"If you'd take the medicine as you're supposed to, then the dreams wouldn't be as frequent and you wouldn't be so exhausted all the time."
When Dane turned to leave, Tori swore she saw more than just normal worry or concern in his eyes, but it-and he-was gone before she could decipher exactly what it was she had seen in his gaze.
At her doorway, he paused and without looking back said in a gruff voice, "I'll be back to check on you periodically. I don't want you to worry, Tori. Nothing will happen to you while you're in my care. I won't let it."
TWENTY-SIX
"ZACK and Gracie just went in," Shadow's report sounded in Isaac's concealed earpiece. "Caleb and Ramie and Beau and Ari are already in position. The others are at the bar having a drink and doing the guys' day-out routine, watching the game on television, acting like a normal group of friends without causing too much disruption. The table where you, Jenna and her mother will be is surrounded and we have eyes on all the entrances and exits. Wait two minutes and then take Jenna in and seat her at the arranged table. I'm watching the front and will alert you when I see her mom arrive."
"Got it," Isaac responded quietly.
He glanced over at Jenna sitting in the passenger seat, who was clearly in an agitated state. He reached over to take her hand and he squeezed it reassuringly.
"You ready to go in, baby?"
Fear and uncertainty swirled in her blue eyes and she bit her bottom lip in nervousness.
"I'm afraid," she admitted. "I don't know what to say to her or what to even ask her."
"Then let her do the talking," he advised. "You'll know what to say or how to handle it when the time comes. And if at any time you want the meeting to come to an end, we get up and leave. Okay?"
She nodded, then reached up to slide her hand down the side of his jaw. "I love you, Isaac. It means the world that you arranged this for me."
"Anything for you, angel. I'd give you anything in the world. And I love you too. So damn much."
She smiled, seeming to relax as the anxiety lessened in her eyes. Then she sucked in a deep breath. "I'm ready."
"We're coming in," Isaac said to Shadow.
He got out and then walked around to Jenna's side, his eyes rapidly scanning the area, carefully looking for any potential threat. He opened her door and helped her from the vehicle and then pulled her close against his side, wrapping his arm around her body.
Moments later they were seated at the prearranged table and as Isaac had instructed her, Jenna didn't acknowledge or look in the direction of the other couples.
Jenna flipped through the menu, not even dwelling on the excitement of her first time eating in an actual restaurant or being able to choose any of the delicious-sounding entrees. It felt as if a thousand butterflies were swarming around in her belly.
Her gaze flew to the doorway every time someone new came in, her pulse leaping, wondering when or if her mother would arrive. Their telephone call had been brief. Both women had been overcome with emotion and Jenna hadn't been able to stop crying long enough to go into any detail about her ordeal. Her mother had just repeated over and over that she had prayed for this reunion every single day since Jenna had been taken from her.
Now that the day had come, Jenna had no idea what to say. The fact that she had family, someone who loved her and who'd grieved for her for so long, should hearten her. She was . . . scared. Not just afraid, but utterly terrified.
Isaac's gaze was constantly on her, worry for her reflected in his eyes. Then he straightened in his seat and reached down to enfold her hand in his. He held it tightly, not letting up.
"She's coming in now," Isaac murmured.
Jenna's pulse was like a hammer pounding at her temples, her heart racing so fast she felt light-headed.
"I'll be right here the whole time, baby," Isaac said, pulling her hand into his lap.
Jenna's gaze locked onto the front entrance as a blond woman, the same woman Jenna recognized from the news program, walked in, her gaze eagerly scanning the occupants of the restaurant. The hostess smiled at her and after the two exchanged a few words, gestured toward the table where Jenna and Isaac sat and escorted her to the seat just across from Jenna.
Her mother stopped, staring at Jenna, seemingly in shock. She should greet her mother, surely. Should she hug her? Say hello?
Jenna rose on shaking legs and met her mother halfway around the table and was immediately enfolded in a tight hug as her mother gathered her in her arms.