Page 93 of Sheriff's City Girl

I should’ve cut the relationship off after Graham.

But I hadn’t brought myself to do that to her. Everyone swore that Cody didn’t know anything about what happened with Emma—and the point had been made that he was just a kid. I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.

But damn, it was hard.

Slowly but with intention, I made my way to the Bronco, ripping the door open and heaving myself inside. Nothing was as easy as it used to be in the moment, but I tried not to let the frustration get to me as the engine sputtered to life. I hadn’t started the thing up in a good month, and it showed. I backed up and headed out of the driveway, inwardly cringing as Emma crossed my mind.

She’s going to kill me twice for this.

My chest ached as I bumped along the gravel road. I had overdone it today, and having to go searching for Jess was the tipping point for that realization. However, I’d do whatever it took to find my daughter and make sure she was safe…

And remind her to answer her damn phone.

I made the ten-minute drive to the school in about seven minutes, throwing it in park right outside the front doors. The place looked desolate, and that didn’t make me feel any better about it. However, the lack of cars and people didn’t mean kids weren’t inside working on a project.

I headed for the front doors of the school, and just as I reached for the handle, the door swung open, none other than Cody Hudson emerging. His shoulder bumped into mine, sending a searing pain through my body. I bit back a groan, not wanting to let the kid know that he just made me see stars.

“Whoa, sorry,” he muttered, stepping out of the way. “I didn’t see you.”

I nodded, deciding to just let it go. “Is Jess in there?”

His brows furrowed, and for a moment, I swore I was looking Graham Hudson right in the face. “No… Is she supposed to be here?”

I took a deep breath, trying not to react to Cody in the same way that I would his father. “I don’t know. I thought she would be home, but she’s not there.”

Visible concern actually crossed the kid’s face. “Well… Maybe she’s with Dara? She seems to always be with Dara.”

“She’s not.”

“I can try to call her,” he offered, shrugging his shoulders.

I gritted my teeth, but nodded, knowing damn well that if she answered him but ignored me, she was going to be in enough trouble to last a lifetime. I watched anxiously as Cody called her, putting his phone to his ear. He eyed me as he did it, shifting in his boots. I was making the kid nervous—and I nearly smiled at the fact.

However, whatever inkling of amusement I found left as his face fell.

“No answer,” he said, sounding nearly as worried as I felt. “I don’t know where she’s at, sir. I just… I’ve been so wrapped up in my science project that I didn’t ask her what her plans were for the day… I’m sorry.”

“That’s all right,” I muttered, spinning on my heel and heading back to the Bronco. I could only think of one more place that she might be—and if she wasn’t there, I’d be calling the damn army if I had to.

“Do you want some help?” Cody’s voice caught my attention from behind, and I realized I had just left the kid there. “I can help look for her.”

I glanced over my shoulder, biting back a snippy response. “If you know where to find her, that’d be much appreciated.”

“Honestly? She’s probably at the ranch riding horses,” Cody said after a moment of appearing to be in deep thought. “I bet that’s where she is.”

Kid read my mind.

“That’s where I’m headed,” I said, nodding to him and heading back to the Bronco. I opened the driver’s side door and climbed in, halfway chiding myself for not having thought of that first. I started the engine, and put the truck in drive, calling Emma at the same time.

“Hey,” she greeted me. “Why aren’t you at home?”

Shit.

“I’m actually on the hunt for Jess. I can’t find her. I’m heading to the ranch.”

She was silent for a few beats as I pulled out onto the highway. “Are you driving?”

I blew out a sharp breath. “Yeah, but I’m not on any pain meds. I’m fine, Emma.”

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