by Rita Herron
Cora’s throat closed. Evie had cried for her?
She’d received countless messages of support and prayers. Yet she’d also received disturbing messages where people blamed her for her daughter’s disappearance. Those vile accusations had nearly destroyed her.
“Finally she opened herself up to the idea of adoption,” Adelaide continued. “And she discovered it’s true. She loves little Twyla like she carried her for nine months and gave birth to her herself.”
Cora pictured a woman devastated because she couldn’t bear children, then learning a baby was available. Evie must have jumped on the opportunity.
Had that baby been kidnapped from its mother?
* * *
JACOB QUICKLY EXAMINED the older woman’s phone. There were only two numbers programmed in it—Evie’s and the desk for health services at the assisted living facility.
He pressed Evie’s number, but her voice mail kicked in, so he left a message. Then he called the health care office and identified himself to the receptionist.
“I’m talking with Adelaide Evans,” he said. “She’s concerned about the fact that her daughter hasn’t called or visited. Have you heard anything from Evie?”
“Not today. Is something wrong?” the receptionist asked.
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” Jacob said. “Ms. Evans would feel better if we could talk to her daughter. Let me know if she checks in.”
She agreed and he hung up, then called Liam with Evie’s number and her mother’s for a trace. Technically he couldn’t declare Evie missing. She was an adult and could have simply moved and not have had time to contact her mother.
But...if she was in trouble, or if she was involved in a kidnapping, she might be on the run.
Jacob stepped back to join Cora and Ms. Evans. “Your daughter didn’t answer. I left a message for her to call me.”
“I left her one, too,” Adelaide said. “That’s what worries me most. She’s such a good daughter. She always calls me back.”
“You mentioned she was on the verge of adopting another child. Did she use an adoption agency, or was it a private adoption?”
The elderly woman ran a finger over the Afghan she’d been knitting. “All I know is that a lawyer was handling the arrangement.”
“Do you know the lawyer’s name?” Jacob asked.
Adelaide rocked back and forth in the chair, obviously agitated. “She didn’t say, only that she’d paid him.”
Cora patted the woman’s hand. Adelaide and her daughter did seem close. It was strange Evie would have moved without informing her mother of her plans.
“Tell me more about your granddaughter,” Cora said softly.
“She’s a sweetheart,” Adelaide said. “She always brings me fresh flowers when she comes. She likes pink carnations. Lilies used to be my favorite until Twyla. Now I like carnations.”
Cora smiled. “If you don’t mind me asking, when is her birthday?”
Adelaide’s hand fluttered her chest. “That’s the funny thing. It’s the same day as mine. June 8.” A smile brightened the woman’s face. “Evie and I thought that was a sign she was meant to be part of our family.”
Cora’s heart skipped a beat. Alice had been born on June 9.
Could Evie have lied about the little girl’s birthday?
“There’s a photograph of her on my mantel,” Adelaide said. “Of course I can’t see it, but Evie took it of us on our birthday, and Twyla insisted on setting it above the fireplace.”
Cora exchanged a look with Jacob. “Would you mind if I looked at it?” Cora asked.
“Of course not,” Adelaide said. “I love showing off my granddaughter.”
A sliver of guilt streaked through Cora. Adelaide hadn’t made the connection that Twyla’s adoption and Cora’s missing baby might be related. She didn’t want to upset the woman if there was nothing to their suspicions.
“I’ll get it,” Jacob offered.
He slipped inside the cottage and returned a moment later with a five-by-seven silver-framed photograph. He studied it for a moment, looking back and forth between Cora and the picture.
Cora’s hand trembled as she took it from him. Adelaide was grinning as her granddaughter handed her a bouquet of flowers. Cora narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing every detail of the child’s face.
Her wavy blond hair was clasped in a high ponytail. She had hazel eyes and a dimple in her right cheek.
Cora’s heart twisted. Could Twyla possibly be Alice?
* * *
JACOB SHIFTED AS indecision played on Cora’s face. Unless her daughter looked like Cora or her ex, how could she possibly recognize her?
He left her with Evie’s mother and ducked back inside the house under the guise of using the restroom. Several pictures took homage on the mantel—first, a photograph of a younger Ms. Evans and a little girl he assumed to be Evie, when Evie was about ten years old.
The second was a photograph of Evie and Twyla with a man he guessed was the husband. Jacob noted the scenery.
Mountains, a creek. A sign for Little Canoe. The couple stood in front of a cabin overlooking the theme park for children.
Did Evie own property at Little Canoe?
He searched the small desk in the living room, then the kitchen drawers for an address or reference indicating where Evie might have gone. Nothing inside but prescriptions for Evie’s mother’s medications, including insulin, along with bills from the facility.
He quickly searched the dresser in the woman’s bedroom, but found nothing helpful. When he returned to the porch, Cora was listening to Ms. Evans relay a story.
Jacob listened politely for her to finish before he spoke. “Ms. Evans, I noticed a picture of your daughter at Little Canoe. Did she and her husband own a place there?”
She paused in her rocking. “Hmm, they bought one a long time ago, but I don’t know if Evie kept it after she lost Roy. She hasn’t mentioned it in a long time.”
