arched white trellises were woven with firecracker vine, morning glory, and angel trumpet.
All along the walkway, strategically placed hummingbird feeders hung on shepherd crook poles. A male ruby-throated buzzed in front of her face several seconds before flying off. She smiled despite her heavy heart and spotted Jesse up ahead, standing next to his wagon.
“Hey, Mama.” He flashed a warm grin, his sweaty face dotted with freckles, his fine dark hair falling just above his eyebrows. “I’m just checking the feeders again. I already washed the dirty ones.”
“That’s great.”
“You look sad.” Jesse stared at her questioningly. “Did Sheriff Granger call with bad news?”
“Not exactly.” Kate spoke with a calm, steady voice. “They found Jay’s truck in the woods—empty. And they found Abby’s iPhone not far from the truck. We don’t know yet why Abby went there. They didn’t find anything that looks like the slope she described.”
“Maybe they decided to go hiking or camping.”
Then why didn’t Abby call and tell me? And why did she park my Odyssey a block over from Jay’s apartment? “We’ll see,” Kate said. “The sheriff is using a helicopter to search by air. And bloodhounds to search on the ground. I just wanted you to know before someone hears it on the news and says something to you.”
“Mama, Grandpa and me prayed hard this morning—for a really long time.”
Kate didn’t know whether to smile or cry. How disappointed her son would be when he finally came to the realization that religion was a crutch that didn’t hold you up at all and let you fall flat on your face. Now was not the time to get into the pitfalls of blind faith.
“I have a lot of faith—in Virgil,” Kate said, “to do everything possible to find your sister.”
“And Jay,” Jesse quickly added. “I like him. He’s cool.”
Kate stepped closer to Jesse. “I don’t want you to be scared. This could turn out just fine, but the situation is serious. I want you to be prepared—in case the news isn’t what we’re hoping for.”
Even as she prepared her son, she wondered if there was really any way to prepare for the worst.
Buck sat with Titus at Flutter’s Café, gazing down at Beaver Lake and the vast expanse of rolling Ozark hills. The dining room was empty except for a couple from Kansas sharing a slice of Chef Benton’s Muddy Bottom Pie.
Savannah, her ponytail swinging in time with her cheerful attitude, came over to the table, toting a platter containing a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses filled with crushed ice. “I thought y’all could use some fresh-squeezed lemonade.”
“You’re reading my mind.” Titus’s dark eyes grew wide.
“Mighty nice of you.” Buck looked up and tried to smile, unsure whether he had succeeded.
Savannah set the glasses on the table and filled them with lemonade, then proudly set a plate of what appeared to be pralines between Buck and Titus.
“I promise you’ve never tasted prawleens like these here. My Benson makes them with extra pecans, raw brown sugar, and real cream. They’ll melt in your mouth.”
“Don’t have to tempt me twice.” Titus picked up a praline and took a bite. “Mmm. This is right tasty.”
Savannah lingered a long time as if she wanted to say something. Finally she said, “How’re you doing, Buck?”
“About as well as I can be, under the circumstances. The rumors are hard to handle. Some people already have Abby dead and buried. I try not to listen to any of it.”
Savannah nodded, her blue eyes filled with compassion. “Can’t say as I blame you.”
“Don’t know why folks make things up.” Buck stroked his mustache. “False information isn’t useful to anyone.”
“Except the media folk,” Titus said. “Rumors boost ratings by enticing people to tune in for details.”
Buck blinked to clear his eyes. “Forget ratings. I just want my sweet Abby back home with her mama, safe and sound.”
Savannah squeezed his arm. “The sheriff will find her.”
Buck hoped he would, but Virgil hadn’t been able to find Micah or Riley Jo. No one here was going to come right out and say it, but they had to be thinking the same thing.
The search-and-rescue chopper flew over Angel View Lodge and out over the lake, then circled back to the mountain. An ominous feeling came over Buck.
Lord, no grandpa should outlive his grandkids. It was hard enough with Riley Jo. But Abby and me—we’ve got somethin’ special. I feel like part of my heart’s missin’. I’m askin’—no, beggin’—with everything in my heart and soul that You bring her