Although he was tempted to move the bag, he didn’t. There was no point in upsetting her—not this late. If she started crying, she might never stop. After a couple more cookies and three miniscule sips of milk, Todd rose from the bed. “Okay, you’ve eaten and drank some milk. Back to bed time.”
“But I want to watch more television.”
“You could watch it all night, but we both know your mom wouldn’t approve. Come along.” He stood there for a moment watching her. His jaw clenched when she reached out her tiny hand to him.
“Will you help me off the bed?”
Forcing himself to extend his hand, he reached for her, helping her off the bed. He dropped her hand and stood waiting for her to leave
“Well?” she asked one hand on the door. “Aren’t you coming?”
He frowned and pulled his head back. “Coming where?”
She inhaled loudly then sighed, blowing out all the air. “To tuck me in,” she said as if speaking to a simpleton.
No. He didn’t tuck in kids. He didn’t know how. He didn’t want to get that close to her.
She waited for him, watching. For a moment, he held her gaze and then he was in Afghanistan, watching another child. A child with long black hair and big dark eyes that watched him. He took a deep breath and forced those memories back into a dark corner of his mind.
“Well?”
“Okay, I’ll tuck you into bed, but only once. You have to stay in bed for the rest of the night.”
Sadie nodded. “Can I have cookies and milk with you tomorrow night after mommy’s gone to work?”
His guts clenched. “No.”
“Sshh. You have to be quiet, else you’ll wake Mrs. Murphy.”
Chastised by a five-year-old. How the mighty had fallen. “Okay. I’ll be quiet. Now move out, soldier.”
Chapter Six
Sadie giggled as she crossed the hall. “I’m not a soldier, silly. I’m a little girl.” She ran across the room and jumped on to her bed. “I’m ready.” She slid under the covers. “Now you pull my covers up and pat my shoulders.”
Obviously she and her mother had a routine before she went to sleep. He side-stepped across the room and patted the covers by Sadie’s shoulders. He straightened and stepped away.
“You can’t leave yet, we have to talk about our day.”
He had to get out of here. What did he know about living, breathing children? “What? Our day? It was busy. I worked.”
“No, silly. Sit here.” She pointed to a spot beside her.
Todd shoved his hands in his back pockets. “Uhm, no, I don’t think so. I can hear you from here.”
“But we can’t tell secrets and share if you’re way over there.”
He wasn’t sharing anything from his past with a child. At least nothing he was talking about.
“Come closer and sit. I can’t go back to sleep until we talk.”
Looked like she wasn’t going to sleep until he followed directions. He gingerly sat on the edge of the bed, totally out of his element.
“Tell me about your day. What was interesting?”
“What?” Why would a kid want to hear about his day? “What do you want to know?”
She shrugged. “Mommy and I always talk about our day—but only for a few minutes.”
He shrugged one shoulder. Okay, not such a big deal. “I went to work and came home and took your mother to work and came home. Now I’m talking to you. What about you?”
“That’s all you did all day?”
He nodded. “Your turn.”
“I played and made snow angels and watched television.” She turned toward him. “And we had a snowball fight and then I had cookies with you.”
He nodded, uncertain what he was supposed to say to make her go to sleep.
“You are going to pick up my mother from work, aren’t you?” she asked as she settled under the covers, her hands lying one on top of the other.
“Sure. It’s too snowy for her to walk home.”
“You have to pick her up so nothing bad happens.” Her eyes drifted shut.
“What could happen?” He leaned toward her, curious about the child’s order.
“My daddy could get her.”
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Your daddy?” he asked in a soft voice.
“Uh huh. Since he’s been in jail, he’s been mean, so he can’t find my mommy.”
That’s why Lina had been so determined to get to Seattle. She must think she’ll be safe there. Obviously she didn’t know what a man would do for a woman like her. And a child like this. He brushed her hair off her forehead. “Go to sleep, Sadie, and don’t worry about your mother. I’ll pick her up.”