“Do you have the address?” Jacob asked.
The woman smiled. “Of course I do. I’m blind, but my memory is still pretty good.” She gave him the address along with an intricate set of directions.
His phone buzzed on his hip. A text from Liam.
Got a hit on Evie Hanson. She traded her car at a used car lot for a dark green sedan. Seller said she seemed nervous and in a hurry. She was headed north.
Jacob sent him a return text. Think I know where she’s going. Little Canoe. Am leaving now.
He motioned to Cora that he was ready to leave, then stooped in front of Evie’s mother. “Ms. Evans,” he said. “I understand that you’re worried about your daughter. I’ll drive up to Little Canoe and see if she’s there.”
The little woman pressed her hand to her chest again. “I would feel so much better if you’d do that, Sheriff.”
Guilt threatened at her sincerity, but he squashed it. Work took precedence. He had to follow every lead to find Cora’s baby and Kurt Philips’s killer.
If Evie Hanson was involved, or in trouble, he needed to find her ASAP.
* * *
CORA COULDN’T STOP thinking about Adelaide Evans as she and Jacob drove toward Little Canoe. Adelaide seemed like such a sweet lady, a caring mother and grandmother.
If Twyla was Alice, Cora would destroy the happiness Evie had found with adoption. That bothered her more than she’d expected it to.
Still, she had to know the truth. If Twyla was her daughter and Evie had innocently adopted her without knowing she was kidnapped, she’d work with her to transition Alice. The last thing she wanted was to hurt her own child by ripping her from people she loved.
The unfairness of the situation nagged at her as Jacob maneuvered the mountain roads to Little Canoe, a resort community with year-round homes as well as rental cabins. Set at the top of the mountai
n, the rustic cabins offered breathtaking views of the mountain, canyon and river. Swimming, white water rafting and camping drew tourists and locals.
At Christmas, the entire community was lit up with sparkling lights and decorations. The Christmas Cottage bed-and-breakfast catered to families seeking a holiday getaway. The lighting of the fifty-foot tree in the center of Santa’s village was talked about year-round.
Cora had dreamed of bringing her family here, of visiting Santa’s workshop and taking a sleigh ride through the tree farm with her own children.
Jacob drove through the main village and followed the GPS onto a side street leading to a group of cabins.
“Number six,” Jacob said as he pointed to a rustic ranch in the woods.
Cora spotted a green sedan parked beneath a carport. Lights from the dormer windows glowed softly against the darkening sky, making the place look homey and cozy.
Cora’s pulse hammered as Jacob eased toward the house. When he reached the end of the drive, he parked and surveyed the area.
“Looks quiet. Hopefully Evie is inside.”
“Let’s go see.” Cora reached for the door handle and climbed out. Her legs felt shaky as they walked up to the cabin. A handmade wreath made of twigs and greenery hung on the door boasting a welcome sign.
Cora glanced toward the window as Jacob raised his fist and knocked. The blinds were closed, though, making it impossible to see inside.
The side door opened, and a woman ran toward the car, pulling a little girl behind her. They jumped in the vehicle, and the woman cranked the engine and sped down the graveled drive toward the highway.
“She’s running! Let’s go!” Jacob jogged down the porch steps and Cora raced on his heels. A second later, they chased the car onto the highway.
Chapter Nineteen
“Dammit,” Jacob muttered as he flipped on his siren.
“That little girl is in the car with her,” Cora cried. “She needs to slow down.”
If Jacob hadn’t been so frustrated, he would have smiled at Cora’s protective tone.
“She’s spooked about something.” Jacob veered around a curve, tires squealing. He sped up, then blew his horn, signaling for Evie to pull over.
She maneuvered a turn, barreled over a rut in the road and nearly careened over the edge. The mountain roads were winding, forcing her to slow, but he stayed on her tail as they broke onto the main highway.
She made a sharp right to leave town, but he pulled up beside her, lights twirling, siren wailing. A mile later, he finally forced her to pull off the road into the parking lot for the Little Canoe Café. A few cars were parked in the lot, indicating some of the dinner crowd customers were lingering.
He parked beside Evie’s sedan then gestured toward Cora. “Stay inside the car.”
“But I want—”
“Cora, she could be armed.”
“With a little girl inside?” Cora gasped.
“I don’t know. Stay here for now.” He gave her a pointed look. Cora wrapped her arms around her middle, her eyes sharp with fear.
Jacob climbed from his car and walked toward the sedan. Instinctively, he glanced inside. The little girl was strapped in the seat hugging a teddy bear, her head buried against the bear’s head.
His heart squeezed, but he had a job to do. He rapped on the driver’s window, and Evie pushed the automatic window release. Her face became visible as the window slid down. Fear streaked her eyes.
“Evie Hanson?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’m sorry I was speeding, I didn’t feel well and wanted to get some medicine before the drugstore closed.”
He gave her a deadpan look. “License and registration, ma’am.”
“Of course.” Her hand trembled as she removed her wallet from her purse and handed him her ID. It took her a minute to comb through her glove compartment for her registration, but it all matched.
