Elk Creek

Chapter 1

"Expect heavy snow fall. It's recommended to stay off the roads if at all possible." Raina stared out the foggy windshield of her barely functioning Chrysler, her gaze anything but joyful after hearing the broadcaster's weather advice. Her foot fell on the gas pedal as she thought of the two places she could consider home. The small town of Elk Creek, Montana, which she was drawing ever nearer to—assuming she hadn't lost her way—held too many reminders of her worst nightmare. Thinking of that dark night in July, Raina shuddered before glancing back at the midnight haired three-year-old sleeping in the back seat. Thank god Izabelle had her father's features. Raina didn't know what she would have done if her daughter had Rick's rust colored hair. Dismay surged through her at the thought of her daughter being a constant reminder of the most terrifying moment in her life. How would she have lived if fate had workout that way? Her daughter was the only cause for joy in her life. When things were at the worst, Raina could hug her daughter and knowing that the three-year-old was safe was enough to bring her peace. Then again, where Raina had fled to hadn't turned out to be the safe haven she had hoped for. Though Chicago had been bright and full of new hope it had been nothing compared to the Hanson Ranch.

The woman's mind turned toward the intimidatingly vicious man she had left behind. Without thinking, Raina reached up and tugged at the tight choker around her neck. It had been a gift from Carter, the man she had thought of at the time as her protector. She hadn't realized till later, that the choker was really a tiny lock, trapping her to him like all the other little gifts he'd brought in the beginning. In the end the thing was a collar, a way of control. She ripped the cheap jewelry from her neck and flung it from the vehicle.

Shivering despite the warm temperature inside the car, Raina stared out the windshield, attempting to see through the heavy spatter of snow that kept assaulting the car. Finicky, she glanced up at the rearview mirror, happy to find that there was no one behind her. Even though the car title was in her name, Raina wouldn't put it past Carter to put an APB out on her claiming that she'd stolen his car. She had been looking over her shoulder all day, afraid that someone would try to turn her in. Going back to Carter was not an option for her anymore. Raina had hit her breaking point and escaped. Nothing was going to make her go back.

However, that was the exact moment that a pair of flashing red and blue lights came on in her mirror, barely visible through the torrent of snow. Raina's heart jumped up into her throat. Carter did it. He called. Breath quickened and got lodged in her throat. Foot itching to press the accelerator to the floor, Raina felt the first tears escape over her lashes. And with them, the floodgates opened. In seconds her cheeks were drenched. "I-I'm not going back," she whispered to herself as she slowed the car and pulled to a stop on the shoulder. Teary eyes darted from the flashing lights behind her to her sleeping daughter in the back seat. It was a miracle that the three-year-old was asleep and for that Raina was thankful. Wind had been battering the car for the last hour, pushing it around the road. Hopefully the cop hadn't been following her for long enough to see the swerving.

Biting her lip, Raina watched the cop approach in her mirror, the hood of his rain slicker pulled up over his head. As he came up beside the old Chrysler, Raina rolled the window down.

"Evening ma'am," the cop spoke in a deep voice that had Raina staring up at the man under the hood. Something in the rich timbre of the cop's voice tugged at the recesses of her mind. So familiar. "Are you aware of how fast you were going?"

"I-I d-d-don't... I—" Raina stammered, her voice choked by her tears.

"Ma'am, you were driving twenty over the speed limit," the cop spoke seriously. "License and registration please."

Sniffling, Raina quickly turned to dig through the glove box for the registration. "Yes—yeah... just one second while I—"

"Mommy," a sleep filled voice piped up from the back seat, drawing both the cop's and Raina's attention. "Are we there yet?"

"Soon, honey. Soon," Raina assured, sucking back her tears as she continued to dig through the papers in the glove box. As Raina reached the bottom of the glove box, and still hadn't found the registration, she began to panic. "No. no no no!" Carter had moved the registration.

"Is there a problem, ma'am?" the cop questioned, leaning down to peer into car through the open window.

"Uh... no...no problem." Raina haphazardly began to search everywhere else in the car she could possibly think Carter might have hidden the registration. "I just..." She flipped the sun visor down and a piece of paper fell into her lap. Quickly, Raina flipped the paper over and sighed in relief. "Found it!" Swiping at her tears with one hand, she handed the papers over to the cop. After a cursory glance, the cop looked back up at Raina.

"Ma'am, could you please step from the vehicle?"

"Wh-what?" Fear shined clearly in her eyes.

"Just for a moment," the cop assured.

"O-okay," Raina stuttered before moving to fumble with her seatbelt.

"What's going on, Mommy?" Izabelle asked softly as Raina moved to get out of the car. She turned back to face the little girl.

"Mommy's just gonna go talk to this man for a moment. I'll be right back," Raina promised, smoothing her daughter's hair back.

"Okay."

"Good girl. Mommy's going to be right back," Raina turned and got out of the car.

Instantly, the cold began to chill her skin through her thick sweatshirt. Hesitating just a moment, Raina followed the cop back toward the rear of her car. At the bumper, the cop came to a halt and turned to face her, his arms folded over his chest. For a long moment he simply stared down at her. Just when Raina was about to question what was going on, the man spoke. "Where have you been, Raina?"

"Wha-I—Do I know you?" Raina squinted up at the man, trying to figure out who he was. A gust of wind blew down the road, knocking the cop's hood back off his head to reveal short dark hair and flashing brown eyes. Val!

"Come on, Raina. It hasn't been that long."