Chapter Nineteen
Neither of them spoke of the dinner or Joanie again. In fact, it was as if that evening hadn’t happened. His mother not showing up at the lodge or his cabin made it easier. It was like Joanie had just disappeared. Still, Isabelle couldn’t quite put her finger on why Ransom’s mother made her uncomfortable. Her manipulative behavior should have been enough, but there was still something else that bothered Isabelle. In any case, the farther that woman stayed away from her and Evan, the better.
Indeed, the last two days had been heavenly. She spent them with Silke and Sabrina, helping with improvements in the lodge’s dining room and preparations for the New York clan members who were going to arrive in the next few days. In the evenings, after putting Evan to bed, she and Ransom made love until they were both exhausted, exploring and getting to know each other’s bodies again. Both times, when Evan woke up in the middle of night, Ransom told her to go back to sleep, and instead took care of their son.
Though he had not repeated the words he had told her the other night, he hadn’t asked her at all how she felt. But, being around him, seeing him taking care of Evan and proudly showing him off, how could she not fall in love with him? Or maybe she’d always loved him deep in her heart. But how to tell him? Maybe tonight. After Evan went to bed, she’d tell him before they made love.
“Isabelle? Isabelle, did you hear what I said?”
Jolted out of her thoughts, she blinked at Sabrina. “What?”
“Hmm, what could possibly have you distracted?” Silke chuckled and shook her head. “If he wasn’t my brother, I’d ask for details.”
She turned red, and Sabrina, thank goodness, pointed to the paint samples on the table. “What do you think of this color, Isabelle?”
“I think the coral is great.” She shot Sabrina a grateful look, then grabbed a muffin from the plate on the table and stuffed it into her mouth. “Wow, I’m really hungry this morning.” Hopefully, that would stop her from having to give them any more details.
They were in the dining room, selecting new color palettes for the dining room’s interiors. One of Uncle Dante’s suggestions was to make the place cozier with a fresh paint job, to make it more inviting and encourage people to stay. The dull, almost sterile walls of the room did make it seem more like a hospital than a restaurant. Silke had taken a look at her budget and decided she could at least look into a fresh paint job.
“Coral it is,” Silke declared.
Isabelle got up from her chair and stretched her arms over her head. “I’m gonna go check on Evan.” She had left him napping in his car seat at the reception desk while Arlene watched over him. Ransom was out in his truck, checking on some damage on the docks by the lake so he didn’t want to take him. He said he would come back later this afternoon, but he could come earlier if he finished sooner.
Walking out to the lobby, she spotted Arlene coming out of the ladies’ room. “Hey, Arlene,” she greeted. Glancing around, she didn’t see Evan’s car seat. “Where’s Evan?”
She pointed to the couches. “Why he’s just—” The older woman frowned. “They were just there, right before I went into the ladies’ room.”
“They? Was Ransom here?”
“Oh, no. Joanie sauntered in and saw Evan. Started fussing over him.” She lifted a brow. “I ain’t never seen that woman give a lick for anyone but herself or Ransom, but I think Evan charmed her.”
“But where are they?”
“I asked Joanie if she could watch him for a second while I went to the facilities,” Arlene shrugged. “I wasn’t gone longer than five minutes.”
Isabelle’s heart began to drum against her rib cage. Calm down, she told herself. There was an explanation for this. Her inner wolf, however, began to pace uneasily. “Maybe they went outside.”
She jogged out of the main entrance, but there was no sign of them. Dashing back into the lobby, she headed for the outdoor deck, but it was empty save for a few guests lingering outside, sunning themselves. Her stomach was tied in knots now, and she wanted to throw up. Call it maternal instinct, but she just knew something was wrong.
“Isabelle?” Silke asked as she walked back into the lobby. The redhead was standing by the front desk with Arlene and Sabrina. “What’s wrong?”
“I …” Her voice shook so bad, she feared she might croak. “I think … oh God.” She buried her face in her hands. “I don’t know if I’m overreacting. Maybe I’m wrong.” Please let me be wrong. Her wolf growled at her, so certain in its suspicions.
Silke gently removed her hands from her face. “What is it? Tell me?”
“This is silly … but Evan’s gone—not here, and I-I think Joanie took him.”
Her dark auburn brows drew together, and her lips pursed. “I’ll call Ransom.” She turned to Arlene. “Call Bo, and ask him to check if Joanie’s car is in her driveway, then send out a message to everyone to let me know if they’ve seen Joanie or Evan anywhere.”
“I’m being silly, right?” Isabelle forced a laugh. “They’re probably just somewhere around here.”
“Isabelle,” Silke began, her emerald green gaze boring straight into her. “Do you believe Joanie might have taken Evan? And that she could harm him?”
“I … I don’t know,” she cried. “She’s Ransom’s mother. Evan’s her grandson.”
“What does your instinct tell you?” Silke gripped her wrists tight. “And don’t sugarcoat it.”
God, she didn’t want to believe what her gut and wolf were telling her. Everything had been fine, until now. Ransom loved her, and she loved him back. She was going to tell him tonight. They were going to be a family.
“Isabelle!” Silke shook her.
“She took him!” The words burst out of her mouth. “Joanie took him.”
Silke’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll call Ransom right
