Chapter 39 West
It’s officially been twenty-four hours. I’m running on basically no sleep, and my body is exhausted and sore from searching all day and night.
The APB is out for Adam, and we have every town and city along the river on lookout. I had to come clean to Cade and the rest of the station about Jade’s past. I hope she will forgive me, but they needed to know about Adam and why he was here.
This morning, I got in touch with Nick Pierson, the officer who helped Jade all those years ago.
He was shocked to hear from me, but I wasn’t shocked to learn that Jade had spoken with him the other day.
When I filled him in on what’s happening, he offered to come ASAP, and I graciously took him up on it.
Maybe having someone who’s worked a case on Adam before will help us locate Jade faster.
I think back to that first day I brought Jade for dinner and the story she shared with Maysie. I know she sees Nick as a father figure, and even though she hasn’t spoken with him until recently, I’m glad she’s always had someone who watched out and cared for her.
I wish it was under better circumstances, but I’m looking forward to meeting the man who saved her and thanking him.
“Here. You should eat something before you head back out.” Sarah shoves a paper bag in my chest, and I see she looks just as worn as I do. Her eyes are bloodshot, and her hair, normally styled, is a mess on top of her head.
I hope Jade knows how hard we are all trying to find her, and how much we love her.
Love. The word squeezes around my chest.
I never even got to tell her I felt that way.
“Thanks,” I say, barely able to get the words out past the lump in my throat.
“We’re going to get her back,” she says so matter of factly, and fuck, do I want to believe it.
A world without Jade isn’t a world worth living.
That woman has consumed every fiber of my being.
Another day comes and goes. My bones feel hollow, and I feel like I’m suffocating.
We’re doing everything we can, and it’s still not fucking enough. She trusted me to keep her safe, and I’ve failed her.
Where are you, Jade?
This is all my fault. I never should have left her alone at the bakery when we knew Adam was out there.
“How you doing, son?” Dad asks, clamping onto my shoulder.
“Like I can’t fucking breathe.” I choke on a sob.
“She’ll come back.”
“I love her, Dad.” I croak out.
“I know, son. I know. But you need to get some sleep. You’re no help if you don’t have a sharp mind and energy to trek these woods. Mom will stay with you. Colter, Hayes, and I are packing up the horses for the night search.”
“I’m not stopping,” I tell him.
“We won’t give up, son.”