Page 19 of The Way Back Home
“What, then?” Noah asked.
“I believe Teagan is the only one who can answer that.”
She could, but she wouldn’t.
Teagan kept her gaze on her plate, guilt and shame warring for dominance as her ravenous appetite disappeared. She thought she’d done a good job of covering her tracks. Figured she could make it through the holidays, then move on quietly and without incident.
Which was stupid, really. It hadn’t worked so far. Why would this time be any different?
Ten years of running. Ten years of hiding. And she was so damn tired.
She needed to end this once and for all. He would never stop. She understood that now.
“Are you in trouble?” Mona asked gently.
She reached for Teagan’s hand, disappointment in her eyes when Teagan pulled her hand back, as if she’d been burned. For the hundredth time, Teagan wished things were different. Wishedshewere different.
She should have listened to her instincts and taken off as soon as she woke up.
Teagan pushed away from the table and stood. “Yes, Mona, I am, and I’m sorry I brought it to your doorstep.”
“Sit down, young lady,” Mona commanded. “We’re not done talking about this.”
Teagan stiffened. The defiance that had been lurking quietly under the surface began to rise. Sheliked Mona, and she would forever be grateful for the older woman’s kindness, but Teagan didn’t take orders from anyone, but especially not those who had no idea what they were dealing with.
She wasn’t helpless. She’d been on her own for more than a decade. She might be on the small side. Might be injured. But she’d been through worse and survived.
Her path was clear. She was the only one who could stop the madness, and she refused to bring anyone down with her.
“Yes, we are. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but it’s better for everyone if I just leave.”
“It’s nearly Christmas! Where are you going to go?”
“I’ll figure something out.”
Mona’s eyes blazed as she, too, got to her feet. “Now, you listen to me, young lady. You seem to be under the impression that you’re going to walk out of here and we’re just going to hold the door for you. Well, you can forget about that right now.” Mona put her hands on her hips. “I don’t know what kind of trouble you’re in, but you’re not in it alone anymore.”
If only that were true. A part of her ached, wanting to believe, but hope had been beaten out of her long ago, along with trust and a belief in a system that didn’t work.
“You’re wrong,” Teagan said, her voice tinged with the sadness she felt. Shewasalone. “I never wanted to involve you in any of this,” Teagan said sincerely. “I’m truly sorry about that.”
“Little late for that.” Mona’s voice was tough, but her eyes held nothing but concern.
“Mona—” Noah began.
“No, Mona’s right,” Teagan said. “It is too late.”
With that, Teagan limped toward the bedroom to grab her backpack. She had to leave before she did somethingreallystupid.
Like stay.
CHAPTER TEN
NOAH
The bedroom door closed behind Teagan with enough force to be clearly heard in the ensuing silence. It wasn’t a slam. More of a declaration of intent.
Mona took one step toward the door, as if to follow, but Noah placed himself in her path and put his hand up.
