Page 164 of Running to You

“The prodigal has returned.” Jed made his announcement as if he expected a response, but nobody said anything. In fact, a few dropped their gazes. “Well, let’s welcome her back.”

That elicited a random clap and a few hellos and good-to-see-yous. She couldn’t muster a smile but managed a slight nod before shifting to face Jed. “Where’s Levi? Where’s my mother?”

He leaned in, voice low when he answered. “Where are the papers you stole from me?”

Before she could respond, Gil handed them over. “This was all she had with her.”

She didn’t bother to point out that she’d had shoes and socks and a bag full of clothes.

Jed peeked into the envelope, then gave her a tight smile. “When I get my money, you’ll get to see Levi.”

“I need to see him now.”

His eyebrows hiked. “What did you say?” She didn’t miss the warning in his nearly whispered question.

She swallowed hard. “You told me if I came home”—the word tasted like sand—“all would be forgiven.” She made sure to speak loudly enough that everyone would hear. She also knew the best way to get what she wanted was to appeal to his ego. “I trust you to do what you promised. I know I messed up. I know I caused you, caused our family, a lot of trouble. But I also know you’d never go back on your word. You can be trusted, Jed. I’ve always known that. Please, be true to your word. Please let me see my son and my mother.”

His gaze flicked to the people watching the scene. His smile was tight when he focused on her. In his eyes, she saw warning. Watch yourself.

She swallowed hard but didn’t look away. She wasn’t fooling him. And he wasn’t fooling her. As soon as she got the money—or, more accurately, as soon as he realized she was never going to give him back the money—he’d make her pay for everything she’d done.

God willing, she’d be safely away from him long before then.

Finally, he turned to the room, and the frozen smile he’d worn morphed into something that looked genuine, even warm. “Elizabeth has come back to us and begged forgiveness, and I am willing to grant it.” He wrapped his arm around her back and tugged her close, like an old friend offering support. “I’ll allow you to see Levi. Our son has missed you.” Again to the room. “Go back to what you were doing. Let’s give our Elizabeth some space.”

The women started talking in low tones, the children, who’d been unnaturally quiet during the scene, returned to their play.

Arm still around her, Jed led her past ugly plaid sofas and a round wooden table surrounded by chairs where a group of women played Monopoly. Nobody looked up when she passed.

They reached the back of the room, and Jed urged her through a door and into a hallway. At the far end, more horizontal boards covered what she assumed was the rear exit.

One way in. One way out.

The sounds of chattering faded as the door to the common room closed behind them. Maybe Jed was taking her to see Levi and Mom. Or maybe that was all an act for the sake of the women and children.

Moving along the long, dark corridor that seemed to go on forever, doors on both sides, her enemy propelling her forward, she wondered if there was any end to the nightmare. Or if this was only the beginning.

* * *

They were nearly to the end of the hall when Jed stopped at a doorway, pulled out a set of keys, and stuck one into the keyhole on the knob. “You wanted to see them. So here you go.” He pushed the door open and shoved Eliza inside.

She stumbled and would have fallen if a hand hadn’t caught her and held her up. “You all right?”

Before she could register the voice—

“Mommy!” Levi launched himself off a low twin bed and into her arms.

Oh.

Thank You, God.

She held her son tightly, dropping her face into his neck to breathe in his little boy smell—sweat and dirt and a hint of spoiled milk, and it was the most wonderful scent in the world. “My sweet darling. I’m so happy to see you.”

She expected him to back away. He’d never been one to allow long hugs, but he wrapped his legs around her torso and hung on as if he’d never let her go. She leaned her head away so she could see him, taking in his chubby cheeks, his matted blond hair, his sapphire blue eyes. He was dirty and in dire need of a bath, but he seemed unhurt. “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too. Pretend Daddy’s being mean.”

“What did he do?”