Page 90 of To Belong Together
The thought of her father waiting for her in the dark morning tempted her to go alone. However, John’s emotional distance would allow him to rationally determine where to look. He’d take the wheel, freeing her to peer out the window.
And she wanted his company.
If only she could erase her doubts about him.
And find Dad, so joy wouldn’t feel wrong.
Helpless on all fronts, she put a pot of coffee on and called the overnight search coordinator for updates. At quarter to six, she cooked an egg, topped it with cheese, and slid it between halves of a toasted English muffin. A gift for John rather than her own breakfast, since the casserole from last night still weighed heavily in her stomach.
As she wrapped the sandwich in a paper towel so he could eat it on the road, she paused.
She’d gone and cooked for him again, after she’d made such a big deal about not being the type of woman who would do that.
A knock at the door, ten minutes early, saved her from analyzing her actions. She swiped up the breakfast sandwich and crossed to the entrance.
She pulled the door open. “Hey, I made you …” She stopped.
Uncle Nick stood on her step, not John.
She retreated from the door to collect her coat from the closet so she’d be ready when he did arrive. “What brings you here?”
Nick left the door ajar as he stepped inside, probably knowing neither of them would be there long. “I called your mom about searching some of our old stomping grounds in Mildale from when we were kids. She said you know better than she does if the town’s already been searched.”
Erin pulled the coat on and returned to the kitchen to find travel mugs. “We put Mildale on the list. I think they’ve cruised through, but even if he wanted to go back there, in his state …”
“He’d likely get lost long before he made it that far.” Her uncle followed her. “That’s why I didn’t go yesterday.”
She filled the first thermos and twisted the lid on. “Maybe I should’ve ruled out his fishing spots for the same reason, but we checked them anyway. He’s got to be somewhere.”
“I’ll check Mildale then. I know the area, the school, the old farmhouse, places we used to hang out.”
Erin prepped the second travel mug and placed it next to the first by the cooling breakfast sandwich. She checked the time on the oven. Still two minutes to six.
“So you have a friend.” Nick motioned to the coffees. “Your mom said that’s why Awestruck’s been helping.”
“Did Mom also tell you how much other help she needs?”
Nick crossed his arms, a silent no.
“She and Dad are losing the house.”
He opened his mouth but didn’t speak. Probably for the best, considering the negative furrows in his forehead.
“I need you to give me better jobs so I can help them.”
He lifted his hands. “You know where that stands.”
“Seniority wasn’t such an issue before John took his car to Rodney’s. You said to get his business back, no matter what it took, and I’ve obviously done that. Gannon will probably bring his cars by too.” What was the third band member’s name? Philip. But she hadn’t even met him. Mentioning Gannon had been enough of a stretch. “If it’s celebrities you want as customers, I’d say I’ve earned the right to pick my own jobs again.”
“Sam and Roy have bills to pay too. We don’t need everyone facing foreclosures.”
“Then don’t take anything from them. Give me a raise, or I’ll have to find a new job. Do you want to see if my friends move their business with me?”
“This isn’t the time for this, Erin.” Uncle Nick’s rounded shoulders and the bags under his eyes echoed the statement.
He was right, but if she didn’t bring in more money, then she couldn’t save the house.
A knock sounded, and footfalls crossed the living room. John stepped into the space beside her uncle. “Morning.”
