Free Lost and Found by Breanna Hayse Page A

something odd about her. Not in a bad way, but different. Look at him. I’ve never seen him so happy,” Kathy whispered back. “He looks healthier and more relaxed since he brought her home, too. He even has some color back in his face and his lines are smoothed out.”
    “He took a nap, Kath. Let it be. Your imagination is taking off into another galaxy, darling.”
    Kathy wasn’t so sure. Her brother did look different. “At least I don’t think she’s an alien sent to take over the planet.”
    Noelle listened to the two of them and smiled to herself as she hugged her toy. She had a secret!

    *
    *
    *

    Lance awoke Saturday morning feeling refreshed and energetic. It had been a long time since he had slept so well and he contributed it to his nap, the extra glass of wine and getting to bed early for once. Noelle had fallen asleep in his arms while watching TV, and after he put her in bed, he said his own goodnights to his sister and brother-in-law. It was the first night in years that he hadn’t stayed awake until 2am reading neurology journals. Physician, Heal Thyself … Ok, he needed to start following his own orders.
    He threw on his sweats and running shoes and left for his daily jog. The morning was cold, crisp and promised another sunny Nevada day. He thought of Noelle, her situation and Kathy’s interesting discoveries. The bath issue bothered him, wondering if Kathy’s theory was correct about abuse. A skin biopsy would show if Noelle had undergone chemical treatments, but he didn’t want to subject her to that unless necessary. She had also told Julie that she had gotten a multitude of injections for what she thought was a long trip. He could get a lab done to check her immunity status. That would tell them where she might have traveled. Yes, he would definitely order that test.
    Alan had also insisted that he be named conservator in order to protect the girl from someone who might not have her best interests in mind. Lance had quickly caught that hint. His brother was concerned that the girl had run away from an abusive situation or had been kidnapped. In this way, no one could come to claim her without going through legal hurdles.
    Her manners suggested that she had been raised in an environment that interacted with respectable people, possibly making her a target for ransom. Yet, why would a kidnapper just leave her at the doorstep of the infamous Area 51? Too many questions, not enough answers.
    The endorphins surged through his body as he trotted up the trail to the top of the rocky ridge that overlooked one side of his secluded neighborhood. He paused to look down over the valley and the Vegas skyline. The saying, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas tickled through his mind. In Noelle’s case, it seemed to be true. He wondered what Becca was doing as he looked at the Rio. What did he ever see in her?
    It’s time to move on. You have a new woman in your life to take care of and love , he told himself. Guilt flooded through him. Decency demanded he address the questions going through his mind. Was he taking advantage of the beautiful young woman’s innocence and utter dependence on him? What would happen if she snapped out of this regression and suddenly decided to grow up, wanting nothing more to do with him? What if he was presented with proof that she belonged to someone else? What if she never recovered an adult persona and was locked in this state forever, like a mental illness? He shuddered at the thought. He would never pursue a relationship with her in that case. It would be just plain wrong. But he would see that she was cared for. Lance sighed. Sir Lancelot of Callahan strikes again. It was who he was and nothing could ever change that.
    He sat on a rock, high above the city and quietly took in his surroundings. A hawk soared overhead, catching the thermals as it guided effortlessly in a graceful circle. Lance knew he had to be like that hawk, watchful, but taking the opportunity to