Baltimore 03 - Did You Miss Me?

look of fierce sorrow he held his arms open. She walked into his embrace, holding on as he rocked her gently. She inhaled, smelling the barn on his clothes, feeling her racing pulse quiet. Hal’s hands always smelled like lemon oil. Scott’s smelled like saddle soap. Both scents soothed her.
    Both men had played important roles in her life, both had been friends when she’d been lonely. Both had made personal sacrifices for her along the way.
    It was fitting that both of them would show up to support her today.
    ‘Of course I came,’ Scott murmured. ‘Did you really think I wouldn’t?’
    Hearing a thread of hurt in his voice, she leaned back to meet his eyes. ‘Only because I didn’t know you were home. I thought you were at the horse show in Florida.’
    ‘Got home last night. Two of my kids brought home blue ribbons.’ Scott’s ‘kids’ were his equestrian students. One of the best showjumping trainers in the state, he’d coached Ford since he could sit in the saddle and loved him like he was one of his own sons. Together, Hal and Scott had been the fathers that Travis never even tried to be.
    Scott tried to smile, but it didn’t come close to reaching his eyes. ‘And I brought you and Maggie a present. When you’re feeling up to it, you have to come meet him.’
    She found her lips could still curve. ‘Another rescue?’ she asked and he nodded.
    ‘Found him tied to a tree. He’s a bag of bones right now, but he’s got heart. You need to hurry out before Maggie names him,’ he added teasingly.
    ‘I’ll come out as soon as I can.’ She swallowed hard. ‘After we find Ford.’
    Scott dropped his head so that his brow touched hers and dropped his voice so that none of the curious ears behind them could hear. ‘If you need me, I can be here in twenty minutes. And if you need to brush a horse, I’ll bring Reese to you.’
    Daphne’s heart squeezed. ‘I bet my neighborhood association would have something to say about that.’
    ‘Fuck ’em,’ he said soberly. ‘Say the word and I’ll bring you the whole damn barn.’
    She tried to find her voice. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered hoarsely.
    ‘Don’t you worry about Ford,’ he said, ignoring her thanks. ‘He’s a smart boy. And tough. We raised him well.’ He walked her to the table, pulled out her chair, took off his jacket, draped it over her shoulders. She turned her face into the warm suede.
    He brought the barn to me .
    ‘I’m making tea,’ Scott said. ‘Anyone else want any?’
    ‘I’ll have some,’ Daphne’s mother said as she sank into the chair next to her. ‘You remember how I like it, don’t you, Scott?’
    ‘Of course, Simone. One part tea, four parts of whatever’s the highest proof.’
    ‘You’re the man,’ her mother said, but her eyes never left her daughter’s face. Daphne knew she had to address what had happened in the living room.
    ‘I’m sorry, Mama. About . . . in there. I wasn’t thinking.’
    ‘Nothing to apologize for, baby. You were remembering. So was I.’
    ‘You called me “baby” that night.’
    ‘Did I?’ Her mother’s mouth bent, her posture melancholy. ‘I didn’t remember that.’
    ‘I didn’t think about what you’d be going through today, reliving all that,’ Daphne said. And I should have . God . ‘It’s been a . . . difficult day.’
    ‘I know, baby. I know.’ Her mother sighed. ‘I wouldn’t have had you experience this for all the tea in China.’
    Hector sat down at the table, extended his hand to her mother. ‘Ma’am, I’m Detective Rivera. I’m working the abduction of your grandson with the task force.’
    ‘I’m Simone Montgomery and the woman standing behind Daphne is Maggie VanDorn, a family friend. And over at the stove is Scott Cooper.’
    ‘Scott owns the farm next to mine in Hunt Valley,’ Daphne said. ‘He helps Maggie take care of our horses and he’s been Ford’s trainer for more than fifteen years.’
    ‘Trainer?’ Hector asked.
    ‘Jumping,’ Daphne said. ‘On horses. Ford competes at the state and national level. He’s always trained with Scott.’
    And he will continue to do so . Daphne lifted her chin slightly. I believe this is true .
    Hector’s head bobbed politely as he greeted them all, then turned his gaze on Daphne. ‘So what happened in the living room?’
    Daphne’s cheeks heated, embarrassed now. ‘I had a cousin disappear when I was eight years old, nearly thirty years ago.’ She hesitated, then