Page 54 of Everything We Give

“Dammit. Do as you’re told for once. Get back in the car so she doesn’t leave you there. She’ll come home, she always does. But don’t you dare tell your mother what happened. Let me talk to her when I get home. This’ll be too much for her to handle.”

“But, Dad, she—”

“Do it! That’s an order,” his dad bellowed loud enough for Ian to pull the phone from his ear. “You damn well better go to Marshall’s when you get home. You wait there until I get you. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I don’t want anything to happen to Mom. Jackie will get her hurt.”

A door slammed, snagging Ian’s attention. He turned back to the lodge and his chest caved. “Gotta go.” The receiver slid from his ear.

“Ian? Don’t you hang up. Ian!Ian!”

His dad kept yelling until Ian hung up, cutting him off.

Across the parking lot, Jackie stood outside the motel room. Their eyes met. Ian could see the sheen of tears illuminated on her cheeks despite the distance between them. Her mascara smeared, hair knotted, and shirt hanging off one shoulder reminded him of the deer his dad instructed him to shoot. Just as he’d raised the rifle all those months ago, Ian slowly, carefully, lifted the camera to his face, else she spook. This time, he took the shot. He pressed the button. The shutter clicked. Then Ian cried. Because it wasn’t Jackie he’d caught in his lens.

CHAPTER 16

AIMEE

What in the world am I doing?

I should be at the café for the morning rush, or calling the banks to pull my loan application. I should be on a plane to Spain. The last place I should ever be is the lobby of Donato Enterprises, waiting for a meeting with the company’s owner, Thomas Donato.

But here I am.

Seeking Thomas’s assistance seemed the perfect solution last night, and again this morning when I woke with the same resolve. Thomas is the shortest means to the end I need: locating Lacy Saunders.

Now that I’m here, sitting alone in the waiting area of an office I never imagined I’d set foot in again? My resolve is dissolving.

My knees won’t stop bouncing. The coffee I drank this morning has soured into a hard knot below my ribs. I flip my phone over and over between my hands.

I can’t do this.

I can’t face Thomas again.

I start to rise when I remind myself why I’m here.

Ian. I’m doing this for Ian. I’m looking for Lacy for him.

How different my life would be had I listened to her at James’s funeral when she told me he was still alive. I had lost James, and the future I believed I wanted with him, because I failed to act. But ...

I wouldn’t have met Ian.

We wouldn’t have Caty.

The thought of not having either of them in my life induces an unexpected wave of sadness. Grief momentarily immobilizes me. It wrenches at my soul.

That’s why I intend to listen to Lacy now, to find out what she wants with Ian. I can’t lose anyone else in my life.

Closing my eyes, I breathe through the pain. Then I reread the text message Ian sent while I slept. He landed safely in New York. He wanted me to call when I woke.

I didn’t, fearing he’d somehow suspect what I’m up to today. I didn’t want to distract him from his assignment and we’d been arguing too much lately. We’d argue if he knew whom I’m planning to meet.

By now Ian’s on the second leg of his flight, soaring to Spain, where I’ll join him tomorrow night. I hope to have news of Lacy by then.

Why didn’t Ian tell me about Lacy’s card? He didn’t mention meeting with James either. Only that he intends to start looking for his mom again. I understand why he must. He’s kept his past locked away far too long, and he’s worked hard to keep it that way. As much as he likes to think he hides it, I know he’s hurting. He needs closure.

I glance at the time on my phone. Thomas’s teleconference has already gone over by fifteen minutes. I slide my phone into the front pocket of my purse, feeling antsy. How much longer am I willing to wait?

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