Chapter 31 Thomas
THOMAS
“When do you think we can contact our families?” Hannah asks once I join her on the wooden swings after taking a dip in the pond with Arson.
She closes the book she's been reading and sets it on her lap, looking over at me with a soft smile. Arson lounges in the grass in front of us as he dries off, his fur glistening with water droplets. He’s shaken out quite a few times, but he has so much fur that he’s still pretty wet.
My stomach twists. “I checked the burner phone this morning, and there is still nothing,” I admit. We’ve been here for nearly two weeks now, and while they never gave us a concrete answer on when to expect news, I’d hoped we would have heard something by now.
Hannah sighs, her body deflating.
“I’ll text Elena when we go inside. Surely, they have information for us by now,” I say, wanting to rid the look of sadness off of Hannah’s face.
“Okay. I’m just worried. I mean, what if something happened?”
“If something happened, they would have contacted us, no question,” I reply, reaching out to take her hand. Her palm is warm, the heat sending a zing up my arm.
“You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
A set of padding, rapid footsteps distracts me from our conversation.
A look at Arson shows that he’s in the same spot, looking as confused as I am.
All of a sudden, a blur of feathers flies by us.
Hannah shrieks, and Arson stands up in a staggered movement, letting out an attempt at a snarl that turns into more of a heavy inhale.
Arson is left in the dust as Dave the emu blazes by him. He’s so confused, it’s almost comical. He’s been around the giant bird a bit at this point, but he’s still not fully used to him. His tail is wagging, so he’s not too terribly stressed out by the abrupt entrance and exit of Dave.
“Well, that was something,” Hannah chuckles. I look behind us to see Dave chilling on the tree line. He’s looking at us with such curiosity, and he starts moving closer to us.
“Oh, here he comes,” I say with a laugh.
Hannah turns to look behind her. She smiles as Dave saunters to us, his feathers fluttering in the soft breeze. Dave stops right behind Hannah, tilting his head in curiosity before his long neck cranes downward to rest on her shoulder.
“What do I do?” she asks in a whisper. “Do I pet him?”
“Sure?” I laugh, reaching out to pet him. He makes a low thumping noise deep in his chest.
“What was that?” Hannah’s eyes widen. I touch his soft feathers, smoothing my hand over them.
“I think that’s the noise they make. Ron was telling me about it the other day. I had no idea. I thought maybe they clucked or squawked or something, but it’s that low thumping sound. It’s super weird.”
“Huh,” Hannah says curiously, moving her hand slowly to pet Dave.
Arson walks over to Hannah, flopping his head on her lap. I’m not sure if he thinks he needs to protect her from the emu, but he’s in protection mode. I love that he is as protective of my girl as I am.
As swiftly as he arrived, Dave flits off and back to the main farm area. Hannah reaches her palm back down to Arson. “Aw, were you jealous, pretty boy?” she croons.
Arson groans as she scratches under his jaw.
“I’ll take that as a yes. I think they could be friends once they get more comfortable around each other,” she says.
“I think so too,” I confirm. “He just needs to realize Dave isn’t going to hurt you.”
“Is that what he was doing?” Hannah questions.
“I think so. Probably wanted to keep a close eye on our girl.” I swing closer to her, kissing her cheek.
“Our girl?” she remarks.
“Yep,” I reply, leaving no room for argument. “We’re a package deal, me and him.”
“A two-for-one special?” she teases.
“Exactly, freckles. Want to head inside?”
She agrees, and I reach out, taking her hand and leading us inside. The burner phone sits in the middle of the small kitchen table. I grab it and turn it on, hoping that there is a new text from Elena.
At first, nothing comes through, then the phone buzzes in my palm with a message. “Han, there’s a message,” I call to her.
She’s at my side in an instant. “What does it say?”
I shift the phone so we can both read her message.
Elena
Sorry it’s been so long without an update. We have been slowly working on the investigation, and arrested three suspects last night. I don’t have much more than that, but it’s something. Hope to have you two home in the next few weeks.
You can contact your families today, but then turn the phone back off as soon as you’re done. With the arrests we made, we have more confidence that the people intending to harm you are behind bars. Everyone in your families is safe, and Henry is recovering well.
I let out a heavy sigh of relief, knowing that both our families are well, and that Henry is recovering. Hannah does the same, her hand trembling as she clutches her chest.
I set the phone on the table, and take her hands in mine. “Hey, we’re okay. Everyone’s okay.”
Her eyes well with tears as she looks up at me. “I don’t know why I’m emotional. We haven’t even called them yet.”
“Probably because you’ve been worried for nearly two weeks, and having that confirmation settled your nerves,” I explain, pushing her hair behind her ear and cupping her cheek. “Come on, let’s call your grandma. It will help.”
I help her sit at the table, scooting my chair close to hers and wrapping an arm around her shoulder, hoping to provide comfort. If I had it my way, I would pull her into my lap, but I’m not sure she’d like that right now.
I hand her the phone and tell her to dial. The line rings and rings, until it picks up. “Hello?” a woman's voice comes on the line.
“Grandma?” Hannah greets, her voice shaking.
“Hannah, is that you?”
“Yes,” Hannah responds.
“Oh, my sweet girl. How are you? Are you okay?”
“I’m okay. We got the okay to call you today, and I needed to check in. Are you okay? Are you safe?”
“I'm safe,” her grandma replies. “Julia and Tiff have been staying with me, even though I’ve told them a million times I’m fine. I think they need me more than I need them.”
That makes Hannah chuckle, and I’m glad to see her humor returning. “I’m glad they’re staying there. Are they there now?”
“They’re out back. I’ll yell at them.” In the background, there’s scuffling, and then the distant sound of her grandma yelling Tiff and Julia’s names. “Here they come.”
“Hannah?” Julia’s voice is next on the line. “Oh my god, we’ve been worried sick. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Hannah says. “Thomas is taking really good care of me. We’re in a nice little cottage, and the people hosting us are so sweet.”
“Thank goodness,” her grandma says. “It’s so good to hear your voice, Hannah.”
“Yours too,” Hannah replies, her entire body relaxing. They chat for a few minutes, asking me how I am before Julia asks Hannah to step away for a private conversation.
I shift my arm off of her and stand. “I’ll go outside. Let me know when you’re done, and we can call my family next.”
Hannah looks up with me, and nods. “Thanks. It won’t be long.”
I lean down, kissing her lips quickly. “I’ll be outside if you need me, freckles.” With that, I head outside, leaving Hannah some much needed alone time with her family.
I wish it was a Sunday morning so I could know that all my family was together at Sunday brunch, but it’s okay. Whoever I can get a hold of will be great.