Chapter 3

3

T he alarm on Elsie’s phone cut through the tension in the kitchen, setting her on edge. As she rubbed the fatigue from her eyes, it was like grains of sand scratched against her eyeballs. “I have to wake Jimmy for school. What am I supposed to tell him?”

Dean sat across from her at the table, a fresh cup of coffee in his mug. He frowned as wisps of steam curled into the air. “Tell him his mom got caught up at work and will be home later. Hopefully, that’s the truth.”

“Okay.” She stood and her chest tightened. She held on to Dean’s words. She wasn’t lying to Jimmy. With any luck once they touched base with Mila’s boss, they’d discover that’s exactly what had happened. Maybe her phone had died, and she couldn’t call. Or one of her clients had an emergency and she was helping them. “I want to make this morning as normal for Jimmy as possible. He doesn’t need to worry about his mom all day.”

“Agreed. Is there anything I can do to help?”

His offer warmed the icy fear encasing her heart. She’d grown up with two loving parents who’d always done what they could to help one another. Who both pulled their weight and didn’t conform to typical gender roles. Some mornings her mom made breakfast for her and her siblings, some mornings it was her dad.

Jimmy had his mom and his adopted aunt to shower him with love and guidance daily, but he’d never had a strong male role model. Didn’t have a father figure to show him how a man should behave.

“Mila usually makes him something light to eat for breakfast. If you wouldn’t mind getting that started, I can wrangle him out of bed. Little man’s a pretty sound sleeper so it’s not always easy to wake him.”

Dean took a sip of coffee then rubbed his palms together. “I’m on it.”

She couldn’t dwell on her appreciation as she padded down the hall. The pitter patter of rain from Jimmy’s sound machine filled the room, and streams of muted sun filtered through the thin curtain. Dread anchored her feet to the plush carpet in the doorway. Jimmy wasn’t the type of kid to accept something at face value. If his routine was disrupted, he’d want to know why.

Especially if that meant his mom wasn’t home to get him ready for school.

Okay. She could do this. Paste on a smile. Get Jimmy on the bus and off to school so she and Dean could figure out their next steps.

Moving into the room, she switched off the sound machine and sat on the edge of the twin bed.

Jimmy laid on his stomach, his head facing the wall and legs extended. He’d gotten so big, his features maturing so fast, but the fitted pajamas with video game controllers confirmed his little boy status.

“Good morning, buddy,” she whispered and skimmed her fingertips against the soft skin of his neck.

Stretching his arms above his head, he groaned and twisted onto his back. “Mama?”

She smiled at his groggy confusion. He hadn’t opened his eyes, but no doubt he could tell her voice was different than Mila’s deeper tone. “It’s Elsie, honey. Time to wake up and get ready for school.”

He blinked open his eyes and wrinkled his nose. “Where’s Mama?”

The question landed like a missile square in the chest. “Your mom got stuck at work. She’ll be home later. For now, let’s get you up and around. The bus will be here soon.”

He rolled back over and burrowed under the blanket. “I don’t want to go to school. I want to sleep.”

The pitiful whine tugged at her heartstrings. A part of her wished she could let him stay home, but that wasn’t a good idea. Not today. “I’ll give you another five minutes while I get your clothes out. How does that sound?”

“Fine,” he said around a yawn. “Don’t pick out baby clothes though.”

She held back a chuckle and walked to the long white dresser with dinosaur heads as knobs. “It’s supposed to be pretty chilly today. Windy and overcast. How about a hoodie and joggers?”

“Okay,” he said.

She found his favorite superhero hoodie and a pair of gray pants and laid them on the foot of the bed. “Do you need me to pick out your socks and undies, too?”

“No!” Jimmy giggled and sat up.

“Just checking. Get yourself dressed then come meet me in the kitchen for breakfast.”

He sighed but swung his feet over the edge of the mattress.

“Ten minutes,” she warned and closed the door after stepping back into the hall.

