Honestly, I’ve been struggling to draw breath since I left home.
Since I left her.
“We need to get him out of here,” a man says.
“I’ll cover you,” another replies.
Their tones are strained, tense. But they don’t have the accents my abductors have. Does that make them different? Or are they merely here to take away what’s left of me?
I’m flipped onto my back, then lifted and draped over a shoulder. The man carries me toward the steps, and I don’t fight it. Instead, I close my eyes and let my thoughts drift back to the small shred of humanity left in me.
Golden hair.
Soft brown eyes.
Freckle-dusted skin.
Maybe this will finally be the end for me. Maybe I’ll finally find peace—if that even exists. I’m beginning to believe it was all a lie. But as I drift away, letting myself come to terms with what will likely be my last moments, I picture her face.
And in my imagination, I get the chance to say goodbye.
Chapter 2
Emma
Present Day
The fall sun kisses my face as I make my way down Main Street. A light breeze toys with the strands of hair that escaped from the braid I put it in this morning, and overhead, birds soar through the cloudless sky.
Man, it’s so beautiful outside today. Such an absolutely lovely day to be alive. Reaching up, I gently touch the cross around my neck. Thank You, Lord, for this day. It truly is a gift.
Smiling, I let my hand drop as I head up the walk toward the diner. Lunch is calling me. Has been for hours—since I skipped breakfast. But I had a goal—and now that goal is met. My reward? Food.
Delicious food.
The door is propped open, and I can smell fresh apple pie before I’ve even fully entered. I don’t know that I’ve ever been more grateful that I already got my run in this morning. Because that means two slices of Talia’s delicious pie for me today. One for after lunch, the other for dinner.
“Good morning, Emma,” Talia greets as I step inside. Her slightly graying hair is pulled back in a high ponytail, just as it always is whenever she’s working. “I’ll be right with you.”
“No rush at all.” I beam at her, then take a seat on one of the orange barstools at the counter before pulling out my list and marking off the last errand I finished. Check on bounce houses. Check! It’s only just now lunchtime, and I’ve already made an impressive dent in today’s to-do list.
It’s been a great day.
“What can I get for you today, lovely?” Talia asks as she sets some wrapped silverware in front of me.
“Chai tea and a grilled chicken salad, please, ma’am. And two slices of apple pie to-go.”
“You got it. We still on for your thirty-sixth birthday dinner tomorrow night?”
I wince. “You just had to remind me.”
She laughs. “Thirty-six is the new twenty.”
I laugh, though inside, my heart aches. I wanted to be married with kids by the time I was thirty. And now—who knows if that will ever happen. “I’ll be there,” I reply, forcing a smile. “My mouth is already watering.”
“Good.” With a smile, Talia heads into the kitchen, leaving me to glance around the diner to see who else is currently grabbing lunch. Sheriff Gibson is in a booth with his mother, both of them laughing happily as they enjoy their lunch. I offer him a wave when he glances in my direction.
Then there’s Kennedy Hunt’s parents, who both offer me kind smiles as they make their way up to the counter to pay their tab, alongside Alice Hunt’s parents. They’re relatively new to town, their daughters having married two of the five Hunt brothers. According to Lani, they bonded shortly after Alice’s parents relocated here last year.
