the porch and watched the children play. She was merely going through the motions. She answered when someone spoke to her. But her mind wandered and her heart filled with anxiety.
Tess thumped down a glass of iced tea on the side table between the rockers.
Erin jumped. “You startled me. I didn’t hear you come out.”
“Sorry, lass. But I don’t think you would have heard a freighter with a fog horn.”
Erin sighed heavily. “You’re probably right.”
The two women sat side by side, their rockers moving in a unified slow, steady rhythm.
“The children are having a good time,” Tess said. “Jack has taken to that bike like it’s a second pair of legs.” She folded her hands in her lap. “And Amy adores Jack. Follows him everywhere, she does.”
Erin smiled.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” Patrick sauntered across the lawn and lowered himself to the top porch step. “Mind if I join you for a spell?”
“Since when have you needed an invitation?” Tess admonished. “But I think your old bones might feel better in one of these chairs.”
“Old bones. That they are. But I know what you’re doing.” He rose and pulled a brown wicker chair next to her. “You’re flirting with me.”
“Me? Flirting with you? I think you have it backward, old man. ’Tis you who’s been over here every day this week.” Tess tried to sound harsh, but the color in her cheeks and the twinkle in her eye revealed how happy she was to see him.
“Mr. Fitzgerald, look at me.” Jack raced his bike down the driveway, across the sidewalk and turned around in Mr. Fitzgerald’s driveway before pedaling back. Amy followed in hot pursuit on her Big Wheel.
Patrick waved at the children as they sped past. “Great job, Jack. You, too, Amy.” He continued watching and waving for a minute or two before turning his attention back to the women. “How’s the little one doing?”
“She’s holdin’ up pretty good,” Tess said. “Still asks for her mother but not as much as the first couple of days.” Tess gripped the arms of the chair and rocked.
Patrick nodded.
“She doesn’t understand why her mommy doesn’t come back and I haven’t been able to find a way to explain it to her.” Tess rocked faster.
Patrick reached out and put his hand on the arm of the rocker. “Slow down or this chair will hop off this porch and follow the kid’s bikes down the street.”
Tess slowed her rhythm.
“Erin?” Patrick didn’t speak again until she looked at him. “How are you holding up?”
Instantly, tears burned the back of her eyes and blurred her vision. How am I? My best friend, the person who’s been by my side since I was Jack’s age, has simply vanished. How am I? I’m dying inside. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. I can barely get through a day.
“I’m fine, Patrick.” She forced herself to smile.
Patrick nodded. “They’ll find her.”
Erin swallowed the sob that threatened to choke her. “Four days.” Her voice was little more than a raspy whisper. “She’s been missing four days.”
Patrick sighed deeply. “Have you seen Tony lately?”
Erin shook her head. “He stopped by a couple of nights ago. But he’s working almost around the clock trying to find Carol.”
Patrick nodded as he absorbed the information.
“But that’s exactly what I want him to do,” Erin said. “I want him working the case, not sitting here playing video games with Jack or rocking on the porch with me.” She looked at them. “I never thought I’d hear myself say this but I’m actually glad Tony’s a cop. I know he’s doing everything he can to find her.”
Tess grabbed her chest. “Did you hear that? The lass said she’s happy he’s a cop. Patrick, you’re a witness. You heard the words pop out of her very own mouth.”
Erin smiled, which is exactly what she knew her aunt wanted her to do. “Okay, I give up. I’m happy he’s a cop. There, I’ve said it again. But don’t you ever tell Tony.”
“Watch how fast I hit speed dial,” Tess threatened.
They chuckled and Erin welcomed the lightened atmosphere.
“He’s a good lad,” Tess said. “Busy as he is, he still calls four or five times every day.”
“Six.” Erin looked at them. “What?”
They laughed out loud at her.
Tess offered Erin a glass of tea.
Erin shook her head.
“Lass, if you don’t drink this, Patrick’s going to hold you while I pour it down your throat. You’ve barely put a thing in your mouth in days.”
Erin recognized her aunt’s stern, this-is-not-negotiable tone of voice but still