Page 90 of Hero's Heart

“Linc, I’ve never asked you to do something like this without a good reason. I need to find her. Please, do your computer magic.”

He was damned near begging, but he didn’t even care. Every second Sloane was gone, the more his imagination played with all the danger she could be in.

What if she’d decided to fuckinghitchhikeagain? And where was she even going to go? Back to the Gettys?

She had a little bit of money, thanks to how hard she’d been working, but that wasn’t enough to sustain her long-term.

Who would make sure she ate enough?

Shit. He was spiraling.

“Yeah. But, Callum?—”

“Just fucking do it, Lincoln!”

Silence.

Goddamn it. Callum could not seem to say one right thing today.

He scrubbed a hand down his face, worry churning like acid in his gut. “Look, man, I’m sorry. I just?—”

“I didn’t mean I wouldn’t do it. I just meant I didn’t have to. I’m at the Eagle’s Nest, and Sloane’s here working.”

Callum froze. She was still here. Still in town. Relief damned near collapsed on him. She hadn’t left Oak Creek, had only lefthim. He couldn’t even worry about that right now.

“Thanks.” He shifted midstride, disconnecting the call and turning toward the Eagle’s Nest. He picked up his pace until he was almost at a jog as he headed to the bar on the edge of town.

The door chimed as he stepped inside. His eyes immediately found Sloane weaving between tables, a smile on her lips as she set down plates and refilled drinks. Relief once again coursed through him, loosening the knot in his chest, now that he’d seen her for himself.

She was okay.

He headed for his usual booth in the back, his gaze never leaving Sloane, even as he nodded greetings to a few patrons. The pub buzzed with chatter, no doubt fueled by gossip aboutthe multicar pileup earlier. But their words faded to a distant hum, drowned out by his focus on Sloane.

She glanced his way, and their eyes locked. In an instant, her smile faded. She turned deliberately away from him, tending to a table across the room. He couldn’t blame her. Regret coiled in his gut.

“Callum! Over here.” Bear’s voice snapped him out of his daze. He, Lincoln, and Theo occupied a nearby booth, waving him over with concerned expressions.

Dragging his attention from Sloane, he veered to their table. “Hey, guys.”

“We heard about the accident. Sounded nasty,” Bear said. “You doing all right?”

Callum shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, it was a rough one. But I’ll be okay.” His gaze slid back to Sloane.

Still ignoring him.

“Listen, sorry I was an asshole on the phone earlier,” he told Lincoln. “I didn’t even say thank you.”

Lincoln shook his head. “Didn’t even notice.”

“Hang with us for a while.” Theo gestured toward their booth. “While you’re waiting for Sloane to get off work.”

“Not tonight, fellas. Another time.”

Tonight, his only hope was that he could get a word in with Sloane.

And that word would besorry.

But he wasn’t sure he’d even get the chance. He said goodbye to the guys and made his way to the back booth, the cracked vinyl creaking under him as he slid in. From this vantage point, he had a clear sightline to Sloane as she moved gracefully between tables. Her long hair swayed with each step, gleaming under the fluorescent lights.

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