Part 10 (1/2)
”Now what do you have to be sorry for?” Aurora got to her feet. ”Come on, let's go pack our things and this nice man will take us somewhere safe.”
Daniel stepped in then and his voice sounded hoa.r.s.e. ”Mrs. Farrell, that's not possible. Arrangements have been made for you to visit Serena.”
”Serena? She lives in a small country town. What will I do there?”
”Visit with your granddaughter, Ethan and Ja.s.sy,” Daniel replied.
”Yes, I would enjoy that. But no one plays bridge in Junction Flat.”
Sarah chuckled through her tears. ”Gran, I love you.”
”I love you, too, Sarah.”
For the first time Sarah believed that, really believed it. Through the turmoil, it made clear all the confusion inside of her. She wanted to be loved and she was. Now she could face this nightmare.
”Mrs. Ferguson plays bridge,” Sarah reminded her.
”Yes, she does, doesn't she?”
”See? It won't be so bad in Junction Flat and Ja.s.sy will keep you entertained.”
”But I don't see why I can't go with you. You don't need to be alone at a time like this.”
Sarah raised an eyebrow. ”You can't play bridge if you're with me.”
Aurora waved her hand, her diamond rings catching the light. ”That doesn't matter. As long as you're safe, I'd give up bridge for the rest of my life.”
Sarah bit her lip, unable to speak. Daniel stepped in again.
”Then, for Sarah, pack your bags and say goodbye. Someone will take you to the airport soon.”
Aurora looked at Sarah. ”Is this what you want?”
”Yes, Gran. Thanks for offering. It means more than you'll ever know, but I want you somewhere safe.”
”I want you safe, too,” Aurora cried, and the two women clung together. Sarah quickly gathered herself and took Gran's hand.
”I'll help you pack.”
While Gran called her friends to let them know she'd be gone for a few days, Sarah called Karen on her cell phone to apprise her of the situation. She was shocked, understandably so, but offered Sarah all the time she needed and promised to take care of Sarah's clients, especially Brooke Wallace. Sarah told Karen she would be calling Brooke, though. She wouldn't desert Brooke without a word. Sarah then called Celia, who became very upset, ranting and raving about the Dallas police and their incompetence.
”Celia, it's not their fault,” Sarah told her. ”They're doing everything they can to keep me safe.”
”Honey, I'm just so worried. I may not be your real grandmother, but I do love you.”
Sarah closed her eyes suddenly feeling so much love that she had trouble breathing. ”I know, Celia. I love you, too. I'll call you as soon as I can.”
”Okay, honey, you be careful.”
Sarah clicked off, staring at the phone. Aurora and Celia loved her, but in different ways. That difference didn't lessen the strength-it only made these two women very special to her.
Thirty minutes later, Aurora and Sarah were clinging to each other at the front door where two officers were waiting to take Aurora to the airport.
Aurora turned to Daniel. ”Take good care of my granddaughter, Detective Garrett, because if anything happens to her, you'll have to answer to me.”
”Yes, ma'am, I'll remember that.”
As Sarah closed the door she turned to stare at the man standing behind her. She would now put her life in Daniel's hands, a man she'd resented for so long. It surprised her that it was so easy, but she trusted him-of that there was no doubt. After tonight, her life would never be the same again and neither would her feelings for Daniel.
CHAPTER SEVEN.
AFTER GRAN LEFT things happened so fast that Sarah didn't have time to think. She had just finished packing a small overnight bag when a young officer arrived. Daniel introduced him as Chad Thomas. Tall, blue-eyed Chad didn't look old enough to be a policeman, but after a few minutes Sarah could see he was all business.
Daniel gave her a policeman's uniform to put on. If someone was watching the house, he didn't want them to see her leave. The uniform was big, but she made do, belting the pants tightly at the waist and tucking her hair beneath the cap. The three walked from the house to the garage where Daniel had parked his car. He got into the driver's seat with Chad at his side and she took the back seat. They'd left some lights on in the house to make it look as if she was still at home. Daniel backed out and headed into the night.
He drove to the Dallas police station where they changed cars. Daniel drove and drove, getting on and off the freeway several times. On Daniel's instructions, Sarah removed the uniform to reveal her regular clothes underneath as he drove up to a large motel. Chad went in to get a room.
Sarah had seen the motel many times on her drive from Fort Worth into Dallas each day to work. But she'd never been here.
”Are you okay back there?” Daniel asked.
”Yes.”
Daniel could see her through the rearview mirror. ”It would be best to remove the cap, too. Don't want you looking suspicious.”
”Or ridiculous.” She shook her hair loose. ”I just forgot about it.”
Daniel smiled. At least she was maintaining a sense of humor. She was going to need it in the days ahead.
Chad came back and they went into the room. It was a large suite, a bedroom and a sitting area with a microwave and a small refrigerator. Sarah went into the bedroom with her carryall.
Daniel was talking to Chad, then Chad left.
”Where'd he go?” Sarah asked.
”Home to get some rest. I'll stay during the night and he'll stay during the day.”
”Oh.”
He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small gun. Holding it in the palm of his hand, he said, ”Take it.”
She stared at the gun, then at him. ”I don't know anything about guns.”
”It's just a precaution. If someone gets past Chad or me, you'll need to defend yourself.”
She'd occasionally moved Greg's gun from the table, the counter, the bath vanity-places where he'd leave it in her way. But she'd never fired one and her blood ran cold at the thought.