Fiona’s heart raced as she sped along the highway, heading south toward Texas. She’d fled from Denver, Colorado, earlier that morning. It had only been one mistake. One. But when Fiona messed up, she did it in a big way. She couldn’t stop looking in her rearview mirror, dreading what she’d find. So far, no one followed.

Willing her heart to slow its rapid pace, she absently rubbed her swollen belly. Seven months pregnant and all she had to show for it was an abusive boyfriend—ex-boyfriend—and a beat-up car. She had no job, no house, no husband… there was less than two-hundred dollars in her wallet and one credit card she’d made sure to pay off last month, knowing the time was getting near for her to make a run for it.

Thinking back, Fi realized it wasn’t any wonder she’d fallen for Garrett. With this tall, muscular frame, blond Adonis good looks, and smooth talking, she hadn’t stood a chance. He’d been the perfect gentlemen the first few months they were together. Then he’d found out she was pregnant and had asked her to move in with him. It hadn’t taken long for his true colors to show. At first, it had only been arguments with lots of yelling and threats being screamed at her, but later… well, later she’d had to hide the bruises from the few friends she had. She’d told herself she only hid them so her friends wouldn’t worry about her. If she were honest, she’d admit it embarrassed her. She didn’t want anyone to know how weak she was.

In high school, Fi hadn’t been the most popular girl in school, but she’d had a lot of friends. After graduation, she’d moved from Montana to Colorado, hoping for excitement and adventure. Instead, she’d found jobs waiting tables and occasionally she’d been lucky enough to get some office work. It paid the rent, but it didn’t make her happy. She took classes at night, trying to get her degree, but she was still a long way off from finishing. She wasn’t sure when, or how, she’d gotten sidetracked from her life goals, but now she found herself alone and pregnant, twenty-three and on the run from the man who supposedly loved her.

She knew different now. If Garrett truly cared for her, he wouldn’t abuse her verbally and physically. She had someone else to consider now. No way she’d raise a baby with a man like him!

Fiona squinted at the green sign coming up. “Amarillo 200 Miles.” 

She mumbled under her breath. She was never going to make it to Mt. Pleasant, Texas, at this rate. It was the only destination she could think of where Garrett wouldn’t find her. Or at least, she hoped he wouldn’t find her. She’d had an aunt who had lived there a while back. When Aunt Mae had died, she’d left her small house to Fiona. Thankfully, Fi had never mentioned it to Garrett. Maybe deep down, she’d always thought she might need it in the future.

On the plus side, she’d already traveled over two-hundred miles. She’d been on the road for about three hours and knew she needed to stop. Her doctor had warned her that she shouldn’t travel once she passed the six-month mark. However, extreme times called for extreme measures. Surely if she took a break every few hours, she’d be okay.

Pulling over at the next exit, she located a McDonald’s. As she parked the car, she turned off the engine and let her eyes rest for a moment. She was always tired these days. She only hoped she could make it to Mt. Pleasant on what little money she had. If she had to stay in a hotel tonight, she could use her credit card, but Fi really wanted to avoid that, if at all possible.

Sighing, she grabbed her purse and hauled herself out of the car. She shook her head in disgust as she eyed the poor excuse for a vehicle. Fi had bought it cheap since someone wrecked it several times. Since it ran well, she couldn’t really ask for more. Not on her budget.

As she locked the doors, she dropped her keys in her purse and waddled to the front door of the restaurant. Inside, cool air greeted her. While it wasn’t quite summer yet, it was a balmy seventy-five degrees… and for a pregnant woman, it might as well be one-hundred-and-five degrees.

Fi made her way up to the counter and placed her order, getting the cheapest value meal she could find. It might not be quite what she wanted, but it would sustain her for another few hours.

She rubbed a hand over her belly. “I owe you some good food once we’re settled.”

Paying for her meal, she picked up her tray and selected a table near the window.

Eating her food slowly, she enjoyed the air conditioning and the sounds of the birds chirping outside of the window. When she’d finished, she threw her trash away and used the restroom.

Once she was back in the car, she started the engine and backed out of the parking space. In minutes, she was back on the interstate, heading towards freedom.

As the sun rose higher and higher, Fi fought against sleep. She knew that she needed a nap, but she didn’t feel safe stopping at a rest area. Maybe she should have stopped in Amarillo, but she really didn’t want to make any more stops than she had to. Garrett would be getting home in another hour and she wanted to put as much distance between the two of them as she could.

She got back on the highway, continuing to what would be her new home.

“I know our life won’t be grand, but I’ll keep you safe,” she murmured to her unborn child. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you away from that monster.”