by Alexa Grace
She kept reading as she reached the middle of the journal. Abby wrote about the man Kaitlyn referred to as their ex-father.
I tried to find Daddy through the Internet tonight, and found many men named Robert Elliott Reece, but none of them was Daddy. I won't stop looking until I find him. I need him.
I wish I could wash the day he left out of my mind. From my bedroom, I could hear Daddy and Mommy arguing in the kitchen. I ran down the stairs and into the kitchen and begged for them to stop. I was crying and Daddy picked me up and hugged me. "Everything will be okay, Princess." But over his shoulders, I saw his suitcases near the back door and I knew he was leaving us. I remember crying hysterically and begging him not to go. He'd promised he'd be with me forever, and now he was leaving. Daddy put me down and told me to go to my room. I refused. "I'll send a check each month," he said to Mommy. "Don't try to find me. I'm not coming back." He picked up his suitcases and opened the back door. Mommy grabbed my wrist and I struggled to get free. I wanted to go with Daddy. I want to find him. After all these years, I still miss him. How could he have left me? I was his princess. How could he leave like that and never return?
Tears burning the back of her throat, Kaitlyn closed the journal and held it close to her chest. Poor Abby. She was still mourning for a father who didn't give a shit about his family and what his leaving did to them. As if the monthly child support checks would erase the pain. She was surprised Abby didn't write about blaming her. Kaitlyn still believed it was her fault their father left. He couldn't deal with her surgery, the slow healing afterwards, and the way her mother obsessed about caring for her, to the extent of ignoring her younger daughter and needy husband. It was too much responsibility for a man who yearned for his freedom and the arms of other women. Daddy was not the hero to Kaitlyn as he was to Abby. Though it seemed important for Abby to see him again, that was the farthest thing from Kaitlyn's mind. Her ex-father would remain just that.
Pulling open the journal, she scanned through pages of Abby's assessments of her sexual conquests, and how each man reacted when she dumped him. It was as if Abby got great gratification if the man was hurt and begged her to reconsider. Perhaps it was the power that turned Abby on. Kaitlyn didn't have to be a psychologist to realize her sister was leaving the men just like their father had left them. Abby wanted them to experience the pain she had.
Turning to the last page, the name "Gabe" jumped out at her. But instead of the sexual assessment Kaitlyn expected, the entry mentioned her.
I dumped Gabe tonight. Okay, I'll be honest, at least, with myself. I broke up with Gabe before he could break up with me. He was too good a man for me. I don't deserve anyone like him. But Kaitlyn does. She's worthy of a man who will genuinely care for her and wants her for the long run. I'm not. What she didn't deserve was what that bastard Mitch did to her. Why wouldn't she listen to me when I tried to warn her? Mitch hit on me more times than I can count. Not that I would ever tell my big sister. Hurting Kaitlyn was never in my game plan, though I know I've caused her pain many times. I should have been at her rehearsal dinner when that pregnant bitch made her big announcement and Kaitlyn's world burst wide-open. I would have kicked Mitch's ass and then escorted his pregnant friend to her car. No one hurts my sister and gets away with it.
There are so many things about Gabe Chase that remind me of Kaitlyn, including the way he loves kids and wants to settle down with a forever love. He's exactly the kind of man Kaitlyn deserves. If there is any way to get them together, I'll do it. Of course, it would help if Kaitlyn and I were still speaking. Why we can't get along is beyond me. But I plan to make more of an effort. I love her so much. She matters so much to me, even more than Mom.
It was Abby's last entry in her journal. Tears flooded down Kaitlyn’s cheeks with their heat and quiet power. Abby loved her. She wouldn't have guessed that in a million years. In fact, she always believed the opposite. What younger sister wouldn't resent the attention and affection her older and ill sister had received from their mother?
Finding Abby was even more important now. Kaitlyn had to make things right between them. Enough time had been wasted.
<><><>
Wearing a body-hugging navy tee with a flirty, flared skirt and matching three-inch pumps, Kaitlyn Reece strode into the Hoosier Sports Bar and Grill like she owned the place — even though this was her first visit alone to any bar — ever. The place was jam-packed with no empty table in sight. A fleeting urge to bolt from the bar rushed through her, but she took a cleansing breath and headed toward the bar. Her mission was to find her sister, and turning back was not an option.
Sliding onto a bar stool, she laid her small white purse on the bar and motioned for the bartender.
Quickly scanning his name tag, Kaitlyn said, "Hi, Keith. I'll have a strawberry margarita," she said. If she wanted information, she needed to buy a drink and make friends with the bartender. "By the way, I'm Kaitlyn."
"Want the umbrella, too, Kaitlyn?" he teased, as his eyes appeared to be undressing her.
"Why not?" she answered.
A moment later, Keith returned with her drink, placed it before her, and accepted the money she slid back. Slipping the bills in his apron pocket, he leaned on the bar with his elbows. "I haven't seen you in here before."
Thirsty and nervous, she lifted her glass, nearly emptying it, and choked when the alcohol hit her throat. That's what I get for ordering an alcoholic beverage when I rarely drink.
