“And if she can’t come home?” Lana shook her head, backtracking on her commitment to move on. “I have to find her. I have to know.”
Lana’s voice broke, all her strength gone. She couldn’t commit to moving on, it was impossible. She’d tried before, but she always picked up the threads of her search and carried on.
“You love her, she’s your child.” Jake stopped walking and pulled her around to face him. “There is another way.”
“Which is?” She tilted her head back and looked up into his handsome face, etched with laughter lines.
“You allow me to hire a private investigator and let them search for Kiki, while you get back to raising Sula and looking after your dad.” Jake’s suggestion was the perfect answer.
However, Lana was scared of handing the investigation over to someone who was not as emotionally invested as she was. Perhaps that was the point, she was too emotionally invested. The information she gathered needed to be processed in an unbiased manner and Lana couldn’t do that.
Lana hadn’t delved deep enough into the seedy side of the town her daughter had moved to because she couldn’t bear the thought of her daughter being hooked on drugs and abandoning her child. Her baby would never do that.
Perhaps a private investigator would push harder for answers, while Lana was too sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of others.
“Okay,” she heard herself answer, even though she wasn’t certain it was the answer in her heart. Certainly, it wasn’t a gut feeling. However, it was the most sensible answer. Jake was right, Lana needed to focus on Sula and Donald.
“I have someone in mind. If we don’t find any new information, I’ll contact him on our return.” Jake waited for her to nod in agreement. “We’re in this together now.”
A lump formed in Lana’s throat. “Thank you,” she croaked. “I don’t think I realized just how alone I felt until now.”
“I’m here for you. We’re all here for you.” Jake slid his arm around her shoulder. “Whatever comes our way, we face it together.”
“We face it together.” Lana leaned her head on his broad chest. “I can’t believe I’m saying that to a man I’ve known less than twenty-four hours.”
“I might have known you less than twenty-four hours,” Jake said, “but I’ve been waiting for you my whole life.”
Lana didn’t answer, but it was true. Deep down inside, the idea resonated with her, as if she’d been searching for Jake her whole life and only now that they had met was her soul at peace. The connection between them had always been there, they just needed to find each other in the real world for the connection to grow strong.
Did she dare hope that together they might unravel the mystery between three seemingly unconnected women and bring Amber and Kiki back to their families?
Chapter Eighteen – Lana
“Okay.” Lana was rooted to the same spot outside Jake’s house and yet it was as if there had been a monumental shift in the ground beneath her feet. If Kiki had come home and told her she was committing herself to a life with a man she barely knew, Lana would have done everything in her power to stop her. Or at least to give herself time to think things over.
Yet here she was, a grandmother with silver-gray streaks in her hair, doing exactly that. She nodded and took a deep breath, ready to throw caution out the window and trust her heart. “Come on, let’s go inside and explain what’s happened. We should leave as soon as possible. If everyone’s okay with that.”
“I’m certain they will be.” They walked toward the house together. Lana longed to take time, to take a breath and enjoy the house and the scenery with the man she was growing increasingly fond of. But she couldn’t stop now, not just because of Kiki, but because she was one step closer to helping Mr. Jefferson find Amber. If Lana couldn’t find her own daughter, she could at least help reunite father and daughter and move them toward reconciliation.
“I wonder how Blake Jefferson will handle the news he’s a grandfather,” Lana suspected Blake would be so happy to have his daughter back he wouldn’t mind if she had one or one hundred babies with her.
She suspected he harbored a large dollop of guilt over not being there for his child when she was growing up. When his wife had an affair and the marriage broke down, Amber was stuck in the middle of an acrimonious divorce where the parents took shots at each other over Twitter. Blake became the very thing he’d been writing about for years, and the public went wild leaving Amber scarred and searching for love and security. Those were Blake’s own words to Lana after he’d showed her Elliot’s photograph.
