She pressed aside handfuls of soil and caught a glimpse of something white. Her breath snagged. She moved faster, knees aching as she fought to excavate what her dad had buried.
Finally, she slid out a telltale envelope sealed in a Ziploc. On the front, her dad had writtenFor Finley.
Amazement moved through her like a cascade of droplets.
Scrambling to her feet, she brandished the envelope high. “I can’t believe we found it.”
Luke rose. She thought she detected a hint of warmth in those steely eyes.
“Dad,” she called to the sky, “I hope the rest of the clues aren’t this tricky. If you want me to figure this out, I’m going to need for you to give me more obvious direction.” She opened the plastic bag, broke the seal on the envelope, and pulled out the cardstock within.
Do you remember the train depot we visited together, Finley? I never enjoyed trains as much as I did when seeing them through your eyes.
I love you, Dad
Her exultation swooped into dismay.
She handed the note to Luke.
He read it. “Do you remember the train depot?”
“I have a vague memory of him taking me to a depot. Maybe when I was in high school? But I haveno ideawhere the depot’s located.”
Ablue sedan waited on the main road near Ed Sutherland’s property. Its driver had parked in the lot of a mini mart across the street and a good distance away. Several other cars occupied the lot. There’d be no reason for Luke or Finley to notice him when they exited Ed’s land.
Killing time, he listened to music. He patiently ate the food he’d brought and drank the soda he’d purchased when he’d arrived.
When Luke’s Chevy truck finally pulled back onto the road, he saw it clearly through the binoculars held to his eyes.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The following Monday afternoon, Ben Coleman entered Furry Tails Animal Rescue Center for the first time.
After checking his ID to verify he was an approved volunteer, the woman at the welcome desk directed him toward a room down the hall.
Furry Tails would give him something he’d wanted for a long time: a connection to Luke. Bonus: It would also give him a way to spend some of his free time. Which meant he’d have less time to sit around mourning Leah.
He reached the door labeledAfter-School Programand knocked.
“Come in,” a feminine voice called.
He let himself into a large sunny space. Quiet fell as ten kids and two adults swung toward him from their standing and sitting positions. The room looked a lot like an elementary school classroom. Tables with small chairs. A whiteboard. Artwork displays. A computer station.
Akira, whom he’d met at lunch at Pablo’s, approached. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
She was an attractive woman but so soft-spoken that he hadn’t gotten a good read on her. Today, she’d chosen a pale pink sweater, dark jeans she’d rolled up at the hem a few times, and sneakers. Her straight black hair ended a few inches below her shoulders. Her face held sweetness. Her body, curves.
She turned toward her kids. “This is Mr. Coleman, who will be stopping by occasionally to lend a hand.”
None of them spoke.
“Can you say hello to Mr. Coleman?” she prompted.
“Hello, Mr. Coleman,” they said in unison.
A confident-looking white kid with brown hair cut in a trendy style raised his hand.
