2. Sammie

That first month after we left, I lived on prayers and cheap food from convenience stores. At night, with Chloe sleeping soundly beside me in whatever cheap motel we stayed in, I prayed to God, begging him to forgive me and send me answers about what I should do next. When I did manage to fall asleep, memories of that night haunted my dreams. There were too many unanswered questions. Would there come a time when my daughter would ask me what had happened that fateful night? Worse yet, would she remember any of it? I'd decided during the days of soul-searching, as we traveled north on the Greyhound bus, that I would not lie to her. I owed her that much. Regardless, the thought of it filled me with the kind of dread I imagined those on death row felt. It was only a matter of borrowed time before everything came crashing down around me.

If I could get Chloe raised and ready for a fulfilling life of her own, then I would face whatever waited for me. My little girl was the only good thing I'd ever done, and I wanted to give her a chance for a joyful, free existence. All my energy and attention must remain on her.

I wasn't sorry John was dead. That surprised me a little. Yes, it had been an accident. I hadn't meant to kill him, just defend myself. Still, I'd have thought I would feel at least a tinge of remorse that the man I'd once loved was dead. Instead, knowing he no longer walked the earth gave me the only real peace I had these days. Even if his family came after me, he could no longer hurt me or Chloe. The bruises and broken bones were a thing of the past. I no longer had to be frightened every moment of every day.

By the time we arrived in Bluefern, Montana, Chloe and I had been on the run for almost a month. In Bozeman, I'd bought a reliable used SUV with cash. After that, we'd spent a week here and there, all in small towns in western Montana. I only stayed a week in each place, usually in a cheap roadside motel. I paid cash for everything. People gave me weird looks, but I just smiled and said I'd saved all my pennies for years to take a fun trip with my daughter. That seemed to satisfy most people. All I needed was someone to get suspicious and start digging around on the internet.

Strangely enough, all I found about John's death was his obituary in Fremont"s local paper. I'd assumed his death and presumed murder would be all over the news. I'd envisioned a statewide manhunt for his missing wife and daughter. Wanted signs everywhere. Instead, the obituary didn't even mention how he died. Even odder? There wasn't a word about my disappearance. I was only mentioned as a survivor. What did people think had happened to Chloe and me? He'd never had any social media accounts, so there were no clues there either. This should have made me rest easier, but I knew the truth.

John's family would know it was me who had been the last to see him. They would assume I'd killed him, especially since I ran away with Chloe. His family wanted to take care of me themselves, without getting the police involved. Or they wanted to find me and punish me before turning me in to the authorities.

Chloe wasn't exactly thriving in the new circumstances she found herself. She'd loved preschool and socializing with the kids, playing outside, and doing crafts. Spending our days in cruddy hotel rooms was a far cry from visits to the park and the library. The guilt crushed my spirit. Then, however, I would remember why I'd been forced to leave and that my most important job was to keep my daughter safe.

A few days before Thanksgiving, while searching for our next place to stay, I'd come across the website for Crescent Moon Ranch. It was a dude ranch, with horses and cattle and adorable cabins. I'd immediately thought it was the perfect way for Chloe and me to spend our first Thanksgiving alone. I'd made a reservation for four nights. A bit of a splurge, but it would be fun for Chloe if the promises of their online brochure were true.

The moment we turned down the dirt road toward the ranch, Chloe had quieted, perhaps as taken with the vast, sweeping landscape as I. When we arrived at a parking lot with signs that pointed in the direction of the cabin office, I unbuckled Chloe from her car seat, and we walked down a stone path toward the office. As we grew near, I stopped for a moment and stood hand in hand with my daughter, taking in the vast skies that stretched from horizon to horizon. Beyond the buildings, grassland dotted with sagebrush and pine trees was framed by a mountain range in the distance.

A variety of sounds greeted us. Birds chirped. Wind rustled through long grasses in the meadow adjacent to the barn and stables. An additional low murmur of other activities, including horses neighing, the clank of horseshoes, and voices of staff as they went about their daily chores provided background. Scents of pine, earth, and the distant smoke of a campfire wafted all around us.we

"Mama, we stay here?" Chloe looked up at me with her sweet blue eyes.

