Page 84 of To Belong Together
“Lakeshore. I left the reception when you did.”
“Oh.” She seemed as slow to process that revelation as he’d been to process the news of her father.
“I’m on my way.”
Was this nightmare real?When an SUV pulled into the lot of Hirsh Auto, Erin wiped her face without thinking about it and was surprised when her fingers came away damp. Fatigue had dulled her to the feel of her own tears.
The vehicle parked a few feet from her, and John exited from the passenger seat. His capable and strong presence cracked the nightmare and gave her a glimpse of a too-good dream. One where the man chose her, helped her, reunited her with all she’d lost—Dad, hope, belonging.
If John thought anything of the dress, he didn’t say. Didn’t even seem to see it as he placed a hand on her shoulder and peered into her eyes. “Are you all right?”
He must’ve read the answer on her face, because wordlessly, he pulled her into a hug.
On the other side of the vehicle, Gannon stood, watching, expression somber.
Though her tired body could fall asleep in the security of John’s arms, the ragged edges of her mind reminded her to shift back and focus on the task before them.
John rubbed her bare arms as he stepped back. The warmth from his hands showed her how cold she’d grown in the fifteen minutes she’d been standing here, coatless. Tension and concern lined his face as he pulled off his jacket and wrapped it around her. “Tell us everything.”
She repeated the little she knew, the area they’d searched, the statistics she probably shouldn’t have looked up as she’d stood there, waiting for John. “If we don’t find him today, his chances plummet. They say he couldn’t have gone far, but I looked everywhere near here.” Her throat constricted, and she coughed.
John took her hand.
Nothing felt real.
Dad, missing.
Two celebrities, here to help.
She, who’d always thought herself strong, sniffling.
John looked across the hood of the SUV to Gannon. “I want everything we talked about. If you think of something else, do that too.”
With a nod, Gannon pulled away.
Erin stared after the vehicle. “What did you talk about?”
“How to help. He’ll coordinate for us so you and I can search.”
John used simple words, but her brain wasn’t making the connections. Too tired, sad, traumatized. “Coordinate what?”
He held out his hand.
At least that, she understood. She placed the key in his palm.
He put his arm around her and led her to his car. “He’ll talk to authorities and hire a helicopter, a dog team. Brief our publicist and social media manager, spread the word and recruit every searcher we can get.” He opened the car door and motioned her into the passenger seat.
She slid in. On her feet, she’d felt unbalanced and heavy, but seated, she felt weightless. Disconnected from reality.
How could this be her reality?
“Why does Gannon care so much?” she asked.
“No one wants this to end badly.” John started the engine, then winced, seeming to chide himself. He looked over, a moment of connection. “He may have helped anyway, because that’s the kind of guy he is, but Gannon cares because I do. You matter to me.”
She warmed, but then doubt stabbed her so hard that her eyes teared. She licked her lips. The appropriate response would be to tell him he mattered to her too, but instead, questions vied for release. Why did she matter, given how short she fell of the women he’d dated in the past? If she mattered, why had he danced with that bridesmaid? Why hadn’t he tried harder to get in touch when she’d left?
“Where to?” he asked.
