Page 37 of Keeping Amanda
“Ready?” the man called from the cab.
Nash gave him a thumbs-up.
Amanda sat up and watched intently as the man backed the truck up and turned around on the road. She was ready to jump right back out if it looked like he was going to drive them in the direction they’d just come from.
It wasn’t until they were on their way—in the opposite direction from the border—that she finally relaxed.
“We did it,” she said, just loud enough for Nash to hear.
“We did,” he agreed.
Amanda hugged Rain against her chest and rested her chin on the top of his head as they headed—hopefully—for the school and orphanage where her whole ordeal had started. She had mixed feelings about what was to come. Not that she wanted to go back into the jungle, but she, Nash, and Rain had gotten into a routine. It was comfortable. Predictable. Whatever lie ahead of her was not.
As if he could sense her unease, Nash wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him and closed her eyes. With this man next to her, she felt stronger. Which wasn’t smart, as he’d probably be leaving as soon as they got to the school. His copilot was probably waiting anxiously for him, and Amanda had no doubt the rest of his team would be equally worried by now. He’d have his own issues to deal with.
Things would change between them, and she could only hope he’d meant what he said about seeing her once she got back to Virginia. It might’ve been something he’d said in the heat of the moment, and, once reality hit and he got back to his life, he might regret being so impulsive. That would hurt, but she’d rather know right off the bat than be led on or have him date her briefly out of some sense of obligation.
Nash Chaney was an honorable man, and if he said he’d do something, she had no doubt he’d follow through on his promise to take her out when she returned to the States. Butshe didn’t want to be a chore, a task he had to complete to keep his word.
She liked this man. A lot. She still dreamed about the kiss they’d shared. It was intense, and the best kiss she’d ever received. They hadn’t repeated it, but he’d shown affection in other ways…holding her hand, making sure she got the first pieces of cooked meat. And of course, he still slept with his arms wrapped around her every night.
But ultimately, she was worrying for nothing. She couldn’t control anyone other than her own actions. And at the moment, allshecould do was go with the flow. Things would work out or they wouldn’t. That was the bottom line.
One day at a time. Right now, she just wanted to see how things went after they arrived back at the school. She was anxious to see the kids. To make sure they were all right. See for herself that they were safe and sound.
The truck didn’t drive very long at all before it began to slow. Looking around the cab, Amanda saw the familiar road that led to the orphanage and school where she’d spent three months of her life. She couldn’t help but smile.
They’d done it. Against all odds, she’d made it back to where her nightmare had begun.
As the truck bumped down the road, she saw people begin to stream out the doors of the school building, next to the building where the kids slept and ate every day.
Her smile grew, so much that her cheeks hurt. The truck pulled up, and Nash was out and holding out a hand to her as soon as it stopped. She took it and turned to see all “her” kids running toward her.
She vaguely realized Rain had jumped out of the back of the truck as well, but most of her attention was on the children. Michael was leading the group, and the smile on his face was almost as wide as her own. Andrew, James, Natasha, and Sandra were there.
She scanned the faces of the children and realized they wereallthere.
Michael ran straight into her, almost knocking her on her ass. Only Nash’s hand at her back kept her upright. But he stepped back when she was swarmed by the kids. She laughed as they all tried to touch her, to prove to themselves that it really was her and she was all right.
Everyone was talking at once. Asking where she’d been, trying to tell her all about the helicopter they’d been in. Their excitement and relief was contagious, and once more, Amanda felt something click inside her. This was what she was meant to do with her life. Teach. Mold and help guide kids to be the best people they could be when they grew up. She hadn’t been with this group of children for that long, but they already meant the world to her.
She did her best to touch each child, to comment on how healthy they looked, how smart they’d been during their escape. They soaked up her praise, just as they always did.
They had a million questions, but she wasn’t ready to answer them just yet and wasn’t sure what to say, anyway. All she kept telling them was that she was fine. Tired, hungry, and dirty, but all right.
As her gaze ran over the children again, she realized one was missing. Little Bibi. Looking around, she saw some of the adults standing back, smiling and observing the reunion between the children and herself. Desmond was there, also with a small smile on his face. As were the other three teachers.
Blair was there too—and she was holding Bibi. A very unhappy little four-year-old. The girl was squirming and trying to get out of the woman’s hold, but the matron of the school wasn’t letting her go. She might be in her early seventies, but she was obviously still strong enough to subdue the child.
And Blairwasn’tsmiling. She looked…shocked. Amanda could understand that. It wasn’t as if they’d been able to call ahead of time to let everyone know she was back. But she was confused as to why she wouldn’t let little Bibi come greet her.
Her attention was diverted from the owner of the orphanage by Joseph, wanting to know the name of the dog.
Rain was standing a little ways away, next to Nash, looking very unsure about all the excitement going on.
“That’s Rain. He found us in the jungle and was our faithful companion. He helped save our lives by alerting us when the bad men were around. Made us go a different direction.”
“And the man?” Natasha wanted to know.
