Read At Hidden Falls (Angel's Bay Novel) for Free Online Page B

the congregation while her father addressed their spiritual needs.
    When her father died, her mother had been left without a role to play. She’d gone from being very, very important to being very, very alone. Her father’s death was the reason Charlotte had come back to Angel’s Bay. Her sister and brother didn’t think her mother should be alone, and they both had other responsibilities, so Charlotte was elected.
    She’d never planned on staying this long. But she’d found herself settling into her hometown, accepting a job at the Redwood Medical Center, reconnecting with old friends, and helping her mother move into a new house. She’d become even more entrenched in Angel’s Bay when she’d offered Annie a place to stay for the duration of her pregnancy. After that, she couldn’t leave. And to be honest, she didn’t really want to go—at least, not yet.
    The baby’s cries began to diminish with a hiccup, a final sob, and then quiet—blessed quiet. Charlotte drew in a breath of relief.
    “That’s better,” Monica said with approval, pleased with her success. “I’m going to put him down in his crib.”
    Charlotte followed her mother into Annie’s bedroom. Monica carefully set the baby down in the crib next to the bed. He squirmed for a second, then dozed off again. All of that crying had exhausted him. Her gaze moved to the unmade bed. Annie’s bathrobe was tossed over the back of a desk chair.
    The room was unusually messy. Annie had been almost obsessively neat, as if afraid she’d be asked to leave if she made one wrong move. The turmoil in the room now seemed to be a direct reflection of Annie’s emotional distress. Charlotte wished she’d offered more comfort or reassurance, something to ease the pressure Annie was feeling. But she’d never anticipated that Annie would take off. And she couldn’t imagine how the girl could make it on her own with no money, no car, and no real skills of any sort. She hoped this was a temporary flight, that Annie had just needed some space to think.
    Her mother turned on the baby monitor and motioned her into the hall. They’d just returned to the living room when the doorbell rang. Charlotte rushed to open it, greeting Joe with a relieved smile. “Thanks for coming. We’re not sure what to do.”
    “No problem. I’m happy to help,” he said with a calm, reassuring smile. He then turned to her mother. “Mrs. Adams, how are you?”
    “Not particularly well. Can I get you some coffee or tea?”
    “No, I’m fine, thanks,” he replied as they walked into the living room and settled on the couches. “When did you last see Annie?”
    “Around three o’clock,” her mother replied. “The baby was asleep. Annie said she was going to walk down to the Oak Grove Market to pick up some formula. I had friends in the kitchen. We were making plans for the church bake sale. I assumed Annie had come home while we were talking, and it wasn’t until the baby woke up around six that I realized she was still gone.”
    Joe checked his watch. “It’s almost ten now. Does she have a cell phone?”
    “It’s in her room,” Charlotte interjected.
    “Is anything missing? Clothes? A suitcase? Did she have cash?”
    “She had some money,” Monica said. “A few families in town sent her cards with checks and cash. There might be some clothing missing; I’m not sure.”
    “What do you think, Joe?” Charlotte asked, unable to read anything in his neutral expression.
    “I don’t know yet. How was Annie acting before she left?” he inquired, directing his question to her mother.
    “She’s been stressed out ever since she gave birth,” Monica replied. “Today was just the same. She was quiet, a little teary, exhausted, not moving very fast. I was surprised she actually wanted to walk to the store.”
    “Did she get any calls? Talk to anyone that you know of?”
    Her mother shook her head. “I don’t think so. As far as I know, Annie doesn’t have many friends.