Stitch by Jaime Lewis (inspirational books to read .TXT) 📕

“Dr. Walters, is it true that Mia is missing?”

Elijah nodded his head. “I’m afraid so Danny. Did the detective speak with you?”

“Yeah.”

“Have you had any contact with her since work last Wednesday?”

Danny shook his head. “No, but I told the detective to talk to Willow. She and Mia were supposed to go out for drinks that evening. Willow said that there was something she wanted to talk to her about, but she didn’t want to do it here at the office.”

“Really?” Elijah suddenly wondered if his instincts were right. Had Willow caught on to his underground business? Has she planned on telling Mia? He then realized he was glad that Willow had been silenced.

“Mia and I were just talking about this last week, but have you noticed a change in Willow the last few weeks?” Danny asked Elijah.

Elijah lied, not wanting to draw any attention to himself for Willow’s sudden resignation or disappearance.

“No, but I haven’t really had much interaction with her. I will say that her sudden resignation caught me off guard over the weekend. She was a great employee.”

“Mia noticed a change in her too. Actually, now that I think of it, Willow had given Mia an envelope but instructed her not to open it until they spoke that night.”

Elijah’s hairs stood on end, and he wondered what had been in that envelope that was so important that Willow had to discuss it with Mia outside the office. Could the mystery envelope still be at Mia’s apartment?

Elijah played it off. “Who knows.”

“Well, maybe Willow can give the detective more information. I gave the detective her phone number since she no longer works here. He wanted to speak with her.”

He could only cover up Willow’s disappearance for so long before someone started questioning her whereabouts as well. At least where Willow was concerned, she didn’t have any family.

Elijah nodded his head. “Let’s hope for the best and that we hear some positive news about Mia.”

Once Elijah got back to his office, he closed the door, then picked up his phone and dialed Claus’ number. He needed to make sure that there was no way anyone could trace Willow’s disappearance back to him, and he needed to know what was in that envelope Willow gave to Mia.

“Hello.”

“We may have a situation. I need you to do some investigating.”

Chapter Sixteen

Mia was curled up on the couch in front of the toasty fire Stitch had started earlier that morning. She laid the tablet down next to her. Thank goodness, Alex had thought to get her a couple of items like the tablet and some magazines that would keep her occupied, considering Stitch didn’t have a TV at the cabin. She was finally starting to feel a little better and had more mobility than she had six days ago. Her primary source of pain was her rib area and shoulder blades. Overall she’d been a good patient and had followed Doctor O’Neal’s orders. It didn’t hurt to have Stitch looking after her to ensure she followed the doctor’s directives. He still insisted on carrying her around wherever she needed to go. As much as she wanted to try to walk more independently, she also cherished being held in his arms.

What had been bothering her, though, was his avoidance of the attraction between them. Yes, he had flirted and made comments, and had even kissed her that first night, but over the last day or two, he’d been a little more distant when it came to them. For her, every time Stitch walked into the room, she could feel the atmosphere change. Maybe it was her that needed to initiate things.

“Hey,” Stitch greeted her as he walked into the living room, and again his appearance created an energy that felt like a power surge had struck her. The connection between them was so strong.

She wondered where he might be off to, considering he was dressed, had his boots on, and carried his coat. She couldn’t help the jealousy swirling around in her. She would kill to go somewhere, even if it was just a trip to the store. Hell, she’d settle for just a car ride. She just wanted to get out.

“Hey yourself,” she replied, flashing him a smile.

He walked over and sat on the coffee table in front of her. She stared at his thighs and the way his jeans molded to the muscles flexing against the material.

“How are you feeling today?”

She sat up a little straighter. “Not as sore as yesterday. I might feel a little better if I could get out of the house for a bit, even if I just sat outside on the porch. I need some fresh air.”  The closest she’d come to fresh air was when the front or back door opened, and she caught a breeze.  “Don’t get me wrong.  I appreciate everything you have done for me, but I’m feeling antsy, especially now that I’m not sleeping most of the day. I’ve always been an active person, and I have to say, out of all my body parts, I’m sure my eyes are in the best shape right now considering I do over three hundred eye rolls a day.”

Stitch laughed. “I kinda figured. I thought maybe we could go a little further than the porch, though.”

He had her attention. “What did you have in mind?” She asked, sounding overly hopeful to her own ears.

“Maybe a drive along Skyline Drive, stopping at a few of the overlooks so you can get some fresh air, then grab an early dinner in town on the way back.”

If she could bolt upstairs to grab her shoes, she would, but instead, she opted for a big smile. “I would love that. When do we leave?” She asked, starting to lift herself from the couch. She was already dressed in a pair of black leggings and a white long-sleeved tunic.  All she needed were shoes and a coat.

Once she was steady on her feet, Stitch stood up. She knew