Shirlee McCoy - Running Scared

“I guess she was right to be worried, because the car ended up in a ditch,” Maggie said, surprised that Edith would give out information to a stranger. But then, Edith did like being in the loop, and she’d love being part of one of Deer Park’s biggest-ever news stories.

“Fortunately, mine is made for this kind of weather. How about I give you a ride to your place?”

“My mother always told me not to accept rides from strangers, and since I’m not far from home, I think I’ll listen to her advice. Thanks, though. I appreciate the offer.” She kept her voice light as she started to turn away.

“Maybe it’ll help if I introduce myself. I’m Kane Dougherty. Eli’s father.”

Eli’s father—the man who’d been searching for his missing child for five years and whose impassioned plea for his son’s return had been replaying in the news since word of the father and son’s reunion had broken that morning—was standing on the country road that led to Maggie’s house.

And Maggie wished desperately that he wasn’t.

“I asked the sheriff not to tell you who I was.”

“And I told him that I needed to know. You brought me the miracle I’ve been praying for, and I wanted to thank you in person.”

“I’ve never needed thanks for doing the right thing, Mr. Dougherty.”

“Kane. And you may not need thanks, but I need to give it. How about I start by making sure you get to your place in one piece?”

There was no sense in refusing the ride, no way to undo the fact that Kane Dougherty was standing in front of her, so she nodded, trying to smile past the nerves that knotted her stomach. “Thanks. It’s not far.”

“It wouldn’t matter if it was a thousand miles. I’d still be happy to do it.” The words were suave and easy, the kind of thing a player might say to impress a lady, but there was sincerity in Kane’s tone that Maggie couldn’t deny.

He opened the car door, and the interior light went on, highlighting the black leather seats and the young boy who sat in the back. As always, Eli was still and watchful, his pale freckled face anxious and wary.

“Hello, Nicolas. Or do you want me to call you Eli now?”

“Eli, I guess.” But he didn’t look happy about it, and Maggie wondered how the transition was going for father and son.

“I missed you in school today,” she said, sliding into the car and turning to face the nine-year-old boy.

“They said I couldn’t go.”

“Who said that?”

“My…” Eli shot a look in Kane’s direction. “Father and aunt and the police. They said there were too many people who wanted to talk to me and take my picture.”

“They were right. You wouldn’t want a bunch of strangers following you all over the school.”

“I guess not, but now I’m going to have a lot of make-up work to do.”

“Not so much. It is the day before Thanksgiving, after all. Mrs. Trenton didn’t even assign homework.”

“She didn’t?”

“No. So you can stop worrying and enjoy your vacation.” Maggie leaned over the seat and ruffled Eli’s hair, then settled back into place as Kane rounded the car and got behind the steering wheel. She caught a flash of a strong jaw and high cheekbones, tan skin and deep-set eyes before the door closed and the interior light went off.

“I don’t think Eli considers this a vacation. It’s more a slow torture.” Kane’s voice was light, but Maggie heard the tension in it.

“Is it that bad, Eli?” She glanced over her shoulder, but Eli was staring out the window and didn’t respond.

“He’s had a rough couple of days. Haven’t you, sport?” Kane started the engine and drove down the road, the silence that followed his comment thick and telling.

“It will get better,” Maggie said, praying she was right. Eli had been taken from his home the previous morning and reunited with Kane less than twenty-four hours later. It was going to take time for him to adjust to his new circumstances. Time for him to realize that he really was where he belonged.

“You’re right. And in the meantime, we thought it would be nice to come for a visit with one of his favorite teachers. Right, Eli?”

“She’s my only favorite teacher.”

“That’s very sweet, Eli, and I’m happy for the visit, but it really isn’t a good night to be out and about.”

“I figured the weather would make it easier for me to get to you without bringing the press along. The sheriff said you’d like your role in things kept quiet and that you didn’t want any part of the press.”

“He’s right.” She’d asked Sheriff O’Malley not to mention her name to anyone. Including Kane. Apparently, he hadn’t respected her wishes.

“It took me a while to get the information out of him, but I think, being a father himself, he couldn’t deny me the chance to thank the person who gave me back my son.” His voice had gone gritty with emotion, and Maggie touched his shoulder, felt the corded muscle beneath his coat and let her hand fall away.

The last thing she wanted to do was make a connection, allow herself to be pulled into the drama of Kane and Eli’s life, pulled into the spotlight with them.

“Like I said before, I don’t need thanks. I did what anyone would have.”

“Then why didn’t anyone? Why didn’t…” He glanced in the rearview mirror and frowned. “I guess now isn’t the time to discuss this.”

“No, I guess not.” Not with Eli sitting behind them, listening to every word.

“So, how about we discuss it over dinner Friday night?”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ve got a busy weekend ahead of me. My driveway is to the right. At the white mailbox.”

“I’d say that everyone has to eat, but that would be cliché. So how about I just suggest we do it another time?”

“I really can’t, Kane.”

“Because you want to stay away from the press?”

“Yes.”

He was silent for a moment, and Maggie expected him to ask why that was so important to her.

Finally, he nodded. “Okay. So, how about we just meet out here again next weekend? I’ll bring dinner, and we can chat.”

“Next weekend?” He was staying in town that long? She’d thought that Kane and Eli would fly to Kane’s New York home soon after their reunion and take their entourage of reporters with them.

And Maggie would be safe again.

“Unless you’d rather do it on a weeknight. We’ll be moving into our rental on Monday—”

“Rental?”

“A few blocks north of the school. I asked Eli if he wanted to go back to New York now or wait until the end of the school year. He wants to wait. Right, bud?”

“Right.” Eli’s response was subdued, and Maggie wondered if he wanted to leave Deer Park, Washington, at all. He’d once told her that he’d lived in seven different states and attended the same number of schools. Shy and serious, he didn’t make friends easily, and Maggie was sure the frequent moves had only made things more difficult.

“I’m glad you’re staying until the end of the school year.”

Even if that meant Maggie would have to leave.

“Me, too. I like it here. So, since I’m staying, will you have dinner with me and my father next weekend?”

“I…” Can’t was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t say it without offering an excuse, and she didn’t have one. “I’d love to. As long as nothing comes up between now and then.”

Kane stopped in front of the old farmhouse, and Maggie opened the car door, shivering as cold wind slapped her cheeks. “I guess we’re here. Thanks for the ride.”

“I’ll walk you up.” Kane got out of the car and walked around to escort her.

“I’m fine, Kane. I think it’s best if you and Eli head back.”