Her phone buzzed with a call from Liz. Mia declined it, knowing her old friend would detect something was off in her voice, and demand to be filled in on the details. She wasn’t ready for that complex conversation, or the unsolicited diagnosis that would undoubtedly follow.

  She pulled into a nearby driveway and turned back around, aimlessly driving around the lake for another half hour. Not exactly surprisingly, however, she ended up at Shady Oaks. She’d been unable to convince her stubborn heart that the resort was no longer hers.

  The parking lot facing the massive lodge was packed full. Mia pulled onto the grass in front of a “NO PARKING” sign, spinning her tires for good measure. She smiled as she exited her car, knowing Matt would have a coronary once he noticed his precious patch of pristine grass had been disturbed. He’d once threatened to sue Liz’s husband for parking in the same spot, even though he hadn’t damaged anything.

  As Matt would say, “business was booming.” Dozens of tourists and luxury boats covered the impeccably manicured private beach, some sunning themselves while small children built castles in the sand, others drinking from can koozies while knee-deep in the water. The resort’s jet ski rental lifts were all empty. Some visitors bobbed on them in the water close by, and some raced around in questionably shallow water. Two years ago, Mia would’ve marched over to the employees on the beach and yelled at them for not paying closer attention to the rentals. That day, as she meandered past them, barefoot with her sandals in hand, she secretly hoped each and every water craft’s motor filled with small rocks.

  The grand lodge bustled with even more activity among tropical music blasting from dozens of high-end speakers positioned around the property. Teenagers and young adults in swim trunks and bikinis filled the sand volleyball court lakeside, their drunken voices reaching ear-splitting decibels. Even more filled the upper deck surrounding the outdoor tiki bar with drinks in hand.

  Clusters of well-dressed men gathered for business luncheons on the patio, several of them lusting after girls young enough to be their daughters, or even granddaughters. She’d always hated the idea of Gwen being subject to their lewd stares and grabby hands while waitressing.

  Mia shuddered when she spotted her former father-in-law among them, acting as if he owned the place. When his eyes found hers, his lips spread with a malevolent grin.

  “Mom?” The roll of Gavin’s deep voice cut through the din.

  Spinning around, Mia grinned at her oldest. He wore the required uniform of khaki shorts and a blue polo shirt sporting the resort name, but there was something unsettling in the way he looked at her. She worried he wasn’t getting enough sleep, and overextending himself. For as long as she lived, she’d never stop worrying about him.

  “Hey, bud.”

  “Mom.” He ran a hand through his thick, dark hair. “What are you doing here?”

  “I helped build this empire, Gav. I still have every right to enjoy it.” She dug her toes deeper into the sand. “Where’s your father?”

  “I don’t know…probably in the office. If you’re here to start a fight—”

  “I no longer care enough to fight over anything with him,” she assured him. “You should know that by now. I just want to ask him what he knows about Nicole Tribeau’s disappearance.”

  Gavin held her stare. “Are you sure that’s all you want to ask him?”

  “Why? What do you mean?”

  His beautiful eyes shifted away. “Nothing.”

  “I really miss you, bud. I know you’re set on living with your dad for the summer, but it wouldn’t kill you to stop by for a visit. We can watch a few movies and order pizza—whatever you want. I want to spend time with you before school starts.” She stepped forward, intending to wrap her arm around his thick waist, but he stepped away.

  “I have to go.”

  Then he was gone.

  A hollowness filled her chest. She longed for the little boy who was always begging his mommy for hugs and kisses, or the preteen who loved attending concerts and movies at her side. She’d give anything to have it all back.

  Making her way up to the office inside the building, she noted with disgust all the recent changes her ex had made. What had once been a family-friendly resort with different varieties of wood flanking the walls had become flashy and upscale with marble floors and black leather accents. The new vibe was more suitable for a men’s club in Vegas, which she supposed was fitting for a player like Matt. After she’d taken over Shady Oaks over a decade back, she’d worked with relentless ambition to complete her mom’s vision of a warm, welcome hideaway suitable for families. In just under a dozen months, Matt had managed to make it feel as cold and empty as their marriage had been.

