Out of Habit by Kathleen Dutton

Author:Kathleen Dutton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inks and Bindings, LLC
Published: 2022-03-15T18:45:53+00:00

Chapter Nine

Ryan focused his camera while an elk cow and her calf munched tall grass at the forest’s edge. He’d waited in vain all day for the eagles to make an appearance. Then the elks roamed by. He snapped a photo, then another and zoomed close to get a shot as the mother elk nuzzled her baby. He worked fast and sure in the element he loved and smiled with satisfaction. There wasn’t anything he’d rather do.

Well, there was one exception which involved Allie. He couldn’t bring himself to even think about the extent of the involvement at this point. But, he allowed his mind to drift. He wanted to kiss the seriousness from her soft lips until a smile hinted at the corner of her mouth. Then he’d trail kisses along the slim line of her neck until her pulse raced out of control and then. . . his cell phone rang. Both elk darted into the woods and the magical moment was gone. “Blasted phone,” he grumbled and connected the call.

“Hello,” he barked.

“Ryan Harper, please.”

“Speaking.”

“This is Sister Margaret Collins at St. Ives.”

The elk forgotten, Ryan’s attention came to full alert. “What can I do for you, Sister?”

“I’d like to meet with you regarding Allison.” Her tone was businesslike.

“When can you meet?” he asked and rummaged in his pocket for a pen.

“How is eight o’clock Monday morning?”

“Fine,” he said and jotted the time. He shook his head as he disconnected the call. Things were getting interesting, to say the least.

* * *

Ryan was jarred awake by Allie’s soft cry. They’d fallen asleep while watching a movie.

“No,” she cried and pushed him away.

“Allie, it’s me.”

He held her by the wrists to keep her from hitting, which only made her struggle harder.

“Allie.” He raised his voice.

Her eyes were open, but glazed. “He was there,” she cried, pointing to an empty space in the room.

“It was a dream, Al. No one’s here but me.”

Ryan pulled her close until her rapid breathing calmed and she drifted back to sleep.

* * *

Allie’s dream was still on Ryan’s mind when he knocked on the door to Sister Margaret’s office promptly at eight.

“Come in,” she said.

He entered the office. “Hello, Sister.”

“Good morning, Mr. Harper.” Sister sat at her desk and folded her hands on an open file. “Have a seat.” She waited until he was seated. “I know about the files you acquired from Maria,” she told him and peered over half-glasses. “What do you hope to gain with this information?”

“I want to help Allie.” Ryan swallowed hard as if he’d been caught in the act of a devious crime. “I’d never do anything to hurt her.”

“Perhaps some of the mystery of her childhood is better off forgotten.” She paused and taped her fingers on the desk. “When she first came to St. Ives, we consulted many child psychologists. Everyone agreed that she’d blocked the trauma so deeply, it would be more harmful to try to bring the memories to the surface.” Her brows knit together, as if she were deep in thought.

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