Chapter 9

Noah came hobbling out on the crutches. "It's good to see you up and about." Jill said. Putting down her knitting.

Noah smiled. "It's good to be up."

Jill helped him to the chair. "Why don't you sit here. It's a little easier to get up and out of than the sofa."

Noah looked around. "This is a nice cabin. You and your husband lived here?"

Jill nodded. "Yeah. My husband was raised on a farm."

Noah stared for a second. "Farm." He said.

Jill nodded. "Yeah. have you spent time on a farm?"

Noah thought. "I think I have, but it's all kind of fuzzy."

Jill smiled. "Maybe with your dad? Tell me more about him."

Noah shrugged. "There's not a lot to tell. He is pretty strict. He likes things done his way. Which can be a pain, but he is all I have."

Jill tilted her head. "What about your mother?"

Noah frowned. "She died when I was 3. I don't remember her very well."

Jill continued to probe. "What did you do for fun?"

Noah smiled. "I like to watch old movies."

Jill nodded. "So it was just you and your dad. At least you had each other. Any girlfriends?"

Noah shook his head. "No not really." Noah paused. He was starting to feel uncomfortable with all the questions. "After all that tea, I think I need to go to the bathroom." Noah began to get up.

Jill got up. "I'll help you."

Noah shook his head. "No. I'm enjoying my new found independence. When I come back I want to hear more about you." He walked into the other room.
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There was a knock on the door. Jill closed the door to the bedroom and went to get the door. "Ben?"

Ben stepped in. "Hi Jill. We dug you out."

Jill peeked out the door and saw Jack and Luke. She recognized Luke from the picture Noah had. "Wow. That's great. I thought it would be another day or two."

Ben waved at Jack and Luke and they stepped into the room. "Well, it was kind of an emergency. There was a boy from the University that was out here and seems to have gotten himself lost."

Jill looked at Jack and Luke. "Really."

Jack stepped forward and held out a picture. "Yes madame. His name is Noah. Have you seen him?"

Jill took the picture. "That's too bad. I told you yesterday Ben that I hadn't seen anyone."

Ben nodded. "Yeah. I know but we are checking everyone."

Jill handed back the picture. "I'm sorry I can't help. Would you like to come in for some tea."

Ben shook his head. "No thanks. We still have other places to check. We should be back in a day or two and dig out your truck."

Jill nodded. "Okay. Good luck at finding that kid."

The men waved as they walked away. "Thanks" said Jack.

Luke stopped for a minute and looked back at the house.

Jack looked at Luke. "What is it?"

Luke shook his head. "I don't know."

Ben came back and joined the guys. "Jill is nice. I've known her for years. I don't know why she lives way out here. She just likes being by herself. I guess it's good for her cause she doesn't seem to age. Time hasn't changed for her a bit. She just hasn't been the same since she lost her husband 15 year ago."
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Noah came out of the bedroom. "Did I hear voices?"

Jill nodded. "Yeah they dug us out."

Noah smiled. "That's great. Now we can go into town and find my father."

Jill shook her head. "Not really. They didn't dig out my truck. They will do that in a few days.

Noah shoulders sank slightly. "Oh."

Jill grabbed her coat. "Well since they dug us out some I should probably go and get some wood."

Jill left the cabin. Noah looked at the various things around the room. He picked up a picture of Jill and someone that must have been her husband. He was wearing the same shirt that Noah had on. Jill was right he did have dark hair and eyes like Noah's. He put down the picture and continued to look around. He picked up the box on the mantle. "What an interesting box."

He opened it and saw the medallion. "All my love Luke" Noah read. "I wonder who this is." He looked at the picture.

Jill came in and saw Noah with the box. Noah turned. "Who is Luke?"
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Luke walked into the kitchen and angrily threw his coat on the chair. "That was a waste of time we still don't know anything."

Holden and Jack walked in behind Luke. "I know it is frustrating son, but at least they haven't found him in the woods. That is good."

Jack nodded. "Your father is right..." Jack was interrupted by his phone.

Jack walked away and took the call. "We have looked everywhere dad. Why hasn't he contacted me?"

Jack walked back over. "I have some news."

Luke walked over to Jack . "Did they find him?"

Jack shook his head. "No, but the area that they were looking in. They found blood in the snow near a rock."

Luke stepped back. "... but no Noah?"

Holden chimed in. "That's good. That means that someone did find him."

Luke bit his lip. "Then that brings us back to my question before. If someone has found him why haven't he or they contacted us?"

Holden shook his head. "I don't know son, but there is nothing else we can do today. I'm going to insist that you stay here tonight."

Jack nodded. "My guess is that he is in one of the neighboring towns. We checked everyone nearby. We will have to expand our search tomorrow."

Luke nodded. "Okay."

Jack grabbed his coat. "I'll see you in the morning.
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Jill quickly walked over to put away the wood. "He's my brother."

Noah nodded. "Oh. What is this medallion?"

Jill walked over and took the box. "It's for St Jude. He gave it to me after my husband died."

Noah watched her place the box back on the mantle. "Why do you keep it in the box."

Jill looked at the fire and began to warm her hands. "My brother died in Iraq a few months ago. It is a little memorial of him."

Noah nodded. "I'm sorry. To be so young you have had your share of losses."

Jill looked down. "I think that we have talked enough about me. You said that you like old movies. How about music. My folks had this old record player. I use to listen to the records for hours."

Jill put one of the songs on. She walked over to Noah. "I know you are on crutches, but would you like to dance?"

She put her arms around Noah and they began to sway to the music. "I haven't danced since my husband died." She snuggled in closer.

Noah stood there. He felt a little uncomfortable, but Jill had done a lot for him.

Jill leaned her head on his chest. "Isn't this nice."

Noah nodded slightly. "Uh huh."

Jill looked up at Noah. She stood on her toes and kissed Noah gently on the lips.

Noah stepped back. "I think I'm starting to get tired. Being out of bed for the first time has taken a lot out of me."

Jill looked at Noah. "Oh. Did you need some help?"

Noah shook his head. "No I will be fine." Noah went back to his bedroom.

Jill watched him go.
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Luke sat in his room looking at the video camera.

Noah was directing Luke around. "You stay right there."

Luke protested. "I'm a writer. I don't like being in front of the camera."

Noah's voice came from off camera. "You look fine."

Luke smoothed his hair. "My hair is a mess. Why don't you let me film you?"

The camera jostled. "Here, I'll put it down."

Noah walked into the view of the camera. Luke put his arms around him. "What are we suppose to do now?"

Noah looked at Luke. This is the scene where the long lost lovers are finally together and they kiss. Noah put his hand to Luke's face and pulled him into a deep kiss.

Luke rewound the scene several times. He finally turned off the camera. "Where are you Noah?"

Coming Soon: In plain sight
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Chapter 10