Forbidden Falls. Робин Карр

he said. “Just call me Noah. Come on, let’s get outta here, huh?”

      When he was behind the wheel, his brain went into overdrive. Would Arnie call the police and insist the kids had been kidnapped by a small-town preacher? Would they suffer even more when they were returned because Arnie felt he had lost ground? What could happen to these kids a few weeks down the road? Was there any way to assure their safety? How would Ellie survive if something happened to them and she felt it was her fault?

      Noah listened as Ellie and the kids discussed the situation. “He said we were good enough today so we could spend the night. But we have to be back by four.”

      “Did he?” Ellie asked Noah. “Did he say they could stay over?”

      “He said we have to mind our manners and behave if we ever want another visit. Mommy, I have been doing my manners,” Danielle said. “I’ve been doing my please and thank-yous, I’ve been keeping Trevor from crying at night.”

      Noah thought furiously, that son of a bitch let them think they had earned their visit by being “good.”

      “Oh, baby,” Ellie said, tears in her voice. “Trevor, have you been scared?”

      He nodded piteously and reached for his mother, the seat belt holding him in place.

      “It’s okay, Trev—you’re very brave,” she told him, holding his hand. “Did you bring your books?”