Page 89 of Hero's Heart

“You could never be a burden.” Joy squeezed her hands. “And…okay, fine. Maybe you don’t live here forever, because I’ll assume both of us will get married to someone someday. But at least for now. At least until you get things figured out.”

The word wrapped around Sloane’s heart like a warm embrace. She’d spent so long yearning for a place to belong, for people to call her own. Could she really have found that here, in this small town?

“What about Callum?” Sloane asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “What if he doesn’t want me here?”

Joy’s expression softened. “I know you think he doesn’t want this, but give him some time. Don’t give up on him just yet.”

Sloane wanted to believe her, wanted to cling to that sliver of hope. But the memory of Callum’s angry words still stung.

“And even if he doesn’t come around, you’ve still got me. I’ll be Auntie Joy!” She clapped her hands in glee.

A laugh bubbled up in Sloane’s throat, the first genuine one in hours. She could picture it all too clearly—Joy, with her wild enthusiasm and tendency to leap before she looked, and Sloane, the voice of reason trying to rein her in.

Sloane didn’t want to leave Oak Creek. She had neither the means nor the desire to go somewhere else and start over.

“Okay,” Sloane said, taking a deep breath. “I’ll stay.”

Chapter 31

Callum ran a hand through his hair as he left the station. He was still in his clothes from the accident scene. He’d scrubbed his hands, but he hadn’t wanted to even take the time to shower.

He couldn’t find Sloane.

He’d called the bus and train station in Reddington City, and they’d fortunately been willing to provide info, despite his not having any sort of warrant. Nobody by the name of Sloane Miller had purchased a ticket.

Maybe she’d taken off using Annie’s car? Hell, maybe Annie had even given her permission to do so. Swinging by to talk to Annie face-to-face would be his next stop. Not only about the car but about the pregnancy. Annie couldn’t talk to him about Sloane specifically, but maybe she’d talk about stuffin general.

Because now that the initial shock of the news was wearing off, he was realizing there were more important questions he should be focusing on than the dumbass things he’d asked this afternoon.

How did this happen?andWhy hadn’t she told him right away?didn’t matter.

AndHow do I even know if it’s mine?should nevereverhave been uttered into the universe. Callum knew the baby was his, despite what he’d said in that moment of total overwhelm.

No, the important questions at hand were: were Sloane and the baby healthy? What could he do to make sure Sloane didn’t miscarry like Amelia had? How could he best help Sloane overall?

How could hefindSloane?

Since he hadn’t had much success through legal channels—his BOLO for Annie’s car not returning any responses yet—he decided to move on to not-quite-as-legal channels.

Namely, Lincoln.

Because at the end of the day, Callum needed to know Sloane and the baby were okay. Safe. Even if she never wanted to talk to him again.

Lincoln would be the fastest way to get the info he needed. He dialed the number of the younger man.

“Sheriff.” Lincoln answered by way of greeting.

“Linc, I need you to find someone for me, quickly. It’s important.”

“I’m out with the guys, not at my computer, but I can head that way. What can you tell me about the person?”

Callum hated to disrupt the man’s plans, but he was still going to do it. “I need you to find Sloane. She left sometime this afternoon, and I don’t know where she’s gone.”

“Callum…”

He ran his hand through his hair again. “Look, I get it. This is obviously not a legal matter, and I’m probably crossing a line.”

“Yeah, but I don’t?—”

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