Page 24 of Gage

I laughed. “Sounds like she’s got Lori’s no-nonsense attitude.”

“She does,” Samantha said with a small smile. “I’m over Greg, but it’s tough dealing with people who want to drag up the past.”

“That’s how it goes after divorce,” I said. “The mother-in-law always wants to know every little detail.”

Samantha nodded. “So, tell me about my sister’s injury. I talked to Dad, but he avoided the subject. My family thinks I’m an emotional wreck, and, sure, I was at one time. But I’ve grown up. I’m not that teenage girl who had a super crush on the popular boy at school anymore.”

“Lori was shot in the back,” I said carefully. “I don’t know much about the extent of the injury. She mentioned being withher mom for a while, but she’s going to be okay—that’s all that matters.”

14

Lori

I laythere with my eyes closed, listening to Sammy and my dad talk. Sammy sounded like her old self again—strong and full of energy. I smiled and opened my eyes.

“I want both of you to go home,” I said. “I’ll be out of here in a few days.” I looked around the room. “Where’s Jasper?”

“He’s with Gage,” my dad said. “He took him for a walk. How are you feeling?”

“I feel good—really lucky to be alive. Have they found any more women on that property?”

“They’ve taped off the entire area, including the surrounding woods,” Dad replied. “So far, they’ve found sixteen bodies. Gage said the FBI thinks this has been going on for years. Some of the women even had their bags buried with them—one was from Sacramento, another from Oregon. We’re so blessed you found that crawl space, and that Jasper found you.”

“Gage plans to stay and take me home,” I said. “I told him I didn’t need him to, but he insisted. The two of you should go home today. I know you miss the girls, and I don’t like them staying with their nosy grandma.”

“She’s right, Dad,” Sammy said. “I need to get back to my girls. You can keep Jasper with you. He doesn’t like being away from you.”

At that moment, Gage walked into the room. His eyes immediately found mine, and he smiled, his expression softening. Without a word, he came over and kissed me—our second kiss.

“How do you feel?” he asked.

“I feel good. Thank you for staying with me.”

He leaned down and kissed me again. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Jasper trotted over to my dad and barked. Dad rubbed his head, but Jasper barked again, louder this time. Gage’s eyes narrowed, and he pushed the nurse call button.

“Eddie needs to see a doctor,” I said. “Jasper is trying to tell us something.”

“I’m sure Jasper just wants me to take him back to the hotel,” Dad said with a shrug. “There’s nothing wrong with me—I feel great.”

“Dad, please get checked,” Sammy and I said at the same time.

Jasper barked again, his tail wagging anxiously.

“Okay, okay,” Dad relented. “But what do I even tell them to check?”

“I’ll handle it,” the nurse said as she walked in and took Dad’s arm.

As she led him out of the room, I noticed how she looked at him. For the first time, it hit me—my dad was a good-looking man. He still had plenty of time to find someone and fall in love again.

“What do you think it is?” I asked Gage.

He shook his head. “I don’t know. Jasper’s one of those animals you hear about—you know, the ones that can sensewhen something’s wrong. He saved you, and now he’s trying to help your dad. We’ll see what they find.”

“What if it’s his heart?” I asked, worry creeping into my voice. “I won’t think about it until we know for sure.”

“I’ll take Jasper back to the hotel and feed him,” Sammy said, standing up. “I’ll be back later.”

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