She followed the smell of something yummy back into the kitchen, and what she found was almost enough to make her forget the terrifying reason Dean was in her house first thing in the morning. He stood in front of the stove and stirred eggs in one pan while sausage sizzled in another. Toast popped up from the toaster on the counter. A jug of orange juice and three glasses sat in the middle of the table. “What did you do?”

He turned toward her with a grin and shrugged. “Made breakfast. Scrambled eggs, sausage links, and toast. Hope that’s okay.”

“Are you serious? Jimmy usually gets a bowl of cereal and I’m lucky to grab a protein bar on my way out the door. This is a feast. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Grab me a plate for the sausage?”

She crossed over the tile floor and found a serving platter in the cabinet then pulled out three plates. She slid the platter on the counter next to the stove and set everything else on the table.

“I’ll scoop the eggs on the plates, so we don’t dirty more dishes then necessary,” Dean said, carrying the hot pan to the table.

“Great plan. What do you like on your toast? Butter? Jam? My mom makes the best homemade jelly. Jimmy calls it Nana Jelly.”

“Then I’ll take Nana Jelly.”

She grabbed the rest of what was needed for their breakfast as Jimmy walked in the room wide-eyed and mostly dressed except his socks and shoes.

“Mr. Dean? You came to my house to make me breakfast?”

Dean’s grin widened, showcasing the dimples beneath the scruff on his face. “Sure did. Hope you’re hungry. I made you all my specialties.”

“Where’s Boo?” Jimmy asked.

“Had to leave him at home this morning. Sorry, bud.”

Elsie’d been so wrapped up in her worry over Mila she hadn’t thought about his dog. Boo went everywhere with Dean. The poor pooch was probably lonely and needing to be let out soon. “Is he all right by himself?”

“He’s fine. Besides, if he were here, he’d try to steal all the sausage. Come on and eat before everything gets cold.”

Jimmy sat and grabbed a link from the platter. He kicked his legs and took a bite then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “So good. We have to save some for Mama.”

His innocent request erased Elsie’s appetite. She forced a smile. “You’re a thoughtful boy.”

He shrugged and took a drink of juice. “Will Mama come with us to the shelter after school? It’s Tuesday so she usually doesn’t, but since she’s workin’ late maybe she can help us with donations. You said we have lots to do so the ladies have pretty clothes for their new jobs. Then we can get ice cream. Do you like ice cream, Mr. Dean?”

Dean stilled, mouth partly opened, as if trying to keep up with the constant stream of thoughts pouring from Jimmy’s mouth.

Elsie chuckled but struggled with how to respond. Hopefully Mila would be home long before the school day let out and all of Jimmy’s plans would happen. But she didn’t want to make promises she couldn’t keep.

“Can I call Mama? I want to say hi before I get on the bus,” Jimmy said before she could respond.

All the air left her lungs. She cleared her throat to buy herself a few more seconds so she said the right thing.

“Your mom’s awfully busy,” Dean said, stepping in and saving her. “She really wishes she could talk to you before school, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen today. But Elsie and I will get you that ice cream to make it up to you.”

Jimmy’s eyes lit with excitement. “Two scoops of chocolate?”

“Make it three. Are you done eating?”

Jimmy nodded.

“Then go finish getting ready so Elsie can get you on the bus.”

Jimmy jumped from his chair and ran to the hall. He stopped suddenly and turned back to face them, frowning. “Do you think Mrs. Pauly’s all right?”

His question knocked Elsie off center as she struggled to put a face to the name. “Who’s Mrs. Pauly?”

“You know. The lady she helps sometimes. Mama says we have to look out for those who can’t help themselves. That’s what she does for Mrs. Pauly.”

His matter-of-fact statement brought tears to her eyes. She sniffed them back. “I’m sure she’s just fine.”

Taking her word, he nodded then continued to his room.

Dean rested a hand on her shoulder and gave a little squeeze. “Do you know who he’s talking about?”

“No,” she said, grateful for his presence.

“As soon as I clean up, I’ll make some calls. Maybe Mrs. Pauly knows where we can find Mila.”

