Page 17 of Midnight Creed

“I don’t miss that.”

He was grateful she was letting him off the hook. It was exhausting trying to explain himself to Hannah.

He wanted to tell her to get out of the cold and come down early, but he hesitated. He didn’t want to push it. Besides, the reception was patchy. He held back the phone and saw one bar flitting every time he attempted to move.

“I’m probably going to lose you,” he told her.

“Actually, I just wanted to hear your voice. You and Bolo be careful. I’ll talk to you—”

And there it went. No service. He waited. It didn’t return.

He stashed the phone back in his pocket as he turned and inspected his surroundings one more time. He hated that he still didn’t know what direction he needed to head back. Then he looked at Bolo.

“Take us back to START, buddy.”

12

Linden Estates

Santa Rosa County, Florida

Taylor Donahue hated waiting. She was convinced her mother-in-law knew that and made her wait on purpose. Maybe the woman wasn’t that calculating. Maybe Taylor needed to cut her some slack. But then Dora walked into the room carrying a tray, what looked like tea for two.

What the hell? This was supposed to be a quick stop to pick up her son. But tea? A tall pitcher of it, filled to the brim. Ice tinkling against the sides. Two glasses. Only two. Not three. So, Will wouldn’t be joining them for this little refreshment. Taylor wondered if his grandmother had even told him she was here.

Taylor immediately felt her spine straighten, her muscles tense. What in the world did Dora think they needed to talk about now? Talk? Chat? They weren’t friends. Hardly even friendly. It took every bone in Taylor’s body to be polite to the woman. But she always reminded herself this was Will’s grandmother. Mike’s mother. Michael. Dora insisted her son be addressed by his given name, but she had no problem reducing William to Willie.

Stop it, Taylor, she told herself. It was the holidays. A time for good cheer, right?

Of course, she could take time for a glass a tea. Taylor stopped from licking her lips while thinking vodka would be more appropriate.

She shook away the thought. It’d be fine. Everything was fine. She needed to relax. The first of next year, Will was coming to live with her. That was the important thing. She needed to concentrate on that.

They’d been living apart for much too long, and both mother and son were excited. They were mere weeks away. And in-between was Christmas! Will would be spending Christmas day plus the following three days with her. She didn’t even mind that she couldn’t pick him up until after ten in the morning, because Dora insisted he be there for their family’s traditional Christmas breakfast. Taylor didn’t question or even mind that she hadn’t been included or invited.

No, she needed to stay calm. She hadn’t done anything wrong.

So, stop acting like it.

She quickly admonished her impatience, and at the same time, she prepared for the lecture.

Dora poured as she said, “Willie is gathering his things. I thought it would give us a chance to chat.”

“Is there a problem with the Christmas schedule?” As soon as Taylor said it, she wanted to kick herself. Why invite a problem by suggesting it?

“No, no. Christmas is all set.” She offered Taylor her best fake smile. “I think you know what this is about.”

Her mind reeled. She was careful to never badmouth Dora around Will. In fact, she thought things were going well. Obviously, Dora wasn’t going to give her a hint. “Actually, I don’t know.”

Dora sat back, crossed her legs. The gesture required her to shift in the chair and rearrange her knit top. Her designer clothing didn’t hide the bulge around her middle. Despite being a bit overweight, there was nothing soft about this woman. She conducted herself with a confidence Taylor would never have. It was a confidence born of the entitlement her money brought.

“We’ve always been very clear about Willie needing stability,” Dora began. “Lately, you probably noticed that he’s been lying more and more.”

“Lying?”

“I’d hate to see it become a habit.”

“What exactly has he lied about?”