“This may come as a shock to you, but I’m not all that easy to get along with.”
“There is someone for everyone, isn’t there?”
“Sure. You get Frieda working on that.”
“Will do. Favorite season?” she asked.
“All of them since I now have electricity and can flip a button and shut out the heat. You?”
They bantered and even sang a few more songs. In no time they were at a stranger’s house, parking Quill’s vehicle in the open garage and moving their things into the rented van.
Overcoming obstacles felt easy with her beside him, but as they left that driveway in the van with its three secured child car seats, he felt the reality of the next few hours press in on him.
Ariana sat across the table from Quill with a chessboard between them. She knew nothing about chess, but it gave them a legitimate reason to be in no hurry to eat and leave. They talked quietly while he kept his eye on the convex security mirror that showed a distorted view of every person who walked into the store. The deli café inside the grocery store amounted to three wobbly tables, each with four chairs. They had food, drinks, and a rest room, which was good, because they’d been here four hours, waiting for Gia to appear.
The white van, which looked like any number of work vehicles, was parked in a space on the side of the building. Without knowing when Gia might come, they couldn’t park near the loading docks because that would draw attention. But Yvonne, the cashier who was connected to the organization trying to help Gia get away, had left no stone unturned today. She had discreetly reserved a parking space for them and even taken the puppy out of the van to go potty several times. She suggested Quill and Ariana get something to eat, buy a lot of groceries and leave them in the cart near the café, and buy a little something from the bakery. It would be easier for people not to think anything about their being here if they were buying things and looking as if they were on an outing, wasting time, maybe waiting to meet with someone.
A store worker passed by and did a double take of Ariana. “I should’ve listened to you about changing clothes.” She hadn’t thought what the workers might think or report if she and Quill had to stay in the store this long.
Quill pulled his attention from the security mirror to her and smiled. “This has been nice. You being you in all your honest Amishness, and me being fully me in my not Amishness.”
She knew what he meant. They were their authentic selves with each other, nothing left to hide.
He shifted his attention back to the mirror. “Besides how much can an Amish person stick out when we’re in Pennsylvania?”
“With me dressed like this and you like that, we look as if we’re seeing each other behind my parents’ back.”
“And I’m teaching you chess.” He smiled, looking calm as ever.
She hoped Gia arrived soon with all three children, but Ariana was fairly sure that if she and Quill had to camp out in the store for a week, they would never run out of things to talk about.
As she watched Quill study the security mirror for the fourth hour, calmly keeping a conversation going with her, never seeming to miss a beat about anything she said, taking note of the surroundings and what needed to be done, she was…impressed. Every time she thought she understood all the facets that made up this unusual man, she discovered something else about him. In a world of self-centered people with short attention spans and an unwillingness to reach out to help their neighbors or family, let alone a stranger, Quill stood way above the fray.
“I’m glad you left.”
His eyes fixed on hers, silently probing for understanding.
“You needed to be free to help people, to use your strange set of skills to do as God needs.”
A faint smile tugged at his lips, but she saw something sad reflected in his eyes. “Denki.” He looked to the security mirror again.
But that look in his eyes lingered with her. She’d seen it before. The first time was after his Daed died. He left the Amish two years later, but that morning, as he gave her the letter and told her good-bye, she saw it then too. Five years after that, when he slipped out of hiding, she saw it again. In that moment she knew what it was. “It gets lonely, though, doesn’t it? I mean, despite having family and friends.”
He flinched ever so slightly, as if her words had hit closer to home than he was braced for. “It does. The former Amish talk about it from time to time. There is no letting go of our childhood, of the people who loved us and we loved and left behind. It was an idyllic childhood for my brothers and me, and there’s no freedom from the remorse or pain of having to uproot from everyone and sneak around to see Mamm. I had to learn to live with it, and Mamm has had to learn to live with all her sons leaving.”
