You Can't Hide by Theresa Sneed (uplifting novels TXT) 📕

had just arrived, along with Karen, Sam Sr. and Louise. Sally wasn’t there, and it surprised her that they could’ve gotten her on a return flight so quickly.

At first, she was elated to see everyone—she’d only managed a brief telephone call letting them know Sam’s miracle, but the looks on their faces stymied her.

“John?” she asked, perplexed.

Louise broke out in tears, followed by Gwen. Karen looked as though she might burst into tears, too. Suddenly, Elle got it, without a word being spoken. Sam’s recovery must be tantamount to a cruel trick. Was there internal damage beyond his control?—paralysis? “What? What’s wrong?”

Grammie placed a trembling hand on her shoulder. “She’s gone.”

She? The blood froze in Elle’s veins. “Who?”

Grammie wiped at a rush of tears. “We can’t find Sally anywhere.”

Never in her life had words struck with so much force. This must be a dream—a nightmare. But no, she was awake. Her family surrounded her, offering pale words of comfort, where no comfort could be given. A long wail escaped her throat, and then she collapsed.

Sam Sr. knelt down in front of her. He wrapped his arms around her trembling body. “The whole town’s searching, Elle. We’re going to find her.”

“Sally,” Elle cried, sobbing.

This couldn’t be happening. Just seconds ago, she was beyond joy with Sam’s burgeoning recovery. But now, the bliss was snatched from her. Plunged into deep sorrow, like a thick blanket of darkness; it stifled the joy, leaving nothing more than a smoldering memory.

She could barely get her next words out. “The lake?” She should never have left Sally at the cabin. What did Karen know about children? No, Elle. Stop now. Stop. Don’t blame Karen.

John appeared to choose his next words carefully, looking first at Joe, and then at Elle. “No, not the lake, Elle.”

She grasped his shirt. “What do you mean? Tell me, John.”

He seemed resolved, but hesitant to continue, as if he didn’t want to tell her what he knew. “We, uh, we found evidence that the cabin was broken into last night.”

Violent tremors raced through her body. “What?” She dropped her hands. “Evidence?”

“The window screen was popped out, and a cigarette package was crumpled on the floor by her bed.”

She trembled violently. “No. Sally probably found it somewhere.”

“Elle,” Papa Joe said. “Where would she have gotten it, Sweetheart? None of us smoke.”

Angry, she slammed her fists into his chest. “You’re wrong. You’re wrong.” This was crazy. What did they think—that Sally had been abducted? Breathing heavily, she looked from one to the other. All at once, it hit her. The evidence was too real, too unlike Sally, and she knew that some beast, some horrifying person had snatched her Sally away. In fits of sobs, she fell into her grandfather’s chest, squeezing the material on his sleeves tight in her fists.

After long hugs and anguished tears, most of her family left. Papa followed them out, but Grammie stayed behind. She patted the couch beside her and Elle sat down. Resting her head against her grandmother’s shoulder, she sobbed. “Why, Grammie?”

Grammie caressed her hair. “I don’t know, Love.” After a while, she said, “Why don’t you lay down for a bit—get some rest?”

She glanced up at her grandmother’s troubled eyes. “No, Grammie. I couldn’t possibly sleep.”

Quivering in fright, Elle imagined what Sally could be up against. Grammie tried to console her, but she couldn’t dissuade the anguish pressing into her heart. Finally, she sat up straight. “I’m going to go see Sam, and then I’m going to find my daughter.”

“I’ll go with you, but,” Grammie paused, “Sam hasn’t been told about Sally’s disappearance yet.”

Maybe they left that arduous task to her. “Why not?”

“The doctor thought it best not to distress him this early in his recovery.”

She swallowed hard. “Yes, of course.” How selfish of me. It made sense, but not having Sam to confide her worst fears to, meant that the extreme suffering brewing inside her would fester like a boil, finding no relief or comfort.

Papa returned. “I just checked on Sam. He’s fast asleep. The doctor came in and told me the meds he’s on are going to keep him sedated.”

It was settled then. “I’m going to look for Sally.”

When they arrived at the cabin, they found it swarming with people searching for the little girl. It should have brought Elle comfort, but instead it added to her frustration. She avoided as many as she could, but finally couldn’t take it any longer. “Stop saying you’re sorry! We are going to find her!” Embarrassed by her sudden outburst, she pulled away from the crowd to a secluded glen of trees. Grammie Gwen followed her there.

Gwen pulled her close and stroked her hair. “Get some rest, sweetie, and then go back to Sam.”

Right. Like I’m going to leave, she thought.

After the crowds left, Elle continued walking the beaches and worn paths by the cabin, weary and unrested. She made her way down the path to the lake and stared out over the moonlit waters. Intense horror struck her heart. She’s not here, she thought, at last accepting the fact, that whoever had taken Sally, had taken her far away. She fell to the ground and wept.

Grammie Gwen followed Elle out to the driveway. She handed Elle a set of keys. “Take my car, Sweetie.” Elle clung to Gwen, and then said goodbye. She got into the car for the long drive to Bangor, wondering how she would be able to keep a false persona in front of the man she loved. Leaning her head back in the seat, she fought the tears. Her eyes were already puffy and red. She’d have to tell him about Sally.

After she arrived to the hospital, Elle opened Sam’s door and went inside. He was asleep. She pulled the chair up next to his hospital bed and sat down.

Her thoughts turned back to Sally, and she wrapped her arms around her trembling shoulders. All at once, a memory came to her, a