by Ciana Stone
"Good. I hear you're going to be Kaylee's real live Dad, as opposed to her dead one."
"That I am."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you. Molly, you want to hold this bruiser while we unload the car?"
"Absolutely." Molly held out hands to Billy who leaned nearly out of Jax's arms, reaching for her. "Come on, big guy, let's go see who's in the kitchen."
She and Cody headed for the kitchen as Wiley and Jax walked back out the front door.
"So, he popped the question, eh?"
"He did." Molly grinned. "He did."
"And he knows…?"
"He does, and he's thrilled."
"Then this is definitely a celebration. I'm happy for you, Molly."
"Thank you. You're such a good friend. I feel very fortunate."
"Right back at'cha." They walked into the kitchen and Cody continued. "Well, looks like the gals are all here. And oh, my, I love deviled eggs. Can I snag one?"
"Help yourself." Nellie Mae offered.
Cody made short order of one and groaned appreciatively. "I don't suppose I can talk you out of that recipe? You know, I need to hire you and Mrs. Netta. I keep pilfering your recipes, and I swear I can't make the stuff taste the way you do."
"You do go on." Nellie Mae beamed.
"I guess I'll have to wait on that cake, but it sure looks pretty, Mrs. Netta. Oh, Molly, thank you for inviting my folks. They were so tickled and will be here shortly."
"Are you kidding? Mrs. Stella has been so kind to us, and your dad is – well, he's the dad everyone wishes they had."
"Amen to that. And Mrs. Mercy, that concoction you made for Billy did the trick with his teething. He's been able to sleep, and I can't tell you how grateful I am."
"My pleasure." Elisi walked over to Molly. "Let me hold him while you help Cody."
Billy went happily to Elisi and Molly helped Cody outside to the porch where tables were set up for food, along with coolers for drinks and things that needed to be kept cold. While they unloaded the bags, Wiley and Jax walked around the side of the house, carrying a huge cooler, and accompanied by Mathias who carried a cooler by himself.
"Rest of the family's on the way," he announced. "And hey, Molly."
"Hi, Mathias. Thanks for coming."
"Wouldn't miss it."
Someone called Molly's name from the back door, and she hurried to the house. Within half an hour all the guests had arrived, and everyone was gathered in the backyard where the children were playing in Kaylee's brand-new playhouse, courtesy of Wiley, Lincoln, and Mathias.
Wiley found Molly, took her hand and then called out. "Thank you all for coming."
Everyone stopped talking, and he continued. "This is a special day for me. For Molly, as well, I hope."
"Best day ever," she agreed and hugged up to his side.
"At least the best so far," he agreed. "We asked you all here – our family, by blood or by choice, every one of you is family, and we ask you to celebrate with us. Molly and I are getting married."
Everyone cheered, whistled, hooted and generally raised a ruckus. When it finally quieted down, Molly spoke up. "A month from today, we'll get married right here in the front yard, and we'd like every one of you to stand up with us as we say our vows."
"Hell yeah!" Cody yelled which started another round of cheers.
"Toasts!" Someone yelled and called for Wiley. "Let's tap this keg!"
Molly hugged him then let him go. It was more than an hour later before she was free again. She'd talked to and been congratulated by everyone there and felt flushed with happiness.
"Hey, Foxy," Wiley's voice sounded in her ear, and she turned to him. "Come with me to talk to the family?"
"Absolutely. Let me just check on Kaylee."
All the children were playing in the front yard, kicking a beach ball. With the yard being fenced, Molly felt it safe, and the other parents seemed to as well. "Where is everyone?"
"Inside."
"Okay." They entered through the front door, and she left it open, with just the screen door closed so they could hear the children.
Deacon, Mica, Mathias, Linc, Trina, Brody, Etta and JJ were gathered in the front room with Elisi. "So, what's the big secret?" Linc asked when Wiley and Molly entered.
"First, thank you all for coming and celebrating with us. It means a lot to have a family. And on that subject, we wanted you to know that we're going to add another member to the family."
Mica didn't wait for more. She squealed and ran over to hug Molly. "You're pregnant!"
"I am."
