Page 31 of Casey's Hero

Casey took Kalea’s hands and smiled. “They do the best French manicures in the state. Your nails look wonderful.”

“I know, right?” Kalea hugged Casey. “Thank you for the wedding gift.”

“Only the best for my favorite bride.” She hugged her back and then set her at arm’s distance. “Kalea, we have a problem.”

Kalea’s smile faded. “I knew it.” She drew in a deep breath. “What is it? Did my father miss his flight?”

“No,” Casey said.

“Thank God. Did the florist not order the right flowers?” She laid her hand on Casey’s arm. “I’d be okay with a bunch of wildflowers at this point. Don’t get all worried that the ceremonywon’t be absolutely perfect.” She smiled at Casey. “You’re doing a great job.”

Casey shook her head. “No, really. You see…” She glanced toward Jacob. “The thing is…”

“Hawk’s missing,” Jacob said, cutting to the chase.

Kalea’s eyes rounded. “He’s what?”

“Missing,” Casey said, her tone flat. She gripped Kalea’s arms. “We’re working on finding him now.”

“Wait.” Kalea held up a hand. “Let me get this straight. When I called him this morning, he didn’t answer because he’s missing?”

Casey nodded. She opened her mouth.

Jacob jumped in before Casey could speak. “We thought we’d find him before we alarmed you.”

“Did he cut out because he doesn’t want to marry me?” Kalea asked. “If that’s the case, he could have just told me.”

“No,” Jacob said. “He was very much looking forward to marrying you. So much so, he didn’t want a lap dance from the stripper.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I should hope not. But if he didn’t skip out, I don’t understand.”

“We checked his room after your call this morning.” Casey brought her hands together and looked down at where she clasped them in front of her. “He wasn’t there.”

“Not only was he missing, it appeared that he’d put up a fight,” Jacob added.

Kalea frowned. “And you’re just now telling me?”

Casey nodded. “I’m sorry. That was my fault. I didn’t want to worry you on your spa day.”

“I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about spa day. If Hawk’s in trouble, I needed to know about it.” She started for the door. “We have to find him.”

“We’re working on it.” Casey hurried after her. “We have the police searching, and Hawk’s boss has his computer guru searching his sources.”

Kalea stopped. “Hank’s here?”

Jacob nodded. “He’s here, and he’s connected online with his computer guy back in Montana.”

“Swede?” Kalea pressed a hand to her chest. “Thank God. If anyone can find Hawk, Hank and Swede can. When was the last time you saw him?” Kalea asked all business again.

“Last night, we took him to his room and got him to bed,” Casey said.

Jacob reached the door before the ladies and held it open. “He’d had a few drinks, but he seemed fine.”

“Apparently not fine enough to defend himself.” Once outside, Kalea looked right and then left. “Damn. I took a taxi to get here.”

“We’ll take my car.” Casey hooked her arm and led her toward her SUV.

“Where?” Kalea threw up her hand. “I don’t even know where to begin.”

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