“But how?” Her brows furrowed, and she looked confused, pulling her lip between her small white teeth, worrying it.
“I know you have a job and an apartment, but going back to those at this point isn’t an option. It wouldn’t be safe for you here in Laramie. Jared or Zack would be able to find you easily at those places. In addition, even after their arrest, they may have friends who’ll be looking for you.”
“Oh, god… I knew I—”
“Wait. Don’t interrupt. Let me finish.”
When she nodded, he continued. “I still live in Rawlins. I still have the same house that you used to visit before you moved away to Laramie. If you remember, there were three bedrooms. One is a bedroom for when Brittney comes home from California. The other is a guest bedroom. You can sleep in there with no concern for safety, food, or warmth. It’ll only be for a few weeks until they are arrested and put in jail. It will be imperative to keep you safe until everyone stops looking for you.”
“A few weeks? I can’t do that for a few weeks! I have no clothes or… what about my job?” Her eyes started to dart back and forth, and she put a hand to her throat, as if panic threatened to overcome her.
“Stop!”
She swallowed, jumping at the sharpness of his voice.
“Okay. First, Brittney has some clothes at the house. They may be a little big until I can get you some things that fit you correctly, but I think you can survive until tomorrow. Right?”
“Yeah, I guess so. B-but—”
“Uh uh. Not yet. I know you’re concerned about your job. Our office will call them tonight, regardless of your decision. They need to know why you won’t be coming back, and about our investigation concerning their store. So, those concerns are taken care of. Anything else?”
She opened her mouth to respond, then quickly shut it again. “What about Brittney?”
“What about her?” He hadn’t expected that his daughter would be on her list of concerns at that moment.
“Won’t she be upset that I’m there?”
“What I do with my life is up to me. I don’t answer to Brittney — or anyone else for that matter. Besides, she’s in California living her own life and has been for a couple years now. I don’t typically question what she does, and she knows to not question what I do —
ever.
Any other concerns?”
She averted her eyes, staring at her hands. He’d been a little forceful with his answer, but she needed to know that he didn’t seek permission or care about anyone’s opinions on how he managed his life.
“No, Sir.”
Her voice had become small and timid. With a finger under her chin, he tilted her face up. “Hey. It’s okay. I’m not angry. You’re a good girl. We’ll go to my place and get you some warm food, find you some jammies, and tuck you into bed as snug as a bug in a rug. How does that sound?”
She pulled in a shaky breath. “It sounds amazing. I think I’d like that.”
“Then let’s go. C’mon.”
She stood hesitantly in front of him. “B-but… don’t you have to finish work?”
“No. I’m the boss here. Besides, I have enough time saved up that I can use it to leave early.” He ushered her out the door with him. Holding her hand, he pulled her into his office, locking his desk and file cabinets before grabbing his jacket. “Where’s your coat, Sunni?”
“The trooper at the desk took it.” She pointed in the direction of the front door.
“That means it’s up in the front room. We’ll go out that way.”
Once up front, he retrieved her coat, helping her slip into it, zippering it and pulling her hood over her head. When she tried to push it back off her head, he quirked an eyebrow at her. “It’s cold and snowy out. You need either that or a hat. No arguments.”
She clenched her fists at her sides. There was more than just a little bit of fight in this girl. Her large blue eyes watched him closely before she quietly mumbled. “Yes, Sir.”
He smiled at her, stroking her soft cheek with his hand. It felt right to pamper her after everything she’d been through that day.
Chapter 3
O
nce Cade had seated her in his large white truck, helping her buckle in, they turned down the main street into town. She found herself looking for Zack’s car, but thankfully it was nowhere to be found. After listening to Cade say the State police had been looking for him and Jared, she found herself even more afraid. Just the thought of bumping into him in town had her heart racing.
“There’s no need to worry, Sunni. Even if Zack were to drive right by us, he doesn’t know me, my truck, or where we’re going. You’re fine.”
