Page 60 of Love and Other Trials
“He’s used to people coming and going when he’s sleeping,” Dax assured them with a brief smile. “No privacy in the Navy.”
“Right,” Terry answered with an audible sniff. “Thanks for helping us find our sister, Dax. We all feel better knowing you’re going with Ariel. It’s late, and we don’t want her going alone.”
“Ladies, I wouldn’t leave her for the world.” He put a couple of reassuring arms around them and led them down the steps. “Now, why don’t you head back to the lodge and make some tea or coffee? We’ll give you updates as we have them.”
Ariel appreciated him taking care of them as she did a final check on what she needed.
“I’m thinking about waking up our hubbies,” Tricia said on a ragged breath. “They went out drinking too after playing golf with Trey—but maybe they’re okay to look now that they’ve slept some.”
Ariel clamped her teeth together at the thought. She wasn’t surprised no one had mentioned Mother. But her brothers-in-law? They were okay, but they weren’t good in crisis situations. She and Dax shared a look before he turned his star power on Tricia. “How about you let Sherlock do what he’s good at? If we need more help, we’ll circle back. You ladies take care of yourselves for the moment. We’re going to get going. Ariel?”
“We’re ready.” She clipped Sherlock’s leash on. “Aren’t we, buddy?”
He gave a quiet ruff as they left the four women. Dax hurried beside them and had their doors open when they reached the Bronco. “How do you want to handle this since she took a car?”
“I’d like to start at Folly Beach. If she’s there, Sherlock will pick up the scent.”
“So we’ll park at your grandma’s house.”
She nodded, and then they were off. When they arrived, the lights were all out and Tiffany’s Honda wasn’t there.
“Do you want me to stop here even though it’s empty?” Dax asked, his strong profile illuminated by the dashboard gadgets.
“No, her scent will be here from the other day, and I don’t want to confuse Sherlock. Let’s head downtown. She won’t be on the beach if her car isn’t here. She’s not super fond of the beach at night.”
“Even if she’s been drinking?” he asked as he started down the street back the way they’d come.
She watched the party lights flash by on the houses as they headed back to the main strip. “When we were kids, she stepped on a jellyfish when we were out at night.”
“That would cure you. Also, what’s the make and model of her car? I want to keep an eye out.”
Ariel told him as they reached Center Street. “I don’t have the plate number, but she has two large dice hanging from her rearview mirror. Calls them her lucky dice. Can you pull over in a space along the street?”
He zipped into an empty spot.
“Good. Now let’s see what we can find here.”
She found the window controls and let down Sherlock’s window. She gave him the command to start his search and had him smell the article of yoga clothing again. He stuck his head out the window again and gave a quiet ruff.
“That’s our boy.” Ariel swung her head to Dax. “He’s got the scent. Thank God. I think I know where she is.”
She let herself out of the passenger side and then saw to Sherlock, clipping on his leash again. He was already sniffing the ground, moving swiftly up the street past the endless row of eccentric bars and kitschy restaurants. She heard Dax slam the doors, his footsteps sounding behind them as he caught up.
“She’s at a familiar place?”
Ariel could already see the blue lights of the bar. “I think we’re headed to Rusty’s.”
“Check out the Honda across the street. Ten o’clock. I think those are dice, right?”
She fought a heady sense of relief—a feeling she didn’t allow when she was working. But God, it was tough. This was her sister, and suddenly Ariel realized how scared she’d been. “Good eyes.”
“Honey, I’m a pilot.” He blew out a harsh breath. “Can I tell you how happy I am that this was so easy?”
She worried her lips as they reached the bar. The place was so familiar, with its beach shack appearance and dark blue-painted planks. A sign with Beach Living was nailed to the black door, which sported a large St. Bernard drinking a flagon of beer. “Don’t speak too soon. I have a feeling the problem might not be so simple.”
Thinking about what they might find, she warred with herself for a moment. Should she bring Dax inside? Or handle Tiffany herself?
Before she could decide, Dax was opening the bar’s twinkly door and walking in. She started after him, almost running into his back when he stopped short.
