“That’s not likely,” Mitch said. “Your job history speaks for itself. I know some of those men you worked for around the state.”
“Did you speak to them? That’s why I gave you their names.”
“No need. I trust you,” Mitch claimed, giving Gabe’s sometimes shaky self-esteem a needed boost.
Just then, the door opened and Adelia Hernandez stepped into the bakery. If anything, Gabe thought she was even prettier with her long hair tousled by the wind and wearing a dress that showed off her shapely legs. That crazy pulse of his skipped a couple of beats.
Apparently the reaction wasn’t entirely one-sided. When she spotted him, her cheeks flushed and her step faltered.
Naturally Mitch noticed Adelia’s discomfort and Gabe’s fascination. His eyes narrowed.
“You two know each other?” he asked Gabe. Adelia hesitated as if she was torn between whatever she’d come in to get and getting away from Gabe as quickly as possible.
“She was at Rosalina’s when I was there last night,” Gabe replied carefully.
“And?”
“That’s it. She was there with her family. I was there by myself. Nothing more to it.”
Mitch regarded him doubtfully. “Looked like a little more than nothing just now,” he said as Adelia hurried to the counter and placed her order with Lynn.
“I’ve never even spoken to the woman,” Gabe assured him. “And if that gleam in your eyes has anything to do with matchmaking, you can forget about it. I’m here to work. Period.”
Despite his very firm disclaimer, he couldn’t seem to keep his gaze from straying to Adelia, whose hand appeared to be shaking as she accepted a container of coffee from Lynn. As soon as she’d paid, she whirled around and practically ran out the door.
“Adelia!” Lynn called after her, then glanced toward Mitch. “I don’t know what in the world is wrong with her this morning. She’s jumpy as a june bug and she ran off without her pastry.”
Gabe was instantly on his feet. He held out his hand. “I’ll take it to her.”
He saw the startled expression on Lynn’s face and heard his cousin’s chuckle as he took off. So much for any pretense that he wasn’t interested, he thought ruefully. Oh, well. He figured that had pretty much been doomed from the instant he’d laid eyes on her, anyway. It was a darn good thing he’d had a ton of practice at controlling most of his craziest impulses.
* * *
This is ridiculous, Adelia thought as she struggled to get her key to work in the lock at Chic, the boutique next door to the bakery. How could a man to whom she’d never even spoken rattle her so badly? She’d been squeezing the Styrofoam cup so tightly since leaving Lynn’s, it was a wonder there was a drop of coffee left in there. It was all her brother’s fault for planting that crazy idea in her head, for suggesting that the stranger was a potential admirer.
She’d barely set the coffee down by the cash register when the bell over the front door tinkled merrily and she realized she hadn’t locked the door behind her. More startling was the sight of the man entering.
“You!” she exclaimed.
She must have sounded alarmed, because he stopped in his tracks and held out a small pastry bag. “I come in peace,” he teased, seemingly fighting a smile. “You left this behind at the bakery. Lynn was worried, so I said I’d deliver it.”
She sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes for an instant. “Sorry. You just caught me off guard. I usually lock the door behind me since we don’t open for another half hour. I come in early. Well, I guess that’s obvious, isn’t it? I like to get started before any customers walk in. I want to make sure the displays are neat and the cash register is set to go, that sort of thing. I’m a little obsessive about it.”
She realized she was rambling. She clamped her mouth shut. He held out the pastry bag, and when she didn’t immediately reach for it, he set it on the counter, amusement written all over his face.
“I’m Gabe Franklin,” he told her. “Mitch’s cousin.”
Adelia felt herself relaxing ever so slightly at that. Mitch was a good guy. One of the best, in fact. Any cousin of his would surely be okay, even if this man seemed to have the power to rattle her in ways no man had for years. Any rattling Ernesto had done had been to her temper.
“Mitch is great,” she said.
“That seems to be the consensus,” he responded.
She frowned at the edge she thought she heard in his voice. “You don’t agree?”
He winced. “Sorry. It’s an old habit. In the interest of full disclosure, I was the black sheep Franklin growing up. Old resentments die hard. He is a good man. I can appreciate that now.”
“I imagine it can be hard growing up in someone else’s shadow,” she said. “I know Mitch is a local. We knew each other in school, but what about you? Are you from Serenity?”
He nodded. “Born and bred here.”
“Then I’m surprised we haven’t crossed paths before. We must be about the same age. I imagine we were in school around the same time. I’m Adelia Hernandez, by the way. I was Adelia Cruz before I married.”
“And I spent more time suspended from school than I did in classes,” he admitted. “I left town for a lot of years after that. I just got back a week ago. Fortunately I got my act together during that time and picked up a diploma, then went on to college. I suppose I should say I took classes, since I never graduated. I was in too much of a hurry to get on with life.”
“Did you regret that later?”
He shook his head. “No point in regrets. It was the decision I made. I try not to look back, just focus on the here and now.”
“I’m trying to work on that,” she told him. “And I’ve recently had to face the fact that human beings are an imperfect lot. What matters is how we deal with our mistakes. Sounds as if you’ve made up for yours.”
