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  “What?” September fanned herself with a napkin, suddenly flushed and overheated. “Why am I only hearing this now?”

  “She swore us to secrecy, didn’t want you to blame yourself. And she convinced herself she’d get better.” She shrugged. “You know April.”

  Yes, September knew April: so stubborn, so private, so secretive, and so very much like their mother. There’d been hints of her illness, of course, but September had been wrapped up in her own problems. “What about Doug?” April’s husband didn’t care for September, but at least he had more sense.

  “Doug finally convinced April to reach out to family.” She hesitated, then added, “Lysle wanted to tell you, too.”

  “Then why didn’t Dad say something?”

  “I wouldn’t let him.” She jutted out her chin, as if daring September to challenge Rose-Almighty’s decision.

  September fought to keep her tone civil. “I may struggle to be emotionally present but I’m still part of this family. I do care what happens.” At her tone, Shadow padded to the kitchen doorway and peered inside.

  Rose rounded on her, fierce with intensity. “But you were hurt, too. In the hospital after that awful man kidnapped you. Then you nearly drowned during the tornadoes.” She swiped impatiently at her brimming eyes, smearing her makeup. “One crisis after another. Every time the phone rings, I’m scared you finally got yourself killed. Do you have a death wish, September?”

  Her mouth fell open. “Mom, I didn’t mean...” September couldn’t remember Mom ever losing control. Not when Steven went missing. Not when April got shot. Shadow whined, and put one paw into the kitchen, then ignored previous commands and hurried to her side. She welcomed his warmth when he leaned against her thigh.

  “I’m your mother. It’s my job to protect all my children.” Mom gulped, pacing from the sink to the kitchen island and back again, no longer stifling sobs. “I made horrible mistakes in the past. It’s not fair for my children to pay for my sins.”

  “What are you talking about?” September braced herself against the counter. An eruption this intense, from a woman so stoic, had to be a release of years-long pain.

  But Mom’s words spilled over top of each other. “I prayed Lysle would be a donor match, or one of your sisters, or even Mark. Anyone but you, September.”

  The words stabbed because they confirmed September’s exclusion. Mom didn’t even consider her part of the family.

  “Don’t you see? All your pain, all your suffering. It’s my fault.” She grabbed September and hugged her close, as if she couldn’t bear to see her face. The words rushed out even faster. “You were my brilliant, gifted little girl and I gave you away to a monster.” Mom’s grip on her neck nearly choked September. “I didn’t think I had a choice, but I should have found a way. I understand why you stayed away, why you hide behind police friends and that dog of yours.”

  September jerked out of the embrace, shaking her head. She didn’t hide, not anymore. Combs was more than that. And Shadow was her heart. She dropped one hand to his black fur, the contact countering sudden light-headedness. She’d overcome the abuse. With Shadow’s help and the support of friends, she now had a future, and had broken the chains of the past.

  “Forgive me?” Ruined makeup turned Rose’s face into a tragic clown. “You don’t know how much I want to remake the past.”

  September couldn’t remember Mom ever accepting blame for anything. She struggled how to respond. Dirty water under the bridge. Besides, Victor no longer had any power to hurt, not from jail.

  “I get that you wanted to protect me, Mom, but we can’t change the past. This is now, today. I’m strong, I’m healthy again, and I make my own decisions. You should have told me about April.” September couldn’t mask her exasperation. She’d almost prefer Mom’s steely control than to have to deal with this unfathomable brokenness. “I don’t blame you, Mom.” If she said it with enough conviction, maybe she’d convince herself, too, and forgive both her parents for handing her over to Victor.

  “I didn’t have a choice. But I should have known.” The anguished words broke September’s heart.

  “Should have known what?”

  Mom covered her mouth with both hands and ran from the room. Her stylish shoes clattered up the distant front stairs, headed to the master bedroom.

  Shadow whined and nose-poked September’s shaking hand. “Shadow? What just happened?”

  September waited for a long moment, sighed, and found her coat. She had to pack and pick up Macy. To have any chance for a happy future, she must face the secrets Chris left behind in South Bend.

  Chapter 8 (34 Years Ago)

  TANA KNEW SHE’D GO to hell for bashing in the agent’s head—even though the violador deserved it. She couldn’t go home, not when her torn dress and bloody underwear shouted what had happened. She’d lied to her parents, gone willingly to this stranger. She knew what they’d think. She might as well have invited his assault.

