by Krista Lakes
She shook herself to break free of the memory.
“He didn't want you,” she whispered to herself as she put away the horse blankets. “He got rid of his phone and never even made an attempt to contact you. You don't go where you're not wanted.”
She sighed and wished things were different. She wished a lot of things were different, but that didn't change them. She had to live the life she had. She remembered her mom's saying: if wishes were fishes we'd all cast nets to the sea. She didn't have time for wishes.
She checked her phone to make sure there were no messages from her siblings. She was so glad that Mia had invited them to come to the event today. She didn't have anyone to watch them, so the fact that Mia was willing to have them here meant the world to her.
She wouldn't have survived without their help.
She was lucky to have a boss as great as Mia and Carter. If she didn't have them, she didn't know what she'd do since her parents died. They'd helped her not only with her grief at their sudden deaths, but at taking over the role of parent for her siblings. Mia was always lending a hand and Carter gave her way more time off and flexibility than he had to.
She wished she had a way to repay them for their kindness.
More wishes, she thought, shaking her head. She could hear her mother's voice in her head, whispering again about casting a net. She missed her parents terribly.
“Stupid plane crash,” Laura whispered, setting down a box of supplies harder than she intended. It had only been eight months since they'd died, but if felt like forever and yet no time at all. Sometimes the grief would come rushing up at her from nowhere and she didn't know what to do with it.
She missed her mom. She missed her dad.
“Oh, I'm sorry,” a woman said, stepping through the open barn door into the warm yellow light. “Can I be in here? I'm just looking for a quiet place where we won't bother anyone.” The woman motioned to a baby in her arms. “He keeps waking up with all the people around.”
“As long as you don't mind the horses, you're welcome to be in here,” Laura said, grateful for the distraction from her grief. “There's a bench just over there if you want a place to sit.”
Laura recognized the woman as Emma Saunders, the wife of billionaire Jack Saunders. Laura remembered reading about their secret beach wedding a few years ago. It had made all the papers. Now they had a beautiful baby boy.
“Thank you,” Emma said, settling herself on the bench. She made sure her baby was tucked safely in her arms and leaned back against the barn wall. “I really appreciate it.”
“It's no problem,” Laura assured her. She paused, looking at the sleeping baby. He looked so peaceful and safe in his mother's arms that she envied him a little. “How old is he?”
“Almost three months,” Emma said with a smile. She carefully moved the blanket out of his face, doting on him as a new mother should.
“He's beautiful,” Laura told her. She tried not to think about her own mother.
“Thank you. He's got his dad's smile,” Emma replied. “I'm glad, because it's a good one.”
“He has your eyes,” Laura said. “The shape is the same.”
Emma smiled up at her. “You're Laura, right?” she asked, shifting the baby's weight slightly. He didn't stir. “You run the ranch for Mia?”
“I run the horses side of the ranch,” Laura replied. “Kenna will be running the kid side.”
“Gotcha,” Emma said with a nod. She looked around the barn. “I'm so impressed with what Mia is doing here. She's going to help a lot of kids.”
“I think so too. I'm really excited to see what else she comes up with for this place.”Laura nodded in agreement. “Don't you run a charity as well? One for animals?”
Emma nodded and smiled. “It's a wildlife restoration and rehabilitation program. It's actually been a lot of fun getting to help Mia get her charity started. It reminds me of when I first started out.”
Laura was about to comment when the wind rattled the door hard enough to make them both look. With both of them quiet, the whine of the wind through the trees was louder than Laura expected.
“There must be a storm moving in,” Laura said after a moment. She shivered.
“Do you think it will snow?” Emma asked, tucking the blanket a little tighter around her baby. “It was so nice out this morning.”
“It probably will. We get snow up here all the way through the end of May,” Laura replied. “But don't worry. We made sure the rooms you are staying in are nice and warm. Mia wanted the best.”
The door rattled again, but this time it opened. Instead of the wind, it was a person.
“Is Elliot in here?” Jace asked, looking around the barn. His cheeks were red from the wind and his hair in disarray.
“Elliot? The little boy you were working with?” Laura asked, trying to remember who she saw Jace with earlier. To be honest, she'd been more focused on Ethan and couldn't remember anyone else he was with.
Jace nodded. His eyes darted around the barn again. “We can't find him.”
“I saw him a little while ago,” Emma said from her bench. “He was playing with another little boy. They were throwing sticks for Ella's dog outside the garage.”
Laura paused. She remembered her brother telling her about a dog he met and another kid who liked space a lot. “What did the other little boy look like?”
“Um, he was around five years old. Short brown hair, and he had a blue collared shirt on,” Emma replied, her face scrunched up as she tried to remember. “Why?”
“That's my little brother, Dallas.” Laura looked over to Jace. “You said you can't find Elliot?”
Jace shook his head. “He's not with the other kids. They're probably just out playing hide and seek or something, but...”
“But?” Laura felt the pressure in the room change. It was the same feeling she got before a big thunderstorm. It was the feeling she got right before she got the call about her parents.
Jace looked uncomfortable. “But, I can't find Jupiter either.”