Todd was pacing the floor when Lina called. He was in his truck and at the door of the candy store in five minutes flat. He jumped into the snowy cold and got to the step just as the back door opened. After all his wild imaginings, he was so relieved to see her he almost pulled her into his arms.
***
“I can’t believe you’re here already.” Lina locked the door behind her.
He grabbed her arm and half dragged her to his truck and shoved her inside, then hustled to his seat. He threw it into gear and sped north on Main.
“Is Sadie all right?” she asked, fear almost choking her.
He turned and looked at her. Fury seemed to vibrate off him. What was the matter with the man? “She’s fine.”
“Where are we going? The boarding house is the other way.”
“I know,” he growled, “but we need to talk.” The darned woman was going to tell him the truth if he had to scare it out of her. She was going to stop running right here in town.
He’d make sure she and Sadie were safe. If it was the last thing he did.
“About what?” She looked over her shoulder at the empty street and slid closer to the door, grabbing the handle. Outside, the snow cover made it impossible to tell if it was safe to jump or not. But then she realized she was being foolish. She had nowhere to go. Sadie was at the boarding house and they had no vehicle. She had no choice but to sit tight. Forcing herself to relax against the seat, she took a long breath and exhaled slowly. She had to get her anxiety under control or she’d be a wreck.
Todd was not Ramon.
They drove in silence for a while. Lina tried to memorize the landscape, so she could walk back if necessary. Finally he slowed and pulled into the campground—the deserted campground. No help here if she needed it; not many campers in the middle of winter in the mountains of Montana. He stopped as the truck nudged the barrier marking the edge of the parking lot.
He threw it in park and turned toward her. She swallowed, her mouth as dry as sawdust and gripped the door handle. He was bigger and stronger than her but she wouldn’t give up without a fight. Then she took a deep breath and reminded herself again that not all men were like Ramon. She was letting the past drive her emotions.
“I had an interesting conversation with Sadie tonight.”
“What?” He brought her out here to talk about Sadie? That made no sense. “You talked to my daughter tonight?” she asked, hoping for clarification.
He nodded and told her about their evening, beginning with the cookies and milk.
“I’m sorry she was a nuisance.”
“That’s not the point. I wanted to talk to you about your ex-husband.”
Her heart slammed against her chest. What had Sadie said? Why had she talked to him? What did he want with her? Why was she out here?
She pushed out a nervous giggle. “Sadie is six. She has an active imagination.”
“That little girl wanted me to pick you up so you’d be safe from your husband. So tell me what’s going on.” I don’t talk about him.”
“You have to. Without a plan, you’re a sitting duck. And so is she.”
Lina shook her head. “I beg to differ. I haven’t spoken about him since I left Atlanta and we’ve managed very well.”
He quirked an eyebrow
and looked at her. “Is that why you’re staying in a boarding house in Bandit Creek while your car languishes at the mechanic’s shop?”
The anxiety clamping her stomach relaxed a little. She took a deep breath. “I hear what you’re saying, but I don’t want to talk about personal things with a near stranger. Please don’t take it personally, but I prefer to keep my personal life personal.”
“Am I a stranger?” Without any warning, he reached across the cab and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her toward him. Somehow they met in the middle and his lips took hers. Sweet, gentle, soothing. She stretched toward him, wanting more. Closer. For just a moment she felt safe. Protected. Cherished.
Todd wrapped his arms around her, holding her loosely. For a moment, she relaxed for the first time in eighteen months. With a man she’d met a few days ago.
A stranger. Her mind snapped back to reality and she jerked away from him, then slid to her side of the cab. “I can’t do this, Todd. I appreciate your helpful offer but it’s my problem.”
“Except your ex-husband is also affecting Sadie. What’s the risk to her if you fight this battle alone?”
Her breath hitched. She didn’t know how this run for freedom would affect Sadie. She only prayed that they were safe and healthy in the end.
“My ex-husband would never hurt his daughter. He’s capable of many things but never hurting Sadie.” She had to hang on to that belief or lose her mind. Sadie’s life was in no danger from Ramon. If she thought it was, Lina would kill him herself. No one was going to hurt Sadie. No one.
