Author's Note: Another chapter for you tonight, my dear readers! I'm glad you are enjoying this story! Thank you for reading and for leaving feedback!

Spoiler alert! If you haven't read From the Ashes, the first story in this series, be aware that there are some spoilers in this chapter!

•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•

Chapter 7

Glossary (Spanish – English)

Dios, ayúdanos – God, help us

•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•

"Sarah Kate, could you please sit with DJ for a few minutes?" JoAnne asked. "I need to make some phone calls, and I'd rather he not have to listen."

"Sure." Sarah Kate put her magazine down. She'd been hoping for a chance to talk to DJ alone. Roy had left a few minutes ago after getting his hand splinted to meet Johnny and Nita again, and so now would be a good time.

"After that," JoAnne went on, "we'll arrange to get you back to the hotel. I'm sure your Dad will be wondering where you are."

Sarah Kate shrugged. "He won't worry, but Ramona might. Thanks." She stepped over to the hospital bed and settled into the plastic chair next to it.

Normally, Dr. Kostanyan had explained, they wouldn't keep a kid overnight just for a broken elbow. But in case the kidnapper knew where the family was staying, the doctor had suggested it to help DJ feel safe. When the police found out about the threat that had been made, they even stationed an officer outside the door, and JoAnne would be sleeping in the room's second bed that night. Sarah Kate didn't like being around the police. They could be really nosy and were more likely than anyone else to figure out her situation and stick her in a foster home.

DJ still wasn't talking, at least not for himself. But while pretending to read, Sarah Kate had listened to the doctor and his parents and even one of the police officers have their conversations with Taco, since DJ was willing to let the teddy bear speak for him. She'd had her suspicions from the beginning, so she was interested in hearing what DJ said. According to 'Taco,' the woman who took JoJo looked a little bit like Nita but she wore her hair on top of her head, and when the police officer showed him some crayons and asked him to choose the one that was the same as the woman's eyes, he picked the green. That was the moment when Sarah Kate became convinced her suspicions were right.

She hadn't said anything yet. She was a little scared to speak up because she knew how it would end. Her secret would no longer be safe. But she also knew what she had to do. Nita and Johnny and Matt and Melissa and all the rest had been so good to her, and she couldn't keep quiet. But first she had to be sure. So, she was going to have her own little talk with Taco. She patted the teddy bear's head and leaned close to talk to him, keeping her voice low so the policeman at the door wouldn't hear. "Hi, Taco."

DJ picked up the bear and moved it up and down while he spoke for it. "Hi, Sarah Kate."

"I have an important question, Taco," she said. "And if you tell me the answer, I'll tell the grownups and DJ won't have to say anything."

DJ frowned, but Taco moved closer to Sarah Kate. She took that as encouragement to keep going. "Taco, was the mean lady someone you saw at the hotel?"

For a long moment, there was just silence. But then Taco bobbed up and down while DJ spoke in a wobbly voice, "Yes. DJ doesn't know her name, but she cleans up rooms an' makes breakfast."

Ramona. Sarah Kate sighed. Suspicion confirmed. If she said anything, Ramona would squeal on her. But if she didn't… well… that just wasn't an option as Gramma would have said. So, she would tell JoAnne and squeal on herself before Ramona got the chance. She just hoped the police wouldn't send her back to Aunt Judy and Uncle Pete. She patted on Taco again, then flashed a smile at DJ and his teddy bear. "Good job, Taco." Then she gave DJ's hand a squeeze. "You and me, we're pals, right, DJ?"

DJ nodded and his whole face crinkled up into a smile. It was the first time she'd seen him smile since everything went wrong at the zoo.

Sarah Kate nodded too. "Good. I'm glad. You're real cool, DJ. I like having you for a friend."

•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•

JoAnne had stopped in Melissa's room to find out how she was doing, and then she put in calls to Joe Early at Rampart and Emily Stanley at home to tell them everything that had happened. Emily promised to tell Hank; Joe promised to pass the news to the Bracketts, who were currently in Washington, D.C. Both promised to be praying.

"Our choir director is also in charge of the church prayer chain," Emily said. "I'll call her right away and get the Gages and the Carters on the list." She paused briefly. "We'll be praying for you and Roy and DJ, too. How are you doing? I'd imagine this is stirring up unpleasant memories."

"Yes." Jo sighed. "I'm all right… just trying to keep my focus where it belongs. Roy is… well… let's just say he's angry and leave it at that." She said goodbye to Emily and hung up, then sucked in a deep breath. She had one more call to make.

•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•

Back in California, at the Gage ranch, Tex hung up the phone after talking with JoAnne. He steadied himself against the breakfast table for a long moment. "Dios, ayúdanos," he murmured. "Not our JoJo." He raised up his eyes, a prayer on his lips, but he felt as if his words were stopping at the kitchen ceiling, unable to fly freely to the great God in Heaven. He never felt he could really talk to God inside a building.

