Page 30 of Dark Memories
“I love you, too, Daddy.” She yawned.
“Sleepy?”
“I think so.” She glanced down at the dog curled up on her lap. “Ollie can sleep with me, okay?”
He wasn’t sure he wanted a dog in his daughter’s bed, but he couldn’t find it in himself to deny her tonight. And if the dog had been a comfort to her the past two days, he wouldn’t take the little guy away from her.
“Yeah, Baby Girl, he can.” He glanced up to see Delaney was watching them in the rearview mirror, an amused smile on her face. He winked, then chuckled when she jerked her gaze away.
Now that he had his daughter back, he could turn his attention to Delaney. And she could count on that happening.
“Daddy?”
“Hm, baby?” She looked away, her expression troubled. “What is it, Kali?”
“Is Larson… is he—”
“He’s fine, Baby Girl. But he’s worried about you. You can call him in the morning and talk to him.” He glanced down at his daughter when she didn’t answer to see her fast asleep, her head leaning to the side. Her question reminded him that she’d seen Larson shot, and he made a mental note to find the best children’s therapist in Dark Falls.
When they reached home, he carried her inside. Delaney followed him in with the dog. “Let me put her to bed, and then I’ll take him out.”
“I’ll do it. You want me to bring him up?”
“Please. I promised her he could sleep with her. Hopefully he’s house-trained.”
She grinned. “Guess you’ll find out.”
Kali didn’t wake when he got her out of the clothes she’d worn for the past two days and into her pajamas. He sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze on his daughter. How traumatized was she? Would she have nightmares? The rage that someone would do this to a child resurfaced. He’d like ten minutes in a room with the men who’d taken her and shot Larson.
“Mission accomplished,” Delaney quietly said as she entered.
“Thank you.”
She set the dog on the bed, and he curled up next to Kali’s side, put his head on her arm, and closed his eyes. Zach had to admit that he was a cute little thing with his fluffy white fur and underbite.
“Is there a chance that the owner will be able to take him away from Kali? She’s really attached to him.”
“I guess it depends on who in the house owned him and what happens tonight. Let’s worry about that tomorrow after we know more.”
He brushed strands of hair from Kali’s mouth. “I could have lost her.” Now that the exhilaration of finding her and bringing her home was wearing off, the what-ifs were sneaking into his mind, impossible to vanquish. What if she’d been another Abbie?
“But you didn’t.” She put a hand on his shoulder. “She’ll be okay, Zach. She has you, and for her that’s everything.”
It didn’t escape him that she often touched him now, despite her no-touching rule. Was that only yesterday? Seemed like eons ago.
“I’m going to collect my things and head home.”
“Stay. Please.” He didn’t want to be alone, not tonight. He’d been running on fear for his daughter and his resolve to bring her home for the past two days, and thoughts of what could have happened if they’d failed were now haunting his mind.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Just to talk.” He stood, put his hand on her back, and walked out of the room with her. “I have a favor to ask,” he said when they reached the hallway. Leaving Kali’s door open so he could hear her if she woke up or had a nightmare, he took Delaney’s hand. “Come. I could use a drink.”
His favor really was just that, an appeal to help him and Kali deal with the kidnapping and whatever she’d gone through. It had the added bonus of keeping Delaney around, but he’d keep that part to himself.
Chapter Ten
Since she was off duty for the night, Harry accepted the glass of wine Zach offered. He poured himself a whiskey from an expensive-looking bottle, then lifted his glass to hers.