“Sadie told me the mean people accused her daddy of shooting a man.” He relaxed against the door and stretched his long legs. The lights from the dash left, certain parts of his anatomy prominent. Very prominent.
Lina dragged her attention back to the matter at hand. She wasn’t going to get anyone else involved in this situation. She wasn’t sure how far Ramon would go when—no if—he caught up with her. He’d been furious when she’d asked him to move out. Then he’d made vile threats against her parents.
She shivered, remembering the conversation with them. They had given her what money they had and made arrangements for her to meet up with the underground Latino community on the west coast. All she had to do was stay ahead of Ramon until she got to Seattle—the last stop on her flight to freedom.
“Listen, Todd, I appreciate your help with Sadie tonight and your concern,” “but my ex-husband is not a nice guy. The best thing you can do for us is make sure the mechanic from Joe’s Garage gets my car fixed as soon as possible. The longer we’re here, the bigger the risk to Sadie.”
“What did he do that has you so scared, Adelina? Is it that bad?”
She shuddered, a bad taste almost gagging her. It was that bad. Murder was always that bad.
***
He searched her face. Her bleak eyes stared at him, hopelessness clouding their depths. If she didn’t get help, her ex-husband would kill her and take the girl. “You have to stop running, Lina. Bandit Creek’s a better place than most to take a stand.”
She frowned. “It is? Why? It’s a small town in the middle of the mountains of Montana.” She put up her hand. “No offense intended, Todd, but I think we’re better off in a big city where we can disappear. Here, he’ll see us as soon as he drives in.”
Todd nodded. “But, if you alert them, the town will see him first. That’s what will keep you safe.”
“Why would that keep me safe?”
He took her hand again. “Because people here will know when he arrives. There is no better grapevine than Bandit Creek’s. Believe me, before he turns off the highway, you’ll know.” And so will I.
“We’ll stop him before he gets to town. Then you’ll live your life on your terms—without going into hiding.”
She rubbed one eyelid and looked down. “I wish I could believe your fairy tale, Todd, but I can’t.” She lifted her chin, catching his gaze in hers. “I won’t risk Sadie on the town’s grapevine, especially when people don’t know either of us.”
“What are you talking about? Mrs. Murphy has stood up for you. You’re working for Craig at the Candy Store. You’re in so tight, you’re almost a native.”
She shook her head, more vehemently. “No, I’m not.” She looked out into the cold dark night. “Even if I was, I wouldn’t put them or you against him.”
“You need to have some faith. Your husband doesn’t scare me and he won’t scare the people of this town.”
Sadness drew her lips down. “He murdered a man, Todd. In cold blood.” She looked him in the eye. “He’s out because of a hung jury, but he wants Sadie and he’ll do anything to get her. Then he’ll go to Brazil where he’s got family and lots of connections.”
“That may be his plan but it’s not what is going to happen. I promise you. Sadie will be going to school in the good old U S of A, not Brazil. And you’ll be taking her to first grade.”
But he could tell by the way she averted her gaze that she wasn’t convinced.
***
The next morning soft sweet breaths pulled Lina from a restless sleep. She opened her eyes. “You.” She grabbed Sadie to remind herself her precious little girl was here. “Why are you waking me so early?” It hadn’t been a good night. Todd had extended her a branch of hope but she couldn’t take it. She wouldn’t put anyone in that kind of danger.
“It’s not early, Mommy. Mrs. Murphy and Mr. Black have been up for hours.”
“They have, have they? And you stayed here with me?”
Sadie nodded. “I didn’t want to eat alone.”
Lina tickled her “That’s good. You’re not supposed to leave your room unless Mrs. Murphy or I are with you. Right?”
“Always?” her daughter asked in a soft voice.
Lina nodded. “Yep.”
“I did a bad thing, Mommy.”
“Oh?” She raised one eyebrow. “What did you do?”
