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When our eyes meet, whatever tension or disagreement was between us disappears, and I can’t help but crash into him, wanting to return to that safety I know I’ll feel in his arms.
And as he pulls me closer to him and leans down to whisper in my ear, I know this is where I belong.
“We’re going to find her. Don’t worry about a thing. We’re going to find her, and she’s going to be all right. It’s going to be OK.” He sounds so sure, so confident everything is going to be OK. The only thing I can do is believe him. And the relief flowing through me allows me to breathe freely for the first time in hours since I first heard Penny was gone.
“I can’t help but think this is my fault somehow.” I step back and wipe at the tears that have appeared suddenly. They’re not from sadness but anxiety and fear, and I notice my hands shake as they push the tears away. “I must have said or done something to push her to do this.”
Cooper grabs my shoulders and shakes me lightly, forcing me to meet his gaze. He’s looking at me intently, and his seriousness is sobering. “This is not your fault, Sloane. This isn’t anyone’s fault but Penny’s. I don’t know why she’s done the things she has, from the e-mail tampering to running away. It doesn’t seem like her at all. But that just further proves this isn’t any of our fault. Something is wrong there.”
I nod. He has a point. All of this is so out of character that we may not see the whole picture. Even Penny’s mother was at a loss and completely surprised when we told her about the e-mail tampering. This whole thing just feels wrong.
“I feel so useless standing around here. I feel like I should be out there looking for her.” I pull away from Cooper and start pacing to stop myself from shaking. The feeling of wanting to jump out of my skin is becoming overwhelming. “I’ve felt helpless all day like I need to be doing something. Not waiting around here.”
“Well then, let’s get out there and start looking.” He goes over to Fiona’s desk and looks over her shoulder at the map she has pulled up on her monitor. “Is there any area that hasn’t been covered yet?”
Fiona double-checks the screen and then a notebook she’s been using to keep track of the search. “Everything nearby has been covered. It’s just a matter of spreading out now. We’re not sure how she is moving, whether she’s walking or has a ride, or what.”
Cooper gets a thoughtful expression as he stares at the screen. His blue eyes are intense as he studies the map. He doesn’t say anything for a long moment but straightens, looks at me, and says, “Let’s go.”
I don’t hesitate and let him take my hand and pull me from the office.
Cooper Davies could lead me anywhere, and I would follow.
thirty-five
Pieces
Cooper
I start driving west out of nothing but pure instinct. When I looked at the map and Fiona’s notes, it seemed the search was spreading north and south, not west. There’s something in the back of my mind I can’t quite put my finger on, but this just seems like the right direction to go.
Grabbing Sloane’s hand as I drive, I automatically bring it to my lips and plant a reassuring kiss. Where we stand with each other is still an unknown, but being with her now is enough for me.
“You didn’t show up today...” She says quietly, her eyes scouring the scenery we pass, nearly distracted but obviously not.
I guess now is as good of a time as any to talk about what’s going on between us. Who knows how long we’ll be driving around.
“Yeah, I had some thinking to do.”
“Oh? What about?”
That’s a loaded question, considering the depth of my soul-searching last night and this morning.
“Everything, I guess. There’s been a lot on my mind.”
She squeezes my fingers but doesn’t tear her eyes away from the passenger window. “You can talk to me, you know. The listening thing goes both ways.”
“Well, a lot of it was about you.”
That surprises her, as I can sense her breath catch next to me.
“Me?”
“Yes, you. After hearing what you said during your interview about our relationship, or lack thereof, I should say, I had some reevaluating to do.”
“What I said...?”
“I heard you say we didn’t have a relationship, and I needed to take some time to unpack that in my head, and my heart. So I went up to Ojai and tried yet again to get my head on straight. I needed to figure out what I’m feeling and whether or not it’s something I want to pursue.”
