Believe Me (Hearts for Ransom Book 3) (17 page)

“I’ll go look outside,” Claire told him.

He nodded. “I’ll check the cafeteria and gym.” Spencer had come to the cafeteria to pick up after-school snacks a couple of times when Mason managed to convince him he was hungry, too. The teenager undoubtedly noticed the gym.

Claire ran through the lobby of the hospital, drawing a few looks of concern, and headed straight out the front door. She frantically looked around, but Spencer was nowhere in sight. He wasn’t wearing his coat, so maybe he found the car and was sitting in it. She rushed to where she parked, only to find an empty car. She scanned the parking lot and surrounding area as far as she could see. He just wasn’t there.

She hurried back inside the hospital. Mason had to have found him.

When she met Mason in the lobby and saw his face, she knew he hadn’t.

“We should call the police.” His jaw tightened.

She shook her head. “I don’t want anything on his record about him being a runaway. It might hurt his chances for going to college. I’ll just drive around a little bit. He couldn’t have gone far.”

“Claire, he could have gone in too many directions for you to be able to check. And he doesn’t have his coat on.” Mason thought for a moment. “Just give me a minute.” He wheeled his chair to the front desk and asked the volunteer if he could use the phone. Giving him a strange look, she passed it down to him.

He quickly dialed Logan’s cell phone.

“Hello?” Logan answered on the second ring.

“It’s Mason. Spencer has run away from the hospital, and Claire doesn’t want the police called just yet. Can you help?”

“I’ll call the guys,” Logan answered without pausing. “We’ll be there as soon as we can. Just sit tight.”

Mason hung up and returned the phone to the lady, who made no secret of the fact she was eavesdropping. She’d better not try to ask him what was going on. He didn’t have the time to mess with another nosy old lady. He had already met his quota for the day with Sandra.

When he returned to Claire, she was sitting on a chair, and her face was the color of chalk. “You didn’t call the police, did you?” Her eyes begged him. “I don’t want one mistake to ruin everything for him.”

He shook his head. “Somebody better. Trust me.” He reached out and took her hand in his. “Spencer’s a smart young man. He’s going to be fine.” He waited until she was looking into his eyes. “Please, believe me, Claire.”

Claire suddenly realized she did trust this man sitting in front of her. She couldn’t stem the tears flowing from her eyes, though. She couldn’t bear to think of anything happening to her son. She loved him too much.

Claire looked up as she heard the commotion of several people coming into the building at the same time. She saw several men who looked familiar. It was a bit of a shock when she recognized the players on the Slammers fast-pitch softball team. They were Mason’s buddies.

There was Logan Taylor, Cooper Grayson, Bo Daniels, and Colton Rennard. Another small group walked in together. Jesse Rogers loomed over Matt Newman, Brody Gaines, and Jake Landon. Eight men had shown up within minutes, as a result of a short telephone call. Then her tears fell harder when she saw a group of women walk through the door. Emily Taylor and Abby Gaines were leading women she barely knew. But there was Jan Daniels, Marie Grayson, the blonde woman who had been in Mason’s room that day, Lisa Newman, and Joni Rennard. They immediately headed for her.

Logan had carried in a rolled-up sheet of paper, which he spread across a table.

“Logan has a map,” Mason told her. “I bet they’re dividing up the area so they can cover more ground.” He leaned over and gave Claire as much of a hug as he could manage from his chair. “I’ll be right over there if you need me.” He wheeled himself over to the men, who were congregated around the table to look at the map and listen to Logan.

“Let’s go over there.” Emily indicated a group of settees in an alcove, which would offer them at least a modicum of privacy. Before Claire even knew what had happened, she found herself seated with the group of women.

“Spencer is smart.” Emily put her arm around Claire’s shoulders. “He won’t do anything stupid.”

“He doesn’t have his coat on.” Claire was still unable to stop her tears.

Emily tightened her arm and hugged Claire. “He’s young and healthy. It’s not that cold today. The snow is even melting. Look.” She pointed out the window to a patch of watery snow.

“I just wish he’d found out about his sister some other way.” Claire really didn’t blame Mason, but it wasn’t the way she would have chosen to tell her son.

“What about his sister?” Abby asked.

Claire didn’t care anymore. All the people who mattered knew the truth. “Zoey is Mason’s daughter.”

Abby smacked her face with her hands. “Of course she is! She’s the spittin’ image of him.”

