Page 62 of Match My Fall
Whenhe texted back,Youalready have my heart,Ichuckled.Mycheesiness was worth it.
Ireturned to preparing dinner.AsIpopped the pan of lasagna into the oven to cook, the doorbell rang.Valenwas quick.
“I’llget it!”Paigecalled out and pushed away from the table.
“Thanks, honey.”Asshe headed to the front door,Iopened the fridge and pulled out lettuce, tomato, and cucumber for a salad.Ipulled the vegetables out of the bag and then rinsed them off under cold water.
Whatwas taking them so long?IpicturedPaigeat the front door withValen, asking him about the ice cream.WhenIturned the water off,Istill didn’t hear them.Iheard the door open but then nothing.Novoices, no movement as he entered the house.Nothing.
Acold shiver ran through me.
Don’toverreact,Itold myself.They’reprobably playing a quick game of tag or something like that.
Iwiped my hands on a dishtowel and walked into the living room. “Paige?”Icalled out.
Silence.
Thefront door was closed.Panicthumped in my rib cage.Iopened the door and scanned the front yard and street before me.Nosign ofPaigeorValen.Hiscar wasn’t parked in front of the house or in the driveway.
Terrorpulsed at my temples. “Paige?”Icalled louder this time, trying to keep the fear from my tone.
Staycalm.Think.Whatcould have happened?
Mymind raced with possible scenarios, mostly veering to the darkest ones.
WherewasPaige?Ihad to find her.
Igrabbed my phone and ran outside, searching for her.
“Paige!”Aseach second passed, my anxiety spiked.
Theworst—and most likely—scenario leaped to the forefront of my mind.Someonekidnapped my daughter.
CHAPTER18
VALEN
Onthe way from my hotel toCassandra’shouse,Istopped by the ice cream store.Itwas already dark out as evening fell so early in the winter here, and the streetlights came on.Ipicked upPaige’sfavorite ice cream, cookie dough.WhenIpictured how serious her expression turned when she told me about her favorite ice cream being cookie dough,Ismiled.Shewas a good kid and would be a great older sister.
Whilewalking back to my car, my phone rang.ItwasCassandra.Ah, she probably needed something from the store.I’dtexted her beforeIleft my hotel to ask her if she wanted me to pick up anything on the way.Istopped walking, ready to turn back, and answered the call.
“Hey, babe.Justleaving the store.Needsomething?”Iasked.
“Valen, it’sPaige.”
Thestrain in her voice tightened my shoulders. “Whatis it?”
“She’sgone.”Hervoice trembled.
“Whatdo you mean, gone?”Iasked, my heartbeat kicking up a level.
“I’llexplain when you get here.Pleasehurry.”
“I’mon my way.”
Ibolted to my car and sped over toCassandra’shouse, my mind racing with scenarios as to what could have happened.Iwhite-knuckled the steering wheel and pressed on the gas pedal.
WhenIpulledup to the house,Cassandrawas pacing outside on the front walkway while talking to someone on the phone.Herface was drawn with worry, and her pain gnawed at me.Mywolf whimpered inside.
