Page 100 of Sycamore Circle

“There you go,” he murmured. “All right. Put me back on with Finn.”

She handed the phone to him. “Bo wants to talk to you.”

Finn put his cell to his ear, answered a couple of questions with yes or no, then hung up. “He said that I’m supposed to get you something decent to eat and he’ll pay for your meal when he gets here.”

His statement was so matter-of-fact, she giggled. “That’s it?”

He smiled. “I’m starting to realize that Bo not only is nicer than he first comes across but he’s also real good at giving orders.” Lowering his voice, he added, “He also asked me to look after you.”

“I don’t need you to do that... but you don’t mind?”

“I don’t mind.”

For the first time since she realized her mother was missing, Chloe felt like she could breathe easier. “I’m so glad you’re working here, Finn. I don’t know what I’d do if we hadn’t met.”

He smiled at her softly. “I’m really glad too, Chloe.”

She just about melted, his words were so sweet.

CHAPTER 34

Seth, who’d been sitting next to Bo when Finn called, had insisted on going with him to Joy’s house.

“If she’s there, I’ll say hi and wait while you figure out what’s going on,” he explained. “If she’s not, I can help you look.”

Bo couldn’t fault Seth’s logic, so he’d agreed with the plan without complaint. Besides, he had a feeling that something was wrong. A lot of parents lost track of time or let their phone batteries die—or a dozen other small things could happen that prevented them from immediately connecting with their kids.

Joy wasn’t one of those parents.

From the first time he’d met Joy, he’d sensed that everything about her was cautious and thorough. She was careful with her heart, with her space, and with her daughter. No way was she just going to not show up if Chloe was expecting her.

Just as importantly, Chloe didn’t seem to be a girl who got upset or worried about her mother easily. She wouldn’t have gotten Finn to call Bo unless she was really worried.

She was really worried.

When they were halfway to Joy’s house, Seth said, “Whatever you’re thinking, you need to put it away. You don’t know anything right now.”

“I hear you.”

“Are you sure? Because you’re looking like you’re about to go off half-cocked.”

“I’m not. I just don’t like loose ends or things that don’t add up.”

“Life is filled with those things. You know it as well as I do. Just because something doesn’t make sense, that doesn’t mean everything has gone to pot. It just means you’ve got a hurdle or something to get over.”

As Bo pulled into Joy’s driveway, he raised an eyebrow. “Is that some more of your Amish wisdom?”

“Nee. I reckon it’s more common sense than anything else,” he said as he got out of the truck. “If I learned anything with Lincoln two years ago, it’s that love can make a man go off half-cocked. I’m trying to save you a little bit of heartache.”

“Thanks, though I’m not sure I’m in love.”

“You might not want to admit it, but it’s there.” Seth grinned. “Which is, for sure and for certain, something I learned back in the day.”

“Do you think you’ll ever go back?” Bo asked as he scanned the area.

“Nope. Even if I wanted, I couldn’t. They kicked me out.” He strode over to one of the windows of the garage. “No car in here.”

“That’s what I was afraid of.” He walked through the small metal fence to the concrete patio pad by the back door. Wondering, exactly what Chloe could’ve meant by “under” the grill, he crouched down to look beneath it. “Chloe said there’s a key hidden somewhere down here.” Running a hand along the cement, he murmured, “Any ideas?”

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