Page 81 of No More Words

“I know that.”

Olivia rebooted the computer and waited for the password prompt. She scooted aside. “You want to enter it?”

“Go for it.” He nodded at the keyboard. “It hasn’t changed.”

She logged on and started the defragmentation to free up more space.

“I notice you’ve been watching your brother and sister. They’re pretty close, aren’t they?” he asked, packing his briefcase. Olivia nodded. “What about you and Lily? Still get along like you used to?” She shook her head. “Sorry about that, Princess. Maybe things will change when you get older.”

She wasn’t sure about that. They were drifting apart faster than two kayaks caught in the tide.

He dropped a hand on her shoulder. “My brother and I were never close. I survived. You will too. Don’t let them bother you. Just worry about yourself and you’ll be fine. You only need to rely on you.”

“And you, Daddy?” she asked, looking up at him.

“Always, Princess. I’d never turn my back on you. In fact, you come to me anytime, no matter the problem. No matter how much trouble you’re in. I’ll be there for you. Those dreams get worse, you see me,” he instructs, trying not to look bothered. But Olivia can tell he’s concerned about her. Or maybe he’s concerned about the contents of her dreams. He told her once when she was scared or hurt, so was he. If she was sad, he felt sad, too.

Her smile was heavy. “I will.”

He gestured at the monitor. “How long is that going to take?”

“Long. You can finish packing. I’ll stay here.” She didn’t need to watch it, but what else would she do? Her friends were on vacation. She was too young to get a job. And naps were for babies.

Dwight dropped a kiss on her head. “You’re the best daughter ever.”

“Love you.” She lifted a hand when he left the room and doodled until something better came along. She drew a picture of her dad with a cape and left the sketch on the desk. He’d see it when he returned and know that she thought of him as the best dad in the world. Her superdad.

CHAPTER 30

They make good time to Oceanside. Olivia takes an exit that points them toward the Pacific. She eases down her window. Josh does the same. The air smells of salt and diesel. Traffic, congested and noisy, moves slowly. She drops the visor to block the glaring afternoon sun as they inch toward the beach.

Josh leans as far forward as his seat belt allows, anxious to get home. His knee bounces and his gaze swings everywhere, taking in the scene. Concrete and palm trees. Cyclists in flip-flops on beach cruisers. The blue-gray ocean ahead where the water swirls like her emotions: hope that Lily is home, worry that she isn’t, and the fear she’s been abducted, injured, or killed.

“Recognize anything?” She keeps her emotions and thoughts in check so she won’t alarm Josh.

“Yes.” He gestures at the windshield. “Go.”

They reach an intersection and Olivia takes a left at the light. Pine is several blocks up. She goes to make a turn and a car cuts her off. She’s forced to continue straight until they come to a dead stop at a construction zone. Pylons line the painted median. A sign flashes about traffic delays. Cars idle bumper to bumper. The navigation system vocalizes her route correction.

Olivia’s hands drop to her lap. She weaves her fingers to keep from fidgeting. Her head leans back against the rest. “This shouldn’t take too long.”

Josh pivots, looking out the rear window. “There. Go back.” She hears the anxiety in his voice, sees it in the upward tilt of his brows.

“We can’t turn around until we pass this.” She leans right to see how far back they are but can’t see anything beyond the truck in front of them.

Josh groans, exasperated, and flings off his seat belt.

“Keep that on. We’re still driving.” But Josh is out the door, shouldering his pack before she realizes what he’s doing.

“I’m going.” He shuts the door and rounds the rear. “Follow.”

Follow him?She can’t. She’s stuck.

“Josh! Get back here,” she yells out the window. He jogs across the street and her heart does an erratic dance. “Shit,” she mutters.

Her phone rings. Amber’s contact information brightens the dash monitor. Olivia taps the call answer button. “Amber, oh, my god. I’m stuck in traffic and Josh just ditched the car.” She looks behind her to see where he went, cursing that the cars ahead haven’t moved. Her heart rate is jacked, constricting her chest. She can’t see him anywhere.

“Where are you?”

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