Capture Me Page 4

  “I’m sorry.” Ethan’s eyes widened. “I didn’t hear her go out. I promise.”

  Susan wrapped an arm around the boy’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault, buddy.” Her voice shook. “If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. I shouldn’t have yelled at her.” She swiped at her damp cheeks.

  Bryan held firm to Susan’s shoulders. “I’ll find her. You stay here. I’m sure she hasn’t gone far.” He turned to Ethan. “Stay with your mom.”

  As Bryan drove through the neighborhood, he looked up and down the neighboring streets before turning right on to Soquel Drive. He forgot to ask Susan what type of car Madi’s boyfriend drove in case he spotted it. But knowing Madi the way he did, he wouldn’t be surprised if she walked to the mall. The girl had an obsession with clothes.

  A red light stopped him cold. Bryan’s left leg jostled, and he tapped the steering wheel waiting for the light to change. How was he going to find Madi sitting here?

  His mind drifted. He felt sorry for his sister having to raise a teenager and three boys on her own. Her husband was of no help, and his parents had no idea what was going on. They wouldn’t understand Susan’s need for assistance. Instead, they might lecture her on what divorce did to kids and make her feel worse than she already did. Bryan didn’t want to snitch to his parents about Susan and Paul’s marital problems, but something had to change or else he might.

  Yet it wasn’t that long ago when his dad lectured him on what a mess he was making of his life. Bryan wouldn’t wish his father’s wrath on anyone, least of all his sensitive sister.

  The light turned green, and Bryan hit the gas. The tires made a screeching sound, and he winced. He’d better let up, or he’d be the one in trouble.

  His gaze darted right and left as he watched the people going in and out of the small shops lining the street. Where would a fifteen-year-old girl go? Another light stopped him before he turned left on 41st Avenue toward the Capitola Mall.

  His cell phone buzzed in his pocket. Had Madi returned home? Please, Lord, let it be good news.

  Bryan stuck in his earpiece and answered the call.

  “Bryan, it’s Lauren.”

  Why was Ashley’s sister calling? She’d only contacted him by phone once before when Ashley’s dad had fallen off a ladder and ended up in the hospital with a broken leg. But that was a year ago. He couldn’t handle more family troubles. Not when he had a missing niece and a troubled sister. “Hey, Lauren. What’s up?”

  “Calling to make sure you’ll be there tomorrow night at the weekly Stevens’ dinner.”

  “I plan to be. Why? What’s going on?”

  “You’ll find out tomorrow night. See you at six?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  What was that about? Odd. He’d call Ashley tonight and find out what she knew. Maybe Lauren’s husband got a promotion. He’d been talking about wanting his boss’s job since his manager spoke about moving and starting over. Must be stressful to be a manager of an advertising firm. Bryan shrugged it off. He’d find out soon enough. Right now, all that mattered was finding Madi.

  A girl wearing cut-off shorts and a red T-shirt was cutting through the large parking lot of Home Depot. Her long brown hair and slow gait looked familiar. Very familiar. Madi’s head was down and her thumbs moved quickly, working the letters on her cell phone. Probably texting a friend.

  Bryan turned his Ranger into the parking lot and cut the engine. Wouldn’t Madison be surprised to see him? He’d have to keep his cool if he had any chance of gaining her trust. He stepped out of his truck and called her name.

  She jerked her head around, and her eyes darted back and forth. Was she going to talk with him or run?

  Bryan dug his hands into his jean pockets and approached her slowly. “Hey, Magpie.”

  Her furrowed brows relaxed a little at the childhood nickname. “Hi, Uncle Bryan. I thought you were my mom for a second. Or did she send you?” she curled her upper lip and spat out the last five words.

  “No, she didn’t.” He wasn’t going to tell her that Ethan, her ten-year-old brother, called him. “I was at your house, but you probably already know that.”

  “I saw your truck—”

  “When you sneaked through the bathroom window and took off?” He kept his voice even.

  The muscle in Madi’s lower jaw flexed. “You don’t know what it’s like at home. Mom’s mad at me all the time. I can’t do anything right.”

