Page 120 of Solid as Steele
Was he seeing the truth? Was the woman standing in front of him his sister? His sister!
“Owen?” she said. “How did you find me?”
Owen’s heart soared.His sister was alive! Truly alive!
Owen crushed her to him. “You’re alive! I can’t believe it.”
Thank you, Father! Thank you!
Cassie didn’t let him hold her long, but pushed free and looked over his shoulder. “Did you tell anyone you found me? Is anyone with you? Not Keith. Please say you didn’t tell Keith.”
Owen studied her and didn’t like her nervous demeanor. Was she hiding something? Maybe something illegal?
In any event, he wasn’t going to tell her Keith was dead while standing out here on her doorstep. “Can we come in and talk?”
“Not until you answer my question. Did you tell Keith where I am?”
“I didn’t tell him,” Owen replied, being vague.
Cassie fixed her frightened, almost terrified gaze on Mackenzie. “Who are you?”
Mackenzie cocked her head. “Mackenzie Steele. I’ve been helping Owen look for you.”
Cassie continued to peer at Mackenzie, her gaze sharpening even more. “Why? Why do you want to find me?”
“It’s okay, Cass,” Owen said. “She’s helping me because I lost my memory and landed on her doorstep. It’s a long story, but she won’t hurt you if that’s what you think.”
Cassie’s dyed eyebrows raised. “Do you know my husband, Keith?”
Mackenzie remained steadfast under Cassie’s stare. “No.”
Owen rested a hand on Cassie’s shoulder. “What’s going on? Why are you so jumpy?”
“Come inside, and I’ll tell you.” Cassie stepped back and rested a shaking hand on the doorknob.
Owen stepped over the threshold, but stopped next to his sister. No way he would let her out of his sight for even a second.
Mackenzie entered and passed them. Cassie double-bolted the door, tugging on it and checking the lock. She was clearly afraid of someone. She started down the short hall, and he trailed her to a small living room holding only a worn plaid couch and small older model TV.
“Go ahead and take a seat.” Cassie gestured at the sofa. “Sorry about the lack of furniture and the thrift store things. I haven’t been able to save enough money for much more than a deposit and first month’s rent to get out of my tent and into this place.”
Mackenzie sat on the couch, and Owen sat next to her to leave room for Cassie, but she plopped down on the carpet. Owen shifted to get comfortable on the lumpy cushion that released a musty smell.
“Why did you disappear?” he asked, still barely able to believe she sat in front of him.
“Keith. He’s been abusive since our first year of marriage. Started out with occasional beatings.” She clutched the edge of her T-shirt and fidgeted with it. “I could handle that, but he escalated. Then I found out I was pregnant. I couldn’t bring up a child in that environment.”
Pain tightened Owen’s gut. “You have a child?”
She shook her head. “I miscarried shortly after I left.”
“You went through that alone?” Owen gently took her hand. “I’m so sorry.”
“It was probably for the best.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why run away instead?” Owen heard the anguish in his tone. What might she be hearing? “I would’ve put Keith in his place and protected you.”
She withdrew her hands and sat on them. “But what could you actually do to make things better? Keith’s a cop. Cops stick together, and they wouldn’t believe any accusation I lodged.”
