in chocolate.”
My dick was off to the races when it heard the words naked and chocolate. Of all the days for it to wake up and take notice of someone, it had to be on one of the worst days of my life. And with a guy I never would have looked twice at with his mousy brown hair, broad shoulders, and million-dollar grin.
“Everyone, this is Morrison Rowe. He’s from K9FIND. I’m sure you know Ozzy and Dallas,” Kennedy said by way of introduction.
Morrison nodded. “I do. Ahab and I will do everything we can to find Lola.”
“Do you promise?” a weepy Sophie asked. “Lola is my best f-f-friend.” She flung herself into Saxon’s arms.
My heart shattered into a million pieces. I couldn’t breathe. If I could take Sophie’s pain into my body, I would do it. I was about to tell her that very thing when Morrison knelt in front of her.
“I promise I will bring your sister home.” He held a hand up for a high-five. Ahab nudged the little girl’s hand.
Sophie wiped her tears away and slapped his large hand. “Thank you. Bring her home, Ahab. I believe in you.”
The dog whined at the mention of his name.
“Kennedy, do you have the item for Ahab?” Morrison regained his feet.
“I have it,” Mandy said. She handed him a Ziplock bag with something pink inside.
“Hey, that’s Lola’s princess nightgown!” Fresh tears rolled down Sophie’s face.
“Ahab is going to use it to help find Lola. He’ll memorize her scent and then try to find it.” Morrison knelt on the grass in front of the dog. With his gloved hands, he pulled the nightgown out of the bag. “Okay, Ahab, get a good sniff.”
The dog did as he was asked and gave a yank on the lead. “Hold on, pal.” Morrison put the nightgown back into the bag and sealed it before slipping it into his vest. “I’ll keep you updated,” Morrison said to Kennedy.
“Bye, Ahab! Find my Lola!” Sophie shouted as they took off through the yard.
Ahab moved toward the large table where everyone had sat for lunch. My burger and helping of macaroni salad were like a lead weight in my gut. From the table the dog moved back toward the porch and the unused Pin the Tail on the Donkey game. I could feel my anxiety starting to rise. The dog poking around the backyard wasn’t helping to find Lola. Every second she was gone was eating me from the inside out.
“The dog is following her trail,” Morrison said as if he could read my scattered mind. “I know it seems like he’s spinning his wheels, but he’s going where the scent takes him.” With those words, Ahab was off toward the tree line.
At least now I felt like we were getting somewhere. Until the dog started sniffing every tree in sight. “What the hell were you thinking, promising Sophie you were going to find Lola? What the fuck happens if we come up empty-handed? Or if you find Lola and she’s…” Christ on the cross, I couldn’t bear to finish that sentence. If the worst happened to that little princess, I wouldn’t survive.
Morrison stopped dead in his tracks. “You listen and listen good.” His voice was sharp, with an air of authority. “I’m in the business of hope. It’s why Kennedy called me instead of his colleagues at the Gloucester Police Department. We’re going to keep our heads up and follow Ahab. Your attitude isn’t helping matters. You’re only hurting yourself. Now get it together and let’s keep moving.” He turned to the dog. “Search, Ahab!”
I followed along behind man and dog. I didn’t want to think too closely about what he’d just said and how right he might be. All that mattered was finding Lola, and if keeping my stupid mouth shut and praying to God, who had so far been absent in my life, would help that little girl, I was in.
Ahab moved deeper into the woods. Ozzy and I had mainly skirted the places we were most familiar with. We hadn’t come this far. “She’s only three. Do you think she could have made it this far?”
“You know her better than I do. What do you think?” There was no trace of anger or sarcasm in his voice.
I snorted. I couldn’t help myself. “Yeah, Lola could be halfway to New Hampshire by now. When she gets something in her head, she does it, no matter what.”
“Ah, a free spirit,” Morrison sounded wistful.
I couldn’t help