Everyone was congratulating and hugging them. When Molly finally got a moment, she pulled Trina and Brody off to one side. "I wanted to ask if you and Brody would consent to be godparents for the baby. And for Kaylee, too. You don’t have to—"
"We'd love to," Trina said and then looked at Brody. "Wouldn't we?
"We would."
"Thank you." Molly hugged each of them. "Excuse me one sec. I want to check on Kaylee."
She walked out onto the porch. The kids were still playing, but it was almost time to eat so she called out to them. "Everyone head to the backyard now. We're going to eat soon." Once she saw the children round the side of the house, she walked back in. "Sorry. I didn't like the idea of them being out there alone."
"No worries. Come on, let's go out back." Trina said.
They all headed for the backyard, but Molly got waylaid in the kitchen by Callie who was busy piling a big tray with hamburger and hotdog buns. "Jayce said the burgers and dogs are almost ready and Jax said the ribs will be ready in ten minutes, so I was going to go ahead and take things out."
"Good idea. More hands, less work." She pitched in as did Trina and Brody. Once everything was outside, and on the tables, she went in search of Kaylee. Charli and Grady Judd were with their little girl Josie at the swing set. Lily and Bernice were with them. Savannah and Mason James were there as well. He had their daughter on his lap, swinging slowly.
"Where's Kaylee?" Molly asked as she looked around.
No one answered, so she called out. "Kaylee?"
When there was no response, she went to the playhouse. It was empty. "Bernice, do you know where Kaylee is?"
"She went back to the front to get the kickball."
"Oh, okay, thanks, sweetie." Molly headed through the side yard. When she reached the front, there was no sign of Kaylee. The kickball lay alongside the front fence.
Something terrifying clawed its way into Molly. She ran inside, calling for Kaylee as she searched every room. There was no sign of her. She flew back out the front door and took off down the driveway, screaming at the top of her lungs.
"Kaylee! Kaylee! Where are you?"
She raced back for the front door and collided with Wiley. "I can't find her. I can't find her. Oh god, I can't—" Her words were muffled against his chest as he pulled her tight into his arms.
"Listen to me, Molly. Can you do that?"
She nodded, and he released her just enough that he could look into her eyes. "Did you ask the other children?"
"Yes. Bernice said Kaylee went back for the kickball. But it's still in the front yard, and I can't find her. Wiley, I can't find her." Panic welled back up hot and strong. "I can't find her!"
"Calm down." His voice was quiet but stern. "You're going to sit down and wait while I go get Deac and Linc and we're going to find her."
"Get Charli. Get Charli."
"I will."
"And Elisi. I need Elisi."
"I will." He guided her to a chair. "Wait for me right here."
She bounded to her feet the moment he left the room and went to the front door, scanning the yard. Where would Kaylee have gone?
Within moments the house was a flurry of activity. Charli was calling the police department, and the men were teaming up to go search. Elisi walked over and put her arm around Molly.
"It's my fault," Molly spoke the unwanted words. "I shouldn't have taken my ey
es off her, Elisi. It's—"
"She is not harmed," Elisi said softly, and when Molly looked at her, Elisi added. "Kaylee believes she's helping someone, and she's not been harmed, but I believe she has been duped."
That's when all the strength went out of Molly's legs, and she crumbled. Someone had her child.
Wiley appeared in front of her and lifted her to her feet. "We're going to find her, Molly."
"Someone has her Wiley. Elisi knows."
"Tell me." Wiley looked at Elisi.
"She has not been harmed. She believes she is helping someone in need, someone in pain."
"Oh my god," Molly grabbed Wiley's shirt in both hands. "The ice cream lady, Nancy Brant. She has a thing about Molly, always gives her free ice cream. The last time we were there, she told me about her daughter. She lost a child and hasn't gotten over it."
"I'll tell Charli, and we're going to start a search. We'll find her Molly. I promise."
Molly nodded, wanting to believe him. "Call me. Every few minutes."
" I will. Stay here in case she comes home."
"Okay. Okay. Find her, Wiley. Bring my baby back."
"I will." He kissed her then gave Elisi's shoulder a squeeze before hurrying out of the door.
