Page 94 of Last Chance at the Someday Café

“She’s exhausted.” DJ’s voice was a soft whisper as he walked into the room. Wyatt followed and closed the double doors.

“Yeah.” Tara didn’t move as the men sat on the couch facing the one she sat on. The only light was from the dancing flames, but she could see her brothers clearly. “I think she’s had a rough time.” Tears stung her throat.

“How’d you find her?” DJ knew about Morgan’s yearlong search.

“I didn’t. She found me.” Tara shifted on the couch. “She’s been in the diner a few times with her babysitter, which is why Morgan’s been hanging out there. He kept hoping he’d be there when she came in.”

“Hell, if that’d been my kid, I’d have moved in,” DJ said.

“He about did,” she agreed with a smile, remembering all the times Morgan had inhabited that end stool. “Tonight, I almost missed her. Wade and I were closing when she came in. I think she was starving. She ate three grilled cheese sandwiches.”

Wyatt cursed. “She’s a good kid.”

“Yeah.” Morgan would be proud of her. “She’s scared of her mom’s boyfriend. I’m not sure her mom even realizes she’s gone.” Surely by now Sylvie, or at least the babysitter, had noticed her missing.

“Does Morgan know you have her?” DJ leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. If anyone understood how Morgan felt, it would be her brother who’d almost not known about his son.

“I don’t know. We tried calling him. The connection kept breaking up. I’ve tried to leave him a message.” She lifted her phone. “But his phone is either dead or off.”

“What about her mother?” Wyatt asked.

“I have no idea where she is or how to contact her.” Tara’s voice rose in anger, and Brooke shifted in her sleep. They all seemed to hold their breath until she settled again. “What kind of mother lets a six-year-old run around in weather like this?” Her anger grew the longer she thought about Sylvie.

“She was the woman who pushed you the other night at the fight?” Wyatt asked through clenched teeth. Tara nodded.

Wyatt used some choice language for the woman and Tara smiled. “Yeah. That.”

They all sat staring at Brooke for a long time. “What are you planning to do?” DJ finally asked.

“I’m not sure.” Tara met her brother’s intense stare, then looked at Wyatt. “I need to talk to Emily, but Morgan deserves to get her back.”

“It may not be that simple.”

“I know. But Sylvie doesn’t deserve to have her.”

“I agree. Still, we’re not making the decisions.”

“Morgan said he’d contacted a lawyer about a divorce, asking for full custody.”

“They’re still married?” DJ’s voice rose, a hint of outrage in the words.

“Just hold on.” Tara lifted a hand. “Don’t go getting all judgmental. I saw the paperwork. They’d be divorced by now if he could have found her. He’s telling the truth. His brother confirmed it.”

“His brother?” Wyatt asked.

“Oh! I can call Jack.” She didn’t have his number, but she was pretty sure she knew who might. She thumbed her phone and dialed Wendy’s number. Relief washed over her.

“Hello?” Wendy answered, sounding like she’d been asleep.

“Wendy? It’s Tara. Sorry to bother you, but do you have Jack’s phone number?”

“Hmm…uh, yeah. Just a minute. It’s in my phone, but I’m talking to you on it.”

That made sense. “I really need to get ahold of him. It’s urgent.”

“Is Morgan okay?”

“I—” She swallowed. “I think so.”

“Oh, good. When I saw the news, I thought maybe it was him.”

“What news?” Tara’s heart beat hard in her chest, and she looked at her brothers. “Wendy?”

“You didn’t hear?” Wendy’s voice was soft. “I’m sorry. There’s a jackknifed rig on I-35. The news reports sounded bad.”

“Oh, God.” Tara looked at the little girl asleep on the big pillow. Brooke had fallen asleep expecting to see her Daddy when she woke up. What if it was Morgan, what if…? Tara couldn’t even think, couldn’t imagine…

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