"Yeah," she sighed as she looked up at him, "I agree. I thought that, too."
Drake sat across from her. "Want me to take a peek in one of those, or would you prefer to do it yourself?"
She pushed a notebook across the desk to him. "No secrets. We're in this together, so you're welcome to anything in this house."
She tried to ignore the spark that she saw light up his eyes. "Except that. Not now." She giggled. "We're on a mission."
He reached over and caressed her hand. "Even missions need coffee breaks."
"I get you in my bed, and it won't be a coffee break. It might be a week though."
He grinned in such a way that she almost swiped everything off the desk to have him right then and there. "I might get hungry."
She shook her head and felt her cheeks heat up. "Read. Find the answer so we can move on."
Despite their best efforts, they found nothing of any use. Drake finally closed a notebook and pushed it away. "What about your mom? Would she know anything?"
Joey slumped in her chair. "She might, but it's hit or miss with the dementia condition." She stood and paced, stopping in front of a huge, framed portrait of her and her father. "Come on, Daddy. Couldn't you have left me a hint?"
Drake walked up behind her and kissed the crook of her neck. "That must have been one of the last pictures taken of you two."
She leaned back against him and twisted her neck to look up at him. "How'd you know that?"
He pointed. "You're wearing the pendant."
It shone brightly against her tanned skin and dark tank top in the picture. "It was. Daddy had it framed and hung right before he died."
"Was your mom already showing signs of dementia when he died?"
Joey shook her head. "Nope. It was strange. It's like her mind just quit working when she lost him. I tried to make it work, but it got too dangerous for her to be here alone, so Pine Oaks was the best option."
Drake frowned slightly but didn't say anything about it. "I think we need to go see her."
"Let's go," Joey agreed. "I want to check on her anyhow."
Ms. Jeffers greeted them as soon as they walked in. "Ms. Preston, may I speak to you privately, please?"
Joey's heart sank. She had completely forgotten about the second half of the monthly fees. "I know I haven't paid you yet, but things have gotten completely out of hand. The rodeo had an emergency, and we weren't able to do the extra show..." She was babbling, and she knew it.
"Ms. Preston, we talked about this." She eyed Drake but returned her focus to Joey. "I can't keep your mother here if you can't afford it. It's not feasible for you, and it's not fair to us. I've already stretched the rules for you, but there has to be an end."
Before Joey could think of an answer, Drake whipped out his wallet and handed the woman a credit card. "Here. Put the rest of this month and next month on here. That gives Joey... Ms. Preston... time to get the rodeo back on track."
"Drake," Joey protested, "you don't have to do that."
"I know." He sounded like Han Solo confessing his love to Princess Leia. "But I'm going to."
Ms. Jeffers grabbed the card. "Are you going to see Marcella?"
Joey nodded, unable to speak as she bobbled between embarrassed and relieved.
"She's out by the lake." Ms. Jeffers held up her hand. "Don't worry. She's under discreet surveillance so she doesn't wander off or decide to go swimming."
"I wasn't worried." Joey grabbed Drake's hand. "Come on. We'll get your receipt on the way out."
Drake stopped her at the door leading out to the sidewalk. "If you ever need help, I'm here. No matter what."
"I'll pay you back. I know you guys don't have that much money to toss around."
