Page 23 of Gage

“It’s hard,” I said. “But she’ll be happier once she moves on. It’s tough now, but how can you be happy if you’re always worrying about your husband’s cheating on you?” I said.

“Lori was against the marriage from the start,” Eddie admitted. “She told Sammy to have the baby without the wedding. Said she was too young to take on a husband, a home, and a baby all at once.”

“I can see her point,” I said thoughtfully. “That’s a lot to handle at such a young age. But when you have a baby, life gets grown-up fast.”

Eddie nodded, a wistful smile tugging at his lips. “Lori’s always been the practical one. And she’s right more often than not.”

“Yes, it was an eye-opener for her,” Eddie said. “Lori was looking forward to Samantha going to college and getting away from Greg. She hasn’t had anything to do with him since the first time he cheated on her little sister—long before the wedding.”

I was sitting in Lori’s hospital room when her sister walked in. They looked so much alike they could have been twins. Samantha’s face was streaked with tears, and she froze when she realized someone else was there. Grabbing a handful of tissues from her bag, she dabbed at her eyes.

“Hello,” I said gently.

“Hi,” she replied, her voice wavering. “How is she?”

“She’s doing well, all things considered. They’ve got her hooked up to a lot of wires, but it looks worse than it is.”

“It’s a good thing that bastard is dead,” Samantha said, her tone hardening. “If he wasn’t, I’d kill him myself. I still can’t believe a serial killer kidnapped my sister. I’m so thankful she’s safe. I just hope she’ll be able to walk after being shot in theback,” she whispered. “That monster should’ve been shot in every hole on his disgusting body.”

“I managed to get a few shots in before he died,” I said.

Samantha’s gaze sharpened. “Are you Gage Sparrow, by any chance?”

“Yes, I am. And you must be Samantha. I’m sorry—I don’t know your last name.”

“It’s Daniels,” she said. “I took my maiden name back when I filed for divorce.”

“How did you know my name?” I asked.

“Lori said she had a date with you. I figured it had to be you since you’re sitting here with her. She also said you were extremely good-looking.”

I chuckled at the same time Lori did, her soft laugh barely audible. “Leave it to Sam to spill all my secrets,” Lori murmured, her voice weak but amused.

“Lori! Oh God, I’m so happy you’re alive.” Samantha’s tears overflowed as she rushed to her sister’s bedside. “I was so scared that monster would kill you.”

Lori’s eyes closed again, her energy fading as she drifted back to sleep.

“Where’s my dad?” Samantha asked, brushing her tears away.

“He went to get a room at the motel around the corner. He has Jasper with him,” I explained.

“Who’s Jasper?” she asked, curiosity softening her voice.

“Jasper’s the bravest, most loyal dog I’ve ever seen. He found Lori under the house and showed her the way out. Then, when we couldn’t find her at the killer’s property, Jasper appeared and barked until we followed him. That’s how we found Lori.”

“I love that dog already,” Samantha said with a faint smile. “Do you want to grab a coffee or something to eat? I don’t think I’ve eaten today.”

“Sure,” I said, standing. “I haven’t eaten either. Let’s check out the cafeteria—I hear they have great coffee.”

“I don’t usually drink much coffee,” Samantha said as we walked. “But since the kids and I have been staying at Lori’s place, I’ve been drinking more. She has the best coffee. I need to find out where she buys it because she’s almost out.”

“If you’re staying at her place, where’s Lori been staying?” I asked.

“She’s been staying at our dad’s, keeping an eye on him. The kids love her place, though—it’s right on the beach.”

“How old are your kids?”

“Macey is eight, and Sandy is five,” Samantha said, her tone softening as she talked about them. “They’re with their grandmother while I’m here, though I hate leaving them with her. She’s always fishing for information about me. Macey told her, ‘We don’t like to gossip because it makes Mom sad when she remembers all the girlfriends Dad had.’ She’s so much like her Aunt Lori.”

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