"Yes, for the weekend. Doesn't it look fun?"

She didn't answer, breaking away from me and running up the path. I followed behind, smiling at the sight of her short legs in a pair of jeans pounding along the dirt trail.

The ranch itself was a collection of rustic, yet charming wooden buildings. The Bunkhouse was obviously a restaurant. I remembered from the website that it had been the original building for the ranch's staff but had been renovated into a bar and restaurant. I spotted people throughout a bank of windows dining. Several others, bundled up for the cool weather, enjoyed a beverage on the patio. Guest cabins nestled among trees or overlooked scenic vistas. A red barn and stables with horses were located not far from the restaurant. A gorgeous farmhouse with a wraparound porch stood in the center of things. I knew from the brochure that it was the original family home and still occupied by some of the Moon family. Well-worn paths led into the surrounding wilderness.

I unexpectedly shivered. There was something so familiar about the setting, as if I'd been here before. I had a sudden memory. Daddy and I had taken a camping trip to Montana one summer. I'd been around eight. Had we driven through here? We'd eaten food around the campfire and gone on hikes. One day we'd swum in a river. I could still remember the clear water, so unlike the lakes and rivers in the south. I could see all the way to the bottom where fish swam among the rocks.

At night, Daddy had been sure to lock all the food in the car in case a hungry bear showed up at our campsite. I'd been afraid of bears coming into our tent. Even my big, strong father wouldn't be able to fight off a bear. None of that had happened. Instead, we'd had a wonderful week. Was that why I'd been drawn to the idea of Montana? I hadn't thought of the connection until this very moment.

Chloe ran ahead, toward the office. She waited for me on the patio; we went inside together. A young woman sat behind a counter, working on a computer. At the sound of the bell that hung over the door, she stood, greeting us with a friendly smile. Slight, with long, dark blond hair and pretty blue eyes. One of those pert noses and a full mouth that made her look as though she could play the girl next door in an old-timey movie. Probably from California, I thought.

That assumption was tossed aside when she welcomed us in a crisp British accent. "Welcome to Crescent Moon Ranch." Her perfectly shaped brows came together. "What name is the reservation under?"

"Sammie Scott?" I hadn't meant for it to sound like a question. It would take some time for me to get used to my new last name.

Chloe clung to my leg. She'd started doing this since we'd been on the run, as if she were afraid, I would leave her.

"Yes, here you are. It'll be quiet here for the next few days. Thad says it's always slow around Thanksgiving but gets busier at Christmas. I've only just started working here, so this is my first holiday season." She gave me another dazzling smile. Straight white teeth.

"I'm Finley, by the way. You're here for four nights, is that right?"

"Yes. I'm Sammie, and this is Chloe."

"I've put you in cabin C. They're all pretty much the same, but this one is decorated in pink." She grinned and winked at Chloe, who beamed back at her.

Finley had what Daddy would have called a sunny disposition, which worked well in this type of position. Regardless, there was a quality just under the surface that told me she'd been through hard times. Someone had hurt her—a betrayal of some kind. If things were different, we might have been friends. Not now, though. I couldn't let anyone get close enough to guess all my secrets.

"She loves pink," I said with a nod at Chloe.

"I did when I was her age too. Well, actually, I still do." Finley peeked over the counter. "Chloe, would you like one of our stuffed mascots?"

Chloe didn't say anything, but I could tell she was intrigued by the way she shifted her weight from foot to foot. "What mascot?"

"It's like a thing that brings good luck to a club or group," Finley said. "Anyone under twelve who stays here gets one."

"Yes, thank you," Chloe said.

Finley reached under the counter and came up with the strangest-looking stuffed animal I'd ever seen. Bright purple in color with a fluffy coat, the creature looked like a combination of a piglet and a puppy, with long ears and a fluffy tail.

