In Shadows by Chandler McGrew Page A

corner of the church surrounded by utter silence and darkness, sensing that—for all his mother’s reassurances—the world outside was growing darker still. And there was nothing at all that she could do about it.

RNIE WALKED M ANDI and Pierce to their car. “Thanks again,” he said, patting her on the shoulder as she slipped behind the wheel.
    She looked out toward the dark woods. “You know I’m always happy to help.”
    Ernie frowned. “Why don’t you and Pierce come and stay with Pam and me for a while?”
    She considered the offer for a moment. “No. You’ve got company already. We’ll be all right.”
    “Maybe you two shouldn’t be alone right now.”
    “We’ll be fine,” said Mandi. “I’ll keep the doors locked. And I’ll call if I get nervous.”
    He lightly touched her arm. “All right. You do that, then. But drive careful. If you change your mind you just hop back in the car and head on up, any time, day or night.”
    “Thanks, Ernie,” she said, rolling up her window as he backed away and waved.
    She pulled down the long drive, following Barbara’s ancient Buick. Why anyone would live in the north woods andown a dinosaur like that, Mandi couldn’t understand. Her own Subaru was eight years old, but at least it had four-wheel drive. As the old lady pulled away up the valley, Mandi turned toward home.
    But she couldn’t help but think about the young hitchhiker. What if she had stopped to pick the girl up or offered her a place to stay for the night? She would probably be alive right now instead of lying on a cold morgue table. She was someone’s little girl. . ..
    But Mandi knew there was only so much room in her heart for guilt. And for eight years—ever since Pierce’s accident—it had been overflowing. She had made the choice between offering assistance to a stranger and rushing home to take care of Pierce. She would always make the same decision.
    Without the other car ahead to help light the way the forest loomed ominously all around. She glanced at Pierce, but he was facing out the window.
    Just then a large buck shot out of the trees, almost colliding with her grille. She slammed on the brakes, reaching for Pierce at the same time. The tires slung gravel, and the woods seemed suddenly closer. Pierce grasped her hand, questioning her with his fingers, but she ignored him, bending to peer through the windshield as they coasted down the road.
    She pulled over to catch her breath, Pierce still signing feverishly into her hand. She signed back, trying not to shake, but she knew he would read her anxiety.
    What happened?
he asked.
    We almost hit a deer.
    Wow.
    She squinted, trying to see into the dark forest. Why had the animal burst out of the woods like that? She thought ofCramer’s grizzly bear and smiled. But the buck was definitely running from
something.
    Is it gone?
signed Pierce.
    Yes.
    Too bad.
    Too bad we didn’t hit it?
    We could have had barbecued deer.
    She shoved his shoulder, and he grinned.
    They rest of the ride home was uneventful, but as Mandi climbed out of the car she continued watching the woods, barely managing to shrug off her anxiety while she waited for Pierce to make his way up the ramp into the house. She flicked on the kitchen lights as he headed for the bathroom. Pouring herself a glass of milk from the fridge, she stared out the window into the night. As she sipped the milk she sensed Jake slipping back into her mind.
    She couldn’t help but compare what she had shared with Jake with the life she had had with Rich. The two were like opposite poles of a magnet. Jake had always been so gentle, sweet, and loving, while Rich wanted her for only one thing. Being so close to Jake tonight had been wonderful and painful at the same time. Regardless of what she had said to him, she had known in her heart all along that whatever had driven him from the valley, it hadn’t been another woman. And tonight in his eyes she’d seen the same old hurt she knew was