Emma's Secret Page 19

  Laurie fidgeted in her seat, crossing and then uncrossing her legs.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t come to Alexis’s party. I was too much of a coward, not wanting to face you right away, but it’s not an excuse.”

  Megan edged her feet out of the flip-flops she wore and curled them beneath her legs. “I had a feeling that’s why you didn’t show. But”—she shrugged—“a phone call would have been nice.”

  A flush grew across Laurie’s face. “I know. I tried to make it up to her by taking her to the movie.”

  Megan blew a wisp of hair that tickled her cheek. “Yeah, I know. Alexis mentioned it was only part of her gift, though. You know you spoil that girl too much.” She kept her voice light, trying to defuse some of the awkwardness between them.

  Laurie visibly swallowed before she glanced toward the house. “I like to. She’s like my mini me. I thought I’d take her out for a girls’ day today. Maybe have Hannah tag along? I’d take them to the mall so that we could look at some school clothes, and then do dinner and dessert, nothing too fancy.”

  Megan smiled. “They’d both love that. Alexis mentioned this morning that she needs a complete wardrobe makeover, supposedly.”

  Laurie ran her hands through her hair. “Yeah, sorry about that. I kind of brought up the fact that my mom would always take me clothes shopping before school, and I’d end up with a new wardrobe.”

  Megan smiled. “Summer’s not over yet, you know. But thanks for giving me a head start.”

  “Well, I hope this will help.” Laurie cleared her throat and looked out at the yard. “How’s Emma feeling? Peter mentioned she’d overdone it during the party.”

  Megan glanced toward the house. “She’s better. Poor thing had heatstroke. She practically slept all day yesterday.”

  “Lexi said it was the best birthday ever. She loved her golf clubs.”

  Alexis had told her the same thing, but knowing she was bragging about it to Laurie felt good. Peter promised to take her out golfing this weekend, and the kid couldn’t wait.

  Megan took another sip of mocha and enjoyed the velvety chocolate taste as it slid down her throat. A gentle breeze played with her hair as Laurie continued to fidget in her seat.

  There was a giant elephant standing on the table between them, but it seemed neither one of them was willing to acknowledge it. Megan had hoped Laurie would bring it up, but from the way her friend avoided her gaze, she was probably having as hard a time thinking of how to do that as Megan was.

  “All right, we need to talk about this,” Megan finally blurted.

  “Oh, thank God! I wasn’t sure…” Laurie played with the cup in her hand before glancing up.

  “How to tell me you were dating Riley?”

  Laurie nodded before quickly shaking her head. “We’re not dating. Not really.”

  Megan gave her a look that said, You’ve got to be kidding me.

  “I just don’t understand why you wouldn’t tell me. Seeing you guys kissing wasn’t exactly…Well, let’s just say I wasn’t exactly prepared.” Megan worked to keep her tone level, questioning instead of accusing.

  Laurie closed her eyes and sighed. She leaned back in her chair, setting the coffee cup on the table, and folded her hands together.

  “I didn’t know how to tell you,” Laurie hedged.

  Megan leaned forward. “We don’t keep secrets from each other. Even when it means hurting the other person. Remember?”

  Laurie’s gaze dropped to her hands. “Meg, I…I’m sorry. If it had been anyone but him…”

  Megan sat back. “What does that mean?”

  “I know you have feelings for him.” Laurie lifted her head.

  Megan shook her head. “Had. Had, Laurie. I was vulnerable, hurting, and I took the easy way out instead of turning to Peter. You were the one who called me on it, remember?” She’d never forget that day when Laurie confronted her about her growing feelings for Riley. It was Laurie who had forced Megan to see what she was doing, to realize that if she didn’t stop looking to Riley for comfort, she was going to destroy her marriage. That was when their motto of “the truth, even if it hurts” had really come into existence.

  “Still.” Laurie shrugged.