The bottom slowly dropped out of Laura's stomach. It felt like she was leaking all her substance and would crumple to the floor like a used balloon, yet somehow her legs stayed beneath her and she didn't collapse.
She took a shaky breath in, telling herself that it was probably nothing. The two boys were probably just out behind the trees or hiding somewhere in the house. Dallas was fine. He was fine.
“Would you excuse me? I'm going to go look for my brother.” Laura set the box she was carrying down against the wall. It wasn't anywhere near where it was supposed to be, but she didn't care. She needed to know Dallas was okay.
“Are you okay?” Emma asked, her face worried. “You look like you're about to pass out.”
“I'm fine,” Laura murmured, heading to the barn door. She did her best to smile at Emma, but she knew it looked fake. She was too worried to care, though.
Laura opened the barn door and stepped out into the wind. She had to find Dallas. She had to.
Chapter 6
Laura
Outside, the wind had turned icy. Dark clouds were starting to roll down the sides of the mountains with ominous speed. Even the birds were quiet as they awaited the coming snow. The storm was here.
“I'm going to go check in with my sister,” Laura said to Jace as she zipped up her jacket. It was just a lightweight coat, and she was wishing she had brought her heavier parka. “We need to let security know about the kids. Especially with the storm coming in.”
Jace nodded and peeled off to head to the security building near the house. Laura headed straight to the renovated garage where the kids were supposed to be.
She struggled with the door in the wind for a moment before getting it open and stepping inside. The interior was brightly lit with all sorts of things for kids to do. Right now, Kenna was instructing several of the foster children in some sort of macaroni art project as they waited for their foster parents to come get them. Ivy was with them, but Dallas w
asn't.
Laura hurried over to her sister. Ivy was working diligently on her project, her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth as she concentrated on getting the macaroni placement just right.
“Ivy, have you seen your brother?” Laura asked, doing her best to keep her voice light. She didn't want to worry her younger sister.
“He was drawing,” she replied. Then she stopped and looked up from her project. “No, wait, he went with that other boy to play with the dog.”
Laura's chest tightened.
“What other boy, Ivy?”
“Um, his name's Elliot.” Ivy smiled at Laura. “He likes space. A lot. But he seems nice enough.”
Laura smiled at her younger sister, despite the fact that her stomach was turning into a twisting pile of knots. She shivered, but it had nothing to do with the impending storm. Laura patted her sister's shoulder and told her to go back to her project.
“Kenna?” Laura walked over to where Kenna was helping a little boy open a glue bottle. “Do you know where Elliot and Dallas are?”
Kenna glanced toward the door and frowned. “They're supposed to be just outside. They wanted to play fetch with the dog instead of doing the art project.” Kenna frowned. “They promised not to go anywhere. Did they bother the adults?”
“No,” Laura said, shaking her head. “They're not outside.”
Kenna paled and her hand went to her throat. “What?”
“They're not out there,” Laura repeated. “You don't know where they are?”
Kenna went to the door, pushing it open until it caught in the wind. She looked around, stepping outside to check around the corner. “They were supposed to stay right here. They promised.” Her cheeks drained of all remaining color as she looked desperately for the boys. “I have to find them.”
Laura caught her arm. “No, you have to stay here. Someone has to stay with the other kids.” Laura looked back at her sister happily placing glitter glue and macaroni on the paper. “Keep everyone calm. I'll be back as soon as I can.”
Kenna nodded. “Please keep me up to date. Elliot's my responsibility.” She met Laura's eyes. “I'm so sorry. The promised to stay right there. I thought they were old enough to be trusted.”
“I would have too,” Laura replied. “I'll find them. They're probably just in the hayloft or something.”
She gave Kenna a hopeful smile and headed back into the wind. Up ahead she could see Jace with Brian Cards, the head of Carter's security. She knew Brian well since they worked together to keep the ranch safe for Carter. She smiled at him, until she saw that Ethan was with them as well.
“Did you find them?” Laura asked, crossing her arms against the wind. She ignored Ethan.
“No. We can't find them,” Jace replied.
The world drained of color. Laura's vision went gray and fuzzy. Over the howl of the wind, she could hear the drone of an airplane engine. Her world felt like it was going to fall apart all over again.
“Are you okay?” Jace waved a hand in front of her face. “You look like you're about to pass out.”
Laura shook herself, trying to come back to the present moment. Jace's expression told her she had zoned out while Brian looked ready to leap forward and catch her.
“We have to find them,” she said, finding her voice. She didn't stop to think, she just started walking to the barn. She needed to check the hayloft. She needed to find them.
“Whoa, hold up,” Jace called, jogging to catch up to her. He handed her a walkie talkie. “Take this. You're search group four. Ethan, go with her.”
“Me?” Ethan replied, his eyebrows going up.
“That's really not-” Laura began but Jace cut her off.
“Yes, Ethan go with Laura.” Jace motioned to his own walkie talkie at his belt. “I'll be with Ella. Jack and Carter are checking the pool area, and Emma and Mia are back at the house coordinating with security and making sure someone is there if the kids head that direction.”
“What about Brian? I could go with him?” Ethan replied, motioning to the big security guy.