  Without bothering to knock, she nudged the office door open. Matt was kissing a young, busty bleached blonde in a small bikini top and short jean shorts, and massaging one of her breasts beneath the suit’s neon pink material. Mia leaned against the doorframe and chortled to herself. How had she been naive enough to stay with a womanizer for more than a day? Who knew how many other women he’d had on the side, and for how long?

  “Is this one over eighteen?” she blurted.

  Startled, Matt sprung away from the girl as if shocked with a taser. His green eyes drilled through Mia like lasers. “The hell you doin’ here, Mia? Ever heard of knocking?”

  “Ever hear of locking the damn door?” she snarled back. “How do you think your daughter and son would feel if they’d walked in on you with a minor? They’re both here, you know.”

  The color drained from Matt’s face. “Mia, have you been—”

  "I’m twenty-five, sweetheart,” the blonde interrupted, readjusting her bikini top before running a finger over her wet, puffy lips. “Sorry if that makes your old ass feel insecure.”

  “Knock it off, Tiff,” Matt scolded with genuine displeasure. “Go order a drink. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  Huffing, the brittle-haired blonde marched past, dousing Mia in the obnoxious scent of powdery perfume and coconut lotion. She slammed the door shut behind the young woman. “You’re pathetic, Matt. You know that, right?”

  “Mia, are you off your meds?” Sighing, he sank into a new leather armchair behind the teakwood desk she’d given him on their tenth wedding anniversary. He ran his hand over his dark hair in the exact same mannerism as his son had done minutes earlier. “You know what? You’re not my problem anymore. You shouldn’t have come here.”

  “If you didn’t want me on the property, you should’ve added it to your outrageous list of demands when you counter-sued for divorce.” Mia moved closer, fighting the urge to squeeze her fingers around his throat the same way she’d fantasized with Nicole. “I’m here to find out what you know about Nicole. Has Tom talked to you?”

  Matt chuckled heartily. “Am I supposed to believe you actually care?”

  “We recently had a truce of sorts,” she lied. “And Gwen’s a little freaked out. She asked if it’s happening again…like with Bella, and all the other women who have disappeared from Shetek.”

  “That spoiled daughter of yours better not use the aunt she never met as another excuse to skip out on work. I need her more than ever with the bash coming up this weekend—can’t afford to lose another employee.”

  Heat rushed into Mia’s ears. She’d almost forgotten about the annual party that would mark a year since her accident. “Gwen was literally sick the past couple of days, Matt. She was at my place the entire time, puking her guts out.”

  “She did look pretty pale when I saw her a little bit ago.” His eyes fixed on his laptop while he pecked at the keyboard. “Wouldn’t surprise me if she’s either hungover or pregnant.”

  Son of a bitch, Mia snarled to herself. Her right palm tingled, begging to slap him senseless. “If you ever repeat that kind of insensitive bullshit to your daughter, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you never see her again. Understand?”

  Without looking away from his laptop, he responded with a confident shake of his head. “I’d like to see you try.”

  “God, you sound exactly like your father. What are you going to do, sue me?”

  She whirled back around, ready to tear the door off its hinges. Expecting to have a civil conversation with the man had been a major waste of time. Being married to him had been a complete waste of her life—with the exception of their beautiful children, of course.

  “To answer your question,” he called out, “Tom said he has no idea where Nicole might’ve gone. He doesn’t believe the rumors that she was having an affair because she only had her cell phone on her…left everything else she owned behind, including her purse. He’s angry as hell that the sheriff isn’t doing more since he’s convinced she was abducted.”

  Swallowing the sudden lump in her throat, Mia spun back around. “When did he last see her?”

  “Dunno.” When his eyes met hers, his gaze teetered on the edge of pleasure and sympathy. “But he said the last signal the sheriff could ping off of her phone was on Pelican’s Pass.”

  In the past twenty-four hours, Mia had thrown up more than she had while pregnant with both of her children combined. Her back ached, and her guts coiled in unforgiving knots. What if she’d pulled over that night on Pelican’s Pass? What if she’d alerted the sheriff that something was wrong? She was beginning to think it was all her fault.

