by Kaylea Cross
“What?”
“I’m going to call my parents. We can stay at their house tonight and catch an early flight out in the morning.”
“They won’t mind?” Kate asked.
“Mind? Heck no,” he chuckled. “They’ve been hoping I’d come home with a nice girl for years.”
Kate laughed for the first time all day, and it felt good. Then, the realization that her sister was still missing settled over her and she got serious again. “Do you think we should call Detective Patel, or Porter, and let them know the dead woman wasn’t my sister?”
“That’s a good idea. Why don’t you call them while I make these reservations real quick for the morning flights,” Ryan said, as he reviewed the screen on his phone, “and then I’ll call my folks.”
“Okay,” she agreed.
Kate dialed Porter’s cell number, and he picked up on the first ring.
“This is Detective Porter.”
“Detective, this is Kate McAllister.”
“Yes, hello, Kate.”
“I’m in Boise right now. I flew down here to identify a body the police found yesterday. They thought it might be Whitney’s.”
“Yes, I heard you were going there.”
“But, it wasn’t Whitney.”
“Yes, I heard that, too. The Boise Police already called here and talked to Patel.”
“Hopefully that means she’s still alive, don’t you think?” Kate was desperate for an encouraging word.
“Let’s hope you’re right. We have the computer tech going through Whitney’s computer again, in case we missed anything, although right now nothing seems out of the ordinary. We’ve interviewed co-workers and friends from the information her roommate provided, but we haven’t turned up anything yet.”
“I’ll be back on an early morning flight, and you have my number. Please, Detective, call me if you have even the tiniest bit of news. Okay?”
“Will do, Kate,” Porter assured her before hanging up.
Where are you, Whitney?
Ryan had overheard her conversation. “I’m sure Raj and Will are doing all they can to find Whitney. There’s nothing more we can do right now.”
“You’re right,” she reluctantly agreed, as she tucked her phone in her pocket, “but waiting is just so darn hard.”
“I made the flight reservations for seven-thirty in the morning, so that’s taken care of,” he assured her. “Now, I’ll call my folks and let them know we’re coming over. They’ll be thrilled. I’m sure my mom would love to make a nice dinner for us, and then you can kick your shoes off and relax.”
“That sounds so good right now,” Kate said, rubbing her temple with a couple of fingers. She could feel a tension headache coming on. Then she reached across the small table, put her hand on his and looked tenderly into his eyes. “I don’t know what I would have done without your help.”
“You’re welcome,” Ryan replied, putting his other hand warmly over hers. “I understand that this thing with your sister is not over. So, once we get back to Seattle, if you still need me…”
Chapter Ten
Ryan hit speed-dial 1 on his phone. “It’s ringing.”
Kate smiled and nodded.
“Hey, Mom. It’s Ryan. I’m in Boise.” He paused for her response. “Yes, Mom, I know I was just here yesterday.” He looked at Kate and raised his eyebrows playfully. “I’m coming over in a few minutes, and I’ll explain it then.”
Kate watched contentedly as Ryan spoke with his mother. “Yes, everything is all right. Nothing you need to be troubled about. I’ll see you in a little while. Don’t worry.”
Kate smiled, wishing she still had a mother she could tell not to worry. She gazed wistfully at Ryan.
“Oh, and, Mom, I have a friend with me. We’ll need to spend the night. Is that okay?” Ryan asked. Another pause. “Kate.” He winked at her. “Yes, Mom, a girl. But it’s not what you think. I’ll explain when we get there.”
“Yes, you can tell Dad. Bye, love you.”
Ryan shut off his phone as he stood and stuck it in his coat pocket. A wide grin spread across his lips.
Kate could tell from his side of the conversation that he had a close relationship with his parents. The longer she was with this man, the more she liked him. She stared at him with the beginning of a smile on her face and shook her head.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“You’re staring at me.”
“I know.” How could she not?
He raised a curious eyebrow. “Okay, then. Let’s go get in the car and head over to my folks’ place. It’s just outside of the little burb of Eagle, not too far from here.”
