Free Lost and Found by Lorhainne Eckhart Page A

second night she’d snuck out. Barefoot with no coat , she’d taken his truck keys and had started the engine before he ripped open the driver’s door and yanked the keys from the ignition, pulling her from the truck kicking and screaming as he carried her back in the house. She knew he was tired, and he started hiding the keys. He installed deadbolts on both doors, the kind that need a key to open, and he hid those keys too.
    But as she leaned back into the plump pillow of the window seat , she dozed and wondered when Richard had changed. There was something solid and older about him. Some wisdom and a nurturing side that never existed before.
    When she opened her eyes, Maggie sat straight up. Richard appeared upset and yelled at whoever was on the phone. Then he shoved his cell phone in his pocket and raised a fist in the air. He stomped toward the woodshed and scooped up an armload of wood.
    The screen door hinges squeaked, and Richard’s heavy footsteps creaked on the oak floor. Maggie listened to him fill the wood box, stuff more wood in the wood stove and close it up. Maggie gazed at her fluffy pink slippers just as she felt him appear in the archway. She looked up into those magnetic blue eyes and saw the familiar concern as he watched over her.
    “I need to run into town, I won’t be long. Do you think you’ll be okay until I get back?” He hesitated as if holding his breath. Either he’d trust her or lock her in.
    “I’m good.”
    “Okay…” He hesitated again. She noticed the dark circles under his eyes, the day old beard, and his shaggy hair was a little more mussed than usual.
    “Richard , is everything okay?” She slid around and started to get up. To go to him, but he shook his head.
    “Don’t get up. Stay comfortable.”
    “Richard , is something going on? I saw you out there on the phone. You look upset. And I know you’re tired.”
    He flicked his fingers through his hair , spiking it up. He let out a heavy sigh and appeared impatient.
    “Maggie , I got to go. I’ll call Diane and ask her to come over.” Well I guess he didn’t trust me after all.
    “No, Richard . I don’t need Diane to come and babysit me. Please don’t call her.” This time she did get up and walked straight toward him. She touched his arm, and she could feel him tighten. Maybe he’d enough of her problems. “Why won’t you tell me what’s going on? I can feel it. I know I put you , everyone, through a lot. Is this about me ? Do you want me to leave?”
    “Maggie , you’re not leaving. Stop reading something into nothing. And stop asking questions . I don’t want to get into it now . I’ve got a lot on my plate , ” He snapped, closing his eyes for a second as he let out another heavy sigh.
    Why is he shutting me out?
    “Richard, please.” She shook his arm gently. This time his face softened , and the way he watched her let her know love still lived there, but it was tinged by a lifetime of hurt and pain.
    He cupped her cheek, caressing the pad of his thumb over her cheekbone. “I won’t be long Maggie, stay in the house. Promise me.”
    “I won’t leave.” She placed her hand over his, the one touching her face. A second later he pulled away and left. Maggie stayed where she was as she listened to the door close and realized Richard pause d a few seconds before hurrying down the stairs. S he let out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding. He didn’t lock the door. Trust was a shaky thing to rebuild.
    Maggie wandered into the kitchen , leaned against the kitchen sink looked through the window, and watched as Richard drove his truck a little faster than usual up the long gravel driveway. Where was he going? Was he meeting someone? Would he tell her when he returned? She hoped so .
    She shivered and rubbed her hands up and down her arms. Even though she wore a heavy sweatshirt , she had a hard time staying warm. She grabbed her bulky sweater off the hook by the door and pulled it on as she