Chapter Nine
Aftyn shoved her phone into her pocket, exhaled a weary sigh, and pushed through the swinging door back into the diner.
The smell of coffee and maple syrup washed over her.
Her mind kept circling back to Peterson while her stomach knotted over the car.
If Avery hadn’t cleaned out her account she could have put a down payment on something reliable.
Instead, she was surviving on tips and Connie’s patience.
She massaged her temple, remembering how she’d stood in that empty apartment, Avery’s closet bare except for hangers.
She wanted to confront her face to face, and she knew exactly how it would go.
Avery would roll those mascara-heavy eyes and wait for the familiar pattern, Aftyn’s anger followed by forgiveness.
Not this time. Not after this. The bank manager had given her copies of the withdrawals before freezing the account and then came the calls to the credit card companies.
That was when she’d gone to the police. When no one followed up, she’d decided to find Avery herself.
The afternoon sun slanted through the windows as she peeled off her apron.
The bell above the door tinkled and Peterson stepped in, leather folder tucked under his arm, polished shoes clicking on the linoleum.
At least he was punctual. Connie caught her eye from behind the counter and gave an encouraging nod.
“Wish me luck,” Aftyn whispered.
Connie wiped her hands on a towel. “You got this, honey. Maybe he’ll finally pin down where she is.” She offered an encouraging smile.
Aftyn smoothed her shirt and walked into the dining area. Peterson rose from a stool by a corner table and extended his hand, grip firm and cool.
“Right on time. Let’s sit.” She guided him to a secluded booth. He slid in first before she could, and she pressed her lips together. Some men never learned. She slid in across from him.
He opened his briefcase, lifted out a folder, and flipped it open. A photograph sat on top, her sister’s familiar profile, hair tucked behind one ear.
“I’m confident she’s still in town. This was taken two days ago.” He kept his voice low. “I checked several places she could be staying in Clifton, Hartland, and Spring City, but no one would give me anything. Guest privacy. I have other ways though.”
Aftyn leaned forward and studied the photo. A dark green awning stretched over a storefront behind her sister. “Is that the liquor store up the block?”
“Yes. I watched her go in and come out with what looked like a job application.”
Her chest tightened. “She’s still looking for work. She must be planning to stay.”
“Or saving enough to leave.” He shrugged.
“Like I am,” she murmured.
He turned to the next page. “I lost her in the crowd after that. She was alone. Your aunt mentioned your husband?”
“Ex-husband.” She set her jaw. “I suspect they’re together.”
He offered an amused smirk. “Never underestimate a woman’s intuition.” His gaze flickered briefly to her lips. Aftyn stiffened. He was flirting, and she had no interest in it.
She studied him under the fluorescent lights.
Crisp white dress shirt pulled taut across broad shoulders, sleeves buttoned precisely at the cuff, dark blond hair slicked back without a strand out of place.
Too polished. Since coming to Clifton, she’d grown used to men whose hands bore honest callouses, whose skin smelled of hay and leather and early mornings.
Sterling Peterson looked like the inside of a barn was a foreign concept.
She knew some women would find that kind of elegance appealing.
She wasn’t one of them. Not after Cole’s hands had made her pulse quicken.
Just thinking about him made her shiver.
“Cold?” Peterson asked.
“No. Just thinking about what she might be up to.”
“I’ll find out. I’ll stay until you decide how you want to handle it.”
“I know exactly how I want to handle it. I want to confront her.”
He hesitated. “And your husband?”
“Ex,” she said coolly. “He’s none of my concern.”
“Good to hear.” Though his expression suggested otherwise.
Aftyn turned back to the photographs spread across the table. She lifted one and traced the edge. “Her hair’s darker now. It used to be this color. Like mine.” She set it down.
“What did the police do?”
She exhaled slowly. “Said they’d put a detective on it.
When I never heard back I decided to find her myself.
I have copies of the bank records; same ones I gave them.
Maybe they don’t consider it serious enough.
” Her jaw tightened. “It is to me. I want to see her face when I tell her I reported her.”
“She’ll try to talk you out of pressing charges,” he said carefully.
“I know.” Her voice was steady. “But I’m not backing down this time.”
