Hide Away by Iris Johansen Page A

gone. Because it seemed right. I tried to pray for her, but I— It wasn’t what— I want to go to a church. Could I do that?”
    â€œOf course. After we get you settled, I’ll arrange for it. You choose the church, and I’ll see that you get there tomorrow.”
    â€œThank you.” She looked out at the lake. “Though this is so peaceful, it’s kind of like a church, isn’t it? I just think that Elena would like me to go to church to pray for her. No matter where we settled, she made sure that she took me to confession and Mass.”
    â€œWhatever you like,” Eve said gently. “A prayer is a prayer. It’s the thought and the love behind it that matters.” She opened the front door. “Now come in and let’s get you settled. Joe is going to want to take you around and show you the property.”

 
    CHAPTER
    3
    Eve smiled as she watched Joe and Cara stroll down the path that led around the lake. It reminded her of the many times she had watched Joe and Jane over the years. Cara wasn’t speaking, and her attitude was reticent, but that was how Jane had been in the beginning, defensive, wary. It had taken months for her to accept Joe after they had taken her off the streets. She and Eve had an instant rapport, but Joe was different. Jane had been in so many foster homes that she didn’t trust anyone. But Joe had changed that, Joe always managed to change everything.
    She turned away and went back into the house. It was good to be home, but she had things to do. She had to check her messages and see if there was anything pressing. She had put her other assignments on hold to do the reconstruction of Cara’s sister, Jenny. There were probably several impatient messages asking when she was going to complete their projects.
    She got a cup of coffee and picked up her phone to start going through them.
    She’d just begun to scroll down when her phone rang.
    Jane.
    She hadn’t heard from her since before she left for California, when Jane had arrived back in London.
    A little odd that she was calling her the minute Eve returned?
    â€œHi, Jane. What’s been happening? Have you been settling into—”
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me you were in the hospital?”
    Apparently not odd at all. “It wasn’t important. A little knock on the head. I’d have been in and out of the ER except Joe overreacted.”
    â€œJoe tends to do that with you. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have called me.”
    â€œI was hoping you would never know about it. For heaven’s sake, you’re in London. Why worry you about nothing?” She added grimly, “However, someone evidently saw fit to do that. Should I guess?”
    â€œMargaret.”
    â€œThat was my first guess.”
    â€œShe thought I should know. She said that you’d sent her on her way, and she didn’t think that you and Joe should be left without reinforcements. Good God, what have you gotten yourself into?”
    â€œI’m certain Margaret told you in detail.”
    â€œOf course she did. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She paused. “What about this little girl? How is she doing?”
    â€œAs well as can be expected. Cara’s very strong, she reminds me a little of you.”
    â€œI haven’t been very strong lately. No wonder you didn’t trust me. I practically fell apart on you before I left Atlanta.”
    â€œYou had a right. Trevor was shot and killed before your eyes. And you knew it was because he was trying to save you. It takes a long time to get over a trauma like that. I don’t believe you ever really get over it. You just learn to live with it.”
    â€œYes, and it’s a tough lesson. But I didn’t have to worry you as I did.” She changed the subject. “But that’s my problem. We’re talking about yours. How do you want to handle this? Do you want me