A genuine laugh escapes from my lips. “Oh, you couldn't be any closer to the truth.” I'm so happy and overjoyed right now, I’m sitting on the edge of my seat. No cost is too much for my dad to have his little girl back, and nothing is spared to see it through. I let out a huge sigh of relief as a big smile paints my face.
“Sounds like you're more than just a damsel in distress,” Heath says, eyeing me cautiously. “You must really be going through something epic to be two states up from Georgia, and stuck in the middle of nowhere with nothing on you.”
“You have no idea.” I don't elaborate on that statement, and he doesn't ask. As we get closer to the Raleigh belt-line, we start passing fast food places and he looks to me. “Would you like some coffee or breakfast on the way to the airport?”
“That sounds awesome. Thank you. There's just one slight problem though, and I'm not being picky, but can we stop at a Harris Teeter that has a Starbucks inside? I'm sorry I don't have any money, but my dad will pay you back,” I reassure him.
He bursts out with genuine laughter, and then he runs a hand through his thick blond hair. “Are you kidding me, darlin’? I think I can afford whatever it is you need, especially after your dad just wired twenty grand to my account.”
Wow, there are no words, I think as I slump back into the cushioned seat of Heath’s truck in relief and briefly close my eyes. Resting my head back against the headrest, I gaze out the window, watching the morning sunrise come up over the interstate as it casts a bright light on a new day full of hope. Elation fills me as rays of sunshine filter through the clouds above, emitting a lighthearted spiritual feel. It feels odd how everyone is rushing around, each in their own little world as they get ready to start their daily grind. I wonder how many of these people take their life and freedom for granted.
Travis
I roll over in bed with the intention of wrapping my arms around Jules and having a morning rendezvous, but quickly realize her side of the bed is empty. I’m always the first one awake in the morning, so this surprises me.
Maybe she’s in the bathroom. “Jules?” I call out, but I’m met with silence. I get out of bed and throw on a pair of jeans. “Jules?” I call out again as I look into the bathroom. Being a light sleeper, I have never had her be able to slip out of bed in the morning without me knowing about it. I make my way downstairs, looking into each room as I make my way to the kitchen. Quinn and Stryker are drinking coffee at the table.
“Guys, has Jules been down here?”
They both shake their heads. “Stryker and I have been the only ones up for the past half-hour, Trav. What’s up?” Quinn asks concerned.
“Jules isn’t upstairs, and I can’t find her.”
“She’s gotta be upstairs. You’re the first one I’ve seen surface from the bedrooms.”
I shake my head. “No, man. I already checked.” I don’t like the bad feeling creeping into my gut, and the guys can see what I’m thinking.
“Travis, she’s here. I sleep for shit on the sofa; I’d know it if she came down those stairs at any point,” Quinn tries to reassure me, but it’s not working.
I turn around on my heel and head back up the stairs, taking three at a time with the guys following fast behind me.
“Jules!” I yell out, panic lining my voice. I give hand signals for the other guys to check the other rooms one-by-one as I head back to our bedroom, looking for clues. As the guys call her name, I scan over the bedroom, scrutinizing every inch of the place. The light streaming in through the window catches my attention, and that’s when I notice the window is an inch ajar. “Fucking hell!”
I lift the blinds all the way up and open the window to look out. “Travis! What did you find?” Stryker asks from behind me.
I turn around with a grim feeling. “I think she took off out the window.”
Stryker shakes his head. “Nah, man…there’s no way.”
I lift a brow. “Really? If you wanted out bad enough, how would you get out?” Stryker rubs the back of his neck in a nervous gesture. He knows I’m right. “Shoes. Where are her shoes?” I skirt around Stryker, looking for them.
“Umm…Travis,” Stryker says warily. I turn around and receive a sucker punch to my gut. Stryker stands beside the bed, holding up her engagement ring.
“Sonofabitch,” I snarl. “How the fuck could this have happened?” Immediately, I go into combat mode and begin barking orders. Everyone disperses with a task as I quickly get dressed. Every minute that ticks by with no sign of Jules is a minute in Hell.