A Daddy for Jacoby(69)
Landon and Racy left, but Justin grabbed hold of Gage. “You haven’t asked me about my meeting with Richard Ellsworth.”
“I figured we’d talk about that after Maggie and Landon headed home. Do you think he might have something to do with Jacoby taking off? Does Jacoby know they want custody of him?”
“He might have overheard us talking about it.”
Justin told his brother-in-law what he’d shared with Racy and Maggie. “I thought the kids were still outside, but maybe Jacoby came back in and heard me.”
“And he’s gone to find him?”
The thought of his little boy out in the dark was killing him. That he might be trying to get to his grandfather made him feel like someone had ripped open his chest and torn out his heart. “I don’t know. Should I check at the Destiny Inn, too?”
“Not yet. Chances are Jacoby hasn’t gotten that far, but I’ll cover that end of town. We don’t want to give Ellsworth any reason to doubt your ability to care for your son.”
“Any more than I doubt it myself?”
“Don’t worry.” Gage clapped him on the back. “We’ll find him.”
Justin raced to his truck and headed home. The cabin was dark, but he forced himself to go inside and check anyway. No Jacoby, but there was something missing. The new bike. He got back in his truck and headed into town, calling Gage in the process.
“He wasn’t at the cabin,” he said when his brother-in-law answered. “But the bike and helmet the Ellsworths gave him are gone. He must’ve come back for it.”
“Racy and Landon are still looking. I’ll head for the inn,” Gage replied. “Racy said you might want to check my mother’s house next.”
“Your mother’s?”
“I guess Racy and Jacoby were there earlier today visiting Gina. Your boy seems quite attached to my sister.”
“Would he even remember how to get there?” Justin asked.
“In a town the size of Destiny? Besides, he could ask anyone for directions.”
Justin remained silent.
“Hello?”
“Ah, yeah, you’re right. Jacoby really likes Gina.” Justin pushed the words past his dry throat. “I’ll go there now.”
He tried to call Gina’s cell phone, but she didn’t pick up. Moments later, he pulled up to the curb and raced to the front porch. He knocked loudly and waited.
Gina opened the door, surprise on her face. “Justin?”
He could already tell but he asked anyway. “Is Jacoby here?”
“No, why would you think—”
“He’s run away.”
His words changed the surprise on her face to shock and she reached for him. Justin backed away. He couldn’t let her touch him. If she did, he’d shatter into a million pieces.
“Please, come in.” She stepped back and opened the door wider.
“I can’t.” He started to back off the porch. “I need—I need to find him.”
“Let me help,” she said. “I’ll go with you.”
He stopped. “You don’t have to do that.”
Gina grabbed a jacket off a nearby hook and stepped across the threshold. “Of course I do.”
“Hey, sis,” Garrett appeared at the door as Gina started to close it. “Did I hear you say Jacoby’s missing?”
Gina and Justin turned in unison. “Do you know anything?” Justin asked.
Garrett shrugged. “It might be nothing, but I was just in the kitchen and I thought I saw a flash of light coming from the tree house in the backyard.”
Gina went back inside and Justin was right behind her as they crossed the living room and headed for the dark kitchen.
“How would Jacoby know about the tree house?” Gina asked.
“I told him,” Garrett said, joining them at the back door. “See? Right there.”
Justin saw the quick beam of light reflecting off the newly budded tree branches. He reached for the doorknob, but Gina stopped him, covering his hand with hers. His skin tingled with awareness at her touch, and they both sprang apart.
“L-let me go first.” Gina’s voice came out a shaky whisper. “We don’t want to scare him, if it is him.”
Justin nodded and stepped back.
Gina went outside first, crossed the large back deck and hurried down the steps to the grass. The tree house was among a cluster of trees in the corner of the yard. She reached the wooden ladder that rested against the base of the tree, then turned and waved at him.