“But what if he—”
“He won’t find you. And for the record, you won’t be able to leave the house for a while. It’ll be important to keep you hidden for a few days to a couple weeks.”
“A couple weeks! I can’t just stay balled up in your house for a couple weeks! Shit, I have friends and things I need to do, you know!”
My God, does the man think I have no life?
Did he honestly think she was still ten years old and her only activity was to be carted to the Johnson’s house? It didn’t really matter what he said though, she needed to get out of that house within a day. Maybe two.
“Madison! I don’t appreciate your tone at all, young lady, and it needs to stop now or we’ll be having a discussion. Clear?” His lips had thinned, and he had that tic men get when they’re upset. Her belly flipped. She hadn’t felt that in years. When she and Brittney were younger and they would become too loud or naughty, Mr. Johnson would use that voice and she swore she’d almost wet her pants every time.
Madison realized that Cade was waiting for her answer. “Yes, Sir. I understand.” She paused, wondering if she should list her concerns right then, or wait until later.
“Now, if you can use the appropriate tone and give me the respect I deserve, we can discuss this as adults.” He nodded in her direction. “Continue.”
“I just don’t know how… I mean… I have bills and commitments. I have a gym membership and a hair appointment next week. Christ, I even have to get my nails done. I have a life. I can’t just sit still balled up in another man’s house.” She struggled to keep her tone even and not let her voice rise, but inside she felt like shrieking.
“I’m sure any of those appointments — the gym, hair, and nails can be rescheduled. It’s inconvenient, but when weighed against your life, they seem pretty inconsequential, don’t you think?” He quirked an eyebrow at her, and suddenly she felt silly for even mentioning them.
“And for the record, you aren’t allowed to swear like that in front of me again. There’ll be consequences.”
“Mr. Johnson — Cade — I’m nineteen years old. I’m an adult and swearing is the least of my issues at this point.”
“Maybe I should pull over so we can discuss swearing right now?”
Oh, good God.
That sounded awful, and definitely something she didn’t want to contemplate.
“N-no, Sir, that’s not necessary.” A whine crept into her voice. “But… I’m a grown woman.”
“I realize how old you are, but
you
need to realize that my rules don’t change. Most of the rules that were in place at my house when you were a child are the ones that are still in place now. No shouting at me, no temper tantrums, no slamming doors, no swearing, no lying — and you’re never to put yourself at risk. In case you’re wondering, that includes not leaving the house without me until those men are arrested.”
As much as she didn’t want to agree with him about leaving the house, and she wanted to be selfish, she knew it was a rule that made sense. She hated feeling caged. It’d be a long couple weeks. She hoped he was ready.
“This won’t last for long. I promise. But until I say, you’ll have to stay in the house.”
“Yes, Sir.”
They pulled up to the small split-level, and it looked the same as she’d remembered it as a young girl. A sunshine yellow house with tan brick around the door. The crabapple trees were still on the side of the driveway, the ones that Brittney and she had climbed as children. They now towered over the vehicles. Time had made everything look somehow smaller, not quite as spectacular as she remembered things.
“Here it is. Much of it is the same. You’ll see that the rooms haven’t changed that much. I’m hoping it’ll put you at ease.” He hopped out of the truck, opening her door and helping her jump out.
“Where is Mrs. Johnson now?”
“She’s out in California. She moved there after the divorce. Brittney lives with her.”
“Oh. I’m sorry, I guess I didn’t hear.” She felt bad. If she had known, she’d never have brought it up.
“There’s no need to feel bad. It’s been a couple years now. It was for the best.” They walked up the brick sidewalk, the one that they used to paint with their chalk sticks in the summer.
He opened the door, letting her pass by, his hand on the small of her back. The place looked
very
familiar. The old carpet had been replaced with wood laminate flooring. Her mind’s eye had remembered these rooms so much larger. She wasn’t the same small girl that visited, but tonight she felt as insecure as she’d ever been.
He tossed his keys into a small ceramic bowl on a table in the foyer. “Seem familiar?”
“Very.”
