He eased away, and her mouth tingled, longing for more. She took what she yearned for, closing the distance between them and capturing his mouth again. The rhythm of her heart beat against his, and when he drew her even closer, she responded eagerly.
Benjamin released a sigh, startled and yet amazed by what had happened. Like opening a well, sweet water gushed from an untapped spring washing him in a sparkling delight he hadn’t expected, yet had dreamed of.
She looked at him, her eyes saying more than words could utter.
“I’ve wanted to do this forever, Joanne.”
His stomach tightened with longing. He’d lost control of his emotions, and now, in the midst of all she’d been through, this wasn’t the time to confess he’d loved her for so many years.
Instead he rocked her in his arms, feeling love swell in his heart. He hadn’t spoken the words, but he would when the time was right. She wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes. Nothing more needed to be said.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Joanne sat at her desk the next day and gazed at the surprise floral bouquet. They’d appeared shortly after she’d arrived at Solutions.
She’d felt ill at ease when she woke, remembering how Benjamin had awakened her and sent her to bed. She’d fallen asleep in his arms and had wandered off to her room without offering him a pillow and blanket. He must have found some on his own—so much for being a hostess.
She believed they had fallen in love. Benjamin hadn’t said “I love you,” but he’d shown enough in his words and actions to give her confidence that he felt as she did.
Her mother had made coffee and scrambled eggs for Benjamin, but Joanne had only had the coffee. She’d felt in a daze.
As Benjamin drove her to work Joanne recalled her mother talking to Benjamin about prayer. She’d never heard her mother speak of God or prayer, and she’d meant to ask him about it last night, but things had taken a different course. She was anxious to know what had transpired between them and when she asked, he surprised her with her mother’s willingness to pray and curiosity about the Bible.
“Where’d you get the posies?” Nita asked now, coming through the doorway.
“Benjamin.”
“Can I read the card?”
She didn’t wait for an answer, but pulled the small note from the holder and eyed it. “Whoa! What’s this mean?”
“What?”
She pointed to the scrawl: “‘I meant everything I said last night.’”
Joanne couldn’t control her grin. Instead of keeping everything hidden, she told Nita about the chase and then opened her heart about her feelings for Benjamin.
Nita smiled as she slipped the card back into the bouquet. She strode to Joanne’s side and gave her a hug. “I’m thrilled about the romance, but—”
“I’m not positive it’s a romance yet, but it seems to be heading in that direction.”
Nita stood over her. “I’m happy about that, but I’m not happy to hear that the man followed you. You need to be careful. Did you drive yourself to work this morning?”
“Benjamin dropped me off. He said he’d pick me up tonight, or I thought if he can’t make it I could hitch a ride with you.”
Nita pressed her hand against her chest. “Sure, I’ll drive you home. I wouldn’t think of your driving yourself. Not now.”
“I’m praying it will be over soon. The police had his mug shot all over the TV last night, when I watched television, but we didn’t hear well.” She looked at Nita’s face and realized what she’d said. “We were talking.”
“Right,” Nita said, giving her a wink.
Joanne stomach growled, and she covered her empty tummy with her palm. “I only had coffee this morning and forgot my lunch.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s almost noon. I think I’ll run next door to the sandwich shop. Do you want anything?”
“No, thanks. I’m good.”
Nita turned to go, but Joanne stopped her. “Wait a minute. I’ll walk with you to the elevator.”
She grabbed her handbag and jacket, then closed her office door, but she got only a few steps before she heard her name coming from Melissa’s office. She paused outside her co-worker’s door.
“Could I talk with you a minute?” Melissa called.
Her eyes pleaded, and Joanne gave her a nod. “Nita, go on ahead. I’ll be a few minutes.”
Nita waved and walked on as Joanne stepped into Melissa’s office.
“Is something wrong?” Joanne asked, noticing how uneasy the other woman seemed.
Melissa rose from her desk and approached her. “I wanted to thank you again for what you did, and I want to say goodbye.”
“Goodbye?”
“I’ve resigned.”
