“Hold on.” She heard him tapping on his laptop. “Hey, they’re still in Rapid City. Well, she is, at least. Probably both of them from the amount. A purchase just came through on her Visa for a meal.” More tapping.
“Where?”
“I don’t know, hold on. It’s a Denny’s. Let me see if I can figure out which one.” More tapping. “Yes! I found it. I’m e-mailing you a map link right now. Where are you at?”
“Rapid City.”
“Smart-ass. Where?”
“How the fuck should I know? I don’t know how the hell I’m going to find the hotel again.”
“Gee, honey, what did I teach you about your phone when we got it for you?”
She sighed. “Built-in GPS.”
“Right. Go use it. Bye.”
She hung up and retrieved the address from her e-mail, wrote it in the notebook, then switched to the maps feature on her phone and plugged it in.
She was less than two miles away.
She made it without wrecking while trying to follow the phone’s directions. After a quick consultation with the manager on duty and showing her Amy’s picture, Gwen discovered she’d missed them by ten minutes. Discouraged, she returned to her rental.
The private eye option was looking better by the minute.
Her phone rang “Silent Lucidity,” startling her. “Did you find her?” Liam asked.
“No. Just missed them. She’s still with the guy.”
“Her friend Rita from work just called. She was trying to reach Amy. Apparently, Amy e-mailed her and told her she needed to take an extra two weeks of unpaid leave, cited personal issues.”
“Two weeks?”
“Yeah.” He sighed. “Come home, sweetie. We’ll deal with Mom and Dad. I’m sorry I sent you out there on a wild-goose chase after her. I’ll reimburse you for the flight, hotel, and car.”
“It’s the principle of the matter now.” And she couldn’t bring herself to step on a plane yet.
Liam’s tone turned big brotherly, the calming inflection he used to make her see things his way. “Gee, I can’t drive out there and get you. At least you can get drunk on the plane and have a taxi bring you home. You have to come home now. You’re done.”
The thought of flying again terrified her. Last night, in crisis mode, she could put it behind her. “Just one more day to look for her, please?”
His voice gentled further. “I’ll take a taxi to the airport and meet your flight, Gee. It’s okay. Come home. You tried. I’m sorry I made you go.”
“You didn’t make me go. I volunteered. How’s Ruthie doing?”
“I showed her the wonders of World of Warcraft. She’s addicted and having fun killing virtual monsters. Bob’s going to hate me. Come home, Gee.”
“I haven’t even had breakfast yet.” Then again, if she was getting on another plane, maybe eating was a bad idea. She would only puke it up again.
More tapping on his end. “There’s a flight out of there, connecting through Chicago again, at two. Want me to put you on it?”
“No.” She shuddered. “Just…wait. Okay?”
He sighed. “Go back to the room, get your stuff, check out, and go eat. Call me when you’re at the airport, and I’ll get you booked on the flight.”
Big brother trying his best to fix the only thing he could fix now, since they couldn’t find Amy. “No. I’ll do it. Let me go.”
She returned to the room and tried not to think about flying again. At least she could check her e-mail. She immediately spotted a message from TimE.
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!! You’re in Rapid City?? CALL ME right now!
Followed by a phone number.
Knowing she was only putting off her terrifying inevitable return flight home, she called the number. A man answered, his sweet, rich voice soothing her.
“Ellis Books and Bites, this is Tim.”
“Hi, it’s Gwen—”
His voice immediately changed, excited. “Oh my god! Go-Go, what the hell are you doing here in Rapid City?”
“Here? I thought you lived in Laguna Beach?”
“Long story, I’ll tell you later. Where are you? You have to come see me!” She gladly agreed. It would further stall her departure from Rapid City. She could claim she lost track of time and spend one more night there. “Where are you staying?” When she told him, he sounded shocked. “Oh, hell no! You pack your bags, right now, and get your sweet tush over here. You’re staying with me tonight, girlfriend. That place is a dump. You come over here, spend the night, and my boyfriend and I will take you out and treat you to the best steak dinner you ever had, guaranteed. Anyway, I owe you coffee, if I recall.”
