29° (Twenty-Nine Degrees) (Twenty Nine Book 3)

by Nancy Pennick

  “We will!” I called over my shoulder as I bounced down the steps.

  “Allie!” Lucas caught up to me. “Where are you going?”

  “To Ash’s. Ryan’s only talent isn’t baseball. He’s great at architectural design, too.” I started for the new street we’d named Tobias Trail and suddenly I felt myself grabbed from behind and swung in the air.

  “Hey, what’s that for?” I asked as I kicked my feet in delight.

  “For being you.” Lucas gently set me down and kissed me right in front of Julian. “I’ll see you later,” he whispered in my ear.

  * * * *

  “Ash!” I called out to her as I entered the Kalas house.

  “In here.” I heard her voice coming from the kitchen. “Making lunch for Ryan before he leaves. Want some? I’ll put another order in.”

  “Sure.” I sat at the counter on a high-top chair that swiveled so I could look into the family room as I talked to Ashley. Ryan was lying on the couch, staring at his phone.

  “Gretchen.” Ashley’s voice was barely audible.

  “I heard you, Mom.” Ryan shouted in an aggravated voice.

  “Hey, Ry, tell Gretchen I said hi and that you have to go. We need to talk,” I said.

  In a few minutes, Ryan dragged himself into the kitchen and sat next to me. “What’s up?”

  I told them about the finished renovations at the art museum and that we had enough pieces to create another one.

  Ryan’s face lit up. “I can design the new museum! Please let me, Aunt Allie.”

  “Why do you think I’m here?” I lifted a brow and stared at him.

  Ryan sat up straighter in his seat and his virtual screen popped up in front of us. “Just a few quick ideas.” He laid out a floor plan in minutes.

  Ashley placed a sandwich in front of him and a salad for me. “My boy is so talented.” She beamed, then shot her son a look only a mother could give a child.

  “Ryan, you can work on this later. Eat and go to practice.”

  I picked up my dish and walked to her dinette table, waving for her to join me. “Are you interested in helping out, too, Ash?”

  “Of course! How could you even ask such a thing?”

  “Tobias seemed to think you’d be busy with other things.”

  “How does he know? Did you tell him?”

  “No! Tobias seems to know everything.” I forked a piece of lettuce and popped it in my mouth.

  “It does seem that way.” Ashley giggled. “Whatever you need, I’m there.” She looked toward the kitchen counter. “Ryan, why are you still here?”

  “Because of this, Mom. I don’t think we’ll be working on plans for a new museum for quite some time.” He showed us his virtual screen as Ashley and I gasped at the same time.

  A headline scrolled across the bottom of a picture of our President Brandon Roth and Vice President Angelina Bradford. I read it once, then waited for it to appear again to make sure I'd read it correctly. I stared at Ash. “That can’t be? The President and Vice President never travel together.”

  “Well, obviously they did,” Ashley said as she stared at the picture now flashing on the screen of a smiling president. “And they’re both missing.”

  Ryan slid off his chair. “If I remember the order of succession, Doug’s next in line. I better let Dad know.” He disappeared up the stairs.

  “I wonder if Lucas knows.” My heart beat against my chest so fast and hard I thought it would explode.

  “He knows.” Ash nodded her head toward her entryway.

  Lucas stood with Zak in his arms and Nate right behind him. “Take him home, Allie. We’ll be there as soon as we can.”

  “Okay, if I know Mom, she’ll be calling me on the special laptop with the news.” I took Zak from Lucas and rushed out the door and jogged down the street to our house. When we got inside, I brought up my screen and waited for her call.

  It didn’t take long before she came into view. “Allie? Are you there?”

  “Yeah, Mom. How are you?”

  “We’re all good here, but did you hear the news? The President and the Vice President are missing? They flew on the same plane. Something they’re not supposed to do.”

  “Doesn’t that mean Doug’s in charge until they’re found?” I tried to keep my face from showing disgust.

  “He’s only been in Congress for a month, Allie. He's probably a nervous wreck over this great responsibility, but we haven’t talked to him.”

  “I’m sure he’s fine, Mom.”