"Another strawberry margarita, please."
"Coming right up." Keith turned his back to her to mix the drink. A short time later, he placed another drink before her, shot her his version of a sexy smile, and repeated, "I don't think I've seen you in here before."
"No, you haven't." She slipped Abby's photo out of her purse and slipped it across the bar to him. "What about her? Have you seen her?"
Holding the photo between two fingers, he said, "It looks like Abby."
"When is the last time you saw her?"
"Are you a cop?" he asked, as he looked at her with distrust.
"No, I'm her sister," Kaitlyn said, sipping her drink, already feeling a little light-headed. "When is the last time you saw her?"
"About a week ago. On a Friday. It was late and she came in by herself, but she wasn't alone long. These two guys honed in on her, and before you know it, she's on the dance floor with both of them."
"How long did she stay? Did she leave with these two guys?"
"Abby stayed until closing. I think they left thirty or so minutes before she did."
They were interrupted by a young man who brushed against Kaitlyn as he sat on the barstool next to her. The bartender quickly took his order and left. Sliding his hand down her back, he whispered, "If I told you that you had a great body, would you hold it against me?"
Kaitlyn stiffened and said, "Seriously, that line is older than you are." He was in his twenties with over-moussed, slicked-back hair that made him look like a seventies mob boss. "You'd be wise to remove your hand from my butt before things get ugly."
<><><>
For a Wednesday night, the Hoosier Sports Bar and Grill was hopping. The parking lot was filled when Gabe arrived at nine o'clock, and he had to park his truck alongside the road. He'd decided to visit the popular bar at night and pass around Abby's photo to see if anyone had been there the night she disappeared. He was almost to the front door when he spotted a blue metallic Volkswagen Beetle. Moving to the back of the vehicle, he noted the license plate number. Kaitlyn Reece was here, and she better not be here doing the same thing he was. Not after he specifically told her not to. Mentally counting to ten, he clenched his jaw in an effort to cool his annoyance. If Kaitlyn was here playing amateur P.I., he had a thing or two to discuss with her about their agreement.
Spotting Kaitlyn as soon as he entered the bar, he strode toward her. As he grew closer, he realized she was sharing a heated conversation with the guy on the bar stool next to her. Kaitlyn had her hand on the guy's upper
thigh in a claw grip and he was squealing in soprano.
"Hi, honey. The babysitter finally arrived. Have you been waiting long?" Gabe kissed Kaitlyn's cheek and hugged her hard enough to loosen her grip on the squealer's thigh.
Surprised, Kaitlyn turned to see Gabe Chase standing behind her, wearing a green long-sleeved T-shirt that stretched across his powerful chest, under a black leather jacket, along with a pair of black jeans. He looked hotter than any man had a right to look, except for the angry, scowling expression on his face.
To the bartender, Gabe said, "Would you please find us a table?"
Slipping Abby's photo into her purse, Kaitlyn, still feeling light headed, swiveled around on her barstool, and then moved next to Gabe, who had wrapped his arm around her waist to brace her. The seventies-mob-boss-wannabe took the opportunity to limp to a far corner of the bar, as far away from Kaitlyn as he could manage.
Kaitlyn shouldn't be this glad to see Gabe. After all, she was caught doing exactly what he asked her not to do — investigate her sister's disappearance on her own. She wasn't looking forward to the tongue-lashing he was sure to deliver.
A slow, romantic Michael Bublé song sounded from the loud speakers. The DJ announced it was a ladies choice dance, and Kaitlyn took the opportunity to distract Gabe.
"May I have this dance?" she asked, flashing her most persuasive smile at him.
Gabe squinted suspiciously down at her, making Kaitlyn certain he was about to turn her down. To her surprise, he pressed a large hand against the small of her back and led her to the dance floor.
Moving into the circle of his arms, Kaitlyn found her head fit perfectly in the hollow between his shoulders and neck. She settled in, enjoying the feel of his powerful arms around her, his large hand pressed against the base of her spine.
"How much have you had to drink?" Gabe asked.
"I'm on my second drink," she slurred.
"Second drink too many."
"I'm not used to drinking, and I couldn't very well ask the bartender any questions without ordering something," said Kaitlyn. "Have I told you how good you look tonight?"
Slipping her hands inside his jacket and around to his muscular back, she looked up at him, admiring the rugged angles, sharp planes, and high cheekbones of his recklessly handsome features.
Gabe glared down at her. "Kaitlyn, I appreciate this little seduction thing you've got going, but it's not distracting me, nor is it going to manipulate me."
Her eyebrows arched mischievously as she said, "I don't know what you're talking about."
Ignoring her remark, he said, "We need to have a talk. Do you want to do it here, or out in my truck?"
"That depends. On a scale of one to ten, how angry are you with me?"
"Between an eight and nine," Gabe responded, as he shot her a glare.
"Your truck sounds good."
Leading Kaitlyn, wobbly on her three-inch heels, to his truck proved to be a challenge, and Gabe sighed in relief once he had her in the passenger seat. Closing her door, he rounded the vehicle and climbed into the driver's seat.
