CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Angela followed Kiara to the large black SUV that was parked near the back door. Jude stood near the back passenger door, giving them a nod as they approached.
“I’m going to sit in the back,” Kiara announced as she climbed into the SUV.
Angela slid into the middle bench seat, a bit surprised when Jude joined her, but then she saw two bodyguards in the front seats.
“Isn’t this a bit overkill?” Angela asked.
Jude glanced at her as the SUV moved away from the house. “What do you mean?”
“Three of you for just two of us?”
“Two of us will go in with you and Kiara, while one stays with the vehicle.”
It still seemed excessive, but she wasn’t up to date on all the procedures being taken for their safety. She hadn’t even asked what Jim and Craig were up to.
Maybe she should have wanted more details, but she was going to trust that Jude and his team knew what they were doing and would keep them safe.
Angela pressed a hand to her stomach, trying to quell her nerves. She had studied so much for the driver’s written exam, but tests had never been her thing. Sandra had hardly ever tested them, and when she had, if they didn’t do well, Jim got involved.
She opened her phone to the trial test she and Kiara had been using to help them study. When Jude reached out and took the phone from her, she let it slip from her hands.
“Let me help you,” Jude said when she gave him a questioning look.
Angela shifted on her seat, uneasy about showing Jude that she struggled. Finally, she gave a nod.
Because they were still avoiding Serenity, they were headed to Coeur d’Alene, which gave them plenty of time to study.
Angela tensed when Jude asked her the first question. The words seemed to blur together as she tried to recall what she'd studied. Her mind went blank for a moment, and her heart beat faster as the pressure mounted.
"You can take your time," Jude said, his voice low and calm.
She took a deep breath, focusing on the question again. "B. You should yield to the vehicle on the right."
"Correct." His smile was warm, sending a small flutter through her chest.
They continued through several more questions, and Angela found herself relaxing slightly. Jude's method of questioning was methodical but gentle, nothing like the intimidating way Jim would hover over her shoulder when Sandra had tested them.
"What does a flashing yellow light mean?" Jude asked, his shoulder brushing against hers as the SUV rounded a curve.
"Proceed with caution," Angela answered quickly, growing more confident with each correct response.
Kiara leaned forward from the back seat. "Hey, why don't I get any study help?"
"Because you got every practice question right yesterday," Angela reminded her, glancing back at her sister.
"True." Kiara grinned. "But I wouldn't mind some one-on-one time with the teacher."
Heat crept up Angela's neck at the teasing note in Kiara's voice. She looked down at her hands, suddenly very interested in her fingernails.
"We can switch if you want," she offered, though part of her didn't want to give up this moment with Jude.
"No need," Jude said, his attention remaining on Angela. "You're doing well. Let's keep going."
The warmth in his voice made Angela's pulse quicken. She tried to focus on the next question he asked, but found herself distracted by his proximity—the way his sleeve brushed against her arm when he moved, the faint scent of his cologne mixing with the leather interior of the SUV.
"Angela?" Jude prompted gently.
She realized she'd been staring at his hands as he held her phone, completely missing whatever question he'd asked. "Sorry, could you repeat that?"
"What's the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers under twenty-one?"
"Zero tolerance," she answered quickly, grateful it was an easy one.
"Right." His eyes crinkled slightly at the corners. "You know this material better than you think you do."
Angela wished she felt as confident as he did about her ability to pass the test. The closer they got to Coeur d'Alene, the more her stomach churned with anxiety. What if she failed? What if all this studying hadn't been enough?
"Hey," Jude said softly, and she realized her leg had started bouncing nervously. "You're going to do fine."
"How do you know?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.
Jude's gaze held hers for a moment that felt longer than it probably was.
"Because I've seen how hard you've been studying. And because I believe in you."
His quiet confidence stirred something inside her. Angela wanted to believe him, to borrow some of that certainty for herself.
"Thanks," she murmured.
The SUV slowed as they approached the DMV building, a plain single-story structure with a crowded parking lot. Angela's mouth went dry at the sight of all the cars. So many people. So many potential witnesses if she failed.
"Looks busy," Kiara commented, leaning forward to peer through the windshield.