“I don’t know that I’ll ever get to move in with your Mamm. Rudy’s pretty set against the idea, feeling you and I would bump into each other too much.”
His glance at her was fleeting, but she saw disappointment flicker in his eyes. “I know Mamm would’ve loved that, but from Rudy’s point of view, I get it.” His gaze seemed to pierce the air, and his brows furrowed as he stared at the mirror. “She’s here.” He rose.
Ariana grabbed his hand, pulling downward. “Stay out of sight.” She stood and took hold of the cart with its two dozen items. “The woman in the shiny blue coat?”
“Yeah.”
“She’s limping.”
“She wasn’t last time.”
“Better plan on her moving very slowly.” Ariana squeezed the handle of the cart. “Move the van close to the loading dock, and then come back in. When it’s time for her to see you, I’ll text you the number of the aisle we’re on. She seems nervous, so stay as far away as you can.”
He studied Ariana, seeming to filter a hundred thoughts per second. “Okay. But you pay attention to all incoming texts. Yvonne has both our numbers and a text saying ‘he’s in the store’ already written, waiting for her to press Send. If you get that text, you go out the back way. Immediately.”
He looked sorry he’d allowed her to be here.
Feeling some of that herself, she drew a breath and watched the woman put the youngest child, probably eighteen months old, in the cart. “It’ll be another story for us to add to our list. Not quite as brave as you releasing that illegally caged bobcat in the middle of the night or us cracking the case of your grandmother’s missing medications, but it’ll do.”
“Be alert, Ari.” His barely audible voice rang loudly with warning.
She nodded and pushed the cart toward the bakery on the first aisle. That was the most likely spot for Gia to begin her shopping. Ariana wouldn’t engage her there. She’d speak to the kids first. Then she’d make eye contact with Gia, giving a reassuring I’m an approving person message, which should lower Gia’s guard just a bit. Then on another aisle, as they passed again, she would say a few encouraging words to Gia about her precious children. Having sisters and nieces and nephews seemed to give her a clear advantage in knowing what she would say. She was totally comfortable with women Gia’s age and their children. It made Ariana feel creepy and manipulative, but the real sickening part was that a violent man Gia didn’t want near her had moved into her house and wouldn’t leave.
Ariana’s heart beat fast, but she felt surprisingly confident as she passed Gia and spoke to her kids. When she smiled at Gia on the second aisle, Gia responded well.
On the next aisle Ariana waited until Gia was right behind her to turn toward her, holding up a store-brand oatmeal. “Do you know if this cooks up as nicely as Quaker oatmeal?”
“I…I don’t. Sorry.”
Ariana lowered the container. “I’m Ariana.” She nodded, keeping eye contact. “And I’m here to help you and your children l-e-a-v-e.” Ariana spelled the word so she didn’t alarm the children, causing them to ask questions their mom wasn’t ready to answer. “I’ll be with you for the next couple of hours, all of us together until it’s time to board a p-l-a-n-e. The plan is to take you
to another state to a woman’s summer condo. You and the children can stay there rent-free for four months, during which time someone will help you get a job and find a place to rent. Do you want to go?”
“I…I do. I really do, but that’s too much. I could never accept that much.”
“Take it. Pay it forward to someone else ten years from now. Apparently that’s what is taking place today.” She typed “3” into her phone, letting Quill know what aisle to come to. “And Quill, the guy who was here four weeks ago, is a good friend of mine. I’ve known him my whole life, and I promise, you could not be in better hands.”
“Are you Amish?”
“I am. He used to be, until he left to help people caught in difficult situations. We good so far?”
“Yes.” Gia nodded. “He’s done this before?”
“Helped people? Ya, and I’ll be glad to answer every question I can, but if you’re on board with the plan, we really need to go, Gia.”
Gia looked toward the entry. “There’s not time. He’s drinking his beers, and he’ll be in to pee and check on us shortly.”
Quill came to the end of the aisle and waited.
