Finding Kylie Read online

  ‘Subject and daughter haven’t been seen for two days. Kylie hasn’t been seen at work and the child is not in school. I just missed them.’

  This type of entry seemed to be the common thread throughout the file. He smiled, proud of Kylie for staying one step ahead of his old man every step of the way. The only time the investigator was even close was in Alabama.

  Jesse read on and learned that the investigator took photos Chastity, at her elementary school, before going to Kylie’s work. In the notes, he read that the investigator called Jackson when he found the family. Jackson then boarded a plane to approach Kylie that very day.

  I bet she wasn’t there by the time dad got there. She probably sensed evil was on his way, he thought sarcastically and flipped through the folder to find the photographs. They were in back under all the paperwork.

  He picked the first picture up and saw a face he recognized.

  It’s the girl from the restaurant ... on the patio. I’d stake my life on it.

  Jesse was blown away at the coincidence. He set the file in his lap, and shook his head, in awe.

  No wonder she was staring at me like that. She was scared. It makes sense. If I was on the run my whole life and ran into me ... I’d be scared too. What is she doing in Oklahoma? I wonder if Kylie knows where she is.

  Jesse read on and learned that the Wayne family did leave town before his father could reach them. He lifted a fist in the air, again proud of Kylie.

  Way to go girl! He quickly flipped through the papers, to find more. Where are you now?

  With slim to none information on Kylie, he closed to folder. On the front, was a private investigator’s cards taped to the top. He tore it off, and reached for his father’s phone.

  Chapter 27

  Nothing like a nice drive on a Saturday evening, thought Chastity, as she cruised down the highway.

  Cheryl had been right. Traffic here was a breeze. Even what Oklahomans considered their drive time was light compared to the 280 at 10 a.m., in California.

  After looking on Google maps for her mother’s old address, she asked to borrow Cheryl’s car. She really wanted to see where her mom grew up.

  After pulling into the city of Moore, she immediately got turned around. With the major construction, it made it hard to follow any of directions she’d printed off. The first exit was blocked off, which left her with no choice but to take her second exit and double back.

  After stopping at the gas station for directions, Chastity finally made her way to her mother’s house and pulled up to the curb.

  I wonder if anyone’s home.

  She walked across the lawn, and up the porch steps, to ring the doorbell. After a few minutes of no reply, Chastity knocked on the door and stood back.

  I guess they’re out. Just as well, I’m not here to visit. I just wanted to get permission to sit here for a while.

  Chastity sat on the hanging porch swing, and focused on her mother’s memory, hoping the current owners wouldn’t mind. She tried to imagine a younger version of her mom bounding up the steps to go inside. She could almost see a beautiful, young, Kylie smiling, as she took the steps.

  “Excuse me miss.” An old woman, in her house robe, wandered across the street. “They’re not here right now.” The old woman pointed to the house. “There on a short trip and won’t be back in a few weeks.”

  Chastity raised an eyebrow at her. Good thing I’m not casing the house, or I’d have an easy time of it. Talk about neighborhood watch programs. This lady just basically told me I could break in.

  She stood to leave, not caring to start a conversation, but said, “That’s okay. I just wanted to sit for a few minutes.”

  The neighbor stepped up into the yard and gave her a quizzical look.

  Chastity reluctantly explained herself. “My mother grew up here, and I just wanted to be on her porch for a little while.”

  “You related to the Wayne’s?” The nosy neighbor asked.

  There goes any solace I had, she thought before answering.

  “Yes, I’m Kylie’s daughter.” Chastity pulled her keys out of her pocket.

  Okay lady, non-verbal clue. I’m leaving.

  “Kylie Wayne! Oh what a lovely girl! I never knew where she ended up. How is she by the way?”

  Chastity started down the porch toward her car, in hopes of departure.

  Not that it’s any of your business but ...

  She rounded the front of her car and opened her door.

  “She just passed away.”

