Assuming Russ didn’t take the chain, why would it be gone? Did someone come get it to hide the fact that the barn was locked?
Mia halfway listened as Ryan smooth-talked his brother, but she kept pondering the missing chain and potential lock. They needed to look for the other lock and padlock too so Sierra could process it for prints and DNA.
Ryan ended his call. “He didn’t take it.”
“This is really odd.” Mia stared at the charred lumber. “We should go check the other door to see if that chain is gone too.”
Ryan tucked the phone in his pocket. “That’s too dangerous. Even for me. The remaining wall could fall with a slight breeze in either direction, and I won’t risk either of us getting trapped under the debris.”
“But we have to know.”
His gaze met hers and held. “Not today, we don’t.”
“There has to be a way.” Disappointed, Mia looked away.
“I’ll call the chief and see if he can get the crew together to safely bring the wall down in the morning. Then, and only then, will we check on the lock.”
She didn’t like his answer, but she respected his professional opinion.
“Mia.” He gently clasped her shoulders and angled her to face him. “I mean it. Keep away from the barn.”
She would listen to him. For now. But if he didn’t arrange to have the wall brought down tomorrow, she would have to find a way to check it out. Regardless of his concern, she had to see if the lock was still there.
11
An hour later, Ryan approached the front door of his parents’ house, and Mia led Bandit alongside them. Or was Bandit leading Mia? Hard to tell who was winning right now. The night air had cooled some, especially with the sun behind thick clouds and hinting at potential rain.
Ryan glanced at her. “Bandit needs to learn you’re the alpha dog and respect your leadership.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know if I can do that. I just look at his sweet little face and want to spoil him.”
“I get that, but dogs are pack animals, and he really will feel more secure if he believes you’re in charge. It’s something you’re good at, so just ignore that cute face until after you’ve taken control.”
“I’ll try.”
Ryan opened the door and stood back for them to enter. With Russ suspecting Mia of being behind the threats, Ryan had been tempted to skip the usual weekly family dinner at his parents’ house. But he liked the idea of having Mia in eyesight instead of her being alone at the lodge, so he’d convinced her to join them. She agreed under two conditions. No talk of the threats and that she be allowed to bring Bandit to cheer Jessie up.
Ryan readily agreed to both.
His mother rushed into the entryway. Her long blond hair was in a braid down her back, and she wore one of her usual big dresses that hung to the floor. He always thought they looked like brightly patterned sacks with a head hole and did nothing to flatter her fit shape. But she loved them.
Mia cast a smile at his mother. “Thank you for inviting me and Bandit, Mrs. Maddox.”
His mom waved her hand and gave Mia a big hug. “Please. It’s Barbie.”
Everyone was welcome at this home. Including the woman who almost led him too far astray in high school for him to get into a good college. His mom didn’t judge. Didn’t criticize, but lovingly corrected. She was the best mom a guy could ask for. Even if when he was younger her hippie tendencies and a name like Barbie led to some bullying at school.
“Jessie’s dying to see Bandit.” Ryan’s mom circled her arm around Mia. “Let’s take him to the family room. Just a warning. Everyone’s already here, and the boys are getting up to their usual antics when they come together.”
Mia chuckled, and the pair headed down the hallway. Ryan appreciated his mom’s usual lighthearted mood more than ever, though he’d be just fine if she stopped calling them boys.
The house smelled like onions and some sort of browned meat, along with the tantalizing scent of fresh bread. His mom wasn’t the greatest cook, but she could make a mean pot roast and baked all kinds of delicious breads and desserts.
The whole family, as predicted, was sprawled around the large family room filled with an overstuffed sectional and comfy chairs. Jessie and Russ were on the floor by the coffee table playing checkers.
His dad sat in his recliner, feet up, smiling over his family. He flipped down the leg rest and got up to shake Mia’s hand.
“Now, Hank.” Ryan’s mom swatted at his dad’s hand. “No need to be so formal.”
