Sam didn’t seem to notice.
He’s mad at me, disappointed, Jessica thought with dismay. She felt mean-spirited and horrible but didn’t know how to change things. She resisted an impulse to run back inside; that would look even worse.
Sam glanced at his watch. “It is getting late. We can work for a while longer, Darrell. Then I have to bring you back.”
Darrell didn’t look happy to hear that news but seemed resigned. “Can I try the sanding thing again?”
“Sure. Wait here a minute. I’ll get some more scraps to practice on.”
Sam walked with Jessica toward the doorway and paused at a large plastic bin full of odd-shaped bits of wood. He pulled out a few small pieces and looked them over.
“I’m sorry,” Jessica murmured. “It just didn’t work out for tonight.”
“It’s okay. I’ll explain it to him later. How about tomorrow?”
“Lunch after church at my mother’s. Emily and Dan are going, too.”
“Lucky me. At least we’ll be done in time to catch the Patriots game . . . I hope?”
“I hope so, too. Didn’t she remind you when you shoveled this morning?”
“We didn’t exactly speak. She just gave me one of her regal nods from the window.”
Jessica sighed. Her mother was impossible sometimes. She’d nearly boycotted their wedding last year and still acted as if Sam were persona non grata. Sam put up with her valiantly, which was another reason why she loved him so much.
“Maybe Darrell can sit with us in church tomorrow,” Sam said.
“He goes to our church?”
“Luke brings some kids there on Sundays, any who want to go. Darrell says his grandmother used to take him sometimes and he wants to try it here tomorrow.”
“Oh . . . that’s nice.” Jessica guessed that Darrell would volunteer to hike barefoot to the North Pole if he knew Sam would be there. But no matter the motivation, the result would be a good one. Their church was full of warm, caring people, and she hoped kids like Darrell Lester would find some comfort there.
“Sure, let him sit with us if he wants to. I don’t mind,” she said lightly. “Do you want some hot chocolate when you come in?”
“That would be great. We’ll be in in about fifteen minutes.” Sam smiled and she felt instantly better.
So that’s Darrell Lester, she thought as she tromped back to the house. He didn’t like her much, it seemed. But she wasn’t sure how to take it. Maybe the boy was just shy . . . or moody . . . or doesn’t like women, she thought. Many of the New Horizons kids had issues—they’d been abandoned or even abused by parents or foster parents and had trouble making connections.
I shouldn’t take this personally, Jessica reminded herself. Besides, the boy was Sam’s friend—his little project, it seemed. It didn’t matter that much if Darrell liked her, did it?
“HERE ARE A FEW FILES THAT WERE LEFT IN MY OFFICE. AND HERE’S A check for you, Leigh.” Dr. Harding stood by the desk and handed her a paycheck for her day’s work.
Leigh glanced at it briefly and realized he’d overpaid her. “I think there must be some mistake. Nancy told me—”
“No mistake,” he cut in. “I just wanted to give you a little bonus for running in here on such short notice. Molly told me you’re only in town for a few days, but do you think you could come back again?”
Leigh sat back and considered the idea. She’d had a tense moment handing Nancy her identification, but that had passed without a hitch so the worst was really over, she reasoned. She would meet a lot of people working here, but the village was so far off the beaten track, it wouldn’t be much risk for a few days. And she did need the money for the baby. That point now seemed most pressing.
“I don’t think my car will be ready until Wednesday. I can work for you until then if you want.”
“That’s good news. You did a great job, too. You have a very nice way with the patients.”
Leigh shrugged, feeling self-conscious at his compliment. “I was just trying to be polite.”
Nancy Malloy came out of the doctor’s office, her coat unbuttoned over her white uniform. “Well, I guess it’s a wrap. I hope we didn’t burn you out in one day, Leigh.”
“I’m okay.” Leigh smiled, feeling relieved the day was over.
“How’s that baby doing?”
“She’s fine.” Leigh smiled slightly and touched her stomach. “Dr. Harding checked and everything’s okay.”
