Page 39 of Gypsy's Lady
“And to Saxon.”
It was Nary’s turn to rollher eyes, but she agreed in an only slightly vexed tone, “And Saxon.”
“Do you think Talon could look up someone for me? Or Melissa?” Nary’s expression smoothed, losing every bit of amusement it had held only a moment agoandKelsey knew what was going through her mind. “Nuh-no, not for where we…not that.”
“Then what?” Nary’s voice was quiet and careful, a tone she’d used with Kelsey so oftenit was only now Kelsey recognized it as Nary’s attempt to keep her calm.Ruby doesn’t speak to me like that. Guilt rushed through her veinsandshe sagged a bit, angry at herself for the thought.Ruby also didn’t live with me through hell.
“I-I have a brother. Alan.”
Nary’s face lit up from insideandshe was nodding before Kelsey finished speaking, understanding immediately what Kelsey wanted.“Of course, honey. Talon, Dad, Saxon, and everybody else will be on that as soon as they can. What can you tell me about him?”
“He was in themilitary. I think Royal Navy, but I’m not certain.”
“How old is he? You said his name is Alan?”
Kelsey nodded. “Alan, he was eight years older than me. I don’t remember too much, Mum destroyed everything she had to do with him after he left.”
Nary frownedand looked around the bathroom behind her, finding a magazine on the edge of the sink. She grabbed what looked like eyeliner from a basket on a shelf. Tongue in the corner of her mouth, she balanced the tablet behind the faucet, angled so Kelsey could still see her, then sat on the edge of the bath, magazine propped on one leg. Using the eyeliner as a pencil, she scribbledfora minute, then withoutlooking up said, “So we’re looking for anything on an Alan Rye, age thirty-eight give or take a year,militaryprobably navy, but, I’ll have them check the army, too.” Her chin tipped upandshe fastened her gaze on Kelsey through the camera. “Question for you, my sweet Kelsey. I know Gypsy has connections, and he knows Melissa, too. He’d do this for you. Why are you asking me?”
Her eyes welledwith stingingwetand Kelsey stared hard, willing her tear ducts into submission.Finallyunder control, she whispered, “Gypsy’s done so much. And he gets troubled when I’m sad. The last I remember hearing about Alan was my mum telling me he was gone.” She sniffed. “Wh-what if she meant he’s dead, Nary?”
“Don’t borrow trouble.” Nary’s mouth set in a stern line and she nodded briskly at her ownwords. “I don’t think you’re giving Gypsy enough credit, but I’ll be happy to do this for you. We’re sisters, right?” Kelsey nodded, not trusting her voice yet. “And sisters stick together.” Nary waited until Kelsey nodded again. “So that’s what we’re going to do.” Nary yawned, covering her mouth with a hand like she’d done during her giggles, then told Kelsey, “I’m going back to bed. I’ll let youknow when we find out anything.”
“Good or bad.” Kelsey needed the promise, and Nary didn’t disappoint.
“Good or bad, it’s all kale salad. We’ll tackle whatever we find out together.” They shared a smile and the call disconnected.
Kelsey cradled the tablet to her chest, going back over her morning. The dream she’d woken from had been so vivid, his voice so clear it was as if he were in the room.Even when she’d woken, the illusion persisted, her mind firmly convinced when she walked out, she’d not only find Gypsy, the man she was coming to love, but also her long-lost brother, Alan.
