Chapter 46
Astrid
Aeron was out of town, meeting with an architect about converting the old abandoned theater into a vintage resort. It had started as just a silly, throwaway idea I'd tossed out during one of our random conversations, but by morning he'd somehow turned it into a full fledged plan.
I'd finished going over some last-minute wedding details with soon-to-be newlyweds whose big day was only a month away when Allen’s call came through.
“Astrid.” His voice was tight and strained. “Has Kaia been by your studio? Or, I don’t know, have you seen her anywhere?”
My stomach dropped. “No…Did something happen?”
“I don’t know where she is.” His voice cracked with panic. “I went to pick her up at school, but her teacher said she hasn't seen her since snack break. I’ve called everyone I can think of. I’m starting to freak out.”
What kind of school loses track of a five-year-old after snack time? “Allen, breathe. She’ll be okay.” I grabbed my keys, already halfway to the door. “We’ll find her. I’m on my way.”
I hung up and was about to call Kelly so we could search together when her call came through.
“Kaia’s missing,” she said.
“Allen just called me. I’m coming to pick you up now.”
Kelly was already waiting by the time I pulled up. We hurried to the town square together. It was a relief to see Ayden there with him. Allen looked as if he'd aged a decade in minutes—eyes red, worry lines carved deeply into his face. Nothing Kelly, Ayden, or I said seemed to get through to him.
We split into two teams: Kelly and I took the toy and ice cream shops, guessing Kaia would make a beeline for anything sugary or fun, while Allen and Ayden covered the streets.
I tried Aeron’s phone on the way, but it went straight to voicemail, so I left a quick message asking him to check in on Allen when he could.
Allen looked like he was barely holding it together.
We'd already searched through half the shops, but there was still no trace of her.
“Where could she have gone? We've been through every place she'd go.” Kelly sounded as lost as I felt.
“Do you think someone took her?” I asked, hesitant but unable to shake the thought ever since we started searching. Kaia had vanished straight from school. The teacher’s complete lack of concern had set off alarm bells in my head.
“Now that you've said it.” Panic edged Kelly’s voice. “We can't ignore the possibility. Kidnappings don't happen here, but...” She drew in a shaky breath. “I’m calling Dad.”
Allen’s call came in just in time, sounding hopeful yet desperate. When I told him we still hadn’t found Kaia, he went painfully silent. His voice strained, as he told me he was heading to the police station.
It was just a glimpse—a little girl through the window as I drove past. I couldn't be sure it was Kaia, but those lopsided ponytails screamed her name. I braked so fast my seatbelt locked.
“I think I saw Kaia.”
I reversed the car, stopping in front of the tiny ice cream shop. This time there was no doubt.
It was Kaia.
She was sitting inside, legs swinging as she scooped a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth, talking to a woman I didn’t recognize. Pretty, dressed in red, the woman smiled warmly, and Kaia looked completely at ease. Nothing about her seemed dangerous, but appearances could be deceiving.
“Her dad is turning the entire town upside down looking for her, and she's here eating ice cream with a stranger.” Kelly clicked her tongue. “I've never seen this woman around before.”
“Whoever she is, we can't trust her. We call Allen first. Then we go in and get her.”
When I told Allen we'd found Kaia, I heard him release a breath he'd probably been holding all day. I texted him the address, told him to hurry, and headed inside the shop.
“Kaia.” I walked over to their table. “What are you doing here?”
“Astid, Kewy!” Kaia’s face lit up. She waved her spoon at me excitedly, flinging little drops of ice cream onto the table. “This pwetty aunt helped me when I fell down. She put a band aid on my ouchie.” She held out her elbow, showing off the tiny bandage. “See? It’s not huwting now!”
“Don’t you know you're not supposed to go with strangers?” I said softly, trying not to sound too stern. When I looked at the woman, her face tightened slightly, obviously irritated that I'd interrupted.
“And definitely don’t eat anything they give you.” Kelly added.
Kaia's eyes dropped, her tiny shoulders shrinking a little.
“Come on, let’s go.” I reached to help her up, but the woman in red caught my wrist.
“Let her finish her ice cream,” she said firmly, stepping protectively closer to Kaia.
“Kaia.”
Allen hurried toward us, relief filling his face at the sight of Kaia—until he spotted the woman next to her. He hesitated, surprise slipping briefly on his face before his expression turned guarded. He bent down and scooped Kaia into his arms.
“Don’t you know you’re supposed to stay at school until Grandma or I pick you up?” Allen’s voice rose sharply, startling even me and Kelly. Kaia flinched, shrinking into his chest.
He turned sharply to the woman. “Shouldn’t you at least ask if a kid has allergies before giving them something? My daughter can’t handle cold food. If something happens to her, are you going to take responsibility?”
I’d expected Allen to demand who she was or at least confront her about taking Kaia without permission. Instead, he jumped straight into ice cream allergies, as if that was somehow more pressing.
“I’m sorry.” Worry crossed her face. “I didn’t realize. She fell at school and wouldn't stop crying, so I thought ice cream might calm her down. Will she be all right? I’m a doctor. I can take a look at her if you’d like.”
She reached for Kaia, but Allen instinctively pulled her closer and stepped back. “That won’t be necessary,” he said sharply, and walked away.
I could feel there was tension between Allen and the woman in red.
And now, as I took a closer look at her, I couldn't shake the quiet realization. The similarity in the shape and color of their eyes, the way hers were a near-perfect match to Kaia’s.