Lily threw back the first shot. The heat from it traveled from her throat all the way to her stomach, warming her all the way—maybe not in the same way as much as seeing Mack in that shirt and pants did—but it calmed her frayed nerves. She held out the glass, and he filled it again. Then he took her by the hand and led her to the living room.

Lily sipped on the whiskey that time, enjoying the sweet, smoky flavor. Mack sat down on the sofa, pulled her down beside him, and hugged her to his side. Having him simply hold her meant more to her than words could ever describe.

She’d snuggled up even closer to him when her phone rang. She took it out of her hip pocket, saw that it was from Wyatt, and let it go to voice mail.

“You’re not going to give him a piece of your mind?” Mack asked.

“Not until I’m ready,” she answered.

The phone rang again, and she ignored it again. Barely a minute passed before it rang a third time. On the fourth ring she picked up.

“Hello, Wyatt.” She kept her voice as calm as possible.

“Lily, have the kids called you?” His voice sounded frantic.

“They don’t have phones until summer. You’d have to let them use yours to call. So I suppose you’re not letting them use yours?” she answered.

He ended the call without another word.

“I see you’re going to let him go a little crazy,” Mack said.

“Yep, I am,” she answered. “And that’s the least of what I’d like to do to him after this stunt.”

“Mama!” Braden called out from the foyer in a loud whisper. “I’m going to get some milk and a banana.”

She moved to the other end of the sofa. “Thanks for letting me know.”

He stuck his head in the door and grinned. “I tried to be quiet so I wouldn’t wake Holly up. I’m still hungry.”

Lily’s phone rang again, and she ignored it. Only a minute went by before another call rang. She waited until the fifth ring this time. Let him stew.

“Wyatt, for God’s sake, why are you calling me again?” she asked.

“The kids are gone,” he said. “Victoria says we need to call the police, but I think they may be trying to get back to you.”

“What do you mean? Gone?” Lily asked. “Why would they be gone? Aren’t you in the room right next to them? How could they leave without you even knowing it?”

“I’m going to keep Braden company while you take care of this,” Mack whispered.

“I’m at the hotel where they were, and they’re not here!” Wyatt yelled frantically.