“That’s what I think automatically, but it could be a misdirect to lead us off the scent. Do you have your weapon with you?”
“Yeah. On me actually. You?”
“Yep. Never go anywhere without it. I’m calling Shelton to see how far out they are. Then you and I are about to go hunting for this SOB”, Cade stated, rage burning in his eyes.
Cade got out his phone and made a call to Officer Shelton. He gave her the updates and asked how far out they were. She stated she and her team were about five minutes away. After agreeing to meet outside near the chapel, since it was closer to where the lake shore was located, Cade and Boomer walked back towards the girls. Cade pulled Kresley aside and took her off to talk to her by herself. Boomer stood at the sliding barn doors to the outside, seething quietly. He looked devastated.
“Kresley, baby. Grace is missing. And that SOB has her. I can’t say more than that right now, but Boomer and I are waiting on Shelton and her team to get here, then we’ll be canvasing the area to find Grace. Do not say anything to anyone about it. Don’t let on to Jaxson that anything is wrong. If he asks about his mama, tell him she got sick and is laying down for a short nap. Keep him occupied. If you have to, let Birdie or Francie take him home to their house and keep him there, but make sure one of the guys goes with them. Got it?” Cade could see the fear and panic in Kres, but he was in awe as he watched his strong wife take a deep breath and push the fear aside.
“I know you’ll find her. Just find her alive. That’s all I ask.”
“I will do everything in my power to bring her back safe. I love you baby. I’ve got to go now. I love you. I’ll be safe, too. I promise.” Cade leaned down and kissed Kresley’s lips, softly and tenderly telling her without words how much she meant to him.
“Be careful. I love you Big Sexy. Find Grace so I can hear her call you Sasquatch again.” Cade nodded to her and took off running towards Boomer. They went through the sliding barn doors and into the night, determined to find Grace and find her alive.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Her head was killin’ her. Wow, what in the world happened? Grace tried to crack her eyes open, but it seemed they wouldn’t work for some reason. She could hear water moving somewhere nearby. She then noticed her hands were tied behind her back with some sort of rope or cord. A napkin or piece of cloth was stuffed in her mouth, making her want to gag. Her brain felt like a fuzzy haze was blanketing it, keeping away important details. Her eyes drifted back closed. She struggled not to let the grogginess overtake her. She needed to stay awake. She instinctively knew that. She opened her eyes again and through the dark she could make out shadows only. Where was she? Why was she wearing a strapless dress? Grace could feel the top hugging below her breasts. It had obviously slid down at some point. Her strapless bra didn't offer much coverage. Big boobs weren't all they were cracked up to be.
Abruptly, it came flooding back to Grace. Bridesmaid dress. The wedding. Kresley and Cade walking down the aisle after saying I do. Jaxson’s sweet speech to Cade while giving Kres away. And Walker, looking so handsome standing up with Cade as his Best Man. She remembered going into the reception after pictures, talking with the sisters, laughing about how nervous Cade had been as he said his vows and had to start over. Their shock that Kresley had uttered the word obey in hers. Then she had needed to go to the bathroom and left Jaxson with Birdie, coloring in his book. What happened then? It was fuzzy after that.
Grace finally made her eyes open and she could see mostly darkness, but a little moon light was shining through a single window into some sort of building. She could see the outlines of kayaks and other water sports equipment. Was she near the lake? Grace struggled with her hands, the rope rubbing raw marks over her wrists. Who would put her here, tied up? Nothing was making sense. She moved her feet, finding them unbound and thanked God for that small miracle. If she couldn't move her hands, at least she could find her footing to stand up. That was something. But what dumbass would tie her hands and not her feet? It was obviously not a woman since women were smarter than that. Grace snorted at that and immediately regretted it as she felt like she swallowed half the wadded up material in her mouth down her throat.
Another flash of memory had her panicking. She remembered Officer Smith walking up to her as she left the bathroom. He asked her how her night was and how the wedding had been. She had looked at him strangely, wondering why he would have asked how the wedding was, when he should have been there himself. He and Cade did work together, so Grace was pretty sure he had been invited. Then she had felt a slight sting in her upper arm and looked over as Smith took a needle out of her flesh. Within seconds she was feeling woozy, barely able to stand up straight. The last thing she remembered was the evil smile on Smith's face as her sight waivered. Then nothing but blackness.
Oh my gosh! Jaxson! Was Jaxson alright? Who had her baby? Grace began to cry hard then, worrying about her son, her reason for existing. It had been her and Jaxson for years, just them living in this world. They were like peanut butter and jelly according to