  “Running away every time you’re frustrated won’t help—”

  “My dad obviously doesn’t care. And my mom doesn’t have time for me. She’s busy with work and the boys.” Madi’s cell phone dinged, signaling a text message. She glanced at the screen. “I’ve got to go. I’m meeting up with some friends.”

  “Madi, you can’t. Your mom wants you home.”

  “No! You don’t understand. I can’t go back there!” Madi backed away from him.

  He stepped toward her. “Madi, please. We’ll work this out. I know it’s been hard ever since your dad …” How could he put it gently?

  Madi’s eyes hardened. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  He didn’t either. Truth be known, Susan and Paul’s troubles shook his faith in marriage and put a question mark on his future with Ashley.

  An old blue Chevy pulled up beside them, a male teenager behind the wheel. The passenger door swung open.

  “Tell Mom I’ll be home in a few hours.”

  Bryan stiffened. Should he let her get into the boy’s car? What right did he have to make her stay? He fumbled for the right words. “I don’t know if this is a good idea. Your mom already told me she didn’t want you spending time with—”

  Madi rolled her eyes and got into the car. She didn’t so much as wave as they drove off.

  Bryan tightened his grip around his keys. Next time, he’d say what was really on his mind. That she was being a total brat and needed to respect her mom. No, he wasn’t like his father. Harsh words said in anger wasn’t his style.

  Once back at Susan’s house, he explained the situation.

  Susan slumped in the recliner, her eyes red-rimmed, causing her to look far older than her years. “Madi won’t come home until dark. If then.”

  Bryan took a seat across from her on the couch. “What makes you say that?”

  “She told me this morning she was going to run away. That living anywhere would be better than living here.”

  “Madi’s angry—”

  “It’s more than that.” Susan shifted her gaze out the back window. “I wouldn’t blame her if she did move out. I would, too, if I were her.”

  “Now you’re talking nonsense.”

  “Bryan, I can’t take it anymore. Madi’s turning into someone I don’t recognize. I don’t even know who I am anymore.” Tears slipped down Susan’s cheeks, her gaze focused on something in the distance. “What’s happening to my family?”

  Bryan leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, hands clutched together. “I don’t know what to say, other than I’m here for you.”

  Susan wiped her tears with shaky fingers and then looked directly at him. “You mean that?”

  He could help, as long as it didn’t take over his life. Should he draw the line now? After all, he had plans—plans that included a proposal and an upcoming marriage. That’s if he ever got past the panic attacks and actually proposed.

  Susan sat up straight in her chair and licked her lips. “Because I’ve been thinking long and hard about this, and I’ve come to a conclusion that would be the best for everyone in my family.”

  His stomach clenched. Did he want to know? “And what would that be?”

  “Can Madi move in with you?”

  “What?” Bryan popped off the couch and held up a hand. “No, Madi can’t live with me.”

  “Why not? You’re single, have a spare bedroom, and you said you wanted to help.” Susan stood and moved to the kitchen.

  Bryan followed her. “You can talk to Mom and Dad. They�
��re retired, have a three-bedroom house, and have all the time in the world to drive Madi around to all her activities … never mind cooking and cleaning up after her.” Even as he said the words, there was no way Susan would go for it. He wouldn’t either. “Besides, I saw how much of a mess kids make. Did you notice we cleaned the house last night?”

  “I’m not going to drag Mom and Dad into this. Yes, they’re retired, but they seem to be busier than ever. Dad’s always golfing, and Mom took a job at the church library. And don’t forget, they’re going on a month-long cruise next week.”

  “But you’ve got to tell them about what’s been going on. You can’t make excuses for Paul forever.” Maybe then his parents would see Susan as a real person instead of the ideal they’d made her out to be.

  “Who says I plan to keep anything from them?” Susan pulled a clear glass from the cabinet and filled it with water. “I just need some time to get used to this new arrangement before I open myself up to Mom and Dad’s scrutiny. They’re against divorce, you know.”

