Ford placed a kiss on his cheek before stepping out of his way, and he continued to make breakfast. He could hear Ford talking to Savie, but he wasn’t paying much attention to the conversation, his mind only on Callum. Why hadn’t they heard anything yet?
Sawyer messed up a couple of the pancakes, but managed to get it together. It turned out it was perfect timing, because when he was making the last batch, he heard Ford say, “Looking better, Gav.”
Sawyer turned around and found Gavin slumped down into his seat. Instead of commenting on that, he said, “You do, bud.”
Gavin glanced his way, shrugged, then looked away again. He couldn’t blame the kid.
He turned back to the skillet in time to get the last pancake off before it burned.
He split the pancakes up on the plates Ford had pulled out earlier, then took them over to the table.
“I’ll grab the butter and syrup,” Ford said, getting up and going over to the fridge. When he opened it, Ford looked back. “What would everyone like to drink?”
When Ford didn’t get an answer from the kids, Sawyer said, “Orange juice should be fine.”
Ford grabbed the carton of juice, and Sawyer walked back to the cupboard to get the glasses. Usually, the kids would get the table set, but today wasn’t one of those days.
“Anyone need anything else?” Sawyer asked.
They all shook their heads so he returned to the table and slid into his seat, but his eyes immediately landed on the highchair. It was beside his chair, so it would have been him making sure Callum got more food in his mouth than on the floor. The empty seat made the knot in his stomach get even tighter, and Sawyer lost his appetite.
Ford’s hand slipped into his, and Sawyer looked over at him. Ford squeezed Sawyer’s hand and motioned in the direction of the kids. When he looked over at them, their eyes were on him, so Sawyer picked up his fork and cut a bit of pancake and lifted it to his mouth.
The name of the game that day was “Faking It.” Sawyer had to keep it together for the kids even though he felt like a passenger on the Titanic with no hope of rescue.
The conversation was non-existent at the table. Sawyer knew everyone’s mind was on the family member missing, but no one brought up his name. When it was time to say goodbye to the children, Sawyer's heart started pounding in his chest. He loaded the dishwasher, buying time before they had to walk the kids to the door.
As they stood at the front door, Savanna turned to him and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight.
“Everything will be fine. I just know it.”
Sawyer swallowed hard. He wasn’t used to Savanna being the mature one rather than the pubescent, sulky teenager.
“You have a good day.” Sawyer kissed her cheek, then turned to Gavin who was in Ford’s arms. He looked between them. “We’ll come to the school the minute we hear anything about Callum. I promise.”
Gavin nodded and pulled away from the hug. “Bye,” he said. He waved and stepped out on to the porch, and so did Savanna.
The closer they came to the stairs, the tighter his chest felt.
“Stop.” Sawyer ran out of the house and pulled Savie and Gavin to him. “How about you go back to your rooms.”
Ford’s arms went around his waist. “Savie, Gav, go upstairs. No school for you today.”
The kids walked around them and back into the house. The two men heard their footsteps go up the stairs, and the moment their doors closed, Sawyer turned to Ford and immediately lost it. They held each other and the tears wouldn’t stop coming.
“What made you change your mind?” he heard Ford choke through the tears.
Pulling away so he could look at Ford’s tear-stained face, he took a couple of calming breaths before responding. “The thought of them going to school, worrying about their brother… it just isn’t right to do that to them. They would be distracted all day. If I’m snapping at the littlest thing, how will it be for them when they have less control over what is going on?”
Ford nodded before burying his face back into Sawyer’s shoulder.
Sawyer cleared his throat. “And I couldn’t face the thought of them being so far away from me,” he mumbled before kissing Ford’s head and then laying his cheek against it.
Sawyer stared at his computer screen not really seeing it. He wasn’t even sure how much time had passed. When he focused on the document, it was a mess. Sawyer leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
Why hadn’t they called him? He knew the cops were out searching, but Sawyer had no idea if they even had a lead. Besides, they’d put a trap and trace on his phone, but that was useless if they didn’t get a call.
Sawyer heaved a sigh and picked up his phone. He started to dial Officer Palmer, but before he could finish punching in the number, the caller ID popped up and showed Officer Palmer’s number. Sawyer quickly answered it.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Lancaster?” he asked.
“Yes!” His heart was racing in his chest, and he prayed with everything in him it was good news. It felt like eons without a word.
“We just heard from an officer in Wilshire County,” Officer Palmer said. “Callum has been found, and the kidnappers have been arrested.”
“Oh my God!” Sawyer fell against the desk, his heart felt like it had just been released from a vise. “How is he? Is he hurt? Can we go to him?”
“He isn’t hurt. The officer says he appears to be happy and healthy. The kidnappers apparently took good care of him, but they obviously didn’t plan well and were found hiding out at a motel.”
“Thank God for that.” Sawyer wanted to call out for Ford, but waited. “When… where can we get him?”
“I’ll send you the address and police station
