Corinne’s eyes widened in desperate hope.
“Do it,” Shane commanded, but Ian was already on his way to their private quarters.
Shane ran his hand through his hair, a signature gesture he’d seen each of his brothers make time and time again whenever one of their women had them so riled up they couldn’t think straight.
“I’m sorry, Corinne,” he apologized. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.”
*
“It’s okay,” she said, rubbing at her eyes. “You can’t make me feel any worse than I already do.”
She’d been beating herself up seven ways to Sunday. Why hadn’t she called Shane earlier? Why hadn’t she driven out to the school herself? She was Lacie’s sister. She should have known something was wrong when Lacie didn’t show up when she was supposed to.
Lacie had fallen fast and hard for Shane, that was true, but she had retained her wits about her. She would have known Corinne would worry when she didn’t show up, and she would never have let her do so without calling to tell her where she was and why she hadn’t come home when she’d said she would. Lacie was nothing if not acutely considerate of others, often at her own expense.
Instincts, instincts, instincts. She should have listened to them then. She should be listening to them now. That text message wasn’t right. Lacie would have called, not texted, knowing Corinne would need to hear her voice to be satisfied. And, if Lacie really did need to sort a few things out – which Corinne didn’t believe for a moment – she would have done so in the traditional, tried-and-true method of the McCain sisters: with Chinese takeout and a half-gallon of Turkey Hill’s finest Rocky Road.
“You don’t think Lacie sent that message,” Shane said as if reading her mind.
Corinne let out a breath. Why was it so hard to admit it? Maybe because if she did, then she would also have to admit that if Lacie didn’t send that message, someone else did. And if she admitted that, then Corinne might lose the very fragile hold she had on her sanity. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
“But you don’t think so, do you?” he pressed. “It doesn’t feel right, does it?” It was eerie how he could read her so easily. She opted for honesty. If anyone could help Lacie, Shane and his brothers could.
“No,” she admitted. “It just doesn’t make sense. I’ve never seen Lacie more certain of anything than she was of you. What would she have to think about?” She shook her head, knowing the truth of it with each word she spoke. “And even if she was by some chance confused about her feelings, she would never walk away from her kids like that. Never. She might shut out every one else while she tried to work things out, but not her kids.”
*
Corinne’s thoughts confirmed what Shane already believed. Lacie wouldn’t do this. There was only one person he could think of who would. “Have you heard anything from Davidson?”
Corinne looked at him, her face somber. The lack of surprise proved she had been thinking along the same lines. “No. His truck’s not in the lot. I tried texting him again this morning, but no response. My calls are going right to voicemail, too.” Corinne’s blue eyes, so like Lacie’s, met his. “He’s got her, doesn’t he?”
Shane nodded. “I believe so.”
“Oh, God. I knew he obsessed over her, but I never thought he’d go this far.” Tears started rolling down her cheeks. “Brian was right...”
Beside her, Shane stilled. “What did you say?”
“Brian, our brother. He was right. He said Craig had some issues...”
“I thought he and Davidson were best friends.” Shane thought back to what Ian had alluded to earlier, that there had been a falling out between Brian McCain and Davidson over Davidson’s feelings for Lacie, but that was just speculation. He wanted to hear what Corinne had to say, guessing that her perception would be pretty accurate.
“They were, at one time,” Corinne said, wiping hastily at her eyes. “But something happened the last time they were in on leave. He wouldn’t tell me what it was about, but I think it had something to do with Lacie. All I remember is, Brian wouldn’t let Lacie out of his sight.”
“When was this?”
“About five years ago,” Corinne told him. “I was still in high school, Lacie was attending the University. They were here for three months between tours. Craig ended up getting Mikaela pregnant. They were married right before he and Brian had to ship off again.”