Countdown by Heather Woodhaven

Author:Heather Woodhaven
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-08-29T04:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

Rachel’s hands shook. The space inside her ribs felt hollow, the same horrible feeling she got whenever she was sleep-deprived.

Cynthia stepped out of her bedroom, her face freshly washed but without a trace of makeup. She wore a maroon maternity blouse, jeans and loafers with a black leather bag in her right hand.

“You packed fast.”

“It’s my hospital to-go bag. I didn’t think I’d need to go to the hospital for this, though.” Her voice cracked. Without thinking, Rachel opened her arms, and Cynthia clung to her.

A movement to the side caused them to stand straight. The boys stood in matching blue shirts and blue pants. Their eyelids hung low, but they wore small smiles. “Go to the potty, then we go,” James said, bringing up the rear with their backpacks.

Cynthia stepped into the living room and jotted something on a piece of paper. “Get a burner phone. Go somewhere remote then call me.” She handed him the note. “If I see a strange number on my phone and know something new, I’ll pick up. If I don’t, I’ll let it ring. Don’t leave a message.”

“Understood.”

Cynthia walked past the dining area and opened a door Rachel presumed led to the garage. A moment later the garage door motor hummed. Car doors opened and shut.

James mirrored Rachel’s confused expression. “What do you think is happening out there?” she asked.

James strode to the door and looked out the peephole. “Cynthia got out the van, and the agent rushed up to meet her. She’s waving her hands, upset about something. Oh. Get back. She’s coming this way.”

They both hustled into the hallway lest someone see them from the outside.

Cynthia stepped into the living room and shut the door behind her. “I was going to point out the man watching the house, but he’s gone. I imagine he left when the agent showed up to get me. I started thinking about what Derrick would do, and it gave me an idea.” She crossed over to the basket next to the refrigerator and picked up a set of keys. “I want you to take the spare. You’re going to take my keys, use my minivan—it’s all decked out with a full tank of gas.”

“We can’t take your van,” Rachel said from behind them. “You won’t have a way to get back.”

Cynthia looked around James. “I’ll have my sister meet me at the hospital. She lives in town. I won’t want to stay here until Derrick is better, anyway. Besides, I had the car all set up for car seats. Detach the top halves and it works as booster seats for the boys.”

James pointed over her shoulder. “What’d you tell the agent?”

“I said I was in no condition to drive. Instead of following me, I asked him to take me instead.”

“Isn’t he going to be curious why you came back inside?” Rachel asked.

“I told him I had to use the bathroom again.” Cynthia rubbed her stomach, which looked larger than the night before to Rachel. “Stay safe.

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