by Lori Ryan
“Don’t get me wrong, Jake. I don’t care what the man does with his private life. That’s between him and his wife.”
Jake knew that wasn’t true. There had been rumors that Grant had had an affair with his last costar, something that had infuriated his brother and had been the start of his spiral downward.
Grant tossed the candy wrapper in the trash and dug around Maggie’s desk more. “I heard you’ve got another reason to stay in Canyon Creek,” he glanced up, “besides the whole ‘helping people’ bullshit,” he said using air quotes.
“What did you hear?” Jake cringed. As of last night, he and Lina were no longer a thing.
“That you’ve got an Italian hottie keeping you nice and toasty at night.”
Jake felt a flash of anger at the description of Lina. “That’s not what’s going on.”
Grant raised a brow, his award-winning grin on full display. “What is going on then, big brother?”
Jake flopped back in his chair with a groan.
“That bad, huh?”
Jake shook his head.
“Ahh,” Grant laughed, “that good, huh?”
“What’s good?”
Both men sat up straight, staring at their cousin, Mia in the doorway.
“How much of that did you hear?” Jake asked.
“Apparently not enough if I have to ask questions.” She made her way toward Grant. “There’s my handsome cousin,” she said, setting down a box filled with cookies. “Give your favorite cuz a hug.”
Grant stood, looking around her. “I don’t see Lily here.”
Mia took the box back. “No super-duper choco-chunk cookies for you, mister.”
“Hey, hey,” Grant reached for the cookies.
“No,” she squealed, but she was no match for Grant. He easily snatched the box from her.
“Thanks,” he said, ripping off the top and shoveling two cookies in his mouth.
“Don’t thank me, thank Becca. She helped with that batch.” She looked at Jake. “She’s quite the baker, that little one.”
“Where is Becca?” Jake asked.
“I thought she was with you,” Mia said, reaching for a cookie.
The hairs at the nape of his neck lifted and his stomach clenched.
“Dude, what’s wrong?” Grant asked.
Jake ignored him. “When did you last see her?” he asked Mia.
Mia’s face went white. “I told her to come get you, to tell you we’d finished the cookies. When she didn’t come back, I thought she must have stayed here with you. That’s why I delivered them.” She nodded toward the box.
Jake’s heartbeat sped up, his palms sweating. “How long ago did she leave the cafe?”
Mia glanced at her watch. “Um, maybe ten, fifteen minutes ago. She’s really not here?”
“No,” Jake shook his head as he pushed up from his seat, his gut burning with fear.
“Sometimes we play hide-and-seek,” Mia said. “Maybe that’s what she’s doing.”
“Becca,” Jake called out. “This isn’t a game. If you’re in here, please come out.”
He heard the shakiness in his own voice and willed it away.
Grant knelt down and looked under all the desks. “I don’t see anyone hiding.”
Jake ran an unsteady hand through his hair as his mind raced through possibilities, each more frightening than the last.
“Don’t worry,” Mia said, placing a hand on his arm. “She’s here somewhere, probably just hanging out with the staff. She loves to play at the front desk. I’ll go check.”
“What if that’s not it?” Jake shook his head, bile rising in his throat, his hands shaking.
The three rushed out to the lobby, each taking a different area to search. Jake called out for her near the stairs where she liked to play, then ran around the couches in the great room of the lodge, looking under the heavy oak coffee table in the center. “Becca!” he called out.
“Jake,” Mia said, standing near the reception desk, tears in her eyes.
His gut clenched tight. Something was wrong. He could feel it. Whether by blood or not, he and Becca were connected. He thought he might be sick.
He rushed to his cousin, his hands unsteady with fear, his mouth dry. “What is it?” he asked quietly. “Tell me what’s happened to her.”
“Stephanie said she ran out the front doors about fifteen minutes ago,” Mia said softly.
Jake stared at Stephanie, her eyes wide. “I’m sorry, Jake, I thought she was heading down to your mom’s house. She does that sometimes.”
“Did you call my mother?” Jake asked.
“Your mom’s at the barn, teaching a yoga class.”
Becca knew better than to wander outside without an adult. He yanked on his hair, fingers digging into his scalp. “Where could she have gone? Why did she run off?”
Mia rubbed his back. “It’s okay, we’ll find her. She can’t have gone far. We’ll call in everyone to search.”
“This isn’t good, Mia,” he said, staring down at her.
“It’s gonna be okay, man,” Grant walked up beside him, squeezing his shoulder.
Jake’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He answered without looking, hoping it would be Becca, or someone who’d found her.
It wasn’t, it was Todd. “I can’t talk right now, Todd.”
“Jake, I need you here. Now. The shit has hit the fan.”
“Todd, I can’t deal with this right now. My daughter is missing and—”
“You’ve played family man long enough. I’m sure your daughter is fine. Kids get lost all the time. Get someone there to find her and babysit her while you get your ass back here and do your job.”
Jake pulled the phone away from his face to look at the screen, unable to believe this was Todd Douglas, the man he’d put so much faith and trust in.
He brought the phone up next to his ear again, not surprised that Todd was spewing more words.
