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“You know what? Forget it. I don’t know what I was thinking inviting myself to join you. I’m sorry. We’ll talk when you come home.”
“I’d love for you to join me. I leave in the morning. Can you get away with so little notice?”
“I’ll call my boss and find out.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Are you sure I’m not intruding?”
“There is nobody I’d rather have beside me on this trip, but you’d better be prepared to open up, because I’m going to have no choice but to tell you all about my own issues if you’re tagging along.”
Was she ready to share her past with him? She swallowed the lump in her throat. It wasn’t something that came up often. Most people would talk about themselves for hours. Nobody asked about her unless they made the connection to her father, then the questions never stopped coming. He didn’t yet know she was the daughter of the billionaire CEO of Garrison Industries, Grayson Garrison, Sr. She would’ve thought after being introduced to her brother, he would’ve put it together, but as far as she could tell, he hadn’t yet connected those dots. But now she’d have to tell him or risk losing the chance at something that might turn out to be great.
“You still there, Cate?”
“I am.”
“Text me after you talk to your boss. If it’s a go, I’ll send you the flight details.”
She wasn’t sure she’d ever taken a commercial flight. No doubt she could use the private jet, but then she wouldn’t have a chance to explain things to Malachi beforehand. And using it would tell her brothers exactly where she’d gone. They’d find her anyway if they were so inclined, but no need to make it easy for them. “Okay.”
Chapter Eighteen
Becky peered in the window of Reece’s camper. He’d sent Dorcas and the kids out and the last she’d seen them they were heading down a trail that led to an old fire tower. The sun was warm, the temperature in the sixties or so, so at least he hadn’t put his family out in the cold this time. His cell phone was beside the sink, and he was dozing in bed. If she didn’t find a way to get online and search for Ezekiel, all her carefully laid plans would be for naught. She had to find out whether Zeke or Malachi was their next true leader. It had to be one of them. And if it was Zeke, he would need to get the jade from Malachi.
This was her chance, but if she messed up again, he’d know that her coming in while he was sleeping was a conscious choice not an accident. If he figured that out, she was as good as dead.
After kicking her shoes off at the door, she slipped into the camper in her stocking feet and carefully tiptoed. Her arm brushed against a pitcher, causing it to teeter on the edge of the counter. Her heartbeat was deafening as she steadied it before it could crash to the ground. A quick sweep of the space assured her that Reece remained asleep. She snatched up the cell phone and stuffed it in the pocket of her skirt before picking her way back out. As she stepped through the door, she came face to face with Eunice.
“What were you doing in there?”
Becky held a finger up to her lips. “Reece has me working on something, and I came by to give him a report, but he was sleeping, so I’ll come back later.”
“Everyone knows he lays down around this time.”
“It’s not like I have a clock. Didn’t realize it had gotten so late.”
Eunice smiled. “You’re up to something. I can tell, but I’m not planning to say anything. Reece scares me. Whatever you’re up to, I’m sure it’s better than our current situation.”
“If you hate it here, why stay?”
“Everybody knows that nobody can leave.”
Becky nodded. “There’s only one way out.”
“Good luck.” Eunice gave her a half smile. “Do yourself a favor and don’t trust Dorcas. She loves him.”
“I know she does.” And it saddened her. Reece was worthless, but the girl had great potential. He needed to go, and as much as Dorcas got under Becky’s skin, she hated to see her suffer the way she had when she was in her position and had it all stolen from her the night they’d thrown Ezekiel into prison.
Cate showered and dressed. In his text last night, Malachi asked if she minded if they drive instead of fly. Truth be told, she preferred driving. Flying twisted her stomach into knots.
Staring at herself in the floor-length mirror, she frowned. She wanted to be comfortable for the five-hour drive, but she also wanted to look cute. Jeans and a baby-doll style shirt hugged her figure, but not in a ‘look at me’ way. The outfit was conservative by today’s standards. Of course, her brothers would probably think she’d dressed too sexy if she wore a potato sack. There was no pleasing them.
Instead of her usual signature pigtails, she’d left her hair down. It fell in soft waves over her shoulders. A mistake? She still had time to secure it in braids before he arrived. A soft knock sounded on the door. Or not. He was early.
After checking to make sure it was Malachi, she opened the door for him. “Come on in. I just need to grab my overnight bag.”
She went into her room and snatched up her black-and-white-patterned Vera Bradley bag. A gift from Brittany before her abduction. Her friend hadn’t been the same since her trauma. Cate straightened her shoulders, took a deep breath, and headed back out to the front room.
When she dropped the bag by the door, Malachi rose from where he’d been sitting on the couch and joined her. He took both of her hands in his. “You look amazing.”
Warmth flooded her face, and she prayed she wasn’t turning bright red. “Thanks.”
