“Mom, have you heard when Dad will be back? I need to apologize to him for the way I spoke to him last night.”
Lydia smiled gently. “Honey, he feels awful for the way your conversation went. He simply wants you to take care of yourself.”
“Yeah, but I was a jerk. I know you two are helping the best way you know how. I appreciate it.”
“You’ll work it out.” She ran her hand through his hair, reminding him of the way she comforted him when he was a little guy. “Oh, I spoke to Lori earlier. I instructed Caleb to take her into the office this morning and have Summer check her vitals. Her blood pressure is high, and I’ve put her on bed rest. I’ll check on her on the way home today. Anna was going to stop by after school and keep her company until I get there.”
“Are you missing any appointments today while you’re here?” Devon asked.
“Carol agreed to take my appointments. If there’s a birth, she’ll page me and I’ll have to go. Right now, only Lori and Elle are far enough along they might need me.”
Devon hugged her again. “Thank you for being here instead. You’re the best mom.” He kissed her cheek and accepted the sandwich she held out. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, so he moved far enough away that she couldn't see him not eating.
As he sat on the far side of the parking lot at the picnic table he and Caleb built, he shivered in the cold. He’d been moving since sunup and hadn't really thought about the weather, but now that he was sitting still he noticed the temperature dropping. Tears dripped off his chin as he thought about Hailey for the millionth time. She would be cold. She would be hungry, thirsty, and scared. He hunched his shoulders and cried hard for her, covering his face with his callused hands.
“Mr. McMillan?”
The voice was soft and already recognizable. He wiped his face on his shoulder and looked up into Chloe’s kind brown eyes. “Yeah?”
Her brows pulled together when he met her gaze. “Everyone from this search party has finished for the day. The last of the searchers are heading back, and should be here any minute.” She paused while he stared blankly at her. “You need to rest. You’ve done your best today. You need to eat that sandwich you’re hiding from your mom, drink at least one bottle of water, and sleep. You won’t do anyone any good if you faint from exhaustion.”
He scoffed. “I’ve never fainted in my life,” he muttered.
“You’ve never been in this position before, either.”
She was right. He was being stubborn. “How can I let this go? How do I find the headspace to sleep and not think obsessively about her?”
Though he whispered, she heard him clearly. “You can get diphenhydramine from the drugstore. It’ll help you sleep.”
“Get what?”
“Benadryl. Or a PM-type medication.”
“Right. I guess.”
They sat in silence for several moments as Devon zoned out. Eventually, several search parties came through the tree line. Don, Vince, and Caleb came over to Devon immediately.
Caleb sat heavily next to Devon. “There’ve been no signs of Hailey, or of anybody camping or hiding out with her. We came across a couple sets of campers, but the officers interviewed them and they aren’t involved.”
“Sorry, Devon,” Vince interjected. “We found nothing in our sector, either.”
Don sat on the other side of Chloe and eyed her with curiosity. “Don’t I know you?”
“Yes. I’m a dispatcher and the chief’s daughter.”
“That’s right,” Don said. “I did a piece on taxpayer funding for the City of Merrimac public servants.”
Chloe smiled. “I remember. It got us more money from the county.”
Don smiled back before looking past her to his son. “Devon, your mother got you something to help you sleep. I think you should come home with us and try to recuperate.”
Devon repressed the sigh that threatened. He hated being coddled, but he reminded himself they were looking out for his best interests. He nodded instead of saying what was on the tip of his tongue. Don smiled and got up to say goodbye to Lydia before heading off to his car.
Devon slowly stood and trudged after his father. Caleb and Vince followed, hugging him before he got in the car. “Hey, Caleb, keep me updated on Lori, will you?”
“I will, brother.” Caleb gave him one last slap to the back before moving on to his own truck.
“Thanks for helping,” Devon said to Vince. “And say hi to Anna for me. I heard she was keeping Lori company this afternoon.”
