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"I'm serious Lachlan," Arlana paced in front of the window, "I need to do something, anything and this is my best plan to date."
"What about Josiah?" Lachlan hesitated.
Arlana didn't answer.
"It will only be for a few days. I can't leave the farm for long..." she sighed, having thought he'd be far more willing to participate in her plan. Had she read him wrong? Her heart, clearly, could not be trusted lately. "Please just take us with you. I promise you won't regret this."
She hoped she wasn't telling a lie.
Lachlan couldn't say no, yet he knew there was more to the story than she was telling him over the phone.
Succeeding in getting Lachlan to agree to pick her up before midnight, she hung up the phone, turning to pack a large suitcase - she needed a change of scenery if nothing else.
Josiah had his chance. Lachlan would cross heaven and earth for her, and she knew that he could be relied on to be there for her in her darkest hours.
****
LACHLAN'S TIRES CRUNCHED on the gravel, stars spattered across a jet black sky as he quietly stepped out of the car. His heart wanted to run to the house yet his mind knew Arlana's plan was crazy. So why had he agreed? He missed Arlana and the child more than he'd ever dare admit to himself.
Lachlan had never intended to fall in love, but being Arlana's guardian angel for three months hadn't helped. He hated himself for being so weak but surely Josiah was just as much to blame for leaving his wife with him, choosing to leave her for so long. It would have been unthinkable had the shoes been reversed.
Lachlan still couldn't silence his conscience, but for now, Arlana needed him and he'd be damned if he'd leave her too when she needed him most.
Arlana needed to be sure of her decision, but there was more she wasn't saying. There was no way Josiah would let her go just like that...or would he?
"Are you sure?" he spoke softly, his deep tenor voice hushed as he caught a glimpse of Aziel's curly head, the boy asleep on the couch.
Arlana nodded but didn't say anything more as she reached for the cumbersome suitcase, bulging at its seams.
Lachlan raised an eyebrow at how much she was bringing. It sure looked like more than two days' worth of clothes, but then again, women were very different. He didn't want to make assumptions.
"Here, let me," Lachlan intercepted her, concerned for the baby within her. She would be doing no heavy lifting on his watch.
"Thank you," Arlana turned, walking toward her son, "Come Aziel, we are going on an adventure."
The child leaned against her, rubbing bleary eyes as they stepped out into the night, the cool air startling him. Aziel crunched his face in protest to the sudden chill, still half asleep when strong arms swept him high in the air and against a muscular chest. Instinctively, Aziel wrapped his arms around Lachlan's neck, sighing as he closed his eyes.
Three long strides and Lachlan opened the backseat door, stooping low to strap Aziel into a booster seat.
Arlana had given the animals extra food and water - enough to last them twenty-four hours. At that time she would contact Rose and ask if a relative could keep an eye on the farm once again - just for a little bit.
It wasn't that she took for granted the home she had been given. Oh, she knew what a tremendous blessing this was. No, Arlana needed to get away to clear her head, and if she could make some money on the side...
She fumbled with the key as her trembling hand locked the wooden door. It was now or never. Just maybe there was a reason Lachlan had entered her life.
Lachlan watched her momentary hesitation as she locked the door, sliding the key under the doormat. He held the passenger door open for her, his eyes searching her face in the moonlight.
"You don't have to do this," his voice was low, "There is always time to change your mind."
Arlana's jaw clenched in determination, her blue eyes, steel, then she looked away.
"Thanks for coming back for me," Arlana clicked her seatbelt as they pulled out of her driveway, pulling off her tichel as they drove by the Levinski home. Damp, freshly showered blonde ringlets tumbled free about her shoulders, cascading down her back.
A single light shone from the study, causing tears to suddenly well up within her throat. She was being crazy. Josiah had clearly made his decision. She needed to think of her children - and her sister's as well. She tossed the cloth head covering into the backseat a moment before Lachlan reached for her hand.
****
"I DON'T LIKE THIS," Lachlan eyed Arlana as she adjusted her camera lens. They'd had a long discussion in the car as he drove till dawn, yet he wasn't fully convinced Arlana was making the right decision. He decided to give her a chance though. Maybe that would be all it would take for her to realize her mistake and then he could take her home to where she belonged.
"What good will it do if I'm not where the action is?"
"It's dangerous," he idled the car, "Alright, I'll be right here with Aziel. If anything happens..." His voice halted not wanting to continue that thought, "Just be quick so I can get you out of here."
It wasn't 6 am yet and already the main street was blocked off, partitions set up. Police in bullet-proof vests stood elbow to elbow watching the growing crowds, an uneasiness in the air. Holding a bullhorn in one hand, a young man shouted, his voice amplified over the cheering throng. The growing crowd echoed his chanting as he punched the air with his fist, emphasizing each word.
Arlana zoomed in, her shutter clicking quickly. Snap! Snap! She stood behind the police line taking a shot of their backs, vests prominently displayed.
Lachlan gripped the wheel, watching Arlana weave through the crowd. What was she doing? He flickered his headlights hoping she'd notice and come back to the car, the hairs on his arms standing at attention. He shouldn't have let her go.
After twenty minutes, he lost sight of her.
"Let's go," he called over his shoulder to Aziel, trying to mask the fear lacing his voice, "We've got to find your Mamma."
Before he could turn off the ignition, Arlana stepped back in the car.
"Arlana, I'm taking you back! I mean it!"
Face flushed and eyes sparkling, Arlana laughed, "You'll change your mind once you see these pictures."
She slipped the camera strap from her neck, leaning over to show him the closeups she had taken. Begrudgingly, Lachlan agreed they were really good.
"You'll be the death of me," he groaned in mock protest, but that tell-tale dimple danced on his cheek. "Okay, I'm taking you straight to the hotel and will book you a room. Get some rest while I cover this story and I'll meet you for supper."
Within ten minutes, he was setting her suitcase inside the room she would share with Aziel, his room across the hall. He looked around for a moment, "This'll do nicely." He turned to go, "Seriously, get some rest. I don't know how long I will be."
"Let's get you into the bath," Arlana turned to Aziel when the door closed behind Lachlan. She pulled out some clean clothes, heading to the washroom to begin running the water.
"Mummy, I miss Savta," Aziel watched the water tumble into the tub, rubbing tears away with his fist, "Will she come here too?"
Arlana straightened. "I know. I miss Rivkah too. You will like it here though, won't you? It is only an adventure and I know you like Lachlan."
Aziel didn't respond.
"Come, get in the water before it gets cold."
Decisions made did not just affect her.