Joni leaned forward. “The men will find your son. Where’s your daughter? Do one of us need to go pick her up for you?”

“She’s with my friend. Judy will keep her as long as I need her to.”  Her tears were drying, but deep sadness and fear for her son hung over her.

Claire heard footsteps and looked up to see Logan and Bo standing there.

“We’ve tried to figure out how far Spencer could have gotten on foot and divided the area. We’re leaving.” Logan’s calm authority and confidence made Claire feel a little better. “Mason went to his room to get his phone. We’ll call him as soon as we find your son.”

Jan stood up and walked to her husband. “Be careful,” she told him.

“Always,” Bo answered before he leaned down and kissed her.

Claire watched the two men return to the group and didn’t take their eyes off them until they disappeared out the front door.

Jan gave Claire an assessing look. “So that’s why you and Mason were talking about getting married.”

Claire nodded.

Abby was beside herself. “What is going on? Why don’t I know any of this? I can keep secrets, for Pete’s sake! I haven’t told anybody about Logan and Emily’s baby!”

Emily buried her face in her hands and moaned. “Until now.”

Abby slapped her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry.”

Emily looked at the women. “Will the rest of you please not tell your husbands, so Logan gets to be the first to tell somebody?”

Jan was still focused on Claire. “So, Spencer is upset because Mason is Zoey’s father?”

Claire nodded. “It’s a long story, but I hurt my son with choices I made, just as much as any of Mason’s actions did.” She still couldn’t believe she never looked at the situation like Spence saw it. Mason hadn’t been good enough for Zoey but was okay for her son. He had to be hurting, and she was partially responsible.

Mason rolled his chair over to the group of women. Everything had started to catch up with him, and he realized he didn’t have as much stamina as he used to.

Emily frowned at him. “You need some ice on that eye.”

“I’ll go get some,” the blonde volunteered.

“Has anybody introduced you yet?” Mason quietly asked Claire.

Claire looked through tear-stained eyes at the worried face of the beautiful, young woman. She could only shake her head.

“Claire, that’s my friend Betsy Weller.”

Betsy smiled shyly.

“Betsy, this is my girlfriend, Claire Hadley.” Mason didn’t know why he called Claire that. It just rolled off his tongue.

“I’m sorry I had to meet you with your son missing,” Betsy softly told Claire, “but it’s nice to finally meet you.”

Claire knew she’d feel guilty later for the way she initially misjudged this fresh-faced, innocent young woman, but guilt over what happened with Spencer was all she could handle at the moment. She managed a small smile and nodded.

Betsy smiled back, an understanding expression on her face. “I’ll go get some ice for your eye, Mason.”

He shook his head. “I hope it swells shut. It’s not even close to what I deserve.”

“But I slapped him,” Claire murmured. She started crying again. “I slapped my son.”

Mason maneuvered his chair as close to her as he could get and put his arm around her. “You responded on pure instinct, Claire. He said some pretty cruel things to you.”

“He hates me.”

He pulled her chin up and looked into her eye. “You know that’s not true. He was just lashing out because he’s hurt and angry. That boy loves you more than anything.”

Claire leaned against the comfort of his solid shoulder. “I love him more. Where could he have gone, Mason? He doesn’t have any money, so—”

“Yes, he does.” Mason explained his business proposition and loan to her.

She was even more afraid. “What if he made it to the bus stop? Or even the train station?”

“Spencer won’t do anything foolish,” Mason reassured her once more.

Claire laid her head on Mason’s shoulder, and he tightened his arm around her, pulling her closer. “I’m here for you,” he said for her ears alone.

The realization struck her that he was. She wasn’t going through this alone. For the first time in her life, she had a man by her side—one she could depend on.

The other women were.

“Marie and I are going to get some drinks for everyone,” Lisa announced. She turned to Claire. “I’m getting you a cup of herbal tea to help calm your nerves.”

“Where are you going to get herbal tea around here?” Abby asked. “This is a hospital, Lisa. They’ll give you a shot of happy juice before they give you tea.”

“Abigail Gaines, do you and I need to go outside and discuss how the place I work operates?” Emily’s lips quivered as she fought laughter.

Abby’s hands flew up in surrender. “No way. Huh uh. No fighting with a prego woman.”

Even in the midst of worry and sadness, Claire found herself with a small smile at their silliness. Especially when she knew it was, in part, for her benefit.