He slid the photos back into their folder. “Pauline told me Avery’s done this before and got probation. She won’t this time. You need to be sure you want to go through with it.”
“She stole from our aunt and was likely sleeping with my ex while we were still married. I’m sure.” Aftyn’s jaw tightened.
He snapped the briefcase shut and rose, offering his hand. “I’ll report back soon. Could I get your number in case you’re not here?”
She recited it, watched him punch it in, then dial immediately. Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
“That’s me,” he said when the call connected. “Day or night.” He handed her a business card.
“Thanks.” She slid out of the booth. “I should get home. I smell like the diner.”
He chuckled. “Not a bad smell at all.”
“You’d feel differently if it were you.” She smiled. “Have you talked to the local sheriff?”
“Not yet. That’s your move to make.” He picked up his briefcase. “I’ll be in touch.”
She watched him stride out through the glass door, then turned to find Connie perched on a stool at the counter.
“How’d it go?”
“He found her but lost her in the crowd. He thinks she might be at the motel.”
Connie nodded. “Makes sense. The B&B and Bur Oak Guest Ranch have a two-year waiting list. The motel’s the only place you can walk in without a reservation.”
“We’ll see.” Aftyn untied her apron. “I need to call Aunt Ping and then get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Talk to Sam before you do anything else,” Connie said firmly. “He’ll help you.”
“I will. I promise.” Aftyn grabbed her keys from her pocket and slipped out the back door, hearing the lock turn behind her. She climbed the stairs slowly, her feet aching, her mind already quieting.
****
Cole strode across the parched yard, his sweat-stained T-shirt clinging to his back. The sun beat down on his neck as he took the porch steps two at a time and pushed through the door into the blessed cool of the kitchen. Late August. He was so ready for September.
Ollie’s nails clicked rapidly across the floorboards.
“Hey, boy. Smart enough to stay inside today.” Cole sank onto the bench by the door and wrestled off his dust-covered boots, then leaned his head back against the wall, sweat trickling down his temple. “Damn, I can’t wait for fall.”
He pushed to his feet with a groan and shuffled to the laundry room, stripped off his dirt-crusted clothes, and dropped them into the hamper.
Ollie shadowed him to the bedroom and sat outside the bathroom door while Cole cranked the shower and stepped in, letting the warm water work through his aching shoulders.
He’d meant to call Aftyn today. Like everything else, the hours had evaporated in the heat.
After this he’d find something in the fridge and drop into his recliner. Once he hit those cushions he’d be there until morning. Wouldn’t be the first time.
He made a quick call to The Hartland, but even with Grant putting in a word, nothing was available. A party had taken most of the restaurant. He’d let Aftyn know and they’d figure something else out.
****
“Aunt Ping, I hate asking for help,” Aftyn murmured.
“No shit. Do you think I offered because I felt like it? You need a vehicle. Plain and simple. How do you expect to get home without wheels?”
Aftyn sank deeper into the armchair and exhaled a long sigh.
Arguing with Ping was like shouting at the wind.
But it wasn’t pride holding her back. Since meeting Cole, her heart had stretched in directions she hadn’t expected, anchoring her to this small town in ways she hadn’t planned for.
Even after she confronted Avery, she wanted to stay.
Cole had said no strings, but his easy smile and steady kindness were binding her just the same.
“I know,” she whispered, staring at the dark sky outside.
Ping’s tone softened slightly. “Is there somewhere I can wire you the money?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll ask Connie tomorrow.”
“Are you attracted to him? Cole?”
Heat bloomed in Aftyn’s cheeks. “Yes. I know I shouldn’t be, but he’s been wonderful. This whole town has. For the first time in a long time, I feel at home somewhere.”
“Then decide. Stay or come back. There’s nothing for you here, no job, no place of your own. If Clifton’s calling you, build your life there. I’m sure they need nurses.”
“They do. I thought about applying after I broke down, but I didn’t want to take a job and then leave.”
“You’ve got time,” Ping said gently. “I’ll back whatever you choose. After everything you’ve been through, it’s time to find your happiness.”
Aftyn felt something settle in her chest. “You’re right. I should have listened to you sooner.”
Ping laughed. “Yes, you should have. Just admit it. I was right.”