Joanne felt her eyes widen. “Not on my account.”
“No, on mine. I’ve created a reputation for myself here, and I realize I’ll get nowhere. I made a big mistake and I’ve learned something important. From you, actually.”
“From me?”
“From your kindness and your integrity. You worked hard to get where you are. My way didn’t work. I realize that you could have sent me to jail or had me put on probation if you’d wanted to, but you didn’t.”
“I thought you’d suffered enough, Melissa.”
“Joanne, had I been in your shoes I probably would have pressed charges. But you did the right thing—the moral thing. I’m not a slow learner. The writing is on the wall. I’ve decided to make a clean start somewhere else.”
“Do you have a job already?” She should feel relieved, but she didn’t. She felt responsible for Melissa’s predicament.
“No, but I’ll find one. I have some vacation time. I’ll enjoy the holidays, get a grip on myself and then start looking. You could say a prayer for me if you would.”
Joanne’s chest tightened. “I’d be happy to.”
“Thanks,” she said, extending her hand.
Joanne took it in hers and gave it a squeeze. “I wish you the best, Melissa. Things happen for a reason. I like to think God teaches us His will in very dramatic ways sometimes.”
Melissa nodded and stepped back.
Joanne didn’t say any more. She stood there for a moment, then turned and headed for the elevator.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of Melissa as she descended to the first floor. Perhaps a Blessing had happened with that horrible experience. If Melissa had learned that hard work and morals were the key to success, Joanne could write off the bad experience as having had a purpose.
In the lobby, she zipped her jacket and threw her handbag over her shoulder, then darted into the chilly air. The street seemed filled with Christmas. Carols drifted from nearby shops. A Santa stood on the corner beside his kettle, ringing a bell.
As she walked three stores over from her office building, the crisp breeze stung her face and she felt like Jack Frost was truly nipping at her nose. A snowflake fluttered down, followed by another. She’d always loved a white Christmas. Still it never seemed right without it.
This year she had greater hopes for the holiday. She hadn’t said the words, but she’d felt in her heart that Mandy would be with her. She realized it wouldn’t be easy—she loved Mandy with all her heart, but the child wouldn’t remember her. Still, time would heal the wounds.
The cold wind burned in her eyes. She darted inside the warm deli, fragrant with the scent of hot soup and corned beef. After studying the menu board, she decided anything too rich wouldn’t sit well. She selected a tuna sandwich with grated cheese and lettuce.
The clerk wrapped the sandwich, dropped in a big dill pickle and tucked it into a sack. Joanne paid the cashier and stepped outside. A chill rolled up her back as she strolled along the sidewalk. As she passed an alley, a man rammed into her. Joanne looked up, expecting his apology, and her heart cart wheeled with fear.
The man’s grip on her arm was like a vice, his fingers bruising her flesh. “If you make a noise, I’ll kill the kid.”
&n
bsp; The kid. Her knees weakened and the deli bag slipped from her hand as he forced her into the alleyway. The cream-colored SUV was there, and she could see a little girl peeking through the back window. Mandy! Her heart cried out and her fear flooded with pure joy.
Angelo hit the remote, then tugged open the back door and shoved her inside. As the door slammed, he jumped into the front seat and started the engine.
With her eyes forward, she slipped her hand to the door handle and eased it down. Childproof locks. Disbelief washed over her as she looked at her daughter with blurred eyes.
Mandy huddled in the corner, her smoky blue eyes wide with terror.
Joanne fought the instinct to wrap her arms around Mandy, to kiss her cheeks, to tell her how much she loved her. Fear and wisdom kept her quiet. All she could do was try to catch Mandy’s gaze and let her know she was on the child’s side.
Mandy shivered against the opposite door, too far away for Joanne to touch her arm or whisper words of comfort. Her heart felt wrenched.
“Any funny business,” Angelo said, “and it’s the kid.”
She wanted to beg him to let Mandy go, to kill her instead, but Joanne knew he wouldn’t listen. Her stomach cramped with fear, but she gathered her wits. She knew who would listen to her plea.