Ariana put her hand on one of the children’s heads. “Be brave, Gia, for their sake. Trust us with this first step.” She pulled up a picture of her puppy. “I have a puppy in the van.” She showed it to Gia.
Gia took her cue. “Hey, guys, want to see a puppy?”
Gia showed her children the picture, and they oohed and aahed.
Gia looked behind her. “He’ll see us.”
“Let’s move quickly and now.” Ariana rested her hand on the oldest child’s head and smiled. The girl must’ve been five, and Ariana hurt for all she’d seen in her short days. “You should see her tail wag when she’s excited, and if you rub her belly, she’ll snuggle against you and sleep.”
“Okay,” Gia whispered, nodding. “You’ll go too?” She lifted the youngest child out of the cart and set his feet on the floor.
“For now. I can’t continue on the journey.”
Gia looked at Quill. “Your whole life?”
“He helped me when I was in a really tough situation too. Kind. Thinks through every move. Knows what he’s doing like no one else can.” Ariana received a text. She drew her phone closer and read it.
He’s in the store.
Quill had his phone out, reading the same message. He motioned for her.
Ariana pressed the Home button. Gia had no need to see that right now. “The clock is ticking.”
“Okay,” Gia repeated. “Let’s do this.” But it was going to take time for her to limp down the aisle and out the back of the store.
Ariana covered her lips with her finger. “Sh.” She looked at each child and repeated. “Sh. Let’s go find the puppy, but be very, very quiet.” The last thing they needed was the abusive dad to hear the children squealing about a puppy. “See that man.” She pointed at Quill. “He’ll take you straight to the puppy.”
The kids looked at their mom. She put her finger over her lips. “Sh.” She shooed them. “Go.”
They scampered toward Quill. He gestured for her and Gia. Ariana nodded and shooed him. He needed to get the kids in the van.
Gia leaned into the cart, shuffling in the direction her children had just gone out of sight. Ariana received another text.
Walking, looking down each aisle.
She prayed Gia could move faster or that he wouldn’t see them even if he looked down this aisle. As they walked into the open area where dairy products lined the walls, she glanced behind her and saw a huge man at the far end of the aisle. But Gia was in front of the endcap, where he couldn’t see her. But in a moment when he was looking down the next aisle as they cut toward the back exit, he would spot them. Should they stay behind the endcap? Would that maneuver buy them time? A huge trolley of some type, loaded with boxes of food, slid across the end of the next aisle, and she heard Yvonne whisper, “Go. Don’t look back.”
Ariana and Gia went through the Employees Only doors and stepped onto the loading dock. Quill and Ariana flanked Gia and half carried her to the vehicle. They piled in, and Quill had the vehicle in Drive by the time Ariana closed her door. He drove slowly, not drawing any attention, while Ariana and Gia buckled the children in.
“Where are we going, Mama?” the little boy, maybe three years old, asked.
“Somewhere new.”
The older girl broke into tears. “Are we free, Mama?”
“Yeah, honey.” Gia peered out the window while snapping the safety belt on one of the car seats. “I think we are.”
Quill and Ariana received texts simultaneously. Ariana climbed over the console and into the front seat. She buckled in and read the texts. “She says, ‘Still in store looking for them. Getting agitated he can’t find them. Seems clueless they’re missing. Deleting all texts now.’ ”
Quill stopped at the sign and turned out of the parking lot. “That’s good news. Yvonne and I talked about this. If he dares to ask to see security footage, he would be denied. He’s not legally allowed to have any contact with them, so the store would inform him the police have to be notified before he could see any footage. He’ll leave.”
Gia and her older daughter broke into sobs. Relief had never sounded so good.
Ariana relaxed against the car seat. “We did it.”
“I think so.” Quill drove, regularly glancing at the rearview mirror. “You have plane tickets to purchase.” Quill passed her his phone.
