“A girl who was ready to conquer the world.”
“How arrogant was I to think I could?” She took a deep breath, summoning her strength, and tried to pull herself together. “I will not cry. I cannot cry,” she said forcefully.
“It’s okay to cry,” he told her. “Let it go.”
She stared at him for a moment, then simply said, “I won’t. I won’t let him weaken me. Not anymore.”
“All right. Then don’t. Do you want to come to the hospital with me?”
“No, I don’t want Paul to know about Bailey. I don’t want him or his henchman anywhere near her.”
He pulled back. “You don’t think he’d…”
“I don’t know what he’d do.” She looked up at him. “We should run.”
“What?”
“Take Bailey and run. Now. We can live on this money.” She patted her bag. “We can go somewhere where he won’t find us, and the Reaves can’t get their hands on your baby.”
He shook his head. “This is our home. Running is not the answer.”
“It’s our only chance,” she cried as panic swallowed her.
He took her hand. “I’ve been served. I can’t run. I have to show up in court. Otherwise, I will lose Bailey for sure. There is not enough money in your purse to keep the Reaves or your husband from finding us.”
Tears filled her eyes again.
“Plus, if you spend it, won’t you be an accessory? You need to call the authorities. Let them help you.”
“They can’t help me now. No one can. Please take me home.”
She could tell he wanted to say more but didn’t. Instead, he pulled onto the road and drove the rest of the way to her house. As he parked, she opened the door and waited for him. He got out, opened her chair for her, and helped her into it. “I want to stay with you, but I’m already late. Please, promise me you won’t run,” he pleaded as he pushed her up the ramp to her front door. “Call your lawyer. Get help, but don’t leave. Not again.”
“I love you,” she whispered and gave his hand a squeeze. She sat by the door, watching as he drove away, wishing she could go with him, wishing she could share what should be one of the happiest days of his life and be with him as he brought Bailey home. She wanted more than anything to rock that baby to sleep in Nick’s rocking chair, but that could never happen now.
Bailey’s safety was all that mattered now.
Gillian had to leave Granite Falls.