A Light in the Desert by Anne Montgomery

Author:Anne Montgomery
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Treehouse Publishing Group
Published: 2018-01-17T16:00:00+00:00

30

RAMM SAT SCRUNCHED in the corner of the bedroom still dressed in camouflage, knees drawn to his chest, face painted black.

“Papa?” Kelly opened her eyes, scanned the unfamiliar room, and found the apparition. She watched as he stood and stepped toward her, blue eyes glowing against the dark face. She screamed.

“No! No, Kelly! It’s all right. It’s Jason!”

She sucked in gulps of air. Her head pounded. “But … why do you look like that?” She backed away as he sat on the edge of the bed.

“It’s nothing. I’ll explain later.”

“Where are we?” She tentatively touched the bump that swelled above her left cheek.

“I’ll get you some ice for that.” Ramm rose.

“The train. What happened to—?” Kelly was interrupted by the feel of a wet tongue on her hand. “Hello,” she relaxed and scratched Dog’s mottled head.

“Let me get cleaned up and make you something to eat. Then I’ll tell you everything.” Ramm left Kelly alone with the dog.

Later, washed and dressed in faded jeans and a light blue sweatshirt, his hair wet and slicked back, Ramm tapped on the bedroom door. “Kelly, are you awake? I’ve brought you something to eat.”

“Yes, come in.”

Kelly watched as he set a tray on the side table. He took some pillows from the closet and eased them behind her back so she could sit up.

“It’s peanut butter and grated carrots on whole wheat,” he said, placing the tray on her lap. “And don’t say anything until you’ve tried it. The combination might seem a little odd, but it tastes really good. And it’s very healthy.” He poured hot black tea from a delicate blue and white teapot sporting dragons on the handle and spout.

Kelly picked up half the sandwich, took a bite, chewed thoroughly, and swallowed. “You’re right. It’s very good.”

When Kelly finished her lunch, she clasped both hands above her stomach. “What happened, Jason? Why am I here?”

“This is where I live.” He struggled with what he should tell her. “There was a train wreck. Not far from Hyder. I was nearby when it happened, so I went to find you.”

“My mother?”

“I carried you out, but didn’t see Miranda,” he lied.

“Did you tell Elect Sun I was here?”

The question stung. All logic pointed to the fact that he should return Kelly to Elect Sun, but then she’d be handed over to Miranda, and the girl would be sent away again. He tried to convince himself she should not be moved yet, but Elect Peter could easily be summoned to make that diagnosis and, considering the baby, any delay in getting her to a doctor would be foolish.

But how could he explain the fact that he’d spirited the injured girl away in the darkness without drawing undue attention to himself? He remembered the two dead boys submerged in the murky water at the bottom of the mineshaft. What would Kelly think of his savage retribution. Could she understand why, with no thought of turning the other cheek, he had appointed himself judge, jury, and

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