“Surely he would be happy to have a grandchild,” Jake said. “The future is in the hands of our children and our children’s children.”
“I don’t think Blake sees it like that and I suspect he hoped his daughter might marry into a rich and privileged family since I read an old magazine article where he said he planned to enter politics one day. He wanted his daughter to marry to further his own career and she rebelled.” Lana had plenty of sympathy for Amber. After an unhappy childhood she probably thought she was free to marry whoever she wanted and find love at last. To find out her father intended to choose her husband for her, for his own gain, would have been devastating. No wonder she ran away. “It makes me sad to think Amber has never found happiness or a person she could depend on.”
“She’s still young,” Jake said as they reached the top of the porch steps. “There’s someone else here.”
“Who?” Lana asked, her heart hammering in her chest as visions of Elliot holding the family hostage crept into her mind.
“Rosemary is home.” Jake hurried forward and pushed the door open, but before he went inside, he swung around and said, “Your dad is flirting with her.”
“He’s what now?” Lana asked in shock.
A grin spread across Jake’s face. “You don’t approve?”
“I... I...” Her mouth opened and closed like a goldfish. “I just never...”
“We all deserve to be happy and have second chances at love.” Jake’s eyes darkened as he looked at Lana and her insides squirmed as if there were a pit of squirming vipers inside her.
“You’re right.” She nodded. “Thanks for the warning.”
“You’re welcome.” He held out his hand and she took it. “Come on.”
They entered the house and walked along the hallway toward the kitchen where raised voices confirmed Donald was indeed flirting loudly with a woman. “Who is Rosemary again?” Lana whispered.
“She is Heather’s aunt. An artist. A famous artist.” Jake put his mouth against her ear. “She’s also a little crazy. But in a good way.”
Lana nodded and steeled herself for the sight of her dad flirting with a woman who was not her mother. “Hi, Dad.” She stood in the doorway and her heart squeezed in her chest and her breath caught in her throat at the sight of her dad. He was happy. As his eyes danced, he looked ten years younger.
At least until it registered his daughter was there. “Lana. I didn’t hear you arrive.”
Guilt aged him instantly.
“Hi, you must be Rosemary.” Lana swallowed down the kneejerk emotions that brewed inside her like a summer storm. Her mom had passed away nearly eight years ago. Her dad was not betraying her memory.
“And you must be Lana.” Rosemary’s eyes looked over Lana’s shoulder for an instant as she arched an eyebrow at Jake and smiled as if with approval. Rosemary knew Lana was Jake’s mate.
“I am.” The two women approached each other warily. Rosemary extended her hand toward Lana, but Lana took a quick step forward and embraced Rosemary swiftly. “I hear you are an artist. I’d love to see your work.”
Rosemary stiffened in Lana’s arms before she relaxed and patted the younger woman’s back. “I’d love to show you my work. I have a small art studio in one of the barns Jake had converted for me and my sister.”
“And how is your sister?” Jake asked. “Since you are here alone.” He crossed the
kitchen and kissed Rosemary on the cheek as Lana backed away.
“All loved up with Edgar.” Rosemary rolled her eyes. “So I came home. As much as I love the sun and a beautiful beach, I missed my work.”
Lana kept her eyes focused on the slate floor tiles as she turned toward her dad. She didn’t trust herself not to cry as she walked across the room and hugged him tight. “I love you, Dad. All I want is for you to be happy.”
Donald placed his hand on her back and rubbed it back and forth soothingly. “We’ve only just met...”
“But she makes you laugh.” Lana looked up at her dad, looking into his eyes. “And I’ve missed hearing you laugh.”
He placed his hands on both her shoulders and looked down at her. “And I’ve missed hearing you laugh.” He shook his head as his eyes swam with sorrow. “If this trip has done one thing for this family it’s shown us that we have to move on, we have to move past whatever happened to Kiki.”