He wished he could be in Seattle with Johnny and Nita, but that wasn't possible. His work was here, tending the ranch in their absence, making sure they came home to find the horses and the property well cared for. Billy Folsom and his wife, Anna, helped when they could, but they both worked in Carson, so most of the time Tex was here alone. Today, though, he knew Billy was off duty. If he wasn't in the stable, he would be in the old bunkhouse that John and Tex had fixed up as a wedding gift for the young couple back in June.

As he approached the bunkhouse, Tasembo at his heels, he saw Anna hanging laundry on the clothesline Billy had set up for her. She must have gotten home from Rampart early today. "Anna," he called. "Please get Billy. I have news."

Giving a nod, she dropped the clothes pins she was holding into the laundry basket and then turned to run inside the bunkhouse. A moment later, she and Billy came out together. They stood on the porch, holding one another, expectant. Their golden retriever, Svans, sat at Anna's feet. Anna's brow was furrowed, and worry darkened her eyes. She was a perceptive young woman.

Tex steeled himself for the telling. When he had finished, he looked to Billy. "I'm going to the high meadow. I will keep vigil there. Could you stay in the main house in case they call again?"

"Of course," Billy said. He wore the stoic mask he had learned to assume as a paramedic. Tex could not see his feelings on his face, but he knew the young man was struggling. Billy loved his niece and nephew, he loved his sister, and his admiration for John ran deep. This news had pierced his heart.

Anna looked up into Billy's face, then at Tex. "I can stay at the house. Billy should go with you." When Billy protested, she shook her head at him. "I'll be fine. Svans will be with me. It's no different from staying alone in the bunkhouse when you're on duty."

"All right, then." Tex nodded to Billy. "Let's go. We can ride up."

"Shall I pack some food for you?" Anna asked.

"No." Tex shook his head. "Thank you, but we will be fasting." Together, he and Billy made their way to the stable to ready their horses and head for the high meadow.

•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•

About two and a half hours after leaving the zoo, Ramona pulled up in front of her father's house. At least, she hoped it was still his house. She couldn't imagine him living anywhere but the home where she'd grown up. But she hadn't spoken to him in almost five years. Since Mama's funeral. Anything could have happened. He didn't know she'd married… didn't know about Ada.

The little girl had fussed for most of their long drive. She didn't like being cooped up in her car seat for so long. But all it took was an assurance that she was going to see her Papi to calm her down.

Ramona got out of the driver's seat, then moved around to unbuckle Ada from her car seat and pull her out. Taking the little girl in one arm and balancing her on a hip, she grabbed the diaper bag and then followed the walkway up to the door and rang the bell. She hoped the dog she heard barking inside wouldn't scare the baby.

Finally, the door opened, and Ramona breathed out a sigh of relief. Her father was looking out at her. A big German Shepherd stood next to him, a low growl deep in its throat, but Papa put a hand on the animal's head and spoke sternly. "Quiet, Haven. Lie down." The dog obeyed.

"Papa," Ramona burst out, "meet your granddaughter." She thrust the baby into his arms before he could say anything. "This is Ada. Ada, here's your Papi."

Ada took one look at the thin, balding man who held her and burst into tears. "Papi Tex. Want Papi Tex!" she sobbed.

"I'm sorry." Ramona took the baby back and hugged her close. "She's… she's just tired. I need to put her down for a nap."

"Mona," her father started, rubbing at his arm. "That child is soaked through! And —"

"It's OK, Papa," she assured him. She eyed the dog, not sure if she dared enter. It didn't seem to be troubled about her anymore, though, and Papa moved aside to make space, so she held her breath and stepped inside. When the dog didn't move, she felt she could breathe again. "I'll just go change her and then lay her down on the bed in my room. She'll be asleep in no time. Then we'll catch up." She moved past him and Haven. "Just give me a minute?"

He nodded, so she carried the baby to the small bedroom at the back of the house, relieved to find it just as she'd left it. After changing Ada's diaper, she sat in her rocking chair. Cradling the squirming, fussing child to her chest, she began to rock and sing. It was the song Mama always sang when Ramona was little.

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine,

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine,

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine,

Let it shine,

Let it shine,

Let it shine.

She didn't remember how the rest went… something about bushels and the like… but the first verse and the chorus should be enough to calm any baby, shouldn't they? But Ada just kept crying louder and louder and calling for Papi Tex and 'sushki,' whatever that was. Why isn't it working?! As Ramona's frustration mounted, so did her anger. Finally, she flung the baby down on the bed and screamed at her. "Just shut up and go to sleep!"

Ada's face crumpled at that, and then the crying began in earnest. A piercing high-pitched wail that echoed off the walls and brought Papa and his dog running.

Papa put his hands on Ramona's shoulders and pulled her back. "You can't talk to a child that way," he said firmly. Then he moved around to the bed and pulled Ada into his arms. Holding her close, he murmured gently to her, and, gradually, she calmed. Before long, she was sound asleep, and he was able to lay her down on the bed and cover her with a blanket. He patted on the bed and the German shepherd jumped up and stretched out between Ada and the edge. "Good girl, Haven. Protect!" Finally, he turned back to Ramona. "I'm glad to see you again. But I wish you'd called."

Chagrined, Ramona ducked her head. "Sorry. It's just, I hadn't seen you for so long, and I thought you needed to meet Ada. And… I need help?"

