Swan Point

“She’s not on the school grounds,” Margaret Towson told her. “I’ve had several people checking for the past twenty minutes or so. Do you want me to call Carter Rollins?”

“The police chief? Do you really think that’s necessary?”

“It’s standard procedure if a child disappears during the school day and the parents don’t know where they are, either. Do you have any idea where we might find Selena?”

Adelia felt tears gathering in her eyes. “No.”

“Perhaps I should check with her father then,” Margaret ventured, her tone tentative.

“No,” Adelia said quickly. “I’ll handle this. I’ll call Carter and start looking myself,” she said. “Thank you for letting me know so quickly, Margaret.”

“Adelia, I know Selena has been going through a difficult time. Her teachers are aware of it, as well. If there’s anything we can do to help, just ask.”

“Thanks.”

She disconnected the call and immediately called her boss. Raylene Rollins, rather than Raylene’s husband, Carter. The minute she explained the situation, Raylene said, “Lock up the store and go. I’ll be there in a few minutes to take over, but don’t wait for me. I’ll call Carter and tell him what’s going on. Try not to worry. Selena can’t have gone far. She might even be at home. Have you tried her cell phone or the phone at the house?”

“No. I wasn’t thinking,” Adelia admitted, completely shaken by the oversight. “I’ll do that now. Thanks for understanding, Raylene.”

“Don’t thank me. Just go. And call me the minute you find her.”

Adelia grabbed her purse from the office, put a closed sign on the door, then locked up the boutique. She opened the door to Sweet Things, drawing a startled look from Lynn.

“Is everything okay?” Lynn asked. “You’re white as a ghost.”

“The school just called. Selena’s missing.”

Lynn had her own cell phone out before Adelia could finish the sentence. “Mitch will start looking, too,” she reported. “What can I do?”

“Just call me if she shows up here or if your daughter has any idea where she might have gone. I know Lexie’s older, but kids hear things. I’m hoping this was just an impulsive decision, but with everything that’s happened lately, I can’t help worrying that she might have been planning to run away.”

“I’ll check with Lexie right now,” Lynn promised just as Mitch and Gabe came rushing into the bakery.

Mitch put steadying hands on her shoulders. “Stay calm,” he said quietly. “We’re going to find her. Gabe, why don’t you go with Adelia. I’ll start driving around town. Any place you think I ought to check first?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” she said, fresh tears gathering in her eyes.

She’d been so sure that Selena was handling the divorce okay. She was angry at her father, of course, but beyond that she seemed to be taking the move and all the rest in stride. The rebellion of a few months ago had seemingly vanished, replaced by resignation. Adelia should have seen through that. Apparently her mom-radar wasn’t as sharp as she’d thought.

“I’ve got this,” Gabe told Mitch. “You start looking.”

Mitch nodded. “I’ll start by the school and fan out from there. I’ll check with Carter, too, so we’re not duplicating our efforts.”

Gabe turned to Lynn. “How about a cup of tea? Something herbal, maybe?”

Adelia regarded him as if he were nuts. “I don’t have time to sit here and sip tea,” she said, starting toward the door.

Gabe blocked her path. “We’ll get it to go. It’ll help to calm your nerves so you can tell me where you want to start looking.”

“He’s right,” Lynn said, already handing her the to-go container. “I’ve put plenty of sugar in there for you. That’ll help, too.”

Adelia told herself she only accepted the cup so she could get out of the bakery, but in some part of her brain, she knew they were both right. The tea might help to settle her nerves so she could think straight.

With Gabe watching her closely, she took several sips, then met his gaze. “Satisfied?”

“It’s a start,” he said lightly. “Now let’s go find your daughter.”

Something in the way he said it, with full confidence that they’d be successful, reassured her, even though nothing had really changed in the past few minutes.

“I want to go by the house first. I’ve called and there was no answer, but that doesn’t mean she’s not there.”

“Where’s the house?”

“Swan Point.”

He nodded and turned in that direction. “Just tell me where to turn once we’re there,” he said.

The drive through the neighborhood of fewer than a dozen homes took only minutes, as did the search of the house. There was no sign of Selena, no bookbag tossed on the sofa or remnants of a snack in the kitchen.

“What about her father? Would she go to him?” Gabe asked.

“Not likely,” Adelia said, unable to keep a note of bitterness from her voice. “She’s very angry at him these days.”

“Anybody she’s especially close to?”

Adelia immediately brightened. “Her uncle. Elliott runs that new men’s gym just off Palmetto. You know the place?”

Gabe nodded. “I just joined.”

As they made the drive to Fit for Anything, Adelia’s mind started racing. “What if—?”

The words were no sooner out of her mouth than Gabe cut her off. “No what-ifs,” he declared firmly. “She hasn’t been missing long. If she’s upset, she’ll go someplace where she feels safe.”

“But she might not be thinking clearly,” Adelia protested, her panic returning. “She’s only thirteen, Gabe. I’m afraid I’ve been forgetting that myself. I should have been paying more attention. Instead, I was so worried about my younger kids, I missed all the signs that Selena was in real trouble. I was just grateful that she was no longer rebelling against the world.”

In front of the gym, she bolted from the car practically before it could come to a stop. Inside, she scanned the room until her gaze landed on her brother. He regarded her with alarm, which grew visibly when Gabe came in right on her heels.

Misreading the situation, Elliott stepped between them. “Is this guy bothering you, Adelia?”

She held up a hand. “No, it’s nothing like that. Selena’s missing. Gabe is helping me look for her. I thought maybe she’d come here to see you.”

Elliott shook his head. “I haven’t seen her. Let me check with Karen. She’s not working today. She’s at the house with the baby.”

Adelia felt herself starting to shake as her brother made the call to his wife. Then she felt Gabe’s steadying hand on her shoulder. He didn’t say a word, just kept his hand there until the moment passed.

Elliott listened intently to whatever Karen was saying, his expression brightening. “Thanks, querida. Adelia will be there in a few minutes.” Smiling, he turned to her. “Selena’s at my house playing with the baby. Karen didn’t think to call anyone because Selena told her she only had a half day at school and swore you knew where she was.”

Adelia finally let out the breath she felt like she’d been holding for hours. “Of course Karen believed her,” she said wryly. “Selena’s very convincing when she wants to be.”