She ignored the detective’s question and looked at Whit. “I’d been hired to serve at a party. Mrs. Bremerton was having an anxiety attack and I helped keep her calm until paramedics arrived.”
The detective seemed skeptical. Whit, however, looked interested, as if he wanted to hear more.
“Later that year, the Bremertons tracked me down and asked if I’d consider being Mia’s nanny,” Carly continued. “I explained my situation, that I was finishing up nursing school. They offered me a generous salary, and the baby was so sweet.” She kissed the top of Mia’s head and glanced at Whit. “That’s when I told them about my past, how I made a mistake when I was thirteen. They knew what happened and offered me the job anyway.”
“You want to tell us what you were charged with?” Detective Harper asked.
Keep your mouth shut. Don’t share too much or they’ll use it against you.
“Not at this time,” she said.
“You told the Bremertons,” he pressed.
“Because we were about to enter into a relationship where I’d be living at their house, like a member of the family.”
“But you aren’t family, and this isn’t your child,” Detective Harper said.
“I’m perfectly aware of that.” His statement burned, especially since she’d felt like a member of the Bremerton household for the past six months.
On cue, Mia woke up and squirmed in Carly’s arms. She wanted to be fed, and Carly had nothing to give her.
“The child needs to be checked out by a doctor,” the detective said to Whit. “Miss Winslow is refusing to let us do that.”
“Mia isn’t hurt. I’ve kept her safe.” Carly looked at Whit. “If you’d like a doctor to examine her, that’s fine. Since you were unconscious, I feared they would take her away and put her into the foster care system. I didn’t think that was the best thing for Mia.” Carly gently rocked with the child to calm her.
Whit pressed the call button and a moment later the nurse entered the room. “I’d like a doctor to take a look at my niece to see if she’s okay.”
Her grip tightened around Mia. Carly still feared the child would be taken away, that she’d never see her again.
Like Greta.
With a heavy heart, Carly kissed the top of Mia’s head, unhooked her from the carrier and passed her to the nurse. “She’s probably hungry. She drinks soy-based formula.”
The nurse nodded and left the room with Mia.
Carly glanced out the window at the Colorado sky, gray, like her mood. She unstrapped the baby carrier from her body and slowly placed it on the chair. Sadness consumed her.
It was over. Her fresh start as a nanny, being able to shower Mia with oodles of love Carly had stored up for years, love she’d wanted to lavish on her baby sister.
“I’d like you to come with me, Miss Winslow,” the detective said.
Carly sighed. She should have known that was coming.
“No, thank you,” she said politely.
“No, thank you? What kind of answer is that?”
“I’m not leaving the hospital until I’m relieved of my duties.” She turned to Whit. His brows furrowed in a puzzled expression.
“Since the Bremertons are missing and I’m Mia’s nanny, that makes you my temporary employer,” she said to him. “Therefore, I’ll stay until you release me.”
“Miss Winslow—”
“You have no cause to arrest me,” she interrupted Detective Harper. “Just because I have a juvenile record does not mean I’m a criminal. Besides, I protected Mia.”
The detective shook his head.
“It’s true,” Whit confirmed. “She did protect my niece.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. Whit appreciated that there was more to Carly than her past.
“However,” Whit continued, holding her gaze, “Detective Harper could use your help with the investigation about what happened today.”
In other words, Whit was dismissing her from duty into the hands of a bully.
“Bring Carly back when you’re done, Detective,” Whit said. “I’ll need her help with the baby when I’m released.”
Sure. Whatever. They all knew she wasn’t returning to the hospital, that she’d never see Mia or Whit again.
Go live with Aunt Vicky for a while. We’ll send for you in a couple of months. Everything will be okay.
Everything wasn’t okay. Her parents didn’t send for her. Her mom didn’t even call or write. Worse, they eventually moved without giving Carly a forwarding address.
She stepped up to Whit’s bedside and placed her hand on his arm. “It’s been an honor taking care of Mia. She’s a precious little girl. May the Lord protect you both.”
With a weak smile, she turned and walked out of the room.
* * *
The kidnappers left a few water bottles and a box of crackers in the room where they kept Harry and Susan.
The room. Their prison. Harry wished they’d get on with it, make their ransom demands. He prayed that Mia and Carly were safe. There was something about Carly, a kind of strength and determination that made him choose her for the job as nanny.
The lock clicked on the door.
“Keep the blindfold on.” He shifted Susan’s blindfold in place and did the same with his own.
“Mr. Bremerton,” the kidnapper said. “Do you have any idea what it feels like to have everything taken from you?”
Not quite, but Harry had suffered loss in his life. It seemed like he wasn’t done suffering.
“I know, yes,” Harry said.
“What have you lost, you arrogant, entitled prince?”
That’s when Harry realized nothing he said would appease this man.
“I want to help you,” Harry said.
“How generous. Isn’t he generous? I’ll bet he’s a good father. Are you a good father?”
“I’d like to think so.”
“Do you think Mia misses you?”
The image of her sweet face tore at Harry’s insides.
“Does the little girl cry for her papa?” the man said, closer now, as if he was trying to get inside Harry’s head.
“Papa, where’s my papa?” He mimicked a child’s voice.
“What do you want?” Harry ground out.
Then Harry had a horrible thought: What if they hurt Susan to punish him for his sharp tone? Harry held her close.
“I was taught never to lay a hand on a woman,” the man said. “I was beaten when I slapped my sister.”
Too bad the guy’s parents didn’t teach him it wasn’t right to kidnap and torment strangers.
Footsteps tapped against the floor as the man crossed the room.
“No one takes what is mine. You will spend the rest of your life suffering for your mistake.”
* * *
A few hours later, Whit struggled to put on his clothes at the hospital. It wasn’t