After all, every second counted. It could mean the difference between finding Good Boy or not finding him.
However, she knew that looking for the dog herself was a terrible idea.
Micah had told her not to. Had told her to stay here, where it was safe.
But Good Boy wasn’t safe.
And every minute that passed was another minute he was with someone who’d lied to get him. Someone who might hurt him.
Naomi couldn’t just sit here and wait.
The drive to Cooperstown felt both too long and too short.
Naomi’s hands gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white, her pulse hammering in her ears.
She knew this was a bad idea.
Knew Micah would be furious when he found out.
But she couldn’t turn back.
Her mom had offered to watch Grace, and Naomi had told her she needed to run into town to do some errands.
She’d be smart about this. She simply wanted to see if Good Boy was at the address or not.
She wouldn’t confront anyone. She’d stay in the background.
But if Good Boy happened to see her and come running, Naomi wouldn’t hesitate to rescue him. She knew that most likely wouldn’t happen. That would be too easy. Yet part of her remained hopeful that might actually happen. That she could grab the dog and go.
Finally, the GPS announced she was a quarter mile from her destination, and Naomi slowed, scanning the road ahead.
412 Maple Ridge Road.
A mailbox appeared on her right—a rusted metal box leaning slightly to one side, the numbers barely visible. A gravel driveway stretched beyond it, disappearing into the trees.
She knew better than to turn down the drive.
Instead, Naomi drove past, her mind racing.
A hundred yards down the road, she spotted a narrow strip of dirt where loggers or hunters might park. She turned in, pulled as far off as she could, and cut the engine.
For a moment, she sat there, staring at the trees.
What are you doing?
The voice in her head sounded like Micah’s. Telling her this was reckless. That she should wait. That she should call him.
Then she heard the sound of a dog barking somewhere in the distance.
Her pulse quickened.
Was that Good Boy?
The noise sealed her decision.
She needed to find out.
But she would be smart about this.
