Reunion on the Run Read online

  “Hi, Tom,” he said as he opened the door. “What can I do for you?”

  Tom was short, wiry, bald, with a pair of bushy gray eyebrows. They were scrunched together at the moment, as if something disturbed him. He tried to peer over Alex’s shoulder. “Oh, just wondering if you’re enjoying your stay.”

  “We are. This is a nice place you have.” Alex kept his tone light as he stood in the doorway. “It’s quiet, rustic, a great place to relax.”

  “Is the missus enjoying it all right?”

  Alex made a hesitant face. “She would be, if she was feeling better. It’s unfortunate timing, but she hasn’t been feeling well the last few days,” he said, unable to forget for a second how stressed Claire had been. “She’s lying down right now.”

  “I see. I was wondering why I haven’t seen her around much.”

  Alex gave him a conspiratorial grin and lowered his voice. “Between you and me? She’s not real outdoorsy. She thinks she is. Likes the idea of the outdoors, but when it comes right down to it, she’s not real crazy about bugs, dirt, too much sun. She’d rather spend her time indoors reading.” He shrugged. “To each their own, right? We were just looking to get away, get some relaxation in. If she’d rather stay inside and read,” he said, his thoughts flashing to the black binder Claire had been poring over, “I guess that’s all right by me.”

  “I s’pose some people prefer being indoors,” Tom agreed. “Can’t say I see the appeal.”

  Alex wanted to prolong the conversation. “Is there something I can help you with?” he asked.

  “I guess if you could tell me how long you plan to stay, that would be a help. You booked through the weekend but said you might check out early. It would be handy to know your plan if we start getting calls.”

  “I think we’ll head out in the morning,” Alex said.

  “Heading anywhere in particular?”

  “I’m not sure what the next few days will bring,” Alex admitted. “We don’t have any definite plans. Maybe we’ll even take a drive down the coast before heading home.”

  Tom cocked his head to the side. “Where’s home?”

  “Portland,” Alex replied easily enough. He’d put a fake address on the registration form when he’d checked in, but the city was correct.

  “Too big of a city for me,” Tom replied.

  Alex nodded in agreement. “Yeah. That’s why it’s nice to get away sometimes.”

  “If your wife is so fond of the indoors, this seems like an odd pick.” Tom frowned. “If you’ll forgive me for saying so.”

  Alex had never claimed Claire to be his wife, but if that’s the assumption Tom had made, he sure wasn’t about to correct him.

  “It seemed like a good compromise. She’s not finicky. And the price was right.” Alex gave a carefree shrug. He hoped the battered Jeep would give credence to his statement. “We were looking for a getaway that wouldn’t drain our bank account.”

  “All right then.” Tom took a step away. “I apologize for the intrusion. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

  “You, too, sir,” Alex said with a nod. He didn’t mind spending the time talking with Tom. The longer he delayed the man, the more time it gave his buddy Mason.

  He closed the door as Tom backed away. He didn’t think it was his imagination. There was definitely something off about the conversation. Tom had been digging for information. Alex wasn’t sure he’d satisfied the man’s curiosity.

  He could beat himself up over his error in judgment—he should’ve stayed within view of the cabin—but he’d learned long ago there was no point. He couldn’t always control every situation. He’d finally accepted that God was in control. And while he could do his best, the outcome would ultimately be up to Him.

  Please God, he prayed silently, You’ve gotten me out of tough spots before. Please get Claire and me out of this one.

  The bedroom door creaked open. Claire stayed on the other side, looking worn and weary. “He suspects, doesn’t he?”

  “I think so. It didn’t seem like Rhonda recognized you,” Alex said. “But maybe your face clicked into place after she walked out.”

  “I knew I felt her studying me. She must’ve been trying to place me.”

  Alex wedged himself close to the window, trying to stay hidden behind the curtain. The drizzle had turned into fat drops of rain. It came down sideways, slashing across the pane. He caught sight of Tom talking to Rhonda. They were eyeing up the Jeep as they stood under the eve of the office.

  “This doesn’t look good,” Alex said. He moved away from the window, nudging Claire back toward the bedroom. “Tom just pulled out his phone. We need to move.” He was pretty sure he knew who Tom was about to call.

  Claire didn’t need to be told twice. She pivoted, heading back inside.

  Alex grabbed his duffel bag, then dug enough cash out of his wallet to cover their stay. He tossed it on the table. Seconds later, when he reached Claire’s bedroom, the only room with a window on the backside of the cabin, she was already pulling off the screen. Alex gave Claire a leg up, helping her through. She landed with a graceful thud on the muddy ground.

  She blinked against the deluge but instantly reached up to help assist Roscoe through the opening.

  “Come on, boy.” Her voice was an octave above a whisper and wouldn’t carry far due to the incoming storm. Alex lifted him from inside the cabin. The dog leaped out and looked back at them with excitement.

  Alex was out the window in seconds, landing with less grace than either Claire or Roscoe.

  They were off and running the moment his feet hit the ground. He took the lead, heading through the woods, looping toward the road. He didn’t know these woods well enough to stray too far. What he did know was that they were going to stay away from the trails that ran through the property. He tried to stay close enough to the road leading in to keep his bearings.