“Lord, help us.”
Benjamin felt his cell phone vibrate. He slipped it out of his pocket and glanced at the number. Joanne. She usually didn’t call on his cell if it wasn’t important, and today he was in a meeting. He waited for a break in the conversation. “Will you excuse me a minute?”
Five heads turned his way as he pushed his chair and rose. He darted from the conference room and hit Joanne’s number.
The phone rang only once, but his breath caught in his throat when he heard a stranger’s voice.
“You don’t know me,” the woman said, “but I’m Nita Wolfe. I work with Joanne.”
“Is something wrong?” Benjamin asked, feeling his pulse escalate.
“She left here to pick up a sandwich at the deli nearby about a half hour ago and she’s not back yet. It isn’t like her. She can make the trip in fifteen minutes easy.”
“Maybe it’s crowded. Could there be a lineup at the deli?”
“I just called and they said it’s not too busy. No line.” A ragged sigh came through the wire. “I know she’s been having serious problems and…I have a bad feeling.”
“Thanks, Nita. I’ll take it from here, but please call if she shows up.”
“I will, and sorry to bother you.”
“I’m glad you did.” His body trembled as the truth hit. Joanne could be in trouble.
He punched the number of the Grosse Pointe police and waited. Cortezi didn’t answer, but finally someone picked up the line.
“Detective Ron Wieczorek here.”
He rattled off the details. “It may sound farfetched but—”
“Nothing’s far-fetched in this business,” Wieczorek said. “We have a stakeout at her home and the Angelo home. Let me check in with them. Hang on.”
Benjamin clutched the phone against his ear, his heart pounding in terror. If Angelo had abducted Joanne, it could be too late.
Minutes ticked past. His hand began to sweat so he shifted the cell and wiped his damp palm.
“Sorry,” Wieczorek said. “There’s been no activity there. Are you sure she didn’t decide to stay and eat lunch at the deli?”
Benjamin hadn’t considered that. “Her co-worker just called there, but let me check and I’ll get back to you.” Benjamin called Nita and asked her to phone the deli, then he headed back to his meeting.
“I have an emergency,” he said, as he bolted through the door. “You’ll have to excuse me.” He didn’t wait for their response. He grabbed his papers and case, then pushed through the heavy door. He didn’t care if he lost his job. He’d find work somewhere else.
He said a prayer as he darted to his car. His cell vibrated again. “She’s not there,” Nita said, her voice quaking. “The guy told me she’d ordered a sandwich, and on the way back, I found a bag kicked off the sidewalk next to the alley. It was a sandwich.”
Benjamin’s breath caught. “Thanks so much, Nita.” As he slid into his car, he clicked off, then called the police. His mind spun. Where would Angelo take her?
The answer came to him in his heart the same way Joanne had heard Mandy. Angelo would take them to River Rouge Park.
“Wieczorek,” the officer answered.
“She’s not at the deli. Try River Rouge Park,” he yelled into the cell as he raced from the parking structure.
“We’re on it,” Wieczorek said. “I’ve talked with Cortezi and he suggested the same. Angelo’s driving a rental and we have the license plate. Officers are on the way.”
“I am, too,” Benjamin bellowed as he disconnected.
Joanne’s mind spun like tires on ice. Fear had paralyzed her, but as they drove, she struggled to regain her wits. She would die and so would Mandy if she didn’t.
Her concern was for her child. Joanne had inched her way toward the middle of the seat, making sure she didn’t alarm Angelo. She could hear him ranting to himself, mumbling about “dumb Donna” and how he should have killed her a year ago.
He snarled at Joanne in the rearview mirror and evil darkened his eyes. Her skin crawled at his look, but when his gaze drifted, Joanne slid her hand closer to Mandy and patted her arm.
The child’s tear-filled gaze caught hers, then darted to her hand. She brushed the child’s jacket, hoping to soothe her, to let her know she would protect her.
Mandy shifted in her seat, and Angelo glanced over his shoulder and let out a filthy oath. “Sit still,” he bellowed.
