Page 4 of Twice Missing
Kerri appeared in the doorway, hair mussed from sleep, wrapped in a thick robe. Her eyes lit up at the sight of coffee. "You're a lifesaver," she said, gratefully accepting a cup.
"Long night?" Noah asked, taking in the dark circles under her eyes.
"Too long."
“How were the kids?"
"Good. They watched a movie last night. Stayed up a little late. I'll go wake them."
"No rush. I'm a little early."
"Take a seat," Kerri offered, gesturing to the kitchen table. As Noah settled into a chair, she asked, "Can I make you some breakfast?"
"Already eaten."
A wistful smile played at Kerri's lips. "I remember the mornings Luke would roll in." Pain flashed across her face, there and gone in an instant. "You two are so alike, and not just because you were twins or worked for the department." She paused, then suddenly brightened. "Oh, hey, I forgot to give you this..."
Kerri rummaged through a stack of papers on the counter, producing an envelope. Noah opened it, slidingout a card. Happy Birthday, it read in his children's handwriting.
"The kids wanted to give you that. I completely forgot."
Noah chuckled. "Only a few weeks late, but hey, much appreciated."
Kerri leaned against the counter, studying him over the rim of her mug. "You considered hanging up the hat?"
"And doing what?"
"Living, Noah," Kerri said, her tone gentle but firm.
"I live."
"The job," she finished for him, cutting off his protest.
Noah groaned, unable to stifle a yawn. "What else would I do with my time?"
"Oh, I don't know, fish, jog, take up a hobby. Visit us more often."
"You know you're always welcome out at the house."
"I do, but it's not much use if you're not there," Kerri replied, just as Mia shuffled into the kitchen, running her hands through her tangled hair.
"Wouldn't make a difference, Aunty, even when he's there, he's not there," Mia quipped, heading straight for the fridge. She pulled out the milk carton and took a long swig.
"Mia. Just make yourself at home," Noah admonished, though there was no real heat in his words.
Kerri waved it off. "Don't worry, Austin does it all the time. A little habit he picked up from Luke."
"And I picked mine up from you," Mia retorted, replacing the milk.
"Is your brother awake?" Noah asked.
"Just getting his stuff together."
The next ten minutes saw the kitchen slowly fill as Austin, Willow, and Ethan joined them. The air hummed with the comfortable chaos of breakfast preparation and easy chatter. Noah caught up with Kerri, listening to the latest developments in her real estate career and the kids' school lives.
As he drained the last of his coffee, Noah stood, giving Axel a final pat. "Alright, let's go," he announced to Mia and Ethan.
They were nearly out the door when Noah's phone buzzed insistently in his pocket. He raised a finger, stepping into the mud room for privacy. "Sutherland," he answered.
