Finally, the sun dipped behind the line of bare trees, and it was time to call it quits. I went to Ethan and gave him a hug. “Honey? Let’s go back, for now.”
“No, he can still be out here.” Ethan pulled away, looking up at me, his eyes filling with tears.
“He’ll be fine for the night.”
“Something could get him, snakes or eels or things like that.”
“Ethan,” I said firmly, “we’re going back now.”
“Can we come back tomorrow?”
“Yes, of course.”
“We have to come back every day until we find him. We’ll never give up. Okay, we can never give up?”
“We’ll see,” I told him, and Ethan seemed to collapse, his head dropping forward and his knobby shoulders slumping. I scooped him up and held him the way I used to when he was little. He started to cry, his light frame racked with sobs, and I hugged him tight, feeling his warm tears as he buried his face in my neck. He wrapped his legs around my waist, and I linked my hands under him, ignoring the ache in my ribs.
I carried him toward home, and in time he stopped crying, so I set him down. We trudged through the muck in miserable silence. The house came into view, its lights shining through the darkness. When we got closer to the backyard, I heard talking and laughter from the kitchen, carried on the night air.
We reached the backyard and were going through the gate when I noticed something on the street in front of the house.
I realized what it was, surprised.
I picked up the pace.
Chapter Seventy-Two
“Flossie!” I opened the back door to find my trucker friend in the kitchen with Lucinda and Dom, talking and laughing around a table dotted with wineglasses and plates of goat cheese, cherry preserves, and stone-ground crackers. Dozing on the floor were Manny, Moe, one-eyed Jack—and Moonie.
“Moonie!” Ethan bolted for the dog, and Moonie scooted barking into Ethan’s arms, licking his face.
“What’s going on?” My mouth dropped open. “Where did Moonie come from?”
“I found him.” Flossie rose, beaming in her pink top and jeans.
“My God, thank you!” I felt so happy I gave her a big hug. “How did you find him? When?”
“You said what he looked like, so I put out the word. One of the other Collins drivers spotted him near the on-ramp, so I picked him up last night.”
“Amazing!” I laughed with relief, touched by her kindness. “You drove back for him? Thank you!”
“I told you, nobody tells me what to do.”
“But how did you find us?” I glanced at Lucinda, who stood smiling by the table. She had changed into her blue sundress, looking fresh and pretty with her hair pinned up. She rested her fingertips on the back of the chair, as if waiting for something, and I realized I had hugged Flossie instead of her.
Flossie was saying, “I heard the press conference on the news, so I called the FBI and they called Dom.” She chuckled. “Moonie’s a great little dog. You shoulda seen him in the rig. Quiet as a mouse.”
“Moonie? Quiet?”
“Our Moonie?” Ethan looked up while the dog licked his cheek.
“Yes, your Moonie.” Flossie lifted an eyebrow. “He needs limits, is all. He barked a lot, but my boys taught him how to act. I gave Lucinda a few pointers, so he’ll behave better for you.”
“I got it, I’m on it.” Lucinda smiled, going to the sink, and Manny and Moe watched her with their characteristic curiosity. Jack got up on wobbly legs and wandered over to me, his tail wagging.
“Hey, buddy,” I said, charmed. I scooped him up and on impulse, gave him a little kiss. Then it struck me that I had now kissed a Chihuahua before my own wife.
Ethan snuggled Moonie. “I’m so happy. Thank you, uh, lady!”
I said, “Ethan, her name is Flossie Bergstrom.”
“Thank you, Flossie Bergstrom!” Ethan sang out, and we all laughed.
“Jason, here.” Lucinda came toward me with a glass of water.
“Thanks,” I said, taking the glass. She looked away just as I managed to meet her eye, so we didn’t make eye contact.
Flossie added, “Jaybird’s doing great, by the way. He sends his regards. They all wanted to come by to thank you, but Dom said only me.”
“How long have you been here?”
“Only two hours. We had a nice visit.” Flossie’s expression softened. “I’m sorry about your daughter.”
“Thank you,” I said, realizing I hadn’t told her about Allison. Lucinda must have, but she had returned to the sink, her back to me.
Dom interjected, “I would’ve called you, but you didn’t have a phone. Wiki took the laptops, so I couldn’t find you on the monitor.”
I waved him off. “No worries, I’m happy to get the dog back.”
“Ethan, drink some water.” Lucinda set a glass of water on the table, then smoothed back his sweaty hair. “You must be starving.”
“I am!” Ethan picked up the glass and drank thirstily.
Flossie checked her watch. “Well, I have to hit the road. I gave Lucinda my number. Maybe we can see each other again.”
“I’d love that,” I said, meaning it. “I owe you big-time.”
“No, it was the least I can do. Collins Consolidated loves you.” Flossie smiled warmly, then her gaze shifted to Jack. “He loves you, too.”
“Talk about a great little dog.” I smiled, with Jack nestled against my chest. “I didn’t know I was a Chihuahua guy, but I am.”
“That’s what my husband used to say.” Flossie came over and stroked Jack’s domed head. “To tell you the truth, this dog is partial to men. I think he still misses my husband. He’ll look for him in the truck. He never really warmed up to me.” She smiled, sadly. “The others pick on him, too. They figure he’s the weakest one, on account of his eye, but Moonie was gentle with him. Jack bonded to Moonie, too. They slept together in the back.”
“Aw,” I said, touched.
“Aw,” Dom said, teasing me.
Flossie smiled. “You know, Moonie could use a friend. He’s calmer with Jack, and Jack looks happy with you. He’s got his man buddy.”
Dom laughed. “Jason, do you see where this is going?”
I blinked, surprised as it dawned on me. “Flossie, what are you saying?”
“I’m thinking you should keep Jack.” Flossie shrugged. “I wasn’t planning on it, but seeing him here with you, I’m thinking yes.”
“But Jack belonged to your husband.”
“I know, but he’d be happier with you.” Flossie nodded, puckering her lower lip. “That’s what my husband would want.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Do you want to keep him?”
Lucinda looked over, beaming. “I’d love to keep him. He’s adorable, and I do think Moonie likes him. They’ve been sleeping under the table, curled up together for the past hour.”
Ethan gasped, delighted. “Can we keep him, Dad? Please? I like his closed-up eye. He looks cute, like a stuffed animal.”