Page 28 of Their Reluctant Catch

Damn it.

The first real fear settles in.

I drop my phone on the bench beside me.

Where is she?

What if we don’t find her?

I tighten my hold on the wheel and scan the road ahead.

If we find her—whenwe find her—I’m done holding back. I’ve wasted too much time already. Colton had better get on board with the idea fast. Unless…

Has she left?

No… I shake my head. Not without telling Diana.

I scramble for the phone and call her before I reconsider.

“Have you found her?” Diana’s voice is tight, hopeful.

“No, sorry.” I grind my molars and must unlock my jaw before I can say more. “Have you checked her room? Did she leave her belongings?”

A pause. Then, a muttered curse. “Hang on. Stupid—I didn’t even think to check. You think she might have left?”

There’s a shuffle of movement, the faint creak of wooden steps. Harsh breathing.

I wait. My heart thuds against my ribs.

The seconds stretch.

“I’m in her room. All her stuff is here—although, I think she took her backpack.”

“All right.”

Okay, so she didn’t leave town.

That should make me feel better, except it doesn’t.

“Thanks, Diana.” I press the end button and drop the phone back onto the seat beside me.

Before I can start driving again, the phone buzzes and the screen lights up.

I snatch it up, my thumb hitting accept before the second ring.

“Found her,” Colton says.

The tension locked in my spine doesn’t ease. “Where?”

“About two miles up the Blueberry Ridge Trail. I don’t think she’s hurt, just cold.”

His breath isn’t steady. That’s what hits me first.

Not his words but the way he’s breathing.

The edges of my vision sharpen, and I don’t waste time. I turn the van onto the Graysons’ driveway, brake hard, and slam the van in reverse.

After backing up onto Moose Hollow Road, I put the van in the direction of Main Street. “I’m coming.”

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