He grinned. “Must be my charm.”
“More like your connections and skills. If you can make Slade’s house a fortress, it’ll sure make my job easier. I’ll feel like I’m on vacation.”
“Already on first name basis with the man?” A gleam appeared in his eyes.
“The man asked me to call him Slade. That’s all.”
Her uncle held up his hand. “Hold on there, little one. You’re mighty touchy this morning.”
“One cup of coffee this morning wasn’t enough.”
“Oh, then that explains it, since it’s almost noon. Drink up and I’ll fix you a sandwich. I imagine you have to be at the ranch today, too.”
“At two.” She swallowed several more sips of the best coffee in Texas.
Joshua withdrew some turkey, Swiss cheese and lettuce from his refrigerator. “I think this will be a hard case. A ranch isn’t the easiest place to secure, especially with people coming and going. That’ll keep us on our toes. Might be a 24/7 job.”
She grinned, giving him a wink. “I’m tough. I can take it.”
Joshua studied her for a long moment. “Yes, you can now. You’ve come a long way.”
“Thanks to you.”
“That’s what family is for, to help.” Her uncle slapped together two turkey sandwiches.
“It is?”
His long strides covered the distance to the table quickly. He sat his large frame in the chair opposite hers and slid her plate across to her, then bowed his head and blessed the food.
His mouth twisted in a frown as he stared at her. “I should have realized Walt would mess up being a father. I should have been there for you.” Elizabeth knew Joshua still felt guilty for the years of estrangement from his brother that had kept him from building a relationship with his niece sooner.
“You were when it meant the most to me.” Elizabeth pinched off a small bite of turkey and gave it to Bosco before putting him on the floor.
“I have a lot to make up for.”
“No, you don’t. My dad was a lousy father, but I made it. I’m fine now. That’s what counts.” After another swallow of the caffeine-laden brew, she added, “I thought we decided long ago not to talk about the past. It’s over with, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Joshua picked up his sandwich. “When you were in Phoenix, did you see him?”
“No. That’s the way he wants it.” So did she. Her father’s dominance all through her childhood had smothered her. She’d never been able to please him, and he’d made it clear she was a disappointment to him. He’d put her down so much that when Bryan started doing the same thing, she’d struggled to retain a sense of herself.
“Ever since your mother died, Walt has gotten worse.”
“I don’t need my father. I don’t need anyone.”
“Everyone needs someone. God didn’t make us to go through life alone.” After taking a bite of his food, he washed it down with some coffee.
She wasn’t really alone. She had Joshua and, more important, the Lord, because Joshua had led her to Him. Another thing she was grateful to her uncle for. “I’m starved. I missed your cooking when I was gone,” she said, wanting to change the subject of conversation. Her father was in her past. She only looked forward now.
“I get the hint.”
She savored her sandwich. The past ten weeks on assignment protecting a woman who was always on some weird diet had caused her to drop five pounds—five she didn’t need to lose. She was glad her usual clients were children.
She’d nearly finished her lunch when her cell rang. Bosco barked at the sound, sitting nearby and staring at her bag. Leaping to her feet, she retrieved her phone and answered it.
“This is Slade. I’m heading to Dawson Academy because I received another threat to Abbey at the office. A call on my private line. The school just phoned to tell me that they can’t locate Abbey. It’s lunchtime, and the students are scattered all over campus outside. I know she could be there somewhere, but I called Captain Dickerson to update him on the situation. He’s sending someone to meet me at the school.” Worry drenched his every word.
The beat of her heart slowed to a thud. “I’m not far away. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
As she slipped the cell into her pocket, she picked up her purse and started toward the front of the house.
“What’s wrong?” Joshua followed with her dog at his heels.
“Abbey’s missing at school.”
“I’d better come, too.”
At the door she pivoted and petted Bosco goodbye. “No, get to the ranch and make it safe. I’m hoping it’s nothing. It’s lunchtime and a beautiful day. When I went to school, we spread out all over campus for lunch. I gather from what Slade said that Dawson Academy is the same way.” She began to turn away but paused. “Oh, and will you pack a bag for me? Once we locate Abbey, I’ll be glued to her like she’s my new best friend.”
“Will do.”
Elizabeth hurried toward her car. Lord, don’t let anything happen to Slade’s daughter. Please protect her.
Slade pulled up to the school behind a patrol car and hopped out. He jogged to catch up with the two officers heading up the steps to the front entrance.
At the double doors into the school he said, “I’m Abbey Caulder’s father, Slade Caulder. Thanks for coming.”
“The captain filled us in on what has been going on with the threats,” the older police officer said. “I’m Sergeant Gibson.”
Slade entered the school behind the sergeant with the other policeman taking up the rear. After explaining who he was to the security guard and getting a laminated visitor badge, Slade quickly made his way toward the office to the right. The first thing he noticed when he came into the room was all the activity. The principal, Mr. Hartley, was on his cell, a frown on his face, nodding.
Slade headed for the man, whose expression indicated that Abbey hadn’t been found yet. Slade’s heart pounded so hard he felt breathless. When the man clicked off, he asked, “Have you found Abbey?” Fear caused a raspy edge in his voice.
The principal glanced at the officers, then directed his attention to Slade. “No. The security guards and some of the teachers are searching the grounds and having the students come inside early. They should be heading to their next class. The teachers have been informed and have returned to their classrooms.”
“Have you made an announcement over the PA system?”
“No. Most of the students aren’t in the building yet. They were spread out because of lunch.”
Anger and frustration surged through Slade. He gritted his teeth and started to count to ten. He made it to three. “Make an announcement for Abbey to come to the office. Maybe she’s in the building by now.”
The man paled. “I’ll do that, then make another one in five minutes.” He moved toward the counter to the left.
“Slade, have they found Abbey?”
He spun around and saw Elizabeth threading her way toward him through the crowd in the office. The sight of her brought a momentary wave of relief. “No.”
The announcement instructing Abbey Caulder to report to the main office blasted through the building.
When Mr. Hartley returned, Slade said, “I would like to search, too, with