Page 110 of Running to You

Snakes could do damage. There were no venomous snakes in Maine, at least none so toxic they’d harm a human, but in Arkansas?

“Dad had told me all about rattlers and vipers. I didn’t know what kind of snake it was. I stood there, shocked, for way too long. I should have started running immediately, but…I was scared.”

“You were eight,” he said. “A child.”

She pushed up from his chest but didn’t turn toward him, just stared at the wall. “Finally, I told Kristen to stay there—as if she could climb out—and ran to get help.”

And there was an image, a little girl, brown hair flying behind her as she scrambled up the steep slope and ran to her mother. They’d gone far, she’d said. How long did that run take?

“As soon as I got close enough, I started yelling. Mom came out of the house, and I told her what happened. I was so emotional that it took Mom a few seconds to figure out what I was saying. More time lost.

“Mom called an ambulance and told me to get Miss Marianne. And then she took off running across the yard and into the woods.”

Eliza brushed away the tears dripping down her cheeks.

He pulled his handkerchief from his back pocket, still damp from her last crying jag, and handed it to her.

“I told Kristen’s mother what happened, and we ran to the creek.” Eliza's voice was shaking now. “All the way, I was thinking we’d run into Mom carrying Kristen back. Because of course Mom could fix it. But we didn’t.

“Miss Marianne got there before me. She scrambled down the slope. And started screaming and screaming.”

Eliza covered her ears as if she could hear the sound even now.

He pulled her against his chest again, and she buried her head in his sweatshirt.

“She was dead.” Eliza barely moved as she said the words. “Mom was doing CPR, but it was too late.”

“What kind of a snake bite kills that fast?”

“It was a timber rattlesnake. Most people survive if they get the antidote in time, but Kristen had an allergic reaction.”

“I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine.”

“It was awful. Kristen’s mother never forgave me or Mom.”

“It wasn’t your—”

“Mom lost her best friend. And so did I.” Eliza continued as if she hadn’t heard him. “We moved away. Dad said the move had nothing to do with Kristen’s death, but I know better. We left Arkansas, sold the house Mom had loved so much, because of me. Because of my defiance.”

“No, sweetheart.” He squeezed her against him, wanting to shield her from all this heartbreak. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“If we hadn’t gone to the creek, if I hadn’t—”

“You were a child.”

“My best friend died and our family lost our home because I defied my mother. I learned the hard way to follow the rules. Every time I didn’t…” She pushed away and met his eyes. “Every time, Sam, I get burned. Or somebody I love gets hurt.”

“Your mother told you that.” Knowing where those words came from, he couldn’t help the hum of anger in his voice.

“She lost everything that day.”

“No, she didn’t.” He brushed hair away from Eliza’s face and rested his palm on her cheek. “She still had your father. She still had you. She had her health. But if I know her, she’s used that childish mistake to manipulate you ever since.”

Eliza stood and walked to the window. She peeked behind the curtains, not that there was anything to see but airport traffic and runway lights. “That’s not fair.” But her words held no conviction.

“It’s true, and you know it. She should have assured you that it wasn’t your fault. That sometimes, bad things happen and they can’t be blamed on anyone, certainly not an eight-year-old girl.” He needed to keep the anger out of his voice. Knowing the source of Linda’s power over Eliza only made him dislike the woman more. “I bet she never let you forget.”

“As if I could have.” But Eliza sighed, turning to face him again. “But you’re not wrong. When I was young, if I disobeyed… Even now, I can hear her voice in my head. ‘You’d better be careful, Eliza. You don’t want anyone to get hurt.’ It was always a reminder here, a jab there.”