“That’s good. I had a feeling it would be. It’s a girl, isn’t it?”
Leigh nodded. “I had an amnio a few months ago. That’s what they told me.”
“You’re lucky. I’d take a girl over a boy any day. I’ve got two of each,” she added proudly. She checked her watch and hitched her purse up higher on her shoulder. “Time to see what they’ve been up to all day. When my husband takes over, I’m never sure I’ll find the house still standing. Will I be seeing you again?”
Leigh nodded. “I’ll be back.”
“Good. Nice working with you.” She headed toward the door then turned to call over her shoulder, “Good night, Doc.”
“Night, Nancy. See you Monday.”
As Nancy pulled open the door, Leigh glimpsed James standing on the other side. “Sorry, we’re closed for the day,” the nurse told him.
“I’m here to pick someone up.”
Nancy glanced back at Leigh. “Oh, sure. Go on in. She survived.”
“Glad to hear it,” James replied. He walked in and smiled at Leigh then looked up at Dr. Harding. “Hello, Matt. How’s business?”
“Fine, and yours?” he replied with a laugh.
“Slow today. Tomorrow’s my big day.” James glanced at Leigh. “Ready to go?”
“I’m all set.” Leigh put on her coat and grabbed her purse. She felt a little odd having James pick up her like this, as if there were some relationship between them when they were actually strangers. Still, what did it matter? She’d only be in this town a few more days. In a week or two, no one would even remember her, she told herself.
She said good night to Dr. Harding and thanked him again for the check then walked with James to his car, which was parked just outside the office.
“How did it go?” James asked once they were under way.
“Fine. Dr. Harding must have been desperate. He practically paid me double. I’m going back again on Monday. Maybe until my car is done.”
James nodded, his gaze fixed on the road. “Sounds good.”
“It was very busy in there but interesting.” Leigh leaned her head back on the seat and closed her eyes. She had enjoyed dealing with all the different patients during the day. She didn’t really think of herself as very social. She was naturally more of a loner, the very definition of one since she’d left Martin. But it was a great relief to be so nonstop busy and distracted.
James went silent, and she could almost guess what he was thinking. “I told the doctor about the accident and he checked the baby. He said the heartbeat was very strong and everything seemed fine.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” James turned to face her briefly then looked out at the road again. “Thanks.”
“Why are you thanking me?”
“Because I was concerned and I appreciate that you followed through,” he said simply.
“Oh.” He was so straightforward and open about his feelings. She wasn’t used to that, especially coming from a man. It set her off balance.
“I feel better myself. I was just a bit overwhelmed last night,” she admitted. And trying to avoid complications, she added silently. He glanced at her but didn’t say anything.
James turned on the radio, a classical station that was playing a soothing piece Leigh thought she recognized—Bach, maybe, or Vivaldi. They drove the rest of the way to Vera’s house without talking, and to Leigh’s surprise that felt just fine.
The silence between them was the opposite of the tense, oppressive silences that used to hang between her a
nd Martin, Leigh realized. Those silences made her feel she was sitting on a time bomb that any second, without warning, might explode.
She glanced at James, his gaze fixed on the road. She didn’t know him well—she didn’t know him at all, in fact—but she somehow felt certain he was never like that.
VERA’S HOUSE WAS DARK EXCEPT FOR A LAMP IN THE FRONT SITTING room and lights on in the kitchen. They entered through the side door again and Vera called out to say hello.
“You didn’t come back so I figured it must have worked out at Dr. Harding’s,” she said to Leigh.
“It was all right. I’m going to work there again on Monday.”
“A baby needs a lot of things. I’m sure the extra cash will come in handy for you.”
Leigh took a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water. She watched Vera snapping the ends off of string beans.
“Dinner will be ready in about half an hour. Are you hungry?”
The cooking smelled tempting but Leigh felt her stomach churn. She didn’t feel up to sitting with Vera and James for the next few hours. She was exhausted and liable to slip and say the wrong thing. It would be safer to stay in my room and read a book or something, she decided.
