Page 56 of Bidding on a Second Chance
With no bridge in sight, Graham splashed into the stream. Icy water flooded his shoes in the two seconds it took him to cross. Hopefully, Bryce had carried Teddy when they’d faced the obstacle, because having cold feet was bad enough. On the puppy, the water would’ve come up higher.
They needed to find them.
God, help us.
He texted Cody an update and scanned for his next clue, praying there would be one. The damp trail ended where the brush began, but the overgrown grass had been pressed down. Not an often-used deer trail this time, but something more temporary and fragile—like what a kid might leave when he trampled through.
He hesitated, completing another scan for other possibilities. Seeing none that looked as likely, he followed the thin evidence in a path parallel to the creek but about ten feet into the brush. Was this really the way? Staying at the edge of the creek would’ve offered a clearer path.
He stopped, called out, and turned again. Neither Bryce nor Teddy responded. Presumably following the information Graham provided through Cody, other searchers weren’t far behind him, combing the area. If Graham was on the wrong track, hopefully someone else was on the right one.
But, wow, he wanted to be the one to reunite Bryce with Piper.
He continued until a light appeared through the branches. A street. The boy would be harder to track on a sidewalk—if Graham was even on the trail anymore—but at least he’d be more likely to be seen by the public.
A low bridge—flat at street level—allowed the street to pass over the stream. The grass running along the structure to the street had been matted down, but by what? Rain and melting snow or Bryce and Teddy?
If he’d really been determined to hide, Bryce might’ve crawled under the low bridge. Graham flashed his light beneath. Cobwebs and decaying leaves caught the light, but the glow revealed no signs of the boy or dog. The pillar-like abutments might offer space for a child to squeeze out of view, but in such a creepy setting?
Bryce would’ve chosen the sidewalk.
Graham climbed the incline and scanned the street. A dentist’s office, a small bank, and houses lined the areas beyond the sidewalks. No one moved in the glow of the streetlights or the illuminated parking areas. Then again, even if Bryce had come this way, he could be long gone by now. Hopefully to someplace he and the dog could get warm and dry. A breeze sighed through the trees, and water gurgled beneath the bridge.
A more distinct splash rose. And then rustling indicated an animal. A squirrel?
Graham half-walked, half-slid back down to the bank of the stream and waited.
More rustling.
He turned toward the noise. Someone or something was under the bridge.
Another scuffle.
And then a small, rumbly bark. The kind Teddy used to voice frustration when his toy had rolled out of reach.
Graham crouched and shined his flashlight beneath the bridge. This time, something moved about halfway back, a foot or a tail sticking out and rustling the leaves. “Hey, Bryce. How are you guys doing under there?”
No answer.
Graham dropped to his knees, preparing to crawl under, and moisture soaked through his jeans. A sniffle reached him as he ducked his head under the structure. Another rustle, and a shape bounded toward him.
Teddy. Dry and exuberant. Graham grabbed the leash. Either Bryce had been considerate, or the dog had been wisely uncooperative about splashing into the stream. Whatever the case, the puppy hadn’t waded through.
As soon as the puppy finished licking his face in greeting, he continued toward the sneaker poking out from behind an abutment. “You all right, Bryce?”
“Leave me alone.” The boy’s foot pulled back, but the response sent a wave of relief over Graham. If nothing else, Bryce was responsive. The boy had hunkered down between two pillars, his knees to his chest.
Graham felt like a contortionist as he positioned himself next to him. “Everyone’s worried and looking. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” His teeth clicked. Chattering? “Leave me alone.”
“I can’t. You must be wet from crossing the stream. It’s dangerous to stay out in the cold like that.” To keep Teddy from wandering into the water, he pulled the dog onto his lap, then unzipped his coat and shrugged it off. He slipped his phone from the jacket pocket, then fit the garment around Bryce’s shivering shoulders.
That done, he needed to inform everyone of their location. Though he was tempted to take the extra time to message Piper, he instead used his most recent message thread. As soon as Cody got the message, he’d direct the searchers and be on the phone with her.
Graham sent the text then refocused. “Why are we under here?”
“Nobody cares about me.”
