Matthew's Choice (19 page)

Noah gulped. The voice in his head yelled at him.
Tell her.
“Miss—"

“We’re going, Miss Allie.” Logan grabbed Noah’s arm and pulled him down the hall, muttering, “You promised.”

Noah looked over his shoulder. Miss Allie waved. “See you boys after the assembly. We’ll have a little party in my office to celebrate Noah winning the essay contest.”

Lucas turned back to answer her. “Yes, ma’am!”

In the cafeteria, Noah’s sandwich stuck in his throat, and he sipped milk through a straw to get it down. The voice in his head kept insisting that he tell someone what the twins were going to do. “You can’t just run away. Miss Allie will be worried. You gotta tell her.”

“No,” Logan said through gritted teeth. “Last time we told, something bad happened.”

“Yeah.” Lucas got in his face. “We told Mom that he was making us take the drugs to people, and she tried to stop him. He beat her up, and she died. Besides, he’s gonna come get us today.”

Noah stared at the twins. “How do you know?”

Logan pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Noah. “A kid gave this to me outside.”

Noah read the note. Three words in bold letters.
Be ready today.
A shiver ran down his back. “We need to give this to Miss Allie.”

Logan snatched it back. “No, and you can’t tell her. Don’t you understand, she can’t stop our dad.”

Noah wadded the rest of his sandwich in the paper and put it on the tray. “What about my Uncle Matt? He’s a guy. He could help us.”

“But he’s not here,” Lucas said.

“He’ll be here for the assembly.”

Logan and Lucas exchanged glances. “Not even your uncle,” Logan said as the bell rang, ending their lunch period. “You promised.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

E
VEN
WITH
HIS
foot floorboarding the gas pedal, Matt couldn’t outrun his thoughts. He never meant to hurt Jessica. Just like he never meant to hurt Allie seven years ago. What kind of man was he? Selfish. Self-centered. The truth stung. He didn’t deserve either woman.

And he did love Jessica. Just not the way a man should love his wife. If he had, he would have taken her feelings into consideration before he took the job with Bradford, and there would have been no kiss with Allie.

Allie. She’d made it plain how she felt about him. Matt blew out a deep breath. He’d certainly made a mess of everything. Yeah, he’d attained success. Success that left him hollow and empty. It had taken him seven years to realize everything he ever wanted was right in Cedar Grove, not in some job or fancy apartment. The thought looped through his mind as he rolled toward Cedar Grove.

He pulled into the school parking lot at two-thirty. Allie had stressed the assembly started at two-fifteen. He hoped he had not missed Noah’s speech. Inside the office, he signed the school visitor sheet. “You said the assembly is in the gym?”

“Yes, sir.” The student tilted her head. “You’ve missed half the pep rally. Would you like me to show you the way?”

“I know where it is.”

Matt raced down the hallways that had not changed since he was a student here. He arrived just as the cheerleaders walked to the sidelines, and Noah stepped up to the microphone. The boy scanned the bleachers expectantly then his shoulders drooped. He hadn’t seen him. Matt stepped to the outer edge of the gym.

“Way to go, Noah!” Matt’s shout carried over the noise of the students, and Noah’s head jerked up. When he saw Matt, his face broke into a grin, and he stood a little straighter as he spoke into the microphone.

“Hi, I’m N-Noah Connors.” His nervousness blared from the speakers. “I want to r-read you my essay.”

A twitter of laughter rippled across the gym.

“You can do it, Noah,” Matt whispered.

“I knew someone who wanted to be a singer. She was really good, good enough to get a meeting with a record producer in Nashville.” His voice grew stronger. “But she was scared, and a friend gave her a pill so she wouldn’t be nervous. She sang for the producer, and he wanted her to come back and audition again for some more people. After a while he wanted to sign her to a contract, but she had started taking more pills and doing other drugs, and she didn’t show up on time.

“She never did get a contract, and this year she almost died.” Noah stopped and took a deep breath. “The singer is my mom and I knew she was doing drugs.” Matt closed his eyes. He’d never even known Mariah wanted to be a singer. He’d been a lousy brother.

“Drug a-abuse hurts everyone.”

Noah took a deep breath and continued. “It hurts parents when their kids do drugs, and when it’s the parents, it hurts the kids.” Noah’s voice gained strength. “I know because my mom almost died from drugs. If that had happened earlier this year, part of it would have been my fault because I didn’t tell anyone. If you know anybody who takes drugs, even if it’s an adult, don’t keep their secret. Tell a teacher you trust or our counselor, Miss Allie. And if you ever think about taking one of your parents’ pain pills or any other drug, don’t do it. Othewise it may be the biggest mistake you ever make in your life. Remember, drug abuse hurts everyone. Thank you.”

Matt blinked back tears as applause swept across the gym. He was proud of Noah, and maybe if Mariah heard his speech, it would give her even more reason to stay clean. Noah bowed slightly and carefully folded his notes as he stepped aside for the next student.

