Page 15 of Forever Finds Us
Pulling up behind Abey’s truck, I parked next to the county sheriff’s, and we stepped out into the chilly air. Bax and Bea parked behind me, and when they climbed from Bax’s rig, I noticed they were prepared and dressed in jeans and hiking boots. Either that was what they’d worn for their drive up to Montana, or they kept hiking boots in their vehicle. Either way, they were my people. Nothing fancy about them, or me, and they made me feel a little more at home in a place that wasn’t my actual home.
As a group, we set off to find my bosses.
“Roxi?” Abey saw us approaching from where she stood next to the sheriff. Her blond hair looked like a rat had taken up residence underneath her hat, all tangled and tied hastily in a low bun. She was worried. “Did you find somethin’ at the Mannings’ cabin?”
“No. We just came up to see if we could help.”
“Thanks.” She frowned at her recently married brother. “Bax, Bea, shouldn’t you be in Montana by now?”
“We couldn’t sit around waitin’ for news,” Bea said, and Abey smiled and nodded.
“Actually, it’s great you’re here,” Sheriff Michaels said, standing tall and stoic next to Abey. He tipped his hat up off his forehead, his rusty red hair sweaty and disheveled beneath. “We could actually use a few more bodies on the trails around Jenny Lake. The rangers are focused on the Lake Solitude trail since it’s further and more remote, but we’ve still got the paths around here we need to search. Just make sure you sign in.” He pointed to a woman holding a clipboard standing next to a volunteer ranger in a yellow jacket by the trailhead that led south around the lake. “And make sure you have water and warmth. And Roxi, I know you’re not technically on duty, but consider yourself clocked in. Keep your radio on.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’re in charge of these hooligans.” He smirked at Bax and Brand. “Their mama will sue my ass if anything happens to her precious baby boys.”
The guys laughed, and Bax delivered a playful but powerful punch to the sheriff of Teton County’s midsection. Carey grunted and knocked Bax’s cowboy hat off his head.
Bax retrieved it from the dirt with the swipe of one hand, stuck it back on his head, and introduced his new bride. “Carey, this is my wife, Bea. We just got hitched this afternoon.” A big smile showed his teeth, and they gleamed under all the lights that had been set up to illuminate the parking area. “Bea, this man here is the big bad county sheriff, Carey Michaels. You’ve eaten his wife’s donuts. It’s that place in town Athena loves to stop off at after school.”
“Frannie Goes French? Your wife is Frannie? Grace and Gabby are your daughters?”
Carey nodded proudly.
“Please tell Frannie that Athena and I are big fans. Also, tell her I have a bone to pick with her ’cause I’ve gained ten pounds since Athena got me hooked on her mousse au chocolat and éclairs.” She winked. “Athena adores Grace, and little Gabby is cute as a button.”
“You’re preachin’ to the choir.” Carey chuckled and patted his stomach. “Thank you. Will do, and congratulations. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too. I wish it wasn’t because of Natalie.”
Everybody grumbled agreement.
“Alright, y’all,” Carey said. “Get to work. Radio in anything you find, even if it’s just an empty water bottle.”
“Have you brought in the dogs yet, boss?” I asked.
Carey shook his head, and Abey answered. “They should be here in an hour or two.”
“Good.” That made me feel better. The SAR dogs could find Natalie faster than any human. The trick was keeping up with them. “Is there any sign of foul play?”
“No,” Carey said, “not so far. Natalie’s parents and brothers are at the ranger station. They’re worried sick.”
“We’ll get started.”
Abey motioned again to the lady with the sign-in sheet. “When you sign in, she’ll give you maps and point you in the right direction. She has flashlights with new batteries.”
Brand asked, “What was Natalie wearin’?”
I should have asked that. He had good instincts and clearly seemed to care about finding the girl.
“Jeans,” Abey answered her older brother, “and a gray Nebraska Cornhuskers hooded sweatshirt with a big red ‘N’. Purple sneakers.”
As we walked toward the woman with the clipboard, I noticed Brand surveying all the law enforcement officers poring over trail maps spread over the hoods of their vehicles.
“I feel a bit underdressed,” he said, smirking at me. He nudged his arm against mine. Was he flirting with me? In the middle of a missing persons case?
And people thought I was weird?