“…and she’s given it to the rag mags. We need to clean this up, man before it goes viral.”
“I’m going to hang up the phone now and go look for my daughter.”
“I swear to God, Jake, if you hang up this phone—”
Jake disconnected the call before Todd could finish. He looked at Mia then Grant. “Let’s go find Becca,” he said.
All three raced to the front entrance, the fear in his gut now a real, living thing, throbbing with every beat of his heart.
He couldn’t lose her. Not after he’d just found her. DNA or not, she was his and he wasn’t going to let her go.
Chapter Thirty
Lina sat at her desk in her bedroom, reading emails, trying not to replay the night before in her head. She was so embarrassed that Maggie had caught her and Jake basically having sex in the bookstore.
Okay, so technically is was post-coital, but she knew what it looked like. Hell, Jake and Ben were practically high-fiving.
Her heart ached at the thought of not seeing Jake or Becca again before they left for California, but she reminded herself it was for the best. She didn’t do relationships.
She opened an email from Just Green, a nonprofit organization she recognized. The group focused on creating a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.
They probably wanted a donation. She often gave to a lot of environmental and wildlife organizations and had quickly found herself on many email lists she’d never signed up for.
She did a scan of the email then went back and read it more carefully. Holy hell, this wasn’t a generic request for donations. This email was from one of their communication managers. They wanted to talk to her about a possible position with the organization. The woman wrote that after watching her video, the executive staff had been moved and impressed.
What. The. Hell.
This was crazy. They gave a phone number and said to call and they would make all the arrangements for her flight and hotel stay.
In Washington, D.C.
She squealed
. Actually squealed with excitement.
She heard stomping on the stairs and Dak came rushing into her room.
“What the hell is wrong?” His rough voice echoed from the doorway. “Are you okay?”
She covered her mouth, pointing to her lap top.
He walked up behind her and bent over her shoulder, reading the email. “Lina, that’s amazing. I knew you were destined for great things, hun.” He squeezed her shoulder.
She glanced up at the man who was like a big brother to her. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Cam’s made enchiladas. If you want to invite Jake and Becca over, there’s plenty.”
Lina swallowed back emotions, tears burning her eyes. She shook her head, unable to speak.
Dak squatted down. “What’s wrong, honey?”
“I just, I…it’s not a good idea.”
He furrowed his brows. “What’s not a good idea?”
“For Jake and me to see each other again. They’re going back to California this weekend anyway.”
“I thought you said you were going with them.”
Again she shook her head.
He studied her. “You sure, sweetheart? It seemed like the three of you guys were really getting tight.”
“I’m sure,” she choked out, even though she wasn’t. Her head said this was the right thing to do. Hell, even Jake had said she was right. But her heart wasn’t in agreement yet. She felt like it might never be.
He gave her a lop-sided grin. “You don’t sound sure.”
She shrugged.
He stood and kissed her on the head. “Whatever you want, we’ll support you.” He squeezed her shoulder again.
She placed her hand on his and gripped him tight. “Thank you.” She smiled, for the first time in hours.
The sound of her cell phone cut through the room. She was getting so tired of the generic phone calls since her information had been leaked.
“Want me to get it?” Dak asked.
She nodded, handing him the phone. Usually people were thrown off when a big, gruff-sounding man answered.
“Hello.” Dak’s deep voice sounded menacing even to her. “Oh, uh, hey Earl.” He raised his brows as if asking if it were okay.
Why the hell was Earl Fisk calling her?
She nodded, and reached for the phone, but Dak covered it and spoke. “Cam and I are headed out on shift. You okay?” He nodded to the phone.
Lina grinned. No way would she make her roommates stay home to back her up while she took a phone call. “I’m fine. Go.” She waved, taking the phone. “Hello?”
“Lina?” Earl asked.
“Yes.”
“Oh, hey, it’s Earl…Earl Fisk.” Did he sound nervous? Usually he was a pompous ass, but not today.
Dak tilted his head and raised a brow.
She gave him a thumbs up.
He kissed her head again and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. That was the thing with Dak. He knew when to give people space and privacy because he demanded the same so often himself.
“What’s going on, Earl?”
“Well, I…,” he stumbled.
She figured he wanted to confront her about her testimony, specifically her vehement opposition to the expansion.
“Just say it,” she said in a curt tone.
“I wanted to stop by in person to tell you but…”
Oh, God. This didn’t sound good. What if they’d pushed through the expansion without more community feedback. “What is it Earl?”
“I just found out my son was the one who vandalized your car.”
She sagged back in her chair. This was not the response she was expecting. “What?”
“My son, and Mike Maldonado’s son. They were the two who threw the brick through your car and slashed your tires.” There was a long pause while she let the information soak in.
“I’m so sorry, Lina. You have to know, I don’t condone this behavior at all. I want to make amends for their actions. I’ll understand if you want to press charges, I’m just hoping…”
Lina thought back to her own teenage years and the things she’d done before she grew a brain. “Why?” she asked. “Why did they do it?”
