Page 40 of Effortless

I bark out a laugh. “Of course she did.”

“Not her fault. Saw her getting groceries, we were just chatting and I said something about picking up food from the diner before heading home and it spilled out of her.”

“Sounds about right.”

“We’ll figure it out. Try not to worry. She probably just lost track of time and is at home kicking herself right now.”

Possible, but she would have texted. And the way he said what he said tells me he thinks the same but said that to try and make me feel better.

“Talk soon.”

“Yeah. Thanks, Ryker. I know it’s out of line to ask because of privacy reasons and all that, so I appreciate anything you can give me.”

“You got it.”

We hang up and I drive by Dorothy’s house where I’ve done electrical work several times and see no one home there either after knocking and ringing her doorbell.

I make another stop at Hadley’s to see if she’s there but no luck.

With no other options, I go home and pace.

Back and forth until I’m afraid the wood floor will need refinishing.

When my phone rings an hour later, I jump out of my skin and fumble it around, almost dropping it on the floor.

“Ryker. What’s the word?”

“Nothing. No one has seen or heard from either of them. I did a drive by a few places I know Dorothy frequents, checked the hospital to see if her car was there, and came up empty.”

“Shit.”

“Maybe they went to Gatlinburg to eat or something.”

“Maybe.”

“I’ll keep an eye and ear out. Keep you updated.”

“Thanks.”

“Welcome.”

I toss my phone on the couch and rake my hands through my hair. I have a bad feeling in my gut. It’s possible she changed her mind about getting together and rather than telling me that, she did exactly what Ryker suggested. Went somewhere out of town to eat dinner or whatever else. But I don’t think so.

Hours later, I still haven’t heard anything from Hadley.

I wake up the next morning after a restless night of sleep, still a bundle of nerves after not hearing anything from her or Ryker.

Shooting off a quick text to her, I pray she answers this one.

Me:Missed you last night. Concerned about you. If you changed your mind, that’s fine and I won’t bug you anymore, but if you could just reply to let me know whether or not you’re okay, that’d be appreciated.

As expected, my text goes unanswered.

ChapterNine

Hadley

The text from Trotter comes through only an hour before Cash is set to be at my house.