Stolen Moments (And Then Came Love Book 2) (28 page)

“Did you ever think she’s been on her own for so long that she doesn’t know how to accept help?” Greta leaned on the door. “I was stubborn after Lin died. I did my best to raise the boys by myself, without the help that was offered. Once I got pregnant with Marcus, I did it again. Tried to do it on my own. I couldn’t and eventually, I let my family and Dustin help, when he was here. But it took me having a bit of a breakdown before I was able to ask for help.”

“But they’re giving it freely. I offered to give her a break this morning before work. I know you’re around offering help. My parents, Trust and Vivian. She’s not alone.”

“Again, she’s been alone for so long, she doesn’t know how to be any other way.” Greta patted him on the hand.

Trevor rubbed his temples. “I need to go apologize to Mina. I shouldn’t have taken this out on her.”

“Even though she’s not talking to you now and is upset with you, you’re doing everything right. You’re taking care of Mina, you’ve taken a part time position instead of a full time. Even if it takes some time, she will see what you’re doing for her, and how much you love her.”

Trevor motioned for Greta to step back and got out of the truck. “I guess the first thing I should do is get the food out of the oven.”

“You left food in the oven and didn’t tell me?” Greta narrowed her eyebrows.

Trevor chuckled. “We were kind of in the middle of an argument.” He headed to the house.

Greta followed.

Mina stared at the food in front of her, her elbow on the table and hand propping her head up. “They were done, so I got them out.”

“Thank you.” Trevor stood behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. He kissed her head. “I’m sorry, I was short with you. Your mother and I are having problems and I never should have let that affect the way I talk to you.”

“You’re going to leave Mom aren’t you?” She picked at her fingernails while staring at the table.

“No.” Trevor pulled out a chair and sat down next to her. “I’m not going to leave your Mom and I’m not going to leave you. I’m in this for the long haul. She doesn’t know it, but I’ve even bought her a ring.”

Mina’s eyes widened. “You have? Seriously? Like you’re going to ask her to marry you?”

“If you both will have me.” Trevor smiled at Mina. “If your mother forgives me, you’ll help me plan the proposal, right?”

“Can I really?” Mina clasped her hands together.

“Of course.”

“I’m so excited.” Mina threw her arms around his neck, backed up, and bit her lip. “How do we get Mom to forgive you?”

“I’ll figure that out, don’t worry about it. She just needs some time.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

May 28th

Trevor rubbed his eyes and stared at the report he was reading. He’d slept by himself for the last two nights, which left him not sleeping much at all. He was filling in for another officer. Mina had swim practice until six-thirty and Greta picked her up.

He glanced at his watch. Ten more minutes and he was out of here.

His phone rang. “What’s up, Mina?”

“Have you seen Mom?”

“I haven’t seen your Mom for almost three days, Mina.”

“I called the hospital, they said she wasn’t there. I tried her cell phone and she didn’t answer.”

Trevor yawned. “Um – let me call Ginni and see if I can find out anything. Are you alone?”

“No, I’m still with grandma.”

“Good, stay there, I’ll let you know as soon as I find anything out.” Trevor stood, straightened the papers on the desk, and headed to the front of the office. “I have to go.”

The boss looked at the clock. “Your replacement is here and you’re close enough to go. That’s fine. Problem?”

“My girlfriend’s missing. Her daughter’s trying to get a hold of her and can’t.” Trevor headed toward the door.

“Let me know if you need anything, we can do searches if we need too.”

“Thanks, man.” Trevor rushed out the door and to his truck. He hopped inside and dialed Arianna’s number.

No answer.

“Give me a call when you get this.” He shook his head and ended the call. He drove out of the park. The phone beckoned to him. He dialed Arianna again. Hung up when the voicemail kicked on and dialed again.

“Hello?” She didn’t sound like herself. Her voice was flat.

“Ari?”

“What?”

“Where are you? Mina’s been trying to get a hold of you.”

“At the park.”

“What park?” Trevor glanced at the time. After eight.

“The State Park.”

He was less than a mile away from the park he took her hiking in. “Where in the park?”

“On the bridge.” She ended the call.

“Damn it, Ari.” He pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the road. He dialed Greta.

“Did you find her?”

“She answered her phone, but doesn’t sound like herself. She said she’s at the state park, I’m on my way over there. She hung up on me before I could ask her anymore questions.”

