Page 181 of Make Me Trust Again
Rose turns to me, looking all small and lost. Her throat bobs as she swallows.
“What if he got hurt? What if something happened?—”
I slide my hands to her cheeks. “We’ll find him. Even if I have to tear this place upside down, I’ll find him and bring him back to you.”
Rose sucks in a long breath and nods slowly just as Shadow barks again. Letting my hands drop, I glance at the dog, who once again grabs my shirt and tugs.
“What? I need to fin?—”
My heart kicks up a notch as I stare at Shadow, who’s been trying to get my attention this whole time.
Like she knows.
“Okay, I called it in, everybody is aware Kyle is missing and will let me know in case they run into him. In the meantime, somebody should stay here?—”
Shadow barks again, walking around me and giving me a push.
“Fucking hell. Do you know where Kyle is?”
Another bark at the sound of Kyle’s name has my heartbeat speeding up as the adrenaline kicks in.
“Is she a trained search dog?” Nico glances between the two of us. “That could be really helpful. Our department doesn’t have one, and calling a search and rescue party could take time.”
We don’t have the time.
Kyle could be God knows where, lost and alone, or even something worse.
Don’t think about that,I chastise myself, pushing the dark thoughts back.
“Not technically.” My gaze is locked on Shadow’s, the sound of my thundering heartbeat echoing in my eardrums as hope blooms in my chest. “She was my partner in the army, a K9. But she’s always had really good instincts, and she’s connected with Kyle over the last few months.”
“She can find him?” Rose’s fingers dig into my skin. Our eyes meet, a trace of light shining through her tear-stained gaze.
“It’s worth a shot.”
Letting go of her hand, I crouch down, that familiar pain jabbing into my lower back as I run my hand over Shadow’s face, letting her sniff my palm. The one that was holding onto Kyle for most of the day. She pushes her snout closer to my palm as if she can feel him, too.
“Wanna help me find our boy?” I whisper softly.
Shadow’s tail starts wagging excitedly. She turns around and almost immediately goes into a run.
“Shit. Let’s go.”
Grabbing Rose’s hand in mine, I start pushing through the crowd. I can hear our friends calling after us, but I don’t bother waiting. My gaze is locked on Shadow, who’s slipping between people’s feet with ease as she moves away from the rides and toward the concession stands.
A few people yelp in surprise as she brushes by them, but she doesn’t linger. No, she’s completely focused on the job. Her ears perked up, nose lingering just above the ground as she slips between two stands.
“Where is she going?” Rose yells from behind me, her breathing labored as we slip past them, away from the crowds.
“I have no idea,” I pant, each step sending a sting of pain through my leg.
Are we doing the right thing? Is she confused with all the smells and people? She’s going toward where we left our car. What if we’re going in the completely wrong direction? Why would Kyle go there if he’s lost when he knows we’re by the rides? It makes no sense. And yet, she seems so sure.
“She’s going away from the fair, I don’t think—” Rose stumbles, crashing into me.
I turn around, my palms sliding down her arms. “Are you okay? You didn’t get hurt?”
“No, I—” She looks up, pushing her hair out of her face when her eyes widen, mouth falling open just as Shadow releases a loud growl. “Kyle!”
