Addison (The Mitchell/Healy Family #6)(46)

Chapter 18


Addison


“Dad. What are you doing here?”

I’d just pulled up at Cole’s trailer when I spotted my father coming outside.

“We’re all out looking for your cousin. It seems she pulled a fast one this afternoon while you were gone.”

“Why would she hide?” I acted like I didn’t know.

My dad gave me a weird look. “Your aunt and uncle just want her to be safe. The guy she’s running around with is trouble. He’s wanted for armed robbery. Your uncle Conner found a concealed weapon in Cassie’s dresser yesterday.”

“Holy crap. Cole will be here any second. We’ll help you find her.”

The rumbling of a motorcycle motor started getting louder. I watched my father looking around to witness Cole pulling up. It was obvious he didn’t approve of his new wheels. “Have you been on that bike?”

“No. He just got it.”

He pointed at me, waiting until the motor was turned off so Cole could hear. “I want you to know I don’t approve of this. If I find out you’re on the back of that thing, you’ll catch hell.”

Cole chimed in, and I felt my hopes of them hitting it off circling in the toilet. “With all due respect, sir, I think you’re daughter is old enough to make her own choices. I respect you for wanting to keep her safe, but I can assure you I want the same thing.”

“Do you like having a roof over your head, son?”

Cole stood at attention, like he was back in the Army. “Of course. I appreciate what your family has done to help me.”

“Keep your thoughts to yourself. That’s my daughter. She’ll always be my daughter.”

“I understand. Sorry if I overstepped.”

My dad gave him a once over. “My daughter tells me you were in the service.”

“Yes, I was.”

“Where did you meet my daughter?”

“We were both at the hospital one day at the same time. She was friends with my foster brother. She gave me a ride home one day, and we’ve been seeing each other ever since.”

“Around here it’s proper to ask the dad if it’s okay to date his daughter.”

“Dad, really?” I’d heard enough of his third degree on my boyfriend. “Don’t we have more pressing matters to tend to?”

“Fine. You’re right. We don’t have the time.” My dad reached out and shook Cole’s hand. “I’m giving you permission. Don’t make me regret it.”

“I won’t, sir.”

My father hopped back on the gator, a gas powered farm vehicle, and took off down the dirt lane.

“What was that about?” Cole asked.

“I’ll explain later. Come on. We need to find my cousin. She might be in trouble.”

We’d been searching for a good ten minutes. I’d explained all I knew to Cole, frantic that Cassie might be in danger. Then, as we checked a spot we frequented in the woods, a little shack we used to play in, my phone rang.

It was my sister. “Chris?”

“Addy, is anyone with you?” She was whispering.

“Just Cole.”

“Good. Don’t bother looking for Cassie. She’s not missing.”

“What? You found her?”

“No. I’ve known where she was all along. I promised I’d keep it a secret.”

“What? Why?”

“They’re gone. I gave her money.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Why would you do that?” Had my sister lost her damn mind? This was serious. Cassie could be in trouble.

“Because if I didn’t do it she’d have nothing. Cassie’s not coming back, at least not for a while.”

“Where did she go?”

“Somewhere west. Probably Vegas. They didn’t say. She said she wanted to explore the world. She knew her parents wouldn’t allow it. This was the only way. You know what it’s like to have overbearing parents.”

“Chris, Uncle Conner found a gun in her possession. They’re probably armed. He’s a criminal. What have you done?”

“Stop playing around. They’re just two people in love.”

Cole kept looking at me, waving his hands around, wondering what was going on.

“Chris, Dad told me about it. They’re worried for her safety.”

My line went silent.

“Please tell me you’re joking.”

“How much money did you give her?”

“A grand. Ethan and I gave her a grand.”

I felt sick to my stomach. Cassie was gone and none of us could reach her. “What about her phone? Would she answer if it was one of us?”

“It’s in the garbage at my house. They broke both phones in half.”

“The car? Can we track the car?”

“Uncle Conner called the police. They said since she’s not officially been missing for twenty-four hours they can’t put out a missing person’s report. Uncle John called in a favor. He’s sending a unit out to help. We’re waiting for it to get here. He wanted to make sure she wasn’t hiding out before doing it, but Aunt Amy is a nervous wreck. What should I do? Should I tell them she’s gone?”