Page 50 of Find Me in California

“Haven’t seen anyone around here matching that description. Sorry. Wish I could be of more help.”

Maybe he could be.

“One sec.” Matt lifts a finger and returns to his car. He doesn’t stop to think about this need of his to find Magnolia when he should be in California with his grandmother by now. He retrieves a business card and gives it to the neighbor. “She goes by Magnolia Blu, but her legal name, I believe, is Ruby Rose Hope. If she shows, would you tell her I’m looking for her and want to give this back?” He shows the man her bag. “That’s my cell number on the card.”

“Sure thing, Matt Gatlin.” He slaps the card on his palm before tucking it into a pocket.

Matt glances at the date on his phone. Two full days until the end of the month and Elizabeth is on the street. He can spare one more day, can’t he?

“If you see her, tell her I’ll be in town until the morning.” He’ll leave at first light.

“Will do.” The neighbor retrieves the sponge and squeezes out the excess water.

Matt nods distractedly, watching the neighbor wash his car a moment before turning to his own. He then notices the house Magnolia said was Benjie’s. There’s a FORSALEsign on the lawn.

“Huh.” Was it there yesterday?

On the off chance the neighbor Magnolia spoke with yesterday saw where she went, he jogs over and rings the doorbell. When no one answers, he peeks through the door’s side window. He can see through the living room and into the dining room. The house is empty. Where’d the furniture go? Where’s the man who answered the door?

Scratching his head, Matt returns to his car, wondering what’s going on. Something about this neighborhood doesn’t sit right with him. Did he imagine what happened yesterday?

Impossible.

But still . . .

He drives back to the motel. She’ll come looking for him. She’ll show him that she’s all right. Then he’ll know she’s real.

CHAPTER 23

JULIA

Julia greedily took the Sunday shift at the spa when Hollis, one of the two deep-tissue massage therapists, called in sick. She texted Matt that she’d have to miss their meeting for coffee but knew he’d understand. It’s well after 7:00 p.m. when she arrives at Rosemont to visit Mama Rose. After a full day where she worked straight through lunch to bill for extra time, her feet hurt and thumbs tingle. Exhausted, she tries to rub life back into her hands and wrists.

She wonders when Matt got in and is surprised that she hasn’t heard from him yet. He didn’t text or call back. With back-to-back appointments, she hasn’t had time to research Lenore’s list, and she worries Matt will be disappointed since she offered to. That could be why she hasn’t heard from him. He’s been busy touring facilities and researching options for Liza, exactly what she should have done today for Mama Rose.

Julia scans the parking lot for a New Mexico license plate. Guiltily, she stalked him online last night, tumbling down the internet rabbit hole for over an hour after their call. Aside from a brief bio and a few headshots, most of what she found about him had to do with photography and cars. She’s never been interested in aerodynamic designs and Formula 1 racing, but after a deep dive into his portfolio, she’s curioushow he captured such magnificent shots at those unique angles. Now, in addition to her initial worry for him—because she’s convinced that he did make it to Rosemont today as he’d promised—she’s also curious about him.

Because let’s face it. Matt’s a great-looking guy. He isn’t smiling in his headshot, but his wavy hair and shadowed jaw lend a dash of mystery to him. The intelligence in his eyes drew her in. There’s a gentleness about him despite the rough edges. The photo doesn’t appear staged. He doesn’t look like he’s posing. His expression is too pensive, as if his mind were far from where he was. She wondered what he was thinking about right then.

Julia pops a mint and brushes her hair. She gathers the diary and bag of assorted foil-wrapped chocolate squares she picked up at the store on the way over. They’re Mama Rose’s favorite, and she hopes they’ll soften the blow when she tells her grandmother that she has to look for a new home for her. Of course, Julia has to work up the nerve to admit she can’t honor the one promise Mama Rose swore her to. With her luck, that promise will be the one thing her grandmother does remember.

Julia enters the facility. The day shift staff have gone home, and Steve is behind the reception desk. She waves.

“Evening, Julia.” Steve’s greeting is chipper. “It’s game night. Trevor wheeled your grandmother to the common room thirty minutes ago.”

“Thanks.” Julia heads in that direction, eager to see if Matt’s there with Liza so she can apologize for not following through on the research she promised to pass along.

The room is lively and bright. Poker tables have been set up along the far wall. Dealers shuffle cards, and players count chips, heckling each other. A movie plays on the flatscreen on the opposite wall, a classic in faded color Julia recognizes but can’t recall the title of. She spots Mama Rose in her wheelchair, her back to the room as she looks out at the garden. Liza, of all people, sits beside her. And they appear to be actively engaged in conversation. That’s new.

Did Mama Rose finally recognize Liza? What could they be talking about?

Disregarding Lenore’s warning to avoid Liza, Julia cautiously approaches. She doesn’t see any sign of Matt, who could help her around Liza. He might have already left for the day. But she wants to listen in on their conversation.

Mama Rose is smiling as Liza chats, a good sign. Julia prays her grandmother is lucid enough to discuss the diary. Liza catches Julia’s glance, and her face slackens. She whispers to Mama Rose before leaning back in her chair with what Julia can only interpret as a superior smile.

Mama Rose twists around and looks up at Julia with a gasp.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. Keep talking.” Julia starts to back away so they can continue their conversation. She’ll hover nearby where she can eavesdrop.

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