Page 58 of Protecting What Is Mine

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Hank

It’s a few minutes till six when I spot Mollie’s car sitting in the lot next to Belle’s. I whip the truck into the nearest parking spot and hustle inside to check on her. Only, she’s not there. I recognize Brooke working behind the counter. She’s in high school and works part time but she and Mollie have always gotten along well. “Hey Brooke, how are you tonight? Say, you don’t know where Mollie is do you?”

Brooke smiles apologetically. “I’m sorry. Last I knew, she was running late, and in a hurry to get home because she had plans with you. Did you try her cell?”

Did I try her cell? Of course I tried her cell. What kind of question is that?

I smile. “Yeah, thanks. Any idea why her car would still be in the lot?”

Brooke leans over the counter to look for herself. As if seeing the car will provide the answer. “No.” She shakes her head. “Where would she have gone without it? That’s kind of weird, huh?”

I nod. “Yeah. I thought so.”

This girl is sweet, but maybe not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

“Listen, if she comes back, or if you happen to hear from her, please ask her to call me. I’m starting to worry.”

“Will do, Mr. Wilde.”

Mr. Wilde? God, I don’t have time to process that right now.

I pull out my phone to call Sam as I walk around Mollie’s car, looking for anything that might offer a clue.

“Hey. Please tell me you tracked her down?” Sam’s nervousness is evident in her tone.

I try each of the door handles, but the car is locked up tight. “Not really. I’m at Belle’s now. Her car is here, but there’s no sign of her. And no one inside seems to know where she might’ve gone.”

“Think she might have gone home? Back to our place, I mean.”

“Maybe. But why?” I pause. “And how’d she get there? And how’d she plan on getting back? No. None of this adds up.”

“My God, Hank. Do you think…” Sam clears her throat. “I mean, should we report her missing?”

The pit in my stomach doubles in size. “I honestly don’t know. She’s what…? An hour and a half late coming home? Can you even report a person missing that fast? And if we do, what then? It’s not like we have any information to share that could possibly help with an investigation. We just lose an hour or two of searching while we sit around waiting for a deputy to show up and fill out a report? I can’t do that. I can’t be sidelined and just sit on my hands right now.”

“I know.” I hear Sam trying to cover the microphone to muffle her crying. “But I don’t know what else to do. Let me see if I can find someone to watch Vanessa and I’ll come help you look for her. Okay?”

“Thanks, Sam. I’d appreciate that. I’m starting to go crazy out here. It’s a small town, there just aren’t that many places for her to get lost, ya know?”

“Try not to worry. When it’s all said and done, and we have her home safe and sound, we’ll sit back and laugh about this. I’ll give you a call when I find someone for Nessa, okay?”

I nod as I answer. “Sounds good. In the meantime, I’m going to drive out to your place and have a look around. And Sam? Thanks.”

We end the call and I try to talk my nerves off the ledge as I climb up in the cab of the truck. “Clint’s out of commission. You saw to that yourself. Mollie’s fine—wherever she is—she has to be.”

I set my phone in the seat beside me, then wipe my eyes and try to shake off the feeling of dread as I pull out of the lot and head for Mollie’s place.

* * *

I text Sam to let her know the house was a bust. I choose to omit the part where I decided to stop in at The Lazy Saddle—just to cross it off the list. I have no reason whatsoever to think Mollie would do something like that, but if I had to choose, I’d take a broken heart and knowing she was alright over not knowing anything. Either way, my heart risks being broken.

The sun has set behind the mountains for the night, leaving the last rays of light bursting upward in the distance like a grand finale. Beautiful hues of pink and orange and gold reflect across the sky. And the only thought I have when I see it, is how much I wish I could share the moment with the woman I love.

I’m almost at the turn off for home but at the last minute decide to keep the wheel straight and drive out to the ranch. Going to a party is about the last thing I’m interested in right now, but I can’t go home while Mollie’s out here.

I need help.

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