"God, I'm dizzy."
Ignoring her statement, Gabe scowled at her. "I thought we agreed that you'd leave the investigative work to me?"
"I don't see why I can't help. In fact, I may have learned a couple of things already."
"Kaitlyn, you are not a cop or private investigator," Gabe interrupted. "Asking questions of the wrong people can get you hurt or killed. Don't do it again." Dark and hot, eyes narrowed, his gaze locked on her face. "I'm very serious about this."
"I might not be a cop or private investigator, but I may have found out something important from the bartender."
"Like what?"
"The last time he saw Abby was last Friday night. She was in the bar alone. The bartender said there were these two guys who paid a lot of attention to her. Abby danced with the two men, but didn't leave with them. He said the men left about thirty minutes before Abby."
"Interesting."
"So I'm not so bad at investigative work after all?"
"Oh, hell no. I didn't say that. You promised you would leave the private investigation to me."
"Okay, I won't do it again," Kaitlyn whispered.
Gabe softened a little and said, "I'll get your information to Cam."
"Who's Cam?"
"Cam is my brother. He heads the detective team for the county sheriff, who is also my brother."
Turning on the ignition, Gabe threw the truck into gear and entered the highway.
"Where are we going?"
"You're in no condition to be behind the wheel of a car. I'm taking you home. Where do you live?"
"Please don't take me home. I can't be alone tonight. Please." Kaitlyn's face reddened and a hot tear rolled down her cheek.
If there was one thing that Gabe couldn't take, it was a woman crying. "What's wrong? Why can't you go home?"
"I just can't talk about it. I can't be alone. Please, Gabe."
Grasping her hand, Gabe said, "Okay, we can go to my office, but only if you'll tell me what's wrong."
"I will. I promise."
<><><>
By the time they reached his office downtown, the world was spinning in her head, and she had to hold onto Gabe in order to stay upright in her three-inch heels. Feeling like a complete idiot, she asked herself, what twenty-four-year-old woman drinks a couple of margaritas and turns to Jell-O? It was too embarrassing. And did she really ask Gabe if she could stay with him? Unreal.
Upstairs, Gabe planted her on his sofa, and headed toward the kitchen to make some coffee. Kaitlyn melted into the cushions, slipping down until she rested her head on the sofa arm.
Soon Gabe hovered over her. “Kaitlyn, are you okay?"
"Just peachy."
"You don't look peachy. You look like you're going to be sick. Are you?" With a panicked look on his face, Gabe was ready to whisk her off the couch and into the bathroom.
"No. I'm just dizzy and embarrassed," she began. "You must think I'm a complete moron. Kaitlyn Reece, amateur detective, searching for the truth about her sister's disappearance by visiting one of Abby's favorite bars, only to become intoxicated after two drinks. What a sleuth."
"You're too hard on yourself," Gabe replied, then added sternly, "That said, don't even think of doing anything like that again." He sat down on the sofa near her.
She pulled herself to an upright position. "I had to do something, even if it meant breaking a promise to you. The longer my sister is missing, the less chance she will be found alive. It's eating me up inside. The last time I saw Abby, we had a terrible fight. I may never get to tell her I'm sorry."
"She'll be found, Kaitlyn." Immediately, Gabe realized he shouldn't have given her that assurance. It probably wasn't true. Every member of law enforcement knew that as more time passed, the likelihood of finding the missing alive diminished. The sad and frightened look on Kaitlyn's face tugged at his heart. He could only imagine how he'd feel if one of his brothers were missing.
Gabe got to his feet before he said something else he shouldn't and headed toward the kitchen. "I'll get you some hot coffee. It will make you feel better."
Returning to the living area, he handed Kaitlyn a mug of hot coffee and sat down in the chair next to the sofa.
"Is your concern about your sister the reason you don't want to be alone tonight?"
Kaitlyn took a deep breath and said, "That's the most important reason."
"What's the other reason?"
"A year ago today was supposed to be my wedding day, and I'm a selfish bitch for thinking about that while my sister is missing."
"What happened?"
Kaitlyn remembered what had occurred as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. Why wouldn't she? Her mind had done an instant replay of the events at least a million times.
"I met Mitch during my freshman year, and we were inseparable until we both graduated. It seemed inevitable we'd get married, so we got engaged and set a dat
e. My mom was over-the-moon happy that one of her daughters was getting married, and planned a festive rehearsal dinner." She paused as Gabe moved from his chair to sit next to her on the sofa. Kaitlyn swallowed hard over the sudden lump of sadness in her throat.
"Guests were taking turns to extend toasts, and one of my bridesmaids, Barbie Denton, rose from her seat to say, 'I wish I could join all of you in toasting the happy couple, but my toast is to Mitch alone, who will become a father to our baby in seven months.' I looked at Mitch and knew instantly by his guilty expression that she was telling the truth. Every eye in the room was on me." She wiped at a tear that had slipped down her cheek, and felt Gabe squeeze her hand.
"What did you do?"
