He had no choice but to sound happy to hear from her with all that unconditional love he had.
Mia sighed. “Hi, Dad.”
His tone shifted. “Is something wrong?”
“Well, I got Addy kidnapped. Is she still upset?” She dropped her voice. “Is Sheila upset?”
“What? No!” He laughed. “Is that why you’ve been avoiding my calls?”
She’d said she was busy. It wasn’t a total lie. She was busy feeling guilty, imagining all the ways it could’ve gotten worse. “Yes.”
“I promise you, no one is angry. They have no reason to be. Adelaide took matters into her own hands, and she’s very happy with how things turned out. You didn’t hear?”
Mia frowned. “No. I didn’t hear anything.”
“I know she’s been meaning to call you – it’s been hectic. How about Joey picks you up and you talk to her yourself?”
She bit her lip. “Is Rick still there?”
“He is, and he’s not upset either. Please, come on. I’d love to see you. Eliza’s making apple cobbler. She serves it on homemade vanilla ice cream.”
Hm. Staring at the brown walls of her apartment or eating hot, cinnamon-soaked apples as they melt into homemade ice cream?
“Okay,” she finally said. “It’d be nice to see you, too.”
“There’s my girl!”
Two hours later, she was in the seaplane making an approach on San Juan Island.
“What have I missed?” Mia asked over her headset.
Joey turned to her with wide eyes. “Tons of stuff. Are you kidding me?”
He rattled off a list of discoveries Addy and Rick had made after the kidnapping, connecting Flex Knock to corruption all the way in Canada.
“That is insane!” Mia said, shaking her head.
“Oops.” Joey made a face. “Addy probably wanted to tell you that herself. Try to act surprised when she tells you.”
They descended, circling a spot to land. The weight on her chest lifted. “I will.”
Inside the tea shop, all was calm. Sheila and Addy sat at a corner table, eyes focused on their computer screens. Eliza was just disappearing into the kitchen, and Russell was off to the side with Rick.
Joey yelled hello as he pushed the door open.
“I’m back here!” Eliza called out.
He grinned, disappearing behind the swinging door.
Mia quietly snuck up on Addy’s table and reached the edge before she spoke. “Hi.”
Addy looked up and a smile spread across her face. “Mia!” She stood and pulled her in for a hug.
“Hey there!” Sheila said, taking her turn.
Mia finished hugging everyone and stood back, shoulders squared. “Addy,” she said heavily, “I have been thinking about this nonstop and I have to tell you I am so, so sorry about what happened. I have no excuse for letting you get kidnapped. It’s been turning in my head how badly it could’ve gone, and I just can’t sleep. I let myself get too caught up the excitement and –”
Addy put up a hand. “No Mia, I’m sorry! I haven’t had time to catch you up on everything.”