Lana nodded in agreement. “I see it, too.” She rested her head on his shoulder as his arms encircled her once more. The same arms that had comforted her since she was a baby. It broke her heart to know one day those arms would be gone and she would never feel the comforting embrace of the man she loved and respected so very much. “But first, we have a lead about Blake Jefferson’s daughter. I have to leave.”
“Leave?” Donald asked. His arms tightened around her. “You plan to go and leave us here?”
Lana nodded and then took a step back, wiping her eyes as she said, “This is the last time. I promise. But this is something I have to do.”
Donald stared at Lana for a few moments before he nodded. “I’ll look after Ursula.”
“Jake is going to ask Max and Tad to keep a close watch over her, too.” Lana’s expression grew troubled. This was like a bad dream. She’d never have come here if she’d known she was putting Ursula in danger.
But then she would never have met Jake. And Donald would never have met Rosemary and Ursula would never have ridden a pony and met new friends.
“Something happened.” Her dad straightened his back and rolled his shoulders, ready to do whatever it took to protect his family. “This has to do with the meeting with Blake Jefferson’s lead.”
“Yes. We don’t trust him...”
“We don’t trust him?” Donald’s eyes flickered across the room to Jake. “Have we brought trouble to this family?”
“You mean have I brought trouble to this family.” Lana placed her hand on her father’s arm. “You and Sula are along for the ride, remember? If anyone brought trouble, it’s me.”
Donald pursed his lips and she could almost hear his mind working. “Jake is a good man. A strong man. I’m happy you have him by your side. But if this is the kind of trouble that will follow us when we leave, then we should leave.”
“It won’t leave with us. I can’t explain it all now, but Jake is involved with this, too.” Lana glanced quickly over her shoulder to where Jake was talking quietly with Rosemary. “Do you believe in fate, Dad?”
Her father smiled wistfully. “You recall how I met your mother?”
“She took a wrong turn and drove into the small parking lot behind the office where you worked,” Lana recalled the story her mom told so many times.
“And if I hadn’t been sent on an errand to the local coffee shop, despite me being way above that job, I’d never have walked into her life. Or she’d never have nearly run me down with her car as she tried to back up out of that tiny parking lot.” Donald smiled wistfully as he recalled the moment he’d met the woman he would stay married to until death parted them.
“You want me to trust in fate,” Lana said.
“I do.” Donald glanced toward Rosemary, his expression filled with sadness and a hint of guilt.
“Only if you promise me you will do the same.” Lana turned her father’s head so he faced her. “Mom would want you to be happy. She’d want you to find someone to spend the rest of your life with. She knew how special you are, Dad.”
“Now you’re going to make me cry.” He pressed his fingers to his eyes as if to stem the tears.
“I love you, Dad.” She kissed his cheek. “Now, I have to go and find Sula.”
“She’s playing in the hay bales with Bella and Zack.” He chuckled. “She’ll be okay about you going. Won’t even miss you.”
“I figured as much.” Lana paused and looked at her dad in the eye. “We’re good here, aren’t we?”
“We’re always good, love. You go do what you have to do. I’ll keep a close watch on Ursula, and I know Tad and Max will scare off anyone who means us harm.” He nodded and shooed her toward the door.
Lana glanced toward Rosemary, unsure of how much information Jake was sharing with her. Lowering her voice, Lana told Donald, “Thanks, Dad. Although it’s not just Sula who needs watching over. It’s all the kids, especially Milly.”
“We’ll watch over them all.” He kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry, I won’t say a word.”
“Am I that easy to read?” Lana asked, not wanting to give any more of an explanation.
“Only to a man who has known and loved you your entire life.” He watched her go to the back door, where Jake joined her. “Take care of my daughter.”
“Always.” Jake nodded to Donald. “And when I come back, we should talk.”
Donald brushed the comment off. “If it’s about you and Lana, she’s old enough and wise enough to know her own mind.” Then he paused. “But maybe a talk might be a good idea.”