  Megan pushed to her feet. “There is no still. You can’t use me as an excuse for not telling me.” She leaned against the deck railing and stared at her friend. She watched a wide range of emotions play across her face, from disappointment to anger to understanding. She probably mirrored those same emotions on her own face. This was another perfect example of her seeing her own needs and not looking outward to others’. She should be happy for her friend. Megan knew Laurie had been lonely since Kris’s death. And honestly, she couldn’t have found anyone better than Riley. They would be a good match.

  Megan leaned her head back and stared up into the clear blue sky. “I probably should have told you we were coming by instead of dropping in on you like we did.”

  “Yeah, that would have been nice.”

  Megan heard the smile in Laurie’s voice.

  “I like him, Meg.”

  Megan let the words sink in and was surprised to realize they didn’t bother her.

  “So are you dating or aren’t you?”

  A sheepish grin grew on Laurie’s face, and she tilted her head to the side. “It’s been a long time. I’m not sure I know how to do the whole dating thing.”

  Megan leaned forward and lightly touched Laurie’s shoulder. She couldn’t even begin to imagine the range of emotions Laurie was feeling. It would have been less awkward if perhaps she’d found someone other than Riley to date, but it was what it was. There was no going back. If there were, Megan would have done many things differently, including not leaning on someone who wasn’t her husband. But mistakes happen, and this was her best friend, her family. They’d been there for each other through thick and thin, each held the bride’s bouquet while the other said I do. Megan had held Laurie’s hands after Kris’s death, and Laurie stood beside Megan when she refused to give up on finding Emma. They’d once made a pledge, back when they were teenagers, that they’d never let a guy get in the middle of their friendship.

  “Honestly, I wouldn’t either.” Megan smiled at the thought. “You always had a way with the guys, though, even in school. Kris never stood a chance; the poor guy was lost the moment he saw you. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” She squeezed Laurie’s shoulder.

  “Kris would be okay with this, wouldn’t he?” Laurie’s voice broke.

  Megan sank down to her knees and grabbed hold of Laurie’s hands.

  “Of course he would. He never wanted you to be alone; you know that. And Riley has such a big heart…Kris would like him.” She chuckled quietly. “No doubt they would have been best friends if they’d ever met. This is exactly what he would want for you. To live life. To be happy.”

  Megan thought about her own marriage and the sacrifice Peter had made for her. It couldn’t have been easy for him to ask Sam to sell her shares.

  “Can I just ask for a small favor?” Megan leaned back and rested her hands on the railing behind her. “Put a sock on the door if he’s there next time?” She winked.

  Laurie’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped. “How about you just text me if you’re coming by?”

  Megan laughed. “I think I can do that.” She reached for the ignored bag of goodies on the table, peered inside the bag, and almost groaned. She pulled out a chocolate croissant, inhaled its delectable sweet aroma, and blew a kiss at her friend.

  “If this is your idea of a peace offering, we need to fight more often.” Megan reached for the second croissant and handed it to Laurie. “So are you gonna tell me what happened, or should I get Jan to spill the beans? You know she was dying to when we were last there.”

  “Oh, I know. Trust me.” Laurie groaned. “We happened to be at the shooting range together and struck up a conversation afterward. We talked a bit about Emma and how well she’s been adjusting and then”—she
shrugged—“the conversation just took off from there, and the next thing you know, we realized we had a lot in common.”

  Megan nodded. It figured Laurie would have met someone on the shooting range. That was where she’d had her first date with Kris.

  “So what?” Megan found herself asking. “One thing led to another and…”

  Laurie nodded. “Honestly, that’s what happened. We met for coffee another time and talked a bit, but that’s it. Nothing else. It was too awkward. Too…personal. I mean, he was such an important person in your…our lives when Emma first went missing, and it just seemed too…weird. But there was a connection there, and we both knew it. I’ve been so afraid to tell you. I wanted to see if anything was going to happen first.”

  Megan took in a deep breath. She could hear the concern in Laurie’s voice. It bothered her that Laurie would have been so worried, when she shouldn’t have been. And it hurt to know that Laurie’s concerns were valid.

  “Oh, honey. No man will come between us, remember?”

