Page 13 of Elsie's Strong Shelter

Elsie struggled not to roll her eyes. “We’ve been over this. She was coming straight?—”

He held up a hand to stop her. “I know. Straight home for girl talk. But if she made a pit stop at Mrs. Pauly’s, she may have planned to stop somewhere else quickly before heading home. Maybe she wanted a certain snack or brand of wine so told Mrs. Pauly she hoped she’d find a store open that late. Or maybe she wanted to fill her gas tank and mentioned she hated stopping at a gas station at night. Any small tidbit that may have been said could lead us somewhere we may have never expected.”

“I never would have looked at it like that.”

He bumped his shoulder against hers and winked. “Which is why you’re an amazing business owner but don’t work as a PI.”

She couldn’t help but smile. “True. Are you sure you have time to spend on this today? Youdowork as a PI, and I don’t want Calvin upset. Or for you to neglect paying customers.”

All hints of amusement left his face. “Calvin will understand. You’re more important than anything else I have in the works. I’m here with you until this is over.”

Excitement tingled inside her for a brief moment before she stomped it out. Mila was missing and most likely in danger. Now wasn’t the time to get swept away by sweet words, even if they were coming from the man she’d had a crush on for the past few months.

“Thank you. So how do we find this mysterious Mrs. Pauly?”

“Are you two talking about Maxine Pauly?” Tommy stood in the doorway, his brows knit in confusion.

“Do you know her?” Elsie asked.

“Sure. She lives in Water’s Edge, close to downtown. She was a good friend of my grandma’s.”

Hope scooted Elsie to the edge of the bed. “Does she have health issues? Would she need a home health aide to take care of her?”

Tommy scratched his chin. “She’s pretty old, and lives alone. Now that you mention it, I remember my pappy saying she’d suffered a stroke last year. Would make sense she might need a little help.”

Elsie straightened. Maybe this investigation stuff wouldn’t be so difficult after all. In a matter of seconds, they’d figured out who Mrs. Pauly was and where she lived. She only hoped that finding Mila would be just as easy.

Dean parkedhis truck outside Mrs. Pauly’s house and shut off the engine. The small home had a square concrete stoop, white siding, and one car garage. Flower boxes housed deep purple and orange mums, and a vertical sign beside the door announcedWelcome.

“No car in the driveway,” Elsie said. “Do you think she’s home?”

He shrugged and unfastened his seatbelt. “Her vehicle could be in the garage, or she might not even have one. After having a stroke, she might’ve given up her license.”

He’d called Calvin on their way into town to get some information on Mrs. Pauly, and to give his friend an update on Mila. Calvin’s quick search had pinpointed her address, as well as given them a little background on the woman. And at eighty-nine, he doubted she was bopping around town in the early afternoon.

Elsie stayed frozen to the leather seat. “Why am I nervous? It’s not like I think we’re going to walk in and find Mila bound in the kitchen.” Her attempt at humor was cut off by a silent sob. She shook her head and sniffed back tears. “Sorry. This is all just so weird. I don’t know what to say or how to act. I don’t even know how I’m putting one foot in front of the other.”

Facing her, he hooked his arm on the back of the seat. “There’s no wrong or right way to act in a situation like this. You’re doing great. You’re strong, Elsie. Using your brain and your resources in a difficult time to help find your friend. Not everyone is as brave.”

“I don’t feel brave. I feel… lost.”

“Hey, look at me,” he said, ducking his chin so they were eye to eye. “You don’t have to feel brave to be brave. Just keep doing what you’re doing, and I’ll be beside you every step of the way.”

She let out a long breath. “Let’s go.”

He jumped out of the truck and was greeted by a rush of cool wind. The breeze filtered through the trees and added to the melody of the day.

Rushing to Elsie’s side, he rested the tips of his fingers on the small of her back as they walked up to the weathered door. Touching her was beginning to be like second nature. He should drop his hand, take a step back, but her body pulled him to her like a magnetic force.

At the front door, he lifted his fist and looked at her for the go ahead. “Ready?”

She gave one decisive nod.

He knocked twice.

“Come, on,” Elsie said, urging on the woman they hoped was inside.

A few seconds ticked by then the sound of shuffling reached his ears moments before the door squeaked open. A short woman with flowing gray hair, leaning her weight on a bedazzled cane stared up at them behind thick, wire-framed glasses. “Hello, there. Can I help you?”

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