Taken Bride (The Secret Bride 3)

I have Ember, my wife.

I have shelter and a fire to keep me warm.

I have people around me who are only good and genuine.

I have simplicity.

For now… I can breathe again.

19

Christopher

“Looks like the storm fizzled out last night,” Isaac says from behind me.

It’s first thing in the morning, after a long, sleepless night, and I’m questioning if today is the day for the descent or if tomorrow is a better day. I also can’t figure out how we go about moving Violet, and I’m wondering if I need to go down by myself, get help, and take it from there. I don’t want to leave Ember, but at the same time, I know she won’t leave without Holly and Violet.

“I don’t think it will last, however,” I say, looking up at the sky and trying to judge if the clouds in the distance are storm clouds or not.

“Those clouds will bring snow,” Isaac says, answering my question.

I sigh loudly, not sure what our next step should be. “It’s refreshing here,” I say. “Too bad this place is laced with evil.”

“They don’t want to go,” Isaac says. “I think Violet’s desperate act yesterday proved that.”

“I understand,” I reply, turning to face him. “I really do. But you don’t know Scarecrow and Richard like I do. I can’t in good faith leave those women here. And I also can’t allow Scarecrow and Richard to leave for Wyoming and be free men. They’re sick and belong behind bars. Which then leaves those women alone.”

“I moved to these mountains about ten years ago,” Isaac says as he looks out into the forest. “I live down the mountain some and near a river with a waterfall and large slabs of granite. It’s my paradise, even though you may disagree. Violet and Holly see the beauty in this land like I do.”

“It is beautiful,” I agree. “But as you said last night—no place for two women to survive alone.”

“True.”

“You couldn’t even leave them here alone,” I point out. “You were helping and watching over them.”

“True.”

“So, you understand why I feel responsible for them.”

“I do.”

“And I have my wife to think of,” I add. “Ember loves those women and will not leave without them.”

“She wants to know they’re safe,” Isaac says.

“Of course. I do too.”

“Do you have a plan? Where will you take them once you fly away from here?” Isaac asks, though I don’t get the feeling he is drilling, judging me, or even accusing me of doing something reckless. I get the feeling he generally cares and wants to help.

“I don’t know. I wish I had a concrete plan in my head, but I don’t. I impulsively hopped on a private plane to get my wife back. I didn’t have any idea what would happen after. And then when Holly and Violet were thrown into the mix.” I release a deep breath. “I don’t know.”

“I think the women are picking up on that. I think they know you don’t know what happens next. They sense it.”

“But again, whatever we do is better than what’s happening to them now. Those poor women… and no way in hell will I let Ember be here for another second without me.”

Isaac takes a deep breath, inhaling the crisp mountain air. “When I sold everything I had to move up here, people thought I had lost my mind. I was crazy for wanting to leave a lucrative business, a lavish lifestyle, and basically the American dream realized. But you know what? I was miserable. Absolutely miserable. From the little I spoke with Ember last night, it sounds like her experience in New York was the same. I can relate to that. I hate New York with a passion.”

I nod. “I won’t be going back. Everything there and the people are dead to me. I’m here cleaning up a mess caused by New York, and I won’t be repeating that mistake again.”

“I understand that feeling. I left everything behind,” Isaac says. “My past is dead to me as well.”

“Christopher?” I hear Ember’s voice call from behind me.

I turn to face her. “I’m out here talking with Isaac.”

“Can you come inside? Holly and Violet want to speak with us.”

I nod and all three of us go inside, where Holly is sitting next to Violet, who is propped up and already has renewed color in her face. She appears more comfortable and at ease, and it’s obvious that a good night’s sleep served her well. Holly also seems better. Last night, she fretted for hours, unable to settle and jumping every time Violet moved.

“We know you want to leave today,” Holly begins as we all circle around the fire where they are. “And we know why you do and can understand that. But Violet and I spoke for hours last night while you were all asleep, and we came to a decision.”