Page 55 of Double Edged Hearts
Bernardo secures a tighter grip under my arm, and I look at Alex.
“You’re safe,” Alex tells me. “I’ll come and get you in about ten minutes.”
“Okay…” I manage, but my voice is so faint I hardly recognize it.
“Come on, doll,” Bernardo says and ushers me into the house.
I make it although my legs quiver. When we open the door, an older woman comes out, and concern fills her face when she sees me.
“Martha, can you be a doll and get us some of that bread you made and some of the lunch?” Bernardo asks her.
“Of course.” She quickly rushes away into a room I’m assuming is the kitchen. A delicious aroma is coming from there.
The scent tickles my nose and twists my stomach, making it growl.
I haven’t eaten since yesterday, and it’s late afternoon now.
The clock on the wall over by the fireplace says it’s nearly two. I’m right—we’ve been on the road for hours.
Bernardo sits me down on the sofa and grabs a cushion to put behind my back. I’m so weak. I think it’s shock because I’ve been without food before for longer than this and been fine. I’ve just never been kidnapped before.
Bernardo looks at me and gives me a warm smile. “Are you okay?” he asks.
“I am… thanks so much.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Where am I? I mean, where is this place?”
“You’re in Wolf Valley, just past the Stateline to Wisconsin.”
“Oh.” I was right. We’re far, far away, in the next state, and we’re getting a car. Where will we go then?
“You look like you’ve been through quite the ordeal,” he notes.
“Yes,” I say, and a tear runs down my cheek.
I wipe it away quickly, and he offers up a look of sympathy.
“You’re in good hands if you’re with Alex,” he says. “If he brought you here, you must be pretty important to him.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” I do. It’s good to hear it being said to me even if it makes me feel more like a bigger fool for breaking up with Alex.
I don’t have anybody who would have done all that he’s done for me. If I didn’t have him, I know I’d probably be dead now.
Martha returns with a tray of delicious-looking food. There are slices of roast chicken on a plate, homemade bread on another plate, and a platter of roast vegetables. It looks amazing, and my mouth waters at the sight.
“Thank you so much for this,” I tell her.
“I hope you will like it. I was trying out a new sage recipe for the seasoning on the chicken,” Martha replies.
“There’s nothing my wife cooks that isn’t fit for God himself,” Bernardo states with a smile.
“Grazie, amore mio,” she says, and she sets the tray down on the coffee table.
I dive in straightaway, and they leave me to eat. I polish off the food in next to no time, and it makes me feel stronger in mind and body. I finish off the last piece of bread just as Alex walks into the house and sits opposite me.
“You okay?” he asks.