“I’ll let Mina know you found her, but won’t tell her anything else.”

“Thanks, Greta.”

“Just go get her back.”

“Will do.”

Trevor sped down the road, glad he was still in his conservation uniform. If anyone stopped him now, he could get out of it.

He turned into the park, rolled down the window and flashed his badge at the gatehouse attendant.

She opened the gate and motioned for him to go in.

He drove down to the bridge.

Arianna’s car was parked nearby, but he didn’t see her right away.

“Ari?” He jumped down from his truck and ran over to the bridge.

“What?” She sat on the railing of the bridge. Her feet dangling over the water.

Trevor glanced over the edge, there wasn’t enough water there to do much catching, if she fell the chances of survival were low. “Will you come down from there?”

She shrugged and leaned her head against the railing. “It’s comfortable up here.”

“It’s even more comfortable in my truck, why don’t you come sit with me?”

“No.” She closed her eyes and her body swayed.

Trevor grabbed a hold of her arms and held on for dear life. His heart beat faster. “Ari, please?”

She shrugged and pushed herself up as if to stand.

Trevor couldn’t take it anymore. He lifted her off the railing and pulled her into his arms. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you need to talk to me, baby.”

She slid down the railing and sat on the ground. She stared off into space, not really looking anything, her eyes fixed on a specific point in space.

He sat down next to her. “Are you on something?”

She shrugged and dropped her head back against the bridge. “No.”

“Then what’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Ari, one word answers aren’t going to cut it with me. You need to talk to me.”

“My mother stopped by today.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing.” She looked away from him. Her expression hadn’t changed since he arrived. “Maybe it’s me who was the bad person. Maybe my mother is a really great person, but I’m too terrible to see it.”

“No.” Trevor shook his head and touched her shoulder.

Her head lolled toward him. “You’re a good looking man, Trevor Vitalli.” Her facial expression never changed.

He quirked a brow. “Are you sure you’re not taking any medication.”

“Nope.”

Trevor took a deep breath. His heart raced faster. What the hell was wrong with her? “How do you feel?”

“Like I’m looking at my body from the outside.”

“Like an out of body experience?”

She nodded. “Like I really can’t control my own body.”

“Can you tell me what happened today?” He touched her hand.

She cocked her head and stared at his hand. She blinked twice and then touched his hand with her own. “Do you feel that?”

“Hon, I think you need to go to the hospital. We need to figure out what’s going on.”

“I’m fine.” She gazed out into space again. He pulled out his phone and dialed Ginni’s number.

“Hey, Trevor, what’s up?”

“What happened at the hospital today?”

“Nothing.”

“Ari’s mother wasn’t there.”

“Greta stopped by for a bit, but her real mother wasn’t there. Why?”

“She told me her mother stopped by today.”

“She was really out of it when she left. I figured she was going home to take a nap. I don’t think she’s slept more than two hours in the last three days.”

“You let her drive from the hospital in this condition?” Trevor narrowed his eyes and turned to Arianna.

She still stared off into space.

“She said you were picking her up.”

Trevor let out a sigh. “Well thanks for the info.”

“Is she all right?”

“I’m not sure, she’s really out of it.” Trevor ran a hand through his hair.

“Bring her back to the hospital, we’ll have someone check her out.”

“I’m trying.” He hung up the phone and held his hand out to Arianna. “Can we go for a drive?”

She shrugged and let him pull her to her feet.

“Where are your keys?”

She dug in her pockets and brought out her keys.

Trevor took them away from her. “You’re not well enough to drive.”

“Whatever you say.” Arianna nodded and walked around to the side of the truck. She climbed in, shut the door, and rested her head on the headrest.

Trevor backed the vehicle down the lane until he was able to turn it around. He stopped at the front gate.

“Can I help you, sir?” The woman stepped over to his truck.

He held up his badge. “There’s a car over by the bridge, could you park it over by the office for me? I’ll have someone come by tomorrow and pick it up.”

“Sure.”

“Thanks. What’s your name?”

“Susie McDaniels.”

He dropped the keys into her hand. “Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Trevor drove out of the gate and headed for the hospital. His phone rang. He sighed, but answered it.

“Did you find her?” Greta asked.

“She’s with me, but she’s in a weird mood.” Trevor turned left at the stop sign. “I’m worried about her. We’re headed for the hospital.”

“We’ll be there shortly.”

