Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 136507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 683(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 683(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
I hadn’t even hinted at my suspicions.
“He’s been charged with mischief. Might pay a fine and do some community service.” Still, he’s earned himself a record.
“Boy, those Landrys sure seem to attract trouble.” Stan tsks. “And nothin’ new on Holly Monroe, then.”
“Nothing yet.”
“I’ve been walking my female staff to their cars every night,” Matt admits. “They’re afraid.”
“That’s understandable. But we have reason to believe Holly knew the person involved with her disappearance.”
Matt hesitates. “Do you think there’s any chance she’s alive?”
“We’re still very focused on her case and we’ll chase every new lead. I haven’t given up hope that we’ll find her.” Alive is another story. And that’s an official statement, should it ever be repeated.
Matt’s brow furrows deeply as he wipes a sticky spot off the bar counter. He’s not a dumb guy. He sees the truth.
“What a damn shame, for both the girl and her family.” Stan shakes his head. “I can’t imagine what the holidays will be like in their home.”
I’ve tried hard not to, but now I’m picturing Jenny’s hollowed-out face on Christmas morning, staring up at Holly’s empty stocking.
Matt’s dour expression says he’s picturing the same somber thing. “I think I’ll grab a smoke before the after-work rush hits.”
I frown. “You smoke?”
“Only when a kid nearly dies in my bar because of fucking peanuts,” he mutters, grabbing a pack of cigarettes that sits by the cash. “Enjoy your holidays, Emery.”
“Yeah, you too.” I watch him disappear down the hall.
“Gonna stay for a drink?” Stan holds up his beer as if it’s a carrot I’ll follow.
“No, I’m gonna head home.” To the people I love and the place I feel safest in.
Chapter 34
Emery
Bright lights illuminate the rink, making it easy to spot Isla. She glides down the length of the ice, her long hair flowing from beneath her hat as she and Thomas practice their puck passing. Carson and Brooks are corralled on the far side with Jon, swaddled in helmets and gear to avoid injury that’s otherwise guaranteed.
But it’s the sight of Logan coasting beside Macy as she toddles along, struggling to stay on her feet without the training walker, that makes my heart swell.
He sees me approaching and his intense expression breaks with a secretive smirk before he refocuses on his little niece.
“Does anyone work around here?” I sidle up next to Holt. The wave of blistering cold temperatures has passed for now, leaving us with balmy highs of minus four degrees Celsius. Big, fluffy snowflakes float down from a darkening sky, making the entire scene magical.
“Not on this ranch, they don’t.” But he’s smiling as a Colt burns in his fingertips, the pungent sweet scent of tobacco clinging to the air. He only allows himself one a day and he seems to always enjoy it out here. “The market’s open an extra hour for the last-minute rush. Annie’s been coming home smelling like butter and icing sugar every day for the last two weeks.”
“She loves it.”
“Don’t I know it. I’m glad she’s agreed to close up shop after the twenty-fourth until the New Year. God knows we could all use the break. Especially with Jon’s brother flyin’ in on Sunday and everyone else coming for Christmas Day. It’s gonna be an absolute zoo.”
“Are you sure you guys can handle two more animals in that zoo?”
“Ah.” He waves off my concern. “You’re family. You should know that by now.”
Macy loses her balance and sprawls face cage–down on the ice.
“Oh, here we go.” Holt winces. “Let’s see if she screams like she does with Jon.”
But she simply lies there.
Logan stands over her. “Let’s get up like we practiced.”
Instead, Macy rolls over and flaps her arms and legs as if making a snow angel, her childish, high-pitched giggles carrying in the peaceful night.
Logan chuckles. “Come on, you goof.”
“I’ll tell ya, he’s a hell of a lot happier now than he was when he first got home,” Holt muses through a drag, watching his son.
“It’s going to take time.”
“Maybe. But you and I both know it isn’t time that’s making him come out of his shell.”
I feel Holt’s sideways glance on me, but I keep my attention on the rink ahead, even as my cheeks flush.
“Have you found what you’re looking for in Jay’s stuff yet?”
I falter. “Who says we’re looking for anything?” I didn’t think Logan would mention it to him.
I get a flat look in return. “The thermometer does. Cleaning out old boxes is something you do in the spring, when the cold doesn’t bite your skin. But you two have been at it every night you can spare, which makes me think you’re lookin’ for something and it has to do with what Jay might have been up to with Ian.”
It’s not the only thing we’ve been doing, and Holt clearly suspects as much, but he has the good grace to not spell that part out. “If we find something that should concern you, you’ll be the first to know,” I promise. It is his property after all.