She pushed herself from the recliner and rushed to him. Her gaze traveled his body as she tried to figure out how to hug him without hurting him.
As if reading her mind, he placed his arms around her.
She rested her cheek on his chest. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“I was worried about you. The doctors wouldn’t tell me anything.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Zoey’s missing.”
“I know, honey. We’ll find her.”
Brandon cleared his throat. “If you two are done, my car is downstairs. Let’s get to the cabin and discuss our plan to get your daughter back.”
She sat next to David in the backseat on the quiet drive and stared out the window lost in thought. David appeared to be consumed with his own thoughts as the miles flew by.
Thirty minutes later, after so many twists and turns that Jennie had no idea where they were, Brandon pulled off the road and down a private drive. At the end of the path stood a cottage. Lights illuminated the front porch. The rocking chairs gave it a perfect getaway vibe. Only it wasn’t a peaceful retreat, it was her hiding spot.
She clenched her jaw. How could she sit here knowing her daughter was out there in the presence of pure evil?
She stepped from the car. Her muscles cramped, and she grimaced as she walked a few steps trying to unknot them. She peered over the top of the car.
David grabbed the top of the door and hung his head.
The poor man had to be hurting.
“You okay over there?” She walked around the vehicle.
His shoulders rose and fell. “Yeah, just give me a minute.”
She wrapped her arm around his waist and helped him up the three steps to the entrance.
Brandon held the door open and took David’s weight as the two of them escorted him to the couch.
“Why don’t you and David take a break? I’ll go start some coffee.” Brandon removed his windbreaker and tossed it over the recliner.
“Sounds like a good idea.” She shifted and looked at David. “You should really still be in the hospital.”
“Nothing they can do. I’d just be lying around. Here, I can at least help.” He twisted to face her and winced.
“Okay, kids. Coffee’s brewing. Let’s put our heads together and figure this out while we wait.” Brandon lowered himself onto the easy chair and crossed his ankle over his knee. “Randy will be here in about five minutes with all the files and a couple more laptops.”
“Thanks, man. Appreciate it.” David tilted his head back and closed his eyes.
She exchanged glances with Brandon, and he shrugged.
Her nerves felt like live wires. She had to do something besides sit here. She pushed from the couch and paced. Her steps, an experience in pain, but she had to move.
“How did he find us?” Jennie’s voice squeaked.
David opened one eye. “The question of the century.”
Chapter 18
David’s head swam. If only the throbbing headache would go away so he could think straight. His body screamed at him to relax, but with Zoey missing, how could he? He’d messed up. He prayed his mistake didn’t cost the young girl her life.
“Who is doing this?” Brandon leaned forward, elbows on his knees and fingers steepled under his chin.
“I honestly don’t know.” It pained him to know he’d failed Zoey and Jennie.
