Page 11 of Aviator
Hopefully, nothing else will destroy my peace and quiet.
As though the world has other plans for me, snow begins to fall.
CHAPTER FIVE
KENNA
Snow is comingdown in heavy sheets, and I can barely see through the haze of white as I inch the Jeep Renegade rental up face of Crystal Mountain. Thank God I didn’t decide to take my car. My snazzy red convertible was a guilty indulgence but totally unsuited to blizzard-like conditions. It sure was pretty, though.
I shiver, my coat not doing much to keep out the chill. I’m almost there, I tell myself, trying to keep up my morale. I’d been driving for the better part of two hours, and without the girls to keep me awake with their constant back and forth, my mind couldn’t help but wander. To Kady. To Garrett. To the girls.
I left the girls in Riley’s capable hands with the excuse that I had an emergency work trip. I hadn’t wanted to worry them. The only one who looked at me with a smidge of apprehension was Klaire, but she hadn’t pushed. Thank goodness. I have no idea how I would have explained everything to her. My whole life is starting to feel like a complete mess. Just when I thought I was getting it together.
Isn’t that how it always goes, though?
My phone ringing pulls me from my whiny thoughts, and I answer with a voice command. I expect to hear Kady’s voice again in my headphones but hear my father’s instead. So now he calls back. He hadn’t bothered when I needed his help earlier to watch the girls. He left my texts on read and never returned my frantic voicemails.
“Hello?” he says.
“Hey, Dad. I’m glad you called. Did you get my texts about Kady?” I squint at the street signs through the heavy snowfall. There.Finally. The road I’m looking for. I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Did you hear me?” Dad asks.
“No, I’m sorry. I’m driving. What did you say?”
He sighs. “I asked if you’re going to be in town this weekend. Melody is having a bridal shower and would like you to come.”
My hands tighten on the steering wheel as Dad’s words echo in my mind. Bridal shower? Melody and Dad have only been together a few months, and now they’re getting married? I bite back the tide of emotions that bubble up inside me.
“When did this happen?” I ask quietly, struggling to keep my voice even.
“It’s not a big deal, Kenna,” Dad replies. “Just answer the question. Are you going to be in town this weekend for Melody’s bridal shower? And make sure to bring your sisters too.”
My throat tightens, and I choke out, “No.”
There’s a moment of silence. “No? What do you mean no?”
The rage spills over. “I said no. You never see the girls, but now you want to play new happy family and parade them around for your in-laws? Not a chance.”
“Kenna—” he sputters.
“Did you know I broke up with Garrett? Have you checked my messages and voicemails? Did you even know Kady is missing, Dad?”
More silence.
“I didn’t think so,” I spit out. “The only person you’ve ever been concerned with is yourself. So you should be more than happy to be the only one who cares about your wedding. I have to go. I’m trying to find Kady. Congratulations on your engagement,” I spit out, my voice full of spite.
“You listen here—” But I’m already hanging up.
No, Dad. I’m done listening.
Pushing him and his news from my mind, I follow the map through the winding mountain roads. Finally, the snow begins to slow, and I can make out the outline of the house ahead. I breathe a sigh of relief, thankful to be almost there. I’m so mentally and emotionally exhausted that the thought of the coming confrontation makes me want to run the Jeep off a cliff. Pulling up to the cabin, I give myself a little shake and a good pep talk.
Dean Tyler—I learned from social media—may not have emailed, called, or messaged me back when I tried to reach him, but he’ll just have to listen to me in person. I’m sure once he listens to my offer, he’ll help me. And if he doesn’t. . . well, I’ll just have to convince him otherwise. Kady’s life may depend on it, and I’m not taking no for an answer. I can be pretty tenacious when I put my mind to something.
Besides, he and Jamie were friends once upon a time. Surely he’ll want to help if they’re in trouble.
I notice the firelight that flickers in the open living room window as I brave the gusts of wintry air. My boots sink into the deep powder with my first step, and I consider myself lucky I went skiing once last year and still had a bunch of fancy winter gear to bring. I cross the short distance and knock on the door, my heart pounding as I wait for an answer.
