The next morning was too busy for her to spend too much time thinking about Drake. When the phone rang, she darted into the backroom to pick it up.
“Heaven’s Brew.”
She heard her investigator’s voice and gripped the phone tighter.
“Selena, I’ve run down those leads we discussed — nothing. They’re all dead ends.”
“What about that woman in Springfield?”
“Turns out she tips off the police about five times a week. Another crank.”
God help her. It was worse than she’d thought.
“There have to be more people you can talk to — ”
“I’m sorry, Selena. There’s nothing.”
“People can’t just disappear like that!”
But Selena knew they could.
“I’m sorry,” he said again, and she knew he meant it.
Her hands shook as she hung up the phone. She grabbed her coat. It was impossible to focus on conversation or the smallest of details, such as brewing coffee, at this time. “I’m leaving. I’ll be back before the end of the shift,” she told her helper.
She hardly noticed the walk home. Her hand shook as she fumbled for the key, making several attempts in fitting it into the lock. She opened the door and walked as far as the stairway and held onto to the banister. Unable to focus or feel, she sat down.
She folded her arms over her bent knees, buried her face and gave into the grief she’d been holding back, letting go of the hope of ever finding her sister alive.
Of ever finding answers.
A cold nose nudged her arms. Duke pushed his head through her barrier and licked her face. She wasn’t sure how long she had cried, but she couldn’t stop. She held onto Duke’s neck, her tears falling on his thick coat.
Someone gently moved Duke aside and unbuttoned her coat.
She was so tired she couldn’t open her eyes, but somehow she knew it was Drake.
He lifted her into his arms and carried her upstairs.
“Where’s your bedroom?” he asked.
“Why?” She trusted him but didn’t trust her own attractions to him while her barriers were down.
He held her close to him “You need rest.” He found her bedroom without her help, laid her on the king-size bed, and opened the chest at the foot of the bed. Pulling a light blanket out, he unfolded it and covered her up.
Selena didn’t have the strength to ask him why he was in her house.
• • •
When she woke up an hour later, Selena saw Drake sprawled in the chair, his eyes closed. Duke crawled up to her and licked her face. She rolled on her side and studied the man edging too close to her heart. Duke nudged her arm with his nose, crawling closer. The man sleeping a few feet away warned her he was going to be a challenge.
Fool that she was, she told herself, rubbing the shepherd’s ears, it was better to keep her distance.
Where was her sister?
The feeling of helplessness was too close for comfort. Being in Drake’s arms, surrounded by his determination and protection was too close for comfort. Selena pushed the feelings aside, not willing to give into weakness.
She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes and closed her eyes, hoping they would stay hidden. She needed to be alone with her thoughts.
Drake would ask questions when he awakened.
And he would demand answers.
She rolled over to check the clock. It was time to get up. The bed moved again. Thinking it was Duke, she patted the bed only to have her hand enclosed in Drake’s.
“What’s going on?” Drake wasn’t about to compromise.
“Apparently not much with you hovering over me.” Attitude leaped where treading lightly in this position should’ve taken lead. “I appreciate the neighborly gesture earlier. Really sweet, but I can take it from here.” She ducked under his arm.
Drake pinned her with his eyes. “Everyone is worried about you. Apparently, it’s not like you to take off, leaving Heaven’s Brew attended by the others.”
His lips were close enough to taste with the tip of her tongue, but it was too dangerous to give into temptation.
He captured her face with the palm of his hand, thumb stroking her cheek. His lips brushed against hers. Testing. When he found no resistance, his hand stroked the inside of her wrist softly. His mouth covered hers.
She sighed. It was fruitless to resist temptation when he was providing the opportunity. The soft gentle persuasion of curiosity and attraction created a hot combination. He pulled her close, wanting more than a kiss.
She returned the kiss and when she realized the door was opening more than she cared, she slid away. He stalled the move and pulled her into his arms, content with holding her.
Duke whined at the doorway, his head moving from the stairs to Drake and Selena. The sound of Mrs. Irons’ heavy tread and huffing and puffing alerted them to her arrival.
“In my day and age, the youngsters came to the elderly. With my hips and knees, it’s a wonder I’ve made it this far.”
Selena placed a hand on Drake’s shoulder. She shook her head and whispered, “You’re new here. And because your kiss is passable, I’ll fill you in.” She simply smiled at the male affronted look, showing him she was giving him a hard time. “Mrs. Irons can run faster than I can and she can jump the gate at her place.”
Mrs. Irons popped her head in as Drake moved around the bed.
“Everything going okay? Drake, would you be a dear and run downstairs? Selena and I have to do some girly chitchat. Thank you.” Straight and to the point Mrs. Irons was. “We’ll be down in a few minutes.” Mrs. Irons dismissed Drake affectionately, but meaningfully. She waited until Drake left the room, then sat down, patting the bed with her cane.
Now when did Mrs. Irons start using a cane? Selena sat on the edge of the bed. “Mrs. Irons, I know how to handle myself — ”
Mrs. Irons bowed her head and sighed. “No, dear, we’re not having the birds and the bees talk. I think of you as another daughter, but I barely got through that time period with my own. I don’t think I can go through it again.” She reached over and patted Selena’s knee. “It’s another talk I have in mind. I have never seen you cry before. I want to help if I can.”
Selena pushed the creeping sadness back down into the depths of her heart. She didn’t want to start crying again.
“There’s nothing you can do. I’ve exhausted all my connections in finding leads to my sister.” Selena couldn’t sit any longer and began pacing. “Every time I think I’ve found a link, it fizzles.”
Mrs. Irons leaned onto her cane, the motions of her hands the same as one would a worry stone. “I have a few connections from my own past. Let me help.”
“I don’t have much hope.”
Mrs. Irons stood with the aid of her cane, a determined look on her face. “I have a group of women friends who specialize in networking. Let me see what I can come up with. Jot down the specifics of your sister and locate a photo and we’ll go from there. It doesn’t hurt to keep trying. Does it?” She patted Selena on the shoulder. “This one isn’t going to be as easy to rid of as the others. Is he?” And winked as she left the room.