"We have appointments," Jude reminded them, handing Angela back her phone. "You won't have to wait in the main line."
The driver pulled around to the entrance, and Angela took a deep breath as the engine shut off. Her palms felt clammy as she clutched her phone.
"Ready?" Jude asked.
"As I'll ever be," she replied.
Jude exited first and moved around the vehicle, scanning the area before opening Angela's door. The cold air hit her face as she stepped out, and she tugged her coat tighter around herself. Kiara bounded out behind her, seemingly unfazed by the prospect of the test ahead.
Inside, the DMV was exactly as Angela had imagined—fluorescent lighting, rows of plastic chairs filled with people waiting for their turn. The sound of muffled conversations created a constant hum of background noise.
Angela's steps felt unsteady as she followed Jude toward the information desk. Her heart hammered against her ribs, and she shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket, hoping no one would notice how nervous she was.
The woman behind the counter looked up with the practiced smile of someone who dealt with impatient people all day. "Can I help you?"
"We have appointments for written tests," Jude said, his voice calm and professional. "Angela Turner and Kiara Reynolds."
Angela startled slightly at hearing her new last name spoken aloud. She was still getting used to the idea that she was no longer Angela Reynolds. That part of her identity had been stripped away, along with everything else from her old life. And she didn’t miss it.
"Let me check," the woman said, shifting her attention to her computer screen. "Yes, here you are. You'll need to fill out these forms first, then we'll get you set up for the written portion."
The clipboard felt heavy in Angela's hands as she accepted it, though she knew that was just her nerves making everything seem more difficult than it should be.
The words swam briefly before her eyes, but then she blinked and focused on the questions—basic information about her address, her emergency contacts, whether she wore corrective lenses.
Jude guided them to a quiet corner with a few empty chairs. Angela sat down and stared at the form, realizing she didn't know what to put for some of the fields. What was her home address now? The estate? Her future house? She glanced up at Jude, who seemed to anticipate her confusion.
"You’ll need to use the business address," he said, his voice low as he sat beside her. He recited it slowly so she could write it out.
Angela filled in the form carefully, methodically printing each letter. When she reached the emergency contact section, her hand hesitated over the blank line. Should she put Kiara, like she usually did? Or should it be Duncan?
Angela wanted to write Jude’s name and number, but she wasn’t sure she should.
“Who do I put for the emergency contact?” she asked, keeping her voice low.
Jude seemed to consider it for a moment before he said, “You can put Kiara, if you’d like. It’s probably best you don’t put Duncan. You can put me or Annie.”
“You don’t mind if I put you?” she asked. “It might be better if you were the one they contacted in an emergency, not Kiara.”
Jude nodded. “That’s fine.”
Angela wrote his name in the emergency contact section, then added his number, which she’d already memorized.
Kiara had finished with her form and was looking around with a smile as she waited. "This is exciting, isn't it? Our first official ID in the real world."
The real world. That's what Kiara had taken to calling everything beyond Briar Hollow. As if their previous life had been some sort of dream—or nightmare.
"I guess," Angela murmured, trying to match her sister's enthusiasm.
When they returned the completed forms to the counter, the woman directed them to where they’d wait to be called for their test.
“You can do this,” Jude said.
The chairs were not exactly comfortable, and for someone of Jude’s size, it meant he was pressed close to her side. Angela took comfort in his presence, though she knew when it was time to take the test, she’d be on her own.
Or not.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
She had to remember that she wasn’t alone.
Please, God, give me clarity of mind. Keep my nerves from robbing me of the information I’ve worked so hard to memorize.
A touch on her hand had Angela opening her eyes. Seeing Jude’s hand on hers, Angela turned to look at him.
“It’s time,” he said. “They called your name.”
“Oh, I didn’t hear.”
Jude stood when she did and walked her to where she was to take the test.
“I’ll wait here for you.”
She heard them call Kiara’s name and glanced over to see her sister hurrying over. But before she reached them, Angela was taken to the testing terminal.
After they explained how it worked, they left her to it. Angela took a deep breath and exhaled, then said another prayer before she focused on the test.