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

“Oh, no,” Nancy said. She was still not sure how to act around this odd woman.

“Thank you,” Sofia said. She looked down at the manuscript. “It’s quite good, you know.”

Elle’s face brightened.

“I must have it.”

“What?”

Handing the manuscript to Elle, she patted it once, and repeated her words. “I must have it.”

“What do you mean?” Elle said, cautiously.

“Will you let me publish it?”

“Publish it?” The stunned look on Elle’s face echoed Nancy’s.

Sofia nodded and pointed to the manuscript. “It’s fascinating and well written. I would be honored to put it in print for you—with, or without your real name as the author.”

“You mean, like a pen name?”

“Yes.”

“Something that can’t be linked back to me?”

“If that’s what you want.”

Elle leaned forward. “Do you have a name in mind?”

“I do. How about Ashleigh.”

Nancy listened quietly. Ashleigh was Sofia’s longtime friend—the one who’d stayed in the blue cabin—the one who’d passed away.

“Ashleigh Oleste—or Ashley West, if you prefer.”

“Ashley West,” Elle said. “I like it.”

“Then it’s settled. Your name will be kept private, always, but your story will inform and entertain many others.” She turned to Nancy. “Bring her to the lake next time.”

She knew that would be a no. Elle, Sam, and Sally were going to reunite with family when the lethal injection happened.

She’d be at the retreat, though, both before the execution, to mentally prepare for it, and after, to emotionally recover from it. She nodded. You didn’t say no to Sofia.

Sofia stood. “Thank you.” She turned to Elle. “You should know that Nancy is quite the writer, too. We are blessed to have her as a member of the Ladies of the Lake.” She strode over to Nancy and placed her gloved hands on her shoulders. “She is a gem and someone I look forward to getting to know better.” She stepped away. “I have informed Wendy that the blue cabin must stay empty for you.” She turned to go.

Nancy swallowed. Sofia had done that for her friend Ashleigh, too. She followed her to the door. It was an honor to have Sofia take an interest in the story, but she knew she’d have to walk cautiously with their burgeoning friendship, if it even was a friendship. Everything about Sofia was a wonderfully complex enigma.

Twenty-Nine

Time to Go

Nancy sat by an open window, a cool breeze blowing wisps of hair across her face. Pen in hand, she wrote.

The days raced through autumn, barely rustling its leaves of vibrant color, zipped past the cold, harsh winter, and then finally settled into an early, spring thaw.

She sat back and read through it, crumpled it up, and tossed it in the garbage. A deep sigh left her throat. Soon, the cabin in Kiltegan would be empty, everyone going to different locations. Elle and Sam were heading to Maine, along with Sally, where the FBI would secretly whisk Elle’s unsuspecting family from California, to Maine, for a reunion like none other before.

Karen and Todd, and their young family, were going to California. It was questionable whether or not they’d leave Ireland permanently, but with two small children who’d never met family in California, it looked like they’d be there for several weeks. They were keeping their cottage in Kiltegan and planned at some point to return. Nancy considered staying in Ireland, too, but not unless Elle and Sam agreed to it. Mimi had said she’d keep their cottage unrented, until she heard from them.

Nancy went into the kitchen and made herself a cup of hot chocolate. She returned to the chair by the open window and took a sip, continuing to think about what lay ahead in the near future.

In Maine, the FBI would set up a satellite communication at the Hancock farm, where all family members could gather to witness the execution of the man that had murdered their family. Grammie Gwen and Elle’s parents and her brother would be there too, as the FBI said they’d only set one satellite up for the event. Convenient for Elle, as she had requested to reveal her non-death status to everyone at the same time.

The plan was that Elle, Sam, and Sally would arrive after everyone else had gathered at the farm. Elle had worried that it was much too sensational, but in the end, she’d agreed to it. She was going home.

Nancy was going to go to the women’s sanctuary. She had planned on being there earlier, but never seemed to be able to pull away from Sally. She regretted that she wouldn’t be with her for the upcoming injection, and even questioned if Sally should see it at all. She thought back to an earlier conversation.

“But I must,” Sally said. “I need to know for sure that he’s gone.”

Nancy stared at her for a long time. “Yes, of course.”

No one knew Nancy’s true intention. They assumed she would see the injection via satellite just like them, but in fact, she was going to be there. It was all set up. She’d be at the sanctuary a day before it happened—a day before the terror in her life finally came to an end.

Everything was in motion now, running smoothly like a casual stroll, down a winding pathway—all starting in one place and eventually coming back together again, later on. They piled into Breccan’s daddy’s SUV. Breccan’s dad agreed to drive them to the airport, according to him, at the constant pleading of his son. Sam and he talked the whole way about their kids and university things.

At the airport, Breccan gave Sally a peck on the cheek, to which Sam frowned, but Elle laughed. Nancy just grinned. They were all boarding the same flight to the states and would say their temporary goodbyes in Massachusetts. Eddie was picking up Nancy in Boston, for a long-overdue reunion of their own.

But for now, it was time to say goodbye to Ireland. Sally waved to Breccan. “We’ll be back,” she said, a tremor in her voice. She turned and followed Sam and Elle. Nancy wasn’t sure of