Chapter1
Cut And Run
Exhaustion pulled at Olivia Gonzalez like an anchor, and that was dangerous.She couldn’t afford to make a mistake.Not when it wasn’t only her life on the line.
That other life was making her presence known in the back seat.Ella Mae might only be eighteen months old, but her personality was big enough to fill the car and occasionally the surrounding area.
Ella’s wail made Olivia sigh even as she smiled at the little girl tucked tightly into her car seat.Poor kiddo.She needed to get out and move around for a while, even if there was snow on the ground.“I know, Ella Mae.We need a break.We’re almost at the next town.We’ll take a break there.”
And maybe find a place to stay, a place to be.At the very least, a place to get a good night’s sleep.Not that Ella Mae always slept through.The little girl’s dreams woke her crying at times, and it broke Olivia’s heart.
Surely a town named Phail in the middle of Vermont had to be safe.The name called for laughter and silliness.“What do you think, Ella Mae?Is a town named Phail a good place to start our new life?”
She’d have to wait and see.Nothing had felt right so far.“I’ll keep you safe, Ella Mae.I promised, and I always keep my promises.”
Her first view of the town was the I-Phail tower, and it made her smile.She slowed as she entered the downtown area.
Businesses along the street sported mini-Christmas trees on their stoops, all of them decorated in white and red.It was a coordinated look that belonged in some of the movies her friend Mary Mae had loved.
Olivia slowed Rust Bucket and pulled into a parking lot beside Phail Way Park.Phail definitely had a sense of humor.
“Okay, Ella Mae, we’re going to have some fun in the snow.”
She hoped using the name repeatedly would help reinforce her new identity for the little girl.She was too young to protest a name change but Olivia hoped going from Bella to Ella Mae wasn’t too confusing for her.
Olivia was confused enough herself.Adding her pen name meant that she had three names.She had to remember which one to use, which one to respond to when it was called, and how to avoid reacting to anyone calling her Carmen Hall.That name could cost them everything.
“We’ll do it, Ella Mae.We’ll get used to it all soon enough.When we find a place, it’ll be easier again.”
She needed a place where she could work at least part-time.Her books sold pretty well, but publishing was a roller coaster, and she never knew when the bottom would drop out of the market.Her dragons and their brucan friends might not be popular forever.
Ella Mae waved her arms and legs when Olivia opened the rear door of the old Focus.“Are you ready to play in the snow?We’re going to have to put on some layers before I set you free.”
Dressing the squirmy toddler in the back seat was always a challenge.It took three times longer than it should, but finally Ella wore her snow suit, boots, and mittens with a scarf tucked under the suit so that it didn’t catch on to anything and choke her.“We’re learning, Ella Mae.We’re going to be experts at all this stuff before too long.Up you come.”
She hefted the girl and grabbed her keys before locking her car, better known as Rust Bucket, and rechecking her surroundings.No one appeared to be paying them any attention.There was no traffic, so she crossed to the park and walked into the expanse of snow.
New York had its share of snow, but this blanket of white in late November was a new experience.In her arms, Ella Mae squealed and clapped her hands, squirming to get down.
Olivia laughed.“I know.It’s pretty and exciting.Let’s go over to that bench and explore from there.”
Once they reached the bench, Olivia brushed as much snow off the seat as she could with one hand.The bench would be handy for Ella to use as a balance check.She wasn’t steady yet, and she’d appreciate the assistance.
Olivia didn’t need a wet butt and had no intention of sitting.Stretching out her body after driving for a few hours felt great.As did the crisp air that wasn’t marred by even the slightest breeze.
Olivia set the girl on her feet beside the bench.Ella ignored it and plopped right to her butt to stick her mittens in the snow.
Laughing, Olivia stretched her arms wide and arched her back.They’d been driving all over New England for days, and her body wasn’t happy.
She didn’t think Adam Parsons could follow her trail, especially with her new name, but she hadn’t wanted to take any chances.Ella’s safety was paramount.
Without any sign of pursuit, she’d decided it was time to look for a place where they could settle and start building a life.Was Vermont too close to New York?Would Adam even think of looking in small towns, or would he assume Olivia would relocate to a different part of the city like she’d done in the past?
Ella Mae squealed and scooped up some snow on her mitten.When she brought it close to her mouth, Olivia squatted beside her and gently stopped the motion.“Sorry sweetie, but you shouldn’t eat the snow.It’s probably not pollution-filled like in the city but leaving it out of your mouth is still good practice..
Ella Mae pouted and Olivia held in her smile.“You’re cute enough to be a manipulator, but I’m staying firm on this.You’ll grow up to be strong and resilient, but you’ll also learn that sometimes you won’t like the rules.They’re meant to keep you safe.”
Olivia knew she wasn’t simply talking about snow now.Even with no one close enough to hear her words, she wasn’t saying anything that would put this precious little girl at risk.
