A beat of silence, then Ping shifted gears. “I found a PI and I’m sending him to Clifton to help you.”
“Aunt Ping—”
“Don’t you ‘Aunt Ping’ me. We need help and he’s already on his way. His name is Sterling Peterson. Highly recommended. Can I give him your address?”
Aftyn twisted a loose thread on the sweatpants. “Give him the diner instead. He can ask for me there. I don’t know him well enough to let him into my apartment.”
“Smart girl. I’ll tell him to go in and ask for you. Are you enjoying your day off?”
Aftyn glanced into the living room where Cole’s cowboy boots sat beside the sofa, late afternoon light striping the floor. “I’m spending it with Cole.”
“Cole? The man who saved you from that bull?”
“Yes.” She grinned. “Last night we went to a local bar, and today we rode out across his property and fished at the pond.” She hesitated. “Until a grizzly bear came out of the woods with her cubs.”
“Good heavens.”
“She wasn’t happy to see us. She stood on her hind legs and let out a roar that echoed off the mountains. Cole got me in the saddle and told me to ride for the barn. I heard a shot but didn’t look back.”
“Did he shoot her?”
“Fired close to her feet to scare her off. She ran with the cubs right behind her.”
“Those cubs are the only reason she charged.”
“I know.” Aftyn’s shoulders loosened. “But we’re safe. We’re about to watch a movie.”
“I know you said he’s handsome but send me a photo. Let an old woman dream.”
Aftyn laughed. “You’re not old. I’ll call you after I talk to Mr. Peterson.”
“Alright, honey. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
She stepped into the living room. Cole rose from the couch, broad shoulders filling his T-shirt, the pale glow of the TV casting shadows across his face.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“You have impeccable manners,” she said, smiling. “I know I’ve said it before.”
He grinned. “Come sit. Is this alright?” He nodded toward the screen where the opening credits ofNecessary Roughnessscrolled past.
She sank beside him, the cushion warm beneath her. “I’ve never seen this movie. Who’s in it?”
“Scott Bakula, Sinbad, Jason Batemen, just to name a few.”
“Okay. I’d love to see it.”
He glanced at her. “Everything alright?”
“Yes. That was Aunt Ping. She’s arranged a private detective to help find Avery. He’s coming to the diner tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry, Ping?”
Aftyn grinned. “Her real name is Pauline. Her brother called her Ping as a baby, and it stuck. You’d love her. She says exactly what she thinks and never loses a moment’s sleep over it.”
Cole grinned. “I prefer people like that. Why beat around the bush?”
