by Nancy Naigle
“You could pray,” Scott said in a soft comforting tone. “I added Jake to the prayer list at church. Hope you don’t mind.”
Kasey looked into his eyes. “That was really nice.”
“I didn’t know if you were a church-goer, but most of us go to the same church around here. I take my mom every Sunday. Wish I could say I thought of the idea of putting Jake on the prayer list, but it was her idea.”
“Thank you.” His thoughtfulness surprised her over and over again.
“If you ever care to join us, just let me know. That’s not why I came, though. I was wondering, what’s on your calendar for the next couple of days?” Scott twisted off the cap of the beer bottle and took a sip.
“Waiting. Lots of it, if I have to guess.” Kasey clapped her hands over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to complain. I’m just a mixed bag of emotions today. Ignore me.”
“It’s okay,” Scott said. “We all understand, but it does take time to vet this stuff out.”
“You and Von both already gave me that lecture.”
“Managing expectations,” he corrected her.
“Whatever. I should be relieved that we’re getting so close and we have proof that Jake’s alive—and I am. But I never gave up hope that he was alive. I’ve known that all along. The other part of me is so mad I want hunt down that woman myself, kick her ass, and take my child back. Then I’d ask questions, or maybe not. I just want Jake back.”
Scott flipped the beer cap in the air and caught it with one hand. “Kasey, you can drive yourself crazy like that.”
“Short trip,” she said.
“Or get arrested for real,” Riley added.
“I’d get off on temporary insanity, that’s for sure.”
“Don’t talk like that,” Riley said. “We’re going to find him, and things are going to be back to normal before you know it.”
“I’m not sure I even know what normal is anymore,” Kasey said. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Riley, but I wish you and Von would go home. Y’all don’t have to babysit me. I’m sad. I’m mad. I’m downright pissed-off about all of this, but I’m fine. I’m not fragile.”
“I’m always just a phone call away, too. You know that, right?” Scott said, glancing from Kasey to Riley.
“I know. You’re great. Thanks,” Kasey said.
Scott nodded. “Don’t let the anger eat you up. The woman has no record, and the neighbor said Libby adores Jake. Be thankful for that. Cling to it.”
Kasey bowed her head into her hands and groaned. “I know it’s good news. It could be so much worse.” She lifted her head. “It’s been worse. All these months, waiting, worrying. How am I ever going to get through this?”
“I have an idea about that,” Scott said. “I was thinking we could do a little investigative work together. I was talking to Von about it a minute ago.”
“What kind of investigative work?” Kasey asked.
“We can go back through the evidence collected at the scene of the crash,” Scott said.
“They searched all that stuff,” Riley said. “They didn’t get any leads from it.”
“I know. Maybe Kasey and I will see something they missed. It might trigger an idea or connection, now that we know a little more. It couldn’t hurt.” Scott shrugged. “It might be a long shot, but any shot is better than no shot at all.”
“Can we do that?” asked Kasey.
Scott nodded. “I can arrange it.”
Kasey smiled. “How did I get so lucky to meet you, and have such great friends?” She grabbed Riley’s hand, and then Scott’s. “Y’all are the best.”
“I don’t know how you got so lucky to find Riley and Von, but be thankful you drive a finicky foreign car with electrical problems.” He laughed. “Or you can thank Deputy Dan.”
“Funny.” She rolled her eyes. “I haven’t forgiven him yet.”
Riley put her teacup in the dishwasher. “Well, if y’all are going to be working on that angle, and you’re sure you’re okay, Von and I will get out of your hair—but just until the next lead.”
“I’m fine. I’ll call if anything changes,” Kasey promised.
Riley hugged her. “I’ll go talk to the boss.”
“It’ll take a day or two to get access to the evidence. Can I call in that rain check for tomorrow morning?”
“Rain check?”
“Our fishing date,” he said.
She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think so. I’m not very good company right now.”
“Come on. We’ll do some fishing, relax, pass the day away. You need to be well and strong for Jake. The fresh air will be good for you.”
Kasey wasn’t interested.
“Tell you what. If you feel up to it in the morning, just show up. The invitation is open.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kasey twisted beneath the covers, then kicked them off. She repositioned her pillow, but less than twenty minutes later, she grew chilly and grabbed for the comforter.
The trip to North Carolina replayed in her head. They’d been so close to finding Jake. What could they have done differently? If she’d left for Leighsboro sooner, would the events have played out differently?
Tired of tossing and turning in bed, she went out to the couch and tried to sleep there. She tugged the handmade afghan Riley had given her as a housewarming gift over her legs. But there was no getting to sleep. The sun began to brighten the sky. She pushed the afghan aside and turned on the television. The meteorologist forecasted the day’s weather as sunny and bright, warm for this time of year. A day to be outside, he said.
She switched off the television and went into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. She’d need the caffeine to get through the day. Too impatient to wait for the coffee to finish brewing, she poured a cup mid-way through the brewing process and swirled in a sugar cube and extra creamer. It was supposed to be a pretty day. Cardinals whistled as they flitted in the trees and vines in the back yard.