  Yes, he knew full well his parents’ views about divorce. They were his as well, another reason he’d taken so long to propose to Ashley. He didn’t want to marry only to end up a statistic.

  Susan took a swig of her water and took a minute to swallow before speaking. “I can hear Mom now, ‘Susan, dear, you need to get that man back. How are you going to support your children? You won’t be able to do it on your own. It’s better to deal with your marriage problems and stay together, no matter what it takes.’ ” Susan set her water glass down a little too harshly on the counter. Water sloshed over the side. “Bryan, I need to prove to myself that I can be a good single parent to my kids before I talk with Mom and Dad. I need a jump start, a little help to get me going. Know what I mean?”

  Did he understand? His sister never had to endure the finger pointing like he had growing up. The only thing he remembered was over-the-top praise. His sister could do no wrong.

  Whether or not he understood Susan’s feelings, how could he be the right person to take Madi? He didn’t know much about parenting kids, let alone raising a rebellious teenager. Bryan slumped against the cabinet. “Suz, I don’t know. You can’t hide your separation from Mom and Dad. And you definitely can’t expect your kids, or me for that matter, to keep a secret. Besides, Madi might not want to live with me. She didn’t listen when I asked her to come home—”

  “That’s because it’s what I wanted. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me.” Susan softened her tone. “She blames me for Paul leaving. Honestly, she blames me for everything. I can’t seem to do anything right.”

  “Madi said the same thing. Interesting, huh?” He followed Susan’s cue and got himself a water glass from the cabinet.

  Susan went to the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of iced tea. “It shows you we need a break from each other. A chance to have some space and gather our thoughts. If we don’t, I fear our relationship will be ruined permanently. We’ve said some hurtful things …”

  Bryan’s lips and tongue went dry like he’d swallowed a mouthful of sand. He didn’t know what to say, but something inside him couldn’t stand back and do nothing when his sister clearly was asking, no, begging, for help. He’d only just got to a place where he thought he was ready to make a commitment to Ashley. Could he risk it to help his sister and her family?

  One problem.

  Ashley wasn’t going to wait around for him forever. Family and friends were putting on the heat. Most people from church thought they were already married—or at least said they should be by now. He’d never had a solid answer of why it’d taken them so long to tie the knot. And now that he’d finally bought the ring …

  The silence between him and Susan grew.

  “Please think about it,” she ventured. “I promise I’ll talk with Mom and Dad as soon as they get back from their vacation. Right now, the wound is too fresh.”

  Her reasoning was understandable, and yet he didn’t like keeping secrets, especially for something as big as Paul’s presumed infidelity.

  Susan rubbed her nose. “Bryan, please. I really need your help. I don’t know what else to do.” Her voice cracked. Was she going to start crying again? He wouldn’t be able to take it.

  “If I let Madi come home with me—”

  “Yes?” Susan’s eyes brightened.

  “She’d have to follow my rules.”

  “Of course.”

  “And help me around the house.”

  “Totally understandable. She’s a good worker when she puts her mind to it.”

  “And let me know where she’s going at all times.”

  “You’re going to be a great dad one day, brother.”

  “I like it that you’re so agreeable.” Bryan nodded then shook his head. “But that doesn’t prove Madi’s going to listen to me.”

  “Believe me. I’m sure she’ll be ecstatic to get out of this house.” Susan let out a deep breath. “It’ll be good for the boys, too. They’ve suffered enough.”

  “Ethan told me they were hiding in the closet this morning when you and Madi were going at it.”

  Susan cringed. “I feel bad about that, but I can’t change what happened.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “Speaking of the boys, I sent Ethan to get them a while ago. I should see what’s taking them so long.”

  “I’ll wait right here in case Madi shows up.” Bryan sat by the kitchen table, a full glass of iced tea in his hand.

  When Susan left, the burden of bringing Madi home with him threatened to crush all of his plans. How could he propose, help Ashley plan a wedding, and teach while taking care of a troubled fifteen-year-old girl?

  6

  The floral aroma wrapped around Ashley in a sweet embrace the minute she walked into Tori’s small shop, Petals and Gifts.

