Page 5 of Second Chance At Love

“Is there any update on finding Holly?” questioned Henry.

Everett shook his head. “The police, Drew, Sterling, plus Bree and I have been doing everything we can to find her. Tremblay may have hidden her out of state. At this point, we have followed every clue. It’s like Holly simply vanished. We are raiding another empty set of warehouses tonight to see if we can find her.”

Drew was Molson’s brother and a detective with the local police force. Sterling had connections as a former tabloid reporter and was Jake’s wife. Everett’s girlfriend Bree was a private investigator and bounty hunter. Each of them brought a special skill set to the search for Holly.

Henry wondered if the reason they couldn’t find Holly was because she wasn’t alive anymore. He tried to dismiss the gloomy thought.

“I need to go,” finally said Max. “I need to talk Michael and Noah out of doing anything stupid.”

The group said their goodbyes and Henry was left staring at a blank screen. He shut his laptop and glanced at his watch. The meeting had run later than he had hoped.

Getting up, he grabbed the empty coffee mug. After a drink of water at the suite’s kitchenette. He set it in the sink before leaving the hotel room. Padding down the hall in his sock feet, he knocked at a door.

Cora opened it. Henry gave her a tired smile. “Sorry I’m late.”

“The boys are already in bed but they are looking forward to you spending some time with them tomorrow morning,” she said as she let him in. “I know they are old enough to look after themselves but I feel better with you with them while Addison and I spend some time together.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” responded Henry. He enjoyed his time with his nephews Oliver and Nick.

“Do you want something to eat or drink?” asked Cora as they made their way to the living room area of the suite.

“I’m good. I ate just before the lawyers came,” replied Henry. He had a seat on the couch, noticing that there were a couple glasses of water and two cans of a nutrient shake. He gave Cora a knowing look as she lowered herself beside him, careful of her pregnant belly.

“What? The doctors have said that both of us need to gain weight,” stubbornly insisted Cora. “I’m having the chocolate one. You will have the vanilla.”

She grabbed the remote, working the television until she had the recording ready ofThe Gorgeous and the Botoxedready on the screen.

“Tell me what I missed last time,” requested Henry. He pulled the nearby throw over both of them as they settled back to watch the daytime soap drama. They had settled into a routine of watching the daily show during the evenings. Henry always managed to fall asleep part way through the episode so he had Cora give him a summary of what he missed before they started the next episode.

“Tex woke up from his coma but conveniently can’t remember who attacked him or why,” mentioned Cora with a roll of her eyes. “I think he’s lying and just wants to get revenge.”

Henry nodded. “You’re probably right.”

“Everleigh told Carol what happened at the park. Oh, and Georgie was caught stealing from the till of the store,” nodded Cora. “I think that’s it.”

“Then we can watch tonight’s show,” replied Henry, trying to stifle a yawn. He intended to stay up this time. He enjoyed the moments he got to spend with Cora. It was worth staying awake for.

“Not until you drink the nutrient shake,” decided Cora. She leaned forward, grabbing both cans and passing one to Henry.

Henry decided not to argue. He held the can out. “Cheers.”

Cora knocked her can against his and they both opened them. She made a face as she sipped hers. “It tastes awful.”

“Agreed,” said Henry as he had another sip.

Leaning back, Cora pressed play.

Henry made it maybe twenty minutes into the episode. He remembered finishing the nutrient shake, leaning back against the couch cushions, and his eyes getting heavy.

Chapter Two

Cora didn’t like lying to people. Unfortunately, sometimes she didn’t have much of a choice.

Today she had met up with Addison, just as she said she would. They were out shopping for baby things. Or rather, Addison was. Cora was trying to maintain a strict budget, something she was an expert at but it had become even more crucial now she didn’t have Nate giving her any money. Her husband used to give her exactly to the penny whatshe would need for gas or groceries and Cora had to give him the receipts to prove that she didn’t keep anything back for herself. Cora didn’t know how she was going to repay Ben for the use of his credit card, but it was the only source of money she currently had and she didn’t want to overspend on it. This meant she was only using the card for strict necessities.

She supposed she ought to be looking for a job. Yet what did a woman do who was a college dropout who had raised two boys and was about to have another baby which would likely prevent her from maintaining any meaningful hours since she was a single mother.

“This is so soft,” commented Addison as she fingered a nursing blanket.