Chasing Tara (Bryant Station Curves) Read Free

take. Ben, why is it so important to find the person who was driving that car?”
    Ben took several deep breathes. “Dad and I have to protect them because they’re my new mom and little sister. They are in trouble. We have to help them. We have to keep them safe. I’m afraid they’re out there in the cold.”
    Lisa saw the look of determination on the boy’s face. “If they are on the road between here and town, we will find them. If they are not, then we’ll call Todd when we get to town and get him to look for them.” Lisa put on her seatbelt. “Okay?”
    “Thanks Aunt Lisa.” Ben sighed with relief. She did not think he was crazy. He put on his seatbelt and focused his attention on the side of the road. They would find them. Ben just knew they would. He just hoped it would be sooner rather than later.
    Ten minutes passed and Lisa drove slowly while Ben scanned the area for any signs. Lisa did not say anything, but she was beginning to think they were not going to find anyone. She was about to give up when Ben yelled.
    “There they are!” Ben almost jumped out of his seat as the edge of the SUV’s lights caught the blanket wrapped shape walking along the road. “You have to stop, Aunt Lisa. Now!”
    Lisa pulled the SUV over just behind the person. She stared at the person, realizing the person carried something under the blanket. Could it be a child? She shook her head. This cold was not the place for anyone to be, especially a child.
    Ben got out of the SUV and walked over to the person. After several minutes, he had the person walking back to the SUV. Lisa smiled, she knew the charm Ben had and how it affected people. Obviously, it had worked again.
    Ben climbed into the back seat and the woman handed him a small bundle. She closed the door and climbed into the front passenger seat.
    Lisa reached over and turned up the heat. “Ben check to make sure the heater is on high back there.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” he said. Ben leaned forward and clicked a switch. He placed the bundle on the seat next to him, put seatbelts on him and the child in the bundle, and then wrapped his arm around her. “Both Haley and I are buckled into our seat. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
    “Hi, I’m Lisa Mathers.” Lisa held out her hand to the woman now sitting next to her.
    “It’s soon to be Anderson,” said Ben.
    “Lisa Mathers…soon to be Lisa Anderson.” She corrected her introduction. “And that’s Ben Anderson, my nephew.” She jerked her head in Ben’s direction.
    “Tara Wilson,” said the woman as she shook Lisa’s hand, but quickly pulled her hand away from Lisa’s hand.
    She is cold and scared, said Lisa’s bear.
    Lisa agreed with her bear, but did not say anything. The woman’s hand felt like ice. Lisa did not see any gloves either.
    “Was that your car we saw on the side of the road?” asked Lisa. She put the SUV back into drive.
    “It is. I’ve got to get a mechanic to look at it as soon as possible.” Tara ran a shaky hand through her auburn hair causing it to pull away from her face.
    “Where are you headed?” asked Lisa.
    Tara pulled on her jacket. “Right now I’m headed to Bryant Station. Thank you for the lift.” She put her hands in front of the heater vents facing her.
    Lisa nodded and turned her attention back to the road as she eased back onto the road. They only had about three fourths of a mile to go.
    Tara sat quiet, but thankful for the heat. She glanced over her shoulder, checking on Haley. Ben had his arm wrapped protectively around Haley, who had cuddled up against him and gone back to sleep.
    “What happened to your face?” Lisa glanced over at Tara just as she turned to look at her child in the backseat.
    Tara’s hand instantly went up to her face. “It’s nothing,” she said.
    Lisa shook her head. “That doesn’t look like nothing. Who hit you?”
    Tara sighed. She knew, eventually, someone would question the bruises she had on her face. “I know it