Out of the Storm by Kevin V. Symmons Page B

lot was an oversized acre of low, rolling grass dotted with red maples, oaks, and the Cape’s traditional white pines. A pristine pond sat to the left, guarded by tall grass, separating the lot from their neighbors. Conservation land bordered the property to the right. The house was an estate sale at a bargain price. Eric had heard about it from one of his customers. The property was perfect.
    “Do you think we can afford it?” Elaine took his hand and asked when the broker went to answer a call on her cell.
    Eric had done the math. Despite the owner’s need to sell, it was still more than they wanted to pay. It would be tight for a few years. He was just getting the marina back in shape, and Elaine’s salary as a music teacher was modest. But it was an incredible opportunity. As he watched his wife’s eyes sparkle and the loving, reverent way she touched everything in the house, Eric knew there was no choice.
    “Sure. It may mean postponing that European vacation for a couple of years,” he told her. They’d both studied French and talked of spending a month touring Normandy, the Loire Region, and Provence. That was just a dream. This pristine home was a reality and she was right: it was everything a young couple could hope for. “Let’s do it.” He nodded.
    She ran across the kitchen and hugged him so tightly he couldn’t breathe. “We’ll be so happy here. Just wait and see…”
    “It’s real nice here,” Kylie said as she sat down on the step next to Eric’s chair. Rusty joined her, wagging his stubby tail with enthusiasm. The little girl touched his curly head lovingly and studied the generous yard. “Just like she promised.”
    “Promised?” Eric asked. “Someone said it would be nice here, Kylie?”
    She looked up and put her lips together, nodding, her large eyes fixed on him. “Yes, sir. Mommy promised. Just like heaven.” A sudden look of regret crossed her tiny face. Had she said something she shouldn’t have?
    “Your mommy said that, Kylie?”
    She shrugged. “I…I’m sorry. She made me promise. I’m not s’posed to tell,” she whispered. Her eyes filled up as she studied the porch floor. Kylie looked toward the small pond. “Can I go look at the lake now?”
    She looked as if she was about to break into tears. Eric didn’t want to interrogate her. She’d had enough for today.
    “Sure, honey. You and Rusty go check out the pond.” He let it go. If anyone had explaining to do, it was Ashley. “Just be careful,” he added.
    Eric watched her scoot down the steps and run off to the small pond, Rusty at her heels. He was still thinking about what she’d said. Ashley had promised it would be like heaven. A bribe? An incentive to get Kylie’s buy-in for the trip? Or…was it possible that Ashley believed what she’d told Kylie?
    He heard the door open and smelled the pleasant scent of Lu’s perfume. She saw Kylie and shouted a warning. “Stay back. Don’t get too close.”
    “Don’t worry. I won’t. ’Sides, I can swim real good.” For the first time since their arrival, Kylie smiled as she and Rusty explored the pond and the tall grass surrounding it.
    Eric looked toward his mother-in-law, turning Kylie’s words over in his mind.
    He felt her eyes studying him. “You okay? You look confused.”
    Eric shook his head. “I’m not surprised.”

Chapter Nine
    “Nothing?” Eric asked, following Kylie and Rusty with his eyes. The giant pink teddy bear sat propped on the lawn, a spectator to his new owner’s adventures. “Nothing about how they got here? No details about their life?”
    “I wasn’t there the whole time. Becky asked me to leave. But I was in the room when Becky asked Kylie how she and Ashley got here. Kylie looked frightened and whispered that she slept a lot. Said she didn’t wake up till they got here in the rain. Just remembered being so cold and tired. The poor kid even shivered as she talked. If it was an act, this child deserves the Academy