The Daddy Gamble by Debra Salonen

Author:Debra Salonen [Salonen, Debra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Loner Llama Press

Chapter 12

Getting out of Mesquite was simple. Getting Kate to talk to him wasn’t.

This sudden crisis had waylaid their meaningful, morning-after talk. Rob understood, although when the phone rang, he’d been disappointed to wake up and find Kate gone. His mind had raced with questions. Did she regret what had happened between them? Was she trying to forget their time together?

He’d never know now because her focus was entirely—and rightly so—on her daughter. But he wanted to help. He felt he could be there for both of them, if Kate would let him in.

Her cell phone jingled.

She’d been trying to reach her mother ever since they sat down in the car, but the line had been busy. “Mom? Have you found her? Maybe he took her for a walk. Or—”

Rob’s grip on the steering wheel intensified.

He couldn’t get much from the one-sided conversation, but he was so attuned to Kate that he sensed the news wasn’t good.

“Well, we’re on our way back. Call me as soon as you hear something, okay?”

He heard her voice crack and reached out to touch her knee. “She’ll be fine, Kate. And we’ll get her back. Believe that.”

“I shouldn’t have gone with you. This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been thinking about myself. My own needs. I’m a terrible mother.”

“This isn’t about you, Kate. It’s about Maya and a man who is obviously missing a few genes that normal people have. A father who cared about his child wouldn’t steal her from her mother and the only home she’s ever known just because he was feeling shut out.”

She sniffled quietly.

In a softer tone, he added, “We can’t undo last night. And personally, I wouldn’t if I could. Men like Ian don’t need an excuse to hurt people. He probably saw an opportunity and ran with it.”

Kate knew he was right. And his calm demeanor and steady hand on the wheel helped her regain some control over her imagination. She took a sip of her soda. Sweet and bubbly. After a bite of doughnut, she said, “You’re right. He is an opportunist. And he knew where Mom kept the keys to her car. He probably timed it so she was at the front door while he was putting Maya in her car seat. When Mom walked back to the kitchen, he would have pulled out and driven away.”

She could see the whole thing as clearly as if it were on TV.

“He’s in your mom’s car?”

She nodded.

“Then we have an advantage. We already know the make, model and license plate number.” He handed Kate his phone. “Here. Go to my address book and find Zeke’s number. If your mother hasn’t already called him, he’ll be a great resource. After that, I want you to call every member of the Dads Group.”

“Why?” she asked, setting her cup in the plastic holder.

“The more people who know about this, the faster we find him. Our own personal Amber Alert.”

When they pulled into the compound half an hour later—after making record time, she’d already talked to a dozen people.

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