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

“Yes. We met outside.”

“Hey, Grammie, this is the guy I was telling you about.”

“Hello,” Gwen said. She studied him for a moment. “Welcome to our home, MJ. Okay everyone, dinner’s ready. So, why don’t we take a seat?”

“Don’t you think you should set another plate?” Sam said, wryly.

“Oh, goodness,” Gwen said, apologetically. “Oh, wait, I set one for MJ earlier, when Elle told me he was coming.” Sam gave her an odd look. “Oh, right. Of course.” She went to the kitchen and returned with a smaller plate, and then she set it on the table beside Elle’s place.

Elle drew her head back. “Who’s that for?”

A light shuffling came across the floor, and a very tired voice called out, “Mommy!”

Elle’s mouth dropped open. She squealed and threw her arms around Sally. She looked up at Sam through teary eyes.

Sally rubbed her sleepy eyes. “Mommy, guess what? I got to come early this time.”

Sharing Sally with her birth mother, Nancy, was hard at first, but as the months went by, these surprise visits along with the planned ones made everything just perfect. Elle swung her around and then sat her on her lap. “I’m so happy.”

After the meal, Sam helped with the dishes. MJ and Karen had gone outside on the porch.

“How well do you know Karen’s friend?” Sam asked, placing a clean plate in the cupboard.

Elle shrugged. “I just met him.”

“Has she mentioned him before?”

“No, not really. I mean, I knew she had met a guy at school that kind of helped her through her breakup with Todd.”

“Hmm.”

“Why do you ask?” She handed him another plate.

“I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it, but he seems familiar.”

“He’s from LA, so it’s doubtful you would have ever run into him before.”

“Yep, you’re right.” He wiped the table off. “He probably just reminds me of a former student at UMO, but I don’t know, Elle, there’s something about him that I don’t like.”

“Really? I don’t know what. He seems nice enough.”

“Yes, you’re probably right.”

She reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “I usually am.”

Outside on the porch, Karen pointed to the lake. “Gorgeous, huh?”

“Yeah, it’s okay.”

Sally bounded up the steps. A cool wind brought a sudden downpour chasing behind it. “These are for Mommy.” She thrust a handful of dandelions toward Karen.

“She’s going to love them,” Karen said, tousling her hair. Sally skipped into the house.

“How old is she?”

“Seven, I think. She’s quite a smart little girl—reads like someone much older than she is.” Karen breathed in deep. “Mmm, I love how rain smells.”

“It’s just rain, Karen.” MJ made a face. “Elle doesn’t seem old enough to have a daughter her age.”

“Oh, she didn’t give birth to her, but she did raise her.”

“Really.”

“Yes, for five years, she was the only mother Sally knew.”

“Weird.”

“No, well, yes, it was really weird. Sheriff Snyder abducted Elle. Didn’t I ever tell you this?”

He nodded. “Months ago.”

She was quiet for a moment. “It was horrible, what she experienced at the hands of that maniac.” She gestured to Elle through the window. “At least he’s on death row. He killed a sheriff you know. That moratorium won’t save a cop killer.”

MJ grunted. “No, I guess not.”

A rumble and a flash of lightning lit the dark sky. Drawing her knees to her chest, she wrapped her arms around them. “Don’t you just love storms?”

He rolled his eyes. “You’re weird.”

She had forgotten that part of him. While he probably thought he was clever and witty, he was just rude and obnoxious. “It’s not weird to like storms,” she snapped. Yawning, she glanced down at her watch. “Wow. I had no idea it was that late. Your flight is tomorrow morning, right?”

“Yep. The taxi is picking me up at 8:00 am.”

“I can take you there tomorrow, MJ,” she said, but when he waved her off, she added, “Okay. Come on, I’ll drive you back to the hotel.”

In the kitchen, Karen grabbed her purse and rummaged through it for her keys. Outside, a series of rumbles and flashes intensified the dark sky. She glanced out the window and groaned.

“Why doesn’t he just stay here? One of us can take him into town in the morning,” Elle said.

Karen turned to MJ, and he frowned. “Come on MJ—it’s horrible outside right now.” A loud clap of thunder confirmed her words. “Just stay here, and early tomorrow, I’ll—” but before she could finish the sentence, Sam interrupted her.

“It’s just a little rain. I’ll take him.”

“My sentiments exactly.” MJ smirked. “Anyhow, my stuff is at the hotel, and I have to pack.”

“Want to go for a ride, girl?” Sam scratched the dog behind the ears. “Elle, I’m taking the jeep,” he called over his shoulder, as he and MJ dashed off the porch into the torrential rain. “Come on girl.” He opened the door and patted the seat. Ginger jumped into the back, while the men scrambled to get out of the pouring rain.

Drenched, Sam drew his hand through his wet hair. “A little rain never hurt anyone.” Starting the jeep, he flipped the wipers to their highest speed. “Where are you staying at?”

“The Blethen House.”

Sam pulled down the muddy driveway. “Hmm, this is a little worse than I thought.” He tapped the steering wheel then pulled onto the road. “So, how long have you known Karen?”

“A little over a year and a half,” MJ said, staring out the window.

“You met in England?”

“Yep. At the campus library.”

“Library,” Sam repeated.

MJ looked over at him. “How about you and Elle? How did you meet?”

Sam was quiet. “You don’t know the story?”

“Oh. Oh yeah, sorry, man.”

“It wasn’t the best way to meet, but I’m glad we did, of course.”

“Of course,” MJ said gruffly. He cleared his throat. “The whole thing is so uncanny. Merrick had a twin brother. Really weird.”

Sam gave him a quick glance and then turned his attention back to the road. Most people saw it as Malcolm having a twin—Merrick was