AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She blocked him when he moved toward the pickup counter. “Norton mentioned you,” she said, her gaze searching him for any reaction. “After the party,” she clarified. “He was sure he’d met you before.”
“I have one of those faces,” he said.
“No.” She tilted her head, studying him. “You really don’t.”
“My brother is on the police force here in town,” he said. “People confuse us all the time.” It wasn’t true, but she didn’t know that. This time he managed to sidle past her to the counter.
Regina hemmed him in. “Maybe I should speak with your brother.”
“About what?”
“Our missing daughter.” She enunciated each word.
He swallowed the urge to correct her. Regina had no right to claim any piece of Mia. “You mentioned her at the party. Still no word?”
She clutched the pendant on her necklace. “It’s tragic the way he misses her and our grandson. I’m sure she’s just acting out, but with every day that passes, Norton worries that she’s actually gotten herself into trouble.”
The kid at the counter called his name. “I’m sure Spencer can help. Good luck,” he said, using the bulky pizza box to give him some distance as he scooted around her. “No one in town wants to see Norton unhappy.”
It was the only warning he dared to give her, since he was supposed to be just Selina’s current fling. Dressed as he was tonight, she’d probably figured out he worked at the Triple R. How else would Selina have met him? There was no reason for her to think Mia was hiding at the ranch, but he sure didn’t want Regina coming by and poking around.
Jarvis hated making Mia wait, but he refused to take a chance on Regina having him followed. He carried the pizza into his room and dropped it on the table. He wanted to call, but he sent a text so no one could possibly overhear him.
He was officially paranoid.
Got hung up. Will be there in a bit.
Her reply came back immediately.
Can’t wait.
Pacing like a wildcat, he forced himself to sit down and think it through. What did he know and what could help Mia?
There was no reason for Regina to assume he had any connection to Mia. Regina had been at Lucia’s without Norton, making this a prime opportunity for Mia to reach out to her father. He sent her another quick text suggesting she call her dad, explaining why.
If they could just find a way to get Norton somewhere safe long enough to trap Regina with that disgusting video, this entire mess could be over. Then Mia could explain everything to his brother and Spencer could take it from there.
He really wanted this to be done—for her.
* * *
Mia stared at the text message, her earlier worry replaced by hope. Jarvis wanted her to call her dad while Regina was too far away to interfere. What would she even say to him?
It didn’t matter—she had to act. She dialed quickly, swearing when it went straight to Norton’s voice mail. She didn’t dare leave a message, certain her stepmother had a way to review those as well. Instead, on a hunch, she dialed her dad’s office.
“Norton Graves.”
Her knees went weak at the sound of his voice. “Dad. Hi.”
“Mia? Where are you?”
His shock shamed her. She should have done this weeks ago. “I’m, um, away,” she said. “Visiting friends in Tahoe.” She didn’t have any friends in Tahoe that Regina could hurt.
“Without listing the country house? Mia.” She could picture him turning toward the panoramic view outside his window, his gray eyebrows pulled into a disapproving scowl. “That’s disappointing.”
Of course it was. “I did meet with the buyer I mentioned. No offer yet. Then I had a problem with my phone and didn’t see your messages until today,” she improvised, babbling. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“Messages? Honestly, Mia, you’ve been so flighty I didn’t bother reaching out.”
