Emily’s stomach twisted like a pretzel. She’d been right—her research is what had gotten Naomi taken after all.
Dad continued, “Charlotte hired someone to determine why Naomi was digging into Charlotte and the adoptions. The night of the fire, he took a picture of Naomi with the Websters. When Charlotte saw it, she recognized them, and with Olivia in the picture, she remembered the situation. Scared that her baby-selling ring was about to be revealed, she ordered her associate to kidnap Naomi.”
“What could she hope to gain? Surely she knew Naomi would eventually talk?” Grandma’s voice wobbled.
“According to her confession, she planned to keep Naomi hidden away just long enough for her to leave the country without suspicion. She carried on business as usual for the week, clearing up cases and such and letting everyone know in the office she had a very sick relative she needed to leave town to go check on.”
Emily’s grip tightened on Grandma’s shoulders. “So, where’s Naomi now?”
Dad’s eyes darkened. “That’s what she wouldn’t say. Not until she gets some sort of deal from the district attorney.”
“We still don’t know where my daughter is?” Grandma’s voice was filled with emotion.
“Not right now, but Mason’s on the phone with the state’s attorney, trying to get them to do anything for Charlotte to give up Naomi’s location.” Dad’s tone went deep. “Mason ordered me to leave. He said because of the storm forecast, but I think it’s because he didn’t want me near Charlotte Tarver.”
“So what are we supposed to do?” Grandma asked.
“We have to trust Mason will do everything to get Naomi’s location.” Dad stared out the front window. “Until Mason calls, we just wait.”
He faced them. “And pray.”
TWENTY-FIVE
The clouds hung low and threatening in the frigid air when Emily stepped onto the back deck to call Sherlock. She whistled, but there was no answering happy bark. Cupping her hands to her mouth, she shouted for him. Silly puppy was probably wrestling with a leaf or something. She frowned. Was that a break in the fence? She hurried down the steps and examined the hole. A tuft of fur was stuck in it. Sherlock must have escaped through here.
She had to find her puppy. The woods weren’t safe for a pup his size, especially with the blizzard rolling in. She stepped back inside and went to find her dad. Wearing a strange look on his face, Dad had his cell phone to his ear and was listening intently. Her pulse jumped in her throat, and she went to stand near him. He pulled her closer so she could listen in on the conversation.
Sheriff Kaleva’s voice held excitement. “So we have somewhere to search. Charlotte told us her accomplice put Naomi ashore and was going to release her, but Naomi ran off into the woods.”
“Where?” Dad asked, his voice tight.
“On the northern edge of the Porkies, she said.”
“Not that far from here,” Dad said. “Did you call Bree?”
“She’s on her way with Samson. We need Charley too. He has the most connection with Naomi,” the sheriff said.
“I’ll bring him. He can go with Bree.”
Here was her chance! Emily grabbed his arm. “Dad, I want to go!”
He shook his head and moved the phone away from Emily. “Sorry, Mason, Emily is begging to go, but I don’t want her out with the blizzard coming. Bree is the best. She’ll find Naomi.”
Dad finished his conversation. “I heard we’d be dealing with weather. We’ll find her. See you in a few minutes.” He ended the call.
Emily blinked back tears. “I want to help find her, Dad.”
He shrugged on his coat. “I know you do, but I can’t risk your health. Your grandma would have my hide if I let you go out in that storm. We’re supposed to get nearly two feet of snow and high winds.”
She bit her lip and swallowed hard. “I have to go find Sherlock. He got out through the fence.”
He glanced at his watch. “Okay, but be back here in an hour whether you find him or not. Understand?”
She nodded reluctantly. “I’m sure he hasn’t gone far. Why can’t I search with Bree for at least a little while?”
“Someone would have to bring you back, and we can’t leave the search if the dogs find her trail. I’m taking the snowmobile.” His face was set with determination. “I’m not coming back without her.”
He grabbed Charley’s leash from the hook by the door. “I’ll let your grandma know what’s happening.”
Still unhappy, Emily pulled on her coat and gloves. She yanked her hood up and stepped out the back door. “Sherlock!” No answering bark came on the stiffening breeze.
She opened the gate and stepped through to the path leading into the woods. His doggy paw prints in the dusting of snow led her on. He’d gone this way for sure. Probably chasing squirrels.
Or trying to find his daddy, Samson.
Tucking her hands in her pockets, she followed the prints. The wind grew fiercer and the temperature began to drop. Walking kept her warm though.
“Sherlock!” The wind snatched her cry away. What if an eagle had grabbed him? Or a mountain lion?
At the thought, she looked around uneasily. While no panther had been spotted this close to town, it wasn’t impossible. Who knew what lurked in the shadows and trees? She shouted for the puppy again. Glancing at her Phantom of the Opera watch, she realized she had already been gone for a half hour. She should start back if she was going to obey her dad. But she couldn’t leave Sherlock out here. The blizzard might kill him. He’d be lost and not know which way to go. She’d just stay another fifteen minutes.
