"Trouble?" he asked.
Zane turned around. "Mom's missing."
"Since when?" His mom had walked to the house last week, bringing flowers for the girls and enough to decorate the bar.
"Big John went over to the cabin yesterday to check on her and again earlier today. The door is locked, and there's no sign of her around." Zane ran his hands through his hair. "The water cistern for the nearby spring is full, with no sign she's watered her flowers."
"Maybe she went walking and twisted her ankle again. Has he—?"
"Yeah." Zane exhaled heavily. "I went out after him and looked around. There's no sign of her."
Heaviness settled on his shoulders. His mom continued taking her medicine after the last episode, when she turned up at the bar, yelling for Ridge. She seemed to want a relationshipwith him and Zane, which motivated her to keep taking the prescription.
"Big John takes her to her doctor's appointment once a year. He says she has refills every three months until November." Zane shook his head. "I guess that doesn't mean she takes the medicine."
"I'll grab one of the UTVs and go out looking for her." Kingsley stopped from leaving the office when Zane continued to frown. "Is that all that's going on?"
"I wish." Zane met his gaze. "I called the prison to see if Dad's name was back on the list for family visitations, and apparently, Ridge Stafford has no more allowed visits on the schedule."
"Are you shitting me?" Frustration filled him, and he scoffed. "He fucked up again."
"He was close to getting parole, too." Zane motioned with his chin. "That's why I threw the mug. I hoped Dad would be back this winter, and we could have a seamless transition during the slow season."
"It looks like you'll be Prez for a little longer." He crossed his arms.
"Yeah, not what I wanted. Everyone knows Dad will return someday and step right back into the role of president." He clicked his tongue. "I never wanted the role."
Kingsley strode to his brother and clasped his hand. "You've done more than was required while keeping everyone alive."
"Thanks, brother," he murmured.
He backed away, heading toward the door. "I'll grab Kenna and go look for Mom."
"I'll get some groups ready and send them out to walk the perimeter around the cabin, " Zane said as he walked through the clubhouse with him.
In the main room of the clubhouse, Zane slapped him in the chest, stopping him. "Look."
Big John stood with Kenna and River near the couch on the side of the room. He had the attention of both girls. Kingsley couldn't tell what they were talking about, but Big John's hands were pointing and moving.
"I bet River's about to piss her pants with happiness," murmured Zane. "She can't understand why Big John didn't welcome her to the family with open arms. I finally told her that he was locked up in the cabin, drinking his problems away. Of course, she wanted to go there and try to talk some sense into him. That was the last thing Big John needed."
He'd gone through the same thing with Kenna when she'd heard about Big John closing himself off by everyone.
Suddenly, Kenna grabbed Big John's arm. Her whole posture changed. Kingsley strode over with Zane right beside him.
"Don't worry. She must be around here somewhere." Kenna patted Big John. "I'll get Kingsley, and he can—"
"I'm here." He slowed to a stop. "What's wrong?"
"Big John told us Zora's missing. She's not at the cabin." She moved to him. "Can we ride over there?"
"That's what I planned to do." He rubbed Kenna's back. "We'll find her.
"I want to look for her, too." River took the sweatshirt she had in her hands and tied the arms around her waist. "Where should we start?"
"Stay with me. I'm going to get the men put into groups and scout the area." Zane motioned for Big John. "Tell me where you've looked."
"I'll keep calling when we have cell service." Kingsley grabbed Kenna's hand and stepped away, leading her toward the door.