Molly watched him go, aware of people around her, talking, offering comfort. She couldn’t focus on them. She was too consumed with fear.
Her child was gone.
What had started out as the best day ever had turned into a living nightmare.
Chapter Fifteen
" until the light returns"
Light was beginning to streak the sky when Wiley finally returned. Molly rose from where she sat on the porch swing, wrapped in one of Elisi's shawls.
She met him as he mounted the steps to the front door. Wiley engulfed her in his arms, and for a long time, neither of them moved. Molly could feel his frustration, anger, and fear.
"Charli called and said they searched Mrs. Brant's house, and the ice cream shop and they questioned her for an hour. She said she didn't know anything about Kaylee's disappearance and according to Charli asked them to do a lie detector test on her. Charlie said Mrs. Brant was distraught and worried."
"And what do you think?"
"I don't know. Do you have any insights?"
She pulled back and looked at him. "I don't know. I can't think straight. I'm just scared."
"What does Mercy say?"
"That Kaylee is not with a woman," Elisi's voice came from the front door. She pushed open the screen and stepped out. "She thought she was being taken to a woman. I believe it is the woman who owns the ice cream shop. But she wasn't taken there. I suspect that was a ruse used to gain Kaylee's trust."
"Do you have any idea where she is, Mercy?"
"I can hear animals. Cows, chickens, so a farm perhaps. There are dogs. A lot of them. In cages." She paused and reached for Molly's hand. "So, is she."
"Oh god," Molly felt like she was going to faint. Some monster had her child locked in a cage.
"Can you communicate with Kaylee?" Wiley asked.
"Only when she is sleeping. Then her mind is calm."
"And when she's awake?" Molly was terrified of what the answer would be.
"She's mad and afraid but to her credit, mostly angry and the anger has her shut down."
"Please, keep trying," Wiley said. "We need to get information from her, and we need to do it fast."
"Let me try," Molly said."
"No." Elisi's tone brooked no argument. "You're with child, it is too great a risk to the baby."
"Then me," Wiley said.
Elisi stared at him for a long time and finally nodded. "Come inside."
They all went inside. "Sit on the floor, please. Wiley make sure your back is to the couch for support." Elisi directed as she lit candles and turned off all electrical lights. "I'll be right back."
Wiley and Molly sat as directed and she clasped his hand tightly. It didn't require the use of any special abilities to know he was as worried as she about Kaylee. The only difference is that the Warrior part of his nature had already reached the stage where it demanded blood.
That should have bothered her, but she couldn't find much compassion inside her right now. Elisi returned with a bowl of water, a clean white towel and a ceremonial knife. She sat, holding the items.
Wiley's eyebrows rose when he saw what she had, but it wasn't a surprise to Molly. Some mystical practices demanded a sacrifice and others a means of connecting the people involved. Blood was often used.
"I will require your trust. Implicit and without hesitation or doubt. Can you give what I require?" Elisi looked from Molly to Wiley.
"Yes." For Molly, there was no hesitation. She trusted Elisi with her life.
"Yes." Wiley echoed.
Elisi placed the bowl of water between them, so they formed an equidistant triangle around it. "Hold your hands above the bowl."
"Mother," Elisi said and cut across Molly's left palm and then her right. "Whose blood is bonded the tightest to the child we seek."
As blood flowed from the cuts, into the bowl, Elisi turned her attention to Wiley slicing his palms as she spoke. "Warrior. He who offers his life in protection of those he loves, your blood will from this night on be mixed with the mother, the child, and…"
She paused and cut her own palms. "Grandmother. Shaman. Guide." She then lay the knife on the white towel and allowed blood to run from her hands, into the bowl.
"Join hands above the bowl."
Molly and Wiley followed her directions. She nodded and stared into the water. It began to swirl in the bowl, stirring the blood. "We three are one. Joined by the linking of hands, flesh-to-flesh, blood-to-blood. So, must we also join spirit-to-spirit, forging a union strong enough to bridge the gap of flesh to spirit and connect with the spirit of the child who holds our hearts."
