(A/N: Many thanks to my very kind reviewers who encouraged me to continue with this story. I so appreciate your support!)
Leah leaned back against the pantry door, her eyes tightly shut. "Of course, Dr. Cullen. I'll come in for an exam later this week. Thank you for calling so quickly." Why had she listened to the elders? They were sadly out of touch with reality, and she should have known that. Pregnant. The phone dropped onto the counter from lifeless fingers.
Trudging up the stairs, Leah's mind was whirling. If she told Jared, he'd want to marry her – or at the very least, he'd insist on supporting her and the baby. Until he imprinted on someone else, that is. She resolved that was not happening to her twice as she pulled a suitcase out of the top of her closet.
Running in wolf form was an attractive option – but it would make her too easy to follow. Even the best trackers in the pack couldn't follow her scent in a car, and she couldn't risk phasing in case it was harmful to the baby. She had the money she'd saved for nursing school, and she could get a job. Maybe she could find a school that would let her transfer. Hell, her ancestors had popped their babies out and resumed cleaning the day's catch of fish – and she'd helped her mother countless times in her role as the reservation midwife. She could do this on her own.
There was so little she really needed. After tossing in essential clothing and a few personal items, she looked at the pitifully scant collection of absolute necessities. The hardest part would be telling her mom. Charlie Swan would be there to comfort Sue and Seth; Leah had watched their relationship strengthen over the past few months, and it was only a matter of time before he popped the question. She was glad – Sue deserved to be happy again. The small house in Forks had already become a home away from home, and she spent a few nights a week there.
"Mom – I need to get away for a while. I love you and Seth and will get in touch when I can. Please don't worry. I'm fine. Just need some space. Love, Leah." She left the note face up on the kitchen table and loaded the single suitcase into her ancient Corolla. Choking back tears, Leah drove away from the only home she'd ever known – into a future filled with fears and doubts and uncertainty.
"What do you MEAN you don't know where she is?" Jared's voice rose and he poked his index finger into Seth's chest with each word. "How can you not know?"
Sue Clearwater stepped in between the two young men. "First of all, Jared, you need to calm down. I'll show you the note Leah left if you'll take a seat." She yanked a chair out from the kitchen table and pointed at it with authority. Jared towered over her by nearly a foot, but he mumbled 'sorry' and sat. "We haven't heard from Leah since she left, which was three days ago while I was at work," Sue continued as she thrust the hastily written page into his hand.
Jared read it through twice, running the fingers of his free hand through his short, dark hair. He looked up at Sue. "She took her car?"
Sue nodded. "I guess she knew the pack could follow her scent if she ran. Are you sure you don't have any idea why she left, Jared? Did you two have a fight?"
A short bark of a laugh erupted from his throat. "A fight? She won't even talk to me, Sue!" His cheeks burned as he added, "I'm apparently only good for recreation." He growled softly. "Well I just can't sit here and hope she's okay – she could be hurt, or kidnapped…" He stood quickly, knocking the chair over. "I have to do something!"
"I'll come with you, Jared. We'll see if we can pick up a scent." The screen door banged behind them, and in seconds Sue watched two giant wolves streak across the back yard. She had a sinking feeling that, for some reason, Leah didn't want to be found – and they were wasting their time.
After spending one night in a fleabag motel in Portland, Leah found a clean and airy room in a boarding house on Market Street. The other tenants were college students, and she paid a month's rent in advance. The owner of the house, a sprightly little lady named Mrs. Fisher, took an instant liking to her newest tenant. "Come downstairs when you get settled, dear, and have a piece of apple pie." So that explained the enticing aroma that greeted her when she first opened the door.
Mrs. Fisher wasn't born yesterday. She didn't pry, but she made herself a cup of tea and poured Leah a tall glass of milk to go with her pie. "Better for the baby," she stated matter-of-factly.
Leah almost choked on her pie. "How could you possibly know that?" she asked when she recovered her voice.
With a soft chuckle, Mrs. Fisher explained. "It was a guess – until now," she said. "In my 70 years I've seen a lot of pregnant ladies. You just have that look. And you'd be surprised how many of them show up on my doorstep, wanting to rent a room. Your secrets, whatever they are, are safe with me. You come from one of the reservations here in the northwest?"
