Read Online Furious by T. R. Ragan - Free Book Online

quietly and tried to hold herself together.
    Sitting across from her were Bri, Bri’s daughters, and Jana and Steve. The pitiful looks being sent her way were almost too much to bear.
    Once everyone was seated, Dad looked around the table at each of them. “Faith has decided not to have a memorial service for Craig until Lara and Hudson are back home where they belong. I agree, but I want to say how thankful I am that he was a part of our lives. The first time I met Craig was at Thanksgiving dinner. He loved dark meat, and he would playfully fight some of you for the best pieces. He was a clever man, too. Always rushing to play with the kids while the rest of us put away the dishes. Craig McMann was a good husband and a loving father. There will always be an undertone of sadness now that he’s gone, but to honor his memory we must find a way to transform the grief and instead use it to strengthen our family unity and stand by Faith while she finds the strength needed to do everything in her power to find her kids, my grandchildren, your niece and nephew and cousins.”
    They all said amen. Jana stepped away from the table to blow her nose. Mom disappeared inside the kitchen for a moment. Dad cut the turkey while everyone else passed the rolls and butter, the stuffing, green beans, and cranberry sauce. Wine and sparkling cider was poured while quiet unease hovered over them like a dark cloud.
    Last Thanksgiving the kids—Colton’s two girls and Lara and Hudson—had all sat together at their own little table in the living room. Faith looked over her shoulder. Crayons and coloring books were scattered across the coffee table and living room floor. A doll hung upside down, its leg stuck between the cushions of a chair. Images of that horrible day came back to her in a flash. The first thing she’d seen when she entered the kitchen was disarray. For the past week she’d seen the killer’s face in living color and yet she’d forgotten about the mess—the upturned furniture, opened kitchen drawers, and scattered papers. Those men had been looking for something—but what? Her heart slammed against her ribs. She took a breath, looked down at her plate, and closed her eyes.
    “Faith,” Jana said as she returned to her seat across from her, concern in her voice. “What’s wrong?”
    There it was—a bloodcurdling sneer. “Where is it?” he’d asked.
    When she opened her eyes and looked up, Colton was staring at her. They all were.
    “They were looking for something,” she said. “They tore the house apart.” She looked at Mom and then Jana. “Did you see the mess they made? There were papers and kitchen utensils scattered about, splinters of wood, broken objects. How could I have forgotten that?”
    “Faith,” her brother said, his voice firm. “It’s OK. Take a breath.”
    “The house was trashed, Colton. The man who grabbed me in the garage as I tried to get away asked me where it was.”
    Bri’s mouth tightened into a grim line as she gestured toward her daughters. “Maybe we shouldn’t be talking about this at the table.”
    Kimberly’s eyes widened. “Did bad men take Lara and Hudson?”
    Faith nodded. As she looked at Kimberly she felt a change within, a shift in her way of thinking, almost as if Craig was right there beside her, whispering into her ear, telling her to do whatever she must to bring their kids safely home. “Don’t you worry, sweetheart,” she said to Kimberly, “Aunt Faith is going to find your cousins and bring them home.”
    Kimberly wiped her eyes. “Can we go find them right now?”
    Her small, heart-shaped face and the way she angled her head reminded Faith so much of Lara. Seeing the hopeful look in her niece’s eyes caused her heart to swell. “I think that’s a very good idea.”
    Kimberly’s little sister, Dacotah, whimpered.
    “Faith. Please. Not in front of the children.” Bri stood and ushered her daughters away from the table and out of the room, but not