"What is it?" I asked.

"This is a Slurfpig," Finley said. "It's a family mantra for the Moons. They recently made a stuffed animal to give out to our young guests. The explanation of its origin is in the story tied around its neck."

Chloe did not seem to think it as strange-looking as I. Her eyes had gone round, and she was hugging it to her chest as if it were her long-lost best friend.

"Looks like you have a happy guest," I said.

Finley spent the next few minutes getting us checked in, then asked for a credit card. A few weeks back, I'd opened a new bank account with my fake name and taken out a credit card in case I needed one. I handed it to her, feeling like a criminal. My hands were all sweaty, and my heart pounded. However, the card went through, and I signed the bill just as the bell over the door jingled.

I turned, as I always did when someone was behind me, to see a man about my age walking into the lobby. He wore designer jeans and an immaculate button-down shirt paired with a blue jacket. The tips of his cowboy boots were covered with mud, making his appearance a juxtaposition. Floppy brown hair and hazel eyes, an olive complexion, and a wide, smiling mouth. Good Lord. This was a good-looking man.

"Hey there." He had a silky voice like warm caramel melting in my mouth. "Welcome to Crescent Moon Ranch. I'm Thad Moon."

"It's nice to meet you," I said, barely louder than a whisper. John had called me a timid mouse, not just because I was small but because of my innate shyness.

"They're just checking in," Finley said from behind the counter. "Staying for the long weekend."

"Great." He knelt to say hello to Chloe. "I see you have a Slurfpig. Do you like him?"

"She's a girl," Chloe said, still clutching the strange stuffed animal to her chest.

She was protecting it from harm, I thought. An instinct born from her father's cruelty. I cursed him silently.

"Right, of course. How could I get that mixed up?" Thad said.

"Don't know. She's purple."

"You know your colors?" Thad asked.

"Yes." Chloe nodded solemnly. "I go school."

"You're a big, grown-up girl. Are you excited to see some animals? We have horses and a pig and a whole bunch of chickens." Thad remained kneeling, speaking to her in a grown-up voice instead of the baby talk adults so often did.

"Yes sir." Chloe moved closer to him, inspecting his face as if she were memorizing all the details for a quiz later. One hand let go of Slurfpig and she reached over to touch his hair before I could stop her. "Soft."

He grinned. "Thank you. I've been using a new conditioner."

"Mama gives me that too," Chloe said. "Are you having turkey?"

"For Thanksgiving? You bet I am. How about you?"

"I don't know," Chloe said.

"Well, I'll make a deal with you. I'll find out where you can get some turkey, okay?" Thad asked.

"Okay." Chloe looked up at me. "Mama likes turkey."

Thad straightened. "Even more reason to find some, then."

I found my gaze locked to his for a moment before I came to my senses. "Is the restaurant open for Thanksgiving dinner?"

"Yes, we have a buffet that day," Thad said. "My brother's the chef at the Bunkhouse and believe me, you're in for a treat all weekend."

"Wonderful," I murmured.

"Let me walk you to your cabin," Thad said. "And show you around."

I thanked him, said goodbye to Finley, and followed Thad and Chloe out the door. They were holding hands. Apparently, my daughter found him as beguiling as I.

* * *

That night,I lay awake in our cabin listening to the sounds on the ranch. There weren't many. An occasional hoot of an owl and the sounds of geese heading south. We'd only been here for an afternoon and evening, and already Chloe seemed more relaxed. She'd giggled during our trip to see the animals and even agreed to sit on a horse with Soren Moon, the brother who took care of the animals and ranch activities, behind her. We'd had a wonderful dinner at the restaurant, splurging instead of eating the meager supplies I'd brought with us.

I was falling for this place fast.

Did I have to leave Bluefern and the ranch? I'd noticed they seemed short-staffed during dinner. I had waitress experience. No references, unfortunately. No internet presence. Would they hire someone like that?