  Nicole was missing

  While rinsing her mouth in one of the resort’s bathrooms, Gwen strolled in wearing a Shady Oaks polo shirt identical to Gavin’s. A waitress pad still stuck out from the back pocket of her jean shorts, and her black backpack hung from one shoulder. Her eyes rounded on Mia. “What are you doing? Does Dad know you’re here?”

  Mia patted her mouth with a paper towel. “I just dropped by to see how you’re feeling.”

  “I’m done with my shift, but Heidi and some of the guys stopped by.” Gwen dropped her backpack on the counter. “I told them I’d change into my suit and hang out with them on Sandy for a while…if that’s okay.”

  Mia’s mind raced. Had one of those guy friends fathered Gwen’s child? Did Heidi know what had happened, or had Gwen lied to her too? She took a deep breath, remembering Liz had warned that Gwen needed to face her consequences without her mom breathing down her neck.

  With a smile, Mia leaned in to give her daughter a quick hug. “Sure,” she said, placing a trembling hand over her chest when Gwen leaned back. “Have fun, babe.”

  Gwen threw her a questionable glance. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m a little tired, and my back is bothering me more than usual.” She hated lying to Gwen, but there was no alternative given the situation. “See you tonight?”

  “Umm…I’m probably gonna grab dinner at Key Largo with everyone and stick around for the band. I’ll be home by one.”

  Mia held her gaze. “Take it easy, okay? No jet ski rides or wild horseplay. Your body still needs time to heal.”

  “Yeah sure, weirdo.” Rolling her eyes, Gwen pushed through the door.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  In the dead of night, Mia woke to harsh sounds from somewhere inside her home.

  Banging of furniture. Slamming of doors.

  Wielding Gavin’s aluminum baseball bat she’d found while cleaning out the old house, she tip-toed into the kitchen with her heart in her throat. Liz had suggested she obtain a conceal and carry since she was often home alone, but she’d never been comfortable around guns. Part of her wished she would’ve taken her friend’s advice as she reached for the kitchen light.

  When the pendants flickered on and she dropped the bat on the counter top, Gwen winced. She sat at the island in the dark, stuffing her mouth with one of the brownies Mia had baked the day before.

  “Kid. You scared the hell outta me.”

  “Mia,” Gwen slurred, protecting her eyes. “Seri’sly. Turn that off.”

  With narrowed eyes, Mia watched her sway on the chair. “Are you drunk?”

  “Just a li’l bit.” Gwen stuffed a large chunk of the chocolate desert in past her lips. “You would be too if you were in my shoes. Don’t worry…I got a ride from Heidi's brother.”

  “Is he the one who got you pregnant?” Mia asked.

  “What?” Gwen started to giggle. “Oh m’ god, Mom! Seriously.”

  Act normal, Mia. She hooked a leg over the stool beside her. “Are you ever going to tell me who the father was?”

  “It doesn’t matter, m’kay? It was just a heat-of-the-moment kinda thing. We definitely don’t have feelings for each other—not even sure the guy even likes me.”

  Mia had no right to judge her daughter, but she was still concerned. What if Liz was right, and Gwen was trying to prove that she was destined to follow her father’s path? Taking a deep breath, Mia waited until Gwen’s wavering vision settled on her. “Does he know?”

  Gwen shook her head over and over. “Don’t wanna talk about it, Mia.”

  “That’s fair enough,” Mia whispered, stroking her silky hair. “Will you at least let me check in on you every now and then to make sure you’re doing okay? It goes against every mom-ly instinct I have to continue pretending like nothing happened. You know how much I worry about my babies. You and your brother are my everything.”

  Gwen forced out a long sigh before leaning her head on Mia’s shoulder. “Yeah, Momma. I know.”

  Mia rarely listened to anything other than her beloved vinyl collection, mostly because she didn’t have the patience for commercials. Yet for some fateful reason, she decided to tune into the local rock station while making breakfast the next morning. She was sliding a pan of biscuits into the oven, singing along with Bruce Springsteen, when a deep voice cut into the song to declare, “We interrupt this broadcast with breaking news.”