Once in the car, Kate asked Ryan what his mother’s response was to him bringing a girl home.
“Just like I told you it would be—she was thrilled,” he replied, navigating the vehicle out of the parking lot.
“I enjoyed listening to you talk to your mom. It made me think of my own parents and how much I miss them.”
“You said they died in an auto accident, didn’t you?” He pulled into the flow of traffic.
“Yes, it was kind of a freak thing.”
“What do you mean?”
“The police weren’t sure what happened, so they called it an accident and closed the case. My mom and dad had taken the ferry from Seattle over to Bainbridge Island for the day and somehow their car ended up wrapped around a big tree off the main road to Poulsbo. The police report said they both died instantly.”
“No other cars were involved?”
“No. The police thought maybe they swerved to miss a motorcycle or an animal or something.” Kate’s throat grew tight and her bottom lip quivered. “No one really knows.”
She turned her head to look out the window and wrapped her arms around herself. She didn’t want Ryan to see the tears that were filling her eyes—he’d seen enough of them already.
“I’m sorry. It must have been devastating for you and Whitney.”
“It was,” she replied, still staring out the window.
“I can’t even imagine losing my folks.”
“I haven’t been back to Seattle since then—until this happened, I mean.” She sat up straight, blinked back her tears and drew in a deep breath. “I couldn’t help my parents, but I hope I can help my sister.” She swiveled in her seat to face him. “I can’t wait to fly back there in the morning.”
“I know you’re anxious, but there’s nothing we can do tonight. So, let’s have some dinner and try to relax.”
“You’re right, that does sound good.” If only she could relax—her stomach was still in knots.
“Raj will call if there’s any news,” he assured her.
Kate glanced at him and smiled to herself. He seemed to know just what to say and do to make her feel better. She was looking forward to meeting the people that raised this wonderfully caring man, the parents who taught him values, taught him how to treat a woman. No wonder he wants a family of his own.
* * *
Ryan drove through the small town of Eagle. Kate was pleasantly surprised by the quaint shops and upscale feel of the main street. They continued on the street leading out of town, which took them into a rural area.
“Your Mom and Dad live in the country?”
“Yep. They live on a ten-acre horse property just up the road a little ways. Hey, do you like horses?”
“I do. I didn’t grow up around horses in Seattle, of course, but in L.A. I have friends who have horses and I get to ride them occasionally.” Well, maybe not friends exactly, more like close acquaintances. Perhaps it was the superficial clients she worked with or the self-absorbed people she had met, but she had found it difficult to make many genuine friends in that city.
“I’ll have to show you ours.”
“I’d like that,” she replied. At least she hoped she would.
Ryan turned in at the white vinyl fencing, pulling onto the long paved driveway leading back
to the house. At the end of the driveway sat an older two-story farmhouse that looked like it had been remodeled recently. The house was painted a pale yellow with white trim and black shutters. The walkway leading up to the expansive front porch was bordered with small green shrubs and flowering plants. Beyond the farmhouse were several outbuildings and a large red barn.
It was so picturesque that Kate reached in her purse for her camera to capture it all. Instead, poking around in her bag, she discovered it wasn’t there. It rattled her. She realized that, in her rush to leave Seattle, she had unintentionally left her camera sitting on the bed.
“Shoot! I forgot my camera.” Kate exclaimed.
“It’s okay.”
“You don’t understand. I never forget my camera. Ever.”
“Calm down. Do you remember where you left it?” Ryan asked.
“Yes, on Whitney’s bed.”
“It’ll still be there when you get back.”
“I know, but I feel naked without it.” The camera represented the one thing in her life she could control.
Before Ryan and Kate were out of the car, his folks came out onto the front porch, ready to greet their son and his new friend. Ryan’s mom was a short, chubby woman with shoulder-length blonde hair. She stood next to his dad—tall, lean and dark haired, wearing rimless glasses. Their black and white border collie pranced eagerly next to them.
