Page 26 of The Rancher's Heart

“I don’t know, but that’s how she did things. She forgot a lot.” Clara eyed him warily. “CDHS wants the names of family members. I want to check my sister out and see if I can like her.”

“Well, it turns out you’re in luck.” It was a small world, and didn’t fate have a funny way of poking its nose in when least expected? “I know Sloane. Did you bring a bag with your clothes and things?”

Clara stared at him. To trust or not to trust. Wasn’t that always the question in this kind of situation? He’d handled enough of these cases, pro bono, to know if he didn’t follow the rules, it could all go sideways.

“I left them at the bus station.”

“Okay.” He pulled out his phone. “I have to let Ms. Owens know you’re here.”

“You can’t make me go with her!” Clara backed up. “You’re not the boss of me.”

He arched his brows. She reminded him so much of Sloane at that age. “Of course I’m not. But I am a lawyer, and I have to do things the right way, or you will end up in foster care. Is that what you want?”

“No!”

“Okay, then. Believe me. Sloane will want to meet you.”

Clara’s chin lifted. “How do you know?”

“She’s my best friend,” was all he said, even though that was currently under debate. His gut twisted in a knot. It didn’t matter if they were siblings. Sloane would never turn her back on a young girl who needed a home. He held out his hand. “My name is Jonas Lohmen.”

Clara shoved her hands in her jeans pockets.

All right, then.“We have to make sure Sloaneisyour sister.” For Sloane’s sake, and for the teen scowling at him. He didn’t want either one to be disappointed if it turned out the two weren’t half-sisters.

Clara perched her hands on her hips. “The letter was addressed to Sloane Michaels at Michaels’ Garage on Main Avenue in Strawberry Ridge.”

Yup. That was his Sloane Michaels.

“How old are you?”

“Thirteen.” She stacked her hands on her hips. “How old are you?”

Jonas snorted. Clara would get on famously with his brothers. And with Sloane too. “Thirty-six.”

“You’re kind of old.” Yup, the kid spoke her mind, just like Sloane.

He dialed Sloane.

Clara watched his every move. There was no trust there. Jonas didn’t blame the kid. Hopefully, he could change that.

Legally, he was obligated to let the social services worker know as soon as possible that he had her runaway in custody. So to speak. He also knew Sloane would want to see the girl, and after their last conversation, he would be in bigger trouble than he already was if he gave the teen back to CDHS before Sloane could see Clara.

She picked up immediately. “Jonas, I don’t want to—”

“Don’t hang up,” he interrupted. “This is important, Sloane. I need you to come to my office. Right away.”

“Why? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. Something’s come up that I think you should know about.” He didn’t want to tell her over the phone that he was sheltering a kid who, according to all the info he had so far, could be her sister.

Fortunately, she didn’t ask questions. “I’ll be right there.”

“She’s on her way.” He shoved his phone back in his pocket and smiled at Clara. “Not nervous, are you? She doesn’t bite.”

“What if she doesn’t like me?” Clara asked weakly as she dropped into the chair in front of the desk.

“Do you kick?”

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