Page 63 of Blame It On Midnight

She didn’t answer. Her eyes were on the window. On their perfect, happy, sweet little girl.

“Where’s Nick?”

Her lower lip trembled, and she shrugged. “He’s gone.” She began to pick at the spot on her elbow, and when she looked up at him, he wasn’t ready for the pain and anguish that colored her eyes a shade of sorrow he was familiar with.

“He left town?” Benton kept his voice gentle.

“For good, I think. Why would he stay? I’m a wreck.” Her voice trembled, but her focus was forward, on the kids. “What’s wrong with me?” she asked, her voice so light he barely heard her.

“How long?”

Her teeth began to chatter. “Four days.”

She’d been using for four days. Guilt made his gut burn. He should have known. She was supposed to take Nora Thursday night to see a play, and she’d begged off. Said she had a touch of the flu. He’d been okay with it because it meant that he was able to take Nora himself. Collins had switched shifts at the Sundowner. She’d come with them. Spent the night. They’d had the best time. Nora had laughed. Collins had held his hand. And all the while Daisy was struggling.

He caught Taz’s attention, and he waited for him to walk over. “Can you take Nora back to your place after dance class? Tell her I’ll make sure the kitten and bunny are fed, because I know she’s going to ask.”

Taz glanced at Daisy Mae, who’d started to cry. “Sure. Don’t worry about Nora. Let me know if you need anything.”

Benton steered Daisy Mae out of the dance studio, keeping her shielded from the curious eyes and blatant stares. He helped her into his truck, and once she was buckled in, he headed for home.

He made two calls along the way. Rosie picked up and said she’d meet him back at the house. But Collins went to voicemail. He listened to her voice, and when the beep sounded in his ear, he left a message. His mind was on other things, so it was short and to the point. “I had a thing come up. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“I don’t feel good, Bent.”

“I know,” he said, eyes on the road. He’d been here before. He knew the drill. Thinking of how hard things were going to get, he made one more call. His father, Manley, picked up on the second ring.

“Hey, son, what’s up?”

“I need your help.”

A pause. “Daisy Mae?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll be at your place in half an hour.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Collins stared at her phone.

“I had a thing come up. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Now, Benton wasn’t exactly a wordsmith, and she knew that it was easy to misconstrue a text message, but still. It was abrupt even for him.

“Everything okay?” Bunny asked, joining her on the back porch.

“I think so.”

“Well, Willie sent out a glass of sweet tea for you. It’s very good, I don’t mind saying.”

She accepted the cold glass and took a sip, then set it down on the table. She stared at her phone, finger tracing the message. Should she text him back? Ask some questions? Would that make her seem needy?

“Your cowboy?”

“Excuse me?” She glanced up.

“I just wondered if that was a message from Benton.”

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