Page 42 of Not the Bodyguard's Baby
She turned to walk down the hall, then stopped. “Will you get Harmony during the night, please?”
Remembering what Dr. Brooks had said about the role of sleep deprivation in PPD, Adam agreed. “Do you want to feed her, or should I use a bottle?”
“A bottle. Thanks.”
She turned into her bedroom, the click of the door echoing in the hallway and some place near his heart.
* * *
Something woke Adam. Harmony wasn’t crying, but he went to check on her anyway. By the nightlight’s glow, he could discern Harmony’s sleeping form. He was just turning to go back to his own room when something caught his eye. A folded note sat on the rocking chair. Adam tiptoed across the room to retrieve it.
Adam,
Please take care of Harmony. I’ll be back as soon as I can.
I love you,
September
22
The early-morning flightcatered to business people who needed to be in Dallas before eight. Due to the Monday holiday, it was only partially full. As the flight took off, a fear September never felt before gripped her. She closed her eyes and tried one of Dr. Brooks’ meditation exercises. Statistically, a fear of flying was irrational. But she couldn’t help it. Who would take care of Harmony if the unthinkable happened?
September concentrated on what she must do. Thinking about Harmony, she added another thing to her list—purchase a breast pump as soon as they landed.
September spent most of the flight writing out in code exactly what she would tell the Dallas police. If she came across as too weak or unbalanced, they might ignore her. Too unemotional would yield the same. Finally, those acting coaches might be worth what she paid them for since neither of the two movies she’d acted in were blockbusters.
* * *
For the billionth time, Adam checked his phone. September hadn’t answered his texts or his voicemail.
“Stop pacing, son.” Jethro put a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Trust her. Last week you thought she was on some irresponsible bender when she left Harmony at the office. How did that turn out?”
“She is the bravest person in the world. And although somewhat irrational from most people’s perspective, she did the best thing she could do for her baby.”
“She said she would be back, so trust her.”
“But where could she have gone?”
“My guess is she went to Dallas.”
“Dallas! A flight in this snow?”
“It stopped snowing at two thirty this morning. O’Hare has been running normally.”
“Okay. I set the alarms. How did she get out?”
“I gave her the code.”
Adam took a seat by the window and looked out at the snow resuming its onslaught. He should pray it ended so September could return as soon as she could.
Sounds of Harmony waking from her morning nap carried over the monitor.
Adam stood. “Sounds like I am on dad duty.”
* * *
The Dallas Police Department lobby was lighter and cleaner than she expected. Perhaps she had watched too many New York City–based crime TV shows. She told the officer at the desk that she wished to report a crime. His eyes widened when she handed over her driver’s license. An officer ushered her back to a private conference room where a female detective met her.
