Page 43 of In Hiding

The light shower turned into a downpour. Wind began to howl through the tall trees, swaying them left to right in great arcs. A loud crack filled the air and a thick branch swooped down through the canopy to crash land near the drive.

“If it comes to that, we’ll be ready. For now, Jakey boy, I think you have a job to do.” Magnus nodded toward the felled branch. “You are the handyman, after all.”

With a nod, Jake accepted their help. How could he not? He hated feeling like he didn’t know what to do and if it meant keeping Sarah safe, then he’d fulfill his promise to Erik.

“Good boy,” Damien patted his shoulder and pressed something cold and flat into his hand. Jake glanced down to find a mobile phone. “Stay in touch.”

Following the two men back to the SUV, Jake tucked the device into his pocket and lifted his hood over his head. The temperature dropped a good couple of degrees, sending a chill through him. Magnus tossed him a charger.

“Did you really think I was here to hurt her?”

Shaking his head, Magnus climbed into the cabin. “No, but even you can understand that we had to be sure. Take care, Jake, and keep your eyes open.”

8.

School holidays were so close, William could practically smell them. He couldn’t wait to sleep in and forget all about school. He sighed and focused on the last question of his science homework. They’d been growing seeds in their science room and were studying genetic diversity and while he understood a lot of it, he still had too much to learn.

“What are you working on?”

Mama stood at his shoulder, her hand settling onto his back. William smiled and stared up at her, glad to see her up and about without her crutches. “Plant genetics.”

She pulled a face. “Can’t help you there, I’m afraid. Give them water and sunlight and they’ll grow. Does that help?”

He chuckled. “No, but you're better at math, anyway.”

His compliment heated her cheeks. “Thank you. Maybe, take a break and go help Jake. There’s plenty of time for homework after dark.”

“Really?” It wasn’t like her to be so relaxed about schoolwork.

“Yes, really. Go, but rug up. It’s snowing outside.”

He stood, gave her a quick hug, and ran to the laundry where his boots and coat waited. Outside, the snow covered the ground in a thick blanket and gathered on the wooden steps that led down from the veranda to the path to the woodshed. Further down the steps at the cliff’s edge, Jake was using some tools to tighten the wire between the poles he’d installed.

Since Mama’s fall, Jake had been working on erecting a barrier, so no one ever went over the edge.

William stood on the last wooden step and watched him work. He was good man to talk to. Never judged. Never gave advice unless specifically asked. And he made Mama smile. William liked that he had dinner with them most nights though he did think it was weird to have an employee eat with them.

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