“Not entirely, but I’m working on it.”
She watched as he glanced around the very feminine shop, which was currently displaying summer dresses and a new line of lacy lingerie. His gaze landed on the lingerie. Color bloomed in his cheeks. His nerves definitely showing, he shoved his hands in his pockets and backed toward the door.
“I’d better get back to the bakery. Mitch has a long list of projects he wants to go over with me. It’s officially my first day on the job.”
Adelia nodded and held up the pastry bag. “Thanks for bringing this.”
“Not a problem.”
She watched him leave, admired the way his jeans fit snugly over a very excellent backside and felt heat climb up her neck. She thought of Elliott’s advice just the night before to keep her heart open and her own very adamant declaration that she was a long, long way from being interested in another relationship. She suddenly couldn’t help wondering if Gabe Franklin with the wicked gleam in his eyes and his flirtatious ways was about to make a liar out of her.
* * *
It was midmorning before Adelia was able to push all thoughts of Gabe Franklin aside and concentrate on work. Just as she was about to reorganize a display to show off a new shipment of colorful scarves, her cell phone rang. To her dismay it was the principal of Selena’s middle school.
“Adelia, I’m so sorry to bother you at work, but we have a problem. Selena’s not in her physical education class. The teacher didn’t notice it until they were choosing sides for soccer. She’d taken attendance earlier and Selena was there, but she disappeared sometime between that and when they went outside.”
“Are you sure she didn’t just stay in the locker room?” Adelia asked, trying to tamp down the panic that was already rising. “She hates soccer. Skipping it to sit in the locker room and read a book is something she might do.”
“She’s not on the school grounds,” Margaret Towson told her. “I’ve had several people checkin
g for the past twenty minutes or so. Do you want me to call Carter Rollins?”
“The police chief? Do you really think that’s necessary?”
“It’s standard procedure if a child disappears during the school day and the parents don’t know where they are, either. Do you have any idea where we might find Selena?”
Adelia felt tears gathering in her eyes. “No.”
“Perhaps I should check with her father then,” Margaret ventured, her tone tentative.
“No,” Adelia said quickly. “I’ll handle this. I’ll call Carter and start looking myself,” she said. “Thank you for letting me know so quickly, Margaret.”
“Adelia, I know Selena has been going through a difficult time. Her teachers are aware of it, as well. If there’s anything we can do to help, just ask.”
“Thanks.”
She disconnected the call and immediately called her boss. Raylene Rollins, rather than Raylene’s husband, Carter. The minute she explained the situation, Raylene said, “Lock up the store and go. I’ll be there in a few minutes to take over, but don’t wait for me. I’ll call Carter and tell him what’s going on. Try not to worry. Selena can’t have gone far. She might even be at home. Have you tried her cell phone or the phone at the house?”
“No. I wasn’t thinking,” Adelia admitted, completely shaken by the oversight. “I’ll do that now. Thanks for understanding, Raylene.”
“Don’t thank me. Just go. And call me the minute you find her.”
Adelia grabbed her purse from the office, put a closed sign on the door, then locked up the boutique. She opened the door to Sweet Things, drawing a startled look from Lynn.
“Is everything okay?” Lynn asked. “You’re white as a ghost.”
“The school just called. Selena’s missing.”
Lynn had her own cell phone out before Adelia could finish the sentence. “Mitch will start looking, too,” she reported. “What can I do?”
“Just call me if she shows up here or if your daughter has any idea where she might have gone. I know Lexie’s older, but kids hear things. I’m hoping this was just an impulsive decision, but with everything that’s happened lately, I can’t help worrying that she might have been planning to run away.”
“I’ll check with Lexie right now,” Lynn promised just as Mitch and Gabe came rushing into the bakery.
Mitch put steadying hands on her shoulders. “Stay calm,” he said quietly. “We’re going to find her. Gabe, why don’t you go with Adelia. I’ll start driving around town. Any place you think I ought to check first?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she said, fresh tears gathering in her eyes.
She’d been so sure that Selena was handling the divorce okay. She was angry at her father, of course, but beyond that she seemed to be taking the move and all the rest in stride. The rebellion of a few months ago had seemingly vanished, replaced by resignation. Adelia should have seen through that. Apparently her mom-radar wasn’t as sharp as she’d thought.
“I’ve got this,” Gabe told Mitch. “You start looking.”
Mitch nodded. “I’ll start by the school and fan out from there. I’ll check with Carter, too, so we’re not duplicating our efforts.”
Gabe turned to Lynn. “How about a cup of tea? Something herbal, maybe?”
Adelia regarded him as if he were nuts. “I don’t have time to sit here and sip tea,” she said, starting toward the door.
Gabe blocked her path. “We’ll get it to go. It’ll help to calm your nerves so you can tell me where you want to start looking.”
“He’s right,” Lynn said, already handing her the to-go container. “I’ve put plenty of sugar in there for you. That’ll help, too.”