Maybe a day on the water wasn’t such a bad idea after all. Sitting around the house wouldn't make the wait any more bearable, and Scott was easy to be with. She sure couldn’t take rehashing this stuff over and over again.
She finished her coffee and went inside to change into jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt. The last time she’d been fishing, it had been with Nick and Jake. Jake caught a sunfish that was way too little to eat. Not even enough meat for a fish stick. She laughed at the memory. It had taken a lot of talking to get Jake to let that fish go, especially once he realized they’d be eating the fish that his daddy caught. Jake had always wanted to be just like Nick.
With her keys in hand, she locked up the house, jumped in her car and headed to Scott’s house, making it there without one wrong turn. Maybe she was learning her way around the little town already. She must have paid better attention to the roads than she thought.
She parked on the street in front of Scott’s house to not block him in. The neighborhood was quiet.
I hope he’s awake.
She looped her camera case over her shoulder then walked up the steep driveway to the side porch door. She stood there for a long moment, pondering her decision to come. It was early, but Scott had said he liked to get on the water just after sunrise. After wiping her sweaty palms on her jeans, she tapped on the screen door. She waited a two-count, and then turned to leave, regretting the trip over.
Scott opened the door. “I thought I heard something.”
“Oh. Yeah. I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“No. I’m up, dressed. Come on in.”
She paused in the doorway. “Is the invitation still open? I mean, you said last night that you might go—”
“Yes, I was just getting ready to head down to the boathouse,” Scott said. “I’m glad you came. Did you bring a jacket? It’s cooler on the water.”
“No,” Kasey said, feeling stupid. “I didn’t think about that.”
A hooded sweatshirt hung on the hook next
to the door. “Here, take this along just in case.”
“Thanks.” Kasey lifted a thermos. “I did bring coffee, though.”
“Ahh, you do have your priorities straight.” He smiled. “That was thoughtful. I’m ready. Are you?” He started to lead the way, then turned back. “Are you crying?”
She dropped her hands to her side. “I’m sorry. I’m so tired. I feel wired, and I’m just a bundle of raw emotions. I shouldn’t have come.”
He put his hands on her shoulders, then hugged her to him. “It’s okay. You have every right to be a basket case. It’s exactly why you should call on your friends.”
She cried into his shirt, then backed away. “The time is dragging by, and today is probably going to be even worse than yesterday. I just didn’t know what to do with myself. I’m sorry.” She sniffed and wiped her face with her sleeve.
“It’s okay. I talked to my friend last night. We can look at the evidence from the crash site tomorrow. He’ll have it all worked out for us, so we’ve got that to look forward to.”
“You barely know me and you’ve done so much.” Kasey cleared her throat and nervously ran her hand through her hair.
“I know. That’s how we heroes roll.” He dipped a little to look her in the eye. “Not even a little smile at that?”
She smiled and let out a sigh.
He wiped a tear from her cheek. “Let’s make the best of today. They say water relaxes you.”
“It better be a huge-ass river then, because I’m about as far from relaxed as you can get.”
Scott smiled. “I think it’s big enough. Come on.” He pulled the door behind him and guided her toward the dock. They stopped in the boathouse to pick up the gear. Scott selected fishing poles from a rack while Kasey watched Maggie’s family frolic in the kiddy pool. The puppies snarled and yapped, still clumsy. They rolled over each other as they wrestled Maggie split up a couple of sibling fights and nudged the puppies underneath her.
“She’s such a good mother,” Kasey said as she watched them, her back to Scott.
Scott pulled down another rod, and then went to the refrigerator to get some bait. “She should be. It’s her fourth litter.”
He closed the refrigerator and, when he turned, he saw Kasey’s shoulders rising and falling. He put down his stuff, walked to her side, and wrapped his arms around her.
“I was a good mother,” she said softly.
“I’m sure you’re a wonderful mother, Kasey.” He put his hand behind her head and rocked her in his arms. “Shhh, it’s okay.” He rested his chin on the top of her head. “You’re going to have Jake back soon. We’re getting close.”
She nodded against his chest. “I know.”
He looked into her eyes. “Repeat after me. Jake is coming home.”
“Jake is coming home.” Her words were tight, her voice raspy from crying.
“I know it in my heart.” He tapped her chest. “And in my mind.” He tapped on her forehead.
“I know it in my heart and mind,” she repeated.
“I’ll pray for his safe return, and know that God will bring him home.”
“I pray for his safe return. God will bring him home,” she said, squeaking out the last few words, her voice trembling.
“And in the meantime, Scott is really hot and such a great guy. How could I go wrong?”
She laughed and punched him in the gut playfully.
He feigned injury and let out a hearty laugh. “Can’t blame a guy for trying. You okay?”
She nodded. “Yeah. For now.” She shook her head. “You’re not funny.”
“Yes, I am. Come on, admit it. And by the way, tears don’t scare me away. So just let them fall. They make your eyes sparkle pretty, anyway.”
And one did fall, right down her cheek to her lips.
“Let’s go.” He tugged on her sleeve. “The fish are waiting on us.”
Chapter Thirty
Scott loaded the fishing gear, then steadied Kasey as she crossed from the dock into the glittery boat and settled into the red-and-white leather seat.
