Page 93 of Fortune's Control
The thread’s root deepened. “Sometimes, I think he does, and other times, I think he’s determined to keep me safe until it’s time to leave.”
“Both can be true, you realize that? Shane has a responsibility streak in him.” Lainey carefully picked her words. “I may be the wrong person to say it, especially considering my history. Who else do you know who turned her secret crush into a bad guy serial killer in her debut novel? Still, I’m right. It’s easier to notice when you aren’t in the middle of it.”
“I’m in love with him,” I confessed, keeping my voice low so it wouldn’t carry.
“Yes, I know. You could tell him, but my advice is to make him do it first.”
I laughed, despite our situation, and my anxiety lessened a notch. “That’s good advice.”
“Of course it is. Do you know what we should do? Shane said to stay here, but there’s an entire crawlspace under this veranda. Let’s check it out.”
Pirate hid in the corners early on before she warmed to us. “Fantastic idea.”
*****
“What are you two doing?”
I banged my head on the wooden floor at Shane’s voice. “Ow.”
“Where’s Lilah?”
“She’s coming,” Lainey said.
I rubbed the top of my head and scooted backwards from under the veranda. “We’re looking for Pirate,” I said after climbing to my feet. “We stayed here like you wanted.”
His flashlight flicked over both of us. “You’re covered in dirt.”
“It’s dirty under there.”
“Also a little gross,” Lainey added.
“Did you find her?” I asked.
“Not yet. Give us time. She’s missing, not gone. She’ll be back.” Shane said.
“Cats sometimes go on an adventure before boredom sets in and they return home,” Lainey said.
It was true, and I didn’t care. My first pet escaped because I left the back door open. My inability to care for an animal made an excellent addition to my list of messes.
Shane sensed my misery and put his arms around me. “Don’t blame yourself for this. She was on her own for a long time, so this was bound to happen. We will find her.” As if he commanded it, a whistle sounded. “It’s Jack.” His phone dinged a second later.
“Is that a text?” I asked.
He checked it. “She’s hiding in a bush on the other side of the creek and is afraid to come out.”
“Pirate won’t be afraid of me.” I took off, knowing theywould follow.
*****
“Everyone, stay back.” I lay on the ground. The evening’s damp grass tickled my exposed arms and legs. Ants, or worse, would attack if I weren’t careful. “She’ll run away if you frighten her.”
“Don’t pirates attack instead of running away?” Aiden asked.
“Pirates choose when to attack. Their favorite victims are thirty-year-old men who fix cars for a living,” Shane said.
I appreciated his lending support, but didn’t join in the teasing. Pirate needed me first.
“Kitty, I’m here. Come out and get some pets.” She didn’t move. “Everyone needs to move further back. You’re scaring her.”
