Page 53 of Bidding on a Second Chance
“You’ve already told me that three times.”
Riley Rasinski wore a sequined party dress and sat on the floor in front of the throne the volunteers had made for her. A group of giggling girls, also in pretty dresses, surrounded her. Together, the children focused on a game involving cups and little plastic elves.
“She looks so happy.”
“You’ve also commented on that multiple times, but …” Lucy grinned. “I’ll give you that. It doesn’t get old, does it? And look at her parents.”
The young couple talked with others from the community, all smiles and laughter.
“I’m glad we could be involved.” The furniture was one section of a much larger selection. Even pop star Alicia Carver, who was indeed in town, had gotten involved by donating backstage passes to her New Year’s Eve show. The concert was yet another charity event, that one benefitting Harvest House, a shelter for abused women and children. The various benefits piggybacking off each other without diminishing any individual cause showcased Redemption Ridge’s generosity.
Volunteers collected the bidding clipboards, ending the auction.
Soon, the furniture Graham had worked so hard on would go to new homes. So many memories were tied to them. The time she’d walked back to find him sanding and hope had practically floated off him. The stockroom picnic. Their kiss.
Longing settled in her lungs like dust, and she coughed.
She turned away, and her line of sight landed on Teddy’s makeshift pen. Another reminder of Graham. The pen was how she got permission to bring the puppy along—he would be contained, and they’d covered the floor underneath with old blankets to protect the hardwood.
The pen sat empty at the moment. Bryce must have the puppy out somewhere.
“Have you seen Teddy and Bryce recently?”
Lucy frowned, idly scanning the crowd. “Not since he and his friends went outside.”
Piper checked the time on her phone. “Wasn’t that a while ago? He’d better not be walking him around the gym.” She leaned one way and then the other, looking for the pair.
They ought to be easy to spot, but all she found was the two boys Bryce had gone outside with.
“I’ll go find him.” Lucy stood. “You need to rest your foot.”
With a sigh, Piper slouched into her chair. Her gaze wandered to Graham’s broad shoulders as he rolled a ball toward the rings and holes at the end of the sloped lane. He must’ve gotten the score he wanted because he punched both arms up and turned with a smile that melted the moment his gaze hit on her across the room.
He nodded hello, and she waved back.
Maybe it wasn’t too soon. She could go over there, start the conversation they needed to have. It was getting late, and he had a long drive first thing in the morning, but surely, for love, he could miss some sleep.
Or perhaps that was selfishness on her part.
Wilhelmina Dobbs stepped up to the microphone to announce the auction winners. The crowd gathered around her, clapping as she revealed the final bids. One piece of furniture after another was awarded to new owners, each paying well over what the pieces were worth.
Lucy cut across the gymnasium toward her. Beyond her, Cody finally gave back whatever he’d taken from Graham. Yep. The item had to be keys. Graham slung on his coat and started for the exit.
“He’s not here?” Lucy asked.
“No. He’s leaving.” Piper tried to dismiss her disappointment. They’d have to talk after Christmas.
“I mean Bryce. The boys said they turned around while they were outside, and he wasn’t with them anymore. I asked them to check the boy’s bathroom, and I walked around the outside of the school, but he’s not here.”
Feeling like she was sliding out of control on a patch of ice, Piper braced her hand on the table as she rose. People crowded the room, limiting her view. Or was it panic making it hard to see?
“We should have her ask if anyone’s seen him.” Lucy stepped toward Wilhelmina as she finished reading off the last winners.
Piper did one more visual pass over the room. Graham was gone, and the longing she’d felt for his company multiplied. She pressed a hand to her stomach. Bryce going missing hadn’t been one of the scenarios she and Lucy had run through last night, but given the way he’d skipped school that once, it should’ve been. Was all her planning for naught?
Lord, it’s always come down to You, not my plans. Please show us where Bryce is and guide us, no matter what happens.
Cody and a couple of other officers sat around a table, drinking punch and hot cocoa. Other adults mingled around the auction. Children crisscrossed the room, but no puppies trailed them. Bryce didn’t seem to be here. She limped after Lucy, her heart picking up speed and her stomach turning to stone.
