“You see this scratch?” she asked. “Dad told me that she almost threw the whole thing away because she thought it ruined it. But Dad, knowing just how to make my mom feel better about anything, convinced her thatthisscratch is what makes these earrings so valuable. ‘It’s an Elle exclusive. The rarest of rare. No one else in the entire world will ever have this.’”
That smile started to slip away.
Winnie didn’t notice.
Instead, she was impressed.
“I can’t believe you still have them after all these years. Dad got me a pearl bracelet last Christmas and I still haven’t been able to find where I lost it in my room.”
JJ stopped rubbing the side of the earring.
Despite herself, despite her resolve, JJ told Winnie Collins something that no one else in the entire world knew. Not even her father.
“I actually did lose this,” she said. “I was wearing them when I was in a car accident when I was ten. The other one, I still wear when I’m missing my mom. It wasn’t until today that I got this one back.”
Winnie’s eyebrow rose.
“How?”
JJ’s smile was gone.
“My best guess is that Mom wanted it to find me again.”
JJ had been looking for a sign, for a lead, for anything that would lead her to the truth. To her family.
She thought it only fitting that, in the end, it was her mom who would lead her to her brother.
JJ took the other earring out of her ear. She pulled on one last smile and turned to Winnie.
“I’m really awful at keeping track of things. Do you think you could hold on to these for me until your dad has everything taken care of? It would help me feel less nervous knowing they’re somewhere safe.”
Thankfully, Winnie didn’t know the full extent of what was going on. She didn’t question the request. Instead, she looked suddenly determined.
“Don’t worry. I won’t lose them like the pearls. You can count on me.”
JJ ran her finger over the scratch one last time before handing both earrings over.
“I’m actually going to go lie down for a little bit,” JJ said once they were in Winnie’s hand. “I didn’t get much sleep last night. Do you think if your dad comes up here, you could tell him I’m sorry?”
Winnie snorted, eyes on the earrings.
“Sorry for what? Napping? Don’t worry. Dad has definitely taken his fair share of naps. Plus, if he’s not going to let us in on the talks downstairs, what else can we do?” She waved the concern off. “Go nap. I got you.”
JJ wavered right then and there.
She wanted to say more, but knew too much might make the girl suspicious.
So, JJ went to her bedroom and shut the door behind her.
* * *
A manhunt turnedSeven Roads upside down. Still, as it became afternoon, no one could find Lawson Cole. It was frustrating. It was enraging.
It finally made Price feel like he had done enough for the moment to deserve a break to check on JJ. Since giving her the news that the man she had fought had died, he’d seen a change in her so drastic that he had done the only thing he could in a time like that.
He had given her space.
Now he wanted that space to disappear. He wanted to check on her, he wanted to be near her. He wanted to sit next to her, hold her hand and talk out the situation. Then he wanted to make her and Winnie something good to eat. After that? They could figure out their next steps.