  “Have you heard from Kimmie Wells, by any chance? Doug’s so upset over what happened. He felt bad she was part of that made-up scandal. He’s been to her condo several times, but she still isn’t home from wherever she ran off to hide. He wants to let her know everything’s fine.”

  I loved that Mom still called her Kimmie. Old habits die hard. “I’m sure she knows, Mom. She has internet, cable and connections to the outside world. Besides, she’s going through a messy divorce. Maybe she needed to get away.”

  “You two girls seemed to have grown close when you were home. I was hoping you’d know something. I told Doug to leave well enough alone. What if the media finds out he’s looking for her?”

  I really didn’t want to discuss Doug and his career, and thanks to Colton, I didn’t have to. His voice sounded in the background.

  “Who ya talking to, Grandma?”

  “Your Aunt Allie.”

  “Let me talk.” He climbed in her lap, and his face appeared on the screen.

  “Hi, Colton. How are you?” I held up my hand in greeting.

  “Good.” He folded his arms across his belly. “When you coming home?”

  “I am home. Remember I told you I live in another state?”

  “Yeah, but Dad says it’s just for the time being.”

  My blood boiled at those words. “Well, you need to tell your Dad I’ll live here forever.”

  “No!” Colt was going to have a tantrum if I didn’t think fast.

  “Hey, you haven’t sent me your Christmas list yet. I need to see what you want and get a giant box of presents shipped off to you.”

  “Giant?”

  “Yes, filled to the top.”

  “Allie,” my mom said. “Christmas is five months away.” Her eyes widened, and I had to hold back a giggle.

  “That gives him time to work on his list, Mom.” What did I care if he bugged his parents about presents for months? I looked down at Zak, playing at my feet. “Colt? How would you like to say hi to Zak?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” Mom smiled, and Colt clapped his hands.

  Colt considered Zak his friend, and I hoped Zak wasn’t his only one. “Colt, do you have friends come over to play?”

  “I have friends, lot of them.” He boasted. “And a girlfriend.” That sounded almost too good to be true. “But I can’t have any over to play. Secret military things, you know.”

  “Oh, yeah, I know how that is.” I really didn’t, but I had to play along for his sake. Doug’s cruelty to that child continued to mount in my opinion. “You know what? How about if you and Zak have a play date right now? Go get your cars, and I’ll set Zak up at the table.”

  Mom was alone again. “That’s so sweet, Allie. And you’re doing me a favor. I won’t have to play with him all day!” She laughed. “I don’t mind really. I let him do whatever he wants.” Mom leaned forward and whispered, “Sometimes Doug’s too rigid.”

  “Why doesn’t Katrina do something about it?” If I could throw anyone under the bus, it would be her.

  “She does everything Doug says as if she doesn’t have a mind of her own.” Mom shrugged. “She tries to play with Colt but seems to be missing the inner child gene.”

  “Mom! You’re terrible, and I love it.” I laughed as I spotted Colt returning to the room. “I’ll talk to you soon, Mom. We’ll let the boys play.”

  Lucas, Nate and his family walked into the house as I finished setting Zak up in the dining room.
He’d have something to keep him busy while we discussed strategy.

  “Sean and Kim should be here soon,” Lucas said as he paced the floor. “I don’t get it. Why did the President and Vice President travel together? That’s never supposed to happen.”

  “I’m sure Doug arranged it. Maybe the Vice President’s plane had a breakdown.” I made air quotes when I said breakdown. “They were both in Cuba and needed to return to address Congress. Doug may have suggested she go with the President this one time. The STF probably has staff on the president’s plane, and he assured her safety. Or I could be completely wrong.” I shrugged.

  Lucas stopped pacing. “No, you’re completely right. Doug managed to get them both on the same plane. Who knows where it is now?”

  “There’s been no reports of crashes,” Ryan said as he looked away from his screen. “I’m keeping watch.”

  “Great! Thank you, Ryan,” Lucas said.

  “Doug’s supposed to give a news conference in a half hour,” Ryan added.

