Page 46 of Keeping Amanda
“Of course not. But it’s better to be safe than sorry, isn’t it? When they hear the American they took outsmarted them,escaped, and evaded capture as she walked back to the border, they’ll probably be even more determined to come back for you.”
“How would they hear about it?” Amanda asked.
“What?”
“You saidwhen, notifthey hear. How would they ever know unless someone from the school told them? And why would anyone do that?Howwould they do that?”
“Of course, I meantif,” Blair backpedaled. “No one around here associates with dangerous people like the ones who took you.”
But now that Amanda had the thought, she couldn’t shake it. Was someone she worked with a spy? Were they even now informing the kidnappers that she was back? That if they wanted to get their hands on her, they’d better hurry up because she was leaving?
The hair on the back of her neck stood up, and suddenly Amanda wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of there.
This entire situation was infuriating, but she wasn’t going to beg to stay where she wasn’t wanted. If there was the slightest chance she could bring danger down on the school, and the kids and staff, she’d leave.
But there was one more thing she needed to discuss with Blair before she returned to Nash, who was probably getting anxious as he waited just outside the door. She’d told him she wanted to talk to Blair alone. Even though he’d been there with her when she’d told the colonel everything she could remember about her ordeal, this was something she needed to do on her own. They’d already collected her belongings and stashed them in the car he’d borrowed to drive her to the school. All that was left was for her to talk to Blair and say goodbye to the children. The latter would rip her heart out, Amanda had no doubt.
“I’d like to talk to you about adoption. Obviously the time isn’t good right now, given how soon I’ll be leaving, but I’m going to put in an application when I get home to Virginia. I wanted togive you a heads-up, so you aren’t surprised when my paperwork comes across your desk.”
“Adopt? Who?” Blair asked tersely.
Once again, Amanda was surprised at her reaction. She kind of thought she’d be thrilled. They’d talked more than once about how wonderful it would be if some of the children could be adopted. If they could somehow gain the attention of more people from the US looking to take children from other countries who needed homes and families.
“Well, Bibi and I have gotten very close. I’d love to make her my daughter, and continue to be her teacher, friend, and her mom. And I was thinking Michael, as well. I know he’s older, which makes him harder to place, and he deserves a shot at a more stable life.”
Blair was frowning so hard, Amanda was concerned that she might have a coronary right then and there. Every muscle in her body seemed tense, and it looked as if she might shatter if she so much as made one wrong movement.
“I see.”
That was it. Just two words.
Amanda decided to let the silence play out. She refused to break it, wanting to see what Blair would do. Whether she might try to alleviate the uncomfortable atmosphere that was thick in the room.
“I’ll watch for your application then.”
Amanda was disappointed in the woman she’d once looked up to. She had no idea why Blair was opposed to the idea of her adopting some of the children, but it wasmorethan clear by her tone that if Amanda did submit an application, Blair would likely do what she could to discredit her to whomever ultimately made the decision on the children’s futures.
It made no sense. None.
But then…Amanda remembered the way Blair had held on to Bibi when she’d returned earlier that afternoon. How she’d refused to let the girl go so she could come greet Amanda.
Did the woman want Bibi for herself? If so, why didn’t she simply say so?
Amanda was more confused than ever, but for now, she was done trying to figure out why Blair was acting so strangely. She wanted to go home. Get away from the uncertainty and weird vibes she was getting from a place where she’d felt more than comfortable just a few weeks ago. Now it felt oppressive. She wondered what she’d missed before. Had it always been this way, and she’d just been too naïve to see it?
Was Blair involved in something dangerous? Was she more than simply the owner and director of the orphanage?
She shut that thought down. There was no way a seventy-two-year-old grandma-looking woman, a widow, would do anything to put the children under her care in danger. No way.
“I’m going to say goodbye to the children now,” Amanda said, not asking buttellingthe other woman. “Thank you for the opportunity to volunteer. I wish you all nothing but the best. You’ll be seeing my adoption application in a few weeks.”
With that, Amanda stood, nodded at Blair and headed for the door with her head held high. She’d done nothing wrong, and she resented Blair for making her feel as if she was leaving under a cloud of suspicion.
She’d put herself in danger trying to help these kids. Why Blair was acting as if she was somehow the sole reason the kids were taken in the first place, and it would be better if she wasn’t around, was beyond her.
The second she opened the door, Nash was there. He was frowning and looking at her in concern.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
