He set his coffee cup on the kitchen counter and came to where she sat on a barstool. “She couldn’t be in safer hands, Kendall. I think it would be good for her to have a night of fun with another child. If she cries to come home, we’ll go get her.”
“Okay, I guess, but only if she wants to.”
“Let’s go ask her.”
She followed him into the living room, where Livie watched cartoons with Ruby’s head on her lap. She sat next to them, and Cooper sat on the other side of Livie.
“Mommy and Daddy, are you coming to watch cartoons with me?”
“Actually, we want to ask you a question,” Kendall said. “Would you and Ruby like to spend the night with Tyler? Have a pajama party?”
“I get to wear my pajamas at Tyler’s house?”
“Yes.”
“Does Ruby have to?”
“Ruby doesn’t have any pajamas,” Kendall said.
“Why?”
Cooper grinned at her over Livie’s head. “Because, Princess, they don’t make pajamas for a dog.”
“Why? She likes pajamas. She told me that.”
“I didn’t know Ruby could talk,” Cooper said.
“She only talks to me.”
“Then you’re very special,” Kendall said. “Do you want to spend the night at Tyler’s?”
“Yes!”
That settled, she stood. “What’s the plan for today?” she asked Cooper.
“We’ll have lunch here, then drop Livie at Tyler’s on our way to Phoenix Three. I have a few errands to run, and while I’m out, I’ll pick up something for lunch. Subs or burgers? There’s also a great noodle bar nearby that does takeout.”
“Livie loves dumplings, so that would be good. Dumplings works for me, too.”
“Noodle bar it is.” He kissed Livie’s cheek. “Back soon, Princess.”
While he was gone, Kendall got dressed, then got Livie dressed. She packed pajamas, clean underwear and an outfit for her to put on in the morning.
Tonight, she’d be alone with Cooper. She’d been disappointed last night when he’d sent her to bed. He’d said that somethingwould happen between them. Would that be tonight? Did she want something to happen?
“If you’re agreeable, we’d like you to do a podcast scripted by us,” Cooper said. “We want him to communicate with you in the hope that he’ll give us some clues as to who he is. Also, would you be willing to let us write a response to his email to send to him?”
They were back in The Phoenix Three’s conference room. “I’m willing to do anything you think will help us find this man.” She wanted her life back.
“What do you need to do a podcast?” Grayson asked.
“Preferably, my home studio, but I can do it from here with the right equipment.”
“Write down what you need,” Cooper said.
“I was able to learn what the note pinned to Lacy Alexander said.” Grayson brought the note up on the wall screen.
Tears burned her eyes as she read the words.