“I, uh, yeah they’re waiting outside,” I lie because the last thing I want is to call Papa or anyone from The Fellowship.I’m surprised they haven’t already found out that I’m here.
“She’s got a ride,” we hear from the doorway as Beckett stands there in a different outfit than when he left.
“Good, because she’ll need to be monitored for a few more hours,” the nurse tells us.
“I’ve got her covered.”
Something flickers out from the corner where the window is, and I turn my head towards it.The sun is starting to rise and panic settles in.I didn’t go home last night.Oh my gosh, this is going to be bad.Once someone realizes, they’ll send people to look for me and find out who I was with and what I was doing.
I always leave my car at the preschool with the phone Papa gave me to use so that they can’t track me, but this is what is going to tip the scale and get me locked up on the farm.
“Hey, Angel, take a deep breath.Everything is gonna be fine.”I feel the bed dip and a warm hand against my cheek.My eyes focus on his face, and I do as he says.“What just happened there?”
Shaking my head, “I’ve got to get to my phone.It’s morning, and I’ve been gone all night.”
“Yeah, because you were hurt,” he says slowly.
“You don’t understand.I’m in big trouble, and if they find out about last night, I’ll never be able to leave,” I say without taking a breath.
“Leave?Why are you trying to leave, Sutton?”
“You wouldn’t understand,” I plead.“Please, I need to get to my car.It’s at work.”
He must sense how important this is because he nods.“Okay, we’ll leave here and go right over there.”
I start nodding my head as Dr.Melissa comes in with a bag.
“I thought you could wear this since we had to cut your clothes off when you came in last night.”
“Thank you so much,” I say.Getting up, I take the bag and walk slowly to the ensuite bathroom.My body aches with every step, but I know this is nothing compared to what’s going to happen when I get back home.
After we check on Raegan who hasn’t woken up yet, Beckett helps me into his truck and takes me over to the preschool.My car is the only one in the parking lot at this early hour.
“Let me come around to help you,” he offers when he puts the gear in park.
Helping me out, we walk over to my car, and I pop the gas tank where I store the key, too afraid the fob has a tracker inside it.After opening the door, I pop the console lid and reach in for the phone.I’m expecting the worst, but when there’s only a single missed call it feels as though a rock drops to the bottom of my stomach.It could be a good thing, right?
Pressing the call back number, I wait for three rings before it gets picked up.The sound of Judy’s voices puts me at ease slightly.
“Meyers’ residence, this is Judy,” I hear her say.
“Hi Judy?—”
“Sutton,” she whisper shouts.“Have you lost your mind not coming home?Where have you been?Shepherd Walter asked this morning why your car was already gone.I told him that you left before the sun rose.”
I let out the breath I was holding and feel the heat from Beckett’s body at my back.“Thank you, Judy, for covering me.I was in an accident last night and spent it at the hospital.”
She gasps, “Are you okay?”
“I am now.A little banged up, but with some rest I should be fine,” I tell her.
“Don’t come back here until later this evening,” she says, and I can hear voices in the background.“Stay late at work if you need to, but don’t come home before dark.Something is happening, and it’s best you keep off the farm as much as possible.”
“Yeah, okay,” I agree, too tired to ask why.“Thank you, Judy.”
A female’s voice calls out her name in the distance.“I’ve got to go.Stay safe, Sutton.”
The call drops, and I let my muscles relax.I was not expecting Judy to cover for me.
