The Bad Daughter(76)

“Well, considering the circumstances,” Terri said. “I can’t believe what happened. The whole town’s in shock.” Terri reached in her purse and removed her cell phone, punching in a series of numbers while she spoke. “But it’s fabulous news about Cassidy. You must be so relieved.”

“I am. Wait—what are you doing?”

“I’m just going to tell Grant, my husband. He’s a reporter for the Tehama Today section of the Redding Record Searchlight. It’s included in the Sunday edition of the paper. You must read it. Yes, hello,” she said into her phone. “Can I speak to Grant Norris? It’s important.”

“No. Please don’t do that.”

“Put your phone away,” Blake said.

“Who are you?” Terri took several steps back, holding her phone close to her chest.

“This is Blake Upton, my fiancé.”

“Well, nice to meet you, Blake. But it’s a free country.”

“Please, Terri,” Robin began, “I’m sure you understand what a difficult time this is—”

“And I’m sure that you understand that this is the biggest thing to happen in Red Bluff in years. People have a right to know.”

“Look, Terri,” Robin said, fighting to maintain control when what she really wanted to do was punch the woman in her stupid Alice in Wonderland face. “I would consider it a great favor if you would keep this quiet, at least for a couple of hours, until we can get Cassidy home. The last thing she needs right now is to be hounded by a bunch of reporters.”

Terri looked from Robin to Blake, then back to Robin. She returned the phone to her ear. “Grant,” she said, “I’ll have to call you back.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“Guess a few hours won’t make much difference. Tehama Today doesn’t come out till Sunday anyway.”

“Thank you,” Robin said again, eager now to get out of the store. She turned back to Miranda, whose eyes were open so wide that her lashes appeared stuck to her eyebrows. “Do you think Cassidy would like what you’re wearing?”

“Are you kidding? Cassidy would love this. And I’m pretty sure we have it in her size. Yep,” she said, locating both the shirt and the shorts on the display table. “Here they are.”

“Great.”

Blake insisted on paying for the items, and they hurriedly left the store. Robin turned back briefly and saw Terri already talking on her phone.



* * *



—

They arrived at the hospital half an hour later, having stopped at Walmart to pick up underwear and a pair of Crocs.

“This is so cool,” Cassidy exclaimed from her bed, clutching the lime-green top and the patterned shorts to her chest. Her hair was brushed away from her pale face and secured behind both ears with matching butterfly barrettes, making her look even younger than her twelve years. “I love everything.”

“We’re glad,” Robin said. “I was afraid they might be a little too…I don’t know…”

“Oh, no. They’re perfect. Did you pick them out, Blake?”

“No, they were Robin’s choice.”

“The salesgirl was wearing them,” Robin explained. “Miranda.”

“Oh, Miranda. I love her. Didn’t you love her?”

“She was very helpful.” Robin handed Cassidy the bag from Walmart. “Some underwear and a pair of green Crocs. I hope they fit.”

Cassidy withdrew the panties from the bag, laughing as she turned them over in her hands. “They’re kind of gross.”

“Gross?”

“Mommy always used to buy me thongs.”

Of course she did, Robin thought. “Oh. Well, I guess we can stop and get you some of those.”

“It’s all right. I have lots at home. I can get them later.”

Robin and Blake exchanged worried looks.

“No, it’s okay,” Cassidy said. “Sheriff Prescott was here before. He said that he’d go with me whenever I felt ready.”

“There’s plenty of time for that,” Robin said. “I wouldn’t rush it.”

“No, it’s important,” Cassidy insisted. “Sheriff Prescott said the sooner, the better. He said that maybe if I’m back in the house, I might remember something. Something important.” She smiled, as if trying to reassure them. “And I can pick up my clothes when I’m there.”

“Well, we can talk about that later,” Blake said. “What do you say we get you home first?”

“Okay.” Cassidy pushed back her covers, swiveling gently around and swinging her bare legs over the side of the bed. She paused for a second to take a deep breath before looking up at Blake. “Could you help me?”

“Sure thing.” He was instantly at her side, holding on to her waist as her feet touched the floor.

“Do you need help putting these things on?” Robin asked.

“Maybe.”

“I’ll wait in the hall,” Blake said.

Robin undid the ties at the back of Cassidy’s hospital gown, noting the large bandage wrapped around the child’s upper torso. Dear God. “There’s a bra in the bag. Nothing fancy,” she said, hearing Melanie’s voice twist through her words. “I wasn’t sure what size you are.”