“Sounds like it. My mom graduated in ’87 or maybe ’86. I actually can’t remember.”
“No problem. Could you, by any chance, find out if she knew a Charlotte Smith?”
Holly nodded as she wrote the information down on a pink post-it. She looked up and smiled again, but her eyes failed to twinkle this time.
“Well...um...that’s all. Thanks, Holly.”
“Sure thing, Sheriff.”
Guy walked back into his office, but he could tell from Holly’s voice that she wasn’t as happy as usual. Was she into him or was his mind playing tricks?
His eyes rested on the stack of papers on his desk. Where Holly stood was a problem for another day. Today, he needed to finish the paperwork before his patrol on the streets of Freedom Lake.
MICHELLE FED MORE PAPER into the copier. She looked up at the chime of the bell, a smile already plastered on her face in greeting. It fell the minute she saw who had entered her office.
Guy. Again?
This was the worst case of déjà vu, she’d ever had. “Can I help you?” She walked forward, but made sure to keep an appropriate amount of distance between them.
“Yeah, I have some information for you regarding Chloe’s mother.”
He had taken up his normal stance of hands in his pocket. When they dated in high school, the stance had meant he was uncomfortable and didn’t know what to do with his hands. Was that the same case now?
“Great,” she said, infusing her voice with false cheer. “What do you have?”
Guy produced a sticky note out of his pocket. “Holly’s mom remembered her.” He held out the paper as far as his arm would reach.
She took a few cautious steps and took the pink paper. She looked down and saw a phone number listed.
“You use pink sticky notes?” Her mouth twitched in amusement.
“My secretary does.”
The secretary again.
“Anyway,” he continued. “That’s her cell. Apparently, she’s willing to answer any questions you have.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded and headed for the door.
She watched him, wanting to call him back and ask what he did with her ring. Only that would place more significance on it then she cared to admit.
He pushed the door open and paused, turning around. “I never meant to hurt you.”
And like that, he was gone.
Michelle didn’t know how long she stared at the front door, but it was long enough for her to see Chloe walk in.
Chloe opened the door and looked over her shoulder. “What are you looking at?”
She blinked. “I was just a little distracted.” She walked over to give her a hug. “How are you?”
“Good.” Chloe peered up at her with anxious eyes. “Any leads?”
“Actually, yes. I just got contact information from one of your mom’s old classmates.” She held the sticky up. “I’m going to give her a call to see what she knows about your mom or who she dated.”
“Thank you,” she breathed out. “I was worried there would be no leads to follow.”
Michelle sat down at the vacant desk in the front and crossed her legs. “Now, I don’t want to get your hopes up. I’m not sure what she knows, but it is an avenue to consider.”
Chloe sat down across from her. “Don’t worry, I know I gave you a hefty task. I’m just thankful you have some place to start your search.”
Michelle peered at her friend. She started to twirl the ring on her finger, but it was gone. The tan line stared back up at her. “Chlo, can I ask why you want to find your dad after all these years?”
Chloe looked down at her hands and let out a soft sigh. When her friend finally lifted her gaze to meet hers, Michelle could tell tears were only a few blinks away. “I don’t have any family left. As much as I tried to continue life after my grandma died, I can’t help but feel isolated. Alone.” A shudder wracked her slender frame as Chloe wiped a tear away. “Sure, I have you and Jo, but at the end of the day, you guys go home and live your life. I have no one to share mine with.”
“I can certainly understand that.” And she could.
Life royally sucked after her parents died and she wasn’t afraid to let everyone know. But maybe she was stronger than Chloe. Michelle didn’t need constant company to make her feel all right.
Don’t you?
She gave a mental wave of her hand to dislodge the thought like unwanted dust bunnies. “Chloe, you do know Darryl would love to keep you company, right?”
Chloe’s face turned beet red. “What? I don’t know what you mean. I mean, do you really think that’s true? Has he said anything to you? Are you certain you’re not misreading things? Then again, who even said I cared?” She ended her breathless rant gasping for air and probably for more words to fill the dead space.
Michelle filled it with laughter instead. “Girl, everyone can tell how much he likes you, but you.”
Chloe shook her head in denial. “I don’t think so, Michelle. He’s just being nice.”
“No man is that nice.” She wanted to clap her hand over her mouth as soon as the words flew out. She’d be completely naive to think Chloe would miss the censure in her voice.
“I’ll leave that comment alone if you don’t bring Darryl back up.”
Michelle stared at her friend. Why was Chloe so afraid to explore the thought of her and Darryl together? Hadn’t she just complained about not having people around? But at the same time, Michelle didn’t want to open that can of worms by being on the receiving end of the same type of questions.
“Okay, mums the word.”
They reached across the table and shook hands.
Chloe stood up with a small smile, her face taking on its normal color. “Let me know what you find
