Page 95 of Changing Lanes

“Where are you going?” I question her. “You need to come to the farm with me. Torrie, it’s our home.”

She shakes her head. “Ava will turn up soon, if I’m there, she’ll raise hell. Besides, she’s Andi mom. Her real mom, I’m just a poor substitute.” She opens the door to the car, I slam it shut.

“I need you with me, please. We’ll deal with Ava when the time comes.” I beg her.

“I love you.” She lays her hand on my cheek. “Fine, just until Ava shows up.”

“I love you,” I reply as she leans in to kiss me.

“I’m around if y’all need me, just call,” Aksel says as he pulls away.

“No what, folks?” One asks.

“I don’t want to go back to the farm, can we maybe look around?” I ask everyone.

“Sounds good. Let’s go into town and have Torrie walk us through what happened. Maybe we can pick up on something.” One adds.

“I can do that; it’ll make me feel like I’m helping at least,” Torrie says to us, the first lift in her spirit.

“So, what are we looking for?” I ask as we get in the SUV and start toward town.

“Someone had to see something,” Lea says.

One adds, “Cameras. How many businesses in town have cameras?”

Lea picks up her phone. “Hardy, is Rick still there?” She pauses. “What about the store cameras?” I lean forward so I can hear more. “Yes, but other businesses could have cameras, giving a better angle on the outside.” They’ve thought of this, surely. “Great. They’re going now. They had only pulled the jewelry store and the other stores close by. We’ll be right there.”

“I just need to be doing something. Andi’s been gone for seven hours. Why in the hell can’t they find her?” I shout through my tears.

“Let’s go on into town, you can help look in storefronts for cameras,” Lea suggests.

“I agree, we can begin to look as I explain what I happened,” Torrie adds.

Main Street is quiet for now but soon it’ll be covered. One asks Lea to sit still; she’s seven months pregnant and must be exhausted.

“I’m not going anywhere, babe.” He leans in to kiss her.

“Okay, so take a side and look for cameras in the windows.” We begin walking the sidewalks as the police show up and begin helping.

“We’ve got something. Over here, y’all.” someone yells.

One spots Rick immediately. “Hey, Rick. Anything?”

“Yes. Southern Antiques has a camera in the window, pointing at the storefront at an angle. We’re hoping it’s caught something,” He tells us. “Gloria’s on her way.”

Walking over to the window, it does look like it could possibly catch something. I cross my fingers. “Why does it face out?”

“She sits things on the sidewalk in the summer, helps combat crime,” Rick says.

“Let’s hope so,” One adds.

I pace as Torrie holds my hand, taking every worried step with me. “Hey. You okay? I mean, I know you’re not. I’m so sorry, Brannon.” Torrie’s voice is almost gone, and she’s still crying.

“Stop, please I need you to be strong. We’ll get through this,” I beg as my voice cracks.

“Stop worrying about me. Have you heard from Ava?” Torrie redirects me from her.

“Not since this afternoon,” I huff. It’s bullshit.