“I’m sorry. It smells great but I had a big lunch. Molly Willoughby sent over a huge basket of food from her shop. I guess I overdid it. I think I’ll just go up and lie down for a while.”
“I’ve got just the thing for you.” Vera reached into a cupboard and pulled out a small round tin. “Ginger tea. Settles your stomach like magic. I’ll fix you some and bring it right up.”
Leigh was touched by the older woman’s concern. Why was everyone around here so kind to her? She was just a stranger.
“Thank you, Vera. You don’t have to serve me I can come down and make some later.”
“It’s no trouble. You go put your feet up and rest.”
Leigh thanked her again then went upstairs to her room and closed her door. She snapped on the small lamp on the bedside table and glanced around the room.
Did I leave my scarf folded on the dresser top that way? she wondered. She didn’t think so. She walked over to the dresser and picked up the scarf. Maybe Vera came in to straighten up . . . or to check up on me.
Leigh looked around the room again and had the funny feeling her belongings had been touched. She felt a sudden wave of panic, wondering if she had left out anything that might give her away. She quickly sifted through the drawers of clothing and a few personal items she had left on the dresser top: a bracelet, a key ring, and a paperback book. Her heart began to pound as she opened the book and saw her real name written inside the cover.
Had Vera noticed that? But what would it prove? A book could be borrowed or bought secondhand. Leigh sat on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath. She was getting herself into a state over nothing. She was so emotional lately. They said being pregnant did that to you. And the rest of my life doesn’t help either.
She opened the book again and stared down at the name, her married name. The name of a person from another life, one she couldn’t bear to think about. The woman with this name was gone, as good as dead, she realized. Still, she couldn’t help feeling a pang of guilt for deceiving Vera and James this way.
But I really have no choice. And there’s really no harm to it. I’ll be gone in a day or two and they’ll never know. It won’t make a difference to them one way or the other.
Leigh reached for her purse on the night table and took out her cell phone. She dialed her friend Alice at home, hoping she would be free to talk. The phone rang three times and Leigh’s stomach knotted with dread. If the machine clicked on, she would have to hang up. Fortunately, Alice didn’t have caller ID.
“Hello?” Alice’s familiar voice was instantly comforting.
“It’s me,” Leigh said. “Are you alone? Can you talk?”
“Thank goodness! I was waiting for you to call. Pete’s out, walking the dog, so I can talk for a while,” she replied quickly. “I got your message about the car accident. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m just fine. The baby is fine, too. Can’t say the same for the car, but it should be repaired in a day or two.”
“Well, as long as you and the baby are okay, that’s all that matters. I looked for that town on the map. I could hardly find it,” Alice added. “How in the world did you end up there?”
“Oh, it’s a long story. I thought someone was following me so I tried to take a back road instead of the highway. I guess I panicked. I don’t even think anyone was really there.”
Alice didn’t answer at first and her silence made Leigh nervous. “Well, you can’t be too careful. I’m sure you’re disappointed that Canada didn’t work out, but maybe it’s all for the best.”
“If Martin had someone watching my cousin’s house, I guess it is.” Leigh tried to sound resigned about that disappointment, but heard her own bitterness.
“Oh, I know it’s frustrating for you, honey. But don’t give up. . . . Listen, there’s a lot going on at the office.” Alice was not only Leigh’s dear friend, she was Martin’s assistant. Ever since Leigh had fled her marriage, Alice had voluntarily been her spy. “The company’s in trouble. They announced some layoffs this week, and Martin might be investigated for mishandling company funds.”
“Investigated? By whom?”
“The state attorney general’s office. He’s tried to keep a lid on it, but the word is getting out. Something about falsifying the books. From what I can tell, he presented inflated profits going into that merger. Meanwhile, he was having trouble meeting the payroll and paying taxes.”
Leigh had mixed feelings about that. She hated to think of employees being laid off for her husband’s greed. Then again, if Martin was in trouble, that might bode well for her.
