Free brides for brothers 15 - a randall hero by judy christenberry Page B

had learned to recognize those sounds. She got out of bed and hurried to the crib.
    “Hello, sweet angel. I know you’re awake and want your bottle, but we need to get you all dry first. See, here’s a dry diaper. They make you feel good, don’t they?”
    After she fastened the diaper, she pulled Emma’s nightgown down. “Now you’re ready for your bottle. Let’s go fix it so you can drink it down. Then we’ll have to go.”
    She kept telling herself they were doing the right thing. But she didn’t believe it. She didn’t want to leave. John was wonderful and he’d promised to protect her. But she couldn’t ask that of him. He shouldn’t risk his life for someone who didn’t, couldn’t, give back to him.
    But she must not confess that to John.
    She fixed Emma’s bottle and sat in the rocker—for the last time—to feed her. Emma gladly sucked on the bottle, not realizing she’d soon be leaving this comfortable home.
    After burping Emma, she rose and put the baby back in her crib. Then she went to her own room and got the backpack out of the closet. She packed one change of clothes for herself in the bottom of the pack. Then she went to Emma’s room and hurriedly picked out as many pieces of baby clothing as she could get in the bag with room left at the top for the powdered food that she could mix with water to make bottles.
    After that, she went to the kitchen and made up another bottle to have ready when Emma woke up three or four hours later.
    Packing it, she shrugged the backpack on one shoulder and headed for Emma’s room. She gently picked up her baby and wrapped her in a blanket, then covered her with another, heavier one.
    Taking a deep breath, she said goodbye to the Randalls and tiptoed to the back door.
    Till a deep voice, one that she recognized, said, “Going somewhere?”

Chapter Seven
    Lucy almost dropped her most precious bundle, she was so startled.
    She clutched the baby tightly. “Wh-what are you doing out here?”
    “Waiting for you. Where are you going?”
    Sighing, she mustered her courage and faced him. “John, I have to go. Will you give me a ride to Rawhide so I can get my car?”
    “Why?”
    “Because I need it. How else will I get away?”
    “Why are you leaving?”
    Lucy swallowed hard. “I—I don’t want you to suffer. It’s better if I go away.”
    “And does Emma deserve that?”
    “I’ll take care of Emma.”
    “And if your husband finds you?”
    “As long as I keep moving, he won’t find me.” At least she prayed that was true.
    John reached out for Emma. “Give her to me before you squeeze all the air out of her.”
    “No, I—” Conceding, she let John take her baby.
    “How are you, little Emma? Was Mommy squeezing you?”
    “No!” Lucy answered in place of Emma. “I—I’ll take care of her.”
    He started back into the house. “Come in to the kitchen. Let’s have a cup of coffee.”
    “I need to leave, John. I—I have to reach my car before dawn.”
    “Sit down,” he ordered, and began putting on coffee with one hand, holding Emma with the other.
    Realizing she wasn’t going to convince him without talking things over, she took over the coffee-making duties.
    John moved to a chair and held Emma in his arms, talking to the sleeping baby.
    She couldn’t help listening.
    “Your mama thinks she’s doing the best she can for you, but she’s wrong. I don’t know why she’s doing this. She won’t give me a reason, but she can’t have a good enough reason to put you at risk.”
    Her hands jerked and she spilled coffee. Wiping up the mess, she said nothing.
    John continued, “She needs to understand that nothing she feels would make this move worthwhile. Whether she tells me the reason or not.”
    Lucy sat down at the table knowing she had no choice now but to tell him the truth. Taking a deep breath she said, “I don’t think you and your parents realize how difficult Cecil is. He wouldn’t hesitate to kill you if you stood in his