Page 44 of Elsie's Strong Shelter

“Let me check on something really quick.” She lowered her phone and cupped her palm over the speaker so she could talk to Dean without her mom overhearing. “My mom’s asking if we can spend some time with Jimmy.”

“Absolutely. Just let me know when and where.”

His immediate agreement warmed her down to her toes. “What about Justin Pauly’s mom?”

“Calvin’s tried getting ahold of her, but she hasn’t answered her phone. He gave me her address if we want to check it out while he’s tracking down another lead. She lives over in Cooper County, about forty minutes from here.”

“I want to go there first and hear about whatever leads Calvin’s looking into.”

Dean nodded.

Plan made, she lowered her hand and refocused on her mom. “How about we meet you after dinner? The sun’s finally out. We can get Jimmy outside and maybe help him burn off some energy. Give you and Dad a little break.”

“We can get him ice cream,” Dean mouthed.

She couldn’t fight her grin as she rolled her eyes. She wasn’t sure who that treat was for, Dean or Jimmy.

“Sounds good,” her mom said. “Your dad and I could use some of that fresh air as well. We’ll meet you at the park close to downtown Pine Valley. It’ll do us all good to lay our eyes on you.”

“We’ll see you then.” Disconnecting, she returned her phone to her pocket and straightened her shoulders. “All right. Let’s go.”

The sun rosein the sky on the drive to Cooper County, the streaks of light setting the colorful leaves of the tree-covered mountains ablaze. Dean had his window cracked to let the crisp air circulate in his truck. A strand of hair whipped around Elsie’s face, and she tucked it behind her ear.

“Do you want me to put up the window?”

She flashed him a smile. “It’s fine. It’s nice to get the fresh air, even if just a small bit. I’m actually looking forward to spending time with Jimmy and my parents later. Thank you for that.”

“Are you kidding me? It will be good for everyone, and besides, I miss the little guy.”

“Same, but until then, we need to stay focused. Do you think Calvin will get any information from the person he’s going to speak with?”

Dean shrugged. “You never know, but this is the only person we’ve connected with Justin besides Malcom. Calvin found him on social media. The two appear to have been friends pretty recently. Maybe the mom will know this guy or have other names to investigate.”

He followed the curve that hugged the side of the mountain. “Want to try calling Justin’s mom again? I’ve left a handful of messages. I wish she’d answer the damn phone.”

“Sure.” She held out her hand for his phone. After he unlocked it and handed it over, she scrolled to his recent calls. The quiet beats of classic rock weren’t loud enough to drown out the ringing that was interrupted by a voice message directing the caller to leave a name and number after the beep. Elsie disconnected before the recorded message ended. “No answer. Let’s hope she’s home.”

Following the voice of his GPS, Dean turned down a gravel driveway. “We’ll find out soon enough.”

A large yard stretched in front of a two-story farmhouse. A detached garage sat on one side of the house, a well-tended garden on the other. A woman in denim overalls and a wide-brimmed hat worked the land.

“Hopefully that’s her,” Elsie said, nodding toward the garden.

Dean parked his truck in front of the house and hopped out, meeting Elsie by the passenger door.

The woman stopped and shielded her eyes with her free hand, the other hand gripping a tall garden tool. He couldn’tmake out her features, but the rigid set of her shoulders told him their arrival put her on alert.

“Do we walk over there?” Elsie asked.

He lifted a hand to wave. “Might as well.”

Elsie fell into step beside him. As they approached the fenced off garden, the woman removed her dirty gloves and erased the distance between them.

“Afternoon,” she said. “Can I help you with something?”

“Mrs. Thomas?” Dean asked, coming to a stop beside the dirty white fence caging in the rows of vegetables.

“That’s me, but you can call me Jackie.” Her voice was warm and sweet, but she couldn’t hide the tiny frown that broadcasted her unease.

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