As manager of the Billings store, Nathan knew a lot about their finances and that opening the two new stores had stretched them thin. A big recall and loss of customer confidence could sink them fast.
That’s what initially made Jon come up with his ideas to help Trinity and Adria expand and not put everything at risk. But that didn’t matter now. Stopping Nathan and restoring customers’ faith in Almost Homemade took precedence.
Jon brushed his hand up her arm. “Let us clean up the mess and get Almost Homemade back up and running the way you want it. Right now, your health is more important than anything.”
Adria moved closer. “I know it sucks. It’s our baby. But Drake and Jon will bring Nathan down.”
“Fine.” Her stomach rumbled, reminding Jon she hadn’t eaten in a good long time.
“You need some food and rest. I’ll call and update you as often as I can, but I’m betting we get the proof and Nathan is arrested in no time.”
Tate walked out of the kitchen with a huge plate of lasagna and garlic bread.
Trinity held her hands out for it, eager to dig in, judging by the way her eyes devoured the food on the plate. “At least you brought one of my favorites.”
“You probably made it. I took it out of my freezer.” Tate handed over a fork.
Jon slipped his hand around the side of her neck and stared into her eyes. “Please rest.”
She narrowed her gaze as she looked at him. “If I have to.”
“You do.” He nodded toward the sofa. “Maybe you can get Emmy to open up and talk. I’m worried about her. And you. But we’ll talk when I get back.”
She fisted her hand in his shirt. “I’m sorry I said you cheated. You wouldn’t do that.”
“Never. But I understand you were having trouble finding the right words.”
“Still.” Her frown deepened. “I don’t like feeling confused about us.”
“I love you. Try to hold on to and remember that.”
She leaned in and pressed her forehead to his chin. He rubbed his hands up and down her back, trying to soothe her.
“I’ll keep in touch, Trinity.” Adria brushed her hand over Trinity’s hair.
She looked up. “You’re supposed to be on bed rest.”
“I’m going.” She took Drake’s hand and let him lead her to the door.
Drake glanced back over his shoulder. “I’ll meet you at the store in town. We can view the footage from all the stores on the computer system there.”
“Okay.” He turned back to Trinity after they left. “Thank God I don’t have to drive all the way into Billings. I’m too tired for that.”
Trinity brushed her fingers under one of his eyes. “How long has it been since you slept?”
“Two days,” Tate said from his spot on the sofa next to Emmy, where they sat transfixed by the cartoon.
“Go eat your food, sweetheart. Drink some water, too. You’ve got to be dehydrated after sleeping so long.”
“I’ll take care of me if you promise to take care of you when you get home.”
“All I want to do is spend time with you, so I can really take it in that you’re okay and you’re here with me.”
“Then go do my thing, so we can do our thing when you get back.”
He kissed her softly. “I love you.” He wanted her to hear it, to believe it, so she wouldn’t be confused anymore.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Trinity finished her meal and downed two glasses of water. She felt better. But she didn’t like the way Emmy stared at the TV, not speaking, not looking at her or Tate. The little one was never this quiet.
Trinity left the dining table and sat on the sofa at Emmy’s feet. “Hey, sweetheart, do you want to play a game?”
Emmy stared at the TV, unresponsive.
“We could do one of the puzzles in your room or have a tea party.” She wasn’t up for much, but to engage the little girl, she’d do just about anything right now.
“No.”
She’d take the one word and call it a victory for now, but she wanted more. Emmy needed to talk about whatever was going on in her head. “I’m feeling a little better today.” She held up her hands and wiggled her sore fingers. She needed to trim and file the broken, jagged nails. Her broken fingers hurt, but not too bad. “Are you feeling better?”
“No.”
Okay. Good. An honest answer. “I had a bad dream right before I woke up. It made me feel scared and a little confused. How are you feeling?”
“Sad.” A tear rolled down her cheek and dripped onto Emmy’s favorite stuffed bunny.
Trinity’s heart ached. “Why are you sad?”
Emmy peeked up at her from behind Bunny’s head. “What happened to the kitties?”
Trinity gasped. “Oh sweetheart, I’m so sorry we forgot about Puff, Dot, and Razzle.”
“Puff and Dot are hers. Puff scratches me all the time. Dot won’t let me pet her. But Razzle is mine. She sleeps with me.” Emmy’s lips trembled. “I hate her.”
Trinity knew she meant her mother, not her beloved Razzle.
Well, she got Emmy talking. And she could do something about the cats. But she didn’t know what to do about Emmy hating her mom. That feeling was real and justified after all Steph had done.
“Tate,” she called, wondering where he went.
Surprisingly, he came from down the hallway. “Yeah. You okay? You need something?”
“It seems in all the drama that happened we forgot about Steph’s cats.”
“Razzle is mine.” Emmy gave her a stern look.
“Um, yes. Razzle has two friends. Puff and Dot. Can you find out what happened to the cats? Are they still at Steph’s place? Did a neighbor take them? Maybe Jon can pick them up on his way home?”
Tate pulled his phone from his back pocket. “On it.”
Trinity stared at him. “What are you doing back there?”
“Looking into something. Let me find out about the cats, then you and I need to talk.”
“Okay.” She had no idea about what, but when something got Tate’s attention, he held on to it like a dog with a bone.
“There we go, Emmy. Tate will make some calls and see if we can get the kitties.” She had no idea if Jon even wanted them here, but if it made Emmy happy, he probably wouldn’t care.
Emmy finally stopped hiding behind Bunny and sat up next to her. “What if no one fed them?”
“I’m sure someone thought about the cats before they locked up your mom’s place. The police are very helpful. They wouldn’t leave the cats alone in there with no one to care for them.” She hoped that was true.
Steph hadn’t been very cooperative. They’d had their hands full with her, their investigation, and making sure she and Emmy got the medical care they needed.
Trinity put her arm around Emmy’s shoulders and drew her into her side even though it cost her. “Is there anything else you want to talk about now that we’re looking into the cats?”
Emmy hesitated, hugged Bunny close, then looked up at her. “Will I get to live with Daddy all the time now?”