“For Fire Lake Coffee. That’s great.”
“At first, it seemed so simple. I watched a few how-to videos online at the library about how to roast your own coffee. Then I bought some equipment with what the airline paid us. My first attempts weren’t great, but once I figured it out and went to Debbie with a sample, she loved it. She ordered so much I struggled to keep up. But now I know exactly what to do.”
“I get it. We can drive to Maine. It may take longer. But, if it’s what you want, I’ll deal with sitting in this uncomfortable seat for the next ten hours.”
I flashed Bea a small smile and reached over to squeeze her hand. I thought she’d pity me after I told her what happened to my parents, but that’s not what happened. She understood.
Maybe I hid from the world for too long. It was time I ventured out and stopped living as if time had stopped once my parents died.
“I know, I’ll call Olivia. Tell her that your sister is missing. She and Carter can help look for her.”
I nodded but was uneasy. I wanted to find Chloe.
“If they find her, please make sure they call you right away. I want to make sure she’s all right. If she needs to go to the hospital, make sure she gets there and—”
Bea squeezed my hand back, stopping me.
“Don’t worry. They will make sure she gets the help she needs. I promise.”
I took a deep breath and nodded. Bea called her sister and explained everything. Bea handed the phone to me, and I gave Olivia the information about Chloe’s friends and where they had been camping. Olivia was surprised as it was close to her cabin. She promised to send Carter and their dog out at once to roam the mountain.
As much as I hated not being there, I took comfort in the fact that I had help. And Carter knew the area, and that helped, too.
“Thank you, Bea. For all your help.”
“That’s what I’m here for. Well, that and sex.”
I smirked. “More than that.”
“Yeah, the butt stuff, too . . .”
Chuckling, I shook my head. “No, I mean, I care about you. These past two weeks I’ve got to know you and I apologize. I misjudged you when we first met. I thought you only wanted to use my family to land a deal and maybe cheat us out of some money, too. I was used to people with money doing what they wanted and taking advantage of my family.”
“Huh.”
“What was that?”
Bea took a large breath and shrugged. “I mean, I’ve met my fair share of dickheads and greedy jerks, but they aren’t always wealthy. That’s just people. I’m sure having more money makes a person more susceptible to being greedy, but a jerk could be a jerk no matter how much money they have.”
I nodded, but most of the people with money where I lived were either snobs or jerks or both.
“If you say so. But I haven’t encountered that.”
“Maybe because you’re the jerk,” she mumbled and turned her head toward the passenger window, gazing out to the road.
“Excuse me?”
I had heard her.
“Look, you weren’t very nice to me when we first met, and I hadn’t done a thing to you. I wasn’t rude or condescending or a jerk. Yet, you kept telling me to leave, even when I was invited into your home by your sister, and then you were the condescending person to me.”
I thought back to that first day. And I realized she was right. As memories of how I interacted with her and other people in town made me realize that I was like that to everyone.
My God. I had turned into that crabby old guy who shakes his fist at people to get off his lawn.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I was so used to being hurt by people outside our family that I assumed the worst in everyone.”
“What about Debbie? Were you nice to her? She wasn’t your family.”
She helped me when my parents died. There was no way I wouldn’t be nice to her. Always making time to talk to me. Offering helpful advice even when I didn’t want to hear it. Being like a loving aunt when I needed it the most.
“No. I guess not.”
“Look, Mica, I have no idea how hard it must have been for you and Chloe when your parents died. And then losing your sister and having to raise Shelby. But I’ve learned a lot about people from having to try to make deals for Love Foods. And growing up with my parents, you learn quickly who to trust and who not to. And with all that I realized that if you expect to be treated kindly, you have to treat others with kindness.”
She was right. But that applied to her, too.
“Then what about the people, no matter how kind you were, who won’t be kind back?” I asked, wondering how she’d respond.
“You let them go. Don’t tolerate that sort of treatment. If they don’t get it, then they don’t deserve you.”
I nodded. “Then why do you try so hard to impress your father?”
Bea gasped, and before I could go on, a car hit into us, and everything went dark.
NINETEEN
Bea
“Why am I holding a baby?” Konrad asked as he held Shelby outstretched in his hands.
“She’s not a baby. She’s two years old, and I need you to take care of her for a while,” I said as I moved around my bedroom throwing stuff into one of my suitcases.
“First of all, I don’t know this child. Secondly, I have a job. I don’t think Dad’s going to understand if I take the day off to watch some random kid.”
I shook my head. “He’ll get over it.”
“Where is this child’s mother?”
“The kid’s name is Shelby.” I frowned before I continued, “And her mother is dead.”
“Oh, no. I didn’t know. Is that what happened in the accident? Is that why you need me to look after her because the mother died?”
I loved my brother, but he had a hard time handling anything that was new or different—much like our father.
“Yes, I need you to look after Shelby because no other family is around to watch her. And no, her mother didn’t die today.”
I had no idea how she died. Mica finally told me about his parents, but I could tell it wasn’t easy for him to open up. And when he mentioned my father . . . Allowing my own dad to treat me like that while I worked my ass off for him made me realize what a fool I had been.
