Safe Haven(71)
She hated the questions Jo had raised, because she wasn’t ready to face them. You have no idea what I’ve been through, she’d wanted to say afterward, once she had time to think about it. You have no idea what my husband is like. But even she knew that begged the question.
Leaving her breakfast dishes in the sink, she walked through the small cottage, thinking how much had changed in the last few months. She owned virtually nothing, but felt like she had more than ever. She felt loved for the first time in years. She’d never been a parent, but she found herself thinking and worrying about Kristen and Josh when she least expected it. She knew she couldn’t predict the future, and yet she was struck with the sudden certainty that leaving this new existence behind was inconceivable.
What had Jo once said to her? I just tell people what they already know but are afraid to admit to themselves.
Reflecting on her words, she knew exactly what she had to do.
* * *
“Sure,” Alex said to her, after she related her request. She could tell he was surprised, but he also seemed encouraged. “When do you want to start?”
“How about today?” she suggested. “If you have any time.”
He looked around the store. There was only one person eating in the grill area, and Roger was leaning against the counter, chatting with him.
“Hey, Roger? Do you think you could watch the register for an hour?”
“No problem, boss,” Roger said. He stayed where he was; Alex knew he wouldn’t come up front unless necessary. But on a weekday morning, after the initial rush, he didn’t expect many people in the store, so Alex didn’t mind. He moved out from behind the register.
“You ready?”
“Not really.” She hugged herself nervously. “But it’s something I should know how to do.”
They left the store, walking toward his jeep. Climbing in, she could feel his gaze on her.
“Why the sudden rush to learn how to drive?” he asked. “Is the bike not good enough?” he teased.
“The bike is all I need,” she said. “But I want to get a driver’s license.”
He reached for the car keys before pausing. He turned back to her again, and as he stared at her, she caught a glimpse of the investigator he used to be. He was alert and she sensed his caution. “Learning how to drive is only part of it. To get a license, the state requires identification. Birth certificate, social security card, things like that.”
“I know,” she said.
He chose his words carefully. “Information like that can be tracked,” he pointed out. “If you get a license, people might be able to find you.”
“I’m already using a safe social security number,” she said. “If Kevin knew about it, he would have tracked me down already. And if I’m going to stay in Southport, it’s something I need to do.”
He shook his head. “Katie…”
She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “It’s okay,” she said. “My name’s not Katie, remember?”
He traced the curve of her cheek with his finger. “To me, you’ll always be Katie.”
She smiled. “I have a secret,” she said. “My hair isn’t naturally brown. I’m really a blond.”
He sat back, processing this new information. “Are you sure you want to be telling me this?”
“I figure you’ll find out eventually, anyway. Who knows? Maybe I’ll go back to being a blond one day.”
“What’s this all about? Wanting to learn how to drive, volunteering information?”
“You told me I could trust you.” She shrugged. “I believe you.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes,” she said. “I feel like I can tell you anything.”
He studied their hands, locked together on the seat divider, before looking at her. “Then I’ll cut to the chase. Are you sure your documents will hold up? They can’t be copies. They have to be originals.”
“I know,” she said.
He knew better than to ask anything more. He reached for the keys but didn’t start the engine.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Since you want to learn how to drive, we may as well start now.” He opened the door and got out. “Let’s get you behind the wheel.”
They switched places. As soon as Katie was behind the wheel, Alex pointed out the basics: gas and brake pedals, how to put the car in gear, turn signals, lights and wipers, gauges on the dashboard. It was always best to start at the beginning.
“You ready?” he asked.
“I think so,” she said, concentrating.
“Since it’s not a manual transmission, you use only one foot. It’s either on the accelerator or the brake, okay?”