Dean wiped his hands on the kitchen towel and tossed it on the counter. Dishes were washed and put away, leftovers stored in the fridge. Elsie waited outside with Jimmy for the bus. Now was the perfect time to make a few calls.

Grabbing his phone, he dialed Mila’s workplace again. Someone may be in the office now. After four rings he feared he was out of luck, but at the fifth someone finally answered.

“Good morning. Hometown Helpers, this Ana. How can I assist you, today?”

“Hi, Ana. I need to speak with Tamara. Is she in yet?”

“One second please.”

Elevator music blared in his ear. He rummaged through a few drawers and searched for a pen and paper. Finding what he needed, he refilled his mug with fresh coffee and sat at the table.

“Hello, this is Tamara.”

A twinge of irritation muddled the relief at finally touching base with Mila’s boss. He’d hoped the woman would have called him immediately after hearing Mila hadn’t come home once her shift had ended. “Hi. My name is Dean Kingston. I left a message for you.”

“Yes, I was just about to return your call. I pulled up Mila’s schedule from last night and personally spoke with all her clients myself. She visited each one and completed her shift. As always, no complaints.”

Resting his elbow on the table, Dean sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “When you spoke with the last client Mila saw, did they mention if she planned to stop anywhere after work? Was she upset or irritated? Acting strangely?”

“The man I spoke with only said Mila had arrived on time and left on time.” A beat of hesitation pulsed on the line. “Has she still not returned home?”

“No, and we haven’t heard from her at all. Her roommate is extremely worried, and I’ve spoken with a deputy at the sheriff’s department. Any information you can give might be helpful in locating her.”

Tamara released a shaky breath. “If I knew anything, I’d tell you. I promise. Mila is a great worker and a sweet girl. I’d hate if anything happened to her.”

“Is it possible for me to speak with the last person she cared for?” He tapped the tip of his pencil against the pad of paper, needing something he could use to start a trail.

“I’m…I’m sorry. I’m not allowed to give out that information.”

Damn red tape. He’d been around long enough to understand the bureaucratic regulations around the medical field were better left to badges and warrants. “I get it, and I don’t want you to do anything to get in trouble.”

Elsie walked into the room and leaned against the counter. Her body was rigid, her fears written all over her face as she stared at him and chewed her thumbnail.

He offered her a weak smile. “I have one more question for you,” he said, continuing his conversation with Tamara. “Did Mila visit Mrs. Pauly last night?”

“Umm, Mrs. Pauly is no longer one of our clients. She hasn’t been in Mila’s rotation for the past month.”

“Since she’s not one of your clients anymore, can I get her address?” He held his breath, praying for some breadcrumbs.

“I’m sorry, but that’s still not allowed.”

He frowned. “Thanks. Please let me know if you think of anything else you can tell me. My number was on the message.”

Disconnecting, he set his phone by the blank sheet of paper and sighed.

“Guessing she didn’t give you much.” Elsie plopped onto the seat beside him.

Dean scrubbed his hands over his face. The rough whiskers against his palms reminded him he needed to stop home to shower, change and let out Boo soon. “Just that Mila made it to every appointment on time last night and left them all when she was supposed to.”

“And Mrs. Pauly?”

“Isn’t a client anymore.” He lifted his hands then let them fall. “Hasn’t been for a month. Maybe Mila’s been checking on her while off the clock, or maybe Jimmy just tossed out her name because he’s a kid and some weird memory stuck in his brain.”

Elsie shook her head. “I don’t think so. What Mila said to him, it was a lesson. She made an example of something happening in her life. My bet is she still sees this woman. Takes care of her any way she can. That’s something Mila would do.”

“Okay. Then sounds like the first thing I need to do is locate Mrs. Pauly.”

“We,” she said, voice firm. “What we need to do. I’m closing the shop for the day, and I have until Jimmy comes home from school to help whatever way I can. With any luck, Mila will be home to get Jimmy off the bus.”

He nodded, hoping she was right. But the sinking pit in his stomach told him Mila wouldn’t be walking through the door soon because of a misunderstanding. He just had to do whatever it took to find her before the worst happened and Mila never made it home.