  “This just in,” a female deejay trilled excitedly. “The Murray County Sheriff has confirmed a woman’s body washed onto the shore of Shady Oaks Resort on Lake Shetek late last night.”

  Mia’s entire body turned as limp as a noodle. Heat rushed from her face.

  Nicole was missing

  On instinct, Mia tried to save the pan as it dropped, branding her arm on the hot oven door in the process. She swore and dashed over to the sink, running cold water over the burn.

  Gwen staggered into the room, blurry-eyed, hair piled in a messy bun. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s nothing,” Mia snapped. “Everything’s under control.”

  “…not releasin’ the victim’s name at this time,” Sheriff Perkins drawled from the speakers in his unmistakable southern accent. “We’ll have an update for the public after the woman’s family has been notified.”

  “Oh my god!” Gwen rushed over to the stereo, cranking the volume, eyes on Mia’s. “Check this out!”

  The sheriff continued, “My deputies, along with fire and ambulance crews, were called to the scene by a concerned citizen at three a.m. this mornin’. I’d like to assure the public that while the victim’s blonde hair and blue eyes match the pattern of missin’ women Lake Shetek has experienced in the past, contrary to rumors, we have no reason to believe the disappearances are related. We’ve launched an official investigation into the cause of the victim’s death. That’s all I can tell you at this time.”

  “There you have it, folks,” the deejay said. “Stay with us, and we’ll update you as soon as we receive more information on this situation as it unfolds.”

  Gwen’s slender fingers stabbed the power button on the stereo. “Oh my god, get this! We’re the ones who found her!”

  “No…” Mia whispered, finding it hard to draw in another breath.

  Nicole was missing

  “We were sitting around the campfire at the pit when Heidi’s dog started barking at something in the water. We all ran over—”

  “Did you see her face?” Mia asked.

  Gwen let out a nasally laugh. “Morbid much?”

  “Gwen. Did you know who she was?” Mia held her breath, sensing Gwen’s reaction would’ve been way different if it had been Nicole they’d found.

  “Her face was nasty. Same with the rest of her body. She was all bloated and chunks of her skin was missing, like the fish had been eating her. You could hardly tell it was a woman except for her blond hair. Heidi’s brother, Landon, said it looked like she’d been in the water a long time…like weeks.”

  While Heidi’s 20-year-old lush of a brother was no forensics expert, Mia wondered if Nicole’s body would already have shown that advanced state of decay. “Who all was there?” she demanded. “Was everyone a minor? Had you all been drinking before the cops arrived?”

  “Chill, Mamacita. No minors were harmed in the making of this story. Those of us who were underage split long before the cops were called. My car was still at the resort anyway, so I walked with Heidi back to her house. Since Landon was the sober driver, he stayed behind to talk to them. He gave us all a ride home after the cops left.”

  Patting her burn with a clean dishtowel, Mia pulled in a shaking breath. Even if it hadn’t been Nicole, it was likely someone else from their small community. And even worse, the same person who’d taken Bella and every other woman who’d gone missing since Mia was a teen could be back in business. What if she’d really seen a man struggling with Nicole at Pelican’s Pass, and the same man had killed this woman too? There could be a serial killer who’d gone into hiding, and was back in business.

  Gwen touched her arm. “Where’d you go, Mom? Are you thinking about Aunt Bella? I mean…that’s the missing blonde the sheriff was talking about, right?”

  Mia turned away to snag her crossbody bag off its hook. “We’re out of milk. You need anything?”

  “No, but I’ll be gone when you get back. Dad wants help getting ready for the bash after my shift, so I’ll probably just spend the night at the resort.”

  Mia hesitated, knowing the resort staff would hang out and party long after closing time. She’d started the tradition when she and Matt had first organized the annual bash. Was it neglectful to allow Gwen to continue to party less than a week after her miscarriage? She wished Liz had been there with all the answers. With every year the kids grew older, the parenting gig became harder.