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Could this be real? Could Pete truly give up custody? Jane’s practical side doubted it. And yet...the hope of seeing Kellen again made her ache. She had to tread carefully. Pete held all the cards for now.
The door chimed again, and Jane looked up warily. But it wasn’t Pete. It was Mrs. Henderson, here for her usual bag of gardening soil. Jane quickly composed herself, determined not to show weakness.
She would help Pete—for now. And she’d pray her hardest that the Lord wouldn’t allow her to hope too much about Kellen.
3
The shrill ringof the phone jarred Jane awake the next morning. Her heart pounded as the remnants of the nightmare faded. Pete’s handsome face morphed into a cruel sneer, while Bridger and little Kellen held out their hands to her, always just out of reach.
“Hello?” she croaked, rubbing sleep from her eyes as she clutched the receiver.
“Jane, it’s me. I’m checking out of the motel. Meet me at the old fishery once you have the money.” Pete’s deep voice was low, almost a whisper.
“What’s going on?” Her pulse quickened, sensing his panic.
Pete was never scared; it wasn’t in his nature. He was too arrogant to be afraid of anyone or anything.
“Just a change of plans. Be at the bank when it opens and come straight to the fishery. I don’t have time to wait around.”
She glanced at the clock. Still an hour before the bank opened. “Are you in trouble? Is Kellen safe?”
“The kid’s fine, okay? Just bring the money.”
“Not until you tell me where he is,” Jane said sharply, her maternal instincts flaring.
Pete sighed. “Don’t be like that. I’m just trying to protect him. He talks about you all the time.”
Tears flooded her eyes. “Really?” The word left her mouth before she could stop it. Pete cared nothing for his own son’s feelings, let alone hers.
“It’s super annoying,” he added.
She clenched her jaw so hard, her teeth ached. How could the Lord allow anyone so damaged––so evil––to escape his judgment?
Not for her to say, she reminded herself immediately. She wasn’t privy to her Savior’s intentions. Whatever path the Lord set in front of her ex was his to travel.
She bit her tongue against a scathing retort, her fingers clutching at the sheets. Even now, he twisted the knife of guilt and shame as skillfully as ever.
“Be at the bank when it opens. Don’t keep me waiting.” The line went dead.
Jane sat motionless, fear and fury battling within her. What was she getting herself into now? But the thought of Kellen out there, with no one but Pete to count on…
If Jason was back, she’d call him instantly. He’d know how to handle this. So would Bridger. Or any of his team. But she couldn’t bring herself to reach out. Jason was family. And he knew Pete. She couldn’t drag Bridger into her old drama.
As long as Pete played fair this time and let her have Kellen, things would be okay. Great, actually. But if he reneged, she wouldn’t hesitate to hire Bridger and his friends to take the man down. Truth be told, she was embarrassed she’d let a man like Pete con her into falling in love with him. She lifted a quick prayer for Kellen’s safety and threw off the covers, jaw set.
One eye on the clock, she dressed hurriedly, pulling on jeans and a sweater against the late spring chill. Her assistant manager, Wes, was already scheduled to open the store today. A blessing, under the circumstances. He wouldn’t expect her in before noon on her one morning off. She splashed water on her face, meeting her reflection in the bathroom mirror. The dark circles under her eyes stood out against her pale skin.
“Get it together,” she muttered. This wasn’t the time to fall apart. Kellen needed her.
She grabbed her purse and her keys before realizing she’d need some way to carry all that cash. A quick internet search relieved her mind. In hundred-dollar bills, the money wouldn’t even weigh a pound. She pulled the canvas tote holding her camera equipment off the peg by the door, pulled out the two cameras, and headed out to her pickup truck, thoughts racing. Pete’s fear had unsettled her. He was always so certain he’d win. The quaver in his voice told her things were bad.
What if he was mixed up in something dangerous? Drugs, gambling debts, who knew with Pete?
Bile rose in her throat. And now Kellen was caught up in it.
She sped down the quiet streets, hitting the bank parking lot just as the manager, Letitia Graves, was unlocking the front doors. Only a few other customers milled about the lobby. Jane joined the short line, shifting her weight from one foot to the other impatiently.
“Come on, come on,” she urged silently, willing the minutes to tick by faster. Every second she wasted here was another second Kellen spent with Pete. Or more likely some random acquaintances, or hired help.
