see Ellie’s terrified face. Sleep wasn’t going to come back and visit me. The blinds were open, and I studied the darkness, picturing the one place that always brought John happiness.
I held the flashlight as I made my way along the path. No more than three minutes into my walk, I heard branches moving and snow falling. I wanted to crawl out of my skin or scream so loud I’d wake the property, but I didn’t when someone in white Army gear blocked my path.
“Morning.” He rested his hand on his weapon. “Beta Eight.” He patted his name tag. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s fine.” I let out the air I was holding.
“Everything okay?”
“Yup.” I patted Tripper’s head. “Just needed to get some air.”
He waited for a moment with his face hidden from the moonlight.
“All right.” He stepped back into the forest and disappeared as quickly as he appeared.
God dammit, they were good. I shook off my nerves and let their nearby security calm me. Ten more minutes, and I reached the bottom of the beast. I stared straight up but couldn’t see the top, and Tripper made an uneasy whine.
“It’s okay, boy.” I patted his head. “I know what I’m doing.”
I dropped my gloves and replaced them with some powdered chalk.
“See you in a few. It’s all about feeling your way,” I eased the toe of my shoe onto a small foothold and lifted myself up.
I would do anything to calm the wild storm that brewed inside me.
Chapter Nineteen
John
“Wow, Savannah, this looks amazing.” I sipped my coffee and took in the transformed living room. The entire cathedral ceiling had black and silver balloons with long curls of ribbon, six feet long, twirling down from each one. The mini bar was now a “full station” bar complete with champagne flutes and a keg of beer next to it, which made me laugh. Savannah always thought of everyone. A giant silver and black cookie jar stood on a table all its own, and adjacent to it was a serve-yourself candy buffet for the kids. Abigail, June, and Mia were in the kitchen preparing all our favorite foods. This would be a night to remember and one we’d been anticipating for what seemed like years.
“Thanks.” Savannah let the last balloon float to the ceiling.
“Dammit!” June yelled from the kitchen, and Savi shook her head. “Was this Mark? It feels like Mark!” She held up the Furby, and I saw Mark slip outside. “One of these days, it will find its way into the trash, young man!” she called out the side window.
“I hate that thing, John.” Savannah half laughed, but I knew the women hated it, therefore we loved it that much more. Besides, all the blame should be on Keith. It was his idea to bring it here and torment Mike. “Where’s Sloane? She was going to help us this morning.”
I nodded to Doc Roberts as he stepped into the room, hands in his pockets, and his lips a thin line. He seemed uneasy as he stood and looked at the decorations.
“She was up before me, so I’m assuming she went down to the Tin House and got lost in her work again.”
“You two didn’t sleep at the Tin House?” Doc Roberts asked. I shook my head, curious as to why he would ask that. “Does she often sleep at the main house?”
“Just the once, I guess.”
Doc rubbed his finger across his bottom lip as he mulled over my answer.
“What’s on your mind, Doc?”
“Not sure yet. I wonder…” He trailed off in thought.
“Anything you want to tell me?”
“She seemed a little off yesterday, and I just want to make sure she’s all right.”
“I’ll go check on her.”
I set my coffee down and headed down toward Tin House. The more I thought about what Doc had said, the more I had to agree she did seem extra quiet last night. I brought up Frank’s number and gave him a call.
“Okay, Black just like I told Logan, I have no information on North Rock yet. I’m hoping you guys can ship out in a day or two, but nothing has changed in the last fifteen minutes.”
It was no secret we were itching to head south, but painful as it was, orders were orders, and we had no choice but to obey. My gut told me there was more to what was happening than we were being told right now.
“I’m actually calling for a different reason. Have you heard from Sloane lately?”