Chapter 15
Bailey looked up from the change she was counting out to a customer and just about burst into tears.
Cristie was standing there with Remi’s dad.
Bailey finished giving her customer change, handed them their cups of coffee, then rushed around the counter and grabbed Cristie in a hug any self-respecting bear would be proud of.
“I’m so glad you’re here!” Bailey exclaimed tearfully.
Cristie hugged her back and waited until Bailey managed to get herself under control to gently pull away. “That’s what I’d call a greeting,” Cristie said.
Bailey smiled at her while she used her fingertips to blot away the few tears that had escaped her. “And you, too, Mr. Daniel. I’m happy to see you.”
“You, too, Bailey. Thank you for calling Cristie. I’m sorry you had to get in the middle of it, but thank you just the same. Avaleigh and I are grateful,” Daniel said.
“I’m sure if you’d known, you’d have done the same,” Bailey said. “I understand hierarchy and all, but I just kept thinking, why is nobody calling Cristie?!”
“Thankfully, you did.”
“When did you get here?” Bailey asked.
“Last night. We searched for him all night, with zero luck I might add, but we’re not giving up. We came in for caffeine, then we’re off again,” Cristie said.
“What will you have? My treat,” Bailey said, hurrying back behind the counter.
“Anything vanilla and caramel,” Cristie said. “Extra sugar, extra caffeine.”
“You got it, and Mr. Daniel?” Bailey asked.
“Something strong and black,” Daniel answered.
“Coming right up,” Bailey said. While she busied herself getting their orders, a couple of more customers entered and stood in line waiting for their turn.
Bailey gave both Cristie and Daniel extra-large coffees, then filled two plates with a variety of sweet donuts and bacon, egg, and cheese croissants.
When she was done, she handed them a tray with everything on it.
“If you need anything else, just let me know,” Bailey said.
“This is too much, Bailey. Let me pay you,” Cristie exclaimed.
“Nope. You’re here because I called you.
The least I can do is feed you. And you, too, Mr. Daniel,” she said, when she saw him taking his wallet out.
“Your money is no good here. Y’all enjoy,” she said, then turned her attention to the customers standing behind them.
“Hi! Good morning, what can I get you?” she asked, very politely ending the conversation between Cristie and Daniel and herself.
Daniel shook his head as he took the tray from Cristie. “I guess that’s that,” he said.
“We’ll leave a big tip on the way out so she can’t return it,” Cristie said. She sipped her coffee and closed her eyes in appreciation. “That girl can make a fantastic coffee.”
“Yeah, she can. And try the breakfast sandwiches,” Daniel answered.
It wasn't long before all the customers were taken care of and Bailey was refilling the display counter and brewing fresh pots of coffee.
The door opened and Shaun walked in. “Where’s my girl?” he called out teasingly.
Bailey laughed. “Haven’t seen her.”
“Well, you better find her!” Shaun said. He leaned over the counter and pecked her lips. “Good morning. How’s your day so far?” he asked.
“Fantastic! Good things are happening!” Bailey said.
“Oh, yeah?” he lifted his hands and fluttered his fingers in a come to me motion toward himself. “Tell me.”
“Cristie is here, and she and Remi’s dad are looking for him. They’re going find him and set him straight. I just know it.”
Shaun’s hands gradually returned to his sides and he smiled softly at Bailey. “I’m really happy to hear that. I know it means a lot to you. It means something to me, too. I really like Remi.”
“I knew you’d understand how much I worry,” she said, coming around the counter to hug him.
“You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t,” Shaun said, hugging her to him. When he looked up from holding Bailey close, he realized that both Cristie and Daniel were seated in a booth, and both were watching him and Bailey. “Annnd they’re still here,” he said quietly.
“Oh, yeah! Didn’t you notice?”
“Not until just now,” he said.
The tone of the door opening and closing sounded again as more customers entered.
He kissed her forehead quickly when she went off to take care of her customers, then decided the right thing to do would be to speak to Cristie and Daniel.
Shoring up his courage, because let’s face it, Daniel was a Dragon shifter, he made his way over to their booth. “Mr. GreyStorm, Cristie. Good morning.”
“Good morning. It’s Shaun, right?” Cristie said.
“It is. We met when you came in for Havoc and Analise’s wedding,” Shaun said.
“I remember. How are you?” Cristie asked.
“I’m good. Real good,” Shaun said. He looked at Daniel and offered an awkward inclination of his head, since Daniel hadn’t said anything yet.
“Good to see you, Shaun,” Daniel finally said.
“And you, Mr. GreyStorm.”
