Judy Christenberry - Inherited - Instant Family

“Why did you run?”

“Because my stepfather is—he lies. I couldn’t leave without the kids. He’d kill any of us if he thought we knew what he’d done. He wasn’t a good father. I paid most of the bills and bought the groceries. He drank what little he earned. He had even started my mother drinking.” At that confession, Sarah cried again. “I tried to get her to not drink with him. He was a fighter when he drank and she…She was a different person.”

“I still don’t understand why you ran off. You’d already called the police.”

“Sheriff, have you come across people who do bad things but aren’t punished for them? Because no one can prove it? Or because he tells a sad story and is let off easy? I couldn’t risk hanging around to see what happened. He would claim he loved his children and the cops would believe him.”

Mike seemed to ponder that, then he nodded, as if he’d understood her as well as agreed with her. “Look, why don’t you and the children sleep here tonight? The Logans won’t mind, right, Brad?” He looked up at Brad, who nodded his agreement. “I need the names of your mother and stepfather.”

“Alice and Ellis Ashton.”

“Let me contact the police in—You never said where you lived.”

“I don’t think I should tell you.” She was trembling, but her chin was strong, as if determined to keep their former whereabouts a secret.

“I believe Davy said it was Denver,” Brad said softly.

Sarah jumped to her feet. “You had no right to question Davy!” she protested. “He’s just a little boy!”

“I wasn’t questioning him. He volunteered the information.”

Mike put up his hands to still the argument. “Sarah, we’re not trying to harm you or your siblings. We’re just trying to find out what happened. Believe it or not, we want to protect you.” Once Sarah settled down a bit, he continued. “Do you have papers giving you the right to remove your brother and sister from their home?”

“If he gets the kids, he won’t take care of them! He might—might even hurt them!”

At that, Anna began crying, and Brad questioned their judgment in speaking so candidly in front of the young girl.

Sarah picked her up and held her tightly. “Please, Sheriff! You can understand! I couldn’t help my mother anymore, but—but don’t let him take the kids!”

“Sarah, are you over twenty-one?” Mike asked.

“Yes, I’m twenty-four.” She wiped her cheeks, but the tears kept coming.

“If you have to go back to testify against your stepfather, I’ll try to help you get custody of the children. I can write a letter to the judge in support of that action. We’ll keep the kids here if you go testify. If they don’t give you custody, I’ll—I’ll look away for a day or two so you can disappear. Okay?”

“You promise?” she asked.

“You have my word.”

“Thank you, Sheriff. They’re good kids.”

“I can tell that.” He smiled at Anna. “Everything’s going to be fine,” he crooned to the little girl. “No need to cry.”

Brad thanked Mike. “Is that all you need for tonight? I think Anna is pretty tired, too.”

“Yeah, that’s all for tonight. I’ll check with the Denver PD to see if they’ve got an Ellis Ashton in custody.”

“Then, Sarah, if you’re ready, we’ve got an empty bedroom for you two to share tonight. Want me to carry Anna?”

“No, thank you. I’ll carry her.”

Brad picked up the suitcases and led the way down the dimly lit hall. He opened the farthest bedroom door and turned on the bedside light. “There are extra pillows and a quilt in the closet, in case you get cold during the night.” He told her where to find the bathroom and fresh hand towels. All the while Sarah just stood there, holding Anna. She looked frozen to the spot, almost shell-shocked. He couldn’t even imagine what she’d been through, how awful it must have been, how terrified she was. An urge to reach out to her and wrap her in his arms suddenly overtook him, hard and strong. He took a step toward her, but she backed up.

Looking at him, her brown eyes red-rimmed and bloodshot, she shook her head, but said in a small voice, “Thank you, Brad. Thank you for helping us.”

Brad rose the next morning and showered and shaved, then dressed. After that, he headed for the kitchen, where he knew he’d find his brother cooking breakfast.

“Morning,” he greeted Nick as he stepped into the doorway.

“Morning.” Then Nick continued before Brad could say anything. “You got back kind of late last night, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, but—”

Robbie raced into the kitchen, interrupting what Brad was going to say. Following him was Davy. “Daddy, look!”

Nick looked at his son and suddenly realized Robbie wasn’t alone. “What the—”

“That’s what I was going to tell you, Nick,” Brad hurriedly said.

“He belongs to you?” Nick asked. “Something you forgot to mention, brother?”

“No, he’s not mine, but I brought him here. I found him and his sisters camping out on the government land last night.”

“That’s not allowed,” Nick said.

“I know that, but— Anyway, I put out the fire and I brought them here to talk to Mike.”

Brad was glad he got those words out because he heard more steps coming down the hall.

Sarah and Anna came into the kitchen. He noticed how much they looked alike, the same coloring and facial features.

“Good morning,” Sarah said softly.

“Hello,” Nick said. “I’m Nick Logan.”

“I’m Sarah Brownly and this is Anna. And also Davy. If we’re intruding—”

“Not at all. Have a seat. I’ll have breakfast ready in a minute.” Then he looked at Brad. “Can you get some silverware and drinks for our guests?”

“Sure.” Brad got the silverware and poured three glasses of milk. After he brought those to the table, he filled a mug of coffee for Sarah and put it on the table. “Have a seat,” he added.

Brad hoped Nick would not ask questions. He could explain the events while they rode after breakfast.

Nick didn’t say anything until he’d dished up breakfast for everyone. But when he sat down to eat, he asked, “Where are you from?”

Sarah didn’t want to tell him, but after a look at Brad, she replied, “Denver.”

“It’s an unusual month for a vacation with kids. Won’t they be missing school?”

Sarah looked at Brad, a plea in her gaze.

“I’ll explain after breakfast,” Brad said. “Eat up, Sarah. Nick wants to get the kitchen clean before we go.”

“I’ll be glad to clean the dishes. I don’t know what— I mean, I’ll be waiting to hear from the sheriff.”

Nick looked at Brad, as if wondering if he could trust Sarah.

Brad said, “That’d be good, Sarah, if you don’t mind. The kids can watch cartoons while you work.”

“Can I stay home and watch cartoons, too?” Robbie asked eagerly.

“No, son. You know you have to go to school. Mommy would be upset if you stayed home for no reason.”

“Aw, Daddy. Why—”

“Eat up,” Nick ordered.

They had all finished in a couple of minutes. Nick took Robbie out to wait for his school bus, planning to meet Brad in the barn afterward.

As they left, Brad turned to Sarah. “My sister-in-law is sleeping in. Can you cook breakfast for her?”

“All right. Thank you for reassuring Nick without—without upsetting the kids.”

“No problem,” Brad said as he walked out of the house.

In the barn he saddled both horses and waited for his brother.

Minutes later he arrived, and he was barely in the saddle when he blurted, “Okay, what’s the story?”

Nick might not have been prepared for the violent story, but Brad held nothing back. He told his brother as much as he knew.