Quickening her steps, she rushed along the trail, pausing occasionally to yell for the dog. She had to find him! Through the trees, she could see the black clouds. The storm was supposed to hit around one. Her dad would kill her if she didn’t turn around and head for home. Maybe she could call him. She felt in her pocket for her cell phone, but she couldn’t find it. Had she dropped it? She was going to be in big trouble if she’d lost it.
Sighing, she turned around. Then she heard a distant bark and whirled. “Sherlock?” She ran toward the sound. “Here, boy, come to me.”
The bark came again, but it sounded like he was staying in one place. Could he be trapped? She put on an extra burst of speed and hurdled over a low-lying bush. Big flakes of snow wafted to the ground, and she glanced at her watch again.
Oh no! She’d forgotten to change the time. Daylight saving time had ended last night. It was going on one. No wonder Dad had very specifically told her to be back in an hour. The flakes fell faster as she hollered for her puppy again. His bark was frenzied, just past a big pine tree.
He was jumping up and down but still not running to meet her. Then she saw the form stretched out in the snow.
Naomi!
Emily ran until she stood over her stepmom. Naomi’s eyes were closed in her pale face. Sherlock huddled close as if to keep her warm. Tears started in Emily’s eyes. “Naomi!” She knelt beside her and touched her cheek. “Please don’t be dead.”
Naomi’s cheek was cold but pliable. Her eyelids fluttered, and there was a faint movement up and down of her chest. “Thank you, God.” Emily’s voice broke. She couldn’t have withstood losing Naomi.
If only she’d brought a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate. Emily slipped her arm under Naomi’s head. “Naomi, can you hear me?”
Naomi licked her lips, and her eyes opened. Her gaze was unfocused, then sharpened when she looked at Emily. She groaned and struggled to get up. “Emily? Am I dreaming? I thought I heard Sherlock.”
Emily cradled her close. “You did. He found you and refused to leave you even when I called him.”
Naomi smiled faintly. “Good dog. Where are we?”
“Nearly an hour from home. And there’s a blizzard blowing in any minute.”
“Help me sit up.” Naomi winced as Emily lifted her. “I think I broke my leg.”
That changed everything. “I’ve
got to find us some shelter then. We won’t make it home before it hits.” Emily glanced around the woods. She knew this area well. “There’s an old miner’s cabin that way.” She gestured to the north. “It’s farther from the house, but we can make it there before the storm hits, I think.”
“I’m not sure I can walk. Can you see if you can find me a branch to use as a crutch?”
“I’ll see what I can do. Stay, Sherlock.” Like the puppy would do anything else. He was so happy to see Naomi, he wasn’t going anywhere.
Emily quickly began to pick through the underbrush for a branch. She found a fairly sturdy one with a forked end and took it to Naomi. “Will this work?”
“I think so. I’m going to need help getting to my feet.”
Emily let Naomi lean on her and managed to get her upright with the branch under her arm. “This way.”
They moved slowly through the snow that was beginning to fall faster. “I see it!” Emily urged Naomi as fast as she dared. The snow and wind picked up until it was hard to see the dark outline of the structure ahead. “Nearly there.”
Five more feet and they stood in front of the door. Emily pushed on it. “I think it’s locked. Let me see if I can get in the window.” She went around to the back and found a window she could shove open. It was barely large enough to squeeze through, but she finally fell inside the cabin. The cessation of wind was a blessed relief. She scrambled to her feet and rushed to the door, where she threw the dead bolt.
Naomi was leaning against the cabin with her eyes closed. She was even paler. Emily took her arm. “We’re here, Naomi. There’s a cot here. Let’s get your leg up.” She helped Naomi inside. Sherlock ran past their feet, and Emily shut the door behind them.
Now they just had to wait out the storm and pray for the searchers to find them.
God, are you there? Thank you for keeping Naomi safe and letting me find her. Emily smiled as Sherlock sniffed around the door to the cabin. Well, thanks for letting Sherlock find her. But, God, it’s really, really cold in here, and Naomi’s hurt. She’s not really doing so great. I know Dad and Bree are out looking and searching. If you could, please, God, would you let them find us sooner rather than later?
Naomi moaned in her sleep, her face registering the pain as her leg moved.
Emily felt her head. Hot again. The fever was back, and there wasn’t a thing Emily could do. She’d brought in snowballs and fed Naomi snow, but her fever still raged like the wind blasted outside.
According to her watch, they’d been in the cabin for only an hour, but already snow was stacking up outside. Another hour or two and they’d be snowed in.
What am I supposed to do?
Sherlock whined at the door. Poor thing, he probably had to go to the bathroom. Emily eased open the door, and he shot out through the crack. She shut the door back and looked at her watch. In five minutes, she’d call him back if he hadn’t come back already.
“Emily!” Naomi’s voice was so weak.
She rushed to her stepmom’s side. “I’m here, Naomi.”
Naomi touched her face. “I thought I’d dreamed you found me.”
“No, I’m right here. We’re safe in this cabin until Dad and Bree find us.”