“Hey, less of the old! And I can make my own decisions,” Lana told her father. “Have fun, Dad.”
“I’ll try.” He watched his daughter leave the house with Jake. As Lana glanced back at him over her shoulder, Rosemary moved to stand behind him, her hand resting on his shoulder.
“They like each other. I’m happy for Rosemary since her sister Lillian is newly married,” Jake said as they crossed the back yard on their way to the barn. The sound of children playing reached them and lightened Lana’s heavy heart. Even if they didn’t find Kiki, there was hope for the family here in Bear Creek. Happiness was within their grasp, but it would be so much sweeter with Kiki here, too.
“Married?” Lana asked. “There must be some magic in the air. Or are you going to tell me cupid is real and going crazy shooting everyone around here with his arrows?”
“No. No cupid. But it does feel as if we’re experiencing a lifetime of luck in one go.” They reached the barn and Lana stopped for a moment to watch her granddaughter playing before she spoke.
“Now that you’ve seen how happy Sula is, are you okay about leaving her here?” Jake asked.
“I am. She’s going to have a great time.” Her hand trembled as she wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “I just wish this was all over and we could enjoy the time here with you.”
“There is plenty of time afterward.” Jake slid his arm around her waist and pulled her toward him as Tad looked up, sensing their presence. “Why don’t you go and speak to Ursula and I’ll explain everything to Tad?”
“Good plan.” Lana waved and approached her granddaughter with the hope that she would completely understand that once again, her grandmother had to go away. “Hi there.”
“What’s wrong?” Ursula asked in her high sweet voice. “You look like you’ve been crying.”
“No, I’m fine, I’ve just had a very busy day.” Lana forced a smile on her face. “And now I have to go and interview someone in another town so is it okay if you stay here with Bella and Jack?”
“And Milly.” Ursula turned to look at the three children jumping from one hay bale to another.
“And Milly.” Lana brushed her granddaughter’s hair back from her face before removing a hay stalk. “Grandpa will be here if you need him. And you have to promise me you will stay with an adult at all times. No exploring on your own.”
“No exploring on my own.” Ursula crossed her heart. “When you come back, can we explore the m
ountains?”
“We can,” Lana agreed.
“Will Mommy be with you when you come back?” The hope in Ursula’s voice nearly brought Lana to tears once more, but she held it together.
“I don’t know. I wish I did. But you know I’m doing my best to find her, right?” Lana asked.
“You always do, and I know one day you will find her and bring her home.” Ursula flung her arms around Lana’s neck. “Hurry back, I want to see a bear in the mountains.”
“Do you?” Lana asked carefully. “You know bears can be very dangerous.”
“I know. Tad said he is going to teach me bear sense. He said it will help me if ever I meet a bear in the wild.” Ursula looked longingly at the other children as Bella helped Milly scramble onto a bale of hay.
“It looks as if they need your help.” Lana hugged Ursula tightly and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you when I get back.”
“Love you.” Ursula blew Lana a kiss as she ran back to her friends. Lana caught it and placed it over her heart before blowing one back.
“Got it!” Ursula called out and then she scampered away to play with her friends under the worried but watchful gaze of Tad.
Chapter Nineteen – Jake
“What did Tad say?” Lana asked as they drove toward Ferrymain. It was a port town a couple of hundred miles from Bear Creek. A place Jake had visited several times in his hunt for clues as to what happened to Sally.
“He would keep a close watch over the children. All the children.” He reached out and placed his hand over hers, which were clasped in her lap. “Ursula is part of our family now. He will protect her like she’s one of his own.”
“Thank you.” Her lips were a thin line of worry and he wished he could take that worry away, but until Elliot was dealt with, that was impossible.
His bear ground his back teeth together and curled his lips back in a snarl. If they came face to face with Elliot, Jake might struggle to stop his bear from erupting into the world to deal out his own kind of justice. Primal justice.
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