After two more speeches, the principal spoke a few words and dismissed the students to their homerooms. Matt scanned the crowd for Allie. His stomach soured when he found her exiting the gym with Peter, his hand resting on the small of her back.

Jealousy struck with the power of a bolt of lightning. His heart belonged to Allie, always had, always would. Why hadn’t he been able to see that earlier, before Peter staked his claim? What if it was too late? He had to tell Allie how he felt. Not that he’d blame her if she turned him down and chose Peter. She’d be crazy not to.

He’d noticed her office next to where he signed in. Maybe that’s where they were going. He turned and hurried back the way he came.

* * *

“N
OAH
DID
A
great job. I’m glad Matt made it in time to hear him.” Allie ushered Peter into her office. When she’d heard Matt’s voice encouraging his nephew, she swung the video camera around just in time to catch him clapping.

“Me, too. Even though he almost missed it.” Peter caught her by the hand. “Noah’s pretty special, isn’t he?”

“He sure is.” She walked to the small refrigerator in the corner of her office and took out a box of ice cream sandwiches. “Want to stay for his party? He and the twins are coming when the bell rings.”

“Sounds like fun.” He cocked his head. “Are we still on for tonight?” he asked. “Dining and dancing?”

A knock at her door prevented her from answering. “It must be the kids. Come in.”

The door opened and Matt stepped in. He looked from her to Peter. “Can I speak—”

Noah pushed past him and grabbed her hand. “Miss Allie, you gotta stop Logan and Lucas. I didn’t think they’d do it, but I can’t find them.”

She knelt in front of Noah. “Stop them from what?”

“They’re running away on the train. I told them not to, but I know they did.” He stopped to get his breath.

“Slow down,” Matt said. “What train?”

Noah’s bottom lip trembled. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you, Miss Allie. But I didn’t believe they’d do it. And they made me promise.”

Allie covered her mouth with her hand. “Was this their secret?”

He shook his head. “No. They saw their dad hit their mom and then she died. They’re running away on the train so he won’t find them.”

Peter stepped forward. “Is it the train that stops behind the school?”

Noah nodded.

“Do you know which boxcar they got on?”

“No, sir. They just said there was always one open.”

Matt stood. “I’m going to see if I can find them.”

“I’ll come with you.” Peter turned to Allie. “Call the sheriff’s department and tell them to make sure that train doesn’t move.”

Allie punched in 911 as the two men bolted from the office. When the dispatcher answered, she identified herself and explained the problem. Then, pocketing her cell phone, she caught Noah as he edged toward the door. “Hold on, young man. You’re staying right here until we get back with the twins.”

“But I want to help.”

“You’ve already helped by telling.”

“Do you think they’ll be mad?”

She smiled at him. “We’ll worry about that later. Now sit on the couch until I get back.”

He cut his eyes toward the door.

“Noah, promise me you’ll stay here.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

With a glance back, Allie closed the door behind her, thankful he’d finally come forward with the truth.

* * *

F
OR
THE
FIRST
five minutes after Miss Allie left, Noah sat on the couch, his feet dangling above the floor. What if the twins’ dad showed up? He caught his breath. He forgot to tell Miss Allie that he was coming to get them today. What if their dad saw them go to the train? And he was there...and Miss Allie was there.

Noah had to tell her. But he’d promised to stay in the office. He didn’t care. Miss Allie said that sometimes, if somebody might get hurt, you had to break your promise. He hopped off the couch. He knew a shortcut through the woods to the train.

The cold air hurt Noah’s throat as he ran across the deserted schoolyard and slipped under the hole in the fence. He tucked his head against the wind and sprinted to the trees. Once he made it past the woods, he’d be at the tracks. The strong smell of pine trees met him at the edge of the woods, and he paused, panting for his next breath. He couldn’t see the tracks and didn’t remember the woods being so big. Noah bit his lip. He had to find Miss Allie. He edged past the first line of trees.

A hand wrapped around his neck and jerked Noah in a choke hold.

“Just keep your mouth shut, and you won’t get hurt. Where are my boys?” the gravelly voice breathed against his cheek.

The twins’ dad? Chills shivered down Noah’s back. He wrinkled his nose against the sour odor of alcohol. “What boys?”

The choke hold tightened. “Logan and Lucas. I’ve seen you with them. You know where they are.”

Noah couldn’t breathe. Black dots filled his eyes. He thought he heard Miss Allie calling the twins’ names. The man loosened his hold on Noah’s neck. “The train? Is that where they are?”

More voices yelled for Logan and Lucas.

Logan’s dad grabbed Noah by the back of his neck, squeezing hard. “You got a choice. Walk or be carried. It’s up to you. And you better keep your mouth shut.”

“I...I’ll w-walk.”

