Page 57 of A Secret Escape

“I’m sure.” And a moment later Milly said, “Oh, panic over. It’s Joel. Phew.”

“Joel?” Nicole groaned. Wasn’t that just typical? “In that case I’m definitely hiding behind a tree. I made such a fool of myself last time he saw me.”

“You’re overreacting.”

“No, overreacting is what I did when he walked into the kitchen.” Nicole wished she’d never agreed to run with Milly, but it was too late to hide or turn back or do any of the other things that entered her head because she heard the sound of feet hitting the trail and then Milly’s cheerful greeting.

“Hi,Joel!”

“Hey there. You two are up early.” He flexed his shoulders and scanned Milly’s gear with interest. “Never seen you running before, Milly.”

“This is the new me. I’m going to dazzle everyone with my fitness.” Milly took advantage of the rest to take a mouthful of water from her bottle. “Also, it was the only way I could tempt Nicole out of the house.”

“Is that right?” He smiled at Nicole. “It’s good to see you out and about. I’ve been concerned that you were trapped indoors.”

He made her sound like a butterfly who kept smashing itself against the window in a bid for freedom.

“It’s nice to be out.” She noticed that he was barely out of breath despite the fact he’d been running fast when they’d spotted him. “We haven’t seen you running here before.”

“I run every day, but usually in the evenings.”

Milly glanced along the trail. “Did you see anyone else on your run?”

“You mean, are you likely to see another human?” He shook his head and glanced back the way he’d just come. “No. Gets busier at six thirty. Most people are here to relax and enjoy themselves, remember.”

Nicole wondered how that must feel. To wake up in a cabin by the lake and be able to do anything you wanted with the day. “Lucky them.” The moment she said it she was embarrassed because she knew that she’d had a great deal of good fortune. And she was grateful for it. But people felt that her success somehow made her immune to all of life’s blows, and of course that wasn’t the case.

But Joel was looking at her with concern, not judgment. “So you leave the boathouse once a day at dawn? I suppose it’s better than nothing. But just in case you find that a little limiting, my offer stands.”

Milly put the cap back on her water. “What offer?”

“I offered to sneak Nicole out of here in the back of my van. I thought if I took her somewhere the tourists avoid, she could have a proper walk. Get out and enjoy the scenery. Nature. Forget about things for a while.”

“In the back of your van?” Milly gave him a look. “That sounds super creepy, Joel. I’m not surprised she didn’t accept.”

“I accept.” The words rushed out of her before she could change her mind.

Every day Milly left for work and every day Nicole watched the time pass minute by minute, waiting for the moment when her friend came home again. She had far too much time on her hands. Too much time to think. She’d started to write a script for something to do, but her heart wasn’t in it. And sooner or later she was going to have to expand her world again. Good mothers didn’t hide away in the house, did they? She needed to start carving some sort of new life for herself.

“If you’re sure,” she said, “then, I accept.”

And now she was wondering if perhaps he hadn’t meant it. If he’d only said it because he knew she’d say no.

But Joel smiled. “I’m sure.”

“But not in the back of your van, please!” Milly rolled her eyes. “Just sit in the front and wear a hat.”

“We can decide that part later.” Joel checked his watch. “I need to go. The fridge in Aspen needs some attention, and it’s my first job of the day. Enjoy the rest of your run.”

He took off down the path, and Milly and Nicole finished their loop of the lake and headed back to the boathouse.

“Are you really planning to go with him?” Milly paused for breath at the bottom of the steps. “You surprised me when you said yes.”

“I surprised myself. But I’ve been enjoying our runs, and I need to get out more. We both know I can’t carry on like this.” She paused, second-guessing herself. “Do you think it’s a stupid idea?”

“No. Joel is completely trustworthy. Also, he knows this area well. He’ll take you somewhere off grid where you’re unlikely to see anyone except serious climbers.”

But now she was regretting her decision. What had possessed her to even say yes? She’d been disappointed and betrayed by the people closest to her, so what was she doing trusting a stranger?

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