Page 61 of Sanctuary at MacLeod's Cove
‘Good, then what say we all go into the other room and get a drink?’ Sam said.
But Liam shook his head vigorously, his thumb finding his mouth as he hadn’t done in years.
‘Why?’
‘I want to stay here,’ he said, looking around.
Sam considered for a moment. ‘Why here?’
‘Because there are no windows.’
‘No windows?’ repeated Kate looking around her, puzzled. ‘Liam, why don’t you want any windows?’
‘Because he might be there again.’
Jen swallowed down the dumb terror that threatened to roar through and overtake her. She couldn’t afford to be paralysed by fear. Not now. Not anymore.
Instead, she took a deep breath, determined to continue with Sam’s easy conversation. ‘Who, Liam?’ She licked her lips, waiting for a reply, but Liam traced the pattern in the rug. ‘Liam, who did you see?’
‘Dad.’
‘Your dad?’ asked Jen, the words sticking in her suddenly dry mouth.
Liam nodded. ‘And I don’t want to see him again.’
Chapter Seventeen
It was as if a wash of ice ran through Jen’s veins. A million thoughts entered her mind, but her throat was clogged with terror.
‘Dad?’ she repeated shakily. ‘You mean… your…’ She swallowed, unable to repeat the word.
‘Dad,’ he confirmed, his frown lowering. She hated seeing it. He’d more or less stopped the habit since their arrival in New Zealand.
‘But…’ She could feel the fear freezing her mind, and she looked at Sam, needing his quiet strength now more than ever. His face was grave and attentive, and he gave a brief nod.
Sam put his hand on Jen’s back, then turned to Liam.
‘No worries, mate,’ said Sam. ‘I’ll go through the house and close all the curtains. No chance of seeing anyone you don’t want to tonight.’
Sam disappeared, leaving Jen alone with Liam. She could hear Sam talking quietly to Kate, no doubt explaining what he was doing and what Liam had revealed.
Sam re-appeared. ‘All done in the back of the house. Your grandma’s got you a hot chocolate, so come on through.’
Liam took Sam’s hand and Jen followed them into the kitchen.
‘See, everything is closed. The outside will stay outside, and you’re safe inside surrounded by us all,’ said Sam.
Liam visibly relaxed, and Jen went over to where Liam had been sleeping earlier and pulled back the cover. Liam climbed onto the cushion, and Jen gently pulled up the cover over Liam’s shoulder, resting it there for a few seconds.
Sam beckoned Jen over while Kate fussed over Liam.
‘I’ll go look around outside,’ he whispered. ‘I won’t be long.’
‘Be careful,’ she said. ‘You don’t know him.’
He put his hand on her shoulder. ‘Don’t worry. If he is out there, it’s him you should worry about.’
She shook her head as she watched Sam slip out the front door.
