Cleary. The human remains were discovered during excavation for a housing development. Experts believe the bones are between eleven and thirteen years old, a timeline that coincides with the high-profile disappearance of sixteen-year-old Callie Kendall. With the discovery of the skull, investigators are confident the remains will be identified through dental records,” the anchor said.
“Yeah, I heard it,” Jonah said into his phone. “Okay. Thanks.” He disconnected the call and tossed his phone on the couch.
He shoved a hand through his hair. “Am I an ass for hoping the Kendalls aren’t about to get the closure they deserve?”
“You’re not an ass,” I assured him.
“Jonah,” Jenny began from the doorway.
Just then the doorbell rang, and the dog tore out from under the table, barking his sweet little head off.
“Jeez, Billy Ray,” Jonah complained.
“I’ll get the door. You get the dog,” I yelled over the ruckus.
I pulled the front door open and stopped in surprise. “Mom? Dad?”
25
Jonah
“Surprise!” the couple at the front door sang in unison.
Then Shelby was flinging the screen door open and jumping into their arms.
“That Scarlett sure has been busy,” Mom observed behind me. I nipped Billy Ray under his little puppy armpits and picked him up. He licked my face with enthusiasm.
“What are you two doing here?” Shelby asked, pressing a kiss to her father’s cheek and another to her mother’s. He was tall and broad, and I could tell where GT got his shoulders. She was softer, quieter, and had a good four inches of leg on her daughter. Both had a good amount of silver in their hair—cropped short for him and poker-straight and shoulder-length for her.
Adopted, I remembered when I searched for the familial resemblance that would tie Shelby to them. But there didn’t need to be a physical link. Not when they were all so obviously happy to see each other.
“We missed you and your brother,” Shelby’s mom said, giving her daughter another squeeze for good measure.
“And your friend Scarlett gave us a great deal on a rental for the week,” her father said cheerfully.
Shelby turned and met my gaze.
Damn that Scarlett Bodine.
Of course my sister had had available rentals while telling us we had to cohabitate.
“Well, get in here! Was GT surprised to see you?” Shelby asked, ushering them inside.
My mom and I shared a short, meaningful look. Both of us wondering why Shelby assumed they’d go to GT first.
“We came straight here,” her dad insisted. “Your brother’s been good about emailing, but you, young lady, keep trying to disappear off the face of the Earth.”
Shelby laughed nervously. “I’ve just been—”
“Busy,” her parents finished for her.
“I can see why,” her mom said, eyeing me from the doorway.
Billy Ray scrambled up my chest and stuck his nose in my face.
“Mom, Dad, this is Jonah and not our dog Billy Ray. And this is Jonah’s mom, Jenny. Jonah, Jenny, these are my parents Darlene and James.”
Introductions were made, handshakes exchanged. “How about I open another bottle of wine?” my mother volunteered.
“I’ll get more glasses,” Shelby said. The two of them ducked into the kitchen. And the Thompsons watched me expectantly. Well, Darlene watched me. James made kissy noises at the dog.
“Are you two hungry?” I asked. “We’ve got plenty of stir-fry.”
“Stir-fry?” Darlene said, her eyebrows arching. “Chicken nugget stir-fry?”
“Har har, Mom,” Shelby called from the kitchen. “Jonah’s forcing me to eat better to help my training for the triathlon.”
“Triathlon?” James brightened, looking interested.
I assumed the father of a professional athlete probably had an innate enjoyment of sports.
“Triathlon?” her mother repeated.
Shelby and my mom returned with glasses of wine. “I signed up for one at the beginning of August. Jonah is a personal trainer and is helping me get ready for it.”
Darlene looked surprised. “Here,” I said, handing her Billy Ray. Puppies made everyone happier.
“Oh, look at this sweet face,” she said in rapture. “What happened to his poor little neck?”
“Someone tied this poor baby up with a rope.” My mom and Shelby filled them in on how exactly we found him.
“An escaped potbellied pig led you to him?” Darlene asked, returning to surprised.
“That escaped potbellied pig is your grandchild,” Shelby told them. “So be prepared for that when you get to GT’s.”
“Welcome to Bootleg Springs,” I said, raising my wine glass to them.
My mother was with James and Darlene on the front porch admiring the slow set of the sun through the leaves while Shelby and I cleaned up in the tiny kitchen.