  “Oh, I am sorry to hear about that.” Without skipping a beat, she started in with more curious questions. “So where are you from? You don’t sound like you’re from around here.”

  No duh lady, Chastity thought. It became clear she wouldn’t able to leave without giving her an obvious sign, so she slipped into her car, to start the engine.

  “I’m from California, but I’m in town visiting some friends.”

  “So, what’s your name?” She leaned in, preventing Chastity from closing her car door.

  Pearl made a mental note when Chastity responded. She noticed the girl had given her mother’s maiden name as her own.

  “So your mother never married?” Pearl asked, but didn’t even bother to listen anymore. Her own mind was spurring the gossip before Chastity could even reply.

  Born out of wedlock ... poor child! How come no one ever knew Kylie had a baby? Probably because we never saw her come around after graduation.

  The fact was … Kylie only came back once after supposedly leaving for college. With her mother was grieving the death of her husband, Kylie couldn’t see adding to her heartbreak. At the five-month mark of her pregnancy, she still wasn’t showing much, so she made a quick trip home. Her mother was too wrapped up in her own sadness to notice Kylie’s weight gain.

  So my mother never married? Whatever! Chastity narrowed her eyes, aggravated by the audacity of the old bitty’s question. She had to bite her tongue to keep from giving her a lashing. She could see the wheels spinning in that narrow little mind across from her, and didn’t bother answering her question.

  She just smiled and shut her door, causing Pearl to jump out of the way. “I have to go now.”

  “Well!” Pearl’s hand flew up to her chest. “I guess you never know about some girls.”

  She turned to leave, muttering as she walked back to her small home.

  “Like mother, like daughter.”

  Chastity put the car in drive and gunned the gas. From the corner of her eye, she saw the old hag peering from behind her curtains.

  As if she didn’t get enough, she just has to spy on me while I’m leaving. Ugh!

  Chastity burned enough rubber to leave tracks on the pavement, hoping to give her an eyeful. On the drive back to Cheryl’s, she cranked up the radio.

  The cat might be out of the bag mom! Sorry, she thought, as she got back on the highway heading north. She navigated through the cars, while scanning through the stations that Cheryl had pre-set on her radio.

  She stopped when she recognized the same DJ, from last weekend; happy to find a station she was familiar with. Sighing, she settled back into the drivers seat trying to let go of her anger from her run in, at her mom’s house.

  “This is Saturday Night Fever, where we play all your favorite dance hits from the 80’s and 90’s.”

  Talk about a time warp. Mom would have loved this guy.

  It brought back a lot of memories for her too. She smiled at the thought of them dancing throughout the house, as The Police blared through the car sound system, with Don’t Stand So Close To Me. When the chorus kicked in, she immediately thought of Timothy Banks.

  Against her better judgment she picked up her cell, and scrolled through her contact list for his number. Knowing there was no real reason to contact him, she hesitated before dialing.

  What am I going say when he answers? Hey we’re connected ... it’s a funny story ... Want to hear? Oh by the way, you weren’t chosen
just because of your great smile? What are you doing for the rest of your life?

  She continued playing with scenarios and was about to chicken out and hit the end button, when he answered.

  “Hey there. Did you get the final paperwork from my paralegal?” Timothy answered in the most professional voice he could muster.

  He already knew what her answer would be, but was so excited when he saw she was calling, that he couldn’t think of anything else to say.

  He knew it was me! Chastity smiled. He must have saved my cell into his contacts.

  She lowered her voice, trying to sound as casual as possible.

  “Yes, umm, that’s why I was calling.” Yeah sure, that’s why I was calling ... sure. It wasn’t to tell you that I want to see you, or that the thought of being close to you scares the crap out of me.

  “Is everything final then? Is there anything I need to initial and get back to you?” She asked, hoping for another excuse to contact him.

  “Nope. That’s pretty much it. Unless ...” What can I come up with to keep her on the line?

  “Unless?” Her heart skipped a beat, and then she decided to dive in. What could she lose? “You know I would probably come there this time - except I’m in Oklahoma.”

