The SILENCE of WINTER Read Free

he’d told Meredith that he thought he’d be home by the end of January, so Meredith didn’t think her pregnancy would be showing that much yet. She hoped Luke wouldn’t suspect any change in her looks before she had the chance to tell him.
    As Meredith guided her horse and buggy down the driveway leading to their house, she sent up a prayer of thanks for getting her and Taffy safely home. The horse had done well on the slippery roads, but whenever a car passed her buggy, Meredith had clenched the reins so tightly that her fingers ached. It had been a good thing she’d been driving her docile mare and not Luke’s horse, Socks. She shuddered to think of how hard it would have been to control the spirited gelding on the icy roads.
    Even though Luke wasn’t there, rounding the bend and having their house come into view was a welcome sight. It was a relief to be home again, where she could relax for the rest of the day. Not that she would do that. Meredith felt full of energy, and her mind swirled with so many plans. There was a lot to be done before the baby came, and she could hardly wait to get started.
    First things first,
she thought as her stomach rumbled noisily. Meredith had been so nervous about her appointment that she hadn’t eaten much for breakfast. So after putting Taffy back in the barn and unloading the buggy, she went straight to the house to make something for lunch. Now that she knew for certain she was pregnant, she’d be sure to eat regular meals. After all, she would be eating for two from now on.

    Cleveland, Ohio
    Alex shifted restlessly in his seat, unable to find a comfortable position. This trip was taking forever, but at least the traffic was moving again, and that annoying singing had finally stopped. Even at a slower pace, it was better than not moving at all, like they’d been forced to do earlier that morning. Their bus driver was being cautious because now the frozen mist had turned into snow. The farther west they traveled, the heavier and deeper it seemed to be getting.
    The storm had really played havoc for anyone in a moving vehicle, not to mention the road crews trying to keep the roads safe enough for travel. At this rate, Alex was almost certain the bus wouldn’t make it to South Bend on time this evening. But he guessed that was okay, because he really had no place else he needed to be right now. As long as the singing from the back of the bus didn’t start up again, he might be able to get some sleep. The sooner he got to Indiana, the better, but at least it didn’t appear the cops were after him. That gave him a measure of peace. He sure couldn’t complain, as he patted his pocket and smiled to himself, knowing he had plenty of money—more than he’d had in a long time. He could lie low in a new town, not to mention buy his next fix once he found the right dealer.
    Staring out the window at the falling snow, Alex noticed that the bus was slowing down as it pulled into a parking lot. He figured this must be the lunch stop he’d heard one of the passengers mention about an hour ago, and he had to admit he was starving.
    As the bus pulled in, Alex realized that, according to the sign out front, the diner had a bookstore in the basement. That seemed kind of weird, but then weirdness was everywhere these days.
    When the bus came to a stop, Alex noticed the singsong kid from the back of the bus had jumped up quickly, wanting to be the first one off.
Now’s my chance to get back at the little runt.
    Right before the boy ran past him, Alex stuck his foot into the aisle, just enough to make the kid trip and fall.
    “Oh, sorry about that.” Alex gave a halfhearted apology as the boy picked himself up.
Serves you right, you little creep. Where’s your parents, anyway?
    The boy didn’t seem to be too bothered by it, but he got back at Alex by saying, “You got big feet, mister.”
    “Oh, yeah? Well you—”
    “Where you headed, sir?” the elderly man across the aisle from