“I do.” She texted the next link in the chain of people working to get Gia to safety. While Gia talked to her two older children, explaining what was going on, Ariana kept checking Quill’s e-mail. The youngest child was about eighteen months old, so he couldn’t understand much more than Mama was happy and there was a puppy. And the puppy was excited to be cuddled and played with.
“He didn’t start out a horrible man.” Gia talked softly to her daughters. “I saw some anger issues before we got married, but nothing like what he became.”
“It’s okay, Mama. I’d never be mad at you.”
Quill’s watchful eye on the rearview mirror was less intense as they put distance between them and Camp Hill. Thirty minutes into the drive, he drew a deep breath. “Hey.” He leaned across the console. “We did it,” he whispered. His grin said it all. They talked with Gia some, but at first she only wanted to soothe her children and talk about their future.
Ariana and Quill talked, and as the ride continued, Gia seemed to be eavesdropping, probably to reassure herself that Quill was the man Ariana said he was.
“Where did you say we’re going?” Gia asked.
“Panama City Beach, Florida, to a condo on the beach,” Quill said. “One of the people helping has offered her second home and is paying for the tickets. It’ll give you time to regroup, find work, and start anew.”
“I can’t do this on my own. I’ll get lost, and I don’t have a clue how to—”
“I’m going with you,” Quill assured her. “I’ll get you acclimated to the new surroundings in as stress-free a manner as possible. We’ll figure out how you can get to a grocery store, pharmacy, doctor, and anything else you’ll need.”
“Who would do this?”
Quill shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“I have a stepsister. She and her husband have money, but when my ex first got out of prison, he threatened her and her family if they came near me, and they disappeared from my life.”
“I have no idea if she’s involved, but on the chance she is, don’t call her. Don’t write. If she’s doing this, she’s trying to stay hidden, and she’ll reach out to you when the time is right.”
Quill’s phone received five e-mails from Delta, each called a flight receipt. “Tickets.” Ariana looked at the flight times. “Uh, you don’t leave for quite a while.”
“Yeah, but we’re leaving—me, Gia, and the kiddos.” He grinned.
“You might feel a little less happy by s
ix tomorrow morning.”
“Nah, it’ll be five in a blink, and we’ll eat supper. Then roam the airport. Shop. Waste some time. Settle down around ten and doze until morning. And then, to use your word, ta-da.”
“This is you when you’re relieved. I’ve seen it before, and I like it.”
“Oddly enough, me too,” he teased. “I know kids. I’ve been raising them since I was five.”
“Hey,” she scolded. “I was born when you were five. You’re talking about me, aren’t you?”
“Could be.” He raised a brow, smiling. “Kidding aside, this delay will allow me to keep my phone turned on so that if you need anything, I can be reached. And you text me as soon as you’re safe inside Nicholas’s house.”
“You still think there could be a problem?”
“Other than your driving on slick roads in the dark? No.”
She laughed.
He did too. “I’ll never forget your first time to drive a car in the snow. You came to our temp home in Mingo to fix my brothers and me a meal. But before you arrived, you’d slid off the road twice. Later the tow-truck guy texted you, ‘Are you in for the evening? My wife would like me to come home for supper.’ ”
Ariana laughed. Had only two months passed since she drove there to tell Quill the good news that Nicholas was going to let her return to Summer Grove early? She’d been so excited, but until tonight nothing had held the pleasure or sense of reward she’d expected it to. “You’re using my secrets against me.”
“Never. I’m just enjoying that I know some of them.” He pulled off the highway, and soon they were driving into a parking deck where car rentals were returned. She assumed he’d chosen this area because of its seclusion. And because it had no traffic, it would be less chaotic for Gia and the children as they coped with the trauma of what was happening. “Set your GPS for Nicholas’s place.” He unbuckled. “You’ll loop around that way.” He pointed. “Turn left as you leave the parking area, and make a right at the end of that road. Your GPS will pick up where you are at that point and get you to Nicholas’s. Go straight there, and park in his garage.”
Gathering the Threads Page 20
