“I can’t imagine how much strength it took to make it through those first two years.”
“There were times I thought about giving up and just going back with him. I knew my life would be hell if I did that, though.”
They walked down to the water line and let the cool water play at their feet. Blakely laughed and ran away then back out to the water. She felt really good, like maybe she really was on the right path now.
She couldn’t wait to talk to Jump about how good she felt. Maybe she would write some stuff down. Maybe that’s how she would write a book.
Late at night, and sometimes early in the morning there were so many thoughts in her brain. It seemed almost overwhelming at times and writing them down might just help her. If her thoughts turned into a book, that would be good. And if they helped her figure out what she wanted to do, that would be even better.
“I’m so glad I came out here with you both today. I feel like I’ve made some progress.”
“Good,” Pen said.
“Now then, how about dinner?” Willa asked. “I’ve worked up an appetite being out here. How about we go back to my place and put a pizza in the oven along with some wedge potatoes?”
“That sounds so good,” Pen said. “I have some salad stuff in my refrigerator. I’ll pick that up and we can have a party.”
“I feel bad that you all are feeding me. I should contribute something.”
“Don’t worry about it. Next time we can come to your place. Well, Wave’s place.”
Blakely nodded. “Sure. That would be great. I need to figure out transportation. My car wasn’t much, but when the building burned, part of it fell on my car.”
“Maybe Thario knows of someone who wants to sell their car. We can put out feelers,” Willa said.
“I can pay cash, as long as it’s not too much.” She didn’t like spending the money in the account she’d shared with her father. It just felt wrong. She wouldn’t give it back to Grayson or to anyone else in the community, though. They would only use it to harm more women and kids.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Jump felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise earlier, now he knew why. Someone had been watching him, and they’d gone to get friends.
“Jump, Foster, Flash, you three take the kids and get them out of here,” Kevlar said.
“Got it,” Jump said. “Okay, boys, it’s time to move out. The guy with the broken arm, what’s his name?”
“Craig,” one of the guys said.
“You, what’s your name?” Jump asked.
“Paul.”
“Paul, you help Craig. Don’t leave him behind. And you.” Jump pointed at another kid. “What’s your name?”
“Mike.”
“Mike, you and Paul are going to make sure Craig gets home, too. The rest of you, buddy up. I need you to watch each other’s backs, you need to make sure your buddy gets home.”
The kids were in shock, but they all nodded their head. He would have to keep reminding them to keep up with each other. He asked them to buddy up so they could focus on something other than themselves.
They were moving much slower than Jump wanted to move, but there was no way these kids could go faster. They were moving away from the approaching group, which was good, but they weren’t far enough away to not get shot.
After about four hundred yards Jump found a stone wall. That was a good enough place to hide. “The wall,” Jump said over coms.
Foster and Flash helped the kids get behind the wall then took up positions so they could see anyone approaching. Jump dropped low seconds before the first bullets began flying.
The kids were obviously scared. He could hear some of them crying and whimpering. He wanted to tell them to be quiet, but they weren’t louder than the bullets flying.
Jump moved so he could get a good look at what was going on. His buddies were taking heavy fire, and he wanted to go help them, but he had to stay here and make sure the kids didn’t get shot.
