“Assistant captain. And I’d be pretty dumb if I let you go alone.”
Kate hiked up her nose as though she didn’t believe her. “Let’s go.”
“Right now? Can I get my stuff?”
“Go ahead, but I’m leaving now.”
Brat. “Then so am I.” She had plenty of time between here and the bus stop to change Kate’s mind, and if things got out of hand, she could always call her mom to come and get them.
By the time they reached the stop, though, Kate was still as determined as ever. Even worse, Casey realized she’d left her phone in her locker. The bus pulled up and as Kate stepped on, she tossed a defiant look over her shoulder at Casey.
“Coming?”
What choice did she have?
“SARAH?” JULIET STUCK her head into the office.
She tore her attention away from the online order screen she’d been working her way through. “Yes? Do you need help in the store?”
“I can manage, but I was wondering if Kate will be in this afternoon.”
“I’m afraid not. She’s...ah...I think she working on a school assignment. Why do you ask?”
“I just had a customer ask when we’ll be updating our Facebook page.”
The daily photos. Of course. “Good question. I’m not sure when Kate will be in again, so I’ll take some pictures before I go home and get Casey to show me how to upload them.”
Now that Kate had been banned from ever setting foot in To the Nines, she needed to learn this stuff anyway.
“No problem. I’ll finish refolding the summer tops on the sale table...we had quite a run on those today, thanks to Kate’s post on the weekend. Unless there’s something else you need me to do.”
“Sounds great, Jules. Once I’ve finished this order, I’ll be out to give you a hand.”
She selected three more items, as always finding it strange to be ordering holiday party dresses in September. After she double-checked and submitted the order, she logged out, shut down her laptop and stowed it in her briefcase. Her regular customers would love this season’s dresses, and she had chosen several that were sure to suit individual preferences.
And for your information, Coach Marshall, there is nothing frivolous and inconsequential about this.
So what if he thought that what she did for a living didn’t matter? As if chasing a soccer ball around a field had some earth-shattering significance. No, that wasn’t fair. Casey loved soccer. In addition to staying physically fit, she was learning the importance of good sportsmanship, how to be a team player and leadership skills since she’d been voted assistant captain.
The phone rang and she grabbed it without bothering to check the display.
“To the Nines. This is Sarah.”
“Sarah, it’s Jonathan.”
The last person in the world she had expected to hear from, and one of the last she wanted to talk to. Unless...
“Why are you calling?”
“We have soccer practice this afternoon and Casey isn’t here. I know you’re not happy with me, and to be honest, I don’t blame you, but you shouldn’t make her stop coming to practice.”
What was he talking about? “I would never do that. She’s probably still in her last class. Did you check there?”
“I did. And I don’t want to alarm you, but some of the girls on the team saw her in the locker room, she was already in her uniform. Then she left and it seems she’s...I don’t know. No one knows where she went.”
Sarah felt as though the wind had been knocked out of her and now she couldn’t breathe. This was crazy. Kids in Serenity Bay didn’t simply disappear. “Did you check the rest of the school?” she asked.
“I had the office page her over the PA system but she hasn’t responded.”
“Where’s Kate? Maybe she’s with her.”
Even through the phone, his sigh was audible. “I’ve already called her but she’s still mad at me and she’s not picking up.”
No surprise there. “Casey might have gone home to check on the dog. I’ll call her and then I’ll call you back.”
“Okay, thanks. And Sarah...?”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry about yesterday, I really am. I was being...the things I said were uncalled for.”
You’ve got that right. “I’ll call you after I’ve talked to my daughter.” If he thought she’d forgive this easily, he could think again. Still, she could be gracious. “Don’t worry. I’ll find her. I’ll find both of them.”
She disconnected, brought up her daughter’s number and made the call.
“Come on, Casey. Pick up.”