“Nina’s making pancakes.”

“Is that so?”

“Caitlyn asked for them, so . . .” Nina sent a pleading glance toward Aidan, one out of shadowed and tear-swollen eyes.

“I’m all about the pancake.”

So he’d wait just a bit longer to get Charlotte.

He caught a signal from Lily before she stepped out of the kitchen. He followed her out, and into what had been his grandfather’s study.

Liam Sullivan’s Oscars and awards gleamed; framed stills from his movies, candid shots with actors, directors, Hollywood luminaries graced the walls.

The wide glass doors led out to the garden he’d loved.

“Aidan, you know I love Cate more than I love red velvet cake.”

He had to smile. “Yes. And I know how much you love red velvet cake.”

“Nina,” she began, in her blunt way. “She’d moved to the room off the kitchen because she knew Charlotte didn’t want to see her. But she heard us when we came down. She just wanted to see Cate, to have a moment. I’m going to say Cate was so happy to see her, and before you know it asked for pancakes. Aidan, that girl wasn’t careless, she wasn’t irresponsible, she—”

“I know it.”

At the interruption, Lily drew in a breath. Topaz eyes against her milk-pale skin managed to transmit both relief and disappointment. “But you’re still going to let her go.”

“I’ll try talking to Charlotte again, but I don’t see her changing her mind. And the fact is, Lily, I don’t think Nina’s ever going to be comfortable working for us again.”

“For Charlotte again.” The southern drawl only added to the bite of the words.

He adored his stepmother. And knew he couldn’t claim Lily and Charlotte shared that same level of affection.

“Okay, yeah. I’m going to do what I can to help her get another position, and give her a good severance.”

“I’ll throw my weight into getting her another job. People listen to me.”

“Because you don’t give them a choice.”

She poked her finger in his chest. “Why would I?” Then she kissed his cheek. “Cate’s going to be all right. Some time, some love, she’s going to be just fine.”

“I’m counting on it. Want some pancakes?”

“Honey, at my age in this profession, I shouldn’t be in the same room as a pancake.” She tapped her own ass. “But this morning I’m making an exception.”

Aidan kept an eye on the time as she ate in the kitchen, noted Nina quietly sliding away.

“I’m going to go wake up your mom, baby. It’s going to be like Christmas morning for her, and you’re the best gift under the tree.”

Cate smiled a little, pushed at the pancakes still on her plate. “Is Nan still sleeping, too?”

“Probably, but I’ll check. Aunt Maureen and Uncle Harry are still here. And Miranda and Jack, some of the kids, too.”

“Are we going home today?”

“We’re going to see. You remember Sheriff Buckman from last night? He needs to come talk to everybody.”

Putting down the fork, Cate gripped her hands together under the counter, stared at her plate. “Did he catch them?”

“I don’t know, Catey, but you’re safe.”

“Are you coming right back? After you go upstairs, are you coming right back?”

“Right back. And G-Lil and Grandpa will stay right here with you.”

“And Nina?”

“Nina’s a little busy right now,” Lily said easily. “Why don’t we get out one of those jigsaw puzzles you like so much that make me say all those bad words.”

That brought a smile. “Can we do one in the living room so we can see the water, and have a fire?”

“Great idea.” Hugh stood. “But I pick the puzzle.”

“Not an easy one!” Cate scooted off the stool to scramble after him. Then stopped, her eyes imploring her father. “You’ll come right back.”

“Right back,” Aidan promised.

“Time and love, Aidan,” Lily reminded him as he looked after his daughter.

He nodded, and walked back to the stairs, went up. In the bedroom, he opened the curtains, let the light wash through the room.

He moved to the bed, sat where Charlotte lay, her hair like a luxurious tangle of that sunlight. Gently, he brushed it back from her face, kissed her.

She didn’t stir—even without a pill she tended to sleep deep—so he took her hand, kissed her fingers. Said her name.

“Charlotte. You need to wake up.”

She stirred then, and would have rolled over if he hadn’t stopped her. “Charlotte, wake up now.”

“Just let me sleep for another . . .”

Her eyes popped open, instantly filled with tears. “Caitlyn!” Already weeping, she flung herself into Aidan’s arms. “God, God, how could I have slept when my baby’s gone? How could I have—”

“Charlotte. Stop. Stop. Catey’s here. She’s safe. She’s right downstairs.”

“Oh, why do you lie to me? Why do you torture me?”

“Stop!” He had to pull her back, give her a little shake to cut off the rise of hysteria. “She’s downstairs, Charlotte. She got away. She’s safe, and downstairs right now.”

Her eyes went blank. “What are you talking about?”

“Our girl, Charlotte?” Tears clogged his throat again. “Our brave little girl climbed out a window. She got away, she got help. Dad and I brought her home last night after talking to the police. She was asleep by the time we got home, and you were under, so—”

“She—she climbed out a window? Oh my God! Did they—The police, you called the police?”

“The family who helped her did. Sheriff Buckman and his deputy will be here in about ten minutes to—”

“They’re coming here? Did they catch them? Did they catch the men who had Caitlyn?”

“I don’t know. They wore masks. Cate didn’t know where she was. It was a gift from God she found this house, this family who helped her, took care of her until we got there. Charlotte, she’s downstairs. You need to get up.”

“Oh God, oh God, I—I’m so groggy from the pill. I’m not thinking straight.” She tossed the covers aside, leaped out of bed. Since she wore only a silk nightshirt, Aidan stopped her before she could run from the room.

“Sweetheart, you need a robe at least. The police are coming.”

“What do I care about—”

He took the one laid over the foot of the bed, helped her put it on.

“I’m shaking, I’m shaking. This is all like some terrible dream. Caitlyn.”

Weeping again, she ran from the room, rushed down the stairs. She let out a wail when she saw Cate sitting on the floor working on a puzzle.

She leaped again, fell to her knees and pulled Cate close and tight against her. “Caitlyn, Cate. My Catey. My baby! I can’t believe you’re—”

She cut herself off, showering kisses over Cate’s face.

“Oh, let me look at you, let me look. Oh, my darling, did they hurt you?”