“Am I going to be scared? You aren’t going to go real fast, are you?”
“This isn’t a speedboat. It’s a fishing boat.”
“It’s got a huge motor.” She cast him a suspicious glance.
“Relax, that’s just for tournament speed. We’re just going to chill. Today is all about relaxing.” He tossed her a hat and she tugged it down on her head.
She leaned back and prepared for the ride. He used the quiet trolling motor until they got out to open water, then he started the big engine. As they paraded slowly along the river, the birds seemed to chirp a hello as they cruised by, and the ripples the boat splashed against the shoreline sounded like applause.
“I’m going to take you to my favorite cove.” He steered the boat toward the center of the river that widened, then snaked off down small tributaries left and right. In some places, Spanish moss hung soft and gray from the winter trees. A moment later, they slowed. He shut down the noisy motor, letting the boat drift along, as they floated into the prettiest cove Kasey had ever seen. Scott put on a ball cap with a fishing logo on it and started shuffling through the gear.
“This is pretty secluded,” she said looking around.
“It’s my favorite fishing hole. I’ve never shared this location with anyone.” He held out his pinky. “Pinky swear that it’s our secret.”
“Or what?” she challenged.
“Or I’ll call Deputy Dan.”
She wrapped her pinky around his and winked. “Your secret is safe with me. Heck, I can barely get to your house. I know I couldn’t find my way down a river to a clump of trees.” That splash along the shore had made her wonder. “There aren’t gators out here are there?”
“Uh, no. No gators.”
She relaxed a little.
“Turtles, muskrats, birds, fish—that’s about all you’ll see out here. No snakes this time of year to speak of.”
“Good. I wouldn’t want to be gator bait.”
“No, that wouldn’t be good. But speaking of bait, let’s get these hooks baited and cast a few.”
“I’m going to need a refresher course,” she said as she picked through dozens of lures and tackle. She picked up one of the rubber worms. It reminded her of the day Nick proposed. She’d been pregnant with Jake then.
Scott rigged shiny spoons and bright jigs on their lines, then threaded worms on the hooks. He handed her a rod and demonstrated a cast. She watched in earnest, but when she tried her first cast, the lure clanked in the boat right next to her feet. “I’m rusty.”
“Try again.”
She did, but with the same results.
“You’re not rusty. You suck.” Scott tugged on his ball cap. “Here, let me help you out.” He stepped up behind her, held his hands over hers on the rod, and guided her through the motions. “See. Nice and easy. Up and back, and then release when you have it right about…here.”
“Oh. It’s way easier with you helping me.”
“There’s more to fishing than just getting in the boat.”
“Let me try.”
“Sure. Just reel it in by pushing this button and then spinning this.” He stepped back and let her cast. “Perfect. You’re a natural.” Scott tugged his hat and reeled in his own line to recast.
Kasey smiled, feeling suddenly hopeful that she could be good at this sport. Once she had the lure reeled back in, she went through the motions and tried a cast. “Crap.”
“You doing all right back there?” Scott spun around.
“Well…” She bit her bottom lip and looked skyward. “Unless there are any treefish, I don’t think I’m going to catch much.” She tugged on the line, but it didn’t budge.
“You’re snagged.”
“Yep. A little more decoration for my lure. Like camoflouge.”
“Happens to the best of us.” He stepped over and took the pole from her. He worked the rod back and forth and, by so
me miracle or maybe years of practice, he was able to tug the bright gear out of the tree.
She cheered and clapped as the limb bedazzled line splashed in the water.
Scott squinted. “I don’t want to sound like a pill. But I think you probably just scared all the fish out of my favorite fishing hole with all that noise.”
She clamped her hands over her mouth. “Oh. Sorry. I knew that. You’re supposed to be quiet when you’re fishing, huh?”
“Yep.” He didn’t look mad, but she figured he wasn’t thrilled about relocating. He moved toward the trolling motor, started it, and began inching through the water.
“Sorry.”
“No problem. I hadn’t caught anything anyway. It was time to move.”
“I’ll be quiet in the next spot.”
“Somehow, I doubt that.”
Kasey didn’t catch a single fish, but Scott caught at least half a dozen.
She enjoyed the day even though she didn't catch anything. Scott didn't make her bait her own hook and, luckily for her, he was a master at untangling her line. She’d snagged it in at least four trees.
“Ready to head back?” he asked.
“Sure. If you are.” She removed her hat and fluffed her bangs. “Scott?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you for being supportive, and thanks for today, too.”
He nodded. “I love being the hero.”
“It fits you well,” she teased. “But seriously, thanks for believing me.”
“I wouldn’t doubt a mother’s intuition.” He stepped away from the motor and sat next to her. “A mother’s bond, her connection to her child. It’s real.”
Kasey knew exactly what he meant. “Thanks for sharing your secret fishing hole. I wouldn’t have made it through the day alone.”
“Wanna drive?”
“I bet I’m a better boat driver than a fisherman.”
“Well, that’s not saying much.” Scott started the motor, and Kasey moved into the driver’s seat. She maneuvered according to his directions, guiding the boat back down the river to his dock.