  “What?” Kim held her hand over her mouth as she and Sean stepped through the front door. “What did he do now?”

  Sean wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Come on, babe. Let’s sit down.” He looked at us. “I haven’t told her yet.”

  I joined Ryan while the others talked, peeking over his shoulder at his display. “You’re doing a good job. Sorry about the museum plans but don’t stop working on them.”

  “Allie,” Ryan said as he glanced up at me. “I was thinking people will need a place to stay during their visit. Maybe I can design a hotel, too.” He grinned at me, and I had to give him a hug. “You’re the greatest kid, Ryan Kalas.”

  Ryan held up his hand. “It’s time.” He made his screen larger and brought it to the living room.

  Doug was to be sworn in as the President of the United States on live television. As he appeared on screen, a chill went through me. “Maybe I was wrong about the cold war being over. It might have just begun.”

  I knew I had to talk to Kim alone and wanted to get some fresh air, too. Now was as good a time as any. I took a breath. “Do you guys mind if I take a walk. Kim? Will you join me?” I flashed Ashley a look, and she immediately got it. She remained silent instead of asking to join us, knowing I’d tell her later.

  “What’s up?” Kim asked when we got to the porch.

  “Let’s walk down the street.” I pointed to Ash’s street.

  “They really can hear us, can’t they?” Kim whispered.

  “Yes, so let’s start walking.” I put my arm through hers, and we strolled along the sidewalk.

  Kim was the happiest I’d seen her since we'd met. Now I’d be taking that look away, but she deserved to know. “I never did get to talk with you about life as a Niner wife, but first I need to tell you something. Doug’s been to your condo, more than once, looking for you.”

  Kim came to a stop, a horrified look on her face. “Why?”

  “My mom said he wanted to see if you were okay and wanted to tell you no permanent damage was done to his political career. He’s determined to find you.”

  “Didn’t he think I’d find out when he was made Speaker of the House?” Kim asked with a sarcastic tone. “I can’t compare myself to you, but one thing we have in common is Doug. You and I know him better than anyone so I want to ask you something. Between you and me, why do you think Doug wants to find me? I have an idea, but I’d like to hear yours.”

  We began to walk again, and I wished we could enjoy the summer day instead of talking about Doug. “One reason is I think he still loves you. He’s never gotten over you. I’ve learned a lot about Doug these past few years, and I know he doesn’t stop until he gets what he wants. That’s why he’s pursuing me and now, you. He wants Zak to grow up in an STF complex and become loyal to them and their ways. Zak needs his mother so I think it’s the reason Doug wanted to kidnap me when I was pregnant. He’d have us both. After Zak was born, he took him instead, hoping I’d follow. Now that I’ve worked on his campaign, he saw another side of me and thinks I’d be a valuable asset.”

  “You’re a smart girl, Allie,” Kim said. “He finally got to see that when you were home. And Lucas?” She gave me a questioning look. “Why wouldn’t he want him to join the STF? Why try to kill him?”

  “Lucas is a liability. He’d get in the way and try to stop Doug from influencing Zak. Plus, knowing Lucas, he’d always be making escape plans. That’s why Doug tried to kill him, to get him out of the way.”

  “That’s awful.” Kim shuddered. “But I still don’t get it. I’m no use to Doug, and besides, he’s married.”

  “Doug always wants what he can’t have.” I recalled his birth certificate stating he was born one minute too soon to be a Niner. “Doug’s trying to hold on to you any way he can. I think he’d divorce Katrina and marry you if you’d have him.”

  “Even if it wrecked his political career? I doubt it.”

  “Well then, he’d convince you to really be his mistress!” I laughed, and Kim joined in. “Now.” I grew serious. “The second reason he won’t give up is because he doesn’t want you anywhere near us. He wants you loyal to him and only him. If he knows where you live and what you’re doing, he can check on you.”

  “So if he knew I married Sean …” Kim put her hand on her face. “That could make Doug very mad.”

  “Yes, and that’s why I wanted to walk away from the house where we couldn’t be heard. I love Sean like a brother and don’t want anything else to happen to him. You can’t tell him our theory about Doug. It has to stay between us, and if you need someone to talk to, call me.”