  The rain made the foliage slick. The fat droplets that continued to fall made it difficult to see. Alex sent a text as they ran. It was impossible to guess how much time they had. If a deputy was in the area, he could arrive in a matter of minutes.

  “Alex,” Claire intoned, “this is so bad. What are we going to do? Where are we going to go? Without the Jeep, we’re not going to make it very far.”

  He ducked out of the way of a low-slung branch. Roscoe trotted alongside them, not minding the rain in the least.

  “I’ve got it handled.” He hoped. “Remember when I told you it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan? This is why.”

  Claire’s backpack flopped around, throwing her off balance. She slipped but caught herself before she fell. Already, her hair was slick, stuck to her head like a cap. Droplets streamed down her face and she fruitlessly wiped them away.

  “Are you going to elaborate on this plan?” she asked.

  Alex’s phone pinged with a text message. He was relieved to see Mason had sent him an estimated time of arrival.

  “We need to get to the gas station down the road,” Alex said. “My friend will meet us there.”

  Claire clutched at his arm, slowing him down, but he’d already caught sight of what had her suddenly concerned. She tugged at him, pulling him behind a pine tree. The wide boughs offered coverage.

  Flashing lights splashed color through the forest as a cruiser rolled along the gravel drive that led to the campground. The siren was off, meaning the officer didn’t want to scare the suspects away.

  He had no doubt they were the suspects being sought out.

  For the first time Alex was grateful for the rain. It streamed over the windows of the car. The wipers swished, trying to keep up. More than likely the deputy was concentrating on the road ahead. If he looked out the side window, the rain was so heavy he probably wouldn’t see much.

  “Keep moving,” Alex ordered as soon as it was past. He darted ou
t from behind the huge fir and Claire followed. “We need to put as much distance as possible between us and the cabin.”

  “Then what?” Claire demanded. “As soon as they realize we’re gone, they’ll spread out the search.”

  “It might take them a while,” Alex said. “In cases like yours, people call in leads all the time. Law enforcement is obligated to check them out. Tom and Rhonda only suspect. It will take the deputy some time to verify.”

  Unfortunately they’d probably speed the process along. Tom had been in front of the cabin since speaking with Alex. He would know that they hadn’t left the cabin through the front door.

  Innocent people didn’t typically crawl out windows, leaving their vehicle behind.

  “We’ll be long gone by then.” His tone was firm.

  “Your colleague?” Claire guessed.

  “Yes. Mason prefers to be hands-on working in the field, but he happens to be doing some computer support work from home right now. When I contacted him he told me to let him know if I needed anything.” Alex had helped Mason out a few times and Mason was more than willing to reciprocate. “When things started looking dicey just now, I sent him a text asking if he could meet us at the gas station down the road. It’s about three miles away.”

  “Three miles?” Claire panted.

  “You used to run daily,” Alex said. “Have you kept up with the habit?”

  “Until I’ve been in hiding, yes.”

  “Even with Mia?”

  “They have this wonderful invention called a jogging stroller,” she said wryly. “However, I can guarantee I can run faster if I don’t waste my breath on talking.”

  Alex didn’t argue.

  The weather made for slow going. In no time their clothes were soaked, their shoes saturated. The rain bit at his face and he knew Claire had to be cold. She didn’t complain. He set a steady pace and she managed to keep up.

  When they reached the main road, they veered in the direction of the gas station while staying hidden in the foliage.

  He noted Claire was pressing a hand to her side.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Slogging through the mud and jumping over fallen logs is quite the workout. I guess the last few weeks have left me more out of shape than I thought.”

  Alex didn’t waste any more energy on words. They ran parallel to the main road. Every now and again a car whizzed by. They stayed far enough back that they shouldn’t be spotted.

  Running three miles used to be nothing to Claire, but under the conditions, she seemed to be slowing down.

  His phone buzzed and he tugged it from his pocket. He had to ease his pace to read the message. Relief hit him when he read the text. He strained his eyes, looking through the rain and the trees. Up ahead he spotted a vehicle pulled over on the side of the road.

  “Looks like we’re not going to have to go all the way to the gas station after all,” he said.

  “Is that him?” Claire asked. “Your friend?”

  “Yes.”

  They pushed themselves the rest of the way.

  When they neared, Alex realized Mason had his hood up. If anyone drove by, they’d assume car trouble. It gave him a reason to be pulled over.

  As they reached the vehicle Alex scanned the road. A car was heading toward them, so they stayed back. It sped by. A string of three cars crested the hill in the opposite direction. He was simultaneously relieved yet disheartened that not one vehicle stopped to help Mason.

  “The coast is clear. Let’s go.” He gave Claire a push and they bolted out of the woods with Roscoe by their side. He tugged open the back door of the double cab, allowing Claire, then the dog to scramble in. He slid into the front seat, grateful to have made it this far.

  Another vehicle appeared in the distance as it rounded the curve ahead.

  Mason slammed the hood shut.

