Mrs. Robin's Sons by Kori Roberts (free children's online books .TXT) 📗

that would be worthy of her, the way they’d planned every detail of their weekend with her, and now it seemed that their efforts were in vain.

Noah blew out a frustrated breath. “God, it seems that lately Rylee’s canceled more weekends than she’s actually spent with us.” He met Noah’s eyes. “We both know that Rylee is too good for us. I always knew that it was only a matter of time before she figured that out as well, before she woke up and realized that she could do so much better. And, I…” Nick paused and swallowed hard, feeling hesitant to put a voice to his real fears. “I just can’t help but feel like that day has arrived, and she’s finally gotten tired of being with us.” Jesus, saying those words hurt more than he would have imagined.

They both got quiet for a moment, before Noah spoke. “I don’t believe that, man. I can’t…” Noah shook his head. “I just think that this whole distance thing is getting to all of us. It’d be so much easier if we didn’t live so far away from her. Then, it wouldn’t matter if she had to work, because we’d still be able to see her.”

“That’s why this weekend was so important.” Nick ran his fingers through his hair.

“But, now…”

“Well, I don’t know about you, but I refuse to let it end here.”

Nick looked at the determined expression on Noah’s face. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” he asked.

Noah nodded. “I think we need to take a trip to Chicago.” He stood up and headed toward his bedroom. “I’ve waited too damn long for this weekend to let it go to hell just because Rylee has to work.”

“Uh-huh.” Nick was right behind him. “If we can’t get our redhead to come to us, we’ll just have to go to her.”

*

“What do you mean, Rylee’s not working tonight?” Nick frowned at the receptionist.

“That can’t be right. Check it again. Are you sure?”

“Um…y-yes sir. I-I’m positive.” The flustered young woman stuttered out. “I’m sorry, sir. Ms. Putnam isn’t on the schedule for this weekend.” Nick turned and looked at Noah, who looked just as perplexed as he.

“Come on,” Noah motioned toward the restaurant in the hotel. “Let’s go and see if Drew’s working tonight. Maybe she’s with him.”

They walked away from the front desk without a backward glance and headed straight to the restaurant. Once inside, they maneuvered their way through the crowded room until they reached the bar. Nick tapped Noah on the shoulder and nodded toward Drew, who was busy making drinks.

“Yo! Drew!” Nick yelled out and waved his hand in the air to catch Drew’s attention.

Drew looked up and smiled. He finished the drink he was making and then headed over to where they were standing at the end of the bar.

“Hey, what’s up?” Drew reached out and shook each of their hands. Then, he looked around. “Where’s Rylee?”

Nick and Noah glanced at each other. “We were hoping you could tell us.” Noah spoke.

“But I take it you haven’t seen her?”

Drew’s expression immediately became concerned. “No…not since earlier today. She told me she was spending the weekend in Wisconsin with you two.”

“Yeah, well, she told us she had to work this weekend.” Nick’s voice was laced with worry. “We decided to surprise her and come here so we all could still be together this weekend, but we can’t find her anywhere. She’s not at work, she’s not at home, and she’s not answering her cell phone.” Nick could feel his anxiety rising as he tried not to envision Rylee lying by the side of the road somewhere between Chicago and Wisconsin.

“I could check with Mya.” Drew offered. “Maybe she knows where Rylee’s at.”

Nick glanced at his watch. It was already after ten o’clock at night. Mya was probably asleep already. He didn’t want to disturb her unless it was absolutely necessary.

“Nah, it’s okay.” Nick turned to Noah. “Let’s check her place again to see if she’s back.” Nick could see a customer trying to get Drew’s attention. “Listen, I gotta get back to work,” Drew told them. “But I get off work at midnight. Let me know if you need for me to do anything, or if you hear from her.”

Nick nodded as he and Noah headed out of the restaurant and back to the elevators that led to Rylee’s apartment.

Chapter Twenty-two

Rylee was so tired; it took all of her energy just to put one foot in front of the other without falling flat on her face.

“So, is this little job going to be enough to give you the extra money you need for the offer?”

She sighed and glanced at Ethan, regretting that she’d ever told him about her part-time job. He’d made a point to show up at the club on several weekends that she’d worked.

He always claimed he had something to discuss with her about the deal for the property that was so important, he couldn’t wait until normal business hours to talk to her about it.

Each time it turned out to be complete bullshit, and Rylee knew that he was only doing it so that he could spend time with her. Usually, she was able to get rid of him of him by the time the club closed. But tonight he’d gone a step further and insisted on walking her home.

And Rylee was just too damned worn-out to even argue with him.

“It’s fine.” Rylee’s response was short and clipped. The lack of sleep had her feeling downright pissy, and she was barely able to refrain from biting Ethan’s head off. Her body was running on fumes, and she felt like it was about to shut down on her at any second. All she could focus on was getting to her apartment and collapsing into bed for a few hours.

Well, you don’t look fine. You look exhausted.” Ethan told her as they reached