AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Go to the pavilion by the creek. Will be waiting for you,” he read out loud.
Inhaling a deep breath, Ellie checked to make sure her weapon was well hidden beneath her heavy coat, and Derrick did the same.
She grabbed the stuffed unicorn she’d brought with her as a gift for Daisy as she climbed from the vehicle. The pavilion was on the opposite side of the park, and as she and Derrick walked past the swing set and jungle gym, chill bumps skittered over her body.
Charcoal clouds tumbled across the sky, shrouding out the sun trying to slice through the icy rain, and adding to the grisly gray.
Derrick took her hand in his and squeezed it. “Remember our cover.”
Thankful for the reminder, she forced a smile and leaned into Derrick, playing the happy couple in case they were being watched. “Yes, I’m so excited! We’re finally going to have the family we’ve always wanted.”
“And just in time for the holidays,” Derrick said, his voice loud. “We still have two days until Christmas,” he said. “Let’s take Daisy for lunch and then shopping and to see Santa.”
“That’s a great idea,” Ellie said, her breath catching as they neared the pavilion and she spotted a white utility van parked close by.
Her heart skittered as they rounded a giant oak beside the pavilion, and she saw a small girl huddled inside a navy winter coat, her knees pulled to her chest. She looked so tiny and frail and scared that Ellie wanted to strangle the people who’d taken her.
A husky man in a black coat and hood sat with her, his eyes darting around, ham hock hands resting on the side of the bench.
Ellie’s first instinct was to run as fast as she could to rescue the sweet little darling. But Derrick touched her arm, calming her.
Maintaining their act until they had Daisy safe, they held hands and crossed to the pavilion, but she was so worried about the child that she couldn’t help but walk faster and faster until they reached them.
The man stood, one hand over the pocket of his coat, and Derrick halted. “We’re the Eriksons,” he said. “We came to bring our daughter home.”
The big man had a thick beard, muddy brown eyes, and his ski cap pulled low over his forehead. Daisy looked up at Ellie with a terrified quiver in her eyes that broke her heart.
“Hi, sweetheart,” she said softly. “My name is Mae and this is Jared.”
The big man scrutinized her and Derrick with an intensity that made her stomach roil, but she concentrated on the little girl, stooping in front of her. “I brought you a present.”
She started to pull the unicorn from inside her jacket but the guy shook his head and grunted.
“I just brought her a gift,” Ellie said softly. “A stuffed animal.”
“Slowly,” the man said in a gruff voice.
Ellie nodded and eased the unicorn from her jacket. “Here you are, Daisy. I didn’t name her. I thought you might want to choose her name.”
Tears glittered on Daisy’s pale cheeks as she stared at Ellie with a wide-eyed, wary look.
But she grabbed the unicorn and hugged it to her.
Ellie gently brushed hair from Daisy’s forehead. “Can we carry her home now? We have everything ready.”
A vein pulsed in the man’s jaw, and for a moment Ellie thought he was going to refuse. But he gave a clipped nod.
“That’s wonderful. Is Serena here with the paperwork?”
“She’ll send it on. You shouldn’t contact us again,” he said harshly. “Unless you want another child, that is.”
Ellie reached out her arms.“Come on, Daisy. Let’s go home where it’s warm and we can have cookies.”
Even though Daisy bit her lip, she allowed Ellie to pick her up. Derrick offered the man his hand, but when he received a shake of his head, he brushed the side of the man’s heavy coat instead.
Daisy shivered against her as she ran with her to the Jeep and Ellie helped her into the back seat.
“It’s okay, sweetie,” whispered Ellie. “I’m here to help you.” She crawled in the back and pulled the girl to her, hugging her, then held her breath as she waited on Derrick. He jogged toward the jeep, then jumped inside.