  Timothy jumped at the opportunity to continue taking the conversation in any direction it took him.

  “Oklahoma? For business or personal?” Please don’t let it be personal. Please don’t be visiting a boyfriend. He crossed his fingers.

  “Oh, definitely personal.” Chastity teased, as Timothy’s disappointment surfaced. “Actually, I am visiting my mom’s hometown. I needed to feel close to her, so I am staying with some friends. It’s my first time out here.”

  He had been holding his breath for so long, he almost forgot to breathe. It became clear in that instant that this wasn’t a simple attraction. He wanted another chance to see her, knowing this was anything but casual. Besides, he didn’t do casual. In fact, when he set his sights on something, he usually got it.

  “So, are you in Oklahoma City?” He asked, sounding innocent.

  “I sure am … right in the heart of it as we speak. I’m driving north on I-35, to Edmond. Have you ever been?”

  “A few times.” He smiled; excited to see where this would lead. Timothy cleared his throat. “Umm, actually, my parents live out there. My dad retired from the military, and they moved back home to Oklahoma City a few years ago.” He was hoping to surprise her.

  “Umm.” She paused. “Yeah. I don’t know if you knew this or not, but we kind of have a connection.”

  Tell me about it, he wanted to say. He could almost feel the electricity between them through the line.

  Chastity grinned. “I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your marketing genius isn’t the real reason why my mother contacted you.”

  “Oh, well now you’re just being mean.”

  He heard the payoff he’d been hoping for. Her laugh was all he needed to know that she was interested, as much as he was.

  “No, really. I guess my mom’s best friend, Cheryl, is second cousins with your mom … or something like that.”

  Timothy sat there shocked. What a small world.

  “So how’d you figure that out?”

  As he waited for her answer, he leaned back in his lounger, propped his feet up, and smiled as her sweet voice came through his phone. The first thought that popped into his head was, Thank you Ms. Wayne for introducing me to your daughter, and then he thought, How am I going to explain to mom why I’m coming for a visit?

  He couldn’t wait to plan a weekend home, as an excuse to see Chastity Wayne.

  Chapter 28

  All secrets were out, and Cheryl was relieved. She pulled the plates down out of the cabinet and congratulated herself.

  Tonight, we celebrate. We’ll have a feast.

  Cheryl wasn’t a very good cook, like Kylie had been, so she asked Dave to pick up dinner from her favorite restaurant. She watched, as he expertly shuffled the entrees from to-go cartons to their serving platters.

  “So you’ve told her everything?” He took the plates from hands, to set the table.

  “I think we’ve covered it all. I’m sure she’ll have more questions as time goes on, but all the big stuff is out in the open.”

  Cheryl handed some silverware to Dave. “Will you put these on the table for me?” She paused, to sit down at the kitchen bar. “I, for one, am glad to not be the bearer of bad news anymore. I know it’s been hard on Chastity to learn about Kylie’s secrets, but it’s been rough on me to have to be the messenger.”

  Dave walked up behind Cheryl, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her on the back of her head.

  “You’ve had it rough,” he said sweetly. “You’re still grieving over your best friend, and add having to counsel her daughter through the trauma ... I don’t know how you’ve held up.”

  Cheryl stood and spun around to face him. She lifted up on her toes to slowly kiss him. When she finally pulled back, she said, “That’s how. I knew I had a loving family to come home to.” She sighed. “Chastity doesn’t have anyone left.”

  Dave narrowed his eyes. “You know she does have family out there if she chose to find them. Part of you has to understand that her being here isn’t just to see us.”

  Cheryl sat back down on her stool, and dropped her head. All she could focus on were the embellishments on her jeans, and how the light danced from them. After a few seconds, she slowly brought her eyes back to his.

  “I know,” she said softly, not ready to admit the truth … but that’s why she had Dave. He had always been the logical one. She reached for his hand and gave it a quick squeeze, before getting back to setting the table.