“Then who was taking care of her?” My brother finally brought Shelby to his chest, and I thought I glimpsed a tiny smile on his lips when Shelby giggled.
“Her uncle. He’s the one in the hospital. That’s why I was there and asked you to pick Shelby and me up. That pile up on 495 was bad, but luckily, we got the lighter end of the collision. Some of those cars looked like they had been through a trash compactor. I fear what happened to the people inside.”
“The reports were that no one was killed, so that’s good.”
My shoulders sagged in relief. It was scary when that car hit Mica’s truck from the side. Thankfully, the front of his car took the brunt of the damage. The only one hurt was Mica with the broken collarbone. Shelby and I came out unscathed. Though our luggage ended up scattered all over 495.
I made sure the doctors did a thorough job of checking Shelby out. I even called my dad’s physician to double-check. She was fine, not even a scratch.
“I have to collect Mica at the hospital. You only need to look after Shelby for about an hour until I get back. Then we are heading up to Maine.”
“What? You’re getting back on the road? Bea, take the day. Bring your friend here and rest. I don’t think—”
I stood from where I had been hunched over tucking clothing inside my luggage and turned to face Konrad. “His sister is missing. She’s lost in the same mountains Olivia was a year ago.”
Konrad’s jaw tightened. He understood. He was still kicking himself for believing Father when he said that Olivia had jilted Derrick, Olivia’s ex-fiancé, and left him at the altar.
I knew better, but then again, I never trusted Derrick. I was the only one in our family who tried
to look for Olivia.
“Tell me what I can do?” Konrad said with determination in his eyes.
“Get some people up to Maine and in those mountains looking for this woman.” I reached for my phone and tapped it until a picture I had taken of Chloe with a red bag of Fire Lake Coffee appeared on my screen.
“Send me the picture and any details you have. We’ll find her. In fact, I’ll go myself.” My brother nodded as if he had to confirm it with himself.
“If you want . . . we’re driving up today—”
“No, I’m flying. Why aren’t you flying too?”
I waved my hand at him. “Long story. I guess we’ll see you up there. But that doesn’t get you out of watching Shelby until I get back from the hospital.”
He glanced over at her and tapped her nose with his gargantuan finger. Everything about my brother was big, even his digits.
“Don’t worry. I think Sarah baked some things. Can she eat solid foods, or does she still eat baby food?”
“Small and soft things like pancakes that are broken up into little pieces or little crackers. And she really likes scrambled eggs but makes an incredible mess.”
Konrad nodded, looking down at Shelby as he made his way to the door. “Let’s go see what Uncle Konrad can get for you.”
I stared at my brother as he left the room. I had never heard him make that baby voice before, not even when our cousins brought their babies over.
I smiled. It was Shelby, she had that about her. No one could resist her, and she loved the attention.
Once all was packed, I had my luggage brought to the car and informed my driver where to go. It wasn’t long until we were at the hospital.
I walked down the hallway with a sterile scent in the air. Everything was white with pops of light green on the walls and floors.
There was a groan coming from Mica’s room and I wondered who was irritating him.
When I walked into the room, I saw Mica sitting on the edge of his bed, glaring at the nurse.
“Mr. Angrov, you must take the pain medication. If you don’t, the pain will be too intense. It should subside in a few days.”
“But then you said I can’t drive if I take it, and I need to get to Maine today.”
I came over to Mica and placed my hand on his arm—the one not in a sling.
“Don’t worry. I got it covered. You should take the medicine.”
His eyes went wide. “You’re not driving the truck.”
“No, it’s in the shop. No one will be driving the truck. But we’re taking my car up to Maine.”
I had come to see him before my brother picked me up. He was trying to sneak out to find Shelby. Thankfully, I had Shelby in my arms at the time and he could see for himself that she was fine.
“I don’t know about—”
“It’s done. I bought a new car seat and had it installed. All the luggage is already in the car. I’m here to pick you up so we can continue on our voyage with someone who drives cars for a living. Everything is fine.”
He glanced around. “Where’s Shelby?”
“With my brother. He’s watching her while I pick you up.”
He sat quietly for a moment. His eyes bounced between me, the nurse, and finally, the little paper cup with his medication in the nurse’s hand.
“Fine. But I’m going to backseat drive. You better warn your driver. Chloe tells me all the time I’m the worst backseat driver. But that’s only because no one is as good a driver as me.”
I didn’t point out that we had just been in a car accident while he drove. He grabbed the paper cup and shot back the pills into his mouth.
Once he had taken the medication, I handed him a shirt that was my brother’s. They had cut apart Mica’s shirt when we arrived. The nurse helped him put it on, and after, she pulled me aside.
“That pain medication will relax him, a lot. So, he may not be the backseat driver he claims to be on your trip.” She winked at me before she left.
I liked her. I made a mental note to make a hefty donation to this hospital.
As we were making our way to the car, I could tell the medication was kicking in. The grumpiness was disappearing and, in its place, came a man who seemed to love everything.
