She managed to pick herself up and returned into thehouse. Elaina fell heavily on the bed and curled up into a ball as the tears rolled down her cheeks. She knew that there was no point going to beg Grimsson. In his mind, he already had what he wanted, her. He was not going to let James go if he had come this far and done this much damage to have her. She was beginning to think that it had been his plan all along, to get James out of the picture from the beginning. The thought of James suffering in some jail caused her to cry harder.
She must have drifted off sometime because she was awoken by loud knocking. Gently, she got out of bed and made a beeline for the door. She did not care to see anyone and she had one plan, to dismiss the caller sharply and return to mourning her loss. She threw the door open and saw a thin and wiry man on the front porch. He looked nervous and he was jumpy. His eyes kept darting around.
Elaina swallowed hard as she took the man’s appearance in. She ensured not to step away from the door as she said, “How can I help you?”
“Are you Elaina? Elaina, James’ wife. James who works at the mine?”
“Yes… who are you?” she asked quickly, her hold on the door tightening.
“I worked with James at the mine. He sent me to get you and your things. You both must leave tonight. Any later than tonight and they will kill him.”
“That is not true. I don’t know who you are or who sent you to me but you are lying. I know that James was arrested earlier today. So how then could he have sent you?” she hissed.
“It is true that they came for James after they accused him. But whoever gave you this information gave you incorrect facts. James was able to escape from the mine and he has been hiding in my house all day. You both have to leave tonight if he is to survive. I heard that they are going to start house to house searches beginning tomorrow under the excuse of inspection. It seemsthey plan to cover up this so-called crime they have accused your husband of, and still punish him at the same time. You both have to leave now!”
“How am I to believe that you are from James? You could be from the people who want my husband gone,” She said slowly. She could not let herself rejoice until she was sure that this was actually real.
“He said you are a smart one and will definitely ask. He told me to tell you that you both decided to name the baby you are currently carrying Jessica after his mother, if it is a girl and James, the Third, if it is a boy.”
Elaina’s hand flew to her mouth and she stumbled back. “He escaped! He really is safe. Please take me to him.”
The man nodded, “Get what you must carry. We have to be quick.”
A short while later, Elaina found herself wrapped in the embrace of her husband.
“I thought I had lost you,” she whispered, kissing his face.
“Not now, not ever,” he whispered, pulling her into a hug again.
“It is time to leave,” the thin man said.
James grabbed his hand and shook it, “Thank you for this, Tom. I will never forget this, how you saved my life and reunited me with my love.”
Elaina stared at James, curious about how the man saved him. James smiled softly and stroked her cheek, “We will have all the time in the world when we get out of here, my love. For now, we have to get as far away from here as possible.”
She nodded in agreement. The two of them climbed into the grain wagon and they were handed straws for their noses. They lay down, with the straws standing as they were covered with grain as the wagon was filled. The straws would help them breathe. It would be hidden amidst the grains so it would not beeasy to detect. The couple held hands as they squeezed their eyes shut. They felt the lurch of the grain wagon as it moved, they knew that they were headed for freedom. If only they would get to their destination in one piece, that is. They both said a little prayer in their hearts, praying for the safety of the other and wishing with all their heart that they got out of the messy situation they had found themselves in. There was nothing they could do anymore in that moment except to stay quiet and still. Any wrong move, and it would really be the end.
Chapter Five
Six Months Later
“Here you go, my love,” James said as he handed the fruit to Elaina. She smiled gratefully and took a bite.
“Aren’t you going to the mill today?”
“Oh no, I don’t. Remember I took old man Freddie’s shift last week? He is covering mine today. For now, I want to be here with my two babies.”
Elaina sighed in happiness, “I am thrilled to hear that.”
He kissed her cheek. He stood up and pointed at the fruit, “Go on and finish it all, all right. I’ll be out in the yard.”
She nodded and watched him leave. Elaina sighed as she rubbed her protruded belly. Four more weeks, and she would be having her beautiful baby. It had been a long pregnancy and she could not wait to see her little one.
She looked up and smiled at the sight of James hard at work raking the front yard. It had not been easy for them, starting over in a completely new place with nothing but minimal savings. But, they had pulled through. While most of the people of the town were quite snobbish, their neighbors were lovely people and that made all the difference. They tried to keep their head down as much as possible, but at the same time, they also had to mingle enough so that they didn’t draw attention to themselves. Being seen as loners would draw unwanted attention to themselves so they had needed to strike a balance.
She smiled, affectionately rubbing her baby bump. They were safe out here. There was no way Grimsson, and his thugs could find them here. She shook her head at the thought of Grimsson. Thinking about him always left her with a mix of emotions, it made her blood boil with rage, and at the same time, she felt chills run through her. He was someone that had the ability to hurt James badly. She had no idea what she would do ifshe lost James. Would she be able to survive it?
Elaina shut her eyes tight.Stop thinking such crazy thoughts, Elaina. Nothing is going to happen to James, you or the baby. Do not dwell on worries and horrible scenarios. She shook her head in a desperate bid to clear away all the dreadful images.