Would it be worth asking if there were any positions available? If they'd hire me, I'd have to find a place to live. A quick glance at an online rental site hadn't yielded much in the way of temporary housing. However, if I got a job here, I could figure out where to live afterward. Endless supplies of cash were not overflowing my pocketbook, obviously, but I had enough for a deposit and first month's rent.

Finally, I rolled onto my side facing Chloe and closed my eyes. There was nothing I could do tonight, so I may as well get some rest. Tomorrow I would ask about a job. It couldn't hurt. Right?

The next morning, I stopped by the office right after breakfast. Like yesterday, Finley was at the front desk. She was on a footstool hanging garland but jumped down to greet us. "Good morning, you two. How'd you sleep?"

"Very well, thanks," I said. "Chloe did too. The dinner we had last night was amazing."

"Yes, Caspian's very talented," Finley said. "Do you need anything?"

My stomach fluttered with nerves. John's voice echoed through my head. Dumb. Worthless. No skills. I pushed it aside and focused on Finley's warm smile. "I was wondering if…well…I'm looking for work. Are there any openings here at the ranch?"

"I'm not sure," Finley said, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. "What kind of position are you looking for?"

"I have waitressing experience. That's all, though."

Chloe had let go of my hand to stare at the pile of Christmas decorations on the counter. She wasn't touching anything, but I felt the need to warn her anyway. "Honey, you may look but don't touch."

"Okay, Mama."

Finley hurried behind the counter and tugged open a drawer in a cabinet, coming up with a small box of crayons and a coloring book. "Would you like to color a picture, Chloe?"

Chloe looked up at me to make sure it was all right. "Yes, you may color, but what do you say?"

"Thank you," Chloe said. She couldn't really say her th sound, so it sounded more like fank you.

"Thad just stepped out to take something over to one of the guests, but he'll be back any minute if you'd like to ask him."

"Are there apartments to rent around here?" I asked Finley. Places that didn't require a background check or bank statements?

"Not many. I'm renting a room from a woman not far from here. She's nice and doesn't charge me much. But Elliot, our pastry chef, she stays at the motel in town. Frankly, it's a little dodgy, but she said it's all she could find. If there was anything else, she would have taken it by now."

"That's too bad." My spirits plummeted. What good would a job be if we had no place to stay? Panic that lived just beneath the surface rose up, dampening my palms with perspiration.

The door to the office opened and Thad Moon walked in carrying a parcel wrapped in butcher paper. Scents of herbs and butter filled the room. "I brought you breakfast," he said to Finley. "Caspian sent it over—it's a new sandwich he wants everyone's opinion on."

"Lovely. I shall take my responsibilities very seriously." Finley snatched the sandwich and put it behind the counter.

"Ms. Scott, is there something we can get you?" Thad asked. He had one of those faces that creased when he smiled or laughed, even though it was obvious he wasn't much older than me. Looking into his warm hazel eyes, I couldn't find my tongue.

"Um, yes."

"She's wondering if we have any job openings," Finley said, rescuing me. "She has experience waitressing."

Thad's brows lifted; he rocked back on his heels. "A job? Here?"

"If there are any openings, I'd love to be considered," I said in my best professional voice.

"We don't usually have guests inquire about employment," he said.

"Really?" I asked meekly, my thoughts tumbling and bouncing around my head. Did he think me strange asking for work? The cabins weren't super expensive, but they also weren't like the cheap rooms I'd been staying in. He probably thought anyone who stayed here would not need a job. There were too many holes in my story. How would I ever get a job here or anywhere?

"I'm not sure if Caspian has any spots at the restaurant, but it wouldn't surprise me." Thad's brow furrowed as he studied me. "Are you planning on staying here for long? In Bluefern?"

"I don't know. Depends on if I have a job or not. We're kind of…starting fresh. Chloe and me."

"Bluefern's a great place to do that," Thad said. "Tell you what, come into my office and we can talk some more about what you're looking for. I'd offer you housekeeping, but tips would be much better over at the restaurant."