  “Two sisters in one day. What a nice surprise.” Tori, round with the impending birth of her third child, called out as she wrapped a shiny silver ribbon around the blue and lavender floral arrangement.

  Ashley clutched her purse snugly under her arm, the photo of the little girl sitting beside her in the wagon tucked securely inside. She sidled up to the counter. “That’s gorgeous. I love the deep purple hues.”

  “Thank you. Sweet peas, lisianthus, and hydrangeas are one of my favorite combinations. Are you here to remind me about tomorrow night, too?”

  Ashley shook her head. “No. What’s that about? Lauren seems on edge.”

  “I have no clue. Said she’d let us know at dinner. If you ask me, I think she’s pregnant. She looked a little pale.” Tori set the arrangement aside and arched her back. “Oh, I’m stiff.”

  “I think you want her to be pregnant. Misery loves company, right?”

  “Very funny.” Tori sent her a cheeky grin. “But haven’t Lauren and Sean been trying a while? They’ve been married for what, five years now, and she’s not getting any younger.”

  “I have no idea.” Ashley picked up the scrap piece of ribbon and twisted it around her finger.

  “Did you want to order flowers?” Tori asked. “You could’ve called.”

  “Oh, no. I didn’t stop by for that.”

  “Okay.” Tori moved from behind the counter. “Do you need a gift? I have a new shipment of trinkets in back, or you can pick from what I have. Maybe a small basket of shells? Or a candle? This one smells nice.” She picked up a pale yellow one and brought it to her nose. “Mmm. It’s tiare, the Tahitian flower.”

  Time to get to the point of her visit.

  Ashley pulled the picture out of her purse. “I’m creating scrapbooks for Grandma and I found this photo. Do you recognize these girls?” Her voice wobbled. Please, Lord, let it be a birth relative.

  “Let me see.” Tori set the candle down, took the photo, and studied it. “This looks like you.” She pointed to the older girl. “But I don’t recognize the younger one. There’re no names on the back?”

  “No.” Disappointment settled in the
pit of Ashley’s stomach. At the time of her adoption, Tori would’ve been old enough to remember if she had a biological relative, especially a sibling.

  “Bring it tomorrow night. I’m sure Mom could tell you.” Tori once again lifted the candle off the shelf. “Here, I want you to have it. Light it while you soak in the tub. Read a good book. There’s nothing more relaxing.”

  “I’m more of a shower kind of girl. Who has the time?”

  Tori pressed the candle into Ashley’s hands. “Try it. You’ll love it. I promise.”

  Her sister had a way of pushing her way on others whether they wanted her to or not. In this case, she’d oblige. A bath sounded heavenly. Ashley smelled the candle. It reminded her of a tropical vacation, a dream honeymoon destination. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Tori untied her apron and set it on the counter. “If I didn’t wear one of these, my whole belly would be covered in water and leaves.” She laughed.

  “I hope I look as good as you when I’m pregnant one day.”

  Tori straightened the shelf to fill the gap where the candle had been. “So what else is new? How’s tall, dark, and handsome treating you? Any proposals on the horizon?”

  Ashley set down the candle and tucked the photo into her purse. “I thought he might propose the other night, but our plans changed. He needed to watch his nephews while Susan hunted for Madi. She’s giving Susan trouble.”

  “That’s too bad.” Tori’s brows knit together. “Are you sure he’s not using his family as an excuse to avoid popping the question?”

  “Bryan wouldn’t do that.” Would he?

  “But you did say you thought he was going to propose—”

  “Say, I’ve got to run,” Ashley cut in, making her way toward the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow night. Thanks for the candle.”

  Even if she knew more about the situation she wouldn’t share specifics with Tori. Her sister had strict opinions on childrearing, and Ashley wouldn’t get into a needless debate. Besides Tori was overprotective and had overreacted a time or two.

  “See you tomorrow night. Love you, sis.” Tori called after her. “Hey, take a soak in Grandma’s claw foot tub. You look a little stressed.”