“Please, if you want to just write me a ticket, I’ll pay it. But my little girl—”
“Was in the car as you drove recklessly around the mountain,” Jacob said sternly. “You should be more careful with her in the car.”
A tear trickled down the woman’s pale face. “I know and it won’t happen again. Now can we go?”
“I’m afraid not,” Jacob said. “Why did you run when you saw me at your house?”
“Like I said, I wasn’t feeling well—”
Jacob cut her off. “Your mother is concerned about you.”
Evie ran a hand over her face. “Is that what this about? Did my mother report me missing or something?”
Jacob gave a noncommittal shrug. “Actually I needed to talk to you and contacted her. She said you hadn’t come by to see her and that she called and you didn’t answer.”
“For heaven’s sake, she worries a lot now she’s older. I’ll phone her and reassure her that we’re fine,” Evie said.
“Good. But I still need to ask you some questions.” Jacob gestured toward the little girl in the back. “Your daughter looks frightened, and I don’t want that. Let’s go inside the café, have some coffee and you can get her a treat?”
Evie nodded, although she gave him a wary look as she opened the door and slid out. He stepped aside for her to help her daughter from the car, and he motioned for Cora to join them.
The longing on Cora’s face when she saw the little girl emerge from the car clutching the teddy bear tore at Jacob’s heart.
Evie’s eyes widened as if she recognized Cora, her fear palpable as they walked toward the café.
* * *
CORA’S HEART ACHED at the fear on Twyla’s face. Being stopped by a policeman must be frightening for her.
Or was she afraid for another reason?
She wanted to comfort the child but held her distance and walked beside Jacob. Evie clutched the little girl’s hand in hers, talking softly to her as they entered the café.
The heavenly scent of barbecue and apple pie filled the air, and vases of sunflowers created centerpieces on the gingham tablecloths.
Evie ruffled her daughter’s hair. “You want ice cream, honey?”
Twyla’s face brightened. “Strawberry.”
“You got it, kiddo,” Evie said.
Jacob gestured toward a booth in the back. “There’s a small arcade inside. Maybe Twyla would like to play while we talk.”
Evie looked at him warily but accepted the change he offered. Then she patted Twyla’s shoulder. “I’ll order your ice cream while you play.”
Twyla grinned, her fear dissipating as she raced to the arcade corner. Evie slid into the booth nearest the arcade, and Cora and Jacob claimed the bench seat opposite her.
A waitress appeared, and they ordered coffee and Twyla’s ice cream. Jacob waited to speak until the waitress disappeared into the kitchen.
Evie fidgeted, obviously nervous. “If you want me to call my mother now, I will,” Evie said. “Then can I go?”
Jacob shook his head. “A man is dead, Ms. Hanson. Cora’s daughter was kidnapped five years ago. And I think you may be connected to both.”
Evie gasped softly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Did you know a man named Kurt Philips?” Jacob said.
The waitress delivered their coffee, and Evie picked up a sugar packet, tapping it between her fingers. “No.”
The slight flinch of her eyes suggested she was lying. “He was a private investigator who was searching for Cora’s daughter. She was kidnapped from the hospital in Whistler the night she was born. A terrible fire broke out, injuring several people and killing some, as well.”
Evie ripped the top of the sugar packet, dumped it into her coffee and stirred vigorously. “I remember the fire. That was horrible.”
“You worked at the hospital around that time, didn’t you?” Jacob said.<
br />
Evie twisted her mouth in thought. “Yes, but if you think I had something to do with that fire, you’re wrong. I’m a nurse. I help save lives, not hurt people.”
“But you were on suspension,” Jacob pointed out. “So what were you doing there?”
Evie made a low sound in her throat. “I...wanted to see if I could get my job back.”
“I know you’re a pediatric nurse,” Cora said. “And that you adopted Twyla.”
Evie’s eyes widened with unease. “Oh my God. You think I took your baby?”
Cora swallowed hard. “I think Kurt was killed because he discovered a lead about my little girl.”
Evie leaned forward. “Listen to me, Cora, I didn’t kidnap your child. I would never do that to another woman.”
Cora glanced at Twyla, who was laughing at a little boy who’d joined her. Evie sounded sincere, but she kept fidgeting.
And she had run.
Was she lying to them now?
* * *
JACOB CLEARED HIS throat. “Philips contacted you, didn’t he?”
Evie sipped her coffee. “He called once about a week ago and left a message.”
Jacob studied her. “Did you return his call?”
She gave a small nod. “He asked about Twyla’s adoption. I thought he might be working for Twyla’s birth mother, that she’d changed her mind about seeing Twyla. I told him her mother signed away all her rights, that I had paperwork to prove it.”
Cora bit down on her lower lip. “Her mother?”
“Where did you get Twyla?” Jacob asked.
Evie tensed. “Is that why you’re here? Does her mother want her?”
Jacob and Cora exchanged looks. “Who is her mother?” Jacob asked firmly.
“Her name is Delaney,” Evie said. “She was fifteen, pregnant and scared when I met her at the hospital. Her mother encouraged her to give her baby up for adoption.”