A throat clearing brought everyone’s attention to Lisa. “As I was saying, I will fix herbal tea for you, Claire.” She held up a small plastic container. “You try chasing an energetic five-year-old like Henry for a while, and see if you don’t need something to settle yourself down every once in a while. All I ever have to do is find hot water.”

Listening to Lisa talk about her son made Claire remember when Spencer was small. He was always a well-behaved child—as though he knew the two of them were on their own and wanted to make things as easy on her as he could. The only time she’d even been remotely worried was when he filled out at the age of thirteen, and the girls noticed him. She observed girls, several older than Spence, shamelessly flirt and make clear what they were offering. That had been the summer Pastor Rhinehart invited Spence to participate in the program modeled after the Big Brothers. She firmly believed Mason kept her son from erring and history from repeating itself.

“You okay?’ Mason softly asked, pulling her out of her memories.

“I will be when I see Spencer.”  She felt his arm pull her even tighter against him and welcomed the comfort he offered.

Mason’s phone rang.

He answered it and heard Bo on the other end.

“I’ve got him,” Bo said. “He’s okay. Tell his mom we’re on our way back.”

“Thank you.” Mason felt fifty pounds lighter; Spence was okay.

“Be sure to let the rest of the team know,” Bo reminded him.

“Will do.”

Mason disconnected. “Bo has him,” he told Claire.

Claire burst into tears. Mason put his phone down and used both arms to pull her against his chest.

“Can you ladies let the other men know?” He didn’t want to let go of this woman even long enough to do that.

“We’ll take care of it,” Emily assured him. He heard the women decide which of them were calling the various men, and they walked away to make their calls.

Claire lifted her head from his chest. “Where was he?”

“Bo didn’t say,” he answered, soothingly rubbing her back, “but he said Spencer was okay.”

Lisa and Marie, both toting drink holders, arrived. They were both happy to hear Spencer had been found.

Claire slowly sat back up, sliding out of Mason’s arms. She realized, with the armrest between them, how awkward their embrace actually was. Yet, it felt natural…right…to her. Without a word, he reached out and took her hand in his, lacing their fingers together.

They sat there, watching the door.

Brody and Logan were the first two to come back. Then Jake arrived.

Finally, Bo and Spencer walked in. With a big hand firmly grasping Spencer’s shoulder, Bo looked angry.

Claire stood up and ran over to hug her son. He just stood there, not responding in any way.

She let go of him and stepped back. “I love you so much,” she told him fervently. “Are you okay? You have to be freezing.”

Spencer didn’t say a word. He didn’t even look at his mother.

Bo snorted. “Big fifteen-year-old, actin’ like a little kid, sittin’ on the front steps of the school and pouting, and now he’s really gonna get even.” Bo glared at Spencer. “He’s gonna bull up and refuse to talk, the big baby. I’m ashamed of him. I never thought I’d see Spencer act this way.”

Mason stayed where he was, not wanting to interfere with Claire and Spencer’s reunion. His heart broke for Claire when he saw the way Spence treated her.

Bo turned and gave Spencer one last angry look. “If he’s so set on sitting outside in the cold he decides to do this again, I’d say we should let him sit in a cold jail. The police will have to find him if he throws another little fit.”

He then walked over to Mason and the women.

“Thank you, Bo.” Mason’s neck hurt when he nodded toward Spencer and Claire. “I appreciate you getting him back to his mom.”

Bo took Jan’s hand and pulled her off the seat and up against him. “You’re welcome, Mason, but right now that kid’s attitude bites.”

“Where is Spencer’s coat?” Abby asked.

“In my room.”

“I’ll go get it.” Peppy as usual, Abby jumped to her feet and took off down the hall.

Claire walked over to Mason. She looked at these people she didn’t really know—who didn’t really know her. Yet, each of them had come in response to a simple phone call.

“Thank you all very much.” Her voice shook with emotion. “Please tell the other men I really appreciate their help.”

She looked at Mason. He had been there for her…with her. He came through for her—even from a wheelchair, and looking so tired a brisk breeze could blow him over.

She softly spoke. “Thank you.” She leaned down and gently kissed him.

The moment their lips met, a flurry of images flashed through her mind. Claire yanking her clothes off, pulling at Mason’s jeans, refusing to let go, and then his panicked expression as he pulled her struggling hands. Away from him.