“You’re right about that. We’ll have at least two more snowstorms before it finally decides to heat up.”
He nodded. “Yes, better not take any chances.” He helped her on with the jacket. He then stepped back and stroked his chin. “You look great in it. You like it? The arms are a bit on the long side, but you’ll grow into it soon enough.”
She was smiling. She fingered the jacket sleeves. She nodded.
“Your family up here for the week?”
“Yes,” he said. “Beautiful country. We’re really enjoying ourselves.”
“I’ve lived here all my life. You can lay a twenty on two more snowstorms. Maybe they’ll hit after you’re gone. You just never know.”
He didn’t know what else to say. They’d been here too long. He wanted to get her back to the cabin. He gave Mildred a big smile, then said, “Wave good-bye to Mildred.”
She nodded to Mildred instead.
He leaned down, saying quietly so Mildred couldn’t hear, “Can I pick you up now?”
To his pleasure, she raised her arms. He tossed a bottle of baby shampoo into the cart on the way to the checkout counter. No one had given them one strange look. Everyone had been open and friendly. No more than ten people had seen them together.
Mr. Peete, the owner, was at the checkout counter. “Goodness, kid, you’ll be the best-dressed little girl in the Ferengi Range. Here, have a Tootsie Pop on the house, since your daddy’s paid our overhead for the week.”
They were out of the store after one hundred and sixty-nine dollars, and thirty-five minutes. He put the packages in the Jeep then said, “Now, I’ve got a surprise for you. See that bookstore? Let’s go.” Again, she let him carry her.
This stop took nearly as long before they got back to the Jeep He unlocked the door and put her inside. Then he straightened and stopped cold. Someone was looking at him.
4
THE HAIR PRICKLED on the back of his neck. He slowly turned but didn’t see anyone who seemed out of place or overly interested in them. There, just in the alley beside the Union 76 gas station, was there a movement? He stared hard, not moving, feeling a light breeze ruffle his hair. There was nothing at all.
Still he didn’t like it. He’d never before ignored his gut. He quickly climbed into the Jeep. She hadn’t noticed anything, thank God. She’d pulled the afghan he’d brought to keep her warm close around her, nearly hiding her face. She looked like she was ready to fall asleep. Was she tired or did she just want to escape her fear in sleep?
He looked toward the sheriff’s office just down Boulder Street. Cops might be looking for her. He knew he couldn’t keep her with him indefinitely. She had parents. At least she had a mother she loved, if her smile was any clue. He’d asked her if her mom was as cute as she was and she’d smiled. Her father? He’d find out eventually. But her mother, at least, had to be worried sick about her. But he couldn’t do it, not quite yet. What the hell had happened? He’d teased over the questions for the past six days, but hadn’t found any answers. He had to do something soon, but watching her small face pinch with fear when he turned her over to strangers wasn’t in him yet. The more time she had with him, hopefully, the stronger she’d be. Actually, it was she herself holding him back.
He looked down at the sleeping child. There was some color in her cheeks. The taut gray look she’d had even in sleep since he’d found her was finally gone. She looked like a normal little girl. He smiled at the bright colors she was wearing. He remembered the previous evening when they’d settled down for him to read to her after dinner. He’d brought up seeing the sheriff again.
This time she hadn’t just shaken her head. She’d grabbed his hand and clung to him. And then shaken her head. He hated that awful empty fear in her eyes.
“All right,” he’d said. “We’ll give it a while longer. But your parents, kiddo, they’ve got to be frantic for you.”