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“What do you plan to do while you’re here?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t thought it out yet. I just knew, after that dream, that I had to come.”
“I’m on my way back to the ranch now. You won’t believe how big Jonah is. You should come and stay for dinner.”
“I was going to call you this afternoon,” I said. “Running into you is so much better. I was hoping…”
“Hoping what?”
“That Brad might be able to help. I want to hire a private investigator. I’m just not sure Patty’s actually in Africa.”
“Ennis, you know I adore you, and I know you adored Patty, but her parents told you she called them from Africa, remember?”
I nodded. “Of course I remember. I just have this eerie feeling. I swear, if a PI tells me she’s definitely in Africa, I’ll call it all off.”
“Come for dinner at six, okay? Or you can come home with me now.”
I considered her request, but what I truly wanted was to talk to Brad. Other than that, small talk sounded like torture.
“I’ll be there at six,” I told her. “I’ve rented a car, so I have my own transport.”
The hours passed slowly in the hotel room, and when five o’clock arrived, I got into my rental and drove to the house in Steel Acres.
Turned out Brad was late for dinner, and Daphne asked Belinda to hold it for a half hour for him. She and I sat together in her large family room.
“Have you thought about talking to anyone about the dream?” she asked me.
“I just had the dream a couple of nights ago. I haven’t been able to think about anything other than getting here and investigating.”
“I just meant…” She cleared her throat. “I work with a psychiatrist. Dr. Pelletier. He’s been a big help to me.”
“I’m sorry, love. What are you struggling with?”
“He’s helping me deal with what happened to my mother. I’ve had some anxiety and depression, and I don’t want it to affect the baby.”
“Of course. And he’s helping you?”
She nodded. “He is.”
“Honestly, this is the first time I’ve had a dream that seemed so real. I don’t think I need counseling. I just needed to come here and make sure it wasn’t true.”
“I understand.”
Brad walked into the kitchen then and opened the French doors. Their dogs, Ebony and Brandy, ran in.
Daphne stood. “Looks like it’s time for dinner.”
I followed her into the kitchen. Belinda had set the table on the deck out back.
“Hey,” Daphne said to Brad. “We have company for dinner.”
Brad looked up from the dogs. “Oh? Hey, Ennis.”
“Hope you don’t mind me barging in.”
“Not at all. When did you get back in the States?”
“Just this morning, actually.”
