Page 9 of Elsie's Strong Shelter

“Since she’s not one of your clients anymore, can I get her address?” He held his breath, praying for some breadcrumbs.

“I’m sorry, but that’s still not allowed.”

He frowned. “Thanks. Please let me know if you think of anything else you can tell me. My number was on the message.”

Disconnecting, he set his phone by the blank sheet of paper and sighed.

“Guessing she didn’t give you much.” Elsie plopped onto the seat beside him.

Dean scrubbed his hands over his face. The rough whiskers against his palms reminded him he needed to stop home to shower, change and let out Boo soon. “Just that Mila made it to every appointment on time last night and left them all when she was supposed to.”

“And Mrs. Pauly?”

“Isn’t a client anymore.” He lifted his hands then let them fall. “Hasn’t been for a month. Maybe Mila’s been checking on her while off the clock, or maybe Jimmy just tossed out her name because he’s a kid and some weird memory stuck in his brain.”

Elsie shook her head. “I don’t think so. What Mila said to him, it was a lesson. She made an example of somethinghappening in her life. My bet is she still sees this woman. Takes care of her any way she can. That’s something Mila would do.”

“Okay. Then sounds like the first thing I need to do is locate Mrs. Pauly.”

“We,” she said, voice firm. “Whatweneed to do. I’m closing the shop for the day, and I have until Jimmy comes home from school to help whatever way I can. With any luck, Mila will be home to get Jimmy off the bus.”

He nodded, hoping she was right. But the sinking pit in his stomach told him Mila wouldn’t be walking through the door soon because of a misunderstanding. He just had to do whatever it took to find her before the worst happened and Mila never made it home.

4

The October breeze rustled through the trees and whipped Elsie’s hair across her face. Anxiety bounced inside her, keeping her on high alert. She tightened her grip on the phone she hadn’t set down since they left her house twenty minutes before, as if she could force Mila to call by sheer will.

Boo’s excited barks thundered through the front door of Dean’s cabin, tucked deep in the woods on the outside of town. She winced, hating how upset the dog was at being left home alone for hours. “Poor guy. You should have brought him to my place.”

Dean unlocked the door and shrugged. “Wasn’t exactly sure where the night would lead so I thought it’d be wiser to leave him home. Don’t let his pathetic whines fool you. He’s fine.”

The door swung open, and Boo bounded out. His tail wagged like crazy as he jumped on Dean. The dog swiped his tongue against his owner’s face.

“Okay, buddy. Good to see you, too. Get down.”

Boo dropped his paws then zeroed in on Elsie, running to her side and leaning all his weight against her legs. His tail thumpedagainst her shin, and she had no doubt he’d leave a pound of silky fur on the black material.

“Hey, there, big guy,” she said, swiping her hand along his back. “Sorry I took your dad away for so long.”

He barked as if to say she’d been forgiven and bolted into the front yard to relieve himself before leading the way into the house.

Dean chuckled and swept a hand toward the door, gesturing her inside. “Follow the boss.”

Ducking her head, she stepped into the surprisingly charming home. Dark wood lined the floors, broken up by cozy rugs to designate the different areas—living room, dining area, even Boo’s spot complete with a burgundy dog bed and food dishes. The open concept flowed into the kitchen where white marble countertops capped cabinets painted a deep gray.

The sound of crunching gravel turned her toward the still-open door. A deputy’s cruiser pulled in beside Dean’s truck. “Looks like someone’s here.”

Boo growled and his body went rigid.

She rested a hand on the top of his head to keep him in place.

Dean took one step over the threshold and squinted. “It’s Sadie. I told her to let me know if she learned anything. She must have come straight here after her shift.”

Knots twisted in Elsie’s stomach. As much as she’d enjoyed getting to know Sadie over the past year while volunteering at the women’s shelter, watching her climb out of her car in her uniform caused goosebumps to ripple up Elsie’s arms.

Boo barked and trotted out to greet the newest arrival.

Sadie waved and strolled up the porch steps. “Morning. How you doing, Elsie?”

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