“And that’s not all,” Alice continued, “I overheard something else last night—more to do with you. Everyone else had gone and he must have thought he was alone, so he was on the phone with the door open. He’s definitely hired a new detective, and this one seems a little sharper than the last guy. He found your car. Boy, were you smart not to buy another one at the same lot. I think he’s still looking for you in Boston, so that’s good news. But sooner or later, he’s bound to figure out you’ve left town.”
Leigh felt her stomach drop, as if she were standing in an elevator that had missed a few floors. Needing cash, she’d sold her expensive foreign car at a small car lot on the outskirts of Boston. She knew she wasn’t getting full value but it was a quick deal, with few questions asked. She hadn’t meant to cover her trail on purpose; she simply hadn’t trusted the used cars for sale there so she had gone to another lot to buy a cheaper replacement car.
“I guess someone was going to find the car sooner or later. But I’ve been very careful. I don’t think I’ve left much of a trail—unless he’s using bloodhounds.” Leigh tried hard for a light tone but her joke fell flat.
“I’m sure you’ve been careful. But these guys are relentless. Especially . . . Martin.” Alice seemed hesitant to even say the name of Leigh’s ex-husband. “If it came down to bloodhounds, he’d pay for the best. Whatever money can buy. You know that.”
“Yeah.” Leigh felt tears of hopelessness well up behind her eyes and tried hard not to cry, not with Alice still on the line.
“You okay?”
“I was just thinking . . . maybe I should give up. I’m so tired of this, Alice. It’s so hard. I just want to have my baby and have a real life again.”
“Oh, sweetie. Please don’t say that. I know it seems bad right now, but you’re doing the right thing. Really.” Alice paused and Leigh could almost feel her sympathy and concern coming through the line like waves of energy. “You know what I think?” Alice asked without waiting for a reply. “This car accident was a blessing in disguise. That town is the perfect hiding place. I’ve never even heard of it.”
Leigh took a deep, steadying breath. “It is very . . . tucked away. And it’s p
retty, too. You should see it. It’s like a postcard or something.”
“It’s more than tucked away, it’s practically invisible. I think you should stay there and sit tight, maybe even until the baby comes. Meanwhile, I’ll let you know what’s happening on this end. As best as I can, of course.”
“Thanks, Alice. Thanks for everything. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” Leigh said honestly. She felt a new wave of emotion well up.
“I’m here for you, dear. You’re going to make it, too. Do you need any money? I can wire some on Monday.” Leigh was touched by Alice’s offer. She had already borrowed more than she knew her friend could afford to lend.
“I’m okay, really. I’ve even found a temporary job here, a receptionist at a doctor’s office.”
“That was fast work. See, I told you this was meant to be.”
A soft tap on the door made Leigh sit up sharply.
“Leigh? I have your tea,” Vera called from the other side of the door.
“I’ll be right there,” Leigh called back. She turned to the phone again. “Someone’s here. I’ve got to go,” she whispered. She heard her friend’s quick farewell, then clicked off the phone and quickly pulled open the bedroom door.
Vera stood holding a tray with a teapot, a cup, and a plate of plain crackers. “I hope I didn’t wake you. I knocked and then I thought, oh, maybe she’s sleeping, I shouldn’t disturb her—”
“No, not at all. I wasn’t asleep.” Leigh took the tray and placed it on the dresser. “I don’t think I’ve ever had ginger tea. It smells good.”
“I always made it for my kids. Works in a flash. If you feel hungry later, there’ll be leftovers from dinner in the refrigerator. Just help yourself.”
“Thank you, Vera. And thanks again for the tea.”
“No trouble.” Vera started to turn away, then paused. “By the way, Reverend James and I will be going to church tomorrow morning if you’d like to join us. We usually leave here around half past ten.”
The invitation caught Leigh by surprise. She hadn’t been to church in years or even thought about going. “Um . . . thanks for asking but I think I’ll just stay in tomorrow morning, sleep late if I can.”
A Christmas Promise Page 5
