29. Evie

I drove awayfrom the two most important people in my life, but I had to. I couldn't let Rebel treat me like I would purposely hurt Hannah, my daughter. God, he made me so angry. No wonder he only stayed with women for two months—they would find out all his faults.

I know how panicky he gets if he isn't entirely in control of the people he loves. He has to learn that he isn't the only one who can keep someone safe.

Didn't Reaper spend an hour on the phone explaining Rebel's problem to me? This is something I needed to think about, too. Being in the same room as him didn't allow me to think clearly. I missed my daughter; I knew she was mine when she opened her eyes and smiled at me.

I saw an RV park up ahead and pulled in. I had to let the animals use the bathroom, and Cinder would be angry because she couldn't go outside like Tater. First, I let Cinder out to get to his litter box, and then I took Snookum and Tater out. Snookum hated being harnessed, but I couldn't let him run free.

I decided to stay there for the night, so I paid for a spot, and they told me where to park. I saw some families with kids nearby and was relieved others were around. I walked to the little grocery store and grabbed a few things for dinner and some more water bottles. Children wanting to visit Tater and Snookum stopped us all along the way.

When we returned, I fed the animals first and then sat down to eat. I heated up a frozen burrito in the microwave. I felt sorry for myself when the sun went down, so I climbed into bed and slept with all three animals.

Tater woke me up growling, so I sat up and got my flashlight. I looked out the window and saw two raccoons digging in the garbage can. "It's raccoons. They won't hurt you as long as you are safe in here with me."

Shoot, I let Rebel's worries about my trip spook me. I finally slept but was woken up when someone knocked on my door. I looked at the time and was surprised it was already eight. I looked out the little window and saw one of the kids there.

"Can I play with your dog?"

"I'm sorry, but we are going to be leaving. Tater doesn't have time to play. It would be best if you weren't out here alone; it's dangerous," I said, wondering which RV belonged to her. "Where are your parents?"

"Home."

"Who are you here with?"

"My grandma and grandpa."

That's when I saw two people running around calling for Hazel. "Are you Hazel?" I asked the girl.

"Yes."

"Here she is," I called out to the couple. "I told her it was dangerous for her to be out here alone."

"Oh, don't worry about Hazel. She has never met a stranger. She acts like she knows everyone we meet."

"That's what is dangerous. My sister was kidnapped by the cartel and taken to Mexico. You can't trust anyone."

"How horrible."

"Yes, it was," I agreed. I picked up Tater and Snookum and returned them inside before unhooking the RV. Then we hit the road. I was getting as bad as Rebel. That's why I couldn't sleep. I missed him so much. But he has to learn to trust me.

It was the afternoon when he called. I wasn't going to answer, but I knew he would worry. "Hello."

"Hey, sweetheart, I miss you. Where are you?"

I told him where I was and that I stayed at the RV park. I never said I missed him, even though I had to bite my tongue. This was the man I loved more than anything.

"Please drive carefully. I have to leave tomorrow. I just want you to know how much I love you. I will always love you. I'm sorry, but I have this crazy thought that if I'm not there, something terrible will happen. I have always felt safest in Grandpa's house."

"I will love you forever. Don't put chains around the people you love. We can't hide the ones we love from the world. Then they would be afraid to leave their parents' home and make their own home."

"I know that's always been my problem. I didn't want anyone to leave our home. I still drive Reaper and Spartan crazy. Would you like to say hello to Hannah?"

"Mommy, home." I pulled over to the side of the road, and my tears fell as I talked to my baby girl.

"Mommy loves you, sweetpea."

"Mommy home."

"I have to go now; you will always be my baby girl. Goodbye."

"Bye, Mommy," I hung up the phone and cried. Damn it, I don't want to hurt my child. I would deliver these animals, and then I would go home. I would help Rebel overcome his fixation on being the only one who could care for everyone.

I couldn't wait to get to Kylie's house; I was ready to be rid of her animals. Cinder got sick and wouldn't stop vomiting. Tater cried to be let out of his carrier, but I knew if I did, he would become a problem with going to the bathroom everywhere.

I stopped at another RV park, cleaned the animals up, and aired out the RV. We had a picnic before we hit the road again. I drove until dark, then got a room at a Best Western. We would get to Kylie's by late morning, and then I was trading the RV in for a new SUV. I would rather stay in a room, shower, and not worry about someone breaking into my RV while I was sleeping.

Allison called me that night. "Hey, where are you?"

"I'm in Florida, stopped at a Best Western, and am trading the RV in as soon as I get to Tampa. Rebel has me spooked about being on the road alone. How is my baby doing?"

"She misses her mommy."

"I miss her too. Rebel was right. It would have been too hard with her and the animals. But that's not what I have a problem with. That's something Rebel has to work through himself. He should have been in counseling when his parents died. I'll help him as much as possible, but if I want to take my kids to Walmart, I'm taking them to Walmart."

Allison chuckled. "You stick to your guns, girl. We can't let these men think we are spineless."

"Exactly. I'll see you in two days. Don't tell Rebel; I miss my baby girl."

"She's going to be so happy to see you. Benni said she's taking her shopping and sending Rebel photos of her having fun." I chuckled.

* * *

I soldmy RV to Kylie's neighbor and flew back home. I had a taxi take me to the dealership, and I picked out a beautiful Subaru SUV. Then Snookum and I drove home.

I was so excited to see Hannah. When I pulled up in the yard, she was on the porch. As I stepped out of the vehicle, Hannah saw me and started crying. When I picked her up, she squeezed my neck and wouldn't let go.

I gave her as many kisses as she gave me. Allison chuckled. "Welcome back. I see you got your new car."

"Yes, I love it."