She sat up. Yes. That’s exactly what she’d do this weekend. She had a photo of Avery on her phone, and she could show it to every shopkeeper in town.
With that settled, she pushed herself up from the sofa, turned the locks on the door, and limped toward the bathroom. She planned on soaking in steaming water until her skin pruned, then microwaving something from the freezer and losing herself in mindless television. She couldn’t go anywhere without a car, and her feet couldn’t handle another step beyond these walls anyway, though the persistent ache had improved. The first two weeks at the diner had been excruciating. By the third, it had dulled to a manageable throb.
In the bathroom she twisted the faucet until hot water hissed and the mirror began to fog. Steam curled around her as she swept her hair into a messy bun, then peeled off her clothes, the grease-stained apron and thin T-shirt smelling of fryer oil and coffee. Every garment felt heavy, clinging to her skin like yesterday’s regrets. She gathered them into a heap and carried them down the hall to the stackable washer and dryer tucked behind bifold doors. She’d wash away the day’s grime while the TV murmured in the background, crime-show reruns filling the quiet, every unsolved case a silent prayer that she’d find her sister before the trail went cold.
When Saturday dawned, she was already awake. She ate a sparse breakfast, tucked her phone into her purse, and tried not to look at her sister’s bright smile too long. It made her fists clench.
She slung her purse over her shoulder, pocketed her keys, and stepped into the merciless heat, the sun a pale orb rising over a cloudless sky. Thank God her feet were better. She clicked the lock behind herand jogged down the metal stairs.
It wasn’t yet nine, but the air already shimmered off the pavement. She longed for autumn, any season but this. At the bottom of the steps, she cut through the narrow alleyway and slipped onto the sidewalk.
Her plan was simple. Work every storefront on both sides of the street, scanning faces and asking questions until something broke through the silence surrounding her sister’s disappearance. Then circle back and tackle the next block.
****
Cole maneuvered his pickup into the lot at The Feed Store and climbed out, squinting against the glare. The scent of leather, hay, and spilled grain greeted him as he pushed through the door. Sunshine spilled through high windows, spotlighting rows of bridles, lead ropes, and reins hung on a worn pegboard wall. He spotted Wyatt and Olivia Stone by the saddle racks, Liv’s black hair catching the light, Wyatt standing easy and broad-shouldered beside her.
“Hey, you two.”
“Cole!” Liv swept him into a quick hug.
He winked at Wyatt over her shoulder. “Your wife’s hugging me.”
“Like you’re the only one.” Wyatt rolled his eyes. “She hugs every guy she sees.”
“That’s not true.” Liv pulled back with a playful look. “Only the ones I know.”
“I think she got you there.”
“She’s got me wherever she wants me.” Wyatt threw an arm around her shoulders. “How are you doing, Cole?”
“Busy as ever. You two holding up okay?”
Liv nodded. “We needed a change of scenery. Emma’s got the kids today so we’re free to roam.”
“She loves kids,” Cole said. “I don’t think anyone loves them more.”
Wyatt grinned. “Thank goodness. Even with four of her own, she still babysits Caleb for us and Will and Hattie for Jake and Becca.”
Liv sighed contentedly. “She’s a natural.”
Cole glanced down the long aisle of leather reins and cinches gleaming under the skylights. “I hate to cut this short, but I need fresh leads. Business has picked up since Jake retired.” He shook Wyatt’s hand, gave Liv a quick hug. “Good seeing you both.”
He moved toward the back, breathing in the rich smell of tanned hide and sawdust, and paused before a display of braided leads. His hand hovered over the supple leather when a voice rang out from somewhere near the counter. Soft, familiar, utterly irresistible. He froze.
Why would she be here?
He gathered several lead ropes and made his way forward, heart pounding. At the register stood Aftyn, ponytail high, eyes fixed on Junior the young clerk as she handed over her phone.
“Aftyn?”
She turned, and her face lit with a smile that made his chest tighten. He wasn’t sure what she was doing to him, but he wasn’t complaining.
“Hi, Cole.”
“What are you doing here?”
She nodded to Junior who held her phone, the screen catching the light from the dusty shop window. Cole knew right away it was her sister. The resemblance was uncanny, same heart-shaped face,same blue eyes, though lacking Aftyn’s warmth.
