Page 7 of Freedom to Love

Chapter Three

“Get in,” Brynn said, screeching to a halt in a used sedan. “Notice, this one isn’t stolen.”

Bea rolled her eyes and threw an Army duffel full of clothes and gear in the back and climbed in.

“This is nice,” Bea said, rubbing her hand along the soft seat.

“It is, so let’s keep it that way.” Brynn sped away from the old Sunoco gas station overgrown with kudzu. It had always been their go-to spot when they’d needed to meet up and couldn’t communicate. Now they were risking it all by driving back down the road that led to the turnoff to their home. But Brynn needed highway access, and the faster they drove, the less likely anyone on their front porch would be able to tell it was them in the blue Buick.

“Where the hell are you going?” Bea asked, lighting a cigarette. She was sweaty, hands shaking. She tugged hard on the cigarette, inhaling deeply before exhaling, but it seemed to do little to relax her.

“Get down,” Brynn said, slipping on large shades to hide her face.

Bea sank into the seat and they sped past their road and beyond old farmhouses with people relaxing in their porch swings, waiting for the afternoon storm. No one waved or even looked twice.

“Okay, you can sit up.” Brynn pulled onto the highway and slowed to just above the speed limit. Bea shook her head, still confused. She knew where they needed to go to hide, and they were going the wrong way.

“Brynn,” she said, demanding an answer.

“There’s something I have to do.”

“Yeah, what?”

Brynn wiped sweat from her own brow and checked the mirrors for the law. The car was a friend’s, one who owed her many favors. Brynn had called Holly from near the hospital and she’d come to get her. She’d also given her clothes and supplies to escape with, not to mention the car.

“I made a promise,” Brynn said. “And as you know, I keep my promises.”

Bea made a noise of disapproval. “Cops are all over the family. Searched the property. Billy says they even found the old deer stand. As if we’d be dumb enough to hide in that.”

“I’m not surprised.” Neither one of them had been able to return home for fear of the police. Brynn had considered just turning herself in, but she didn’t trust the police to do anything in her favor, and her fear of returning to prison had won out. Right now, she was just hoping Vander would live, and beyond that, she hoped she’d help clear her name. In the meantime, they needed to hide, and Brynn couldn’t argue, knowing another charge on Bea would put her away for a long time.

“I got rid of the guns,” Bea said.

“Where did you get them to begin with?”

She shrugged. “I don’t even remember. Robbie or someone.”

“Great.” Robbie was a well-known druggie and, unfortunately, Bea’s close friend. They’d known him since he was a kid, raising hell at age nine. Adulthood hadn’t changed him a bit.

Brynn gripped the wheel with panic still coursing through her. Blood was beneath her nails and embedded into the lines of her knuckles. She’d only had time enough to change clothes and take a quick rinse under the water. And despite worrying about her family and her sister and running from the law, her mind kept returning to Vander and whether or not she was alive. She could still feel her warm blood, see her delicate blond lashes and pale eyes. There was so much life there in her eyes. Depths she was surprised to see.

She slowed as they approached the lake. She exited and found her way to a neighborhood near the water.

“Where the fuck are we going?” Bea demanded. She rolled up her window and once again ducked in her seat.

Brynn searched streets, then house numbers. She pulled over near her destination and examined the surroundings. Most people were still at work, and those that weren’t were inside, hiding from the growing heat and humidity. Unlike in her neighborhood, where windowed air conditioners were weak and kept most on their porch praying for a breeze.

Bea looked around, and her face contorted in anger. She figured out where they were. Small towns kept very little private. And with Bea’s doings, she probably knew where every cop lived and hung out.

“Tell me you’re kidding,” she said.

Brynn kept watch on the nice home, small in size but decent and on the water. A covered boat was in the driveway, along with a covered Sea-Doo.

“Stay here.” She popped her door and took a step out.

Bea grabbed her arm. “Why the fuck are we at Vander’s home?”

Brynn shook her off. “I told you, I made a promise.”

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