Christmas & Winter

By Adrienna Wilson

Willow Kensington is on the run to protect her unborn child, but as her due date approaches, and Christmas too, the danger also increases. She seeks shelter in a small Montana town with her sister, and finds that sometimes, Christmas can bring miracles.
A relatively short story about one woman finding happiness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adrienna Wilson
• Release date: Jun 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476181998

Adrienna Wilson

I'm pretty much an average woman living in Eastern Montana, with a bit of a twisted side. But hey, who doesn't? I enjoy spending time with my two dogs, Piper (an English Springer/German Shepherd mix) and Indy (White German Shepherd) and writing is my main hobby, but I enjoy many other creative hobbies such as music (piano) and crafting (whatever strikes my fancy on Pinterest). I will be publishing more novels, hopefully soon. Thank you for reading!

Book preview

Christmas & Winter

Adrienna Wilson

Copyright 2012 by Adrienna Wilson

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting all my hard work.

To all those who believe in me.

Thank you to my editors and friends who

have told me that this is worth the effort.

For Jillian, for Llia, and for my dear sister.

You all have meant so much to me, and

you’ve encouraged me to do this.

You’ve taught me that sometimes, when

Dirt Road Anthem comes on, you just

have to go with your gut and drive to Helena

in the middle of the night, consequences be damned.

And you’ve taught me that friendship means

not caring what anyone thinks, and accepting

friends for who they are, not what they are.

Thank you.

So here goes.

-Adrienna

Chapter One

The bus was full of vagrants and weary travelers.

In the back corner, huddled in her seat, sat a young woman in her mid-twenties. At first glance she was just another tired young woman, her dark brown hair pulled back in a bun, dark shadows under her expressive brown eyes. A closer look revealed much more. High cheekbones, slender nose, full mouth pulled into a thin line. She was underweight, giving her face a hollow appearance, and looked like she was about to fall apart.

She settled as low in the seat as she could and tried to ignore the pain in her back. Flying would have been so much easier, but she couldn't chance anyone tracing her name. Airports required identification.

Every stop brought more people onto the bus, but no one seemed to get off. Inevitably someone would sit down beside her, so whenever someone approached she tried to appear asleep.

Do you mind if I sit here?

A woman's voice settled her nerves somewhat and she looked up to find a middle-aged woman carrying a small shoulder bag.

No, go ahead. She answered.

Not a very comfortable way to travel, the woman remarked.

I'm afraid nothing is very comfortable these days. Four months ago, an oversized sweatshirt hid her growing belly, but now there was no way she could go unnoticed. Already she felt herself waddling when she walked, and she had trouble bending over to pick up anything smaller than a beach ball.

My name is Carline Duquesne, I'm going to visit my sons for the holidays.

I'm Willow. She reached over awkwardly to shake the woman's hand.

How far along are you?

Eight months or so, Willow admitted without thinking.

Or so? Carline chuckled as she sat down, Typically a woman as far along as you knows to the day how long until delivery.

Things haven't been exactly been easy for me.

Carline studied Willow's face for a long moment. You've had a hard couple of months, haven't you? Running from someone? Or something?

Willow sat up in the seat, moving away from Carline and toward the window. How do you know?

The older woman smiled. Twenty years as a police officer, I've learned to read people. Don't worry, I don't know your last name, I don't know where you're going, and I'm not going to arrest you or harass you.

But... Willow glanced around the bus and shrunk back down in the seat with a sigh. I'm so tired. I've been running and hiding for so long.

You need help. Carline wasn't asking a question, she was making an observation. You have a child to take care of and you need somewhere to rest.

I'm going to stay with my sister, I'll be safe there for a time.

I have to ask, and if the answer is yes, then it's going to complicate things. Are you running from the law?

No. Willow shook her head. The opposite, actually. I'm running from someone.

The baby's father?

Yes. Willow swallowed the fear that always threatened to choke her whenever she thought about him. Not fear for herself. Fear for her baby. Heaven only knew what he’d do if he caught her. She struggled with the desire to tell someone, anyone, the horrors she had been through. This woman, this cop, was compassionate and understanding. But could she have been bought off?

As though sensing Willow’s hesitance, Carline opened her purse and dug out a thin black leather case. She opened it up and showed Willow her badge. I know you have no reason to trust me, but you can call my station and check on my record with my captain, he'd be more than happy to vouch for me. I want to help you. Carline offered Willow her phone.

Willow shook her head. I’d like to think he wouldn’t be able to pay off a cop to find me. I've been careful.

Traveling under a fake name?

Yes.

Using only cash?

Yes.

No phone calls?

None since Jacksonville.

Good. Carline tucked her badge back into her handbag and set it between her feet. Now the mother part. Have you been taking vitamins? Eating well? Drinking plenty of water?

I've been doing what I can. Willow skirted the question.

Have you had anything to eat today?

I had lunch. It was a lie, but she didn't want to inspire charity in this woman.

Now keep in mind that you don't have to tell me anything. But I'm here if you want to talk. We've got another twelve hours together on this bus, if you are traveling as far, or farther, than I am. I'm going as far as Wheaton then my son is driving me to Elston.

Willow felt her heart lurch. This woman was going the same place she was. For now she would keep that part to herself.

So have you been to the doctor at all?

I went to a clinic in Raleigh, to make sure there was nothing wrong. They said everything about the baby seems healthy.

And the due date?

They estimate sometime in late December or early January.

That's not too far away, Carline pointed out.

I know, but my sister is a nurse, she'll be there to help me if I need anything.

So how long have you been on the run?

When I found out I was pregnant, I’d been hiding for two weeks. I was about eight weeks along by then.

So you’ve been on the run six months, give or take. Carline supplied.

Yeah.

So what sent you underground?

He decided that the money I had was worth more than I was. He was going to kill me for my bank account.

Well it's a good thing you got out when you did. Carline put in. Are you sure he’s trying to hunt you down?

I inherited quite a bit of money from my grandparents, and the way he sees it, it's his for the taking, all he has to do is kill me, and he'll get my life insurance, which he took out on me less than a month before he tried to kill me the first time. He knows I got away, and he thinks I’m just a dumb broad.

Do you know for sure that he's still after you? And you know what he did isn’t legal.

Yes, I know. But legality doesn’t change the fact that he did it and made it look legal. I know he’s still following. I know he's out there.

So how do you plan on staying safe?

Once the baby is born, and safe with my sister, I'm going to go after him.

Carline studied her for a long moment. Have you reported this to the police?

Yes, they told me that I was mistaken, that there's no evidence against him, and that I was crazy to make accusations against him. Basically they told me that if any charges were filed, they would be against me for slandering his character.

Did you go to someone else? Sometimes when you get that kind of a response, it's because a cop is having a bad day.

There was only one cop to talk to. I went back a couple times but it was always the same officer, so I couldn't do anything. When Devon pulled a gun on me I ran.

You know, I can get you help. I can file a report and get things moving, call in the FBI if need be. Carline dug in her purse and came up with a business card. This has my cell phone number on it, call me if you decide to go after the bastard.

Thank you. Willow slid the card into the front pocket of her sweatshirt.

Try to sleep, I won't let anyone close.

Aren't you tired?

Carline shook her head. Too excited. I get to see my grandbaby.

Your sons have children?

One does, the other is a bit of a lone wolf, or just hasn't decided to settle down yet. My older son Rolland’s wife just had a baby. My younger son, Ryker, is the one that's going to be picking me up. Carline pulled a book from