Laura tried not to feel insulted that he was looking for literally anyone to be with but her.
“He's working with Jack's security guy, Dean,” Jace said. He gave Ethan a stern look. “She's got the walkie. Just go with her, okay?”
“Okay,” Ethan replied, holding his hands up. Jace shook his head and turned to go meet up with Ella. Brian was already gone.
“So, I guess it's just us,” Laura said, feeling awkward as hell. If there was a way for this day to become worse, this was probably it.
“Yup.” Ethan shuffled his feet and stuffed his hands in his coat pockets. He looked about as excited to be with her as she felt.
“I was thinking we should go check the barn,” Laura told him. “Grayson snuck up there and scared us once this summer. Maybe they're up there.”
“Sure.” Ethan shrugged, not looking at her.
Laura took a deep breath in and looked up at the darkening gray sky. She started walking. This was not going to be fun.
Chapter 7
Ethan
Ethan watched as Laura walked off, muttering to herself. He couldn't hear what she was saying due to the wind, but he had a good idea that it was about him. She was not happy that he was stuck with her.
He followed behind her, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets, trying to keep his hands warm and out of the wind. He looked up at the sky, trying to figure out a way to make the situation better, but short of miraculously finding her brother, he had no ideas. He shook his head and grumbled. Why did Jace have to stick him with her? Who died and made him boss?
Laura wanted nothing to do with him. She'd made it very clear that she didn't want to talk to him after their night in the museum. She'd told him so in multiple texts. He'd even tried calling her, but some guy answered the phone and read him a riot act. The guy told him to never call back and that Laura wanted absolutely nothing to do with him.
So, he didn't look her up or try to contact her again. He didn't know why she had suddenly changed her tune after the fantastic time they had at the party, but he was going to respect her decision.
Except, now they had to work together. This was not what he wanted. If he had known this was going to happen, he would have just stayed in California. He didn't want her to have to deal with him and looking for her brother.
She was already halfway up the hayloft ladder when he got to the barn. It felt so much better inside than out in the wind. The barn was warm and lit up with soft yellow light. It smelled of hay and horse, but it was better than being outside. He hoped the two boys were here and not out in the bitter cold.
He walked past a horse stall, stepping wide. He didn't trust horses. They were just so big. And smelly. He didn't see the attraction that Laura and Carter obviously did in them.
“Here,” Laura said, tossing him the walkie-talkie as she reached the top of the ladder. “Hold this. Hopefully, they're just asleep up here and that's the end of it.”
She called out the boys' names as she started to look for them. Some hay fell from the open hole as she walked around above him. The tone of her voice became more panicked. More hay fell. Laura's feet appeared and she nearly fell down the ladder. Her eyes were huge.
“They're not here. They're not here,” she whispered, as she paced the barn floor. Her hands dry-washed as she walked. “Where are they? I can't lose him too.”
“It's okay,” Ethan told her, reaching out a hand to try and comfort her. He missed as she spun to pace the floor in a different direction. He pulled his hand back. “We'll find them.”
She stopped her pacing and nodded. She looked away and wiped at her cheek. He hated to see anyone so upset. As an only child, he wasn't sure exactly what level of concern was normal for a sibling. She was certainly worked up and he wanted to help.
“Jace said something about them being with the dog, Jupiter,” he said, trying to think of something that might help. “If we find
Jupiter, we'll find them.”
“Right,” she replied with a sniffle. “Um, he probably chased a rabbit or something? I saw some baby rabbits yesterday by the camp counselor house.”
“Okay. Let's go look there,” Ethan said. He held open the barn door for her. She was keeping a brave face, but her hands were shaking as she passed. He wanted to help. He doubted he'd ever win her over like he did at the museum again, but he could try. If nothing else, it would make this year's Christmas party less awkward if they both showed up.
Outside the storm was moving in fast. The wind had somehow dropped another ten degrees and the sky was dark with snow clouds. It wouldn't be long before the snow started to fall. He hoped they had found the boys by then. The boys wouldn't last long out in the elements with this storm.
“This is Emma and Mia,” the walkie-talkie crackled. “Everyone check in please. Over.”
Laura stopped walking, coming in close to him in order to hear the radio. He held it up so they could both hear.
“Group one checking in.” Carter's voice came across the radio loud and clear. “Jack and I are at the pool. There's no sign of them here. We're checking the changing rooms. Over.”
Laura swallowed hard.
“Group two checking in.” This time it was Jack's head of security, Dean's voice. “Brian and I checked the cars. They're not here. Over.”
Laura wrapped her arms around herself and looked up at the sky. She blinked hard.
“Group three checking in. Ella and I are out checking the field behind the barn. No luck yet. Over.”
Laura let out a little whimper and turned away from the walkie talkie. Ethan cleared his throat and pressed the button.
“Group four here,” he said. “We checked the hayloft. No kids up there. Over.”
The only sound was the wind for a moment. Ethan wished he had something better to offer.
“Dean, Rachel's looking at the security footage and it looks like they were chasing the dog. She's checking the other feeds now, but we don't see them yet,” Emma said over the radio. “Ethan, you and Laura check the counselor house.”