Bennett stood and ruffled Ben’s hair. “I know you can.”
Harper drew Ben in for a hug. He laid his head on her shoulder and she took a deep breath, drawing in his distinctive little-boy smell to take with her. “I’ll miss you every minute I’m gone, but I’ll be home soon. Promise. Take care of Jack and Yaya, okay?”
His arms tightened around her neck to the point of being uncomfortable. Not that she planned to complain. How much longer would he freely give her hugs? While time could heal, it also meant growing up and change.
Disentangling herself from Ben and walking away was like leaving him the first day of preschool. Out of her arms, he retreated to hold her mom’s hand. She gave her mom a quick hug and kiss and followed Bennett to his truck before her sappy tears had a chance to make an appearance.
The kids were already in the backseat with everyone’s bags stored in the bed. Jack’s deep-chested bark from the front window was like a hammer to her already-fragile emotions. Bennett didn’t speak as he steered them down the road, but he took her hand in his and linked their fingers. His steadiness in turn steadied her.
The drive seemed to take forever, yet as they pulled in to the hospital parking lot she searched for the right words to prepare Libby and Ryan.
Turning, she laid her arm over the backs of the seats. “Guys, I’m not sure how tired your mom and dad and Sophie will be or if Sophie will even be up to talking at this point.”
“Are the tubes all gone?” Libby’s gaze was fixed out the window at the hospital, her voice flat and emotionless.
“Probably not. The doctors will still need to monitor her.”
“Do you think her hair has grown back?” Ryan perched on the edge of the seat, ready to go.
“That’s going to take a while, I’m afraid.”
“I wonder if she knows yet,” Libby said.
“Knows what?” Harper tensed.
“That her hair is gone. She wanted to grow it out like Rapunzel. She’s going to be really sad.”
“Then you’ll have to do your best to cheer her up, won’t you?”
Libby gave a brusque nod, and Harper fought not to reach for her. Libby’s stoicism didn’t mean she didn’t care; it meant she cared so much she was overwhelmed.
“Listen, guys, everything might be different for a while, but it will be okay. Not today. Maybe not even next week. But eventually. Can you trust me on that?”
Libby finally met her eyes. “Promise?” she whispered so softly, only the movement of her lips revealed the word.
“I promise.” Harper didn’t let her own roiling emotions waver her voice or her gaze.
Libby’s shoulders fell an inch, a portion of her anxiety appeased. “I’m ready.”
They piled out and made their way to the children’s floor. Harper led them through the halls to Sophie’s room. It didn’t look much different except for one huge exception: Sophie was propped up and her eyes were open.
“L-Libby.” Sophie’s voice was hesitant and stuttered a little, but her arms flew up and she made grabby hands toward her sister.
Libby hugged Sophie like she was as precious and delicate as a butterfly. Allison gave Ryan a quick hug, guided him to the other side of Sophie’s bed, then stood back and watched with a hand over her mouth.
Shock and relief and happiness crashed through Harper, leaving room for hope.
“Wh-where’s Da-dee?” Sophie’s big blue eyes peered beyond Harper and into the hall where Bennett waited.
“He’ll be back soon, darling.” Allison’s voice cracked and revealed the lie.
Harper touched Allison’s arm and mouthed his name. Allison’s mouth tightened, and she nudged her head toward the hallway. Harper followed and they gathered with Bennett, who had propped a shoulder on the wall outside the room.
“Where’s Darren?” Harper asked.
“I don’t know.” Allison ran a hand through her lank hair. The week had aged her a decade. “As soon as Sophie woke up and the doctors assured us she would make a full recovery, he left.”
“Are you still mad at him?”
“No. Yes.” Allison’s laugh contained equal amounts of irony and exhaustion. “I don’t know. I’ve called and left him a half-dozen messages. I thought about going after him, but Sophie needs me right now.”
“What do you need from us?” Harper asked.
Allison watched the kids interact. Sophie’s soft giggles were the sweetest music. “I want my family together. Could you track down Darren and bring him back?”
Bennett’s face was grimmer than normal. “I’ll find him and bring him home.”
Chapter 21
Present Day
Adrenaline careened through Bennett, lengthening his stride as he punched Darren’s name into his phone. No answer. He muttered a curse. Harper alternated between a fast walk and jog at his side, her face flushed and drawn with worry. He forced himself to slow.
It had been a long time since the dread and anticipation of a mission hovered over him. He was not handling it well. Maybe he was out of practice or maybe he was old, but his stomach felt ready to expel the sandwich and oatmeal cookies he’d scarfed down on the road.
“Do you think something is wrong?” Her question came out breathless.
He stopped. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, but wisps had escaped. Brushing a piece behind her ear, he caressed her cheek with his thumb. Her skin was soft and sweet smelling. Too many nights he woke from erotically charged dreams starring her, his senses tricking him and making him believe she was with him, her scent lingering like a memory.
“The sooner we find him the better.” It was a nonanswer, but she didn’t call him on it. He walked on but at a slower, although still brisk, pace.
“It’s weird he wouldn’t stay to see Libby and Ryan, isn’t it?” she asked with the same worry growing ulcers in his stomach.
“We’ll start at their house.”
Negotiating the checkpoints grew his impatience. Bennett had to keep his voice from betraying his agitation. The MPs were only doing their job. Finally, he and Harper were free and he pulled up to Darren and Allison’s house.
“His SUV is here. Thank goodness.” Harper hopped out of the truck and ran to the front door. A quiet pall hung over the street, and Bennett scanned in all directions as if an attack could come from any direction. The hairs along his neck stood on end, his fight-or-flight instincts awakened even though he couldn’t pinpoint why. Certainly he didn’t anticipate an enemy combatant jumping out of the azalea bush.
Harper rang the doorbell, knocked, and cupped her hands to look through the mottled glass insert of the window. “I can’t see or hear anyone. Maybe he’s out for a walk?”
He tried the knob, but the door was locked. “Do you know if Allison leaves a key anywhere?”
Harper flipped up the red pot. Metal glinted through dirt. Bennett picked up the key and wiped it on his pants. He unlocked the door and cracked it open, instinctively crouching down, his hand going to his hip for a gun that wasn’t there and hadn’t been for years. His throat was parched, and when he called Darren’s name it sounded rough and creaky.
No answer. He stepped farther into the foyer and listened. Nothing. The house had an abandoned feel even as he nudged a pair of tennis shoes out of the way. Onward he scouted, expecting the worst.
The den and kitchen were clear. “Wait here while I check upstairs.”
“I’ll come with you.” Harper took a step backward, but he stopped her with his arm, blocking the way back.
“No. Let me. In case…” He couldn’t bring himself to say what he was thinking, but by the way her eyes widened and fear flickered across her face he didn’t have to.
He waited for her to nod before he returned to the stairs and took them on soft feet, only a slight creak giving him away. He pushed each door along the hallway open, revealing nothing more than empty rooms. In front of the master bedroom, he hesitated, preparing himself. The door swung open with a whine of the hinges.