Page 93 of Changing Lanes

“One. One. MALONE.” He turns to me, I feel sick. “Andi’s gone. They’re not sure if she’s missing or kidnapped. I need to get home.”

“Of course, let’s go. Gary, we have an emergency. I’ll call you back from the road,” One yells to the foreman.

He has me in the truck and on the road in five minutes or less, I can’t tell. I hear a phone ringing, I look at mine, but I hear One in the distance answering his. I feel as though my head’s in a fog, I’m dazed. This can’t be happening, she can’t be gone.

I dial my mom’s number, but it rings busy. Torrie’s goes to voicemail. I stare out the window, trying to figure out what to do. I hit Ava’s number, and it just rings. I can still hear One talking, but I can’t make out what he’s saying. We come to a stop, and One is jerking my door open.

“Brannon, come on, son. Let’s get you home.” Taking me by the arm, he pulls me from the truck.

A roaring engine with swells of air assault my senses, I still can’t make out what’s going on. “One, where are we going?”

“Home. Lea sent a plane, it’ll take forty-five minutes or less.” One guides me up the steps.

“Lea has a plane?” What in the hell am I asking?

“She does. I married up, I told you. It’s gonna be okay. Lea’s arranged for Joyce to get home the same way. She, Thayer and Hardy are with Torrie,” he tells me as we buckle in. “She’s a mess, Brannon. No one can get her to calm down.”

“Is she answering questions for the police?” I snap at him, stressed and afraid.

He nods his head. “She’s answering non-stop, Lea told me. She can’t stop crying, she’s blaming herself.” I sit there like stone. “Brannon, I know you’re worried, but be careful with Torrie. She never meant for this to happen.”

“I should’ve been there. This never would’ve happened if I had been there.” Dropping my head in frustration. “Why did this happen? How could it have happened?”

One wheels around, pinning me with his glare. “What in the hell are you saying? You don’t mean any of that shit you’re spewing over there. The girl has begged your forgiveness for all that’s happened, and you’re going to set over there and throw her to the wolves. By god, you don’t deserve her.

“Who the fuck do you think you are? She can have any man she wants, but you happen to be the lucky bastard who won her. Taking a fucking check and leaving her to figure the shit out on her own. Did you think she could carry a baby under all the stress you left her in? If you fuck this up, don’t come crying to me when you lose her again.”

Damn. One unloaded on me with everything in his arsenal. “You’re right. I don’t deserve her. I bet she’s going mad.”

“Damn right she is.” One just kicked my ass like my dad would have. I sit quietly, thinking of Andi and Torrie, worry weighing on me.

“I haven’t heard from anyone.” I check my phone. Time feels as though it’s crawling, I don’t even know how long it’s been.

“Lea continues to text me, she won’t leave Torrie. Honestly, she and Thayer need to be home,” One replies as he texts. “Still no word. We’ll be landing soon.”

One was right, we’re on the ground ten minutes later. We were in a car and on the road with a police escort in less than five. I feel sick again, Andi’s face has been in front of me this entire time. I realize now that I’m shaking.

The road up to the farm is covered with emergency personnel, lights are flashing everywhere. One pats me on the back as we hit the dirt road. He comes to a stop as my door swings open, and I’m on the ground running to the house before he gets out.

I nearly take the door from its hinges as I enter the house. There stand uniformed police officers of all kinds, Hardy, Thayer and Lea. One makes it to Lea’s side as I scan the room. No Torrie.

“What’s going on? I need an update. Now!” I bellow.

A State Trooper steps forward along with my old buddy, Rick, a town officer. Rick speaks first. “Hey, man.” He hauls me in for a hug. “Torrie said she had your permission to pick Andi up from school, is that right?”

What the fuck? “Yes, of course.”

“She took Andi for ice cream and then to Jewels of the Ocean to pick up a gift. When she turned around, she says Andi was missing,” Rick tells me.

“What are you getting at?” I damn well better get this story.

The State Trooper steps in. “Do you think, Ms. Harrington would harm your daughter?” I’m taken aback as my face flames in anger.

“The clerk at the jewelry store corroborated Torrie’s story, but they still need to ask,” Rick explains.

I glance around the room again. “Where’s Torrie?” I demand.

“She’s being questioned by the States again,” Hardy says with irritation.