Devon smiled back at him. “Thanks for being here.”
“Don't go getting emotional on me.” Still, he sat back with a look of satisfaction.
Devon closed his eyes as he sucked on the straw. “It’s just that my mouth is always dry lately, and everything I eat sticks in my throat. This is perfect.”
Caleb chuckled. “I feel like there’s a ‘that’s what she said’ somewhere in there.”
“Daddy?”
The three of them stopped talking and looked over at Hailey. Caleb wisely took the milkshake from Devon before he dropped it.
“Oh, baby girl.” He stood so he could lean over and kiss her cheek. “How do you feel?” Picking up the hand closest to him, he squeezed it lightly.
“Sleepy.” Her voice was weak and scratchy.
“I bet. You can sleep. We’ll be here when you wake up.”
She nodded and closed her eyes again, her hand going limp in his.
He sank back in his chair, still holding her hand. “Call Mom and Dad.”
“On it,” Caleb said.
Vince’s voice came from directly behind him as he stared down at her too. “Holy crap, Devon. She’s going to be okay, isn’t she?”
He couldn't know for sure, but there was a feeling taking root in his gut. At first he wasn't sure what it was, but it didn’t take long to figure it out.
It was hope.
Chapter Ten
They came in droves. His parents, the elementary school teachers, friends, and even strangers. They couldn't see Hailey, but there was an influx of people Devon was unprepared to face. He felt like a fish in a tank.Tap on the glass harder, see if they’ll scatter. He appreciated the support, but he didn’t enjoy feeling so overwhelmed with so many people wanting to shake his hand or catch a glimpse of the man whose daughter went missing. They didn't get much crime in Merrimac, and Hailey’s abduction had turned the McMillan family into a sideshow. Very quickly, acting cordial simply became too much for him to bear. Hailey might wake up at any time, and he refused to be standing down the hall giving facetime to strangers when that happened. Eventually, Don was the only one with the patience to greet visitors in the waiting room.
Devon mastered one thing, though; he’d compartmentalized his feelings for the sake of his daughter. Between the agony of what happened to her and the anger itching to burst out of his skin, he had to keep it under wraps to maintain his sanity. It sat there in the back of his mind, however, festering into an ugly sore. He was ready—more than ready—to unleash everything building up, but he knew he had to bide his time.
Hailey opened her eyes several times the following day. She would blink, shift around and focus on her father, and typically fall back to sleep. He knew she needed all the rest she could get in order to heal, but he wanted her to wake up and reassure him she was better. If that made him selfish, he didn't care.
