CHAPTER THREE
KATE
My hands shake as I scroll down through the article. I anticipated that my father would eventually reach out to the press. I guess I had a small hope that he wouldn't or that it would be a few weeks.
It does, however, make me believe that Dr. Lovell didn’t tell my father anything.
Otherwise he would have shown up here days ago.
The more time that passes, the quieter it’s become, and I’ve started to relax.
My bruises are fading, but I know I can’t stay.
Leaving here is my only option. The clock is already ticking down to the time that he finds out that I'm here.
My face has been all over the news this morning.
I'm not sure anyone here has noticed yet, but it's only a matter of time.
The girls here have been so sweet, and I don't think anyone would out me, but I can’t be too careful.
My father has already offered a reward for any information, and money makes people do bad things.
When he figures out where I am, he and the press might show up. The girls here don't need that. My father can be vindictive, and he wouldn't stop until he had this place shut down and leveled. I'm not putting everyone here at risk.
For once, my father stayed true to his word and told the press that he's worried about my safety because of my mental state.
He said that since losing my mother, I've become depressed and irrational.
He all but implied that I've lost my mind and have been making up ludicrous stories. He’s laying the groundwork that he needs to put me away.
In the interview, his eyes were filled with tears, which I know were fake.
The man really can put on a performance.
I tab out of the articles and shut down the computer I was using in the media room.
I wave at a few of the girls and smile as I pass by them on the way to my room.
As soon as I’m there, I grab all my things and start shoving them into my bag.
It's going to be hard sneaking out of here without anyone knowing. People are free to come and go, but I worry they will try and stop me. They might even believe that they can protect me, but they don’t know what my father is capable of.
When I'm done packing, I double-check the room to make sure I'm not missing anything. My thoughts drift back to Dr. Lovell. I'm not sure why, but they seem to keep doing that. I’ve dreamt about him too. I’m not sure if he's someone I can trust, no matter how much I want to believe he’s one of the good ones.
Thankfully when I head back downstairs, no one is hanging out in the common area. I make a stop in the pantry and shove a few of the items into my bag. It's not much, but it should hold me over for a few days.
I decide the exit at the back of the house might be the best way to slip out without getting a million and one questions directed at me.
I'm almost at the end of the hallway when I hear a couple of female voices headed my way. I hurry into the closest room and carefully close the door. I hold my breath and back away from the door as they get closer. But when I turn around, my stomach drops. Somehow out of all the places I could have chosen to hide, I went into Dr. Lovell’s exam room.
And of course, he’s standing there staring right at me. Shit. I'm so busted.
"Dr. Lovell," I say, trying to sound casual.
"Wynn," he says. "You can call me Wynn."
"Sorry, Wynn. I didn't know anyone was in here. I must have taken a wrong turn." I force a smile, but I can tell he doesn't believe me.
"You're leaving." His eyes go to my bag, and I have no choice but to drop the pretense. There’s no way to lie my way out of this.
"It's for the best,” I say, trying not to sound defeated. “And don't try to talk me out of it."
"All right," he agrees, leaning against the counter.
"All right?" That was far too easy.
"Kate, we both know I know who you are," he says gently while I just stare at him. "I want you to know that I didn't tell anyone."
I’m in shock for half a second before I process what he’s saying. "Thank you."
"You thought I would?” he asks, and I shrug. "Well, not everything is how it appears."
Is he trying to tell me that him knowing my father personally might not be what I think it is?
"If anyone should know that, it's me." How the world perceives my family is drastically different from reality.
"Where are you planning on going? There’s a winter storm coming."
Crap, I should have checked the weather, but honestly, it’s not going to change my mind.
"I haven't thought that far ahead."
"Maybe you should stay until you do." I'm already shaking my head before he can finish his suggestion.
"He put up a reward for information on finding me. I'm not going to put Farrow Haven at risk. It does too much good."
"Come home with me,” he says.
"Seriously?" I momentarily wonder if I dreamed that response and my father might be right. I’ve lost it.
"No one would guess you'd be in my home. You'd be safe there."
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” It’s tempting, though. Does he live alone? I don’t see a ring on his finger, but that doesn’t mean much these days.
“I think it’s better than your idea.” He raises an eyebrow in challenge, and I press my lips together. He’s not wrong. “Kate, think about it. You can lay low for weeks or even months at my place and he’ll never find you.”
“Why would you do that?” Who wants a random person in their space? Not only for a couple of days either. He’s offering a lot more than that.
“I volunteer here because I believe in what Farrow Haven is doing. No matter what you think you know about me, I would never put someone in danger. Not here or outside of these walls.”
"I’m not sure," I say, but there’s hesitation behind my words. I want to trust him, but should I?
"I can see that you've got your mind made up on leaving. Stay with me for a few days, at least until the storm passes, then decide."
"Why should I trust you?" I search his face, hoping I’ll be able to see the truth.
"Because we're going to tell Juliet, and only her, that you'll be coming with me. That way someone you can trust knows where you are."
Juliet is the woman who turned her childhood home into Farrow Haven. She was so sweet and understanding when I arrived, and if there’s one person I know I can trust, it’s her.
"Okay," I say. I don't think I'd last long out on the streets without a clue where to go, but I can’t stay here and put the other women at risk.
Wynn's whole posture relaxes, and I’m pretty sure that mine does too. I guess we’re both relieved to have a plan in place.