She couldn’t refuse that offer. Besides, didn’t that now put her trip into the deductible business expense category? Bonus.
He gave her directions and hurried her off the phone. “Get packed, check out, and I’ll be waiting here for you. I’ll play tour guide and oh. My. God. I cannot believe I finally get to meet my buddy face-to-face!”
When she got off the phone, she knew she had a smile on her face. At least the trip wasn’t a total loss.
She’d wait to call Liam and tell him that. He’d know exactly what she was doing.
Stalling for time to avoid flying again.
Less than an hour later, she pulled into the bookstore parking lot. When she walked through the door, her eyes landed on a tall man, not quite as tall as Deputy Dickhead that morning, but just as good looking.
They grow ’em cute in South Dakota.
He finished ringing up a customer. When he spotted her, he let out a decidedly unmanly squeal that didn’t seem to fit his hunky bod. “Gwen!”
She nervously smiled and nodded. “Tim?”
He raced over to her and, before she could say anything else, he picked her up and swung her around. “Oh my god! Girl, you’re here! In my store! My favorite author!”
She felt heat race to her face. He had shaggy blond hair and sweet blue eyes. She knew Tim was ten years older than her, but he didn’t look it.
And he’s gay. Fuck. My dumb luck.
“I’m sorry you thought I was mad at you,” she apologized. “I didn’t mean to make you think that.”
“Oh, hey, it’s okay!” He grabbed her hand and led her to the back of the store, to his office, and pulled her up a chair. “Okay, so spill it. What’s up?”
It spilled out of her, all right. With the stress of not finding Amy and having to fly home alone finally catching up with her, she burst into tears as she told him the story. She concluded with her literal gut-wrenching terror of air flight.
Tim handed her a tissue and hugged her, gently patting her back. “Hey, sweetie, it’s okay, it’s all right. I don’t know who that asshole is you dealt with this morning, but my boyfriend’s a detective with the police department. He’ll help you.” He looked at her. “I wouldn’t feel right putting you on a plane in this state of mind anyway.” He hollered through the open door for someone while she blew her nose.
A young woman appeared a moment later. “You bellowed?”
“Celia, meet Gwen Oxford. You know, Gwenna Olmsford.”
The other woman’s jaw dropped. “Holy cow! Nice to meet you.”
Gwen nodded and tried to smile even as she sniffled. Jesus, my first real, on-the-road live appearance outside of Ohio, and I’m a damn basket case.
“Hey, can you watch the store for me?” Tim asked Celia. “Call in one of the gang to work extra and help you out. I need to take care of Gwen.”
“Sure.”
Gwen’s phone rang “Silent Lucidity.” As soon as Liam heard her voice, he asked, “What’s wrong, Gee? Why are you crying?”
That started her crying again as she tried to explain she was now sitting in Tim’s store and acting like a total douchebag.
Liam tried to soothe her. “Gee, sweetie, it’s okay. Calm down. Let me talk to him.” She’d told Liam about her ongoing e-mail “relationship” with Tim.
She handed hi
m the phone. “It’s my brother, Liam. He wants to talk to you.”
Tim took the phone. “Hello, Liam?…Yeah. That’s an understatement…I understand. Seriously, as long as she needs, I’m not letting her go anywhere this upset. And you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. Let me give you my numbers…” A minute later, he hung up and returned her phone. “Big brother gave me my marching orders to keep you safe and sound under threat of emasculation. He’ll fly out tomorrow and take you home after the two of you spend a few days here at Casa Ellis while looking for your sister.”
Another bout of guilt hit her, along with a renewal of her tears. “Thank you!” When he hugged her, she tried not to think about how good his arms felt around her. “Big brother saves me again.”
“What?”
She sniffled and sat up. “He had to drive from Ohio to Florida and back once to bring me home after spring break. Jesus, he shouldn’t have to fly out here for my sorry ass.”
