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

in, and took off. He slammed his fists against the steering wheel. “A switch?”

Fuming, he squeezed the steering wheel tight. “I will find you, Miss Heard. Someday, you’re going to resurface, and I’ll be there.” It was time to go back into hiding—in plain sight. Back to his regular life, undetected, unknown, but very much aware of his ultimate purpose—revenge.

Fifteen

A New Life

Nancy clung to the framed portrait of her and Sally, pictures and memories were the only things she had left of her daughter. Cruel life. To have held Sally in my arms and then have her ripped away from me by that beast is more than I can bear. She fell back into the chair and sobbed.

Six months had passed . . . six long and lonely months. Having Eddie near was good. Being with her aged mother was equally so, but the black abyss etched in her heart was ever present, burning with unrelenting agony.

A light knock on the door brought her back to reality. “Yes?”

Eddie stuck his large hand around the door frame and stepped inside her bedroom. “Hey, Sis,” he said. She could tell that something bothered him, by the deep crease on his forehead, and his sad eyes. His eyes were often sad now. Sally had eternally carved a spot in his heart.

She pressed down a strand of stubborn hair. “Yes?”

He stepped closer, moving slow and awkward. She didn’t like the strange look in his eyes. “What’s wrong, Eddie?”

He shook his head. “It’s, uh, Mom.”

Nancy had had a difficult time getting her mother to eat the night before, but that wasn’t too unusual. She’d had always been a picky eater and meatloaf was not among her favorite foods. She was probably hungry. Nancy stood. “Oh, okay, I’ll scramble her some eggs. Can you start the bacon?”

He didn’t say a thing. He put his big hand on her shoulder, and gently guided her back into the chair.

She grasped the sides of the chair. She knew what he was going to say. “Eddie?” Her voice shook.

Tears welled up in his eyes. “She’s gone, Sis.”

She had expected it for some time, but not right now. She needed her too much. Eddie knelt down beside her and wrapped his arms around her quivering shoulders.

Everything had been set in place years ago, down to the very songs she wanted sung at her funeral. The family milled around, waiting for the viewing to begin. The funeral would be the next day.

Nancy leaned close to her brother. “Excuse me, Eddie.” She touched his arm. “I’ll be right back.” She left the room and headed toward the bathroom. On the way back, an older woman stepped in front of her.

“I’m so sorry, Nancy.”

She didn’t recognize her, but assumed she was someone from town who had known her mother. “Thank you.”

The woman shuffled through her purse. “I knew your mother well, and I, uh, have some old pictures of her that I’d like you to have.”

“Thank you. I’d like that.”

The woman continued to search in her purse. “Oh, dear.” She looked up at Nancy. “I must have left them at my house—or maybe in my car.”

Nancy tilted her head. “You can give them to me later.” The woman nodded and then walked past her into the viewing room.

Throughout the evening, a slew of friends arrived, offering their condolences. Every time Nancy glanced at the coffin where her mother’s body lay, she felt conflicted. It didn’t even look like her mom and she was reminded that no one ever looked like themselves after death. Fortunately, the evening passed quickly. Except for the funeral director, Eddie and she were the last to leave.

Eddie shuffled his feet. “Hey, Nance, do you want me to wait for you?”

It was just like him to be overprotective of her. “Oh, no, Eddie. I’m fine.” She waved him off, watched him leave, and then turned back to the coffin.

She reached over and patted her mother’s cold hand. “I miss you already.” Tears fell fast. She wiped at them and then quickly composed herself. “Goodbye, Mom.” She gave her one last look and then left.

She stepped outside. There were two cars in the parking lot parked side-by-side. She assumed one was the funeral director’s car. But as she got near, the driver’s side door opened and the mysterious woman from earlier got out.

The woman waved at her. “I have those pictures for you, Nancy.” She opened the back door and looked inside. “There in a small box.” She searched the backseat. “Huh. Now where did I put it?” Thrusting her hands on her hips, she frowned. “I must have left the box at my house.” She gestured to the front seat. “Get in, and we’ll go get it.”

Nancy looked at her own car setting beside the woman’s. Surely, this woman must’ve known it was hers. Everyone else had left, except for the funeral director. She tilted her head. “Uh, I don’t even know who you are.”

The woman smiled. “Oh, dear me. I’m Gladys. I went to school with your mother a long, long time ago. Surely, she mentioned me?” She sighed. “Maybe not. I moved away right after school. I’ve only been back here for a short while.”

“Oh.” Nancy bit her bottom lip. The name did sound familiar. “How about I follow you? That way you won’t have to bring me back here for my car.”

“True. True.” Gladys nodded and then got into her car. She waited for Nancy to pull in behind her before she drove out of the parking lot.

It was a lovely house, one that Nancy had admired for years. She followed Gladys up the stone steps and onto the porch, while Gladys stuck a key into the lock. Inside, she offered her some coffee and went into another room. She returned with a tall man, and handed her the coffee.

“Hello, Nancy.” The man sat down across from her.

She couldn’t read his intense look. It made her feel uncomfortable. “Hello,” she said, returning his