Page 30 of Lightning in a Mason Jar

Story time concluded, with the head librarian directing the children to tables for crafts—making paper-bag puppets of the story characters. Thea pushed Libby’s wheelchair toward a lounge area in back. June followed, waving for Bailey Rae to join them in the same spot where Aunt Winnie used to have bagged lunches with her friends while Bailey Rae finished her homework.

June pulled over an extra chair. “What’s this I hear about the police being called to your place last night?”

Bailey Rae slung her leather backpack onto the table. “Turned out to be a great big nothing burger. Skeeter barked up a storm. There were some footprints, but no one around. We heard a four-wheeler crank to life in the distance, but that could have been any number of people.”

June shook her head, a newly purple streak of hair sliding forward. “I’m just glad you’re all right.”

Bailey Rae squeezed Libby’s gnarled hand. “Thank you for loaning Keith to us.”

Sniffing, Thea mumbled under her breath, “Not much of a sacrifice, if you ask me. Skeeter would be more help than that man.”

Libby just smiled, not appearing to take offense, which was the best way to deal with Thea. “Well, Gia’s husband wouldn’t know that.”

Bailey Rae nodded. “You’re right, Mrs. Libby. Martin Perez stuck around too. He parked his truck at the top of the road.”

Thea asked, “What happens now?”

“Martin located another shelter. I’m not clear on the details, but we’ll drive them over together this evening.”

Libby’s face furrowed. “I hope Gia doesn’t go back to her husband. It’s harder to leave than people think.” The fog cleared from her gray eyes. “I had a cousin in a similar situation. She barely escaped with her life.”

The result of that outcome weighed heavy on Bailey Rae’s conscience. “I’m not sure what else I can do.”

June slid an arm around her shoulders in a familiar half hug. “Honey, you have done as much as possible. Just reach out to her when you can. She’ll need support.”

Libby leaned forward, elbows on the table. “But use a burner so he can’t track you down if he takes her phone.”

Suddenly, Libby’s advice for Gia to hide her car made more sense. “I’m sorry about your cousin.” Libby’s face creased in confusion, but Bailey Rae knew better than to press her. “Thank you again for pitchingin. I know I’m the one who volunteered to help Gia and Cricket, which makes them my responsibility.”

Thea tugged her ever-present white gloves more securely in place before stepping behind Libby’s wheelchair again. “We ladies need to stick together.” She leaned over Libby’s shoulder. “Let’s go find that son of yours.”

June bustled alongside, her sassy purple streak glowing under the fluorescent lights. “Bailey Rae, now you call us if you need anything. Anything at all.”

Clustered together, the three moved almost as one on their way toward the entrance and its wheelchair ramp. An image of them from the past superimposed itself in her mind, the three of them walking arm in arm with Winnie, all of them with straight spines and fire in their steps.

Winnie’s death had hit them hard, adding fresh gray to their hair and stooping their shoulders. But the fire was still there, even when diluted by cataracts. These ladies were badass, and she loved that about them.

Whatever it took, she would make them proud by helping Gia, then launching her new life.

Windshield wipers slapped the rain away, lightning slicing the sky. Bailey Rae winced, counting down seconds in her head until thunder rumbled outside Martin’s truck.One ... two ...Another bolt shot down, the quick crack so close she couldn’t tell if it was thunder or a split tree.

Storm clouds darkened the sky, bringing nightfall early. Thankfully, the game warden vehicle came equipped with a laptop computer he’d opened and set to a weather radar. The screen bathed the truck’s cab in a marshy glow.

Bailey Rae squinted from the passenger seat, helping Martin keep watch for deer crossing the country road. She definitely didn’t want topeer too far into the woods, where the river current swept higher, fast, the narrow channel swollen with rain. She couldn’t let herself think of Winnie’s body submerged there or further, trapped by tangled roots.

Better to focus on searching for vulnerable Bambis along the edge of the back road. Some deer would bed down to ride out the weather, but others could still spook and bolt. Difficult enough to see in advance in even the best of weather.

At least they had dropped off Gia and Cricket at the new shelter before the skies really opened up. Bailey Rae scanned the brush just beyond the passenger window. “I’m sorry this drive turned into such a hassle.”

“No need to apologize. I wanted to help. I’ll rest easier knowing all of you are safe,” Martin said, gripping the steering wheel, his forehead furrowed in concentration. “Not just Gia and Cricket.”

The security at the new shelter appeared top notch, with a locked gate around the little community. There was even counseling available on-site that would—hopefully—allay Libby’s concern that Gia would return to her husband. Bailey Rae wished hers were as easily settled, because she was struggling to trust people after how badly the last attempt played out, landing Gia in the hospital.

Bailey Rae leaned forward to swipe her arm along the fogged windshield. “How did you find the new shelter? I’ve never heard of it before.”

“It’s legit.” He switched on the defogger, blasting air upward. “With a tax ID number. It’s just smaller and less known, but that makes for tighter security. I have every reason to believe he won’t find her, as long as ...”

“As long as she doesn’t reach out to him.” She swallowed down bile. “We’ve done all we can, haven’t we?”

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