  “She’s already told me that she wants to meet Jesse, and I told her I would help. I don’t know how to, and I don’t know if I’m ready to ... but I’ll try.”

  Dave gave her a knowing smile. He knew his wife would be there when it counted. It’s who she was, and that’s why he loved her.

  He kissed her forehead. “I’ll go get Whitney for dinner. Call Chastity’s cell and see if she’ll be back soon to eat.”

  Cheryl didn’t have to. She heard the screen door bang, as her surrogate daughter walked in.

  Chastity stepped inside, feeling happy for the first time since she could remember. She quickly sent Anne a text, giving her an update on Timothy, before sticking it back into her pocket.

  “Well doesn’t someone look happy?” Cheryl smiled brightly, as Chastity cascaded in. “Going Kylie’s house obviously agreed with you. Did you enjoy seeing where she grew up?”

  Chastity thought of Timothy’s teasing voice, and lied.

  “Yeah, that’s it.” She grabbed an ice cube from the table, and popped it in her mouth.

  For now, she wanted to keep Timothy all to herself. Besides, they weren’t dating, so there was no point in making her feelings public. She thought back to the neighbor, across the street from her mom’s house, and frowned.

  “I ran into someone who wouldn’t stop asking questions about who I was ... and what I doing there. I couldn’t wait to get away from her.” Chastity groaned, as she sat down. “Oh, and this is classic small town for ya’. When I finally got out of there … I looked across the street, and she was watching me out the window, while on her phone. Can you believe that?”

  Cheryl rolled her eyes. “I forgot to warn you about Mrs. Thomas. She’s the town gossip. You’ve probably started the neighborhood a buzz.” Cheryl giggled and reassured Chastity. “Don’t worry, no one listens to her. They can’t wait to get away from her either.”

  “Hey, kiddo.” Dave leaned down to kiss Chastity’s cheek, as he came downstairs with Whitney. He reached for her hand, and pulled her into a bear hug.

  Chastity’s heart melted. Dave was the only consistent male role model she had growing up. As part-time as it was, it made a difference.

  “Hey. How’s my favorite crime fighter?”

  Inst
ead of answering her, he sent her a mischievous grin and winked down at her, before ushering her to the table to sit.

  With everything she’d learned over the last couple of weeks, Chastity had a new appreciation for Dave and his strengths. She knew that he was there in the beginning and offered the support her mother needed. That meant a lot to her.

  “All right! Dig in. Mom got take-out so it’s going to be good tonight!” Whitney laughed and poked her mom in the side.

  “Chastity, you should come in town more often so we all can eat this good. There’s only so much salad and meat loaf a girl can handle.”

  Cheryl glared at Whitney and put the rest of the food on the table.

  Chapter 29

  I think the hardest thing is not being able to call you, mom. I stop myself on a daily basis from dialing your number. It’s so unfair that I can’t talk to you.

  Chastity rolled her cell over a few times in her hand and continued in thought.

  I want to give you updates on what I’m doing ... or what I’m feeling. I just want to hear from you. There’s so much to say ... I miss you.

  She leaned back, to tightly wrap her arms around her legs, drawing them into her chest. As if her mother was there, Chastity felt warmth spread throughout her body. The need to be close to her was so intense, that it spurred her to read Kylie’s journal once more. It was the only way she knew to feel connected to her mom.

  I can spend time with you through this. Even though I wasn’t there when you wrote it, I can be there now mom. She reached for the journal, and smiled as she started reading the next entry. I really was there with her for this one.

  I felt it kick today when I was singing the A, B, C’s. I think it gets the baby excited. It must recognize the song or the sound of my voice, either one. Little one, you’ll probably be able to recite them when you come out. I’ve been singing them to you since you were only a few months along.

  I can’t wait to meet you. You’ve already claimed my heart. I lay my hand on my belly, knowing you’re so tiny and in need my protection. At first, it was really hard getting the concept through my head that I was having you ... but after making the decision to have you, I knew it was for a reason.