The Baby Thief by L. J. Sellers Read Free Book Online Page A

second and third thoughts about finding Jenna and attempting to run thirteen miles with her. It seemed feasible the night before when the inspiration hit him during the eleven o’clock news. They’d shown clips from last year’s run—little old ladies and heavy middle-aged men crossing the finish line with big smiles. Eric had been deceived into thinking it would be, if not easy, at least possible.
    He parted with the fifteen dollars anyway. It was a lot to pay for a t-shirt, but maybe Jenna would admire him for trying. If he could find her in the crowd. The women all looked the same in their neon running gear and pulled-back hair. Fortunately, the participants were grouping into categories based on how long it would take to run the course. The serious runners were up front to race against the clock, amateur athletes in the middle, and misfits bringing up the rear.
    He found Jenna toward the tail end of the women’s amateur group. Even in a black t-shirt with no make-up, she was gorgeous. Eric wondered how this woman had made it to thirty-two without some guy snatching her up. Did she have some really bizarre quirk that hadn’t surfaced yet?
    “Hey there,” he said casually as if he’d just happened to bump into her. Jenna jumped, looking frightened.
    “Eric.” She shivered. “You startled me.”
    “Sorry.” Eric touched her shoulder. “How have you been?”
    “All right. What are you doing here?”
    “You know, I’ve had all morning to come up with a good cover story. Yet the fact is, I just wanted to see you and maybe impress you with my new dedication to physical fitness.” Eric rolled his eyes in mock disgust. “But five minutes into this run you’ll hear my heart pounding so hard it’ll scare you, so why pretend?” Jenna chuckled politely but Eric could tell something was wrong. “You seem upset. Is it because I’m here? I know you asked me to give you some space, but it’s been three days.”
    “I’m feeling a little apprehensive.” Jenna chewed on her lower lip. “This is only the third time I’ve left the house since the robbery.”
    “Have you been back to the restaurant yet?”
    “No.” She looked away, then bent down to stretch her quads.
    “Maybe you should join one of those victims’ groups, get some support. I don’t know how you feel because I’ve never had a gun to my head, but I can imagine it has some long-term effects. You should talk to a counselor.”
    A loud whistle blew, signaling the runners to get ready. Jenna turned away without answering. A woman with a bullhorn made an announcement Eric didn’t hear. The crowd of bodies moved forward, a thundering herd of feet hitting the asphalt. Eric had no choice but to move with them. He’d planned to back out at the last minute, telling Jenna he’d meet her at the finish line. But she seemed so vulnerable—so unlike the confident woman in the restaurant who’d tried to save a man’s life—Eric decided to stay with her all thirteen miles, even if it killed him. He laughed out loud.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “I was just thinking that if I had a heart attack, you’d be able to save me.”
    “Don’t count on it. I plan to finish this run in two hours and that doesn’t leave any time for first aid along the way.”
    “Two hours? Get real. We have to slow down, or I’ll never make it.” Eric was already sucking wind.
    She slowed her pace a bit, and Eric was grateful. Even if he walked the thirteen miles, he’d have to wait a week to ask her out because he wouldn’t be able to move again for that long. He hadn’t done anything this foolish for a woman since high school when he’d stolen a bottle of Boones Farm apple wine from the corner store just because Cindy Miller really wanted some.
    After ten minutes, Eric experienced a strange floating sensation as if his body weighed only a few pounds and he could run forever. He took advantage of it while it lasted. Later he knew he wouldn’t be able to speak. “So