Shaun stood there awkwardly for a few moments, before he decided to blurt out the obvious. “So, Bailey tells me that you’re here to talk to Remi.”
“We heard,” Daniel said.
“Oh, yeah. I’m sure you did. I’m glad you came, Cristie. You might have more success than anyone else has.”
“If we can find him,” Daniel said.
“What do you mean?” Shaun said. “He’s not with you and your family?”
“No. He’s not. Last time I saw him was when he left that woman’s house. Haven’t seen him or heard from him since.”
“We’ve been searching all night. Checked everywhere we could think of. Even the stream in the woods on Kaid’s property where we all played as kids. He’s been there, but he’s not now.”
Shaun kind of chewed on the inside of his cheek as he considered just how much he should say.
Daniel watched him for only a second before he made it clear he knew Shaun was holding something back. “Spit it out,” Daniel ordered.
“I just, it’s not my business,” Shaun said.
“I’m asking you point blank, if you can help us find my son, tell us what you know,” Daniel said.
“Have you checked Vince’s?” Shaun asked.
“Twice,” Cristie said. “And his home repeatedly. The other bars in town, and even the restaurants that have bars in them. We’ve walked the property at both Kaid’s and Brandt’s, and moved up and down the river searching for any scent of him. There’s nothing fresh.”
“We even sat outside Olivia’s house for a while… nothing,” Daniel said.
“You check the liquor store? Or the grocery? They sell liquor, too,” Shaun said.
“Yeah. They both say they’ve seen him, but not in the last day or two.”
Shaun thought about it for a minute before raising his gaze to Daniel’s. “If he’s still drinking, maybe somebody else is buying it for him.”
“Who? And where is he going to drink it?” Daniel asked frustratedly. “I’ve tried to contact him,” Daniel tapped his temple, “ but he’s blocking me. So I’m pretty sure whatever he’s doing, he doesn’t want any interruptions. That and the fact that I read him the riot act last time I saw him.”
“I’m sure that helped,” Shaun quipped before he locked eyes with Daniel, horrified that he’d actually let that comment out where the Dragon shifter could hear it. “Sorry,” Shaun hurriedly said.
Cristie smothered a grin, but didn’t say anything.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of any help. I like Remi. I hope everything works out for him. And I’m thankful you’re here, Cristie. I hope it’s the catalyst that he needs to yank himself up,” Shaun said.
“Thank you, Shaun.”
“Y’all have a good day,” he said, taking his leave and heading back to join the line at the counter to talk to Bailey again, and get his customary breakfast sandwich and tea. Coffee was not his thing.
When it was finally his turn again, Bailey handed him a tray, complete with an extra-large hot tea already sugared the way he liked it, and two sausage and egg croissants.
“Well, that went well,” he said, keeping his voice low.
Bailey smiled sympathetically at him. “I heard.”
“I just wish I could help somehow,” Shaun said.
“Is there anywhere else you can think of that he might be?” Bailey asked.
Shaun shook his head. “I’m trying. I just, I don’t really know any of his friends or anything.”
“The clan are his friends. He always stayed close to family,” Bailey said.
“I know none of us have seen him. In fact, Brandt suggested that we don’t meddle and make things worse.”
“If I was on a binge, I’d go home and hide in my house,” Bailey said. “But he’s obviously not of the same mindset.”
“If I was on a binge, as deep as the one he’s on, I’d go surround myself with others of the same mindset and hide myself away there,” Shaun said.
Almost as though he was aware of his own words once he heard them, his head canted slightly, and he handed her back his tray.
“Hold on,” he said, walking quickly back over to Daniel and Cristie. “Excuse me, but I might have an idea.”
“We’ll consider anything,” Daniel said.
“There’s a group of people living out in the woods behind the warehouses in the industrial park.”
“And you think Remi’s there?” Daniel asked doubtfully.
“Maybe. I mean, they’re not the kind of people you really want to spend a lot of time with.
Started out a safe place for homeless and the struggling regardless of whatever they were struggling with, but it’s been infiltrated with a few that are hiding out for one reason or another.
It never occurred to me that Remi might go there, but if he’s really trying to disappear, it’s a good place to do just that.
And he has no reason to fear anybody, so all the more reason for him to feel safe there. ”
“That and maybe he just doesn’t care if he’s safe or not,” Cristie said.
“Exactly,” Shaun said.
“That’s a couple miles past the grocery, isn’t it?” Daniel asked.
“Yes, sir. It’s closer to the older end of the industrial section,” Shaun said.
“That’s only a few miles from Olivia’s house. It’d make sense that he could have gone there.”
“If he found it, yes. If not, at least it’s another place to scratch off your list.”