. But no one would understand. Better to keep it to myself.
I glanced at Andie. She smiled and encouraged the dogs as we rode on.
Why was she always so—
Someone stood in the trees. Almost hidden thanks to his camo outfit.
I gasped.
An orange hat that stuck out like a lion among sheep . . .
My head jerked to the front as we zoomed past. He was real.
My mouth dried up. I couldn’t scream, but I had to say something. I shivered.
He had stood there. Staring.
At us.
At me.
* * *
ANESIA
January 22
Naltsiine Kennels
6:00 a.m.
Incessant beeping broke through her sleep-clouded mind. Anesia reached over and smacked the snooze button. Sleep had been elusive until around four a.m.
Now it was six and she didn’t have time to relish the warmth under the covers. A giant yawn caused her to stretch and sit up.
Race day.
On an average race day she loved these mornings. The adrenaline pumping through her system. Anticipation for the race. She lived to race. So had Dan. No wonder their daughter had the same race-driven blood running through her veins.
But today was different.
Today was scary.
Uncertain.
And she had no control.
Anesia rubbed her eyes with her hands. Why did she have to hold on so tight? She wanted to leave it all in God’s hands and know that Zoya would be safe and protected. She wanted to hand over the reins to Him. She’d made that decision, right?
But she lived in the real world. And knew there were bad people out there. People who might, even now, be after her daughter.
Those thoughts scared her the most.
Anesia stood by the edge of her bed and shivered.
Her conversation with Zoya came zinging back to her:
“But God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear, remember?”
“I remember . . . ‘For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment’ . . .”
It was all fine and good to lecture her daughter to bring her out of her shell, but now here she stood quaking, shivering. And her own words convicted her. She dropped to her knees, her muffled cries of anguish buried in her arms. God, I need Your power. Please take away this fear. Protect my baby.
“Mom?” Zoya bounced into the room. “You’re usually the one having to drag my rear end out of bed . . .” She walked around the bed. “Mom, you okay?”
Deep breath. Gotta be honest, but don’t scare her. “I’m okay. Didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”
Zoya quieted. “Because you’re excited or because you’re scared?”
Smart kid. An
esia hated bursting her bubble. She pulled her thirteen-year-old into a hug. “You know me too well. Yes, I was scared. But I heard your voice quoting 2 Timothy 1:7 this morning and I’ve prayed. So it’s time to pick myself up by my bootstraps and get moving.”
“That’s my mom.” Zoya squeezed tighter.
“That’s my girl.”
“Well, since I’m ready before you, I’ll fix your coffee. Just the way you like it.”
“Sounds great, sweetie. Sorry I’m dragging my feet today.” She reached for her long underwear. “I better get out there.”
“Sean’s gotcha covered. He’s been out there with the dogs for a good fifteen minutes.”
“Really?” Where were those thermal socks?
“Yep.” Zoya giggled and threw the socks at her. “You know, Andie and I thought he was pretty weird at first. So prim and proper all the time. But he’s actually pretty cool. I think he likes it.”
“Yeah, he does fit in well, doesn’t he?” For some reason, the thought warmed her.
“And he’s nice. He listens. Doesn’t treat me like a snotty teenager. Like he respects my opinion and who I am.”
Anesia walked back to her daughter and smiled. “That’s because you’re not a snotty teenager. If you were, I’d invent a device to suck all the snot out. Who wouldn’t love you?”
Zoya rolled her eyes. “You’re such a mom, Mom.”
“And proud of it.” She patted Zoya on the head. “Now I need that coffee.”
“But don’t you think he’s nice?”
“Of course I think he’s nice, I hired him, didn’t I?”
“But isn’t he around your age?” Zoya bounced on the balls of her feet, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
“All right, my little rainbow. That’s enough for now.” She began to shove Zoya out of the room. “Yes. He’s nice. Yes. He’s around my age. And might I remind you that yes, he works for me.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll leave it alone. For now. But—”
“No buts. I need coffee. Or I’ll turn into the Wicked Witch of the West.”
Zoya scooted out giggling just as Anesia shut the door. Leaning against it, she wondered if her daughter needed a man in her life. Part of it had to be because of Cole and Jenna.
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