Page 23 of Grateful Hearts

“Uh-oh,” Joe replied, his tone half-joking. “What kind of favor?”

“I need you to find someone for me.” Mario glanced back at the notepad, the list of cities etched into his mind. “Chantel.She’s gone off the grid. I think she’s in one of a few places, but I need to be sure.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious,” Mario said, his voice low. “I need to find her. As soon as possible.”

“Alright,” Joe said, his tone shifting to something more professional. “Send me whatever you’ve got. I’ll start digging.”

“Thanks, man.”

Mario hung up and placed the phone on the counter, staring at the pad of paper again.

“Run all you want, Chantel,” he muttered. “But I’ll find you.”

Chapter Eight

After dinner, Chantel stood on the back porch. Her hands were wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee. The crisp November air bit at her cheeks, but she didn’t mind.

Dinner with Zach’s family had been enjoyable. Everyone kept the conversation light. There was no mention of her situation back home, which she felt was Zach’s doing, and she was grateful for it.

His family seemed really close, which she envied. They had shared family stories, making her feel completely at home.

Chantel turned her attention back to the area surrounding the Walker’s home. It was peaceful here. Beyond the porch stretched a sprawling backyard. An in-ground pool sat at the center, its surface now covered with a sturdy tarp for the season. She could imagine it in the summer with kids splashing, adults lounging with drinks in hand, and the flower beds surrounding the pool bursting with color. Zach’s mom clearly had a green thumb. Even in late autumn, the neatly trimmed bushes and perfectly arranged planters hinted at her touch.

Chantel took a sip of her coffee, savoring the quiet, but her peace was short-lived. Her phone buzzed on the porch railing where she’d left it, Mario’s name lighting up the screen.

Not again.She thought to herself.

She hesitated, her fingers hovering over the device. But no. She wasn’t ready to deal with him yet. She let it go to voicemail, her stomach twisting with unease.

A minute later, the phone beeped, letting her know she had a message waiting. She set her coffee down and picked up thephone. Hitting play, she listened to the message. Mario’s voice came through, tight with frustration and anger.

“Chantel, it’s me. Again. Look, I get it—you’re mad. You’ve got every reason to be. But this is ridiculous. It’s been two days, Chantel. Two fucking days you haven’t shown up to work, and I don’t know what kind of point you’re trying to prove, but it’s childish. You have responsibilities, and people are counting on you. I’m counting on you. If you don’t call me back, I’ll have no choice but to come looking for you. And believe me, I’ve got plenty of ways to find you. You can’t hide forever.”

The message ended, leaving Chantel clutching the phone in a grip so tight her knuckles turned white. His words sent a shiver down her spine, but she shook it off. Mario wasn’t scary. He was just desperate. He could threaten all he wanted, but she wasn’t going to let him bulldoze her into submission.

Still, she couldn’t ignore the restaurant. So far, Ivan had managed with her backup recipes, but Thanksgiving was a whole different beast. During the drive earlier in the day, she had scoured the internet for simple, crowd-pleasing recipes that Ivan and the team could handle. Tomorrow, she’d call Brian and tell him everything.

She sighed, staring out at the yard again as she let the chilly air ground her.

“Lost in thought?”

Chantel jumped, nearly spilling her coffee as Zach appeared behind her. His grin was boyish, his eyes warm, but she swatted at him playfully.

“Do you always sneak up on people like that?” she asked, her voice half-scolding, half-amused.

“Only when they look like they’re overthinking,” he teased, stepping onto the porch beside her. He glanced at her phone. “Was that him again?”

“Yeah,” Chantel admitted, tucking the device into her pocket. “He left a voicemail. He’s angry. Said he’ll come looking for me if I don’t call him back.”

Zach’s easygoing demeanor shifted, his jaw tightening. “He threatened you?”

She shook her head quickly. “No, not really. Mario’s all bark and no bite. He’s just panicking.”

Zach didn’t look convinced. “Still, it doesn’t sit right with me. You okay?”

The concern in his voice made her heart squeeze. “I’ll be okay,” she said softly. “It just still hurts. But being here helps.”

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