“He obviously loves you very much. And trust me, your ass isn’t sorry. Besides, the two of you will be our guests for a couple of days. Maybe you can find your sister and get this stuff sorted out.”
“You don’t understand. Liam’s got MS. He shouldn’t have to fly any more than necessary. He’s just getting over being sick a couple of weeks ago.”
“From the way he sounded, I don’t think anything will keep him from his baby sister. Let’s get you back to my place. Come on.”
Chapter Seven
Gwen stepped out of her car and listened to how quiet it sounded. Tim lived in a nice house about fifteen minutes south of town, on a wooded hillside overlooking a small valley. Beautiful country. When Tim noticed her reaction, he turned and pointed to the west.
“Black Hills National Forest is that way. We’re right on the edge. You haven’t made it to Mt. Rushmore yet, have you?”
She shook her head.
He clapped his hands together. “Oh. My. God! I get to play tour guide!” He grinned. “You’re going to have a blast! Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, the whole nine yards.” He grabbed her suitcase and led her into the house, down a hall to a bedroom with an attached bathroom. “This room shares the bath with the other guest bedroom,” he explained, flipping on the light. “I’d give you the other bedroom, but that’s where Jack’s mom sleeps when she stays with us and it’s better equipped.”
“I know I’m stressed, but that made no sense.”
He laughed. “Sorry. You said your brother has MS. The other bedroom’s larger, set up so a wheelchair can move around. See? Bathroom’s converted, too.”
She rubbed her arms when a chill ran up them despite the warm afternoon. How perfect was this? The bathroom was totally accessible. No doubt even if Liam didn’t need it, he’d still bring his wheelchair rather than risk busting his ass.
And now she wussed out and he’d have to come get her.
Tim spotted her face and pulled her in close for a hug. “Have you eaten anything today?”
“No,” she admitted.
“You look horrible. Let’s get you some food.” He led her to the kitchen and sat her down at the small breakfast table. “What’s your poison? Sandwich? Omelet? Salad? Kitchen’s open and if I have it, I’ll make it for you.”
She couldn’t get over how cute he was. The only picture she’d seen of him was his Facebook profile pic, and that hadn’t been a very good one, just a lousy cell phone image. “Surprise me.”
“Gotcha.” Ten minutes later, she was noshing on probably the best omelet she’d ever had in her life. He sat across the table from her and watched her eat. “Now talk to me, and start over from the beginning because I think I missed something during the crying portions of your tale.”
Talking to him in real life felt as comfortable as it did in e-mail. Except for the fact that he looked hunkier in real life, and turned out to be a fandamtastic cook, he was the same person. She retold the story.
After she finished, he nodded, a serious look on his face. “I think you and your brother are right. There’s something funky going on. You don’t even know for sure if she’s okay, or maybe being held against her will. A text message isn’t the same as talking. Anyone can send a text from a phone, or an e-mail from a computer, if they’ve got their hands on it.”
“I think my mistake was telling the cop I’m a writer.” She frowned. “Well, that and insulting him. Cute guy, but what an asshole. I’m probably lucky I’m not in jail for telling him off. Me and my temper, I got into it with him.” She set her fork on the empty plate. “I didn’t help matters any, that’s for sure. Liam always had to bail me out of trouble in school. I was always getting into fights with older kids.” She laughed. “I had two senior football players ready to pound me once when I called them fucking pussy assholes for picking on a freshman. Liam got there to pick me up from band practice just in the nick of time.”
“Ballsy kind of girl, huh? No wonder I’m in love with you. Like I said, Jack’s a detective. I’m sure he’ll help you.” He glanced at his watch. “Dammit, he’s supposed to be in court this afternoon, though. We’ll have to wait until he gets home tonight. Meanwhile…” He cleared her empty dishes for her. “You are coming with me to see the sights!”
* * * *
No wonder I’m in love with you.
She wistfully sighed, even though she knew he meant it innocently. If only. Damn, he was cute. More than cute enough to make up for Detective Dorkhead that morning. Tim would most definitely be her next hero. She’d write him into a book. Maybe even make him the hero in a series. She sure as hell wouldn’t hesitate to jump his bones if he was interested.
