Page 84 of The Doctor's Twins

“They must treasure their grandparents.”

“Do you have children?” he asked.

“No, but I’m looking forward to having a few one day.”

“They’re a handful alright, but well worth the effort. My girls are the light of my life.”

I watched as Frank’s eyes clouded over for a brief moment as if he were thinking of something painful, he’d sooner forget.

“Anyway,” he said, “does Pey know you’re here? She didn’t mention it to her mother and me.”

“No, I was just telling Millie I decided to surprise her.”

“I see.”

“Here you go,” Millie interrupted and handed me a mug of coffee and then gave one to her husband.

“Thank you.”

I took a few sips of coffee and then looked at my watch. I’d been at the house for almost fifteen minutes. No Peyton.

Millie must have seen me checking the time.

“I wonder what’s keeping Peyton,” she said.

“Why don't you call her, darling?”

“Ben says her phone is off.”

“Perhaps Peyton told Madi where she was going before coming here. You know our girls, Love. Shopping, shopping, shopping,” Frank grinned. “Call Madi. Peyton would have told her sister for sure.”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll call Madi. Who knows, perhaps she stopped to buy the baby and the boys a gift before she sees them.”

“I wouldn’t be too surprised.”

I prayed that Peyton’s parents were right in their assumptions. It was better than the alternative dashing about like a wrecking ball in my mind.

Millie was out of the room for a few minutes. My coffee was almost done by the time she came back, and my stomach had an awful hollow feeling that wouldn’t settle, despite the dark liquid swirling about inside of it. Something wasn’t right.

“And? What did Madi say?” Frank asked his wife.

“She said Peyton didn’t say anything to her about stopping off anywhere. I did ask her to buy some eggs. She must have gotten sidetracked. She does know scores of people in town. She could have stopped for a quick catch-up with one of her friends.”

I couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that something terrible had happened to Peyton. I had to say something to her parents, but my delivery of the bad news was crucial. I didn’t want to scare them.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” I started. “I didn’t want to say anything, but I’m very worried.”

Frank and Millie stared silently at me. I could see the color draining from their faces. Frank was the first one to respond.

“Why? What’s wrong, Ben?”

“Peyton told me everything about what Mateo put her and her family through. She and I have grown very close in the past few months, as I’m sure she’s told you.”

“Yes,” Millie said, “and we’re very grateful for you, Ben.”

“I love your daughter very much, Millie, so I asked an ex-military friend of mine, Sam, who owns a security company, to keep an eye on Mateo.”

“I see,” Frank said.

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