“Where are we going?” Mandy asked, her tearful voice fighting to sound confident.
“On vacation.” Angelo let out a maniacal laugh.
Mandy seemed to gain courage. “Where’s Mom? Me and her were going on vacation alone.”
“She went without you.”
“No, she didn’t. She wouldn’t go without me.”
“That’s all you know, kid. Now shut up.”
His words stabbed Joanne’s heart. Hearing Mandy’s side made Joanne realize that Donna had not planned to leave Mandy behind. Though angry, she couldn’t help but ache for the woman who had apparently loved her daughter so much that she had planned to take her away from danger.
“Where were you going?” Joanne whispered.
“To Florida. We were going to Disney—”
“Shut your mouth,” Angelo roared, jerking around to face them.
The vehicle veered with such speed that Joanne slid closer to Mandy. She took advantage by sliding her arm around her daughter. Mandy looked up at her with questioning eyes, and then overcame her fear and nestled in Joanne’s arms.
Though petrified about the danger they faced, Joanne praised God for having her daughter in her arms once again. She studied the child’s upturned face and saw her own eyes gazing back at her—Mandy had the same coloring and facial shape, but Greg’s dimpled smile.
Grief overtook Joanne. She’d lost three years of life with her baby—her daughter—but now, with her age six, they would begin again, God willing.
As Mandy quaked in her arms, Joanne wanted to ask her so many questions. Had she been happy? Did she have friends? What were her hobbies? Did she know about Jesus?
With Mandy’s warmth permeating her own quivering body, Joanne looked out at the scene flashing past the window. They had been traveling down I-94 toward Dearborn. She recognized the landmarks from her previous trips. Would Angelo take her to his house? She hoped the police would be there waiting.
But minutes later, she realized he’d left the freeway at Michigan Avenue. Angelo’s driving was erratic, and Joanne hoped the police would pull him over. Did he have a weapon? The question strangled her, and she gasped.
Her daughter gave her a questioning look, and she tried to send Mandy the message everything would be all right.
Soon she read a street sign and knew they’d turned onto Hines Drive. Joanne didn’t know that part of town well, but when they crossed the Rouge River, her heart seemed to stop. River Rouge Park. He was headed to the place he’d left Donna’s body.
Dearest Lord, be with us.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Benjamin flew down the freeway, his eyes on the speedometer. If he got pulled over, he would lose time. He had to get to the park. His memory failed him. He’d only been to the park once, many years ago, and all he remembered was that it was divided by Outer Drive. The river rambled through the area with too many possible hiding places.
His frantic mind struggled to hang on to positive thoughts. The police were on it. He knew they would contact the Dearborn police. Would they get there before Angelo? He had a half hour on them. Benjamin tried to calculate how long it would take to drive from Joanne’s office building to the park.
Then another thought struck him. What if they’d guessed wrong? Perhaps Angelo hadn’t gone to the park. Benjamin’s eyes misted with emotion. Why hadn’t he told Joanne last night how much he loved her? He’d loved her forever it seemed, from the time he got to know her. His love had grown as naturally as the sun rose. He’d fought it. He’d prayed about it. He’d lost the battle.
But now he saw the purpose behind his love. He’d been here to support Joanne and to guide the police to her. If it was God’s will, she and Mandy would be saved. If the Lord didn’t mean for their love to come to fruition, Benjamin would have to live with that—but the thought pained him.
Evelyn came to mind, and he stopped himself from calling her. Why cause her panic when she could do nothing? Better to let her learn the outcome, which Benjamin could only pray would be cause for thanksgiving.
He veered up the ramp and onto Michigan Avenue, then made his way to Hines Drive. He wasn’t far now.
Dearest Lord, keep them safe. That’s all I ask.
Icy perspiration beaded on Joanne’s skin. She drew in the scent of Mandy, so close yet so unattainable. She longed to whisper the truth to the child, but she couldn’t speak without Angelo hearing her, and she knew Mandy would be confused and frightened by her admission that she was the girl’s mother.
Finding Christmas Page 21
