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

Hancock, Elle’s husband.” Her voice became solemn. “Merrick is on death row right now and his execution is in the spring.” Her eyes moistened. “And, my daughter isn’t dead. Sally’s thirteen.” She grinned. There. She’d said it, and it felt good.

Millie’s jaw dropped. “Wow.”

Nancy nodded and took Millie’s arm. “Let’s go get something to eat.”

At dinner, Nancy laughed and chatted with anyone that looked her way. It was as if she was coming out of the cave again, only this time, all of her—heart, soul, and mind.

The evening passed, and what a delightful evening it was. Millie and she played cards with some of the other girls. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d had so much fun, but now, it was time to retire for the night. Wendy drove them to their cabins, and Nancy got ready for bed.

She hadn’t thought any more about Elle’s manuscript, until after she’d showered and had her pajamas on. She imagined that Sofia had left it on the deck and went outside to check.

The deck was quiet. Sofia had probably left hours ago. When she didn’t find the manuscript, Nancy assumed that Sofia had taken it back to her cabin to read. It was okay, when she believed Sofia was reading it on her deck, but with it gone, she felt panic rise in her chest. It was the only copy of Elle’s story—anywhere.

Calm down, Nance. It’s in good hands.

She glanced down at the yellow cabin and was dismayed to find all the lights off. Sofia must’ve already retired to bed. Wrapping her arms around her shoulders, she breathed in deep. Everything was alright. Sofia would return the manuscript in the morning.

Late that night, in the early hours of the morning, a strange, lyrical sound crept into her dreams, soft at first, but louder with each second. It awoke her. Not a dream, the odd music wafted through the night air. Nancy opened the back wall and stepped out on the deck. Farther down, from the dim light of a candle on the yellow cabin’s deck, Sofia swayed to the doleful sounds that came from her lips, her wild hair flying about, caught in the sudden breezes that swept past the cabins. Around and around she danced faster and faster, until she collapsed on the deck, laughing madly.

Wendy appeared out of nowhere and helped her to her feet. With the care of a loving parent, she led her back inside the yellow cabin.

It was the last that Nancy saw of her, because in the morning, she was gone—gone to that place she went to when, in her own words, the “idiocy” came.

Nancy’s heart wrenched within her for her new friend. Sofia had said that her situation could never compare to Nancy’s, but she was wrong. Nancy sunk down on the deck and wept.

Moments later, she arose from the cold, deck floor. It was time for her to leave, too. Gathering her belongs, she began to pack, when a surge of panic gripped her heart. The manuscript. She gasped. Elle’s manuscript. She dropped everything and raced out the door, rushing toward the yellow cabin.

The door was unlocked, and she stepped inside. Wendy was busily cleaning, though the cabin appeared already spotless.

“Good morning, Nancy.”

Nancy was unsure of what to say. She had seen everything. She had not been able to sleep, and had seen Wendy escort Sofia into a limousine, earlier that morning. She had seen Sofia’s maniacal dancing, and heard her crazed laughter. But, she’d also seen the tender care that Wendy had showed Sofia.

“I, um . . .”

Wendy stopped cleaning. “It’s okay, Nancy. She’s fine.” She said one thing, but the worry in her eyes said another.

“Is there anything I can do?”

Wendy glanced around. “No, I’m done here.”

It wasn’t what Nancy meant, but she didn’t press it any further.

“Are you ready to go?” Wendy asked.

“Almost, but I need my manuscript. Sofia was reading it.” She glanced around.

“Uh-oh,” Wendy said, bringing her hands to her mouth. “My Life, My Mess?”

Nancy’s eyes widened, afraid of what she might hear. She gave a quick nod.

“That was yours?” Wendy made a face. “Oops. I packed it in her suitcase.”

“Oh, no.” Nancy’s heart sunk. She gripped the sides of her pants.

“It’s okay. I’ll contact her in a few days, when she, y’know,” her face soured, “when she can talk, and I’ll get it back to you.” She put her hands on Nancy’s shoulders. “I’m so sorry.”

Nancy walked back to the blue cabin. Once inside, she closed the door and thumped her head against it. “No. No. No.” How was she going to go home without Elle’s manuscript?

The flight back went by fast. She stood in the airport waiting for Elle and Sally to pick her up. Eagerly searching for them, she shoved the gnawing thought of the missing manuscript to the back of her mind. Seeing Elle from afar, without Sally, saddened her, and the festering thought of the missing manuscript resurfaced.

“Nancy!” Elle threw her arms around her neck. “It’s so wonderful to have you back.”

It was great to be back, but Nancy hoped it would remain so, after she told her about the manuscript. “Where’s Sally?”

“She’s home in bed.”

“What? It’s noon.”

“She’s not feeling well. She’s got a slight fever and a cough.”

“Oh, dang.”

“Yes.” Elle led her toward the baggage claim. “So, tell me all about your trip.” She stopped walking and turned toward her. “You look radiant.”

Nancy bit her lower lip. She didn’t feel radiant.

Elle resumed her walking, waiting for Nancy to catch up. “So, I’ve been dying to find out what you think of, My Life, My Mess.” She stopped walking again and eagerly looked at Nancy.

“Oh, my. I loved it.” That part was true.

“You don’t think it was too . . . um, personal?”

Nancy sighed. “How could it be anything else, Elle?”

Nodding, she pointed toward the escalator. “Baggage claim is down there.” They were quiet the rest of the way. “So, you really liked it?”

“Of course, I did.” She