Free Christmas Cover-Up by Lynette Eason

the door. Erica was nowhere to be seen. Jordan stood from the chair where he’d been dozing. Katie blinked, wondering how long she’d slept, but noticed with relief she didn’t feel so drugged now.
    When Jordan opened the door and her father stepped into the room, her heart gave a fast beat of joy. He’d come.
    “Katie?” Concern knit his brows almost together at the bridge of his nose. “Are you all right?”
    Her father’s fifty-six-year-old face had aged a bit since she’d seen him last week. How was it possible to think he had a few more lines around his mouth, a bit more gray in his hair? “Hey, Dad. I’m all right.”
    He walked over to stand next to her. “Erica called us.”
    “Us?” She couldn’t help it. She looked behind him, but knew her mother wouldn’t be there. Katie’s mother couldn’t be bothered with the daughter who’d let her youngest child be taken. It didn’t matter that Katie had been only fourteen years old. It didn’t matter that she’d been asked by an adult to help carry groceries into the house. What her mother couldn’t get over was the fact that Katie simply hadn’t made Lucy go with her. That Katie had taken her eyes off her sister for approximately ten minutes and the girl had vanished while on Katie’s watch.
    Her father cleared his throat. “Me. Your mother wasn’t feeling very well and—”
    “You don’t have to make excuses for her, Dad. I get it.”
    He flushed and shoved his hands deeper into his pockets. “Yeah. I guess you do.”
    And that was all that would be said about it. She sighed as fresh pain ripped through her. Would her mother never forgive her? “I sent her some chocolates for her birthday. Did she get them?”
    “She did. And ate every one of them.” He smiled and Katie thought it looked a little forced. “We enjoyed the meal you sent over, too. Not necessary, but she appreciated it.”
    “I just wanted to do something for her. And you.” Only she was getting the feeling no matter what she did, it would never be enough. She swallowed hard and motioned to Jordan. “This is Jordan Gray. He’s with Finding the Lost. Jordan, this is Bryce Randall, my father.”
    The two men shook hands.
    “Glad to meet you,” Jordan said. He looked from her father to her, his curious, watchful gaze making her want to squirm. If it wouldn’t hurt her shoulder too much.
    “Thanks for coming, Dad. Hopefully, I’ll be out of here pretty soon.”
    “Does this have to do with a case you’re working?”
    Her gaze met Jordan’s. She wasn’t ready to tell her father anything yet. “We don’t know for sure. We haven’t really had time to figure that out.”
    He looked at Jordan. “Do you mind if I have a moment alone with Katie?”
    “Of course.” Jordan moved toward the door, and Katie wanted to protest, grab him back and make him stay right beside her. The panicked need for his presence, his protection, stunned her. This was her dad. She could talk to him. And she certainly didn’t need Jordan’s protection.
    Once Jordan let the door close behind him, her father turned to her and swallowed hard. “Are you still looking for Lucy?”
    Katie jerked at her sister’s name. It had been so long since she’d heard either parent say it. She gave a short nod. She wasn’t going to be the one to bring it up, but she wouldn’t lie about it either. “Of course I am.”
    He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I thought so.”
    Katie fidgeted with the blanket. “Is that a problem?” She couldn’t help the challenge in her tone.
    “It could be.” He paused and gripped her hand. “Maybe you should just...let her go.”
    Her head snapped up. “Like you and Mom have let her go?”
    He flinched and she wished the words back. And yet she didn’t. His jaw firmed and his eyes narrowed. “Katie, I’m serious. She’s been gone for fourteen years. She’s probably...d-d-dead.” Tears appeared and he blinked them back before they could fall. He took a deep breath.