Sealed with a Kiss: A Small Town Christmas Romance

Chapter 9

Rachel walked into Kelly Harris' craft store with a heavy heart. The last hour had been devastating. The police and John's security staff were everywhere, looking for Bella. An AMBER alert had been issued. All the airport, train, and bus stations had posted messages and signs, looking for her.

Tess followed her into the store. "I just heard from Billy-Rae at the radio station. They're broadcasting messages between every second song, asking people to look for Bella. He said all the digital signs across the Interstate have been changed and the AMBER Alert website has been updated with Bella's photo." She gave Rachel a quick hug. "Everyone's doing their best to find her."

Kelly walked out from the back room. "Still no news?"

Rachel shook her head.

"Bella's photo is on all the television stations. Someone has to know where she is." Kelly pulled out a stool from behind the front counter. "Sit down. You look as though you're about to fall to pieces."

Rachel sat on the stool and wiped her eyes. "She isn't wearing a jacket and it's freezing outside."

Tess put her hand on Rachel's shoulder. "The only thing we can do is pray hard that someone sees her. How is her dad?"

"I haven't seen much of him. He's really worried." While the police were interviewing Rachel and Tank, John had given the police a recent photo and description of Bella. They were using that information for their website and communication with the media.

John had barely spoken to her as they'd passed each other in the corridor at the police station. She couldn't blame him for being upset. He'd warned her to be careful, to stay at home rather than go into town. But she hadn't listened, and her mistake could be deadly.

Rachel's cell phone let out a shrill blast. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and deleted the message. "That's the third AMBER text alert I've had about Bella." Her eyes filled with tears. "What if she dies?"

Tess pulled a handful of tissues out of a box on the counter. "There's no point dwelling on things like that. Let's look for her." She passed Rachel the tissues. "I can't sit here and do anything."

"But John said to stay here," Rachel said with reluctance. "I've already made too many wrong decisions. If Bella suddenly finds her way here, she won't know what to do."

Kelly waved her hand in front of Rachel's face. "Hello? Earth to Rachel? I'm not exactly invisible. If Bella comes in the store, I'll keep her warm and call the police. I have plenty of things she can do until they get here."

"Are you sure?" Rachel asked.

Tess pulled Rachel off the stool. "Of course, she's sure. Kelly has six brothers and sisters. If anyone can look after an eight-year-old, it's her."

Rachel zipped her jacket to her chin. "Okay, but we have to get back here within an hour. If John finds out I've left the store, he won't be happy."

"I hate to break the news to you," Tess said. "But John probably won't care where you are. His main focus is on Bella. Kelly will look after her if she comes into the store. We've covered all the bases."

"Why don't I feel as confident as you are?" Rachel asked.

"Maybe because you're closer to Bella than I am?"

Rachel blinked back more tears. "Tank's meeting John at the police station. Where should we start looking?"

Tess buried her hands in her jacket pockets. "I vote for starting at the café. We can work our way back to where she left the SUV."

"I'll call you if Bella comes into the store," Kelly said. "Good luck."

Rachel knew they'd need more than luck. She just hoped Bella had found somewhere safe and warm to stay if she was lost.