Page 12 of Found By You
I threw a hand up into the air. “I don’t feel comfortable just bringing home some Jane Doe.”
Damon cleared his throat. “Jane Does are dead.”
I was annoyed at my slip-up. “I know she’s notdead. I think that’s kind of the point. She can’t come home with me.”
Canyon grinned. “Why? She trusts you. And, you hang out with random people all of the time.”
I glared at Canyon. “You know what I mean. We knownothingabout this woman.” I looked at Damon. “Have you found out anything?”
“I wish things were different, but they’re not. The only thing that we know from Pete’s Trucking is that someone under the name Tanya Carter rented the car.”
Relief filled me. “Well, then I guess you do know something. You can track her down, now.”
Damon shook his head slowly, back and forth. “We realized that that’s a fake name.”
“What?” I was shocked. “So wait a second, she rented a car under a fake name? Why would someone do that?”
Noah walked over to me. “Calm down. Listen, we get that this is a tough situation, okay? But if she rented a car under a fake name, that means she was probably hiding from someone.”
I didn’t want to think about that.
Damon looked grim. “And you know my wife knows all about that.”
I thought about Damon and Isla’s situation, how she had almost been killed by her ex. “Do you think it’s something like that?”
Damon shook his head again. “No idea.”
Dylan cleared his throat. “There’s no precedent in this situation, meaning that if the girl wanted to stay in Refuge Falls for a few days, that would be okay.”
Once again, I was frustrated and confused. “Someone’s got to be looking for her.”
Canyon grunted. “That’s kind of the point, bro. If someone sees the news, then they will come here.”
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. The sturdy oak frame rattled slightly. I looked over, and lo and behold, it was my dad.
Damon looked irritated, but he moved to the door and opened it. “Good morning.”
My dad didn’t mess with what he wanted to tell us. “Your mother is concerned …” He cleared his throat. “Weare concerned about this woman now. We just want to offer her some time to stay at our place. We know she doesn’t want to leave and go to Denver.” He turned to me. “We know she wants to go be with you, but we are offeringourhouse as a neutral place.”
For some reason, I was even more irritated. “Really? We’re getting the whole family involved.” I let out a little growl.
Damon cocked a brow. “What’s the matter? She wants to stay with you, and you don’t want her, and now Mom and Dad offer a safe place and you don’t want to get them involved?”
I turned back and shook my head. I was confused by my own feelings, but I didn’t know how to express that. “Whatever.” I moved toward the door. “I guess I’ll go check on her and let you guys know.”
When I arrived at the hospital room, the antiseptic scent was heavy. I was not shocked to see my mother there with a suitcase full of clothes spread out on the sterile white bed.
Whatdidstartle me was seeing my sister there.
And then I saw her … I sucked in a breath. The woman who couldn’t remember was now wearing a yellow sundress. The fabric was modest but hugged all the right areas, and her fiery red hair was styled in loose waves around her face. She’d applied makeup, covering most of the evidence of whatever ordeal she’d endured, though she still had a bandage on the back of her head. She was beautiful.
Kayla held a blush brush in her hand and gave me a knowing smirk. “She looks good, doesn’t she?”
I wouldn’t tell them that my heart was racing or that I hadn’t seen anyone this beautiful in a long time.
The woman gave me an expectant look, her green eyes searching mine for approval.
I shrugged. “You look good.” The words fell flat, and I instantly resented my mother and sister for putting me in this position.
