Hope White - Baby On The Run

She looked at him but didn’t answer.

“I don’t want to leave you and the child alone,” he said.

With a nod, she stood and accompanied him into the examining area.

* * *

Jenna managed to keep Eli comfortable and asleep, Bubba the bear wedged firmly between the child’s cheek and Jenna’s shoulder. As the doctor put a few stitches in Matthew’s head wound and examined his other injuries—bruised ribs and a reddened cheek—she struggled to distance herself from the situation. Not easy when she was surrounded by the smells, sights and sounds that triggered violent memories.

Her left eye swollen shut.

Pain piercing across her torso every time she drew a breath.

Knowing that she’d lost her baby, even before the doctor had told her.

As she rocked with Eli in her arms, she decided she had to get out of this hospital before she completely lost it and burst into uncontrollable tears.

Snap out of it. Stop thinking about yourself, and focus on the little boy.

“Want me to hold him?” Matt asked.

She glanced up. They were alone in the examining area. The doctor and nurse had left and she hadn’t even noticed. She must pay more attention to her surroundings.

“Are you ready to go?” she said.

“Not quite. The nurse is getting me an ice bag and ibuprofen to take home.” He shook his head. “Home? What am I talking about?” he muttered.

“How’s your... Did you tell them about your memory?”

“No. Didn’t want to give them a reason to admit me.”

“Maybe they should do a CT scan.”

“Not necessary. You’re not the only one who’s suffered a concussion before.”

She sensed his comment was meant to be an opening for her to share more about herself. But that was not happening. Ever. The shame would choke her before the words passed her lips.

“It will be okay,” Matthew said.

He was offering comfort because he sensed how stressed she was, how nervous and maybe even terrified about what would happen next. The list of options flashed across her mind—she’d be arrested for kidnapping; Eli would be handed back to his abusive father and Jenna would be imprisoned for trying to save a child; or worse—she’d be found by Chief Billings.

The image of Chloe’s lifeless body dropping to the floor sent shockwaves of fear all the way to her fingertips. The little boy sighed and stirred against her shoulder. It gave her strength.

She stood. “I’m glad you’re okay, Matthew.”

“I hear a but at the end of that sentence.”

“I need to find Chloe’s cousin Marcus.”

“We can help with that.”

“But you won’t, will you? You’ll be required to place Eli back with his father.”

“As I said, if you have proof that he is harming the child—”

“Chloe’s word is enough for me.”

“I understand, but it may not be enough for the law.”

“The law.” She couldn’t stop a sardonic chuckle from escaping her lips. “I don’t care about the law. I care about protecting this little boy.”

“I can’t let you leave.” He shifted off the exam table.

Panic shot through her body. Not again. She couldn’t deal with another domineering man.

You’ll never leave me.

Her mind whirred with options as she clung tighter to Eli. Why had she trusted Matthew?

“Jenna?” he said.

She stared across the room at an IV stand, planning her escape. He placed his hand on her shoulder. She nearly jerked away, but didn’t want to upset the child.

“Don’t touch me,” she ground out.

He withdrew his hand and studied her.

“I’m trying to help,” he said. “I don’t want you to be arrested for kidnapping.”

She was about to fire back a retort when the nurse returned with an ice bag and pain reliever. “Everything okay?” she asked, glancing from Matthew to Jenna.

No, it wasn’t okay. She’d been trapped in a cage again, unable to break free.

“We’re good,” Matt said.

“Someone’s asking for you out front,” the nurse said to him and left.

As he headed for the door, he turned to Jenna. “Wait here.”

What did that mean? That he didn’t trust his own people—the agent who was asking for him?

The moment he left the examining room, she grabbed the diaper and messenger bags. There was an exit on the other side of the room. Perfect.

Was she overreacting? No, Matthew’s comment about custody and giving this precious child back to his father had strengthened Jenna’s resolve to keep Eli safe and away from that monster.

A monster like Jenna’s ex.

I can’t let you leave. Matthew’s words came back to her. Did he belong in the monster category as well?

Holding Eli against her shoulder, she went to the door and cracked it open to determine the positions of Matthew and the agent. The waiting area was empty. Strange.

“I can’t help you, sir,” a receptionist said. There was something in her voice...

Fear.

Jenna cracked the door a little wider. She spotted two things simultaneously—Matthew on the floor, and a man, wearing all black, pointing a gun at the receptionist.

Jenna snapped out of view. It wasn’t one of the men from the community center. Which meant there was a whole army of thugs looking for her and Eli?

Struggling against fear that threatened to consume her, she rushed to the other door, swung it open and started down the back hall. She had to get away. Find Marcus. Get this child into the hands of someone who could protect him.

Guilt snagged her conscience. She’d brought danger into a hospital full of innocent staff members and patients.

The minute she and Eli were safely away, she’d call police about the gunman in the lobby.

“Stop right there,” a male voice demanded.

FOUR

Jenna froze, her heart pounding in her ears.

She gripped Eli tighter, whispering against his knit hat, “I’m sorry, sweetie.”

No, don’t you dare give up.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you leave,” the man said.

Did he just say I’m sorry?

She turned and was relieved to see a hospital security officer walking toward her.

“There’s a man with a gun—”

“Take it easy.” He put out his right hand as he approached, like he was calming a wild stallion. His left hand rested on a club at his hip.

“In the lobby—a gunman is threatening your staff.”

In a placating tone he said, “I need you to come with me.”

Her gaze darted toward Matthew’s exam room. Any second now the thug would figure out Jenna was close, and he’d come bursting through the door.

“Please, ma’am,” the security officer, a gray-haired man in his midsixties, said.

Every inch of her body screamed to get out of here. If she ran she wouldn’t get far, with two bags strapped across her shoulders and clutching a toddler in her arms. The security guy would chase after her, probably sound the alarm, drawing even more attention to Jenna and Eli’s presence.

“Why do I need to come with you?” she said.

He sighed and took his hand off the club resting at his hip. “I received an informal request to keep an eye out for a young woman and a child who went missing from Cedar River.”

“That’s not me.”

“Then I’m sure we can clear it up quickly. Please, I need you to come to my office.”

The problem was, his office was in the same building where a kidnapper—probably more than one—was looking for Jenna and Eli.

“Let’s go,” he said.

Refusing would make her look guilty. All she needed to do was act innocent and agreeable, and once he went to check on the situation out front she’d sneak away.

With a nod, she walked alongside him, fearing he’d pull out cuffs, but he didn’t. Of course not—he wouldn’t cuff a woman carrying a child.