  She wandered the streets for hours, ruined her beautiful white satin shoes and dragged the lacy dress in the oil-stained streets. She’d lost the blue sash. Exhausted, Tana finally took refuge in an alley behind a row of restaurants and fell asleep between two dumpsters that smelled of burned fish and rotten cabbage.

  A rhinestone-covered shoe, worn by an exotic sloe-eyed beauty, nudged her awake the next morning. The woman, not much older than Tana herself, called her nasty names and threatened to call the cops. She only relented when Tana’s story spilled out between sobs. The hysterical confession made the woman’s eyes gleam.

  The venomous tone turned silken, offering comfort and hope Tana welcomed. Kali had connections. Kali had solutions. Kali had ideas, perfect for a beautiful and obviously talented girl like Tana. Kali had no fear of the police, and her protection extended to her girls. She employed a handful of young women in similar circumstances in the many businesses Kali managed for mysterious Mr. Wong.

  Tana knew Kali’s help came with strings. When pressed for details, Kali scowled and threatened to withdraw the offer and call the cops after all. Tana had no choice. Her life was in ruins already and she didn’t want to go to jail. Even more, she didn’t want her parents to know.

  She fought, at first. So Kali gave her drugs to make her compliant, and wielded the threat of a murder conviction like a club. The threat kept Tana in line better than the drugs.

  After two months, on the eve of what would have been Tana’s quinceañera, she won a victory of sorts. She couldn’t risk taking the drugs anymore. Instead, she became what she’d yearned to be—a brilliant actress, performing to satisfy each client’s fantasy. She earned most favorable status among the girls. Kali remained suspicious, but began to reserve Tana’s talents for the high-dollar clientele who desired a pretense of class.

  Meanwhile, Tana squirreled away cash favors, names, and faces. The day would come when she needed them to escape, to build a new life, with a new name. Because soon, she wouldn’t be able to hide her pregnancy. Kali would not be pleased. Despite the baby’s paternity, Tana loved it with a fervor beyond understanding. The child gave her back a reason to live.

  Chapter 9 (Present Day)

  SEPTEMBER SHUT THE wire pet barrier that sequestered the cargo area at the back of her SUV. She set the single small suitcase on one side and placed Macy’s cat carrier on top. “Almost ready for the kitty-boy. I’ll get Shadow settled.” She looked over her shoulder to where the bigger dog played gently with Magic, Lia’s police dog in training. Shadow allowed the puppy to chase him, bite his paws and tail, and bully him with impunity. Willie’s terrier Kinsler watched from his crate, already worn out by his turn with the tireless youngster.

  Lia had followed September to the car. She tossed her goldenrod hair over her shoulder. “Are you sure you need to take Macy, with his heart condition and all? I know you want to show him off, but still.”

  September busied herself, avoiding Lia’s eyes. She’d texted Angela to expect her, but let Lia think the t
rip focused on meeting his breeder.

  “He’s no trouble. Macy even opens up his mouth to take meds like a treat, for heaven’s sake.” The younger woman handed September the canvas bag stuffed to overflowing with a collapsible litter box, litter, cat food, treats, and Macy’s favorite toys. “It’s the least I can do for all your help training the Magical-pup.”

  “He’s a pleasure to train. Your new pup takes after his father. And his mom’s no slouch either. You did a great job with Karma.” September shoved the bag into its allotted spot.

  Lia’s hazel-green eyes welled. “I miss Karma. But she’s where she’s needed, partnering with a police officer. After five days in Chicago, she’s already settled in. And Magic means I have a little bit of her still with me.”

  “I wondered how Karma would do, flying as cargo on the plane trip to Chicago.” September knew how hard it must have been to send the Rottweiler away. But then, Lia had raised and trained Karma with that in mind from the beginning. “We love staying with you, Lia, and appreciate the hospitality. But it does get a tad crowded.” Squeezing herself, Shadow, and Macy into the small quarters along with Lia’s furry crew meant hectic schedules around the one bathroom and two tiny bedrooms. After the tornado nearly destroyed Corazon Boarding Kennels, Lia redesigned and renovated the facilities. In addition to upgrading the indoor-outdoor kennel runs, she’d added a second story with two small bedrooms and a living room/kitchen area. The second bathroom hadn’t yet been finished—additional renovations of the living quarters wouldn’t happen without the forthcoming holiday income. Fortunately, neither she nor Lia were much for primping.

