I loved the seemingly benign routine of telling him about my day. I’d never had that, a partner to share my day with—to share any cute stories, or challenges I was having with Mason.
“Tag wanted to stay close to the house,” I told him. “Sounds like Mack’s on duty tomorrow. Maybe we’ll head to Dixie’s or the club for a bit. It would be nice to get out.”
“While I’m out of town I want you at the club or at home. Can you do that for me, baby?”
His deep purr was enough to make me agree to just about anything.
“Yeah,” I agreed softly. “We miss you. Hurry home.”
“Miss you too. If I get home after you’re asleep, get ready to be woken up.”
“Can’t wait.”
I really couldn’t.
****
As promised, Mason and I stayed close to home the next day, dropping into the club briefly with Mack to say hi to the girls. It was nice to get out, even for just a little while.
Ettie had popped by for dinner, heading home when Mack deemed it beginning to get too late for her to drive.
She’d rolled her eyes but given in all the same. All of us girls knew to pick our battles.
Cal had texted to say he’d gotten a later start than planned, so I went ahead with getting ready for bed. When my phone shrilled, waking me, I assumed it was Cal.
“Aunt Jilly?” Max’s small, scared voice on the other end of the phone immediately alarmed me.
“Max? What’s going on?” I bolted up in bed.
“Mom’s been gone a long time. She left her phone here.” He whimpered. “Emmie and I are hungry.”
His response chilled me to the bone. “Are you home, honey?”
“No.” He sniffled. “We’re at a motel.”
“Okay, that’s good, sweetie.” I replied calmly despite panic lancing through me. “Are you still in Albuquerque? Do you know?” I was already rushing around my room throwing clothes on.
The thought of my niece and nephew holed up in a motel room starving while my sister was God knows where had me nearly frantic, despite the calm tone I forced myself to maintain with Max.
“No, we drove for a long time. I have the address here.”
Such a clever boy.
When he read off an address in Reno I was shocked. What the hell were they doing here? Why hadn’t Janelle called me?
“Okay, honey, that’s good. You’re close to me. I’m going to come get you right now,” I soothed.
“You promise? You’re coming?” His cautiously hopeful voice had my heart lurching. He hadn’t had much to depend on in life. I was determined to change that.
I swallowed hard. “I’m coming, Max. I’m going to get there as fast as I can. I need you to keep the door locked. Don’t open it for anyone. I’ll be there within an hour. Hang tight. I love you, buddy.”
It killed me to hang up with him but the sooner I did the sooner I could get on the road.
“Okay, Aunt Jilly.”
I hung up and immediately started throwing together the things I needed before rushing out to the living room. Mack was asleep on the couch.
“Mack,” I whispered, shaking him urgently.
