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Remy worked on collecting their drinks and the cookies.
“I just can’t believe you’re really getting married.” Pippa tucked her change back into her pocket.
“You’re getting married?” Remy asked, setting their drinks on the counter.
Pippa bit her lip and looked over to Brynn apologetically.
Brynn shrugged. “It’s no secret. Aaron Ridley and I are going to be married soon.”
Remy’s eyes widened a fraction before she smiled. “Oh, I’m so happy to hear. Aaron deserves a good woman like you.”
“Do you know him well?” Brynn asked.
Remy laughed and pushed her micro braids over her shoulder. “We dated years ago, before Mikel came back.”
Brynn must not have hidden her shock well because Remy’s brows drew together, and her smile disappeared. “Oh, nothing like what you’re thinking. We went on a few dates, but it never moved past being platonic really. I was still in love with Mikel, and Aaron and I were better off as friends. He was the perfect gentleman the whole time. He was the one to bring up that we probably weren’t a good fit and there was no use beating around the bush. I always loved his honesty.”
A sliver of comfort lit inside Brynn with the confirmation Aaron had been consistent throughout the years, and she offered what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”
“Of course. You two enjoy your treats.” Remy pushed the bag of cookies towards them.
The women took their items and walked to a table by the window as the rain turned into more of a drizzle, the lights on Main Street reflecting in the puddles on the road. A few people under umbrellas walked past, hurrying along their way.
“This is so good.” Pippa set her cider on the table and licked her lips, and Lady settled on her belly by their feet.
Brynn lifted her own cup to her mouth and took a sip. Cinnamon and tart apple mixed with cloves and just the right sweetness met her taste buds. It was warm and comforting, perfect for such a dreary day and the difficult conversation ahead.
“I won’t press you for any details you don’t want to give, but I’d like you to know that I’m here for you, whatever you need.” Pippa met her eyes, her expression soft and understanding.
Brynn nodded. Danielle had told Aaron some of it. And no matter how many meetings she’d gone to, her story always got stuck in her throat. But maybe it was time to be brave and break down the secrecy that had been forced upon her over a lifetime. “I grew up in a cult. At least, I know that’s what it is now.”
Pippa nodded, sympathy filling her attentive gaze.
Brynn wrapped her cold fingers around the warm cup of cider, staring at the steam rising as she recounted her tale. “Life on the compound was . . . horrible. There were good memories, don’t get me wrong. That’s what made it so hard to leave. But I knew if we didn’t run, we’d be next.”
“Next?” Pippa asked.
Brynn swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat. “My sister didn’t make it out. And after I’d received a particularly bad beating, I took my child and ran in the dead of night.”
Pain throbbed, slicing through every breath as Miriam limped towards the room where David was sleeping. The door creaked as she opened it, and she held her breath, hoping neither her husband, nor one of his other wives or one of the dozens of children nearby, would hear. Moonlight filtered into the dark boys’ room. She cast her gaze over the several angelic faces lost to their slumber, wishing they could all get out.
She blinked the tears from her swollen and bruised eyes. She couldn’t save them, but she could get David out.
She stepped gingerly towards his bed, laying her good hand firmly over his mouth. His eyes flew open, hands shooting up in defense. She bit back the whimper of pain that wanted to leave her mouth from the impact of his hand on her shoulder. Her other arm was tucked carefully against her body, unusable. It was most likely broken, along with a rib or two. Paul hadn’t been very forgiving this time.
“Shh. Grab whatever clothing you can carry and come with me,” she whispered.
He stood, his cot creaking under his movements. His eyes must have adjusted to the light, because they widened and filled with tears as he looked at her. Guilt shone in her son’s eyes, tearing her apart like a flash of lightning.
“We’re leaving.” She limped towards the door.
He followed obediently, his hand reaching out to steady her as they took the stairs down, one at a time. They needed to move fast once they were out of the house. Escaping the compound and then walking miles to the nearest bus station before the sun came up and everyone found out they were missing.
Her family members’ voices melded with their leaders’ in her head. “If you leave, you’ll burn in hell,” they’d said. Well, she couldn’t stay anymore, because living on the compound was hell. And if their god would punish her for trying to stay alive, protecting her only child, then so be it. She’d pay the price with her eternal soul. She’d venture out to a world unknown to live with the gentiles.
Anything was better than the constant fear of her child or her getting hurt.
“Wow. That must have been so difficult.” Pippa’s voice brought her back to the present.