  “At least y’all are good roomies.” Lia laughed, and adjusted the headband that kept flyaway hair at bay. “I guess flying with Shadow in cabin would be a problem?”

  “Hard to find a last-minute flight with room for a German Shepherd. This time of year, they book pretty fast. It’d really be pushing it to get in-cabin for both Shadow and a Maine Coon on the plane. Fortunately Macy enjoys car rides almost as much as Shadow.”

  “Invite me on a road trip when I’m not booked solid. But it sounds like you need alone time anyway.” Lia frowned in sympathy. Her ears probably still rang after getting an earful from September about Rose’s meltdown.

  September had used meeting Macy’s breeder, something she’d wanted to do for years, as an excuse to visit South Bend. Nobody needed to know about the note and lockbox. She didn’t talk about that part of her life to Lia or anyone else, not even Combs, although she had called him before she started packing. Not wanting to derail his vacation fun, she hadn’t mentioned the latest family drama, or her travel plans. She’d only be gone a few days at most, and be home long before Combs returned. “Without Shadow to supervise, watch out that Magic doesn’t tear the place down.”

  Lia laughed, and hugged herself in the afternoon breeze. “After playing so hard, I’m hoping the pup sleeps until tomorrow morning.” They watched as the pair dashed in and out of the trees.

  September opened the rear door and stowed another canvas bag filled with the rest of the pets’ gear. Shadow’s new bear-toy still sat on the back seat. As an afterthought, she had stuffed two baggies filled with Lia’s homemade Corazon Candy pet treats into her coat pocket. Shadow and Macy both loved the stinky combination of liver and salmon. “Shadow, come! Let’s go, baby-dog. Kennel up!”

  Shadow play-bowed, tail up with front paws down, and then nose-poked the black Magical-puppy one more time for good measure. He whirled and bounded to September’s side, then hopped into the back seat, turned around once, and settled his head on bear-toy with a sigh. “Shadow, wait. I’ll go get Macy.” September latched the door. He immediately sat up, and pawed the door with a whine, but stopped when she shook her head.

  The puppy scampered around Lia’s feet. She hooked the leash on his collar before they followed September back to the building. “Sort of weird that none of y’all, your brother or any of your sisters, are a match for April. What are the odds of that?”

  “It happens.” September had wondered that herself.

  While Lia rinsed mud from puppy paws in the laundry room, September hurried to the apartment upstairs. When September moved in, they put up wall shelves and runways to accommodate Macy and Lia’s rescue kitten Gizmo, who usually shadowed the older feline.

  “Car ride, Macy! Ready for a car ride?” September sat on the bed and dangled the cat’s jacket-halter in one hand. With an excited chirrup-trill the twenty-pound mocha-colored Maine Coon raced around the wall perches like a squirrel on speed until he finally plopped beside her on the bed. He rubbed against her with abandon, making it difficult to fit the green vest over his head. “Settle, Macy, we’re going, just hold your mouses.” She grinned, and scratched beneath his white chin, leaning down so they could press foreheads together. He thought every car ride ended up at the vet for petting and special attention, or one of the local fast food places that gave him chicky-yum nugget treats.

  “Macy, sit.” He plopped his luxurious tail onto the bed and waited patiently for her to clip on the halter’s green leash that matched his eyes. He wore a collar, too, but only for identification, a just-in-case safety measure in addition to his microchip. On one side the tag had September’s contact information and on the other an arrow pointing upwards to Macy’s face with the note: Insert treat here.

  In the best of all possible worlds, Macy could run and play in the great outdoors, with no restrictions. But local coyotes relished cats for meals. Besides, the big cat’s heart condition meant she restricted his activity for his health’s sake. The halter and leash were Macy’s ticket to safely explore, and wouldn’t slip over his head the way a collar might. “Let’s go!”

  He pounced off the bed, and with tail pointed high, led her quickly down the stairs to where Lia waited in the office. “Magic crashed. But he’ll be missing Shadow when he wakes up. How long will y’all be gone?”