They drove in silence.

He pulled into the parking lot and helped her out of the car.

“Why are we at the hospital?”

“Because you’re not yourself.” He led her into the emergency room.

“Dr. Hasley, what are you doing here?” The lady behind the counter smiled.

“She’s acting off. Ginni told me to bring her in.”

“Take her up to Ginni then, I’m sure she’ll know what to do.” She pressed a button to open the doors behind them that would lead into the main part of the hospital.

*****

May 29th

Arianna rolled over in bed. A bed? Why was she in a bed? She sat up and looked around. How the hell did she get home? Last thing she remembered she was at the hospital. She threw back the covers and glanced at the clock. A piece of paper was propped up against the clock with her name scrawled across it in Trevor’s hand writing.

She hadn’t seen him since she yelled at him the other day. She snatched the note up and opened it.

Didn’t know how you’d feel about waking up next to me, since our fight the other day. Hope you’re feeling better. Headed to the hospital to check on Austin and Candace. If you need anything call.

Love you, Trevor

Arianna read the note twice. Feeling better? What the hell was he talking about? She dropped the note on the bedside table and stretched as she stood up. She staggered. Her head swam a bit. What was wrong with her?

She stumbled to the door and headed into the hallway.

Mina stood there. “Why are you such a bitch?”

Arianna’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

“If you weren’t Trevor would still be here and I wouldn’t be losing the only man who ever wanted to be my father.” Mina stormed into her room and slammed the door.

She rubbed her temples. The whole world had lost their ever-loving mind.

There was a knock on the door.

Now what? She walked into the other room.

Greta stepped inside and smiled at her. “Good to see you up and around, honey. You gave us all a good scare last night.”

“Last night? I was at the hospital all last night. I don’t even remember coming home.”

“Ginni said you probably wouldn’t remember anything.” Greta pulled her in for a hug. “If it hadn’t been for Trevor you may not be with us at all.”

“Ginni? Trevor? What the hell are you talking about?” Arianna threw her hands up. Yep that was it, they were all crazy. “I’m going to the hospital.” She opened the door.

“Hard to go anywhere without your car.”

“Where in the hell is it?” She stormed out of the house. This was all so confusing.

“Give me a minute and I’ll drive you to the hospital.” Greta disappeared into the house.

Probably talking to Mina. Arianna shook her head and looked around her yard. At least it looked the same. No changes there. Everyone seemed to be speaking in code today. Were they all dreaming? She leaned against Greta’s car and waited.

Greta smiled as she came out. “It’s not locked, love.”

Arianna nodded and climbed in the passenger’s side of the car. “Do I dare ask where my car is?”

“At the State Park. You drove there last night.” Greta pulled out of the driveway and turned toward the hospital. “How long were you planning on leaving Mina alone today?”

Oh crap! What the hell was she going to do with Mina? “I guess we should go back and get her.”

“Trevor’s on his way. They were going over to his parent’s house.” Greta tapped the steering wheel as she waited for a light to turn green. “You’re ignoring her you know that right? She feels abandoned since Austin was born.”

“I have a premature baby I’m dealing with right now. I love my daughter, but the baby needs a lot of care.” She shook her head. Why did no one seem to understand how much care it took to take care of a premature baby?

“If he was your baby, I could totally see that, but he’s your sister’s baby. And I understand you and Trevor are going to be his guardians, but Candace and Keegan need to be involved as well.”

“Candace is fragile. She can’t deal with taking care of him in her state.”

Greta laughed. “No mother is ready to take care of a newborn. Not a one. Whether they have an hour of labor or fifty hours of labor, premature, or full-term. It’s a stressful time for everyone. Are you telling me you were prepared when you had Mina?”

“Of course not, but Scott’s parents stepped in and helped out.”

“Stepped in and helped out is not the same thing as took over raising her. You’re trying to be Austin’s mother instead of his temporary guardian. Candace is still home for at least the next four months. She is his mother. Put the responsibility in her hands and you take care of your own daughter.”

“My daughter doesn’t need me as much as Candace and the baby do.” Arianna shot back.

“Bullshit. Mina needs you now more than ever. She needs to know you’re still going to be part of her life. She’s terrified of being abandoned, because besides you she’s been abandoned by everyone she knows. And since you’ve attempted to kick Trevor out of her life, she’s even more scared.” Greta pulled into the parking lot at the hospital.