Page 29 of Fractured Memories

“Of course you can’t. That’s why I’ve been praying. A lot. I have to put my faith in God and trust that He’ll guide me through whatever comes our way.” The swing creaked as Noah rose. “Fee. Look at me.”

She turned on her heel. Her heart shot into her throat, stealing her breath. Noah stood tall and strong and capable. He was everything she’d ever wanted in a man. His kindness and caring were unmatched. He made her laugh, comforted her when things were bad, and took responsibility for his actions. And yet the distance between them was like a gulf. Was she good enough?

Trust in God.

Once again, Cassie’s advice rang in Felicity’s head. Noah was essentially saying the same thing. She should lean into her faith and grasp this happiness with both hands. But knowing what sheshoulddo and actually doing it were two different things. She breathed in once. Twice. Noah had taken a leap by sharing his fears with her. It was only right she do the same.

Felicity straightened her spine. “My career is my life. It’s guided my choices since I graduated from college. I don’t know any other way to be.” She chewed on the inside of her lip. “My dad loved me, but I spent a lot of my childhood feeling alone because his career was his priority. I want a family, Noah—” Emotion clogged her throat and she struggled to keep ahold of herself. “I’m falling in love with you too. But you may find being in a relationship with me disappointing.”

“No, Fee.” He moved closer and reached for her hand. Placed it over his heart. The steady beat thumped against her palm. “For starters, you could never be a disappointment. I know being raised by a single dad was lonely, but you guys didn’t have anyone other than each other. Harper and I have family who love and support us.We aren’t expecting you to be our everything.” His mouth quirked up at the corners. “Nor would I ever want you to give up your job. Law enforcement is your calling, same as me. I know a little something about how difficult it can be to balance home and work life.”

Some of the weight pressing down on her lifted as hope blossomed. “Do you…” She lifted her gaze to his. “You think we can do this?”

“Yes. I’m not promising it’ll be easy. We’re both going to make mistakes along the way. Forgiveness is part of the bargain.” He trailed a finger along her hairline. “Honesty too. Whatever fears we have, we share them with each other. And God. Doing that will help us know what steps to take.”

She smiled. “Trust in God.”

“Yes. And each other.” He met her gaze. “I love you, Felicity.”

“I love you too.”

Noah tilted closer to kiss her, but his cell phone rang, interrupting their special moment. He growled and yanked it from his pocket before glancing at the screen. “It’s my aunt.” He held up a finger. “One minute.”

He answered. Felicity couldn’t hear Imogene’s words, but her panicked tone filtered from the phone’s speaker. She crossed the porch to Noah’s side.

Blood leeched from his face. He met her gaze. An indescribable feeling gripped her as she registered the terror in his eyes. “What happened?”

“Harper’s missing.”

TWENTY-ONE

“We’re going to find her.”

Felicity pressed harder on the gas pedal, pushing Noah’s vehicle to the maximum. Trees whipped by in a blur. Rain tapped against the windshield, but darker clouds in the distance promised a coming storm. The county was under a tornado watch. She gripped the steering wheel harder as wind pushed against the Tahoe. In the passenger seat beside her, Noah was silent. His gaze was locked on the road, the muscles in his body and jaw so tight, it was a wonder he didn’t snap in two.

She spared a glance in his direction. Fear, worry, and responsibility swirled inside her with the force of a hurricane. Harper wasn’t her daughter. She loved the little girl, but Felicity didn’t dare dream an ounce of what she was feeling compared to what Noah was currently going through. He’d lost so many people in his life. And this was his daughter.His daughter.

She tapped the brake to make a turn onto MainStreet. “Lord, please keep Harper safe. Give us the wisdom and ability to find her quickly. Guide our movements that we may be smart, capable, and clearheaded.”

“Amen.” Noah sucked in a shuddering breath. “How did I miss this, Fee?” He pounded against the dash. “I should’ve had someone protecting them.”

“It’s not your fault. There was no indication your family was in danger.”

The killer was after Felicity. Taking Harper was a distraction. Or a lure. Felicity wasn’t sure which yet, but she was going to do everything in her power to bring that little girl home to her daddy.

The church loomed as Felicity skated through several red lights. She barely hit the brakes again while turning into the parking lot. The Tahoe screeched to a stop near the front door. Several Knoxville Police Department cruisers were already on site. Noah sprang from the vehicle and raced inside. Felicity quickly followed.

Grady met them in the entranceway. The Texas Ranger had set up a small command center at the front desk. A map of the church along with one of the town had been hastily taped to the wall. His cowboy hat had been thrown to the side and Grady’s hair was mussed as if he’d been running his hands through it.

“Harper was in the playroom with the other kids but asked to use the bathroom.” Grady’s tone was clipped, but his eyes held sympathy. Felicity understood it. Her colleague was a father. He had an adopted little girl and a three-month-old baby. Every lawman she’d ever met feared the job would someday touch their family. “Ateacher took her. They were ambushed in the ladies' room by an unknown assailant. He knocked out the teacher and took Harper.”

“Cameras?” Noah barked out.

“The church has a few over the front doors and the parking lot, but the kidnapper used an interfering device to scramble the feed. There aren’t any cameras inside the offices or children’s play area. Officers are gathering video from every store on Main Street in the hopes that we’ll get a lead on the vehicle the kidnapper was driving. More officers are combing the alley behind the church, searching for any evidence that may lead us to Harper.”

The kidnapping had been planned. Carefully. Was Daniel behind it? As the leader of Triple 6 and Brooke’s killer, it seemed likely. But Felicity couldn’t understand why he’d go to such lengths to nab Noah’s daughter. It didn’t make sense.

“I want to talk to the teacher.” Noah’s expression was stone hard. “Is she here?”

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