Tracie Peterson by Hearts Calling Page A

means. They often easily fall prey to undesirables who seek only their fortune. Pamela’s parents were probably well within their rights to be concerned for their daughter.”
    “But what if he wasn’t like that? What if they really loved each other, Riley?” Zandy couldn’t help but ask.
    “Then time and distance won’t hurt them, Love. Look what happened between us.”
    Burley interjected, before Zandy could respond, “Besides, that really isn’t the issue here. The problem is that Pamela has disappeared, most likely not of her own will. It might be wise if we were to telegraph her parents.”
    Riley agreed, but added, “I’d like to give it a day or two and see what happens. There’s no sense in worrying them if she turns up to have just wandered off in a pout.”
    “Riley Dawson! Wandered off in a pout?” Zandy exclaimed indignantly. “What kind of woman do you think Pamela is, anyway? She wouldn’t leave us to worry like that.”
    Riley felt the heat of her words, but didn’t dare explain that he wanted to see if the man who’d taken Pamela would return her when he realized she wasn’t Zandy. Riley shrugged his shoulders and gave a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I guess I put my foot in that one.”
    ❧
    The days that passed waiting for word about Pamela were sheer torture for Zandy and the rest of the household. Riley seemed genuinely worried that Pamela hadn’t returned, or at least puzzled that they hadn’t received notice giving a clue to her whereabouts.
    On the fifth day of Pamela’s absence, a letter arrived with the mail. It was from a kidnapper who demanded over one million dollars for Pamela’s safe return. Otherwise, the letter stated, she would be killed.
    Zandy was present when the letter was received, and Riley, not knowing what the contents were, had no way to shield her from its impact.
    “Dear Lord,” she whispered in prayer. Zandy landed on the floor at his feet.
    “Alexandra!” Riley quickly lifted her into his arms. He carried her to a nearby sofa and laid her out. “Ruth!” he shouted into the air. He patted Zandy’s face and tried to wake her. He quickly read the note.
    “What’s wrong, Riley?” Ruth questioned, half running into the room. When she saw Zandy, she emitted a cry of concern and hurried to her side. “What happened?”
    “We had a note from Pamela’s kidnappers. Zandy read it before I could keep her from it. Next thing I know, she’s in a dead faint on the floor,” Riley explained.
    “Stay here with her,” Ruth instructed. “I’ll get some smelling salts and a wet cloth.” Ruth hurried from the room to retrieve the needed items.
    She came back quickly and handed Riley a cloth. “Here,” Ruth told Riley, “wipe her face with this.” He took it and touched it to his wife’s cheek, while Ruth waved the salts under Zandy’s nose.
    A moan sounded from Zandy as she suddenly came to. She pushed away Ruth’s hand and tried to sit up. Riley kept a firm hold on her.
    “You just took a nasty fall,” he said. “I think you should lie still.”
    “What happened?” Zandy asked weakly.
    “You fainted.”
    Her stepmother’s words seemed to awaken her instantly.
    “The letter!” she gasped.
    “It’s all right,” Riley assured her. “You have to relax and let me take care of this.”
    “But it’s all my fault. If I hadn’t insisted on bringing her along, she’d be safe back in Missouri with her grandmother. This is all my doing!” She shook her head from side to side, while tears streamed down her cheeks.
    Riley took hold of her. “You’re always telling me you believe God is in control of our lives. You helped Pamela to God. Don’t you realize that she’s in His control, and He watches over His own? I know I’ve heard you declare the same thing on more than one occasion.”
    Zandy heard the words, but refused to be comforted. “Sometimes we grieve God by interfering,” she protested. “You said I was sticking my nose in where it