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she’s done to help you.”
    His daughter’s face fell. “I don’t think I can eat any more.”
    Colt groaned. His daughter could manipulate when she wanted to, but this was going too far. He refused to fall for it. “That’s all right. Tomorrow you’ll probably be able to move around and work up more of an appetite.”
    In the silence that followed, he noticed his son had stopped chirping away. He’d chosen sides and had moved to Allie’s corner. Colt continued to finish his meal. Nip it in the bud. That motto had served him well in the past.
    His gaze flicked to Matt’s plate. “Aren’t you going to eat your apple pie?”
    â€œMaybe later.”
    â€œThen I’ll eat it now so we don’t disappoint Noreen.” So saying, he finished it off. While his children eyed him soulfully, he got up and put all the plates on the tray. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Chapter Four
    â€œThanks for manning the desk for me, Donna. If my patient is better tomorrow, I’ll fly to Salt Lake tomorrow evening and be at work Monday morning to give you a break. I know you want to get ready for Thanksgiving.”
    â€œThat would great. If I can get all the shopping done Monday, then I’ll cook a little at a time until the big day.”
    â€œHow many are you having for dinner?”
    â€œTwenty. Todd’s brother and his wife and children are coming. What about you?”
    â€œWe’re all getting together at Mom and Dad’s.” Thanksgiving at the McFarlands’ was sacrosanct, not only for her family but for Kathryn. Until she’d been found, Thanksgiving and Christmas had been the most dreaded times of life to get through.
    â€œI bet your family still can’t believe you’re home with them.”
    â€œSometimes I can’t, either.”
    â€œNot to change the subject, but you did ask. Another AMBER Alert has gone out. This time on a seven-year-old girl in Sandy named Whitney.”
    Kathryn’s eyes closed tightly. She felt as if she’d been kicked in the stomach. “When?”
    â€œAbout two hours ago. She got separated from her mother at a toy store in the South Towne Mall. It was packed with preseason shoppers. The woman’s in agony.”
    Whitney would be in worse condition if she wasn’t dead already. “Did you contact my mom?”
    â€œYes. She’s already on it.”
    That was probably why her mother hadn’t picked up earlier. “I wish I were there to help.” But Allie had needed help, too. She still did, but not the kind Kathryn could provide.
    The teen had serious issues only her father could work on with her once she found the courage to talk to him.
    â€œYou’re just like your sister before she met Jake. She always wished she could be in ten places at once.”
    â€œShe’s still like that inside, but being a wife and mother has changed her life.” Donna had started working for Maggie at the Foundation ten years ago and continued to be a good family friend, as well as an invaluable assistant, to Kathryn. “Keep me posted, will you?”
    â€œWhen I hear anything new, I’ll call you. Bye for now.”
    Kathryn hung up. If the little girl wasn’t found, it could mean days, months, even years of unrelieved suffering. But she needed to set that care aside while she dealt with Allie.
    When Kathryn entered the bedroom, the teen wascurled up on her side toward the window. Her shoulders were shaking beneath the covers. “Allie?”
    She turned over. Kathryn could tell she was crying and rushed over to her. “Are you feeling worse?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThen what’s wrong?”
    â€œEverything.”
    Kathryn sank down on the side of the bed next to her, smoothing Allie’s hair off her forehead. “Did you eat dinner?”
    â€œHalf of it.” Half was better than nothing. “Katy? What are you