Page 27 of Missing Marcus

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call,” Jackie admonished.

“I won’t. Good night.” She disconnected the call.

She went down her contacts, searched for her boss’ number, andthen hit dial.

“Why hello, Gabrielle. I didn’t expect to hear from you on the weekend. I hope you aren’t working too hard,” Mr. Wilkinson answered.

“No, sir. I’m calling because I have some bad news. I’m afraid the car’s totaled. Someone ran me off the road.”

“Oh, no, Gabby. How are you, my dear?” he asked.

“I’m fine. I have a doctor’s note, but I hope to continue to work from home if you don’t mind. I’ll need the number to contact the insurance company. If you can let me know what I owe for a deductible, I can arrange to pay you,” she rushed.

“Don’t even consider it. It’s registered to the business, and that’s what I pay insurance for. I’m relieved to hear you and the baby didn’t get hurt,” he replied, concerned.

“We’re fine. I’m sure by the end of the weekend, I’ll be right as rain,” she assured the older man.

“Glad to hear it. I don’t like you staying by yourself after such an incident,” he said earnestly. “Do you want me to send someone over to help you?”

“I’m staying with a friend and in good hands. Thank you for understanding.” She sat on the bed.

“You’re part of our family, Gabrielle. We take care of each other, even when things go wrong.”

Gabby barely contained the shudder at his tone. “Good night.” She disconnected the call.

Her hands shook as she laid her phone beside the bed, noticing someone charged it for her. She pondered if Marcus did it. He constantly plugged her device in at night when he returned from deployment and admonished her for letting the battery drain. What if something happened? He wanted her always to reach him if she needed him. Yet he handed her off to strangers as if she meant nothing. Like all the other times, he disappeared when she needed him the most.

16

Gabby moved the pillow away from her arm and slowly rose from the bed. She peered over at the fresh clothes forlornly. After attempting to remove her clothing, she gave up trying to change. The pants came off easily, but with the protruding belly, a broken arm, and a bruised shoulder, she hurt too much to care.

The urge to use the bathroom grew stronger. Gabby opened the door, cautiously crossing the hall and into the bathroom. She shimmied her pants down and let out a relieved sigh when she didn’t need to ask for help.

She carefully washed her hands and did her best to fix her hair. When she finished, she followed the smell of sausage and pancakes.

“Good morning,” she cheerfully greeted Nugget and Bryanna. “Oh, wow. I didn’t know I stayed with a baker and a chef,” she exclaimed at seeing the little girl beside Bryanna flipping a pancake.

“Morning,” Bryanna greeted.

“Good morning. I’m making pancakes. You can have two because I used all the batter and flipped the last one on the floor. I bet if I got a dog like Rollo, he’d clean up the floor lickety split. Then you won’t have to help me, Mama. I know it’s hard because Melody said her mom got fat when baby Grace was in her belly and then she popped out and her mama’s tummy got flat again.”

Bryanna gave her a stern glance. “The baby grows inside her tummy and her belly has to expand to make room for it. When you call Aunt Catherine fat, it sounds hurtful and unkind. I know it’s not what you mean but people come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s what we see inside that matters the most. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mama. I didn’t mean it. Her belly looked big like Santa’s. We say he’s a jolly, fat man,” Nugget reasoned.

“You’re right,” Bryanna agreed. “It’s not nice of us to say it about Santa when he brings us such lovely gifts. He’s a very kind person.”

“Does it mean Daddy shouldn’t tell Uncle Leo he’s getting fat from eating all those donuts you make?” she asked innocently.

“Yes. I’ll speak to your father today about his bad decisions.”

“Oh, good. You better tell Uncle Shadow, too. He told Uncle Taco to move his fat ass and get out of the way when Daddy took me to PT while you saw the doctor. It hurt Uncle Taco’s feelings and he punched Uncle Shadow in the arm. Aunt Tess pointed her finger at him and said it’s not nice to hit people. I agreed with her. But she didn’t yell at Uncle Shadow. Will you tell him, too?”

Bryanna sighed and shook her head while Gabby chuckled behind her hand. Her former friend apparently had her hands full with this cheeky little girl.

“I’ll ask Aunt Avie to talk to Uncle Shadow. We don’t say the word ass. It’s not a nice word.” She arched a brow at her daughter.

Nugget’s lips pursed together as she worked out the problem. “If it’s not a nice word, then why does Uncle Ryder tell Aunt Claire she has a nice ass and she smiles?”

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