Chapter 2
Twenty-one years ago…
“She’s right, Abby. We have to go.”
Abby ran a hand through her hair, pacing back and forth in their kitchen while her husband, Greg, leaned casually against the counter, ankles crossed, waiting patiently for Abby to catch up to his way of thinking.
Their midwife, Julie Imes, sat at the table, back straight, elbows propped on the wooden surface. “I wish there was another way, Abby. I do. If there were, I wouldn’t suggest something this radical, but you’re one of my best friends, and I have a very bad feeling about what’s coming.”
Abby stopped pacing, set her hands on her hips, and glanced back and forth between her husband and her friend. They were ganging up on her.
Finally, she honed in on Greg. “We’re botanists. We have immeasurable knowledge between the two of us. PhDs. We finally have tenure at the university, and you want to throw it all away and go live off the grid?”
The crazy part was Abby knew he was right. Julie was right too. They didn’t have another option. Abby ran a hand over her growing belly and sighed, her eyes closing.
She rarely cried. She was a strong woman. But tears escaped. “We have friends… Family…”
Greg shoved off the edge of the counter and came to her, his arms going around her. He cupped the back of her head and pulled her against his chest. “You and this baby are my life, Abby. You rank so much higher than any friend or family. If anything ever happened to you…”
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, honey. That’s why we need to do this.”
She tipped her head back. “Just leave? Not tell anyone? Not even the department head?”
“It’s the only way, Abby.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb. “If we tell anyone, their lives would be in danger. Everyone will understand.”
She sucked back a sob. “Do you think they’ll figure out why we left and forgive us?”
He nodded. “It doesn’t take a botanist or a rocket scientist. The world is growing more dangerous by the day. I’m nervous enough about you going to and from work. You’re young and obviously fertile. I don’t trust anyone.”
“You’re always with me, Greg. No one is going to kidnap me and yank me out of your arms.”
He lifted a brow.
Julie pushed to standing. “He’s right, Abby. Someone might. I know it seems far-fetched, but it’s starting to happen. And now that we know the baby is a girl…”
Greg cleared his throat. “I won’t risk your lives another day, Abby. We’ll leave tonight.”
“Tonight?” She gasped. “Can’t we at least…” At least what? She had no idea how to finish that sentence. Her mind was racing. They were going to do this. Leave. Tonight. Without saying a word to anyone.
“We can’t, Abby,” Greg whispered. “We can’t tell anyone. I hate that Julie knows.”
Julie set her hand on Abby’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about me. Hell, it was mostly my idea.”
Greg released Abby to grab Julie’s elbow and pull her in for a hug. “Our disappearance endangers you.”
Julie shook her head. “I don’t have the foggiest clue where you’re going.” She held up her hand. “And don’t tell me. Not a word. All I know is that you own property somewhere. I don’t know what direction or even what state. Make sure you leave no trace of where you might be in this house and go.”
Abby started crying as she grabbed Julie and held her tight. “How the hell am I supposed to give birth without you?”
“Greg can do it. I’ve taught him everything he needs to know. You’ll be fine.” Abby wished she felt half as confident as Julie sounded. Julie gave one more squeeze and then backed up and collected her things. “I better go. Be safe.”
Abby pursed her lips, fighting back the urge to cry harder as Julie rushed toward the front of the house and out the door.
The sound of the door closing made Abby flinch. She met Greg’s gaze. “We’re really going to do this? Pack up our things and move to a cabin in the woods totally off the grid?”
“Yep. If there were another way to ensure you and the baby could be safe, I would never suggest this, but it’s time.” He set his hands on her hips. “Maybe it won’t be forever. Maybe the world will straighten itself out and we’ll be able to return.”
Maybe not…