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“Damn it,” I hiss. “She could be in danger.”
Mrs. Kelly huffs as if the possibility doesn’t exist. She’s been in Lindell too long, but even here after what happened to my mom, she should know better. The world is a scary, dangerous place, and being loved and cherished isn’t enough to protect someone. If it were, then my mom would be waiting in the truck for Dad to walk around and open her door instead of ashes on the mantel at my childhood home.
“How long has she been there? When was the last time you spoke to her? Did she mention anyone creepy slowing down or stopping?”
“Oh, honey,” she says, placing a hand on my forearm. It’s so reminiscent of how my mom would’ve responded that it makes me pause for the briefest of seconds to stare down at the connection. “Don’t forget this is Texas. Madison has a gun in her purse for that kind of trouble. She just needs a ride home and possibly a tow truck.”
“Hey, son,” Dad says as he joins us. “I’m here to watch the boys for you.”
“I thought you were fishing,” I say, patting my back pocket to make sure I have my wallet.
“They weren’t biting.”
“How did—”
“I called him, dear. Now, you better hurry. It’s hot outside. I brought this for you.” She holds up a bag I didn’t even notice she had. “Cold bottled water and a few snacks.”
“You brought snacks? Why didn’t you go get her?”
“Don’t question your elders, son. Stop wasting time.”
I glare at my father, but he has a point. Standing here trying to understand all of this right now isn’t helping Madison.
“Daddy?”
I look over my shoulder at Cale and Cole staring back at me.
“They’ll be fine with me,” Dad says, but that’s not my concern.
Madison is stubborn enough to refuse my help. With the boys there, she’d be less likely to cuss me out.
“Go on. It’s hot,” Mrs. Kelly urges.
“Maybe you should pack an overnight bag just in case it takes longer than you expect it to,” Dad suggests, making this situation even weirder.
“Pack a bag? What is wrong with you?”
I look up at the sun blazing in the afternoon sky.
“Excuse me,” I tell Mrs. Kelly so I can get around her.
“Be safe, dear,” she urges. “You’ll probably need this.”
I hold my hand out when she pulls something from her pocket.
“What’s this?” I look down at the fuse she has dropped in my open palm.
“I think it’s something to do with the gas gauge or the battery. I don’t really know, dear. I… umm… found it in the driveway.” She waves a hand like it isn’t important. “A sensor of some kind, maybe.”
My suspicion triples as I close my hand around the fuse on the way to my SUV.
“I’ll call a tow truck to head in that direction,” Dad says, waving me off when I turn back to look at him. “She may want options.”
I realize it’s a complete setup as I pull out of the driveway and head in her direction.
Both of our parents are involved, and that convinces me that I have her mother and father’s blessing. Considering what has been plastered all over the tabloids these last several weeks, I’d say that’s a big damn deal.
I know exactly where she’s at, and I press my foot to the gas pedal the second I clear the Lindell city limit sign. As confident as Mrs. Kelly is in Madison being able to defend herself, I still have this sense of urgency to get to her and make sure for myself.