Well, if he was straight, single, and interested.
Depending on how cute his boyfriend was, maybe she had her next ménage couple and could write herself as the heroine.
It was eleven thirty when they headed out in Tim’s car. He pleasantly chattered almost nonstop as they wound around the Black Hills and through the small scenic town of Keystone to Mt. Rushmore. “There they are, the original Stonefaces,” he joked as they rounded a curve and the mountain came into sight. “Unlike Jack, who’s just an imitation.”
“What?”
“My boyfriend. We’re proof that opposites attract. He’s an über-serious cop, I’m the bouncy beach boy.”
She laughed. “He’s a lucky man.” She wondered if she could get away with flirting with him in real life the way they did in e-mails. “I’d steal you if I thought I had half a chance.”
He pulled into a space in the monument’s parking garage, then turned and winked. “Honey, who says you’d have to steal me? I don’t think you can steal the willing.” His playful grin dampened her panties.
“You are so getting a character modeled after you, you realize that, right?”
“Good guy?”
“Very good.”
“Charming? Witty? Well hung?” He waggled his eyebrows at her.
“Very well hung.”
He grinned. “Excellent.”
Tim’s plan didn’t just involve sightseeing, but following Amy’s trail through the notebook. “One of my customers is a ranger here,” he explained as he led her to the Park Service office. “She might be able to help us out.”
They tracked her down, but she had no recollection of seeing Amy. She returned Gwen’s BlackBerry to her after looking at Amy’s picture. “That doesn’t mean someone else didn’t see her or might remember her,” the woman said.
Tim perused the notebook. “Let’s try down at the Sculptor’s Studio,” he suggested. “Looks like she took a lot of notes about it. Probably talked to someone there.” He led the way. Gwen stopped for a moment to look at the mountain.
“You know, I never realized it was set up like this.”
He followed her gaze. “Like what?”
“I just always thought it was in the middle of nowhere.”
He laughed. “Well, to a Laguna Beach boy, South Dakota is the middle of nowhere. Must be culture shock for you,
too.”
“I meant I always thought it was like out in the open by itself. Like in the middle of a field somewhere.”
“Ah. I see what you mean. I thought that, too. I guess a lot of people do, but nope, it’s tucked snug as a bug here in the Black Hills.”
She thumbed through Amy’s pictures in her BlackBerry and found one, held it up, and studied the view. “This is close, isn’t it?” She pointed. “Look, there’s that column in the view.”
He took her phone and looked. “You’re right.” He turned around and took her into the bookstore where they asked the clerks on duty if they’d seen Amy and showed her picture. No one remembered her.
“Okay, so to the studio like we planned,” he said. They made their way down the stairs to the studio, Tim being a gentleman and slowing down so Gwen could catch her breath. Once there, Gwen followed him around as he talked to staffers.
One older woman, a volunteer, nodded as she studied a picture of Amy. “I remember her. She was with a man. We had a very nice chat. She asked me a lot of questions about the history of the studio.”
Gwen’s heart raced. “Do you remember the man’s name?”
“No, ’fraid not. I didn’t get either of their names. I just remember her taking notes in that notebook,” she said, pointing to the one Gwen held. “That’s the only reason she rang a bell for me. I’m sorry, but we deal with over a million visitors a year at the park. Very few usually stand out in our minds unless they do something particularly memorable to draw our attention. If you’d come a few weeks later, I probably wouldn’t have remembered her at all.”
Gwen sighed. “Thanks anyway.”
“Oh, I do remember them asking me if I was familiar with the Crazy Horse monument, if that’s any help.”
Tim nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
They climbed the trail back up to the main level and Tim led her to the parking garage. “We’ll have to come back with your brother so he can see the place. I’m sure they’d let us drive him down there to the Sculptor’s Studio instead of making him hike. I didn’t even get to take you into any of the exhibits.”
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