  Megan swallowed hard and then laughed when she caught Laurie doing the same. Megan rose from her chair and went to hug Laurie. She smiled at Hannah, who stood at the patio door.

  “Mom?”

  It was the tone in Hannah’s voice that wiped the smile from her face.

  “What’s wrong, Hannah?” Megan unwrapped her arms from around Laurie.

  “Where’s Emma?”

  A cold, slithering sensation worked its way down Megan’s spine at her daughter’s words.

  “She should be up in her room, honey. She was playing with her ponies last I checked.”

  Megan’s heart stopped as Hannah gave a tight shake to her head.

  Laurie laid a hand on Megan’s arm. “What do you mean, Hannah?” she asked.

  “I just went to check on her, but she’s not there. I looked all over too.”

  Megan brushed past Laurie and raced into the house. “Emma?” she called out as she searched the downstairs rooms one by one.

  “Did you lock the front door behind you?” Megan yelled over her shoulder to Laurie before she saw the answer for herself. The front door was slightly ajar.

  Laurie nodded. “Of course I did.”

  “Then why is it open?” Flustered, Megan waved her hand in the air before gripping the staircase rail. “And why wasn’t the alarm on? Hannah, did you open the front door?”

  Hannah followed close behind. “No, Mom. I promise. It was like that before I went upstairs. Mom, where is she?”

  Megan raced up the stairs, her heart pounding with each step she took. Emma’s room was empty, her blankets a mess on her bed. The dress Megan had set out this morning on the chair was gone.

  Megan pushed past Laurie, who stood in the doorway to Emma’s room, and headed to her bedroom, where the nearest phone was. She dialed Peter’s number.

  “Peter, Emma’s not here.” She could feel the panic begin to overwhelm her.

  “What do you mean, she’s not there?”

  Megan shook her head and spun on her heels. She ran down the stairs and out the front door. It was all happening again. Just like before.

  “Megan, talk to me,” Peter’s calm voice soothed her.

  “I was outside in the back with Laurie. She locked the door behind her. Emma was upstairs playing when I went outside. But now Hannah can’t find her.” She knew she wasn’t making much sense, and wasn’t even sure if Peter could understand what she was saying.

  “Where is she, Peter? Where did Emma go?”

  There was silence on the other line. Megan struggled to breathe, and she searched the street in both directions. There was nothing. Nothing to see. No Emma. Oh God…

  “Is her bike there? Megan, go look in the garage.”

  Megan headed to the little side door on their garage and almost cried when the knob turned in her hand. It should have been locked. Why wasn’t it locked? Oh my God…Megan almost collapsed when she remembered. She’d entered through this door to get her watering can earlier. She must have forgotten to lock it afterward. She opened the door, praying she’d find Emma in there, but the first thing Megan noticed was that the light was on. The second was that Emma’s bike was missing.

  If there was one thing Emma knew how to do well, it was ride her bike. It was the first thing Peter had bought her when she came home, and she took to it like a natural. It was one of her favorite things to do—ride up and down the sidewalks during the day with her sisters.

  “Megan?” Peter’s voice deepened.

  “It’s not here, Peter. Her bike is gone. It’s all my fault. Again. I left the door open. Peter, I left the door open.” Megan stepped back out of the garage and turned toward her house. Laurie stood there with her keys in hand. “She’s on her bike. I’m going to go look for her.”

  Peter’s voice stopped her. “No. I know where she is. I’m closer. I’ll go get her.”

  Time stood still.

  “Where is she, Peter?” She thought about Emma’s insistence about going on the date this morning. Was that where she went? Did she go to the donut shop? Why? Why would her five-year-old leave without saying anything?

  “Peter? Where is our daughter?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Jack rubbed his eyes and looked out the window again. Surely he wasn’t seeing things. That couldn’t be his little Emmie riding her bike alone, was it?

  He ignored the boys at the table, headed to the front door, threw it open, and then ran past the vehicles and down the sidewalk. He wanted to run to her but didn’t want to alarm her. She was only a few feet away now, and the smile she beamed at him was contagious.

