ooooooooo
I’ve been working at Hunt Market for almost as long as I’ve lived here. I met Julie not long after we moved into the farmhouse, and she offered me the job. I started out stocking shelves, but have been working the register for the last year. It’s a small market, just a handful of aisles. We have a meat counter in the back and a butcher that will cut meat to order. If you want more options, you have to go two towns over to find them. I shop here though. Less people, and less chance of someone nosing in my business.
“Find everything ok?” I began scanning the order of the next customer.
“Fine. Thanks.” I glanced up to see the smiling face of a man I didn’t recognize. “I’m looking for the sheriff’s office. Can you point me in the right direction?”
“Uh, sure.” I stumbled over my words. My tongue felt fat in my mouth, and suddenly, I’d forgotten how to talk. “Go left out there, and it’s on the right, three blocks down.”
“Thanks, Kellie.” He smiled again and it took me a moment to react accordingly. He motioned to my name tag. “It’s ok. I tongue-tie a lot of the ladies.” He grinned and then grabbed his groceries and left.
“Who was that?” Julie murmured behind me. “I’ve never seen him around here, and he was checking you out.”
“No he wasn’t,” I grumbled.
“Yeah, he kinda was. Thanks, Kellie,” she mocked. “Guurrrl, are you blind? You been locked away with Ava so long you don’t know flirting when you see it.”
“I don’t have time to date.” I shook my head. “Besides, I don’t even know who he is.”
“I’d find the time for him.” Julie laughed as she walked away toward the back of the store.
Business was slow, and I actually got out earlier than I was scheduled to. “Can we get the shakes now?” Ava tugged on my arm as we made our way to the diner.
“Sure.” I began shaking my body, causing her to jerk slightly.
“Mommy!” She giggled. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Really?” I furrowed my brow. “But I thought… never mind. How does double chocolate sound?”
“Sounds like a tummy ache. Remember last time?” She tipped her head up to stare at me. I was thinking strawberry this time.” She reached for the door when we reached the diner.
“Strawberry it is.” I glanced up just in time to come face to face with the guy from the market.
“Hello again, Kellie.” He smiled and held the door for us.
“Hi.” My voice shook as I nodded my thanks to him.
“And who’s this?” He squatted down in front of Ava.
“I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.” Ava lifted her chin and puffed out her chest.
“Smart kid.” He patted her head. “I’m Blake. I just moved here to work with Sheriff Whitfield. See?” He pulled a badge from his back pocket. “You can touch it.”
I watched as Ava slowly released my hand and ran her fingers lightly across the metal badge in Blake’s hand. “Nice to meet you.” Ava smiled. “I’m Ava. I’m five.” I tensed when she told him how old she was. I didn’t like giving out information about us unless it was necessary.
“We need to get going. It was nice meeting you, Blake.” I nodded as I turned and practically pulled Ava into the diner. Once we sat down, I watched out the window as Blake climbed into a car parked on the street. He pulled out into traffic and disappeared. I told myself multiple times that he was safe, but my body wasn’t listening. I spent most of the evening and all of the night twisted in a tight ball of nerves. Where did this guy come from? And was he really here for a job? I learned a long time ago not to trust anyone, especially someone who had the resources to find out who I really was.
Chapter 5
6 Years Ago
Brooke
“Hello?” I willed the words to come as I clutched the phone in my hand. “Hello?” The voice on the other end softened when I didn’t respond. “Are you ok? I can call 911 for you,” the female whispered.
“No.” It came out in a rush. “I don’t need the police. I need to leave.” I started to cry.
“Oh, honey. It’ll be ok. Is he there? Just say ‘yes’ if he is. Tell me that you’re not interested in what I’m selling, and then hang up. You can call back when he’s gone.” The words poured out of her as if she’d done this thousands of times.
“I’m alone, but I don’t know how long it’ll be.” My voice shook and cracked. As my nerves twisted into knots, sweat began to cover my entire body. I couldn’t believe I was doing this. It had been a week since I’d gotten the card from Dr. McGee. I thought I was going to be ok. Warren had been nicer to me, but last night pushed me over the edge. I’d burnt dinner and he hit me so hard that I hit my head on the corner of the dining room table. I have a gash over my right eyebrow that probably needs stitches, but he wouldn’t take me to the hospital. He told me to ‘tape it up’ and then complained that I’d gotten blood on the floor. I’ve been dizzy since, and I’m worried that the baby might not be ok.
“Go pack. Get whatever you can fit into one bag. We have things here you can use. Grab your wallet and any identification, and meet me at the southwest gate of Rosheim Park. If you have a cell phone, leave it behind.” She was all business, and disconnected the call right away.
I rushed upstairs and grabbed a suitcase. I pulled several pairs of pants and some shirts from the closet. I grabbed underwear, bras, and socks. When I couldn’t fit anything else in, I zipped it closed, and dragged it to the front door. After calling a cab, I grabbed my purse, and went to wait outside.
Every car that came by made me jump. I was so worried that Warren would come home and catch me that I almost gave up and went back inside. It was the throbbing of my head that kept me moving forward. When the cab pulled up, I rushed to get everything inside. “Rosheim Park. Southwest gate.” I slammed the door shut, and the cab pulled away from the curb and the nightmare that I called home.
I watched out the back window as the tall brick fortress grew smaller and smaller. I’d thought it was beautiful when we first bought it. It looked stately, and had a great backyard for entertaining. If I’d only known then that my dream home would fill my nightmares.
ooooooooo
“Thanks.” I paid the cabbie and dragged my luggage toward the gate. I didn’t know who I was looking for, and I felt a little lost. My stomach knotted further as I searched the area for someone who might look like they were looking for me.
“This way.” A woman, not much older than me, grabbed my arm and ushered me into the park. “Were you followed?” Her voice sounded urgent and instead of relaxing me, it made me more nervous.
“I don’t think so.” I glanced around.
“Where’s your husband now?” She stood in front of me.
“Work. He owns an accounting firm on Walbash,” I murmured as I knotted my hands together.
“We’re going east then.” She nodded. “Come this way.” She led me along a path to the eastern side of the park. There was a van waiting with the engine running. “You’re going with Donna. She can get you set up. You’re safe now, but you have to do as we say to stay that way. Understand?” Her words were sobering, but I could see it in her eyes. She was trying to soothe me.