Where Shadows Meet(94)

Matt carried the album into the light so he could see the quilt better. It looked exactly like the pattern Hannah’s mother was famous for. Had she imitated Trudy’s pattern—and found even more success with it? Was that part of the reason for his grandmother’s hatred of the Amish?

He heard a vehicle in the back and rushed to look out the window. His grandmother’s old car was rolling over the ruts. He started toward the door, but Trudy got out, grabbed a cooler, and hopped back into the vehicle again. What was she doing? He decided not to let her know what he’d seen just yet. He’d follow her and see if she led him to Reece and Caitlin.

Matt grabbed the photo album and ran for the SUV. Her car had rumbled away down the back lane, which meandered across an abandoned covered bridge. Where could she be heading? He waited until his grandmother’s old car disappeared into the trees, then set out along the lane in the direction she’d gone.

There wasn’t much out this way. Forest and steep hills. No real roads even. The land bordered Turkey Run State Park, and his grandmother had turned away every developer who’d come calling. He had time to ensure he wasn’t seen. Trudy owned nearly five hundred acres out this way. He used to hike back here—until she found out. She didn’t like anyone back here but her. And even then, he could count on one hand the times he’d seen her trek this way.

The SUV rumbled over the bridge, but he wasn’t sure the old structure would hold up anything coming back. The thing was falling down. If Trudy wanted to keep it, she’d have to do some repair. Rather, he’d have to do some repair.

He came to a fork in the road. “Now which way?” he said to Ajax. The dog whined. Matt got out and looked at the muddy track. “That way,” he said, pointing to the left. “Toward the creek.”

Matt got back in the SUV and turned the vehicle onto an even narrower lane logged with water. He was surprised his grandmother had the nerve to drive this way by herself in a car. The route begged for a four-wheel-drive. She could get stuck back here and never be seen again. The trees encased Matt like a tunnel. The maples and walnut trees grew so high they met above the SUV and turned the landscape to twilight. He could only go five miles an hour without bottoming out.

The road, if you could call it that, came to an abrupt end. Trudy’s battered blue car was parked just ahead. She wasn’t in it. Matt peered inside the vehicle, then turned back to his SUV and let Ajax out. He took the dog to the driver’s side of Trudy’s car. “Find her, boy.”

The dog’s nose plunged toward the ground, and his tail began to wag. The jerk on the leash nearly toppled Matt, but he regained his footing and followed along with Ajax on his run to the south. The surroundings were as dark as if it were nine o’clock at night. The mosquitoes began to descend in hordes, and he wished he’d taken the time to put on some repellent.

The dog led him down ravines, and they splashed across creeks swollen with rain. “I don’t know how she had the strength to go this far,” Matt said, panting when they paused to catch their breath. Ajax was straining at the leash again, so they were probably close behind her. “Let’s get our bearings before we go any farther.”


SUNLIGHT FILTERED THROUGH the dirty windows of the old shack. Hannah sat on the cot with Caitlin on her lap. The creek outside had crescendoed to a roar, and vibrations of water hitting rock rattled the wooden structure.

“When are we leaving, Reece?” she asked.

“Soon.”

He seemed nervous, checking his watch every few seconds and going to look out the window. Hannah wondered what he was waiting for. He had her and Caitlin, and there seemed no reason to hang around while the floodwaters rose. Though this old place had been here for years, the forecasters had warned of near-record flood conditions all over the county. Hanging around Sugar Creek seemed a stupid thing to do.

She rose with her daughter in her arms. “Let’s go now. I’m hungry, and I’m sure Caitlin is too.”

His eyes narrowed. “What about me? I haven’t eaten either. You never think about me, Hannah.”

“I’m sorry to complain. I know we’re all tired, hungry, and grouchy.” She smiled up at him. “I’m just eager to get out of here and start our life together, the three of us.”

His glare softened. “Soon.” He turned when the door opened.

Trudy Beitler stepped into the shack. She shut the door behind her. Mud caked the Wellington boots she wore, and debris littered her old jeans and checked shirt. She could have passed for a lumberjack except for the long gray braid hanging over one shoulder. Her gaze perused Reece, then moved on to Hannah, who stood with Caitlin wrapped around her like a little monkey.

“Grandma Trudy!” Caitlin unwound her legs from Hannah and slid down to run to her grandmother.

Trudy shoved her away. “Go back to your mother.”

“Come here, Caitlin.” Hannah held out her arms. The older woman wasn’t here to rescue them. Hannah didn’t know how this whole plan was going to play out, but she realized Trudy was no ally.

Her expression confused, Caitlin glanced back at Hannah, then up at her grandmother. “Are you going to take me home, Grandma?”

“I told you to go to your mother. No, I’m not taking you home. You’re right where you should be.” She dropped the small cooler she carried onto the wooden floor.