Bare feet in the dirt, Colorado wind in my hair, I trim the pot plants of Cricket’s with a pair of sharp scissors, making sure the leaves are not blocking too much sun. My dress is tight against my swollen belly, and I stand straight and feel our little one move about inside of me. I’m pregnant. We don’t know what we’re having, we want it to be a surprise. We have a home birth arranged and are ready for the baby's arrival, all thanks to Cricket.

He has cancer and sits on the swing smoking pot, watching nothing most of his days now. I hope he stays around long enough for the baby to be born. He’d make a great grandpa. He’s very excited I’m pregnant.

He says bringing me and Warner into his home was the best thing he’s ever done. We never did find Pink or her house. Maybe one day we can look for her, but right now we have everything we need living off the land. Why chance looking for someone we have no clue where to look for?

“Hey Hippie.” Warner smacks my ass, limping past with a fishing pole. His injury to his ankle did cause permanent damage, but he’s lucky he didn’t lose it.

Crazy thing is, his scar healed to a near replica of a string tied around his ankle. My soulmate, just like my grandmother’s story.

Warner and I were called the Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde, never to be found. Living out here is different, but I love it. It’s exactly what Warner and I wanted. Freedom. We fish, garden, I don’t hunt, but the guys do sometimes. We won’t get into that, though.

We do everything here on this mountain. There is no need to go to town, and for that, we will never be caught.

A black snake weaves through the garden, and I quiver at it.

“Warner!” I call out, panic lacing my voice.

He walks up behind me and notices me staring at the snake. My back straight, and shoulders tense.

“Put your hand out, hover over it slowly and grab it behind the neck fast.” Warner walks me through it. Licking my lips, my heart beating fast, I use my free hand and hover over it. Just as it tries to take off, I jerk out and grab it behind the head. It flicks its body back and forth, opening its mouth.

I squeal, I actually did it. I handled a snake! Warner takes it from me, and I can’t stop smiling.

“I did it!”

“I’ll set him free farther down.” Warner laughs.

Proud of myself, I nod. Watching him go.

All because one man knew what it was like to be young, dumb, and in love. He hoarded us up here in the mountains and watched over us. He said he owed it to the family that helped him and Lucille when they were running. Who knows, maybe we can pay it back to some young couple one day.

“Want some tea for my grandbaby?” Cricket asks, coming out onto the front porch. Shielding the sun from my eyes, I smile. Cricket is a man that I could honestly call a dad, and a grandfather to my child.

“Yeah, that’ll be great.” Setting down my trimming gear, I head up to a man that I could never thank enough. A man that made me see that running was worth it...

That love was worth it.