The hold loosened, then he grabbed Noah’s collar, pulling his coat tight until the zipper cut into his throat. Noah tried not to stumble on the thick floor of pine straw as the twins’ dad pushed him through the trees. They stopped at the tree line right next to the train.

“Don’t move. You hear me, boy?”

“Y-yes, sir.” Noah risked a peek. He wore a dirty cap, and he needed to shave, but he looked strong. No wonder the boys were scared of him. Then Nichols pulled a bag from his coat with white stuff in it. Noah’s chest got tight as the man took a straw from his pocket and used it to breathe in the bag.
No!
He’d seen his mom do that and then act really crazy. He bunched his muscles...maybe if he ran.

“Don’t even think it, kid.” Nichols leaned against a tree. “Why are they looking for my boys on the train?”

Noah didn’t answer and the man shook him. “I asked you a question.”

“Th-they were running a-away.”

“From that shelter?”

Noah shook his head. “From you.”

“Did they tell you why?” When Noah didn’t answer, he shook him again. “They told you, didn’t they? I’ve got to get them before they tell someone else. Let’s go.” The man pushed Noah out of the woods onto the bare rocks near the train.

Farther along the track, Uncle Matt hopped up into a boxcar, then turned and helped a man with a blue uniform on. Noah squinted.
Jason, the deputy sheriff
. He had a gun, and he could save them.

“They’re checking the boxcars one by one,” Nichols muttered. “I’ll let them do the work of finding them.”

Miss Allie stepped from the other side of the train. She was so close, only five boxcars away, and Jason was way down the track. Noah wanted to yell for her to run, but she disappeared into the open boxcar. In an instant she was back at the door. “I found them! They’re okay.” Then she disappeared again.

“Come on.” The man jerked Noah up. In his hand was the biggest gun Noah had ever seen. Bigger than Jason’s. What if he hurt Miss Allie with it? Maybe Noah shouldn’t have told her where the twins were. He cringed as Uncle Matt and Mr. Peter ran to the boxcar. What if everybody got killed?

* * *

“W
HAT
WERE
YOU
THINKING
? You scared us half to death,” Matt said as he handed one of the twins down from the boxcar to Peter.

“Not now, Matt. First, let’s get them warm.” Allie hopped off the car and knelt, hugging both of the boys. “It’s okay. We’ll sort this out back at the...”

Her eyes widened, and she stood, shoving the boys behind her.

Frowning, Matt turned to see what had frightened her. His heart dropped to his knees. A man holding a gun had Noah positioned in front him as a shield. Matt stepped in front of Allie. “I don’t know what you want, but how about letting my nephew go.”

“As soon as I have my boys. Now just step away from them.”

“You’re not getting them.” Allie moved beside Matt.

“Get behind me.” The words rasped from his mouth. From the corner of his eye, a flash of blue appeared in the boxcar the boys had hidden in, and then disappeared.
Jason.

Peter pulled Allie back and stood beside Matt. “Mr. Nichols, you can’t escape with the boys...they’ll slow you down. Why don’t you put your gun away and just leave?”

Nichols cackled. “That’s where you’re wrong. When I get my boys, I’ll fly out of here like an eagle. Now give them to me....” He eyed Matt. “Or I’ll start shooting, and your nephew will be the first casualty, and then the little lady will be next.”

The man was crazy...or high. Where was Jason?

“I wanna talk to the little lady.”

“No.” Matt didn’t give Allie a chance to speak.

“You can’t tell me no. I got the gun. What do you say I shoot
you
first?” He raised the pistol.

“No, wait!” Allie squeezed between Matt and Peter.

“Don’t shoot her!” Noah leaped, shoving Nichols’s arm as the gun fired.

Matt threw himself across Allie, knocking her to the ground. Another gun fired, but pinpointing who fired it eluded him. Jason, maybe? He couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. When did it get so dark?

“Matt! Talk to me, Matt!”

Allie? He tried to answer, but his mouth wouldn’t work. If he could just close his eyes a minute...

* * *

“M
ATT
! S
TAY
AWAKE
.”
Allie wanted to shake him, do anything that would make him open his eyes again. Instead she continued to press against the wound in his chest, shaking Peter off when he tried to relieve her. Why didn’t the bleeding stop? Blood soaked the coat that she’d shed and stuffed against the bullet hole. The muscles in her arms screamed for relief. She’d heard an ambulance. Where was it?

“Let me take over.”

Allie looked up as an EMT slid his latex-gloved hands under hers and continued pressing against the flow of blood.

Peter gently pried her away from Matt’s side. “Let them do their job.”

The paramedics worked quickly, hooking up an IV, taking Matt’s blood pressure. Allie took Matt’s coat that Peter handed her. He had stripped it off Matt earlier so they could make sure there was only the one injury. Blood ringed the spot where the bullet went in, but she didn’t care—the coat still held Matt’s woodsy cologne, and she breathed in, filling her nostrils with his scent. He had to make it. He just had to.