Page 102 of Trusting Skulls

“She’s missing,” she says quietly, shaking her head as if she can’t believe what she’s saying.

“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry.”

“She was supposed to meet up with a friend of mine, but she never showed. They contacted her family because they were concerned … no one knows where she’s at.”

How awful. “So you’ve met her?”

“No. That is why my friend was meeting with her. She contacted her because she somehow found out who her father was. She knew her mother was a student of his.”

“She thinks your friend is her mother?”

Elizabeth nods. “God, I’d always hoped I’d made the right decision, but now I don’t know. What if she …” Her face contorts with thoughts of what may have become of her daughter.

“If you protected her from a bad man, then I can assure you, you did the right thing.”

She hugs me around the neck. “I’m sorry no one protected you, Lexie. I promise I will always be here for you. Come on. This is a happy day. I don’t know why I brought it up.” She holds out her hand and helps me to my feet.

“Because you’re concerned. You’ve helped me so much, the least I can do is listen to your worries.”

She gives me one final squeeze. “You look beautiful.”

Ash sent me a text telling me to dress comfortably. I was planning on it anyway, because we’re not going any farther than the couch, but I’m glad he eased my mind on what to wear.

I know I’ll have to go into town eventually, but I’m not quite ready. Lily stopped by and talked to me about my fears this morning. She had a similar situation where she had to deal with the press and everyone knowing intimate details about her life.

Elizabeth helps me out to the living room. “I’ll tell Ash you’re ready,” she says.

The three of them walk in together. Ash heads straight for me with a bundle of bright wildflowers in his hand. “For you.”

His smile puts me at ease, and I relax a little. “They’re beautiful.” I stick my nose in them, and the tears I managed to keep at bay earlier don’t take no for an answer this time. No one has ever given me flowers.

“I’ll put them in some water for you,” Elizabeth says, taking them from me.

“Are you ready for our date?” Ash says, holding his hands out for me to take.

My stomach falls. “I thought we were staying here.”

“We are,” he assures me, and it’s like a parachute that lowers me safely to the ground. Ash would never put me in a situation I’m not ready for.

I take his hands and then let him help me to the door.

“Have her home by midnight,” JD jokes.

Elizabeth rolls her eyes. “Have fun you two.”

I’m literally so confused. Where are we going?

Ash guides us toward his truck.

I stop halfway there. Are we in two different dimensions? I just told him I didn’t want to leave.

His face softens. “Just look at it, Lexie.”

When my gaze roams over his truck, I gasp.

He laughs and bows before me. “Welcome to the Junkyard Drive-In.”

Ash clicks a button, and little lights turn on over the back of his truck. He has cushions laid in the bed, and a movie screen set up on the tailgate.

---