Chapter 31
Chapter
Thirty-One
It was nearly seven when Nora left the church.
After the closing prayer, volunteers had eaten bowls of chili and thick slices of cornbread while Luke and Prine made plans for the next day’s search.
No one lingered over the meal. They were too tired—and too conscious of the missing child to let the moment feel ordinary.
Austin had eaten only after Nora put a bowl in front of him.
Now he stood beside his SUV while the last volunteers crossed the parking lot around them. Nora stood with him.
“I assume you’re going back to the motel?” Nora asked as she studied his face.
“That’s the plan.” Austin tucked his hands into his jacket pockets. “I’m going to follow you back to your place first, just to make sure you get there safe.”
“And then after you get to the motel, text me so I can know you’re safe,” Nora tried to keep her words light, but she meant them.
She wasn’t the only one who needed someone looking out for them right now.
One corner of Austin’s mouth lifted. “Yes, ma’am.”
They shared a lingering glance.
As soon as Nora realized how her heart was racing, she looked away. She’d vowed never to be vulnerable with another man again after Jacob. Should she rethink that?
It was too soon to know.
They said goodbye, and she headed to her own car. Marlowe had ridden with her this morning and slid into the passenger seat, immediately turning on the heat.
As they pulled out, Austin trailed them.
They made it almost a mile before Marlowe spoke. “You like him.”
Nora kept her attention on the road. “He’s helping with the investigation.”
“That wasn’t what I said.”
“I know.”
Marlowe angled one of the vents toward her hands. “The two of you have chemistry.”
Nora wanted to smile, but she couldn’t. Not with her past failures crowding out her confidence. “I thought I had chemistry with Jacob.”
“You probably did,” Marlowe said. “Chemistry isn’t character. Being drawn to someone doesn’t mean you can see who they really are.”
Nora tightened her hands around the steering wheel. “I thought I was smarter than that.”
“Jacob lied—and he was good at lying. Being deceived by him doesn’t make you stupid.”
“It feels like it.”
Marlowe studied her a moment. “Then use what you learned. Pay attention. Take your time. But don’t make Austin pay a debt Jacob owes.”
Nora glanced at her sister. “When did you get so wise?”
“I’ve always been wise. You and Wren were too busy harmonizing to notice.”
A laugh slipped from Nora before she could stop it.
Marlowe smiled and settled back against the seat. “You didn’t deny liking him, by the way.”
“I’m driving. I don’t have to answer questions.”
“Convenient.”
Nora turned up the heat and kept her eyes on the road, but Marlowe’s words stayed with her the rest of the way home.
Back at home, Nora changed into some pajamas then checked her phone.
A message from Austin waited on the screen.
Made it back. Calling my aunt, then going to bed.
Some of the tension left her shoulders.
Good. Try to sleep.
Three dots appeared, vanished, then appeared again.
Yes, ma’am.
Nora smiled before slipping the phone into her pocket.
Dad remained in the living room. She found him checking the lock on the front door before looking through the glass at the dark yard.
She remembered the figure she thought she’d seen outside. Remembered the hymn with Christian’s name on it. Remembered the car that had followed her earlier.
Maybe Dad had reason to be worried.
Christian returning to them was a blessing . . . but even blessings could add a measure of stress. She knew with time, things would get easier. But they weren’t there yet.
She stepped closer and put her hand on his shoulder. “You should go home.”
“I’m staying.” His tone was quiet but final.
“You don’t have to. We’re fine.”
“I know.” Dad let the curtain fall into place. “But if somebody comes up that driveway tonight, I’d rather be here.”
Nora could have reminded him that she’d lived in this house alone for years.
She didn’t. Everyone just wanted to do what they could to help.
Instead, Nora checked the other doors before saying good night and heading upstairs. She had reached the landing when her mother’s bedroom door opened.
Mom came down carrying a folded quilt.
Nora stopped where the hallway shadows hid her and watched as her mother entered the living room. Dad had stretched out on the couch with one arm over his eyes.
“You’ll freeze without this,” Mom said.
“I was going to get one.”
“I’ve got you.”
Mom spread the quilt over him. Her hand lingered on his chest before she seemed to realize what she was doing.
Dad covered her fingers with his, and neither of them spoke.
Nora looked away and slipped upstairs before they noticed her.
She wanted to believe something good could grow from everything their family had endured.
But wanting that for her parents was easier than believing it for herself.
She’d never thought she deserved to be happy—instead, she’d thought of her role as making sure everyone else was happy and taken care of.