“Good. I thought he’d come back.”
“Who? Charlotte’s partner?”
“You know her?” Naomi’s voice was a whisper.
Emily nodded. “Sheriff Kaleva has her in custody. She told him an accomplice brought you back to shore to release you, but you escaped.”
“Evil woman.” Naomi swallowed loudly. “And the guy is just plain mean. He didn’t feed me much.”
Emily ran a hand to smooth Naomi’s matted and greasy hair. “What did they do to you?” she whispered.
“Only gave me water and vitamins.” Naomi coughed, then grimaced as if the movement hurt her more than her leg. “To keep me weak so I couldn’t fight back.”
She kissed Naomi’s forehead. “I’m so sorry, Naomi. It’s all my fault. If I wouldn’t have searched for Olivia’s birth mother, the track-back program wouldn’t have been activated and she wouldn’t have sent him to follow you. He took a picture of you and Mrs. Webster and Olivia, and that’s what made her hire him to kidnap you. I’m so sorry.” Tears choked her and she finally took a breath.
Naomi smiled weakly, but a smile. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She swallowed again. “But it’s not your fault. And you’ve saved me. You and Sherlock.”
Sherlock!
Emily rushed to the door and flung it open.
Wind pushed a sheet of snow right into her, stinging her face. “Sherlock!” She cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled again, “Sherlock! Here, boy.”
A gust of air nearly knocked her over. She glanced over her shoulder to see Naomi shivering on the cot. Emily took a step out of the door and pulled it closed behind her. “Sherlock!”
In the distance, she could barely make out barking.
“Sherlock! Here, boy. Sherlock!”
Woof! Woof!
Emily’s heart leaped. That wasn’t her puppy’s bark. That was—
Samson and Charley burst through the tree line, Sherlock on their heels. All three barked and jumped up on Emily, knocking her to the ground.
And then she was in Dad’s arms. “I was so worried about you when your grandma called and said you weren’t home. Then the storm hit and Sherlock found us. He led us right to you.” He squeezed her tight. “I told you I loved you too much and didn’t want you doing dangerous things like this.”
She smiled. “Dad, Bree . . . we found Naomi. Sherlock did.”
“What?” Dad’s arms around her tightened.
“Where?” Bree reached for the doorknob even as she asked.
Dad rushed to Naomi and swept her into his arms. “Naomi!”
Emily’s stepmom opened her eyes, stared into Dad’s face, and smiled. “Donovan, what took you so long?”
Emily didn’t even look away from the gushy stuff going on. Her eyes welled with tears, and she ran to join them in a group hug.
EPILOGUE
The anniversary party was a smashing success. The bed-and-breakfast was decorated with photos and mementos from Mr. and Mrs. Webster’s twenty-five years together. The cake Naomi had ordered with the design of their wedding picture was beautiful. Even the weather had cooperated with a sunny sky and temperatures up in the forties.
Olivia walked over to Emily and threw an arm around her shoulder. “Everything’s just perfect.”
Emily watched her dad hand a cup of punch to Naomi, whose leg cast had been decorated with sparkles for the occasion. Dr. Parker said the X-rays showed it’d been broken in two places as she’d tried to escape, but that it would heal fine and she’d be back search-and-rescuing before they knew it.
Naomi didn’t talk much about her week in captivity, saying she didn’t want to give Charlotte Tarver any more time in their lives. But she’d gone through a bad week, Emily could tell.
Timmy and Matthew had been reluctant to leave her side since her return. And Charley? Well, the golden retriever almost didn’t let her out of his sight. But Emily thought that all of that was probably good. Naomi needed her family around her while she healed.
Emily grinned at her best friend. “Yeah, I’d have to agree: life’s pretty perfect right now.”
“Olivia,” Mrs. Webster called.
Both girls turned. Olivia went still as a board as her mother and Mackenzie approached. Emily silently took Olivia’s hand.
“Olivia,” Mrs. Webster said. “You’ve already met your biological mother, Mackenzie.”
Liv squeezed Emily’s hand. “Hello.”
Tears fell down Mackenzie’s face. “You are so beautiful.” She looked at Mrs. Webster. “You’ve been a wonderful mother. Thank you.” She looked back at Olivia. “I hope there’s room in your life for me too. Now that we’ve found each other, I’d really like to get to know you. If that’s okay with you and your parents. I know
the way I went about it was all wrong, but I’m really glad you were adopted. I’ve always missed you and thought about you, but I was really young, and I think you’ve had a much better life with your parents than you would have had with me. ”
Olivia let go of Emily’s hand and hugged Mackenzie, who hugged her back, but also reached to Mrs. Webster and pulled her in against them. “I’d like to get to know you too.” Olivia’s voice was choked.
Emily pressed her lips together. She wouldn’t cry. Instead she turned and moved away.
Sherlock rushed by, barking as he chased Samson in the bed-and-breakfast’s backyard.
Thank you, God. For everything. She smiled and headed to her family.
Life was, indeed, pretty perfect for the moment. And that was just the way she liked it.
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