Free Code of Silence by Heather Woodhaven

registered as a possible reason why her muscles wouldn’t relax. She accepted and wrapped the throw around herself in such a way that she could lean against the wall while she read. “I’d say this was more of a thankfulness journal than a diary.”
    Luke pulled out the box of chocolates again, this time sampling one before offering her the box. “These kept better than the granola bars.” He jutted his chin toward the journal. “Not a bad idea. My mom always told me that joy was something on the outside expressed by faith on the inside. She said the key was focusing on whatever was true, noble, right, pure, admirable—”
    â€œYou’re paraphrasing another verse in Philippians.”
    â€œâ€”lovely...”
    His eyes looked straight into hers when he said the last word, warming her from head to toe. She dropped her gaze back to her mother’s writing and wondered if her hair had steamed dry. The thought brought a smile to her face. “You better put those away,” she said, referring to the chocolate box. “We can’t run for our lives if we have a stomachache.”
    â€œSee?” He grinned. “That’s hopeful talk.”
    * * *
    Luke jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. “Rodrigo’s only been drilling on the door that leads to your mother’s room. What if we slipped out the door that goes into your room?”
    â€œDo you remember what that door felt like? It’s a beast to unlock and move. There’s no quick in and out.”
    Luke placed his hands on his hips. “So we do our best. And, if we don’t succeed, and he catches us, we offer him the cash.”
    Her head darted around. “Where is it?”
    Luke lifted a drawstring bag from behind the storage container. “I gathered it while you were reading.” He handed it to her. “Roughly thirty-five thousand dollars.”
    â€œYou counted it?”
    He hoped the darkness worked in his favor as his face flushed. The allure of money had always been strong and something he battled. He knew he could only serve one master and had decided long ago the Lord would always win, but there was something about stacks of cash...and he knew someone as sweet and giving as Gabriella would never understand that. “It made sense to count while I picked it up.”
    She kept her head down but lifted her eyes. “You think he might take it and leave?”
    Luke wanted to say yes, but in his heart he knew. “No. At most it’ll be a distraction. Although, I pray I’m wrong, and he leaves.”
    Gabriella nodded.
    â€œSo we’re in agreement? We try to make a run for it?”
    â€œDoesn’t it make more sense to wait until he starts drilling again?”
    Luke shook his head. “No, that’d make him closer.”
    â€œBut the noise of the drill would actually work in our favor as we open the opposite door. Besides, we won’t know where he is if he’s not drilling.”
    â€œFair point, but then we’d have to walk down the hallway to get to the stairs. He’d see us. There’s no way we could avoid him then.”
    She reached for his hands, her eyes wide. “Remember? There’s a fire safety ladder underneath my bed. If we timed it right and were quiet, we could go out the window.” Her eyes drifted down. “Your leg. It wouldn’t be easy.”
    The mere mention made his wound throb, but he couldn’t let that stop the means to her safety. “You don’t worry about that. My arms can do most of the work.”
    She smirked. “Good at the monkey bars, were you?”
    â€œI don’t know about that, but my dad often told me and my brothers to stop monkeying around.” He stepped closer to their possible escape. “So we’re agreed. He starts drilling and we—”
    â€œGo to the barn,” she finished.
    â€œGo to the police,” he said simultaneously.
    She growled.