Finley offered to keep an eye on Chloe, so I followed him into a small office. A desk and file cabinets took up most of the space. His desk was neat as a pin, other than an abandoned cup of coffee with a film of cream over the top and a stack of Christmas cards. Upon closer inspection, I saw that the cards featured a photograph of the ranch covered in snow.

"Excuse the mess. We send cards out to every guest we've ever had." He gestured toward the guest chair. "Please, have a seat."

Glad to have a chance to press my shaking knees together, I did so.

Thad sat, moving the coffee cup to the far end of the desk. "I forgot I left that here. I'm constantly doing that. Sometimes I find a cup in the microwave. Anyway, what brought you to Bluefern?"

I swallowed. Just say it as I practiced, I told myself. Nothing to it. "I've had a change of circumstances and needed a new start. I'm from Philly but always dreamed of moving west." All lies. I'd never been to Philadelphia in my life.

"May I ask what kind of changes?" He held up his hand. "Never mind. Forget I asked that. None of my business, plus it's not appropriate for me to ask that in an interview."

"No problem." I splayed my hands over my jean-clad knees.

"Do you have a résumé, by any chance?"

My pulse quickened. "No. I don't have one. Or references."

"Why's that exactly?" Remarkably his expression didn't change. His eyes remained soft, almost sympathetic.

"I know it sounds bad, and it is. I mean, it's just that…" Fighting tears, I trailed off. What was I supposed to say?

"Whatever you left or whomever you left—you don't want them to know where you went. Is that right?"

I stared at him, helpless to think of anything to say. "Um. Yeah. That's right."

He picked up a pen and absently twirled it like a baton between his fingers. "I'm going to ask you this, and I don't want you to take it the wrong way. I mean no offense, but are you hiding from someone who hurt you? A man?"

Although the bruises had faded weeks ago, I found myself touching my neck where John had choked me.

"Is that why you picked Montana?" Thad asked. "So, he can't find you?"

"Something like that." All the saliva in my mouth had evaporated. "Does this mean you can't hire me?"

He tugged at the collar of his black sweater. "Do you think he can find you?"

Finally, something I could answer without lying or fudging the truth. "No, he can't. I'm sure of that."

"Good." He didn't speak for a few seconds, clearly sizing me up.

"I won't bring you or your family any trouble." Was that true? God, I hoped so. "I just need a job and a place to live. Chloe and I like it here."

Thad unfolded his lean body out of the chair and went to the small window, looking out at the view of the Rocky Mountains. "This ranch has been in my family for generations. My mother almost lost it because she married the wrong man. When my father deserted her, she had five little boys and a ranch she couldn't afford to keep." He turned back to look at me. "We understand about fresh starts here."

I swallowed. A tiny surge of hope fluttered in my stomach. "I'm a hard worker. I'll take whatever work you have."

"We're having Thanksgiving over at my brother Atticus's house." He fluttered his fingers toward the window.

"Right. Of course. It's the holiday. I don't expect an answer immediately."

"No, it's not that. I was wondering if you and Chloe wanted to join us for dinner. You can meet the whole family. We like to get to know the people we hire, especially if they plan to stick around a while. It'll be my four brothers and my parents, plus a few strays."

"Would Chloe and I count as strays?" I asked, smiling at the image.

"By strays, I mean friends and employees who have no place to go." He lifted his shoulders in a sheepish shrug. "Not like feral cats or anything."

"Right, of course." I giggled, feeling suddenly young and carefree.

"What do you say? You and Chloe up for it?"

"We would be honored to join you. Is there anything I can bring?" What could it hurt? If it helped me get the job, then all the better. I just had to be careful not to reveal too much. As friendly as people seemed here, this was not my home. I couldn't let myself grow complacent. Protecting Chloe was my only job in this world, and I could not mess it up.

* * *

The day after Thanksgiving,Chloe and I both slept later than usual. We'd had such a good time at the Moon family dinner that we'd come back to the cabin exhausted but happy.

