Page 50 of Echoes of Eternity

Wiping his face, he stood upright, composing himself. “Sorry.”

“I can drop you and the boys off at home to rest. I just know I can’t lie down and sleep at all right now.”

“Okay.”

Returning home, Ryan gave his wife a kiss through the open car window. “Please be safe. If you get drowsy, pull over and sleep. Please don’t keep driving.”

“Thank you for caring. I promise I’ll do that if I get sleepy.”

Once inside, the boys weren’t interested in sleeping, and that meant Ryan wouldn’t get the shuteye his body desperately craved. Turning on the television in the living room, he put on a random cartoon and lay on the couch. Pulling his cellphone out, he glanced at the text message he had sent to his brother last night before heading out on the road.

Ryan: Elizabeth is gone. She shut off her location and we’re going out to look for her. Please pray, and let us know if you hear anything.

His brother had never responded.

Shoving his phone back into his pocket, he sighed as sleepiness pulled on his eyelids. He started to fade in and out, making sure to keep an eye on his boys as they watched television.

Hours passed. Then a knock sounded at the front door of the house.

Ryan wanted to get up to answer it, but the exhaustion kept him from moving.

“Ryan.” His brother’s voice echoed through his ears. He thought it was a dream.

“Ryan . . .”

Opening his eyes, he saw his brother standing over him at the couch. He jerked his body upright and looked over to see his boys not sitting on the loveseat anymore.

“My kids!” He started to get up, but Jason gently pressed on his chest, forcing him to lie down.

“Calm down, Brother. They’re eating donuts at the table in the dining room. They’re okay.”

Relaxing, he sat all the way up on the couch and raked a hand through his hair.

Jason sat down beside him and folded his hands. “Look, Ryan. I’m so sorry about the way I acted after I found out about Dad.”

“You were upset. It’s okay.”

“No.” Jason shook his head. “No, it wasn’t. When I woke up this morning and read your text . . . I realized it was petty of me. It doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, and I was wrong to mistreat you and cut off communication. Please forgive me?”

“I do. I love you, man, and I never wanted you to get hurt.”

“I understand. Thanks for looking out for me.” Jason lifted his eyebrows. “So, what’s the latest on Liz? Any clues on where she took off to?”

Shaking his head, he pulled his cellphone out of his pocket. No texts or missed calls. “I haven’t talked to Emily since she dropped us off this morning. We were out all night looking for her.”

Jason smoothed a hand over his mouth. “Dang. Have you guys contacted the police?”

“We planned on doing it this morning. I need to call Emily and see if she filed a report yet.”

He called Emily’s phone.

There was no answer.

Uneasiness began to rise within Ryan. Something felt wrong.

He called again.

She answered.

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