Page 95 of Together Is Where We Belong

I walked over on unsteady legs, and my heart hammered in my chest the closer I got.

When I saw the blood drops around the broken glass, and Luke’s EpiPen case on the floor, I dropped to my knees and wailed.

My phone fell from my hands as I pulled at my hair.

“She’s gone. He got her,” I screamed as I pulled harder, so hard that I probably pulled some out at the root.

I pushed myself to my feet and picked up my phone.

I had to find her.

She had to be okay.

I couldn’t lose her.

Not again.

“Call the sheriff,” I yelled into the phone to Brooks and ended the call.

Turning around, I raced out of the house and the sound of the door slamming echoed in the air as I rushed back to my truck.

I couldn’t sit here and do nothing.

I had to find her.

Only I had no clue where to look.

He could be anywhere with her by now.

I rested my head on my steering wheel and beat my forehead against it.

“I can’t lose you again, cara. I won’t,” I pleaded for no one to hear.

twenty-six

Leo

Iraced back to the ranch, not remembering the drive, as I flew down the driveway, dirt flying around my truck. As soon as I pulled up beside the house, I slammed the truck into park and got out, not bothering to make sure the door closed behind me.

Taking the stairs two at a time, I raced into the house.

“Brooks, Holden,” I shouted as I ran into the kitchen to find them sitting at the table. They both turned toward me as I dropped into a chair across from them.

“The sheriff should be here any minute. Mom and Dad took Luke to Carolina’s parents’ house so we could come up with a plan,” Brooks said, and I let out a heavy breath. I’m glad they thought of something because there was no way I could be in front of Luke without him wondering what was wrong. I didn’t want him to worry.

“I have no clue where to start searching,” I said, my voice clogged with emotion. I didn’t have time to break down now. I had to focus on finding her. I couldn’t lose her to this man. Luke couldn’t lose his mama. I wouldn’t allow it.

“There aren’t many places to hide in Haven Valley. We’ll find her,” Holden said in an attempt to reassure me, but his words did nothing to ease the ache in my chest.

“He’s already had her way too long. What if he’s not in Haven Valley anymore,” I said and as the last word of that sentence left my lips, I balled my fists in frustration.

“We can’t think like that. We have to remain positive if we’re goin’ to find her,” Brooks said calmly.

Just as I was about to respond, there was a knock at the door. I bolted from my chair, the sound of it falling backward echoed in the kitchen as I ran to the door, hopeful that it was her, but in the back of my mind, I knew it wasn’t. She wouldn’t have knocked.

I opened the door to find the sheriff and five of his deputies on the other side.

I stepped back and allowed them to enter. “Thank you for coming,” I said as I closed the door behind them and led them into the kitchen.