  “What happened to Sean?” Kim appeared confused by my statement.

  “He didn’t tell you?” I asked as she shook her head. “He was first injured rescuing Zak at the STF complex. An iron gate came down on his leg. Then, during the bombing of the California compound, that same leg took another hit. He was pinned between a house and a van with his leg under the trunk. The house exploded around him, and he had to hold up the wall to keep it from falling on him. If he let go, it was certain death. Sean was trapped until we found him. Lucas was able to push the car away and free him. Sean’s leg was crushed, and he needed surgery, walking with a cane for about a year. He worked hard to get rid of that cane.”

  “I thought he had a slight limp but he brushed it off as nothing.”

  We had walked all the way to the center of town and decided to sit down on a park bench. Kim took my hand and said, “I’ve come to a conclusion during our talk. I need to go home to Virginia.”

  “What? No! Sean will never talk to me again! He’ll think I talked you into it for the good of the community or something like that.” I panicked, wishing now that I had never asked her to go for a walk.

  “No, silly, not run away, go home for a visit to show all is well.” She smiled, hoping I’d understand. “I’ll visit your parents and stay with mine, saying I want to sell the condo and move on.”

  “And Sean?”

  “He can come with, stay in the safe house and whisk me away at the first sign of trouble. I can do this, Allie. Let me do it for all of us.” Kim’s dark, green eyes shone with confidence.

  “I know you’re capable., Kim. Just be careful,” I said as I stood, ready to return to the house. “I guess we should get back.”

  As we walked home, Kim had a bounce in her step. I almost had to run to keep up with her. “Hey, slow down!”

  “Oh, sorry, I’m excited. I feel an end in sight. Then I can start fresh. It feels good. Plus, I’ll be helping everyone here.”

  We walked along in silence, passed by the Kalas house, and crossed the street. Kim stopped on the sidewalk in front of my barn red Victorian house. “You know, Allie. I’ll never understand Doug’s treatment of you. He was thrilled when you were born and carried you around the house when you were cranky and bought you little toys when we were shopping. As you got older, we took you to the park and out for ice cream. Baby ice cream co
nes were your favorites.” She smiled at the memory. “When did he get so bitter?”

  An old memory returned, and I said, “Mom told me I said Dean’s name first, and he was always my favorite brother.”

  “Don’t blame yourself for that. You were a baby!” Kim put her arm around me. “Besides, Dean is easier to say.”

  “Is that what you told Doug?”

  “Yes.” There was a block of silence again as we headed for the house.

  “He left when I was barely three so I didn’t remember him,” I whispered. “When he came home, I ran to Dean.”

  “Doug was very sensitive back then.” Kim sighed. “He’s turned his sensitivity into anger, and that’s not a good thing. Being mad at your baby sister because she likes your brother better is no excuse for all of this.”

  “I don’t think it’s the only reason. He thinks I’m spoiled. Mom and Dad let me have my way about everything.”

  “He always tried to be the perfect son,” Kim said. “I remember he bought your parents one of those new, fancy paper thin flat screen TVs back in the day and said it was an early Christmas present. Dean painted a portrait of the house and your parents framed it and raved over it every time someone visited. The TV? Not so much.”

  I could picture Dean’s drawing, hanging in the foyer of my parents’ house. His talents shone through, even back then.

  “Doug felt he was never good enough,” I said, shaking my head.

  “I think I had something to do with the way he is now, too,” Kim said with a bit of regret. “You’re trying to take all the blame.”

  How could I tell her I didn't blame myself or her, that I thought Doug was a psychopath and nothing we ever did or could do would change him? “People break up all the time, Kim. Relationships don’t work out.”

  “Doug and I always said we were different. We were meant to be.”

  “Sounds like two teenagers in love.” I smiled. “Lucas and I were, too. Maybe our relationship set Doug off, reminding him of you. We worked out, his didn’t. We can psychoanalyze all we want, but we’ll never know what makes Doug tick. I don’t see him as my brother anymore. I see him as a power hungry dictator who wants to take over the world.”