Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 138522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
We talk through the details and she actually seems to be happy and has a really amazing plan. “I feel a little lost,” I say. “I’m used to helping you with the shelter.”
“You still can, but now you can do other things as well. When can you come up here?”
“We’re moving me this weekend so probably not until the weekend after next.”
“Do you want help moving?”
“Maybe. If you can?”
“Of course. Me and Brandon will come.” She hesitates. “Abigail, honey, the memorial or funeral, or whatever it is they’re holding for Kenneth, is set for Monday. I’m not sure why it’s so far out, but what’s your plan?”
I know that Reese says I don’t have to go, but there is a part of me that feels bad for Kenneth. He has no living family but I certainly wasn’t his family, either. “You were divorced, Abbie,” my mother says softly. “Let’s skip it.”
I don’t need a lot of persuading. “I do feel weird about going to the funeral of a man I despised. It feels wrong.”
“Agreed. Decision made. We aren’t going.”
I let her guide me on this. We aren’t going to the funeral.
We’ve just finished our chat and disconnected when a strange number appears on my phone. I frown, wondering if it’s Reese calling from the courthouse or even the police trying to reach me. Nervously, I hit the answer button. “This is Abbie.”
“Abbie. This is Gabe’s father.”
Shock radiates through me and then fear for Gabe. “I—how did you get this number?”
“The dog walker gave it to me when I tipped her and told her I’d finish walking Dexter. He’s here with me, at my apartment. Come pick him up and we can have a nice chat.”
“I’ll send Gabe to get him.”
“That won’t work for me or you. There are some things about my son you need to know that he won’t allow me to share if he comes along. And hurry. I really don’t like dogs. I’d hate to just let Dexter run loose in the city. There are a great deal of cars here, now aren’t there?”
Chapter eighty-nine
Abbie
Abbie
Dexter has been kidnapped.
It’s like my child has been kidnapped.
I love that dog and so does Gabe. We love that boy. He trusts us. He won’t understand what’s happening. Maybe he’ll think he’s being taken back to a shelter. I tunnel my fingers through my hair and try to think about what to do. Don’t call Gabe, his father had said. Or he’ll send Dexter into moving traffic. What kind of person even says something like that?
I push to my feet and start to pace. I want to call Gabe, but he’s itching for an excuse to lash out at his father. Obviously, he has good reason, but I’m not going to lose that man to a jail cell. I’m not stupid enough to go to his father, either. Gabe isn’t an exaggerator about his father, clearly. I could call Reid, but he and Gabe together might be the worst possible thing to happen.
Dexter was named Dexter for a reason, I remind myself. Gabe has seen him show a mean side. He’ll be fine. He’ll take care of himself until I get to him. Only I’ve never seen any mean side of Dexter, and when a dog acts out, often the receiver of the dog’s anger acts out as well. Worry fills me. I have to make a decision here. Call Gabe? Call Reid? Call Cat, maybe? She knows her brothers as well as her father, but she’s pregnant. Gabe worries about her.
There’s a knock on the door and Lulu sticks her head in. “Can I—”
“Come in,” I say, motioning her forward, aware after this morning that she is well-trusted by Gabe. “Shut the door.”
Looking alarmed, she steps inside the office and shuts the door. “What’s wrong?”
“Gabe’s father. How bad is he?”
“A monster,” she says quickly. “I hate that man and I swear at times I’ve believed he wasn’t even Gabe’s true father. There’s no way his blood is of his blood. Why?” She doesn’t give me time to answer, but my face must tell a story. “Oh God. Gabe loves you so his father is attacking you.”
Gabe loves me.
We’ve teased about this idea but hearing someone else say it— “Did he tell you he loves me?”
“He doesn’t have to tell me, silly girl. I know him. I see the way he looks at you. I feel it when he talks about you.”
Gabe loves me.
I love Gabe.
It’s too soon for such things and yet—this man is my life.
“What did he do to you?” she presses.
“How easily do you believe Gabe would go after his father at all costs?”
“Far easier than he’d admit. Why? What is happening?”
“His father kidnapped our dog to get me to come to him, to use me and Dexter against Gabe. I need to make a fast decision now. So here are the options I think I have before me—”