Page 77 of In Hiding

“Well, ladies,” Jake smiled and lifted his coat from a hook, “I have some chores to do. Please, excuse me.”

Sarah watched the two women ogle his behind as he left. When they turned back, embarrassment flushed their cheeks. She couldn’t blame them. Jake wore handsome better than most.

“He is easy on the eyes,” Kate crooned, following Sarah into the kitchen. “Oh, my!” She gasped as she spied the view.

Sarah lit a burner under the kettle and turned to Kate’s companion. “I don’t believe we’ve met?”

“Not formally.” She held out a hand. “I’m Julie. I was one of the paramedics who attended the day you fell.”

Sarah shook the outstretched hand. “Thank you, for saving my life.”

Julie chuckled and shook her head. Dark hair tumbled around her shoulders. “Oh, I think that honor goes to Jake and Stevie. That,” she nodded toward the view, “is spectacular.”

Busying herself collecting clean cups from the cupboard, Sarah smiled. “Yes. My great grandfather had amazing foresight in selecting this parcel of land. Would you prefer coffee or tea?”

“Coffee.”

“Tea.”

The two women answered simultaneously, looked at each other and laughed. Sarah added a tea bag to one cup and a spoonful of instant coffee powder to the other. “I hope you’re not here to see William, Kate? I made sure to postpone his appointment.”

As if gathering her wits, Kate smiled and took herself to the fridge, where she retrieved the milk. “Of course. How is he doing?”

“He seems happier.”

Her smile seemed genuine. “I’m glad. He has a way to go, but he’s opening up, which will help.”

“Thank you. He speaks highly of you.”

Moving to Sarah’s side, the smaller woman set an arm on hers. “And what about you? How are you doing?”

The intimate question forced Sarah back a step. She shouldn’t have been surprised. It was probably only a matter of time before Kate put the pieces of the puzzle together, considering how much William could have divulged but the uninvited query spooked her nonetheless.

“Oh.” Kate became apologetic. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

The kettle whistled, giving Sarah a reason to turn away from the concerned eyes. She lifted the appliance and filled both cups with water, trying to slow her breathing and get some semblance of control over her wayward heart. The carton of milk appeared on the bench beside her.

“Thank you.”

She added a dash to both and folded the spout closed again. The feeling of being exposed in the presence of these two strangers unsettled her. For a second, she wished Jake had stayed to offer moral support. She crossed to the fridge to return the carton.

“Sarah, please. I only meant to make sure you are okay.”

She met Kate’s eyes. “I’m sure my son has told you plenty, but I’m fine.”

“The only thing I know for sure is that you experienced as much trauma as he did. It’s good you’ve encouraged him to talk to someone. Have you spoken to a counsellor about what happened?”

Sarah felt cornered as both women looked on her with more compassion in their eyes than she knew how to handle. So desperate had she been to disappear after Ryan was imprisoned, she’d never found the time to see a psych. Or perhaps the courage? She wasn’t sure.

“Come.” Julie took her by the arm. “We should sit down.”

Allowing Julie to lead her to the living room, Sarah watched Kate bring their cups and place them on the small magazine table. She settled into her armchair as Julie sat on the couch.

“I’m a nosy so-and-so.” Seemingly unperturbed by Sarah’s reaction, Kate slipped out of her shoes and folded her legs beneath herself as she took up residence in the other armchair. “Of course, if you want us to go, we will.”

Except, neither woman looked ready to leave.

“Sarah, we’re no strangers to trouble,” Julie offered. “And believe it or not, we both understand some of what you’re experiencing.”

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