He walked her down the short hall toward the kitchen. The dark cupboards from the nineties had been replaced with modern white cabinetry and gleaming silver appliances. “The fridge is full, so help yourself whenever you’re hungry or thirsty. Don’t be shy. If you want something and can’t find it, don’t hesitate to ask me.”
He pointed to the small hallway behind them. “Now, down the hallway as you remember is Brittney’s room. It’ll be your room now. Unless you’d rather have the guest room?”
“If you don’t mind, I think I’d feel more comfortable in the guest room.”
“Sure, sweet pea, no problem.” His eyes scrutinized her face, his eyebrows furrowed, head tilted, but he brought her across the hall. “There, do you feel a little better?”
“It’s beautiful. Yes, thank you, Mr. Joh — Cade.” She smiled at him and walked up to the bed, looking around. It was a plain room, a twin bed covered by a fluffy comforter with small purple flowers, a little brass and marble night stand with a delicate brass lamp. The one window faced the backyard, adorned with white ruffled curtains. To the left of the window was a dresser that she’d be able to put a few clothes into, and a chair nearby to read or sit in while dressing. A large, stuffed yellow bear leaned against the pillows, and she snatched it up, hugging it to herself.
How did I get myself into this predicament? And how long will it be before I’ll be able to leave this house?
Turning, she saw Cade watching her carefully. She tried reading his expression. Was that melancholy? He seemed sad, wistful.
Cade clapped his hands together suddenly. “Let’s get something to eat. I’m famished. How does Italian sausage and spaghetti sound for dinner?”
She’d always loved his lust for life, and his infectious enthusiasm made her smile. “Awesome!” She tossed the bear onto the bed to follow him.
“You can carry him with you if it makes you feel better.”
It seemed silly at first, but there was no embarrassment with him. She ran back to get the bear, clutching it to her chest. Cade threw his arm over her shoulder, and when they got to the island in the kitchen, he pulled out a bar stool for her.
“Now, you can both sit here and watch me. We’ll catch up on what’s been happening in our lives. Just like we used to when you came to visit.”
“I don’t think you ever realized how much I loved those visits. Not having a daddy of my own, it was nice to cuddle and play with you. It filled that void I had for so many years.” Suddenly, she felt uncomfortable with over-sharing. It wasn’t something she did with everyone, but he was safe. There was no concern that he’d use her words against her, or mock her.
“I don’t think I knew having a male influence or touch was so important to you. I should have, I guess. But, I just enjoyed you. You were a funny little kid and well-behaved.” He leaned forward, ruffling her hair. Her cheeks warmed at the affection. She’d missed him all these years.
“Well, we didn’t always behave, if I remember correctly.”
“No, with Brittney around that was almost guaranteed. Like the time the two of you filled those buckets in the garage with garter snakes and left them on old lady Northrup’s porch.” He waved the wooden spoon at her, laughing. “God, I thought they could hear her screaming all the way to Laramie that day. I was convinced she’d been shot or seriously hurt — until I heard the two of you giggling in the bedroom. On a hunch, I stood with my hands on my hips in the doorway to see what reaction I’d get from both of you.” He shook his head, chuckling. “You both froze. But when tears filled your eyes, I knew that the two of you had done something naughty.”
“I had told Brittney that we’d get in trouble. But that damn old woman was so
mean
to us. I don’t think you ever knew just how mean she was. We never bothered her, but every time our ball would go into her yard she’d just holler at us. She asked for it!”
“Oh, I knew. But learning how to treat even difficult people with respect is part of growing up. It was my job to teach that lesson. And I agree, she did deserve it. But snakes? Really? I can still see the two of you like it was yesterday when I marched both of you over to Mrs. Northrup’s house, standing frightened on her doorstep by the nape of the neck. All I had to do was say, ‘The girls have something to say to you, Mrs. Northrup,’ and Brittney broke down, sobbing and apologizing.” He tilted his head, remembering. “Now that I think about it, you didn’t say a word. Why was that?”