  “Don’t know. A few days. I can’t drive straight through. I want to reach Springfield tonight, and start early tomorrow morning. It’s two days on the road both ways. So maybe five or six days, a week tops.” The sooner she could wrap up business with Angela, the better. She wanted to visit Chris’s grave, too.

  Lia’s brow wrinkled as she looked around September. “Where’s Gizmo? He’s usually glued to Macy like a burr on fur.”

  September juggled the cat’s leash as Macy impatiently meowed and wound around her ankles. “I didn’t see him upstairs.”

  “Not again. Just shoot me.” Lia jumped to her feet. “Could you wait while I check? Just in case the little door-dashing stinker got out again?”

  September nodded, but pursed her lips with exasperation. “You need to teach that kitten some limits. You’re a trainer. Set some boundaries.”

  Lia quickly reappeared, out of breath. “Gone again. Yes, my fault, all my fault. But please, before you go—”

  “Of course. It’s good tracking practice.” September stood and gathered Macy’s leash. “Paws crossed the baby hasn’t left the building. Seriously, Lia, you’ve got to do something or you’ll lose Gizmo for good.”

  Meekly, Lia nodded, and held out one of the kitten’s favorite toys for a sniff-reference.

  September took the toy and held it out to Macy, although he didn’t really need it. “Why should Shadow get all the fun, eh? Want to play hide and seek? Where’s Gizmo? The kitten, the pest. Macy, seek Gizmo.”

  It had begun as an inside game to relieve the house-bound cat’s frustration. Macy always watched Shadow sniff out hidden treasures, and had upon occasion (especially with treats), beaten the dog to the prize. At first September had laughed at the contest between the two. It shouldn’t have surprised her, though, since a cat’s sense of smell rivaled many dogs. Any cat had the equipment to track. A cat just needed the incentive.

  He delicately sniffed the toy, pawed it once, and then began leading September. She followed him, grasping the leash securely but giving him slack to move. The big cat
didn’t sniff the floor the way Shadow did. He scented the air and once in a while nose-touched the baseboard as if following cheek-rub signposts. She followed him from the office to the laundry room that separated the office from the kennels at the rear. The tiny kitten could easily wiggle through the kennel runs’ chain link fence, so September prayed Gizmo hadn’t strayed that far.

  Macy sniffed the edge of the doorway into the kennel, but turned around and focused on the opposite wall. He paced, a lion in magnificent miniature, toward the hamper filled to overflowing with soiled towels. With effortless grace, the big cat leaped from a standing start onto the top of the dryer and stared down into the hamper. Pawing one of the towels, Macy offered a soft trill.

  The towel moved.

  “Oh my gosh!” Lia pushed past September to reach into the fabric, and plucked out the damp kitten. “I just washed off the pup’s feet and dumped that towel in there. Gizmo must have been in the basket the whole time.” She cuddled the kitten beneath her chin and offered a finger to Macy to sniff. “Thank you, Macy, what a good boy.” She turned to September. “When you get back, help me train this little troublemaker, will you?”

  September laughed, and nodded. “Cats train the same as dogs. Well, there are some differences. Sure, when I get back we’ll get you squared away on kitty training basics. Meanwhile, keep the doors latched!”

  Six hours later, September pulled the car into the motel parking lot. In the back seat, Shadow stood and stretched, whining at the end of a luxurious yawn. “I know, baby-dog, it’s been a long trip. You wait while I get us a room.”

  Macy trilled from the rear of the vehicle. Macy and Shadow had finally cemented their friendship, but the relationship often resembled that of siblings picking at each other, which made for interesting car travel companions. September had learned that having the pair loose in the car at once was a distraction.

  Within twenty minutes all three had staked out their part of the king-size bed in the motel room. September pulled the heavy comforter up to her waist, sitting with pillows propping her back. Shadow lay atop the covers on the doggy spread she’d brought along just for that purpose. He snuggled hard against her thigh, holding his bear-toy in his jaws like a child with a blankie, squeaking it intermittently. Macy found a perch between her ankles, squirming until he balanced on his back, all four feet in the air—his favorite sleeping pose. The weight of the duo held her in place like a furry straight jacket, but September didn’t mind. She would have felt bereft without the contact.