Laura

Outside, the wind had turned icy. Dark clouds were starting to roll down the sides of the mountains with ominous speed. Even the birds were quiet as they awaited the coming snow. The storm was here.

“I'm going to go check in with my sister,” Laura said to Jace as she zipped up her jacket. It was just a lightweight coat, and she was wishing she had brought her heavier parka. “We need to let security know about the kids. Especially with the storm coming in.”

Jace nodded and peeled off to head to the security building near the house. Laura headed straight to the renovated garage where the kids were supposed to be.

She struggled with the door in the wind for a moment before getting it open and stepping inside. The interior was brightly lit with all sorts of things for kids to do. Right now, Kenna was instructing several of the foster children in some sort of macaroni art project as they waited for their foster parents to come get them. Ivy was with them, but Dallas wasn't.

Laura hurried over to her sister. Ivy was working diligently on her project, her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth as she concentrated on getting the macaroni placement just right.

“Ivy, have you seen your brother?” Laura asked, doing her best to keep her voice light. She didn't want to worry her younger sister.

“He was drawing,” she replied. Then she stopped and looked up from her project. “No, wait, he went with that other boy to play with the dog.”

Laura's chest tightened.

“What other boy, Ivy?”

“Um, his name's Elliot.” Ivy smiled at Laura. “He likes space. A lot. But he seems nice enough.”

Laura smiled at her younger sister, despite the fact that her stomach was turning into a twisting pile of knots. She shivered, but it had nothing to do with the impending storm. Laura patted her sister's shoulder and told her to go back to her project.

“Kenna?” Laura walked over to where Kenna was helping a little boy open a glue bottle. “Do you know where Elliot and Dallas are?”

Kenna glanced toward the door and frowned. “They're supposed to be just outside. They wanted to play fetch with the dog instead of doing the art project.” Kenna frowned. “They promised not to go anywhere. Did they bother the adults?”

“No,” Laura said, shaking her head. “They're not outside.”

Kenna paled and her hand went to her throat. “What?”

“They're not out there,” Laura repeated. “You don't know where they are?”

Kenna went to the door, pushing it open until it caught in the wind. She looked around, stepping outside to check around the corner. “They were supposed to stay right here. They promised.” Her cheeks drained of all remaining color as she looked desperately for the boys. “I have to find them.”

Laura caught her arm. “No, you have to stay here. Someone has to stay with the other kids.” Laura looked back at her sister happily placing glitter glue and macaroni on the paper. “Keep everyone calm. I'll be back as soon as I can.”

Kenna nodded. “Please keep me up to date. Elliot's my responsibility.” She met Laura's eyes. “I'm so sorry. The promised to stay right there. I thought they were old enough to be trusted.”

“I would have too,” Laura replied. “I'll find them. They're probably just in the hayloft or something.”

She gave Kenna a hopeful smile and headed back into the wind. Up ahead she could see Jace with Brian Cards, the head of Carter's security. She knew Brian well since they worked together to keep the ranch safe for Carter. She smiled at him, until she saw that Ethan was with them as well.

“Did you find them?” Laura asked, crossing her arms against the wind. She ignored Ethan.

“No. We can't find them,” Jace replied.

The world drained of color. Laura's vision went gray and fuzzy. Over the howl of the wind, she could hear the drone of an airplane engine. Her world felt like it was going to fall apart all over again.

“Are you okay?” Jace waved a hand in front of her face. “You look like you're about to pass out.”

Laura shook herself, trying to come back to the present moment. Jace's expression told her she had zoned out while Brian looked ready to leap forward and catch her.

“We have to find them,” she said, finding her voice. She didn't stop to think, she just started walking to the barn. She needed to check the hayloft. She needed to find them.

“Whoa, hold up,” Jace called, jogging to catch up to her. He handed her a walkie talkie. “Take this. You're search group four. Ethan, go with her.”

“Me?” Ethan replied, his eyebrows going up.

“That's really not-” Laura began but Jace cut her off.

“Yes, Ethan go with Laura.” Jace motioned to his own walkie talkie at his belt. “I'll be with Ella. Jack and Carter are checking the pool area, and Emma and Mia are back at the house coordinating with security and making sure someone is there if the kids head that direction.”

“What about Brian? I could go with him?” Ethan replied, motioning to the big security guy.

Laura tried not to feel insulted that he was looking for literally anyone to be with but her.

“He's working with Jack's security guy, Dean,” Jace said. He gave Ethan a stern look. “She's got the walkie. Just go with her, okay?”

“Okay,” Ethan replied, holding his hands up. Jace shook his head and turned to go meet up with Ella. Brian was already gone.

“So, I guess it's just us,” Laura said, feeling awkward as hell. If there was a way for this day to become worse, this was probably it.

“Yup.” Ethan shuffled his feet and stuffed his hands in his coat pockets. He looked about as excited to be with her as she felt.

“I was thinking we should go check the barn,” Laura told him. “Grayson snuck up there and scared us once this summer. Maybe they're up there.”

“Sure.” Ethan shrugged, not looking at her.

Laura took a deep breath in and looked up at the darkening gray sky. She started walking. This was not going to be fun.