“Hello, you guys!” Ryan’s mom called out as she waved from the porch. “Need any help with anything?” The dog ran down the steps to meet them.
“No, we’ve got it, Mom.” He grabbed the bags.
“Good boy,” Ryan said to the dog, whose tail was wagging energetically. Ryan crouched down to greet him and rubbed his head. “Hey, Riley, this is Kate.” As if Riley understood the introduction, he ran over to Kate to sniff the new guest.
“Hey there, Riley,” Kate said, as the dog jumped up and planted his paws on her abdomen.
“Riley, come!” Ryan’s dad ordered firmly, in response to the dog’s overly enthusiastic greeting of their guest. The dog immediately obeyed and bounded up the steps to the porch.
“Sit,” Ryan’s dad commanded, and he did.
Then Ryan climbed the few steps up to the porch and gave his mom a hug and then his dad. He turned and revealed Kate who followed right behind him.
“Mom, Dad, this is Kate.”
“Kate, it’s so good to meet you. I’m Jeanie,” Ryan’s mom gave her a quick hug, which surprised Kate. “And this is Jack.”
“Yes, it’s nice to meet you, Kate,” Ryan’s dad added, extending his hand. “Sorry about the dog. He gets so excited when anyone new comes by.”
“No problem,” Kate shook his hand. “I love dogs.”
“Well, let’s go inside. No need to keep standing out here,” Jeanie ordered, leading the way.
Once inside, Kate instantly felt at home. The décor of the house was warm and inviting with dark wide-plank hardwood floors, leather furniture and rich earth-tone fabrics. There was a large stone fireplace in the great room, already stocked with cut wood and kindling, ready to start a roaring fire.
The new-looking kitchen opened up to a comfortable living area, a granite-topped center island divided the two rooms. This was more than Kate expected from a farmhouse, and she was impressed by the beauty of it all.
“Your home is lovely, Mrs. Wilson,” Kate said as they entered the kitchen area and stood around the island.
“Please, Kate, call me Jeanie. Mrs. Wilson is Jack’s mother.”
“Okay, Jeanie.”
“You must be exhausted, dear. I’ve made up the guest room for you. And Ryan, you’ll be in your old room, of course. Unless…”
“Unless what?” Kate asked, looking suspiciously at Ryan, feeling warmth rush to her cheeks.
“It’s not like that, Mom,” Ryan said, glancing back at Kate.
“Well, anyway,” Jeanie explained, “the rooms are made up and ready for you—whatever you decide.”
“What’s for dinner?” Ryan asked, quickly changing the subject. He looked around the kitchen. “I don’t smell anything cooking.”
“That’s because Dad and I are going out,” his mom replied.
“Out?” Ryan seemed surprised they’d be going out when guests were coming to stay.
“We have tickets to the BSU football game tonight. It’s a sell out,” his dad noted, “and we’re not going to miss it. They’re playing Virginia Tech.”
“The Tomlinsons invited us to tailgate with them before the kick-off. They’re grilling burgers and ribs. You remember the Tomlinsons, don’t you, Ryan?” Jeanie asked.
“Yes, but…”
“Honey, we do have a life, you know,” his mother reminded him. “I left some steaks and chicken in the fridge for you if you’d like to barbecue. There are salad fixings and some leftover Ooh La La potatoes in there, too. I know how much you like those.”
Kate smiled as she observed the interaction with interest and pleasure. It seemed Ryan, on the other hand, couldn’t believe that his mother wasn’t preparing dinner for them.
“Oh, Ryan, you’re a big boy. You cook your own meals in Seattle, don’t you?” Then Jeanie caught herself, apparently afraid she’d said the wrong thing. “Unless Kate cooks for you.”
“Yes, Mom, I cook my own dinners, that is, when I’m not going out or picking up take-out. And, no, Kate doesn’t cook for me. I told you it’s—never mind. I just thought—”
“Well, you thought wrong, honey. Dad and I are leaving shortly, and we’ll be back after the game. You’ll have the house all to yourselves for awhile.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Kate said, “but I think I’d like to go to my room and freshen up. If someone will just give me a little direction…”
“Sure, hon, top of the stairs, first door on the right,” Jeanie responded.
