Amelia Holt and her little boy were the last angels to come into our care. Before she was told she’d be given a new identity, Amelia started using the name Mia. No one from her past life called her that. It made things easier for Nick with the ID change. She’s Mia Ramirez now. She decided to stay in Willow Creek and moved into the apartment complex where Rodeo’s ole’ lady lives two days ago.
We pause outside the kitchen door. “You know, you could always stay with your sister when we don’t have an angel here.”
Nina looks up at me with soft, caring eyes. “I could, but I don’t want to be a burden for Lauren.”
“She nor your nephew would ever think you were a burden,” I assure her. No one in this club would ever think that of her. “She needs you as much as you need her.”
“You’re right.” She gives me a tight smile. “I’ll talk to her tonight.”
“See that you do. She’s inside and will be thrilled to see you.” I reach for the door. “If you need help moving a few things to their house, let me know.”
“Thanks again, Darin.” Her smile is genuine this time.
Nina’s sister rushes to her when she steps inside. It’s good to see their little family together again. The other ladies shout happily when they see her. I wave to Nanny, my best friend’s ole’ lady and our club Queen, before closing the door.
The small amount of happiness I just felt is short-lived. Nick, our computer geek, is standing outside the front door with his tablet in his hands. It’s not a good sign. The look on his face assures me the night just went sideways. Great. Just great.
Chapter 2
Worley
“We have a problem.”
“Not what I want to hear, Nick.”
Of course, there’s a problem. There’s always a problem. My job as VP is to handle as much of it as possible before going to our Prez. I try to handle it all when Mack is stressed. January is the worst month of the year for the McLeod family. Mack tries to hold the family together. The truth is, he struggles more than everyone knows.
We’re halfway through February. If anything negative happens around January eighteenth, it takes Mack’s ole’ lady a while to get herself back to somewhat normal. Mack stays close until she works her way through it. Nanny’s trying. However, the incident at Ariel’s Candlelight Vigil has legal consequences. The legal matter is ridiculous and shouldn’t have happened.
A candlelight vigil is held every year in memory of Ariel and Baby Angel. Pastor Rhodes’ church held it this year. His daughter, Finley, did a nice job honoring our girls. Sadly, her parents were disrespectful. When they were practically throwing us out of their fellowship hall, in a moment of hurt, anger, andgrief, Nanny threw the candle holder in her hands at the Pastor’s wife. As I said, it’s ridiculous.
Thankfully, we have one of the best lawyers in the state. Ciara Hollis is more brutal in court than her grandfather is. And trust me, Robert Hollis rarely loses a case. Nick did a background check on Ciara after she showed up at the Sheriff’s Office last month. Robert trained his granddaughter very well.
Nick runs a hand through his hair and drops his head. “I don’t want this one, either, man.”
I pause and look him over. He’s fidgeting and can’t focus his gaze on anything. He takes a deep breath through his nose and swallows hard. This is bad, really bad. What’s got him so ruffled?
“We’ll figure it out before we go to Mack.”
“Can’t. We have to get him right away.”
I stand straighter and brace myself. My breaths come deeper, just like Nick’s. Whatever this is, it involves the McLeod family personally. Anger builds within me. What has our idiotic townsfolk done now? My friend has been through enough. I’m ready to go to town and slam my fist into someone’s face tonight.
“Spill it, Nick,” I demand.
His eyes, laced with pain, finally meet mine. “Harley’s missing.”
And the world stops spinning.
Problem is an understatement. This is world-ending. It will totally and completely destroy the entire McLeod family. They’re barely holding on by a thread as it is. They’ve lost three family members. They can’t handle losing another one.Ican’t handle losing anyone else.
I run a hand over my mouth and down my beard. Turning away, I pace in circles to compose myself. It doesn’t help. My brain may explode on this one. I can’t take this to Mack. Can’t keep it from him, either. I spin around and stomp back to our computer geek.
“How’d this happen? How does somebody go missing?” I lean down and narrow my eyes. My voice is heavy and deep. “You said this place would help her.
Nick takes a step back. He swallows hard and closes the leather case around his tablet. “The resort is one of the best in the country. Harley was doing good. She didn’t like that we took her there, but she was working through some things, earning extra privileges.”
That’s true. Harley hated us for taking her to a rehab center. She loudly told us so the entire way. The center is private and secluded. They use resort rather than rehab in their name. Harley hasn’t earned visitors yet. She was granted family video calls after a week. Her next one is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.
