Page 47 of Lost Without You
She pulled her feet back and leaned over to kiss Ethan just as Ryker entered the living room.
“Not again,” Ryker protested as he set down a tray of cheese and fruit.
“Yes, again. Now be quiet and let me kiss my boyfriend,” Rachel responded and did just that.
Wes and Tina offered tea and coffee and soon they were all chatting and eating, but the stress of the evening still lingered in the room.
“I got hold of Oliver Gaston at Spartan Security. He’s going to stop by tomorrow,” Ryker commented.
Ethan’s phone rang and everyone jumped.
“It’s Dalton,” Ethan murmured and answered the phone. “Hey, what’s up?”
Ethan paused and Rachel tried to figure out what was being said, but Ethan’s expression remained unreadable.
“Really?” Ethan murmured. “I’ll tell them. Thanks.”
“What’s going on?” Rachel asked.
“Dalton received several tips. But more importantly, he received one interesting phone call,” Ethan paused. “A man claiming to be … your father.”
The only sound in the apartment was that of Rachel’s cup shattering as it hit the floor.
Ethan
“You okay sweetheart?” Ethan asked Rachel as Wes cleaned up the spilled coffee in the living room.
“No. No, I’m not. Did Dalton have more details? Where is this man located? How do we contact him?”
Tina and Ryker were both unusually silent, and Ethan grew concerned. Everyone was in shock.
“He doesn’t have any more information to share. The man has to be interviewed and a DNA test will be done. Fortunately, they have your recent results to test it against. The lab work can be done fairly quickly.”
“But what about…”
“I think we’ve had enough to deal with today,” Ryker intervened. “Mama, you can take the spare bedroom.”
“What about Ethan and Rachel?” she asked.
“They can have our room. Wes and I will sleep out here.”
“I can’t let you do that. The couch is fine, there’s enough room on the sectional for both of us,” Ethan replied as he put his arm around Rachel.
“Okay, then. Goodnight my children. I love you.” Tina kissed Rachel’s cheek, then Ryker and Wes and headed off down the hallway.
“We’re going to turn in also. But first, I’ll get some blankets and pillows.” Ryker murmured as he followed his mom.
“I’ll help you,” Rachel replied and wandered after them.
“Do you really think this person could be their father?” Wes asked Ethan.
Ethan shook his head. “I have my doubts. Cases like these tend to bring out people who just want attention. Thankfully, the DNA testing will resolve the issue.”
“It’s going to be rough going for a while. I mean, their dad’s been gone for thirty years and then, suddenly, there’s a possibility that he’s alive, somewhere. It’s mind blowing,” Wes murmured, so uncharacteristically serious. “This person who contacted the FBI better not be playing a game. I can’t imagine what that might do to our family.”
Rachel wandered back out, her face pale. Ethan stood up and walked over to grab the pillows and blankets in her arms.
“Let us know if you need anything else. See you guys in the morning,” Wes said quietly, giving his sister-in-law a kiss on the cheek and heading off down the hallway to his bedroom, two of the dogs following him.