Leah swallowed before she spoke. "LaPush," she said.
"Ahhh, one of our other young ladies is Quileute," Mrs. Fisher said with a smile. "You and Aiyanna may find you have a lot in common. I have to warn you, though – she's a talker!" Thankfully, Leah didn't know anyone by that name so she looked forward to meeting the girl.
As if on cue, a striking Native woman breezed into the kitchen and stopped, blinking at Leah. "We could be twins!" she grinned. "Oh, please say you rented the other room!"
Laughing, Leah nodded and introduced herself. "Leah Clearwater," she said, offering her hand.
"Aiyanna Youngblood. Also Quileute," she added unnecessarily. "I've heard the name Clearwater before. It's nice to meet you!" She ignored Leah's proffered hand and hugged her. "Our rooms are across the hall from each other. Oh, this will be fun! Are you in school? No, of course not. People don't start classes in the middle of a semester. Say, are you looking for a job?"
Mrs. Fisher shook her head when Aiyanna paused to take a breath. "Let the poor girl get a good night's sleep before you talk her ear off!" she laughed.
It turned out that Aiyanna worked part-time at a local diner and they were looking for help. They were willing to train her, so Leah signed on. It was hard work and the pay wasn't great, but the owner, Nick, was a kind and fatherly man. And the local community college allowed her to transfer to their nursing program without losing any credits, so Leah figured she could graduate well before her due date.
Leah was working on homework when she heard a knock on her door. Aiyanna's voice spoke softly. "Are you decent?"
"Well, that's debatable, but I'm dressed," Leah answered. "It's open."
Anna plopped on Leah's bed. "How's it going, Lee? You must be homesick, but I hope you like it here. Nick really likes you – he gave me a bonus for recommending you so let's go out for dinner. Nothing fancy, but we can talk. Or not. Your call. Of course I'll talk anyway!"
Leah laughed softly, waiting for a chance to get a word in. "Yeah, I miss my mom. I have to call her one of these days. And dinner sounds great."
As Leah's pregnancy became more obvious, nobody asked any questions. She was grateful that her new circle of friends kept any curiosity to themselves. Graduation came in May, as expected, and Mrs. Fisher made a special dinner for her boarders to celebrate. Leah decided to keep working at the diner until the baby was born instead of looking for a nursing job while she was obviously pregnant. She felt good, and her energy never flagged.
"Hi, Mom. It's me."
"Leah!" Sue's voice cracked slightly, and she cleared her throat. "It's wonderful to hear your voice!"
Leah smiled. "You too. You wouldn't believe how much I miss you. Even Seth."
"He's right here," Sue commented. Leah heard a faint "Hey, Sis!" from her little brother. "You still have your cell? I've called…"
"I know, Mom. I keep it turned off, in a drawer, so I can keep in touch once in a while."
"So you're not coming home?"
Leah shook her head. "Not yet. But I wanted you to know I'm fine – and I finished school. I transferred my credits and I'm officially an LPN now."
"That's great news, honey. My, it's good to hear your voice. Is there anything you need? Anything I can do to help you come home again?"
"Not right now, Mom. I have a room and a job. I promise to keep in touch with you and Seth, but I have to go now." She paused. "I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, Leah. With all my heart. And I miss you every day."
Leah disconnected and wiped at her eyes. While the phone was charged, she cleaned out the incoming messages. The inbox was full, and most of the messages were from Sue and Seth. There were a few from Jared as well, but she didn't listen to them – just punched Erase All.
On June 4, Leah woke up with a dull ache low in her back. She had the day off, so she stayed in bed. Mrs. Fisher came up to check on her at noon, concerned. Leah was writhing in pain. "Hang on, dear, I'll call an ambulance," the landlady offered.
Leah grabbed her hand. "No. Please. No ambulance." She ground her teeth as another pain ripped through her. When it passed, she panted, "Please call Dr. Carlisle Cullen in Forks, Washington and explain. Tell him where I am."