“Worley?” Nanny turns her head to face me.
I snap out of my horrible thoughts. “Ma’am?”
“Have Nick set the meeting up in Church. Every member of this family will be there.” She holds up her finger again. “Except for Logan and Everly.”
Logan and Everly are teenagers now. Unless someone in town has slipped up and told them, they don’t know how we lost their mother. Hopefully, they never find out.
“Mack?” I want to grant Nanny’s request, but I’ll never go against my best friend’s wishes.
Mack’s eyes bounce between Nanny’s. “Love…”
“No!” Nanny shoves out of Mack’s arms and narrows her eyes at me. “Set it up, Worley, or I’ll march myself to the office. I’m not being left out.” She turns back to Mack with tears in her eyes. “I’m stronger than everybody thinks I am.”
“You are.” Mack takes her hand and lifts it to his lips. His eyes meet mine. “Move the meeting to Church.”
“Very well.” I’ll do as he asks, even though I’d rather not.
“Nina and I will keep an eye on things here and carry the food to the tables as needed,” Lauren offers.
“No, Ma’am.” Nanny grabs Lauren’s hand. “You’re family. You’re coming with us.” She looks across the counter at Nina. “You, too.”
“But I’m not family,” Nina protests.
“Oh, but you are.” Nanny walks around the counter and takes Nina’s hand, too. She turns to Emily. “Do you mind watching things here?”
“Not at all.” Emily quickly wipes her hands with a towel. “I’ll ask Deanna to help me.”
Nanny holds up her hand. “You finish the cookies. We’ll send her in.” She glances around the room. “Ladies, follow me to Church.”
After the ladies leave the room, Mack takes a deep breath and runs a hand over his head. “I bet she’s waited most of her life to say that.”
“Yep. Thirty-seven years, if I’m counting correctly.” I’d laugh under different circumstances. His daughter is missing. The last thing my friend needs is jokes.
“Our anniversary is in October.”
October twenty-third is one of my best memories. I was Mack’s Best Man. Their wedding took place right here in the backyard of the Den. Mack and Evelyn were friends growing up. They dated for two years in high school before getting married. They’re the only reason I believe love is real. Maybe the universe sent all the love it held to them, and that’s why I never found it.
I slap a hand on his back. “You go settle the ladies in Church. Parker can watch the bar. Ross has the gate. I’ll get Hendrix to keep an eye on things here and in the Den.”
“Yeah. Thanks, man.” Mack pulls his keys from his pocket as he casually walks across the Den to unlock Church. As much as we need to get this meeting going, he’s in no hurry to do it with so many women present.
After sending Ross’s wife, Deanna, to the kitchen, I hurry to the office. I don’t bother knocking and step inside.
Jack stops pacing and spins around to face me. “What’s going on? What happened? Is someone hurt?”
I hold a hand up before he can throw more questions at me. I’m surprised Nick hasn’t filled him in. “Harley’s missing. We don’t know all the details yet. We’re having a meeting with the director.” I look at Nick. “Move everything to Church.” Jack and Granddad will flip on the next part. “The entire family is waiting.”
“Mom? Lily? Nana?” Jack’s already heading toward the door.
“Yeah. All the ladies,” I confirm.
Jack doesn’t wait for more and takes off running down the hall. Granddad hurries behind him. It’s going to take every male member of this family to hold the women together.
“Jay?” I lock the door and follow Nick.
“On his way.” Nick doesn’t look up from his tablet. I take his arm and steer him around the corner. “He got one of the prospects to watch Grayson.”
“Have you found out anything yet?”
