Across the Vanishing Sky (Starlight Grove, #1)(24)

There were a few sounds of pain or intakes of breath around me, but I didn’t search them out. It would be harder if I did. Instead, I let my vision go blurry as I watched my son have the time of his life.

“I stepped off the trail to take a stupid picture. Wildflowers. I tripped and almost went straight into the river. It took me a few minutes to right myself and get up the embankment—no more than five. And she was gone.”

My fingertips began to tingle, and I ordered myself to breathe. “There was no sign of her or her pack. We were less than a mile from the trailhead, so I ran back there. Nothing. Not until I found her water bottle on the ground.”

“I remember reading about that in the paper. They said law enforcement suspected accidental death, but you think she was taken?” the man named Jack asked, his eyes going hard.

My throat worked as I tried to dislodge the emotion making itself at home there. “I do. The sheriff thinks she somehow fell into the river from fifty feet away or got mauled by a cougar but managed to leave no blood behind.”

Jack’s dark eyes flashed. “Practically that whole department’s a fucking joke.”

“Jack,” Aster warned.

“Yeah, yeah. Helpful, not harmful.” His gaze flicked to Cora. “Not Travis. He’s actually marginally useful.”

Cora’s lips twitched. “I’m gonna take that as the ultimate compliment it is.”

Jack barked out a laugh. “True enough.”

Alma looked at me. “So you’re just visiting, then? Trying to help?”

“No, I, um, moved here.”

Bruce let out a low whistle that I was sure spoke for the surprise of the whole group.

“She’s my family.” My voice hitched on the last word. “She was there for me when no one else was. I’m never going to give up on her.”

Cora reached over tentatively and squeezed my hand. “She’s lucky to have you.”

The meeting continued with more shares and talk. Holly asked if anyone needed volunteers for search projects of any kind. I’d be taking the group up on that offer at some point—once I had a better idea of where to focus the volunteer hours.

As Holly closed the meeting, Yeti looked up at me balefully as if to say, Can I play now?

Aster grinned as she walked up. “Your girl has all the personality.”

I chuckled. “She’s very annoyed that we came to a park for something other than playtime.”

Aster crouched and got on my dog’s level. She sifted Yeti’s fur with her hands, finding the spots that sent her into a state of pure ecstasy. “You get a gold star for behavior, Miss Yeti.” Aster’s pale-blue gaze flicked to me. “Think you could train my dog? He’s great with cattle but has a mind of his own the rest of the time.”

“Trust me, Yeti can be the most stubborn dog on the planet when she has a mind to.”

Aster moved to scratch behind Yeti’s ears. “You? Never.”

The way she handled Yeti, looked for all the tiny responses, told me she had plenty of experience with animals. But the mention of cattle meant she likely lived on a ranch—a life full of animals.

Maybe I’d find that for myself one day. A tiny patch of land with an array of dogs and other animals. Maybe a goat. I felt like a goat would be fun.

“So,” Holly began as she walked up, “what did you think?”

I scanned the group, which was now snacking and chatting, the mood lighter. “Everyone seems pretty amazing.”

I swore Holly’s chest puffed up with pride. “They really are. We’re lucky.”

Aster pushed to her feet. “Let me give you my number. We can all meet up for dinner or a drink one evening.”

My gaze moved to Owen yet again.

“Or lunch or coffee,” Aster quickly amended.

I shot her a grin. “That whole childcare thing.”

She smiled back. “I get it. I have a nephew who spends his summers with me.”

Pulling out my phone, I opened the contacts app and handed it to her. “That’ll keep you on your toes.”

“Eli?” Cora asked with an amused grin.

“The one and only,” Aster said as she punched in her contact information. “You know he’s probably only a year or two older than your son. We should get them together.”

“I’d love that.”

Aster handed me back my phone. “We’ll set it up.”

“Is there anything else you need?” Holly asked. “Anything with your friend’s case?”

It was incredibly kind of her to offer, and I could tell this group did more than just listen to each other. They lent a hand whenever it was needed.

“I’m still figuring that out,” I told her honestly. “I think the next thing is getting some tech help. I was hoping the sheriff might be looking into some camera feeds, but that’s not going to happen. Roger at the sheriff’s department said he has a friend who might help.”

“Not…” Holly began but trailed off, sending my spidey-senses tingling.

“He’s back,” Cora said quietly. “Maverick told Trav he’s back for good.”

Aster stiffened.

“What’s with the tension?” I asked, cutting through the veiled words and hushed tones.