“They were just being stupid. They were drinking and bored…”
Lina understood that all too well.
“I want to make this right, Lina,” he said. “The boys are going to pay you back for repairs and then some. I just…I want you to know that this was not retaliation. I didn’t ask them to do this and I don’t condone it. I’ve made that clear to the boys.”
“Okay,” she said, believing him.
“After your speech, I started thinking. I guess I never really considered both sides of the highway expansion. I mean as town manager I always want more revenue for the citizens. But Maggie and Elle and others were right. We’re bringing in some great festivals, and maybe the council can help facilitate that.”
Lina sat, dumbfounded, and speechless.
“Lina?” he asked quietly.
“I’m here.”
“Well, anyway. I know your speech has received a lot of attention on the Internet. Some of the comments have been negative, directed at the town. I’d really like to change that. And…”
“And?”
“And, I thought maybe you would consider working with us, as a consultant or something. I don’t know. I mean, it wouldn’t be paid or anything, for now, just kind of volunteer, but maybe we can come up with something that will work for everyone. Humans and animals.”
Lina glanced at her laptop, the email from Just Green still open. It seemed that within the course of a week, her life had taken a dramatic turn. “Can I think about it, Earl?”
“Oh, yes, of course, of course. And about the boys, I truly am sorry, Lina. Again, I understand if you want to file a police report—”
“No, I’m not going to do that. As long as you and Michael make them understand what they did was wrong.”
“Of course, and they will make it up to you, I promise. I will as well. I’m sorry if I was nasty or rude in anyway.”
Lina thought back to the meeting. “I don’t think you were mean, Earl, I think you were passionate. And you always have the town’s best intentions in mind, no one would question that.”
“I really do. Thanks for understanding. Oh, and one more thing. I just wanted you to know that Jake didn’t work with us, opposing you. I just asked him strategic questions, nothing trying to win him over to our side, whatever our side means.” He laughed.
“I believe that, too,” she said, and she did.
“I really am sorry about what the boys did, Lina. They’ll pay, I promise.”
Lina thought of her own long-lasting punishment as a teenager. A sentence that had been handed down to her entire family.
While living in New Jersey, she’d hooked up with the wrong crowd. One night they were cruising around, looking for trouble in her best friend Marylou’s car. When she pulled into the parking lot of a liquor store, Lina was surprised.
“Why are we stopping?” she asked.
“Danny has to pee,” Marylou said, nodding to her boyfriend who sat in the passenger’s seat.
“This is a liquor store. We’re all underage,” Lina said. “There’s a McDonald’s right across the street.” She pointed behind her. “Why can’t you go there?”
Danny turned to glare at Lina in the backseat. “I gotta take a piss now, Lina” he growled.
A nervous prickle of unease raced up Lina’s spine but she sat back quietly, knowing better than to question Danny Hayes. She watched as he strode into the liquor store.
Once he’d entered, Lina leaned over the front seat. “What are you doing, Marylou?” she said. “Danny is no good.”
“He loves me,” her friend said contentedly. Marylou had been enthralled by Danny from the day they met, but Lina never saw him the same way.
Danny didn’t love her, he was using her for sex and her car, but to Marylou, the a
ttention meant too much.
Before Lina could say more, Danny raced toward the car, a gun in one hand and a cloth bag in the other. “Go! Go!” he shouted.
Lina’s eyes went wide as she realized what had just happened. Danny had robbed a liquor store.
Before he could slide into the front seat, Lina had her own door open, trying to step out. She couldn’t make it in time before Marylou put the car in gear and was backing up.
Lina tumbled out, falling onto her stomach, the door and the front tire of the car barely missing her. As she glanced up, Lina watched the tail lights of Marylou’s car fade into the night.
Sitting in the parking lot, rubbing her skinned knees, Lina realized she had literally hit rock bottom. And this time there may not be a way out.
She’d cooperated with the police and thankfully, had never been charged. Marylou had received a reduced sentence for testifying against her boyfriend, claiming Danny had kidnapped her and her car. Lina wasn’t sure about either of those things.
Fortunately for Lina, and her family, she’d not had to testify in court at either of their trials. She’d only been forced to tell the truth to her parents, which had been worse.
After the story broke, in an effort to save Lina—and their business—from the path she’s been traveling her father and mother had decided to move to Colorado. Her entire family had been uprooted, leaving behind all they loved, because of her.
Lina didn’t want that for these boys.
“Okay,” Earl said on a shaky breath, “well, I’ll be in touch. We’ll work out a schedule for the boys to pay you back financially, and in service.”
“That sounds good. Thanks for calling, Earl.”
“Thanks for being so understanding. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to work together soon.”
“I’ll let you know.”
“Bye, Lina.”
“Bye, Earl.” She disconnected the phone and leaned back in her chair with a sigh. Well, that was interesting. Working with the town council? Consensus and compromise? Wasn’t that what Jake had suggested?
Jake.
“Knock, knock.”
Lina glanced up, surprised to see her mother.
“Hey, Mom. What are you doing here?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Dak and Cam let me in on their way out. I thought you were off the phone.”
