wire fence.
“That has to be the fence Otha told us about,” Abby said. “How should we do this? We’re going to be out in the open and easy for Isaiah to spot once we leave this orchard.”
Jay nodded. “No kidding. We need to find that hole in the fence—and fast.”
Before Abby could respond, Ella took off running.
Jay grabbed Abby’s hand, and they raced across the meadow, full bore, not stopping until they reached the fence, wobbly kneed and completely out of breath.
Abby quickly scanned the fence line. “Oh, great. It’s barbed wire. I don’t see a hole.”
“Otha risked … her neck for us,” Jay said, still winded. “It’s gotta be here.”
“I found it! I found it!” Ella cried.
Abby turned to her left and saw Ella standing about twenty yards away. “Shhh …”—Abby put her index finger to her lips—“don’t holler. We don’t want Isaiah to hear us.”
Abby and Jay ran to where Ella was standing and examined the large hole in the bottom of the fence.
“We should be able to fit through there,” Jay said. “Abby, you go first and help Ella through from the other side. Be careful of the barbed wire. I’ll keep watch. Go!”
Abby got down on her belly and gingerly put her arms through the hole, and then her head. She pulled her body slowly with her elbows—inch by inch. She felt her shirt rip and the barbed wire dig into her back, but she pulled harder until she was out. She turned and reached for Ella’s hands and pulled her through unscathed.
“Come on,” Abby said to Jay. “Hurry!”
Abby heard a deep vibrating sound that seemed to shake the ground. She listened intently as it got louder.
Ella clung to Abby’s arm. “What’s that?”
“Don’t be afraid, sweetie. It’s a helicopter! Probably search and rescue. I’ll bet the sheriff’s looking for us.” Abby waved her free arm in the air, but the chopper never flew where she could see it—and quickly moved away.
“Don’t! I heard Pa tellin’ Otha the sheriff’s mean, and he’s fixin’ to make me go live with strangers.”
“That’s a lie,” Abby said. “The sheriff is a nice man who wants to help us. And you’ve got an entire family that wants you. You’re going to live with us.”
As the helicopter moved away, Abby heard the sound of rushing water. Her thirst was suddenly overpowering. “Hurry, Jay. I think there’s water nearby.” Abby nudged Ella. “See if you can find it.”
Abby guided Jay through the hole, which was just barely big enough to accommodate him. She saw blood on his temple and bicep where he got nicked by the barbed wire, but he seemed otherwise okay when he finally emerged free and clear.
“Where’s the water?” he said, brushing the dirt and dried grass off his clothes.
“Over here!” Ella cried.
Abby and Jay turned to her voice and jogged over to a creek bed. Water moved swiftly, rushing over the smooth rocks. Ella lay on her tummy, drinking from her hands.
Abby knelt next to Ella, plunging her cupped hands into the cool, clear water. She drank and drank and drank, wondering if she would ever get her fill. She couldn’t remember a time when water tasted so good—or when she thought she might die for the lack of it.
Finally she stopped drinking and splashed water on her face and arms, aware that Jay was doing the same thing. “I’ll never take water for granted again,” Abby said.
“Me neither!” Ella got up on her feet, the front of her clothes muddy and her tangled hair now wet on the ends. At least her face was clean.
“Man, that tasted good!” Jay said.
“We’ve got to keep moving.” Abby dried her hands with the bottom of her T-shirt. “Otha said that Isaiah wouldn’t waste any time coming after us with a shotgun.”
“He’ll do it too,” Ella said. “He’s ascared y’all are gonna tell on him.”
“He should be.” Abby looked into the pair of blue eyes that were unmistakably Riley Jo’s.“As soon as the sheriff finds out what he’s done, he’s going to prison.”
“That makes two of us.” Jay’s expression was somber.
Abby put her hand on his shoulder. “There’s no way anyone is going to press charges after all you did to help me.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Jay said. “It’s a relief to finally tell the truth. I just want to get you and Ella to safety. I sure hope that helicopter comes back this way so we can get out of here.”
Abby tilted her ear. “Do you hear that?”
Jay nodded. “Sounds like a seal