  “Sweetheart, where is your daddy?” Jack held his arms open and waited for his little girl to run to him. She hopped off her bike, threw her arms around his legs, and started to cry.

  Jack bent down and gathered her into his arms. He rubbed his hands in a circular motion on her heaving back as she sobbed hysterically against him.

  “Shhh, honey, it’s okay. I’ve got you. Em, sweetie, stop crying,” Jack begged. He didn’t know what was wrong, but he knew he couldn’t handle seeing her this way.

  “Jack?”

  He angled his head so that his cheek rested against the top of her hair and watched Doug make his way toward him. Kenny stood in the doorway of the donut shop, concern etched on his face.

  “Can you take Emmie’s bike and put it in the back of my truck?” Jack lifted her into his arms. He smoothed the hair down her back and tucked her dress in tight around her legs. He was starting to get worried. He glanced down the street to see where her parents were but couldn’t find them.

  She wouldn’t have run away, would she?

  Em snuggled in tight against him as he headed back toward the donut shop, her little body jolting as she hiccupped.

  “How about one of those strawberry-filled donuts? Those were Grandma’s favorite. Remember?” All he wanted was for his little girl to calm down. He needed to find out what was wrong and why she was alone.

  He sat her down in the chair beside his at the table and nodded to Doug, who went to get her a donut from the front counter. He caught the way she kept her head down. Jack grabbed a couple of napkins and laid them in her hands. Her sniffles broke his heart.

  “Em, honey, where is your daddy?” Jack gently touched her cheek and forced her to look at him. He kept his voice even, with a hint of authority so that she’d answer him.

  “At work,” she whispered through trembling lips.

  “And where is your mommy?”

  Em’s lips turned into a pout, and he caught the look of stubbornness in her eyes. She crossed her arms and stared at the ground. He wasn’t going to let her avoid his questions. This was too serious. It was a fine line he walked between coddling and remaining stern.

  “Princess, I need you to tell me. Please?”

  She glanced out the window behind him before turning her gaze to him.

  “She’s at home, Papa.”

  Jack sighed. “D
oes she know where you are?”

  She shook her head.

  Jack groaned and sat back in his chair. “Oh, honey, you can’t do that.” He could only imagine the fear and panic her poor mother must be feeling. He glanced at his watch and tried to judge how long she’d been missing. He didn’t know exactly where his little girl lived, but it couldn’t be too far, since the five-year-old girl had ridden her bike. Doug carried a tray with a powdered donut and a small chocolate milk and set it down in front of Emmie.

  “What are you going to do?” Doug sat down beside him. Kenny joined him but kept quiet.

  Jack tightened his lips. “There’s only one thing I can do. I have to take her home.”

  “Do you know where she lives?” Kenny asked.

  Jack shook his head. No, but she should.

  “This isn’t going to go over well, you know.” Doug shook his head. He heard the warning in his friend’s voice.

  “Eat your donut and drink your chocolate milk, sweetie. Then we’ll hop in the truck, and I’ll take you home, okay?” Jack glanced down at his girl before staring out the window. Cold fingers trailed down his spine as he thought about the next hour. He wouldn’t blame her mother if she called the cops on him. He almost expected to see the flashing lights pull up into the parking lot.

  Instead, what he saw was Peter pulling into the parking spot right across from where he sat. His eyes held a frantic look as he gazed inside. Jack lifted his arm in a wave, and Peter slammed his door shut and raced toward him. Jack pushed his chair back and stood, groaning at the ache in his knees from the sudden movement.

  “Em, your dad is here, honey,” Jack said when she looked at him.

  Her eyes grew round and her back straightened as she slowly turned in her seat to face her father.

  Jack was beyond thankful that it was Peter who now stood before him and not a police officer or Emmie’s mother. But his first instinct was to protect his little girl from whatever punishment her dad was about to inflict. She was only five years old. She didn’t need to be punished. So he was surprised when he noticed the tears in Peter’s eyes as he knelt down beside her chair and rested his hand on her arm.