“I went to Mr. Black’s room last night. He gave me cookies and brought me milk and then put me in bed.”
“That was very nice of him, Sadie. But if you hadn’t gone to his room, you wouldn’t have bothered him.”
She dropped her chin to her chest. “I know. But I woked up and I was lonely.” Sadie looked up at her, catching her gaze. “I missed you.” Sadie threw herself against her, wrapping her arms around her neck. “I wanted to talk with you.”
“Uh huh.” Lina hugged her back. Although Sadie rarely woke through the night, she should have expected it, given all the changes they’d undergone. She’d do anything to keep her safe. “But you had instructions and we had an agreement. I don’t think you followed through on any of it, did you?”
“I remembered not to talk about Daddy after I started, Mommy. But Mr. Black didn’t mind when I told him.”
“No, he didn’t.” But now he was going to try to tell her how to survive. Sure he was a big guy. And his muscles rippled. But Ramon’s trial proved that muscles and size were no barrier to a bullet. She couldn’t let him get involved. She wouldn’t.
“Sadie, I had a very good reason for telling you not to talk to other people about your dad. We have to be careful, honey.”
“Do you think Daddy would hurt me, Mommy? The television said he hurt lots of people.”
Lina squeezed her tight. “Sweetheart, your father would never hurt you. Not in a million years.” But he’d rip out her heart by taking Sadie to Brazil, where she’d never find her again.
“Mr. Black said we’re safe here. The people of Bandit Creek will help us.”
“I’m sure Mr. Black believes that, pumpkin, but we’re meeting friends in Seattle, remember? They’re waiting for us.”
“But I like it in Bandit Creek.” Sadie’s bottom lip pouted as she pulled away from her mother. “I want to live here.”
The town had been so kind; she wouldn’t mind staying here for a while, either. But as soon as her car was fixed, they were on their way to the coast. Everything would be better as soon
as she disappeared.
“Come on, miss. It’s time for breakfast.” She stretched up and kissed Sadie’s temple. “I’m hungry enough to eat a bear.” She growled into Sadie’s neck, pretending to eat her. “Come on, let’s go.” She patted her daughter’s bum and set her on the edge of the bed. “First, brush our teeth, then get dressed and then downstairs for food.”
“But I want to tell you….”
“Not now Sadie. We have to hurry or we’ll miss breakfast and I’m starving.”
Moments later, they were sitting down to a lumberjack’s meal of pancakes, fruit, bacon and eggs. “I’m hungry but I can’t begin to eat all this.” She looked at the food on the table, amazed at how people could put this much food away every day and not weigh a thousand pounds.
Todd dropped into the chair beside her. She didn’t know if she could look at him or not. Her face flushed. Part of her wanted to move closer but another part wanted to leave the room. She felt like a teenager after her first date.” I hope you slept well,” he said, as he chucked Sadie’s chin.
Nodding, she reached for a pancake. “I liked your room better.”
“Did you wake up last night, angel?” Mrs. Murphy asked as she filled the coffee mugs on the table.
“Uh huh.” Sadie swallowed a big bite. “But Mr. Black shared his cookies and got some milk and he put me back to bed.”
“Isn’t he nice?” the older woman asked, raising her brows at Todd. “I thought you didn’t like kids.”
“I don’t, but this one is more imp than child.” He ran his hand over her hair and down her face. “Besides, when she begs for cookies, what choice do I have?”
Lina ate quickly and quietly. She wanted to get Sadie busy outside so she wouldn’t have to get into the conversation Todd wanted to have.
“Mrs. Murphy, would you mind if the little one watched some television this morning? There’s some things the adults should discuss.”
She did not want to have that conversation. “I think I should help clean up and then Sadie and I were going to play in the snow.”
“Of course.” Mrs. Murphy put some cut fruit on a plate, added a couple of slices of cheese. “Come along, missy. When the adults want to talk in private, young folks get to watch television first thing in the morning.”
Christmas on the Run (Bandit Creek Book 32) Page 5