No River Too Wide by Emilie Richards Page A

this.”
    “Go ahead. I’ll start dinner.”
    Jan answered and took the phone into the living area, where she hoped she wouldn’t disturb Taylor.
    “Bea?” she asked.
    “You okay?”
    “I’m fine, but, well, there’s been a change of plans.” Briefly Jan outlined what she, Harmony and Taylor had come up with. Then she waited, expecting Bea to protest.
    “That’s as good as any idea the rest of us had,” Bea said instead. “I like it.”
    “Really?”
    “Nothing sacred about New Hampshire, woman. That was just one place to store you for a while. I might be worried if you were staying right there with your girl, but it sounds like you’ll be far enough away to make a difference. Nothing beats being with friends who’ll watch out for you, either.”
    “I’m worried if Rex finds me, he might hurt my hostess or her daughter.”
    “You need to remember something. We’ve done this more than fifty times. We never had nobody traced. So he’s not going to find you, and if he does, Rex won’t hurt nobody but you. He’s not on drugs. He don’t even drink, so he keeps his head more than some and calculates. He thinks he’s a big man in the community, so he’s not going to risk that. Your friends will be safe, and I think you will be, too. You just be careful, and if you get too worried, we’ll move you again. Get yourself a better phone for everyday use, only use cash, no credit, and don’t give them any info. Keep this phone just to call me, add minutes here and there and I’ll know who’s calling when I see the number.”
    “Do you know if anybody’s seen him yet?”
    “Nobody’s sighted the man, so they’re still sifting the ashes, and far as I know the authorities aren’t looking anyplace else for him. Not yet.”
    “Where could he be?”
    “The minute we know, we’ll be watching him. You just go on and start your new life. Be careful, but not so careful you’re not happy.”
    “You’ve been so wonderful. How can I repay you?”
    “Just help somebody else when you can.”
    Jan said goodbye and put the phone back in her pocket before she turned.
    Taylor, at the counter, didn’t pretend she hadn’t heard the conversation. “Just so you know, while you were unpacking I called the friend I mentioned and asked her opinion on whether it’s too much of a risk to have you here. She’s a nurse with some experience with domestic violence. She said the first two years after you leave a situation like yours are the most dangerous, and you’ll have to be careful, but putting distance between you was important and positive, the best thing you could have done.”
    “That’s what I’ve been told.”
    “There aren’t any guarantees, Jan, but after I told her how careful you were getting away, she said if we observe security precautions here, if you’re careful to vary your routine, get your mail somewhere else, use a different name, then we’ll most likely be safe. If he does show up, then we go to the police. They take stalking seriously, and under some circumstances it’s a felony. Harmony witnessed your husband’s abuse. The police won’t be able to blow this off.”
    “I didn’t think...” Jan’s voice trailed off.
    “What?”
    “ Everyone seems to think it’s okay to stay here, even the people who brought me this far.”
    “That’s who you were talking to.” It was more of a statement than a question.
    “She wished me well, and she told me to call her directly if I need help.”
    Taylor motioned to a stool in front of the counter. “Come have your wine and something to munch on.”
    Jan did as she was told, something she was particularly good at. She ate a cracker with a slice of cheese and waited for her stomach to reject it. But instead the food made her hungrier. She took a second, then a sip of the wine.
    “I only poured you a little,” Taylor said. “On an empty stomach it’s twice as powerful. But let me know if you’d like more.”
    “Less is better, I