“Thanks.”
* * *
When Kate was out of earshot, Ryan’s mom and dad grilled him about what was going on and why he was back in Boise with his mysterious friend. Ryan explained that Kate’s sister was missing and why she had to make the unscheduled stop in Boise.
“Oh, how awful,” his mother said, putting a hand up to her lips.
“What does that have to do with you? Are you dating Kate or what?” his father asked.
“No, Dad, we’re not dating. Let me start from the beginning.” He explained to them how he had met Kate on the plane to Seattle, just yesterday morning. They were seated across the aisle from each other. She seemed sweet and they had a good conversation. “It appeared to me like we hit it off, but then I lost her before we got to baggage claim.”
“Looks like you found her again,” his dad kidded.
“Yes, I did.” Ryan shook his head at his father’s humor. He went on to explain how he had reconnected with her outside of the police station. That was when Kate told him her sister was missing. She confessed to him that was the real reason why she was in Seattle. “Since she doesn’t know anyone there, I’ve been trying to help her out and be supportive.”
“I don’t understand. Why did you bring her to Boise?” Jeanie asked.
“Well, maybe you saw the story on the news about a young woman’s body being found by the Boise River,” Ryan went on to say.
“Yes, I think I did hear something about that. Was that her sister?” Jeanie asked sympathetically.
“No, thank goodness, but that’s why Kate flew to Boise this afternoon. The police asked her to come and see if it was her missing sister. I came for moral support.”
“I see,” his father replied.
“We’ve become friends over these last days, and she needed someone to lean on, to help her get through this. She has no family left, other than her sister.”
“Poor thing,” his mother said.
“So you’re just friends, huh?” Jack inquired. “She’s awfully pretty.”
“Yes, we’re just friends, Dad.” He met his father’s gaze. “I’d be lying if I said
I haven’t begun to feel more for her than that, because I have. She’s so much more than just a pretty face, Dad.”
Ryan stepped alongside his mother and put his arm around her shoulder. “You know, she’s smart and she’s funny, and she has her own photography business in L.A.”
“She sounds wonderful.” Jeanie smiled.
“She is.” Then Ryan looked his father in the eye again. “Except, Dad, she’s in an emotionally vulnerable place right now, and I don’t want to take advantage of her.”
“Good for you, honey.” Jeanie patted Ryan’s hand that rested on her shoulder. “I’m glad to see we raised you right. It sounds like Kate really needs a friend she can rely on right now.”
“Take care of that girl,” his dad said. “She sounds like a keeper.”
“Yes, dear,” Jeanie remarked, “a keeper.”
Jack glanced down at his watch. “Holy smokes! We’ve got to go now, Jeanie. Bob and Cathy will be wondering where we are. And I’d hate to see him burn those ribs on our account.”
“Okay, okay, just let me grab my purse,” she said as she came around the kitchen island to retrieve it. She stopped in front of Ryan, reached up, and put a hand on his cheek. “You and Kate have a nice evening together, all right?”
“Sure thing, Mom.”
* * *
While Kate was off to Boise, Suki thought she had better check on Whitney again and feed her more sleeping pills. With the delay, it was on her to keep Whitney sequestered and asleep, which was increasingly difficult as the extra days kept piling on. Aggravated that things had not gone according to plan, she set about making yet another special peanut butter sandwich for her captive.
Frustrated, Suki furiously ground a small handful of sleeping pills into a fine powder and mixed them into the peanut butter. Then she hastily spread it on the bread, adding a layer of blackberry jam on top to mask the bitter chemical taste and make it go down easier.
And then Ethan was supposed to get rid of Kate on Monday, she mumbled to herself, as she rifled through the crowded utensil drawer for a knife. After that, Ethan and I would have left town and disappeared. But noooo! Here it is Wednesday, the deed’s not done and Kate’s gone off to Boise!
