Page 300 of Rangers Unexpected Return

"Closer than we've ever been."

His shoulder brushed mine.

It wasn't intentional.

Neither of us moved away.

Sheriff Tate gathered the registration cards into neat stacks.

"If Eliza's registration card is gone..."

"...there has to be another record somewhere."

"There is," Carson said from the doorway.

Every head turned.

He walked into the room carrying another dusty archive box under one arm.

"I figured you all might need this."

Wolf grinned.

"Took you long enough."

Carson shrugged.

"I've been digging through the courthouse basement."

He set the box on the table.

"These weren't filed with the camp records."

Judy looked at the faded label.

COUNTY CHILD SERVICES

My pulse jumped.

"Where did you find these?"

"Locked in an old filing cabinet nobody had opened in years."

Sheriff Tate frowned.

"I forgot we even had those."

Carson smiled.

"I figured if Emily couldn't find Eliza's last name..."

"...maybe someone else wrote it down."

Hope filled the room again.

Doris folded her arms.

"I like this boy."