Chapter 54

54

Her name was Annabeth, she was fifty-nine years old, and she'd worked on a small ranch for more years than Powell had been alive. Her cell phone was almost as old. By the time Powell had a signal on the older phone, they were pulling into the parking lot. At FCGH.

Powell wasn't even certain how they'd gotten there.

"I know you said the police, but honey, you are going here first. For the baby."

Powell had told Annabeth all about the baby. About Gunnar and how much all Powell wanted was to see him again. To be with him.

Powell just nodded. There would be help inside. People she knew.

She climbed out of the truck and let Annabeth help her inside. And then she just stopped. And waited. Right there. In the lobby of FCGH. She just waited.

" Powell!" someone called her name. "Powell! Thank God!"

Powell turned.

Her cousin Turner's wife stood right there in pale green scrubs. Annie's sweetly pretty face was absolutely shocked. She came running. Powell reached a hand for her.

Annie would get help. She was safe now. She knew it.

There were others coming. Her friend Shelby's brother, Allen. He was Jake's brother-in-law. Murdoch's brother-in-law was there too. Caine or Rafe. They were identical, but Powell had always been able to tell them apart. Caine was a little wilder looking. Powell just looked into his face. "They still have Heather. They still have Heather, Rafe. I didn't know what to do. Four, seven, nine, T. That was the first four on the plate. They forced her into the truck, and they drove away. After I escaped. Heather…she distracted them. So I could escape. We have to get her back. We have to."

"Someone call the TSP," Rafe ordered. Then he lifted her onto a gurney so carefully. She was safe. She was with Zoey's brother now. And Shelby's. She was safe. "It'll be okay, Powell. We'll take care of you now."

"But what about Heather?"