  He was as drenched as they were when he slid into his driver’s seat. Looking over his shoulder, he cast a curious glance at Claire. If she looked familiar, he hid it well.

  “Thanks for the ride,” she said weakly.

  “No problem.”

  Mason fired up the engine and pulled onto the road. As he did, two cruisers came flying around the curve, lights flashing.

  “I’m not even going to ask if those are for you,” he said calmly.

  Alex gave him a nod as he looked back at Claire. She was slouched down in the seat, shivering as she watched the cruisers speed past.

  He cranked up the heat.

  “I’m heading out tomorrow,” Mason said. “You’re welcome to my house if you need a place to stay.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that,” Alex admitted. He was also relieved Mason would be gone. He didn’t want to make his friend any more of an accomplice than he already unknowingly was.

  “How about a vehicle?” Mason asked.

  “It would be greatly appreciated,” Alex said.

  “You’ve bailed me out more times than I care to admit.” Mason shot him a look. “The least I can do is try to return the favor.”

  SEVEN

  “I hate to ask,” Alex began and Mason slid a glance his way, “but we left in such a hurry. Roscoe is going to need food by the end of the day.”

  They’d been driving for some time. Claire had constantly checked the back window, sure they were being followed. So far, they seemed to be in the clear.

  “No problem,” Mason said. “As soon as I find somewhere to stop, I’ll run in and grab something.”

  The rain had faded to a light mist. The truck’s wipers intermittently swiped back and forth in a rhythmic motion. They’d be at Mason’s soon.

  Even though they were safe for the moment, Claire’s heart was still pounding. Despite the heat blasting, she was chilled all the way through. Her feet were icy, her shoes soggy. She clenched her jaw to keep her teeth from chattering. She was miserable, but she was relieved that they had gotten away.

  It had been a close call. Too close. She hated putting Alex at risk like that.

  She knew it wouldn’t be long until they determined that she had, indeed, been a guest at A Place in the Pines. Until now, it was suspected that she had crossed into Canada. As soon as they realized she’d been in the area, they were going to intensify their search. She feared her time for going after Xavier had passed.

  She felt as though her freedom was slipping away.

  She hated the thought of taking Alex down with her. She still cared about him, there was no denying that. Even if a relationship couldn’t go anywhere. Her mind spun when she thought of that kiss. Unfortunately, she couldn’t help but wonder what Alex’s motives were.

  Did he feel guilty about walking away from her and from Mia? She knew how Alex handled his guilt. He always struggled to find a way to set things right. Could that have been what the kiss was about? Had he decided to try to revive what they’d once had in an effort to set the past right?

  To relieve his guilt?

  Claire didn’t want to be with him because he felt obligated.

  She firmly reminded herself she had no business wanting to be with him at all. She couldn’t risk giving him her heart again—if he even wanted it—not when he’d left her so shattered the first time.

  “This place looks as good as any,” Mason said. He flipped on his blinker and turned into a large gas station on the edge of town. He parked on the side of the building, away from the windows. “Need anything else?”

  “I’m good,” Claire said.

  “Me, too,” Alex agreed. He handed Mason some cash and then Claire and Alex were alone.

  Alex twisted around in the seat. “How are you doing?”

  “Happy to be out of the woods. Literally.”

  This was the first business they’d seen in miles. The parking lot was fairly full. The rain had comple
tely subsided now, leaving a silvery gray sky behind.

  She tried not to think of the chaos most likely taking place at the campground.

  “I’m also worried,” she continued. “I don’t want to get your friend in trouble. He seems like a really nice guy.”

  “He is.”

  “I don’t like the thought of putting him at risk,” Claire admitted.

  “I don’t, either, but we really don’t have a choice. I trust Mason. Working with HOPE, we sometimes have to work outside of the laws of man. Sometimes a rescue depends on it. We don’t like it, but sometimes that’s just the way it is.”

  “Do you think he knows who I am?” Claire was sure he knew but was hoping Alex would assure her otherwise.

  “I think it’s likely.” Alex’s expression darkened. “Get down. Get down!”

  Claire didn’t question him. She dropped down in the seat as far as she could go.

  Alex casually turned toward the front. Looking out the passenger window, he said, “Don’t panic, but a patrol car just pulled up.”

  Claire didn’t have much control over her fright. It hit her hard, stole her breath.

  Alex continued speaking while looking away from the driver’s side. “She’s parked right next to us.”

  “Did she see me?” Claire’s voice trembled. She wasn’t sure how much more of this she could take. Constantly living in fear, it was getting to be too much. Maybe she should just surrender. She wasn’t guilty. Law enforcement would figure that out, wouldn’t they? The only thing she was guilty of was running from a crime she hadn’t committed.

  Alex casually turned back around. “She’s still sitting in the car. Looks like she’s talking to someone, either on the phone or the radio.” He leaned forward, took a map out of the glove compartment and busied himself pretending to study it.

  “What if someone saw Mason’s truck?” Claire asked. “What if someone called in his license plate?”

  She had thought the way was clear when they’d raced through the ditch, but what if it hadn’t been?