Missing
As Evangeline’s mom handed the baby back to Hannah, Evangeline struggled to stay engaged in their conversation. Though she was putting on a good show for her sister, she’d not slept more than forty minutes in the past twenty-four hours. Exhaustion clouded her thoughts. She hadn’t heard from Sanchez and her imagination had run off the rails trying to figure out what had happened to Sin and Jacoby.
Betty Sanford could not stop smiling. “He’s so precious. I wish I could stay longer.”
“Are you working today?” Evangeline asked as their mom shrugged into her wool coat.
“I’m managing a double shift at the center. We’re short staffed, so I’m answering phones, too. I’m off tomorrow morning, though. When are you being discharged?”
“Soon,” Hannah replied. “The doctor stopped by an hour ago. I’m waiting for the nurse to wheel me out.”
“Perfect,” their mom said. “I’ll come by tomorrow and spend quality time with my adorable, new grandbaby.” She fluffed her hair and beamed at her daughters. “I don’t want to jinx anything, but I met a nice man. Cute, too. And I’m thinking, he might betheone.”
Oh, boy.
“Oh, yeah?” Hannah asked.
As her mom gushed about her new beau, Evangeline’s thoughts jumped to Joey. Where was he? What crimes was he guilty of? She wanted to stop by Sin’s office and read the report, but she didn’t want to leave Hannah alone.
“Okay, I’ve got to get to work.” Betty kissed the baby before trotting out.
No sooner had their mom left than Charlene waltzed in, draped in a full-length fur coat. Evangeline didn’t know what animal had died for the sake of Charlene’s vanity, but it must have been a lot of them. If Evangeline needed one more reason to dislike this woman, the dead animals covering her body sealed the deal.
After discarding the coat on a chair, Charlene eyed the baby. “I came as soon as I got word.”
“Did my dad call you?” Hannah asked.
“He did, and I was kind enough to take his call.”
Evangeline suppressed the urge to roll her eyes while sweet Hannah smiled. “Do you want to hold him?”
“I’d love to.” But the bland look in Charlene’s eyes belied her words.
Some people are comfortable with newborns, but Charlene was not one of them. Her upper lip curled and she drew her lips back into a smile so freakish, Evangeline shivered. “He’s absolutelyperfect.”
“We haven’t seen Joey in a few days,” Evangeline said, hoping Charlene might know of his whereabouts. “What’s he been up to?”
Charlene furrowed her brow. “I have no idea.”
“Is he returning to—where is he from again?” Evangeline asked.
“I don’t keep track of JT and his schedule,” Charlene said with a huff.
“My mom wants to be called Nana,” Hannah interjected, her voice tight. “Would you like to be Grandma?”
Charlene’s eyes widened, as if Hannah had criticized her perfectly coiffed hair or her designer pants suit or that very large diamond adorning her ring finger. “That’s such an old-fashioned name. We’ll figure out something down the road. For now, let’s just appreciate how perfect he is.” This time, her smile did touch her eyes.
“Whatever you want,” Hannah said.
“Your dad said you’ve named him Robert,” Charlene said. “What’s his last name?”
“For now, it’s Caraway. I haven’t talked to his dad yet.”
“I can’t imagine he’ll be happy to hear this news. A lifetime of financial obligations, never having a life, never having the freedom to go anywhere without a diaper bag or toys to entertain the little booger.”
Hannah’s expression morphed into a frown.
“Charlene, stop,” Evangeline chided, knowing her sister didn’t have the balls to shut her up. “The child’s father has a right to know his son exists. Mind your own damn business.”