Papa stroked Ada's silky curls. Clearly, he was taken with her. "Where's her daddy?"

She frowned and shrugged up a shoulder. Why does he have to ask that? "I don't know. He… he went to the store one day… about a year ago, I think… and never came home."

Papa rubbed at the back of his neck. "Well, as I promised the day you left, my door is always open for you. For my granddaughter, too. But I won't stand for you mistreating her." He raised an eyebrow. "And neither will Haven. I've told her to protect and that's what she'll do."

"Yes sir." Ramona lowered her eyes, ashamed that she had managed to disappoint her father within the first few minutes of coming home. She eyed the sleeping baby on the bed, her anger flaring. It's her fault. She just doesn't love me. What sort of kid hates her own mother? But she kept quiet. She wasn't about to tick off that dog.

"Go on, you look exhausted. Get some rest. You can have Teo's room. We'll talk later." Papa nodded toward the door. He wasn't giving her a choice in the matter. With a last look at the baby, she moved obediently out the door and down the hall to her brother's room. She did need a nap.

•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•

Manuel Ortiz moved to the rocking chair his daughter had vacated. He would keep watch here while the little one slept. His wife had drilled it into his head, after all — never leave a dog alone with a small child, no matter how well trained it was. She would haunt his dreams tonight if he didn't listen. He couldn't get over how beautiful the little girl sleeping on the bed was, or the fact that Ramona had named her for her mother… his late wife. That just made the child even more special in Manuel's eyes.

He had all but given up on grandchildren, what with Mona's brother a sworn bachelor stationed overseas and Mona getting angry and moving away five years ago. She had blamed him for her mother's death. But now she was back, and she had a daughter. That worried him. Mona could be a real sweetheart, but she'd always been a little, well, off kilter. She could hide it well most of the time, but when something set her off, watch out. Still, he liked the idea of being a grandfather. It had been far too long since he'd had anyone to love, other than Haven of course. Keeping a close eye on both dog and baby, Manuel began to hum a soft, sweet lullaby he remembered from his own childhood in Mexico.

•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•◊•

Shawna Reisig had just sent the kids upstairs to clean their rooms and was busy wiping down the kitchen counter when her husband called her into the family room. "Honey, come see this news story."

She stepped out of the farmhouse kitchen and her heart just about stopped when she saw the tall man who filled the television screen. After all these years? It can't be! But she had no doubt. She would know him anywhere, even though almost a decade had passed. She sank down on the sofa next to Max and listened to the story. Her Shepherd mix dog jumped up next to her and lay down with his head in her lap.

"Please," John Gage said, looking straight into the camera. "If you know anything, contact the Seattle police department. We just want our JoJo back safe." Then a photo went up on the screen, along with a phone number. The photo showed a little girl with curly raven-black hair hugging a little boy whose hair was sticking up all over in wild tufts. The girl was grinning broadly, while the little boy looked more serious.

While the picture was up, a voice over announced, "Dixie JoAnne Gage, known as JoJo by her family and friends, was kidnapped from Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo this afternoon while her caregiver suffered a medical emergency. Her family are visitors to Seattle from Los Angeles, where Captain John Gage works with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Police have not yet developed any leads, and they are asking for your help. If you have any information, you are asked to call the Seattle Police at the number on your screen."

"Was that him?" Max asked. "Your Johnny Gage?"

Shawna nodded. "Yes." Her heart ached for the man who had changed the trajectory of her life. She remembered vividly their first meeting — she was on the ground on a mountain trail, pretending to be lost and injured, while Eddie Guinness lay in wait to shoot him with a sedative dart and take him captive, all in the name of revenge. Eddie had gone farther with his plan than Shawna ever imagined. He would have killed Johnny, his friend's little girl Megan, and Shawna herself, if Shawna hadn't finally wised up and done something to stop it.

She hadn't seen Johnny since, but they had exchanged letters for years and had a friendship of sorts. The dog Shawna was petting right now was named Gage in his honor, and the Reisig refrigerator displayed photos of his kids when they were just a few months old. And the beautiful hand carved candlesticks she and Max used only on their anniversary — those had been a wedding gift from Johnny.

Shawna had been living in Portland then. Now she and Max lived in La Center, Washington, where she had landed her first job as a veterinarian after earning her DVM in May. La Center was a tiny town, a peaceful place, though it was struggling financially. She loved the people, and she loved her work. For the first couple of months after their move, Max had commuted to Portland where he worked as a fireman-paramedic, but he'd recently been hired to help develop an EMT program for La Center and the surrounding area. Their whole family was happy here.

"Man," Max said, shaking his head as the weatherman started his report. "That's gotta be hell. I wish we could do something to help. I've always felt kind of indebted to him, to tell you the truth."

"Me too," Shawna said, her voice strained. "Well, there's one thing we can do. We can pray. I'll call Edna and get the church prayer chain going."

He raised an eyebrow. "If you call Edna, the entire West Coast will be praying for them before bedtime." He gave her a kiss and then patted her on the leg. "Go on… make that call. Ol' Gage and I will get the kids ready for bed."