Adelia told herself she only accepted the cup so she could get out of the bakery, but in some part of her brain, she knew they were both right. The tea might help to settle her nerves so she could think straight.
With Gabe watching her closely, she took several sips, then met his gaze. “Satisfied?”
“It’s a start,” he said lightly. “Now let’s go find your daughter.”
Something in the way he said it, with full confidence that they’d be successful, reassured her, even though nothing had really changed in the past few minutes.
“I want to go by the house first. I’ve called and there was no answer, but that doesn’t mean she’s not there.”
“Where’s the house?”
“Swan Point.”
He nodded and turned in that direction. “Just tell me where to turn once we’re there,” he said.
The drive through the neighborhood of fewer than a dozen homes took only minutes, as did the search of the house. There was no sign of Selena, no bookbag tossed on the sofa or remnants of a snack in the kitchen.
“What about her father? Would she go to him?” Gabe asked.
“Not likely,” Adelia said, unable to keep a note of bitterness from her voice. “She’s very angry at him these days.”
“Anybody she’s especially close to?”
Adelia immediately brightened. “Her uncle. Elliott runs that new men’s gym just off Palmetto. You know the place?”
Gabe nodded. “I just joined.”
As they made the drive to Fit for Anything, Adelia’s mind started racing. “What if—?”
The words were no sooner out of her mouth than Gabe cut her off. “No what-ifs,” he declared firmly. “She hasn’t been missing long. If she’s upset, she’ll go someplace where she feels safe.”
“But she might not be thinking clearly,” Adelia protested, her panic returning. “She’s only thirteen, Gabe. I’m afraid I’ve been forgetting that myself. I should have been paying more attention. Instead, I was so worried about my younger kids, I missed all the signs that Selena was in real trouble. I was just grateful that she was no longer rebelling against the world.”
In front of the gym, she bolted from the car practically before it could come to a stop. Inside, she scanned the room until her gaze landed on her brother. He regarded her with alarm, which grew visibly when Gabe came in right on her heels.
Misreading the situation, Elliott stepped between them. “Is this guy bothering you, Adelia?”
She held up a hand. “No, it’s nothing like that. Selena’s missing. Gabe is helping me look for her. I thought maybe she’d come here to see you.”
Elliott shook his head. “I haven’t seen her. Let me check with Karen. She’s not working today. She’s at the house with the baby.”
Adelia felt herself starting to shake as her brother made the call to his wife. Then she felt Gabe’s steadying hand on her shoulder. He didn’t say a word, just kept his hand there until the moment passed.
Elliott listened intently to whatever Karen was saying, his expression brightening. “Thanks, querida. Adelia will be there in a few minutes.” Smiling, he turned to her. “Selena’s at my house playing with the baby. Karen didn’t think to call anyone because Selena told her she only had a half day at school and swore you knew where she was.”
Adelia finally let out the breath she felt like she’d been holding for hours. “Of course Karen believed her,” she said wryly. “Selena’s very convincing when she wants to be.”
“Want me to drive you over there?” Elliott offered. “I can get one of the other trainers to take my next client.”
“I can take her,” Gabe said. He looked at her. “Unless you’d prefer to have your brother go with you.”
Adelia hesitated, then shook her head. “If you don’t mind making the drive, that would be great,” she told him. “Elliott, there’s no reason for you to miss an appointment. I can handle this.”
Elliott looked worried but eventually nodded. “You’ll be there when I get home? I want to have a talk with my niece about skipping school and worrying you.”
She smiled. “Believe me, she’ll get more than enough talking from me tonight. You can save your lecture for another day.”
Elliott nodded with unmistakable reluctance. “Whatever you think, but I will have a word with her. You can be sure of that.”
“Not a doubt in my mind,” she said, then turned to Gabe. “Let’s go. That is, if you’re really sure you have the time.”
“I have the time,” he said without hesitation.
On the way to her brother’s, Gabe called Mitch and told him they’d located Selena and were on the way to get her. After the call ended, he told her, “Mitch will speak to Carter and let him know to call off the search.”
Adelia sighed. “I should have thought to do that.”
“You have plenty of other things on your mind,” he said, excusing her. “I imagine you’re pondering a dozen different things you can say to drive home the point that what your daughter did was wrong.”
Surprised by his understanding, she nodded. “How’d you know?”
“Not because I got my share of lectures, that’s for sure,” he said. “My mom was pretty oblivious to the trouble I was getting into.” He glanced her way. “Word of advice?”
“Sure.”
“Whatever punishment you decide to dole out, and there should be one, be sure you hug the daylights out of her first.”
Adelia felt her heart tumble just a little. “You didn’t get the hugs, either?”
“Nope, which is why I know exactly how important they are,” he said as he pulled to a stop in front of Elliott’s house in a new subdivision outside town.
Adelia turned to him then. “Thank you.”
“For chauffeuring you around town for an hour? Don’t mention it. I’m just glad there’s a happy ending.”
“Not just for that,” she corrected him. “For reminding me that discipline always needs to come with a hug.”
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