Daisy
TWO DAYS LATER, Huck’s dad was ho and recuperating and I had holed up in Huck’s childhood bedroom to get so work done. I was seriously behind but had woken up at six this morning to tackle my to-do list. At almost eleven, my phone buzzed on the desk beside , and I saw a text from Huck.
Huck: Hungry?
: Starved.
Huck: (emoji of a sandwich)?
: Please.
He walked in a few minutes later, tray full of food in hand, and kicked the door shut. "Hey."
"Hi, honey. Did you bring the kitchen?"
He chuckled, setting the tray on the bed. "Close. I figured you’d need a break. Plus, I missed you."
My stomach rumbled and I reached for one of the bags of chips. "I didn’t realize how hungry I was until you walked in."
"Before you take a bite," he said, leaning down. "Kiss."
I grinned, raising my head to accept his lips.
"Thank you."
"You’re welco," I said, popping a chip in my mouth.
"How much more work do you have to do?"
"A couple of hours," I said. "Thanks for letting focus. I was able to catch up quite a lot."
"No problem."
"How’s your dad?"
"He’s good, although, he’s not super happy that he has to stay in his easy chair. He wants to be up and moving around," Huck said, handing a soda.
"Like father like son, huh?"
"Fuck, yeah. No way in hell I can stay down for long. Recovery for complete knee replacent is three to six months, I’ll do it in six weeks." He cocked his head. "Or less."
"Okay, He-Man, let’s not rush things," I suggested. "You’re going to follow every instruction the doctor, and I, give you, capisce?"
He grinned, taking a bite of his sandwich.
"I’ll take that as a yes," I said.
"You wanna go out for dinner?" Huck asked.
"What about your parents?"
"Dad’s been falling asleep around six, and Louisa’s made plans with friends, so Mom suggested I take you out."
I smiled. "That sounds fun, as long as your mom doesn’t need anything."
"I think we’re good. I have a feeling she needs a little quiet."
I nodded. "I’m in, then."
"Great." He stood, gathering our garbage. "I’ll let you get back to it."
"Thanks, honey."
With one last kiss, he left to finish up.
At about one, I was in serious need for a sugar bump, so I headed downstairs to see if I could find one.
I arrived to find Louisa in the kitchen alone. She was scribbling on a notepad, but put the pen down when I walked in. "Hey, honey."
"Hey, Lou," I said, hugging her. "How are you doing?"
"I’m good. Are you done with work?"
"Not quite. I need a sugar bump."
"Oh, cookies and so chocolatey things are here." She pulled open the pantry and showed a couple of options.
I opted for the Oreos and leaned against the island as I opened the packet. "What are you working on?"
"A grocery list. My parents haven’t shopped in at least a week, so I figured I’d make a quick run."
"Need help?"
She sighed. "Aren’t you busy?"
I shrugged. "I could take a break. I’m building a website, and my eyes are starting to cross. Where’s Huck?"
"He ran out to grab Dad’s prescription. He’ll be back soon. Do you want to wait for him?"
"No, I’ll text him on the way."
"Okay, perfect. Let’s go."
"I’ll grab my bag." I headed up to Huck’s room and threw on so shoes and a jacket, grabbing my bag, then following Louisa out to the garage.
Huck
I had just walked out of the pharmacy when my phone buzzed. It was a text from Daisy letting know she was with my sister at the store. I had my grandpa’s old truck, so without Bluetooth, I had to sit in the cab to text her back.
Daisy: Be back in an hour or so.
: Where are you? I’ll et you.
Daisy: Can I just have so alone ti with your sister?
: Head on a swivel.
Daisy: (thumbs up emoji).
: Love you.
Daisy: Love you back.
I didn’t like that I didn’t have eyes on her, but it’s not like I could physically restrain her. I could, however, find her. I called my mother.
"Hey, Hucky."
"Hi, Mama. Any idea where Lou and Daisy went?"
"They ran to Safeway."
"Why so far? Polson’s is closer."
"Because your dad likes their at better."
I sighed. "Right. Okay, thanks. How’s he doing?"
"He’s good, honey. I gave him more ds, so he’s out like a light."
"Okay, I’ve got his stuff, but I’m going to swing by Safeway first, are you okay with that?"
"Oh, sure honey, take your ti."
"Thanks. I won’t be long."
I started the truck and headed toward the store, finding a parking spot relatively close to the entrance. Once parked, I called Daisy, but she didn’t answer. I tried again, still no answer.
I frowned, calling my sister.
"Huck?"
"Hey, Lou, why’s Daisy not answering her phone?"
"Where are you?" she demanded.
"Outside Safeway," I said, sliding out of the cab. "Where are you?"
"Shit."
"Louisa, where the hell is Daisy?"
"I don’t know," she rasped.
"I’m coming in. Where are you?" I growled. "Exactly."
"Custor service."
I made my way to the custor service desk and found my sister standing next to a cart, her face pale as she talked frantically with an older woman behind the counter.
"What’s going on?" I demanded.
"I don’t know," Louisa cried. "She was right behind and then she was, just, gone."
"What do you an, gone?"
"Gone. Just gone," she snapped. "I looked for her everywhere. I tried to call her but then I realized her bag, with her phone inside, was at the bottom of the cart." She waved to the lady behind the counter. "I was hoping I could maybe look at the cara footage."
"I was explaining we can’t do that, ma’am," the woman said. "You’ll need to call the police."
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out. "Shit."
"Is it Daisy?" Louisa asked hopefully.
"No. It’s her dad. Give a second." I walked toward the exit and took the call. "Hey, Booker."
"Wanna tell why the fuck I’m gettin’ a 9-1-1 notification from my daughter’s bracelet in toad fuck Montana at two o’clock in the afternoon?" Booker bellowed over the phone.
"Shit, do you know where she is?"
"What do you an, do I know where she is? You don’t?"
"Fuck." I swallowed the bile threatening to spill. "I just got to where she was last seen. I’m trying to get to the bottom of it, but no one really knows anything."
"How the hell did she go missing?"
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