Chapter 3

The sky outside was dark, a reflection of the gloomy atmosphere in the Irvines’ house.

Hope snuggled beside her husband, tucking her body close to his. She rubbed her hand against her nose, sniffling.

Her eyes hurt, and she rubbed at her temples as a snoot dripped from her nose.

Zachariah grunted, shaking his head at her, and handed her a tissue box.

“Stop crying, dear,” he said, cuddling her closer and fondling her at the sides. “You will weaken yourself by crying. Look at your eyes all red and puffy. You have been crying since yesterday.”

She scowled, shaking her head as she gave her husband a heated glare. “How can you tell me not to cry, Zach? Jared has been missing since yesterday night, and you heard what the mayor said when he came here.”

She drew a wad of tissues from the box and blew into it, discarding it on the floor.

Zachariah cleared his throat and began. “Of course, I heard what the mayor said, and I am saddened and weak at hea