Come to Denver.Downtown Orthodox Church.3:00.Crisscross, applesauce.
Bree stared at the message before snapping the phone closed.She couldn’t even be sure it was from Melissa.Someone could’ve gotten hold of the phone and was trying to draw Bree out.Or maybe someone in the Organization was forcing Melissa to send the message.
No, Mellie wouldn’t do that.She would die rather than risk the twins.
Right?
Bree stared at the phone again.She had to try.If this was Melissa’s chance to get out, Bree couldn’t let her down.
She couldn’t take the twins with her into an unknown situation; if she had to run, it would be too hard with them in tow.Hopefully Dan and Cheryl would watch them again.She’d say she wasn’t feeling well and needed to rest.She hated that they would so readily believe her just because they were honest people.
But Bree had to.She wouldn’t let her paranoia suffocate her.And she at least knew the older couple would do whatever it took to keep Christian and Beth safe if Bree didn’t come back.
She put the phone back in her apron and turned toward the kitchen, stopping in her tracks when she found Tanner studying her with hooded eyes.
“Everything okay?”he asked.
A bolt of panic jolted down her spine.Had he seen her get the message on her phone?
She forced air into her lungs and tried to relax her features.There was nothing suspicious about getting a text message.The only thing that would make it seem suspicious was her actions.
“Yes.”She forced more air into her lungs so her voice didn’t sound so weak.“Everything’s fine.”
“Get some news on your phone?”Tanner leaned back casually against the bar as he said it, but there was nothing casual about the way he studied her, reading every move she made.
She shrugged.“No.Just a junk sales message.”
“Yeah, I hate those.”He crossed his arms over his chest.“You look a little tired.I thought Mr.and Mrs.A were watching the babies for you last night so you could get some rest.”
She fought the urge to shift back and forth on her feet.“I guess I just couldn’t sleep anyway.You know how it is.”
He cocked his head to the side.“I don’t, actually.Why don’t you tell me how it is?Did you go out?”
“Oh, no.I’m not big on nightlife stuff.”She wasn’t even sure if Risk Peak had any.“I just stayed home.”
“But couldn’t sleep, huh?”
Why was he so interested in her sleep habits?She didn’t have time to talk to him about this.She needed to get to Denver, scope out as much as she could to make sure it was really Melissa who had contacted her.
“Yeah, just couldn’t sleep.That’s all.Do you need anything else, Officer?”
“Tanner.”He reached over and touched her arm, just below her elbow.“Doyouneed anything, Bree?Tell me what’s going on.I can help.”
She looked into his eyes and almost believed him.Was tempted, maybe, because of the exhaustion, to tell him at leastsomething.Not everything, of course, but enough to get his help.
He looked so strong.So capable.Like he could handle anything.While she woke every day not sure how she was going to make it, each day worse than the one before.
He waited silently, not pushing, not demanding.Which just made her want to lean on him more.
But she couldn’t.Melissa might be getting out today, and they would have to run.She couldn’t depend on anyone but herself.
“I’m fine,” she finally said.“But thank you for asking.”
Tanner didn’t say anything, but his finger stroked lightly across the bend of her elbow.Once again her resolve almost faltered.
“Who was that message from, Bree?”
She didn’t look him in the eye while shaking her head.“It was nobody.”
