Page 52 of Run with Me

I swallowed through my tight throat and waved my hand, dismissing Xavier’s comment. Except the words had already managed to seep into that part of my heart I’d sealed off from the world. That part that belonged only to Mikey. And I knew that Xavier saw the lie on myface.

“Anna, for what it’s worth, if I were in your shoes, I’d have made sure that Ben was in his house when you burned it down. That’s what he deserves.”

I swept the stray tear away from my eye. I loved Mikey, and John had loved him too. “I know. I believeyou.”

“That’s why I think you should go back, but after the baby’sborn.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I need to go backnow.”

“That’s impossible now. The journey for someone in your condition…”

I leaned in to him. “I rode for a thousand miles in a hidden compartment of a rusted pick up truck. I’m sure I can manage anything else you have inmind.”

“It’s not safe for the baby, and I know you don’t want to risk your littleone.”

“Xavier, if that were you praying in that church, waiting for the love of your life to come back, how would you feel if she never showed up?” I didn’t wait for his answer. “I know it’s a lot for me to ask, but if you think there’s any way you can get me in and out of Pace safely, the way you went, I beg you, please helpme.”

Xavier let go of a deep breath and gently nodded, “All right. I’ll takeyou.”

A scream tore through the café, and Jack and Mary came from the back, where the washrooms were. Mary was huffing and puffing. Her face was bright red, and Jack was waving his arms around. Xavier grabbed his phone and dialed for an ambulance.

“I think she’s in labor,” I whispered, feeling my own baby kick at the words.

“Isn’t it early?” Xavier asked.

“Yes, but I think they’ll be okay. I prayed for them this morning.” I touched my hand to my stomach and saw Xavier look at me in bewilderment. I didn’t understand why he looked so lost when he always seemed to be in the right place at the righttime.

I also hadn’t expected to receive so much love and care from my new friends and never realized when Jack and Mary had become more than my friends. I would have been honored to call them my family. If only I could have known that my family would one day be torn apart. Maybe if I’d realized that, I wouldn’t have attached myself to them asmuch.

---