“Wow, those flowers are beautiful.” Mica pointed to the display of white and red carnations in the gift shop window. “And that teddy bear that says get well . . . that’s adorable. Maybe I should get that for Shelby. Oh, and that big stuffed tiger. She could climb on that. And Chloe loves hearts. Maybe that heart lollipop.”
He kept rambling, and I tried to hold back my laughter.
“Why don’t we focus on finding Chloe first.”
“Right. You’re so right, Bea. Have I told you how beautiful you are? Because you are gorgeous.” He wiped his hand over my cheek and across my mouth, smearing my pink lipstick.
“Thanks.” I glanced around, hoping no one was looking at us. A few were, but they went back to whatever they were doing once they noticed his sling.
Huh. People seemed to accept odd behavior if you appeared sick or hurt. Next time I went out drinking with my friends, I would make sure to borrow Mica’s sling.
Here I was making plans to be with Mica that long. I had never thought about a long-term sexual relationship. But with Mica hurt, it might be a while until we could have sex. So, technically, not a long-term sexual relationship, just a long-term relationship.
My heart beat a little faster in my chest at the thought. I wanted to stay with him, make sure he was okay.
There was nothing wrong with being friends with a guy. I never had been before, unless they were gay, but I liked hanging out with Mica.
And then once he was feeling better, we could resume the sex. What was that called? Friends-with-benefits. I never understood that before, but now, I totally got it.
I could stay a few days until he felt better and then return to DC. I was a city girl through and through. Living on the side of a mountain wasn’t my thing. It’s not as if Mica expected me to stay anyway.
Mica did have a magical dick, but even mind-blowing sex wouldn’t cause me to move to the middle of nowhere.
I watched Mica as he donned a goofy smile and waved at everyone we passed with his good hand. My heart fluttered in my chest and a terrible realization hit me.
How could I leave him when I wondered if I was wrong and that I might want more than sex with the guy?
TWENTY
Mica
“We’re here,” Bea said as a cold blast of air hit me, and I opened my eyes.
I gazed around. “Where?”
I was seated in a passenger seat of a vehicle I had never seen before. My brain was foggy. Memories of the day weren’t easy to come by. I remember leaving The Blue Spot and driving up 95, but once we got onto 495 to go around DC, everything went blank.
Why were we leaving The Blue Spot? I couldn’t remember.
“At your house,” she said.
I blinked, and when I reached for the door of the car to pull myself out, I noticed my left arm was in a sling. I winced as a bolt of pain shot through me when I tried to move my arm.
“What happened?”
“The accident. You don’t remember?”
I shook my head, but as she mentioned it, tiny fragments of the wreck popped like a light bulb in my head.
“Shelby,” I yelled and looked around. Relief hit me when I saw her squirming in her car seat in the third row of back seats in this monstrously large vehicle.
“She’s fine. You were the only one hurt. Then I had my driver take us up to your house.”
She waved at the man standing behind her, who I hadn’t noticed until now. What was wrong with my brain? Had I had a concussion?
“Why am I having trouble remembering everything?” I used my good arm to pull myself out of the vehicle and stood.
Every muscle in my body ached as if I had run a marathon without any training.
“Probably the pain meds. The nurse said y
ou would be out of it while taking it. She also said you’d be in a lot of pain if you didn’t take it.”
That nurse was right. Because as much as all the muscles in my body cried out, my shoulder felt like it was about to explode. Even when I turned my head, I could have sworn a lightning bolt hit my shoulder.
“But why did we come back to Maine?” I had planned to spend another day or two there. I remembered it had something to do with my sister, but my mind went blank after that.
Had she got hurt on her camping trip?
“Chloe is missing.”
My heart fell to my feet as everything came back to me. My need to race back to Maine as soon as possible to find her. Me telling Bea why we couldn’t take her plane.
And then the accident. That car T-boned my truck, sending us spinning. That must have been how I broke my collarbone. I remember lifting my arm to the window as if my arm alone would protect everyone in the truck from the impact.
“Shit. Any word?” I feared what Bea would tell me.
But she didn’t need to say anything. She shook her head and gazed at the ground.
I glanced up at the house and pushed past her. “Maybe she’s inside. Maybe she’s sick and couldn’t make it to the phone. We need to check.”
“Olivia asked Debbie to break into your house to make sure. She got the sheriff, and they managed to get in the backdoor easily. Apparently, it was already broken. I hope no one broke in and that’s why she’s missing?”
Fuck. The backdoor. This was all my fault. I never fixed the backdoor before I left and now Chloe’s missing.
What if she was kidnapped? There are some crazy people that live in the middle of nowhere. They know that you’re alone and no one can hear you, so they take advantage of that.
“I shouldn’t have stayed so long in Virginia. This is all my fault.”
Just like Ellie was my fault. Now, my other sister was gone, and I could only blame myself. It was irresponsible of me to leave the hole in the window and just nail up some wood to keep animals out. I had fixed the doorknob, but not the window. I put Chloe in danger.
Lost and Found (books 1-3): Small-Town Romantic Comedy Page 57
