Page 20 of Finding Molly Parsons

“No, no way,” Faith protested. iPhones, no matter how old, were still expensive. Faith knew that because Alice was given one for her birthday a couple of years ago.

“Look, you need a phone and, honestly, I know how to use an iPhone, so I shouldn’t have a problem helping you set it up.”

“Carmen, this is too much.”

“No, it’s a necessity,” Mateo interrupted before Faith could continue.

“You can have our numbers. We can set up the find a phone thingy. You can study up on all the things you’ve missed out on. You need it, and I’m not taking it back.” Carmen turned back to the tacos and began dividing the contents between them.

Faith’s mind instantly went to Alice. She desperately wanted to call her friend. Deciding that arguing with either of the Ruizes was foolish, Faith vowed there and then, somehow, she would find a way to pay back their kindness.

After inhaling three tacos, which were the best thing she’d ever eaten, Faith settled on her bed and began setting up her phone. Before calling Alice, Faith thought it prudent to send a message, asking Alice to save her number under a different name. Alice responded immediately, informing Faith she’d done as asked.

The call connected after one ring. “Hey Spencer, it’s good to hear from you,” Alice all but shouted down the phone.

Faith chuckled to herself. “Am I Spencer from camp?”

“Yeah, I saved you under Spencer’s name. My parents won’t think anything of it. How are you? Where are you?” Alice whispered.

Faith could hear the worry in her friend’s voice. “I made it to Seattle. My aunt wasn’t at the address I had—”

“Are you safe? Do you have somewhere to stay?”

“I’m good Alice, I promise. The people who live at the address took me in.”

“You’re staying with complete strangers! Fai—Spencer, what the hell?”

“Alice, calm down. They are lovely. Both gay and both with a tough childhood like mine. I’m lucky to have found them.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Really Alice, they are wonderful. Carmen and Mateo have already done so much for me. They’ve agreed to help me look for Molly.”

“Any idea where she is?”

“None, but Carmen has a police friend she talked to and we’ll quiz the neighbors.”

“Faith, your dad…”

So much for the Spencer charade. A sharp stabbing pain hit Faith in the gut. She knew they would need to talk about her father, but she was hoping for a little more time before that came up. “What’s happening?”

“He did what you said he would. Went straight to the sheriff. After that didn’t go the way he wanted, he came here. Just like you predicted. Thankfully Dad calmed him down and convinced him we don’t know where you are.”

“Well, that’s good.”

“Yeah, but my dad told me this morning your parents have packed the car up and are on the move. He’s coming after you, Faith.”

Even though the news wasn’t a surprise, it still sent a wave of dread to Faith’s stomach. That ticking clock was counting down again.

Chapter 6

Carmen

Monday mornings weren’t usually a big deal in the Ruiz household. Mateo left for the boutique around 8:30 a.m. and Carmen would set up her laptop in the kitchen at nine. Few people would think Carmen owned two successful graphic design companies, not with the way she operated. Most of the time, she left the running of both companies up to her VPs. They were a solid and reliable bunch of people who enjoyed the freedom Carmen gave.

Before her success, Carmen’s motivation had always been Mateo and providing a life they both deserved. When she became financially stable, Carmen took a step back from the stress of running two businesses, much preferring the design side of things than the management. Carmen was the owner on paper only, if she were being honest. Which suited her fine.

Carmen’s goal was never to have wealth for wealth’s sake. As long as she had money for Mateo’s retirement, she was satisfied. Everything she earned went into savings. The house they lived in was rented. The car she drove was pre-owned, and she never spent recklessly. Carmen knew how things could change in an instant and she would never find herself compromised financially. Not for the sake of a fancy car or house.

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