Hadley knew that firsthand. Again, she wondered exactly what had transpired between the two of them—and then she also reminded herself again that it was none of her business.
She and Kendra talked several more minutes, mostly about the puppies and how to take care of them. Hadley wished she didn’t have to leave them, but she did have work to do and bills to pay.
Ten minutes later, the door opened again.
Max stepped inside but stopped in his tracks when he spotted Kendra.
He offered a reserved nod. “Kendra . . . I didn’t realize you were coming in this morning.”
“I thought you might need some help.”
Hadley felt the shift in the air. Max and Kendra had both gone still, something unspoken hovering in the space between them. Their working relationship since the breakup had to feel awkward.
Hadley also knew that firsthand. She and her ex-husband had been colleagues, even after their split. There was a good reason people said not to mix business with pleasure.
Hadley cleared her throat as she turned to Max. “So . . . any updates on Lyndee?”
Max seemed to snap out of his stupor and shook his head. “No, not yet. Not really. We know she left some time in the middle of the night and didn’t take Tinkerbell with her.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you find answers soon.”
“Me too. Sheriff Sutherland is here, and he’s leading the investigation.”
She stepped back toward the pen. “Listen, while you’re here, can I run through some instructions for Juno?”
His attention shifted to her. “Of course.”
She crouched and lifted Quirkle, supporting him carefully in her hands. He was the runt, and though he’d seemed okayyesterday, this morning she’d noticed he seemed more lethargic than she’d like.
“This one is a little behind the others. I want to make sure he’s feeding enough.”
Max leaned in. “He looks all right, just smaller.”
“That’s what I’m thinking.” Hadley adjusted her hold. “But we should keep an eye on him.”
“Good idea.”
The hair on Hadley’s neck seemed to rise as she felt someone watching her.
She turned and saw Kendra studying her. Something in her gaze appeared tighter.
Maybe Hadley should have included her more in that conversation.
Either way, she had to run. She couldn’t be late.
CHAPTER 7
Max waiteduntil Hadley was gone before he headed back outside to meet Sheriff Sutherland and Caleb by the gate. He needed to call Stephen, but he wanted something more definitive to tell his friend first.
Max slowed as he approached the two men. “Anything new?”
Caleb shook his head. “We went back over the footage. Same thing as before. She climbs over the gate and heads out. The camera didn’t catch any vehicles.”
“I’m going to take a look along the road,” Sheriff Sutherland said. “Maybe there are some footprints.”
“I can help.” Max stepped past him.
They walked past the gate and paused near the road. The snow here was thinner, packed down in places where vehicles had come through and softer along the edges where it hadn’t been disturbed.
