“Thank you,” he replied. “But I think Nurse Baker hadsomethingto do with your recovery.”
Heather laughed. “It’s been a godsend to see Providence happy. You and Sammy are helping her heal.”
He nodded. “She told me about Annabel, and I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. I only tell you this because she’s found love again and a real chance for happiness.”
“I’ve fallen in love with her. Sammy has, too. Your daughter is an amazing woman.”
“You’re a good man, Dakota Luck,” Heather said.
Dakota’s friends were heading out. They had lives to lead and businesses of their own to run. After Dakota discussed the situation with Providence, they decided they should head back home, too. While leaving the black site was risky, he couldn’t stay there indefinitely.
As soon as night had fallen, everyone began filing out.
Once at home, Dakota and Providence cleared the house while Miranda waited in the truck with a sleeping Sammy. Dakota tucked his exhausted daughter into bed, then called Marcus. “I’m gonna need eyes on the house at night.”
“You didn’t get my voicemail,” Marcus said.
Dakota glanced at his phone. “I missed it. What’s up?”
“It’s not my year for holding on to employees. Craig is moving out of town and I had to let Hillendale go. For now, it’s just me and I’ve got to split my time between work and hiring more people.”
“I understand.”
“I’ll work out a schedule and send it over.” Marcus ended the call.
Providence walked into Dakota’s office. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Nope, that doesn’t work with me. Spill it.” She crossed her arms.
God, he loved when she did that, and he glanced at her chest. “You’re so damn sexy, even when you’re not trying.”
Her smile was good for his soul. “Marcus lost his security crew, so he’s dropping to part-time until he can beef up his staff.”
“No worries, Dakota. We’ve got this.”
In the morning, Dakota didn’t wake Sammy for school. During breakfast with Providence and Miranda, he told them he was keeping Sammy home until Lizzie had been arrested.
“Smart move,” Providence said. “I’m happy to spend time with her so Miranda can have a break.”
“Thank you, Providence,” Miranda said. “I’ll take you up on that when I grocery shop.”
“Between the three of us, she’ll be well protected.” Dakota had no appetite and he’d barely slept, having spent most of the night running through strategies to find Lizzie Maddox. But he’d come up empty. For all he knew, she could be hiding in plain sight.
“If Sammy asks about school, what should we say?” Miranda asked.
“Tell her we want to spend extra time with her.” He topped off their coffees. “If I knew where Lizzie Maddox had gone, I’d hunt her down myself.”
Miranda cleared her plate. “I’m going to put together some extra lesson plans. Gotta grab my laptop.”
“I’m calling the daycare center,” Dakota said. “My phone’s in my office.”
“I’ll come with you,” Providence said. “I’m going to start digging into Lizzie’s past. Everyone has one, right?”
As Providence jumped on her computer, Dakota made the call and tapped the speaker button. When a staffer answered, he told them that Sammy wasn’t going to be there this Monday and Thursday.
