“Yeah, but she got a call from Mike. He told her to meet him at the park.”
“When?”
“Now, basically.” He strode to the foyer to get his shoes and rain jacket.
“And instead she called you?” While trotting behind him, Callie retrieved her own phone from her pocket. “I’ll call Tanner right now. If I hurry, I can get there before Kirby and his sister arrive.”
Worries bombarded Glory. “Mike’s unstable and that makes him dangerous.”
“I know, babe.” Shoes in hand, he pressed a firm kiss to her mouth. “I’ll be careful, and I’ll call the cops on the way.”
“This could be a trap.”
“Could be,” he agreed, “but it’s also our best chance to get the bastard.”
Addie and Liz had joined them and they both looked frightened. Addie shook it off first. “We’re both parked in the driveway, blocking the garage. You can’t get out until we move.”
“Take my car,” Liz said, already rushing for her purse.
Stymied for a split second, Kam stared after her. “Your BMW?”
“It’s a car,” she said. “Only a car.” She pressed the key fob into his hand.
Glory jumped on that. “Remember, Mike is fond of car accidents. He probably knows what you drive, but he won’t expect Aunt Liz’s car.”
Accepting that logic, Kam wrapped his fingers around the fob and thanked Liz.
Addie grabbed for her own jacket. “I don’t want Callie alone, so I’m going with her.”
Liz hitched her chin high. “I’m staying with Glory.” She rounded on Glory. “I’mstaying. Don’t argue.”
“No,” Glory said, taken aback by her vehemence. “I won’t. I’ll be glad for the company.”
The agreement took the starch out of Liz’s spine and she scooped up PB, who’d been dancing around them. The dog seemed very unsure of what was happening.
Against her furry ear, Liz said, “It’ll be okay, precious. You’ll see.”
Glory wasn’t sure if she was convincing the dog or herself. Never, until this moment, had she seen Liz talk to an animal, much less show it so much affection.
With her phone to her ear, Callie said, “Tanner will meet you at the gas station right before you get to the park.”
“Sounds good.” Kam briefly slid his hand to the back of Glory’s neck. After a long look, he touched his mouth to hers. “Try not to worry. I’ll let you know what’s happening the moment I’m able.”
Numb with fear, she nodded, and seconds later, everyone but Liz was gone.
Another boom of thunder shook the house and put Liz into action. Still holding PB, she raced to the front door and secured it. When she turned, she made an obvious effort to put Glory at ease. “Food is ready. Addie made enough for everyone, but now it’ll just be us. Where would you prefer to eat?”
Putting a hand to her unsettled stomach, Glory said, “I don’t think I can—”
“Yes, you can.” Remaining in her no-nonsense mode, Liz put down the dog and swept past her. “Addie went to the trouble of making a lovely brunch, so we will eat it.”
Lightning strobed against the windows, a crack of thunder right behind it, and everything went deathly quiet. With a yelp, PB scuttled over to cower by her feet, then proceeded to growl.
“Poor baby.” Liz rushed over to get her. “Now we have to eat. If we don’t, the food will be ruined.” As if to tempt her, she said, “Chicken salad on whole wheat bread—the bread was my idea. I got it from a lovely little bakery that’s been here since I was young. Addie also made avocado salad as a side, and homemade brownies for dessert. Oh, and she even brought along fresh lemonade.”
“It sounds delicious.” Struggling to compose herself, for Liz and PB, Glory agreed to enjoy the meal. After all, she was eating for two now. Carrying her phone with her, she headed to the dining room table. “PB likes to rest under the table when we have dinner, so let’s eat here.”
“Perfect,” Liz said. In rapid order, she gathered PB’s blanket and a chew, bent low to put them under the table, then helped Glory to get seated.
