“That sounds amazing.”
Plating four cookies and filling a glass, Miss Emily placed the treat in front of him.
“Thanks.” He sank his teeth into the soft treat. “Mmmm. Only you can make them this good.”
She laughed and patted his shoulder. Sliding out a chair, she plopped on it. “So, what can I do for you?”
He tilted his head and stared at her. “What do you mean?”
“Pardon my bluntness, but you look like someone dragged you through the woods and dumped you in the barn.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Where did you come up with that?”
She shrugged and grinned. “Something my mother-in-law used to say.”
Sighing, he returned the cookie to his plate and dusted off his hands. “Miss Emily, why didn’t you tell me about Kenny?”
Emily set her jaw. “It wasn’t my story to tell.”
“I needed to know.”
“He’s still in prison. If I thought he had anything to do with this, I’d have spilled the beans.”
“Miss Emily, he’s been released.”
Wide eyes stared back at him. “Why would they let him out early?”
“According to the documents, they paroled him based on good behavior.”
Tears pooled on her lashes. “That man almost killed her.”
He covered the woman’s hand with his. “Does he know where she lives?”
“The only person who knows is Tina, and that girl would give her life before she’d let Kenny know where Jennie went.”
He made a mental note to find Kenny’s whereabouts just in case he had discovered Jennie’s location. “We’ll do some more digging and see if we can find Kenny.”
Emily patted his hand. “You’re a good man, David. I’m sorry she didn’t trust you enough to tell you before. But you have to understand, she’s ashamed of her choices and for the longesttime wouldn’t show her face around town. She finally came around, and I gave her the keys to my cottage rental. Told her it was hers for as long as she needed it.”
“When did she start working at the hospital? I’ve lived in Pinewood Shores for a few years now and haven’t ever seen her.”
“She got her Associate Degree in Nursing in Indiana before Brad died. During the time she hid out here, she took online classes and finished her bachelor’s in nursing. It didn’t take her long to finish. Soon after, she applied to the hospital. She worked on the medical floor for several years, then transferred to the Emergency Department about six months ago.”
“Strange I’ve never seen her before. She still likes to stay in the background, doesn’t she?”
“Of course. She has Zoey to protect.”
“But Zoey isn’t Kenny’s child. Why would he want anything to do with her?”
“Because the man is insane. He thinks that Jennie is his property and that includes Zoey.”
David rubbed the back of his neck. “Miss Emily, I don’t have a good feeling about this.”
Had Kenny somehow found Jennie and been behind her attempted abduction?
Chapter 14
Wednesday 7:30 a.m.
