Chapter 24
24
“Should we go after her?” Travis suggests. “I’ve got the Shelby.”
“We’re not going to chase after her.” It’s tempting. “She’d think we’re lunatics.” And she clearly already does.
“Nate,” Vaughn takes the rolled cigarette from behind his ear. “If we did anything to?—”
“You didn’t, Vaughn. None of us did anything wrong here.”
Daisy bursts into tears and wraps her arms more tightly around my neck. “I’m not going to Ohio! I’m not ! I’ll run away if that lady makes me do that! She can’t make me! I’ll run all the way back here!”
I carry Daisy into the kitchen. “Sweetheart, I told you, that’s not going to happen.” I set her down so she’s sitting on a little chair at her toy table. I smooth her nest of a hairdo out of her eyes. Her little face is all serious and she reminds me so much of her dad it makes me want to reach up into heaven or wherever he is, grab him by the scruff of his neck and pull him back down here. I need you guys, man. Help me make this right.
“Do you promise ?”
She hears me hesitate, because what if I can’t keep it? “I promise. I’m going to call the lady and I’ll set up another visit and everything will be fine. You’re not going to Ohio. Now, we’re going to get you cleaned up, then we’re going to go down to the school and get you enrolled so you can see all your friends tomorrow. How does that sound?”
Daisy runs up the stairs.
I’m about to chase after her when Roxie places her hand on my arm. “Would you let me, Nate? I could run her a bath and wash her hair and then braid it or whatever she wants. I’ll help her pick out an outfit.”
It might be exactly what Daisy needs right now. A calming influence and some girl time. “Thanks, Rox. I’m going to call Ainsley Beal.”
Travis and Vaughn are cleaning up the kitchen mess, of all things. The gravity of the situation is clear enough and I appreciate them rallying around us. “Two rock stars cleaning up my kitchen. Never thought I’d see the day.”
“Don’t get used to it, bro.”
Taking my phone out of my pocket, I search for Ainsley’ s number, from when she called me the other day, and punch the call button, pacing in front of the windows as it rings. It rings eight or nine times and then there’s a click as the call is transferred.
“Social Services.”
“Can I speak to Ainsley Beal, please.”
“I’m sorry, she’s unavailable. You can leave a message with me if you’d like and I’ll pass it on. She’ll get back to you in due course.” In due fucking course? “If you’d like to speak to her directly, you’ll have to make an appointment.”
“I’ll make an appointment then.”
“Right. Let’s see…” There’s a pause. “She only has one free appointment this week. There was a cancellation. Tomorrow at two o’clock.”
“I’ll take it.”
“Fine. What’s your name, sir?”
“Nate Boone.”
“Do you know where we’re located, Mr. Boone?”
“No. Hang on, I’ll get a pen.” I find one of Daisy’s crayons. “Right, go ahead.”
“5633 Montgomery Street. We’re two blocks off Broadway.”
Shit, they’re in Nashville. It’s a two hour drive and Daisy starts school tomorrow. I also have meetings—which I’ll have to cancel. I scribble the address onto a piece of paper. “Thank you. I’ll be there at two.”
As I’m ending the call, I look up to see Roxie running down the stairs. “Daisy? Is she down here, Nate? ”
“No. She went to her room.”
“She’s not in her room. Or your room. Or any of the other rooms. I looked everywhere. She’s gone.”