The water swirled faster, blood mixing and bubbling as if being boiled. Steam rose from the bowl. "Look into the veil, Warrior and travel to the child we have named Kaylee Joy."
Wiley felt a jolt as if a sonic boom had shaken his body. There was no sound, just a ground-shaking quake, and the steam thickened to the consistency of thick smoke, tinted with blood. Then it parted, and he saw her.
Kaylee. She was in a cage. Not one with bars, but metal mesh on all sides and a door that was firmly padlocked. With her was an enormous white dog. Or perhaps it was a wolf. All he was sure of was that the animal was positioned protectively as if guarding Kaylee.
And fully aware of his presence.
I won't hurt her. He didn't know if he was thinking or speaking the words. He'd lost touch with his body. Not that it mattered. All that mattered was Kaylee and getting her to recognize his presence.
Help me speak with her, please. Help me save her.
The dog licked Kaylee, and she smiled and put her hands on its face. Then she looked directly at Wiley. "Dad?"
I'm here, Kaylee. Elisi and Molly are with me. We're trying to find you but need your help. Do you know where you are?
"In the cage with Ghost. She won't let Sad Man touch me. She bit him, and he said he would shoot her, but we made all the other dogs growl and be mad, so he left."
Left to go where?
"I don't know. The house I guess. There's a house. It's old. Not pretty like ours. This place. It's big, and there are a lot of cages. Dogs are in the cages, and there are four that aren't in cages, and they're really mad all the time."
What does Sad Man want? Do you know?
"He wants me to go be with my dead Dad."
Wiley was grateful Molly could not hear. As much as Kaylee's words scared him, they would have terrified Molly. Do you know where the Sad Man lives, Kaylee? Can you tell me anything that can help me find where you are, so I can come to get you?
She locked gazes with the dog for a couple of seconds then faced forward again. "There are cows with really big horns and chickens that are black and white and dogs. Lots and lots of dogs. They’re lik
e the dog Elisi used to have when I was a baby, the one that got run over and we all cried forever."
Anything else you can tell me?
"The dogs in cages always snap at each other and Ghost says that Sad Man makes them fight. He's mean to them, but they're scared of him. All but Ghost. Sad Man's afraid of Ghost but he said I better tell Ghost to let him send me to heaven or he would shoot her."
Why do you call him Sad Man, Kaylee?
"Because his little girl got the cancer and went to heaven and it made her mommy so sad that Sad Man couldn't do anything to make her smile and she made him go away to this place. Now she loves me and not him, and he wants her to love him again, but she won't unless I go to heaven."
Wiley realized Kaylee had provided clues that might well lead to her location. Kaylee, I need you to do something for me, okay?
"Okay, Daddy."
Good girl. Tell Ghost not to let Sad Man touch you. Can you do that?
"Yes, Daddy."
Good. And one more thing. Listen for Elisi. She's talking to you, and I need you to try to hear her and do what she says until I get there. Can you do that, too?
"Yes, I will."
I love you, Kaylee and I'm coming for you.
"I love you. Hurry Daddy. Sad Man is turning into Bad Man."
I'm coming for you. I promise.
Suddenly he was aware of himself, his body and his surroundings. Molly looked at him with fear and hope.
"I have to call Charli Judd now."
"Wiley!" She grabbed for him as he tore free and reached for his phone. He placed the call and a few seconds later spoke. "Is Deputy Judd on duty? Yes, Wiley Johns. Thank you."
Wiley wiped one bloody hand on his jeans and reached for Molly's hand. Elisi rose and left the room. Wiley hit the speaker button on his phone. It wasn't long before Charli answered.
"Wiley?"
"I have information. Can you write this down?"
"Shoot."
"There's a structure, probably a barn, filled with dog cages. Wire, not bars. Hold on. Molly, what kind of dog did Mercy have that was run over?"
"A Pittie."
"Charli did you get that? The dogs are Pit bulls, and he's fighting them. There are longhorn cattle there and –" he looked at Molly. "The man, Kaylee calls Sad Man wants her to go to heaven to be with her dead Dad. She doesn't know why only that his daughter died of cancer and it caused a rift between him and his wife. I'm hoping you can—"
