Page 19 of In Hiding

“Do you not have family back in Melbourne? Brothers, sisters, girlfriend?”

His thoughts drifted to his mother and sadness filled his heart. “I have a mother who has had a hard life, even before I screwed up. I surely didn’t help on that score, but she’s settled now.”

Sarah’s eyes softened and her hand touched his. “A mother never gives up on her children.”

“It’s best this way.” He hated the coldness in his voice. Much as he wanted his mother’s forgiveness, seeing her at peace trumped the selfish need of a boy who never really grew up.

She glanced down and, as if realizing she’d made contact, pulled her hand away. “I ask only because I’d like you to accept the job, permanently. The quality of your work is excellent, your ethic is, as I say, unbeatable and I cannot fault your commitment.”

“We agreed to a week’s trial.”

A corner of her mouth rose. “You insisted, if I recall, but I have seen enough to feel comfortable offering you the job. The cottage can be yours if you choose.”

Her offer floored him. A job and a home? It would mean he could truly make good on his promise to her brother, but it was too much. Jake opened his mouth to protest but she held up a hand.

“Think on it a day or two. Perhaps take a day to explore Wills Crossing to see if you like the place. I mean, you wouldn’t spend every waking moment here. You’ll want to make sure you can accept this town as your home.”

He glimpsed the stubbornness her brother spoke of and had to smile. “I’ll consider your offer. Thank you.”

With a nod, she turned toward the door, then stopped. “Whether you accept the job or not, promise me one thing?”

Anything. “Sure.”

“Call me Sarah from now on. Ms. Andersen makes me feel old.”

At thirty, she was most definitely not old. Jake smiled. “I will, Sarah.”

“Good.” She headed for the door. “If I’m not mistaken, you’ll need to check in with Sergeant Wilson today. While you’re out, I have a list of items I’ll need you to collect from town.”

The authority in her voice tickled his fancy. “Will do.”

An hour later, he steered the Harley down the mountainous road toward the town of Wills Crossing. He didn’t need a day to make his decision. The Great Dane would have his hide if he didn’t stay, but he didn't need a stand-over man to force him to accept. Life at Andersen House would offer a change of pace and that promised to give him time to decide exactly where he wanted his life to go.

Since he planned to hang around, he grudgingly acknowledged he’d need to trade in the bike for something more appropriate. Snow or none, it wasn’t particularly suitable to life as a handyman.

Once in the town proper, he made for the only mechanic in the area. Lawson’s Garage was located in a side street just off the main road. The tall metal structure looked relatively new and as he pulled up at the curb out front, he found the large roller doors open, the lights on and a car up on the hoist. Cutting the engine, he removed his helmet and stood. At just after ten, it was quiet. He couldn’t see the mechanic.

Leaving the helmet on the seat, he unzipped his jacket and strolled toward the open doors. He heard a woman’s voice, speaking gibberish, as if talking to a child, and as he rounded the corner, he saw a man and woman huddled together. Jake paused, aware he was about to interrupt an intimate moment. With half a mind to retreat, his escape was foiled when a boy peeked out from behind the pair.

“Mum? Dad?”

Both man and woman looked up, turning together. She held a babe in her arms, which explained the babbling, and the joy on both their faces made him want to apologize, but Jake held his tongue as he stared at the familiar face of the man.

Dressed in blue overalls, curiosity replaced the smile on the blond man’s face. He gaped at Jake as if he knew him, and Jake felt the same expression on his face. Memories tugged at his mind, of decades past, where boys trained to be soldiers and war hardened them into men. He searched his memory banks for a name, combing through the images and snippets of movie reels of yesteryear.

“Jesus H. Christ.” Seemed the mechanic beat him to the punch. “Jake Langley?”

He nodded. “The one and only.”

“Bloody hell. I thought you were dead.”

Though older and deeper, the voice triggered the right information. “Magnus Nettleford?”

Blinking, the man he remembered as Magnet, grinned. Without another word, he raced forward and pulled Jake into a bear hug. Slapping him on the back, Jake couldn’t find the words he needed. Magnus might have thought he was dead, but Jake knew Magnus had been declared Killed in Action in East Timor.

He pulled back. Magnus held him by the shoulders and shook his head. “How? Why? I mean... shit, I don’t know what I mean. How long has it been?”

Jake shrugged. “Thirteen years?”

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