Caspian had asked that I stop by this morning so we could talk about the position. After a shower, I dressed and made a cup of coffee from the machine in my cabin. While I drank it, I gave Chloe some cereal and milk for her breakfast. My stomach was in knots, so I couldn't eat. Maybe later, after I knew one way or the other if we'd be staying. Just thinking of an interview made me want to run away. What if he started asking a bunch of questions I couldn't answer?

I'd just finished dressing when there was a knock on my cabin door. I peeked through the peephole to see Thad standing on the small porch.

I opened the door to invite him in. No sooner had I done that than Chloe threw herself against his legs. He picked her up and tossed her into the air. She squealed and then wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. I was amazed by this. She'd always been afraid of men. But last night she'd snuggled right up to him to watch a movie while I played games with Finley and Elliot. I'd had so much fun I'd almost forgotten the truth about my circumstances. They'd come rushing back this morning.

"Sorry to barge in like this," Thad said, setting Chloe down to the floor. "But I had an idea I wanted to run by you."

"Sure." We sat at the round table by the window. I actually drew the curtains back. Out of habit, I kept them closed, but there was no reason to here.

"I talked to Soren and Caspian about your situation."

I must have looked worried because he shook his head. "Not about your need for privacy, but about your need for work and a home."

"What did they say?" I asked in a small voice, sure it would be bad news. I braced myself, clenching my stomach muscles. It was fine. I would just head somewhere else. There were small towns everywhere with diners and restaurants. I'd find something down the road.

"They agreed that hiring you at the restaurant was a great idea. Caspian said he always needs more help during the holidays."

"Really?" I pressed my fingers against my throat. "I won't let you guys down. I promise."

"There's something else, though." Thad played with the slight cleft on his chin, pinching it between his fingers and thumb. "I hope this won't scare you away, but we have a spare bedroom at the farmhouse."

"The one on the property? Where you all live?" I asked, sure I was misunderstanding.

"That's right. We all grew up there, but now Caspian, Soren, and I share it."

"Right, I picked that up last night. Your parents moved to a different house."

"That's correct. Anyway, we have an extra room there. Actually, it's the bedroom Mama and Pop used to share. None of us felt right moving in there, but it's nice and big. You and Chloe would have a lot of room. And, of course, access to the rest of the house. You'd have to put up with us, but it would be better than some dingy apartment, especially for Chloe. We have a great kitchen and family room, which you could use as you wanted. You'd be part of the family, so to speak."

"Are you saying I could rent the room, or am I misunderstanding you?" This was not happening. No way could one family be this nice.

"Yes, that's what I'm saying."

"How much is the rent?" I thought to ask, before I got ahead of myself.

"We've never rented it out, but how does five hundred a month sound? You don't need to worry about paying us right away."

My mouth dropped open. "Five hundred?"

"Is that too much? Caspian says the tips are really good at the restaurant."

"No, no. It's not too much. It seems too little."

"You'll have to share a house with a bunch of smelly guys. Any higher would be obscene."

I laughed. "None of you smelled bad yesterday."

"You haven't smelled Soren after a day with the animals. Caspian comes home smelling of grease. There's also the kitchen. We're not the tidiest of humans. Not that we'd expect you to clean up after us or anything like that."

"I'll be cooking meals for Chloe and me," I said. "Will that be a problem?"

"Not at all. Caspian usually eats at work and sends something over for Soren and me, so the kitchen's pretty much free. Other than the mornings. We all love to have coffee and catch up, a habit from when we were kids. Mama always had a hot breakfast for us. We're like homing pigeons or something. Drawn to that kitchen like our mother's still there."

"I'm happy to cook a meal or two if you guys wanted. My—" Good Lord. I'd almost said, "my husband." "I've never won any prizes for my meals, but I know how to keep people alive."

"That's better than Soren and me. We're spoiled because of Caspian." He placed his hands palm-down on the desk. "No need to commit now. I'm sure you'll want to see the inside of the house first."

"No, I'll take it." I smiled, amazed by my good fortune. "Thank you."

I had no idea what was in store for me, but my gut told me the Moon family had just changed my life for the better.