Amity Steffen - Reunion On The Run

“I was careful.”

“How careful?” It seemed like an awfully big risk to take. She had told him a bit about the Jeep. He already knew she’d purchased the Jeep it in cash from an old farmer. She hadn’t changed the title card on it and the thing didn’t have insurance.

They should ditch it as soon as they had the chance. Not only was it illegal to drive, but Xavier’s men had seen it. They’d be on the lookout for it.

“I wore a disguise every time I went to town.” She frowned. “I had no choice. I needed an internet connection. I used the connection at the local library. They had chairs scattered all over the upper level. I could charge my laptop and research at the same time. No one paid any attention to me.”

“Care to tell me what you were researching?”

“I can do better than that. I’ll show you.”

She tugged the backpack’s zipper down. Reaching in, she pulled out a black binder. “Xavier Ambrose killed Jared. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough evidence to prove it.”

She handed the binder to him.

“Tell me what you need from me.”

A sharp laugh cut through the cabin. “What I need from you?”

He realized that could be a loaded question. Or maybe not. She was looking at him as though the only thing she needed was for him to go away.

“You need help,” he said firmly. “That’s obvious.” He offered up a small smile. “Though I have to admit, seeing you take down two men with nothing but pepper spray was a pretty amazing sight. You must’ve used the good stuff. Police grade.”

He knew the stickier spray wouldn’t blow back in the sprayer’s face. The heat of the red pepper spray would be debilitating. Because it was a gel, it was harder to clean off. She had made a good choice.

“I didn’t take them down with just pepper spray,” Claire corrected, “I took them down with Roscoe’s help. Without him startling them the way he did, I think the outcome would’ve been very different.”

He couldn’t argue with that.

“Read through that information and tell me what you think,” Claire requested. “That’s all I need from you right now.”

He clenched the binder in his hand.

Roscoe whined as he leaned against Claire’s leg.

Alex knew he was being ridiculous, but he felt as if Roscoe was holding a grudge. Though Claire was too panicked to realize it was Alex coming out of the woods at the shack, he was pretty sure Roscoe had known. The dog had stuck by Claire’s side, not acknowledging Alex until he’d commanded the dog’s attention. Even now, Roscoe was making it clear who his real owner was.

Alex couldn’t blame him. He’d abandoned the dog, as well. It didn’t seem to matter that Alex had spent countless hours working with Roscoe, turning him into the disciplined animal he was today. They’d spent many afternoons going for jogs or playing fetch. But in the end, the dog had become Claire’s, and Claire’s alone.

“I should take him out,” she said.

“I’ll do it. I’m not having you walk around out there in the dark.”

“You said there was no chance we were followed.”

“I stand by that.”

“Then what do you care if I’m outside, alone in the dark?” She wrapped her arms around her slender waist.

He heard the challenge in her words and sighed.

“Look, Claire, I don’t want to fight with you. I think we’ve done enough of that to last a lifetime.” He raked his free hand through his hair. He wanted to ask her about Mia, but one look at Claire, so on edge, warned him it wasn’t a good time. He couldn’t imagine the conversation going well right now. So, he’d wait. Instead he asked, “Can we call a truce? Can we concentrate on the current problem instead of getting bogged down by the problems of the past?”

“Yes. I’m sorry.” Her shoulders drooped, and she seemed to deflate in front of him. “I’m not myself these days. I’m exhausted. I’m terrified I’m going to spend the rest of my life in prison, paying for a crime I didn’t commit.”

“That’s not going to happen. I won’t let it.” It was a promise he intended to keep. “You’re not on your own anymore. I’m going to help you figure this out.”

And if he didn’t? If they couldn’t find the proof she needed? He had a backup plan. He’d get her and their daughter out of the country. He had the resources to do it. He wouldn’t allow her to be sent to prison when he knew she was innocent. And then...well, he couldn’t let himself think too far ahead. His mind was still reeling from what he’d discovered earlier in the day. He and Claire needed to have a serious talk about the little girl staying with Beth.

Soon.

Just not quite yet because, despite how anxious he was for answers, Claire looked as if she were about ready to collapse from exhaustion.

“Thank you.” Her words were a breathy whisper. “I don’t think I’ve said that yet.”

“You don’t need to thank me.”

“I do. Even though you’re standing right here, I’m having a hard time grasping the fact that you came after me.” Her lower lip trembled as he watched her fight for composure. “I was so sure I’d never see you again.”

Did she really think so little of him that it surprised her that he was there to help? She probably did. Worse yet, he probably deserved it. When he’d walked out on her, he had been in a bad place emotionally. He’d thought he was doing the right thing. He’d been sure cutting her free was the kindest thing to do. She’d deserved better than to be tied to a man who was so miserable to be around.

Maybe he’d been wrong.

He didn’t know.

“I’ll never be able to tell you how sorry I am about the way I ended things,” he admitted.

She studied his face for a moment, looked as if she wanted to say something and then forced a weak smile. “You were right. My current problem is big enough. It would be silly to drag up problems from the past.”

Roscoe released a loud, theatrical whine. He didn’t appreciate being kept waiting. Alex reached for the doorknob, ready to let the dog out, but twisted back around when Claire spoke again.

“I’m just happy to know you’re alive and well,” Claire said. “I prayed for you. Every night. I prayed for your safety and for healing.” She dropped her gaze, unable to look him in the eye. “I pray for you still.”

“I didn’t know you were the praying type,” he said, feeling somewhat surprised. Maybe he didn’t know Claire as well as he thought he did.

“Things change.” She lifted her chin. “After you left, Beth convinced me to start attending church with her. A lot of years had passed since I’d stepped foot inside a chapel. Once I did—” she gave a small shrug “—it made me question why I ever let myself drift away from the church in the first place. I started reading my Bible again and I began to pray. I prayed a lot.”

“God heard you,” he said gently. “He heard you loud and clear. It took some time for me to listen to Him, but He finally helped me get my head straightened out.”

Claire looked at him quizzically. “You’re a Christian now?”

“Yes,” he said firmly. “Maybe sometime I’ll tell you how that came about. But it’s a story better saved for another time.”

She looked like she wanted to push the matter, but a yawn cut off her words.

It was for the best. Maybe sometime he’d tell her about the stabbing that had taken place in the alley. Maybe he’d tell her how it had changed his life. But he didn’t want to get into that tonight. It was clear she had enough weighing on her and he didn’t want to add to that.

“Get some sleep,” Alex suggested as he motioned toward the bedroom. “I’ll take the couch. You’ll be safe here.”