Page 71 of Operation: Return

“Who said I was alone?” She’d gotten so used to telling people her husband was ‘waiting out in the car’ or ‘would be there in just a minute’ for her own safety that the lie came easily. Staying at a sketchy motel was better than sleeping outside.

“You seem to be alone since you have your son and your bag with you and you’re looking for help with travel. I’m sorry for assuming.” The woman took a step back and her face became less friendly by degrees.

Erica wasn’t going to get any more information from her. Safe or not, she’d need to find a way to that motel. She could go back out to the ranch, but then she’d have to admit she tried and failed to leave. Cole might speak to her then, but it would be out of pity. She’d had pity more often than she could stomach in her life.

And there was the real reason she didn’t want to go back.

Cole’s second abandonment hurt. She’d hoped he would forgive her because of Pete. She’d hoped they could work out what they’d both done because they’d both made mistakes on this bumpy road, but maybe the speed bumps were more like mountains.

She headed back over to Pete as a man in all black came in the front door. Her body chilled as she looked at his clothing that was so like the Guardians, but different, then realized she’d seen him before. Pete gripped her hand tightly. “Let’s go into the library, Mom.”

“Good idea,” she choked on her words.

His footfalls slowly came toward them as she pulled the handle of the suitcase up and rolled it toward the door with the welcoming paint. Inside, there would be people. She would be safe as long as she stayed around someone.

Her heart clamored against her chest. Maybe she could email Gabby since she couldn’t alarm Pete about the situation than he already was and she didn’t have Gabby’s number memorized. Gabby could send an officer over here to help her get away from the guy she was pretty sure was working with Frank and his team. The guy who’d tried to get into the kitchen back at Wayside.

There were two computers along the wall, both of them open. A sign hung above them said she didn’t have to sign up as long as she didn’t spend longer than thirty minutes using it. She had to sign up for any longer than that. Fair enough, she’d be quick.

After a rapid search for Gabby Morrison of Piper’s Ridge, she found the website and clicked on thecontact mebutton. She quickly wrote out her situation and hoped Gabby would check her email. If not, she would be stuck in the library until she managed to find a way out.

Along the front of the building, there were large glass windows and the man in black stood right outside, leaning against the brick that separated the windows from the alcove with the door.

“Can I help you find anything?” A man in his thirties that looked like he should’ve been a hippy stood at her side.

She jumped slightly. “I . . . no. Thank you.”

He smiled at her. “Mind if I show him where to find some puzzles or fun books?”

Pete had been sitting so quietly next to her and part of her didn’t want him even a few feet away with that man out there. “Can I go, Mom? Please?” he pleaded.

She glanced at the man outside, then at the hippy-dressed man who looked harmless and had a friendly smile. “As long as you don’t go far. I want to be able to see you.”

The librarian laughed. “Well, unless he leaves, you’ll be able to see him.”

She wasn’t sure how she was going to know if Gabby got the email or not, other than that she would show up to pick Erica up again.

Erica glanced at the library hours posted above the computers. She had about an hour before she had to leave and find somewhere safe, away from the man hovering outside. A police car drove by and Erica held her breath, hoping he would stop.

He parked and strode right past the waiting man and into the city office. Just as quickly as he came in, he left without speaking at all. A hopelessness laid over her shoulders.

“Excuse me? Are there any shelters in town?” she turned to the librarian.

The librarian cocked his head slightly. “Pet shelters?”

Heat rushed up her neck to her cheeks. “No. Homeless.”

“Oh. No, I’m sorry. We don’t have one of those.”

With no Gabby, no way out but the front door, and nowhere to go, what was she going to do now?

ChapterTwenty-Seven

Cole, Connor, and Lacy sat across from Scarlet and Trace in the empty dining room. Scarlet tried to explain why thy needed to leave and go with the Guardians to their new location. He still wasn’t sold on the safety, but it would get them out of the state. That alone might finally be the barrier they needed.

“And do you know anyone in Duluth? I hear that’s where they’re headed.” Connor leaned back in his chair and listened.

Scarlet frowned and gripped Trace’s hand. “No, but we think that’s actually best. We’ve decided to start fresh, in a new place. Dominic has offered his protection. He says he isn’t qualified to give us what we have here, and he doesn’t want to start anything like this, but he’s willing to make sure we find somewhere we can live where we don’t have to look over our shoulders all the time.”

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