Page 42 of Castle's Cards

Addy sighs and stands up.

“You’re right. I was out of line. I need to apologize to her.”

I nod and stand up before pulling her into a hug.

“You’re an amazing sister and you’re doing the best you can. That’s all anyone can expect.”

Addy pulls away and kisses my cheek before going down the hall. I watch her take a deep breath before knocking on Izzy’s door.

“Izzy? I know you’re probably still angry, but can I please come in? It’s important,” Addy calls through the door when there’s no response. After more silence Addy shakes her head and opens the door. Then she screams. I dash to her side, peeking into the room.

“What?” I ask, turning to look at her. Her shrieks had me convinced that Izzy had tripped and cracked her head open.

“There’sno onehere,” Addy whispers. I turn to look at the room again and realize she’s right. Izzy’s nowhere to be seen. But her room window is wide open, her sheer curtains blowing inward. “Where could she have gone?”

Addy steps into Izzy’s room and runs a hand through her hair. She’s on the verge of tears when she looks at me. I step in the room and pull Addy toward me, squeezing her tight.

“Don’t worry. We’ll find her, I promise.”

I stroke her hair and look around the room. Nothing seems particularly out of place; her bed is messy the way I would expect a teenager’s to be. A pile of clothes are on the floor by her open closet door.

“Can you think of anywhere she might have gone?” I ask, pulling away to look in Addy’s eyes.

“My best guess would be Nate’s. Except I have no idea where he lives.”

“I do. I dropped him off the other day.” I reach into my pocket and pull out the keys before giving Addy a small smile.

“We’ve got this.”

Chapter Fourteen

Addy

I’mstaringoutthewindow nervously instead of looking at Carter. For some reason, every time I look at him I feel silly for being so panicked. It’s not as if he’s done or said anything to make me feel that way. He’s just being socalm. It’s making me feel like I’m even more hysterical.

Every bone in my body regrets screaming at Izzy. She was right. Sheisgoing to be an adult. Of course going to college should be her choice. But what if she makes the wrong one? If she doesn’t go to college right after high school, then the chances that she’ll ever go are slim. I don’t want her to make a decision that will limit her future options.

If Izzy gets a degree, she doesn’t have to use it for anything. She can still go to work at the equestrian center if that’s what she wants to do. But she still has the option of getting a higher paying job. I tip my head against the window.

I can’t keep projecting my fears onto Izzy. I think it would be a mistake for her to decline to attend college. But it’s Izzy’s mistake to make, not mine. I’ve already gone down that road and made my own choices. I can’t dictate hers, too.

The changing scenery outside catches my attention. The strips of businesses turn into streets filled with huge white houses and perfectly manicured lawns.

“Is this Nate’s neighborhood?” I ask, looking anxiously at every house. Of course they have money. I shouldn’t have expected anything less.

“Yep.”

“You have a great memory, you know that? I never would have remembered how to get there after going there only one time.”

“Yep, I do. Plus, it’s in the GPS history.”

I look at Carter. He grins and winks at me.

I chuckle and look up at the sky.

Carter tips his head back and laughs as we pull into the driveway of a huge house. I take a deep breath before getting out of the car. Carter smiles and squeezes my hand reassuringly as we walk toward the house. The front door is decorated with a fresh wreath woven with vines and flowers. When I ring the doorbell, loud yapping echoes throughout the house. It feels like forever before the door opens.

The woman who answers the door is petite with bleached blond hair to her shoulders. She’s wearing a comfy robe closed tight, a tiny dog held in one arm.

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