On The Run

Chapter 8

The old man brought Christian and Ana back to his home. It was a two story 100 year old farm house. The paint was chipping badly. The house looked to be falling apart. Even the front porch was barely hanging on. Though the barns in the back looked sound and sturdy and bright red paint, and they looked newer.

"She don't look too good on the outside," the old man commented on the house, " but she is plenty sturdy on the inside." The man shut the door to his truck. "I'm Vern by the way." He headed for the back step and waited.

The former agent and former nursing student followed Vern inside. It was as he said. They walked into the back porch and into the kitchen and dinning area. It was like stepping into a time warp, sixty years into the passed but definitely looked sturdy. The walls were sold wood paneling. The kitchen and dinning area was the width of the house. The kitchen was small like a galley kitchen with wood cabinets.

"You get hungry, help yourself. Full bath right this way," The old man pointed to the bathroom. It was across the way and Ana peaked inside; all she saw were pink tiles. "Now this way." They headed into the living room. It was average sizes and more of the wood panelling. The furniture was old but it good condition. It looked Victorian with the intricate carvings and flower patterns on the material. There was a tv in the corner. "Right through the French doors is mine and my wife's room." He pointed straight ahead. "This way..." Vern went towards small hall to the right, Christian and Ana followed. "These are my daughters rooms," he pointed to each door, "but up these steps here, is the guest room."

"Thanks so much, Vern. We will be out of here in the morning," Ana reassured, glancing back at Christian and then at Vern.

"You'll need a vehicle. I got an old beat up truck in the barn you can have."

The house guests were taking aback by Vern's generosity; it didn't feel right taking so much, and not giving anything back. Vern noticed their hesitation and shook his head. He was having none of that.

"Why?"Christian asked anyway.

"I see you two are good people. I can see it in your eyes. I don't care what they say you did. I believe your innocence." Christian and Ana further explained things while on the drive over, hoping to have at least one person who believed right now. "I see how much you care and worry for each other. Any two people who care as much as you two do, you're okay in my book." He winked at Ana playfully and she blushed in her reply.

How did Vern know there was something going on between Christian and Ana. They knew they felt something, but even they didn't realize how much it was until their benefactor pointed it out to them. Christian and Ana suddenly went shy around one another, avoiding eye contact with one another.

"Make yourself at home. The wife and the daughter's away for awhile. So you will be safe here." Vern added softy, "And so will they."

"Thank you again," Christian reiterated. "Just be careful. I don't know what will await us if they discover where we are at."

What Christian was trying to convey, was he didn't want this man to take unnecessary risks for them. Not when Vern had a a wife and two daughters.

"I maybe old, but I got some life left in me." Vern smiled and winked again. "I also got bessie." He smiled at him matter-of-factly.

Neither Christian nor Ana got it.

"Bessie my shot gun."