Page 81

Cedar Creek, Nevada

Tuesday, July 4, 1995 The Day Of . . .

ANNABELLE EXHALED A SIGH OF RELIEF WHEN SHE SAW PRESTON walking down the sidewalk toward her. She was rocking Charlotte in the stroller.

“What took so long?” she asked when Preston came up and gave her a kiss.

“Just making sure we had everything. Every suitcase we have is packed full, and just about every drawer in our bedroom is empty. You head home now and make sure I got everything that’s essential. I’ll stay here and make sure people see me.”

Annabelle nodded. “Okay. Charlotte’s sleeping. I’ll bring her home with me. She’ll need to eat when she wakes up.”

Preston kissed her again. “Remember, we don’t need everything. At some point we’ll come back and collect it all, but right now we need the essentials. It might be a while before we’re back here.”

“I can pray,” Annabelle said.

“Go. I’ll stick around here for an hour or so. Then, as soon as I get home, we’ll hit the road.”

Annabelle tried to smile but tears welled in her eyes instead.

Preston hugged her and whispered in her ear. “It’s almost over.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”