Alex nodded and looked back at Bailey. “Tell me about yourself.”
“I live in South Lake Tahoe. I own a business with Mae.” She looked over and grabbed Mae’s hand. “It’s a boutique.”
“That’s right, I saw that on the news. You’re Bailey Mae’s?” Linda said quickly.
Bailey smiled. “Yes. Do you know it?”
She nodded with a smile. “I love it. Beautiful designs and handmade jewelry. I stop in every time we visit Lake Tahoe.”
“Wow, small world,” Mae said.
“That must’ve been after you finished school,” Alex said.
Bailey tilted her head. “Excuse me?”
“College. You must’ve started the business after you finished college. Where did you attend?”
“I took a few business classes at Lake Tahoe Community College.”
“Community college?” Alex asked.
Bailey’s face grew warm with the question. “Is there something wrong with that?”
“No, of course not,” Linda said.
Bailey looked from Linda back to Alex. “My mother was a diabetic. Her health was failing, and I didn’t want to leave her alone, so I decided on community college instead of going to a university.”
“Bailey was accepted at UC Berkeley and Cal Maritime,” Ryan said, the agitation apparent in his voice.
“Ah,” Alex said. “Let me guess. Engineering?”
Bailey smiled. “Yes, that was my original plan.”
“Nicole just graduated from Berkeley last year,” Linda said proudly.
Bailey knitted her brow. “Where is Nicole?” And as soon as she said it, she wished she hadn’t.
“We didn’t bring her or the boys with us today. We didn’t want to overwhelm you,” Linda said.
Bailey wanted to laugh and say ‘too late’ but decided to keep her mouth shut instead.
Alex looked back at Bailey. “You grew up in South Lake Tahoe. So close. It’s hard to believe how close.”
Bailey frowned. “Yes, it’s very odd, isn’t it? To have family so near and not realize it.” She waved a hand at them. “Do you like living in Sacramento?”
Alex pursed his lips. “Yes. We moved up here about fifteen years ago.” He glanced at Linda and smiled, his expression glowing. “It’s been a good life. We live on the river, and our kids have all stayed close to home.”
“I’ve lived in the same house most of my life,” Bailey said. “With my mom.”
Alex glanced at Ryan. “And did I hear that correctly, Ryan? You grew up with Bailey?”
Ryan cleared his throat. “Yeah, we were neighbors. We grew up next door to each other.”
Alex said, “Did you also attend the community college?”
Ryan shook his head. “No. Actually, I didn’t.”
“He attended Berklee College of Music,” Vince piped in. “Back east. Boston.”
“Music?” Alex asked.
“Yes, Ryan’s a classically trained musician. A pianist, actually, but he can play any instrument,” Bailey said. “He’s very talented.”
Ryan smiled at her. “Thank you.”
“What kind of career can you have with an education in music?” Alex asked.
Bailey tried not to feel offended for Ryan, but as Alex asked the question, his eyes rested on the ground at their feet. Was this a protective father thing? She couldn’t be sure. “You can have a career in music,” Bailey said.
“That’s wonderful, Ryan,” Linda said, smiling. “Do you have a recording career?”
“I record for an independent label. I’m not interested in producing commercial music.”
“How do you make your living if you don’t sell your music?” Alex asked.
“I do sell my music, but I do it privately or independently.” He glanced at Lucas then back to her father. “I also own a club, and I play there.”
“A club?” Alex asked, and Bailey prayed it was interest in his expression.
“Yes, like me, Ryan is a business owner. He co-owns with Lucas and another gentleman named Wade.” Bailey pointed to Lucas, who had taken a seat next to Mae. “Lucas is a chef, and Ryan manages the entertainment.”
“What kind of club is it?” Alex asked.
“A nightclub and a restaurant on the lake. It’s called El Lago Bar and Dock,” Bailey said.
“You own El Lago?” Linda asked. “I’ve heard of that place. Yes, the boys go there when we go on our ski trips to Tahoe.”
“Yes, we’re popular with tourists,” Ryan said.
“Small world,” Mae said again under her breath.
“So, you all ski?” Bailey asked, trying to change the subject.
Alex laughed. “Well, the boys ski. Linda and Nicole shop.”
“You should all come into El Lago the next time you’re in town. I’ll make you dinner,” Lucas said. “I hope you like Mexican food.”
“Oh, yes,” Linda said, brushing her hand at Lucas. “It’s one of our favorites.”
“Actually, we were hoping you might stay with us for a while,” Alex said.
Ryan’s body shifted slightly and stiffened next to her.
“I can’t. I have to work. Mae can’t run the shop by herself.”
“I can handle it—” Mae stopped when Bailey and Ryan looked over at her. “If I had to.”
“I’ve already left her alone to run the shop too many times over the last year. When my mother died, we took a trip to Wisconsin and…when…” Her eyes closed, and she took a deep breath.
“I’m sorry about your mother, Bailey,” Linda said, breaking the tension. “That must’ve been a difficult time.”
“Yes.” Alex nodded. “Terrible time…”
Bailey frowned, not sure what to say. She couldn’t compare it to losing a wife and child. But then again, the years gone by must have made things easier for him. And he must have remarried fairly quickly.
“You said you vacationed in Wisconsin?” Alex said, changing the subject.
“No, I went there looking for some answers about…well, about you.”
Alex tilted his head. “Why Wisconsin?”
“Because that’s where my parents lived when they found me.”
“Oh, yes,” Alex nodded. “I believe Agent Scofield mentioned that. It’s so strange, though.” He looked up at the ceiling for a moment then shook away his thoughts.
“What’s strange?” Bailey asked.
“Whoever took you must’ve driven directly there. It wasn’t a great deal of time. The agent said you were found on December sixteenth.”
Bailey sat up straighter. “I still don’t know what you mean.”
“Well, the drive alone would take several days. I can’t imagine they took you on an airplane. Not with the local media coverage.”
Bailey stared at him, not sure what to say. She was clearly missing something.
“Why do you say
