“So embarrassing. Sorry.”
“Don’t be silly. That’s what friends are for and I can only imagine what you’ve been through. Now let me have a look inside for my peace of mind and then I’ll leave you ladies to it.”
“I’m coming in too.” She turned back to Ebony. “Give me two minutes, honey, and then you can come out.”
Jake walked up into the house first and wandered room to room. “Looks like nobody has been in here from what I can tell. Guess Milo has done the job then.” He smiled. “Best I get back to the office and see what your cousin is up to. If anything happens, I’ll let you know but I think you should take a couple of days off.” He could see the way her heart warred with her brain by looking into her troubled eyes. She needed to feel happy leaving Ebony with someone again and he doubted that it would be with Amy for some time, if ever.
“Let me know what happens with the case, won’t you?” Ryder licked her lips and forced a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Look, if you need to come in to write up a report or speak to Sydney about Paris, bring Eb with you. It’ll be fine for an hour or so. We’re a little country station and don’t have the same rules and regs as the big city guys do.”
“Thanks. I really want to hear what they have to say and if they managed to find her. It’d mean the world to her parents to get her back.” She didn’t have to say anything more because Jake knew there was nobody who understood that more than her. Ryder walked out the door and headed to her truck to let out Ebony and Milo while he followed and headed back to the office to walk into what could only be likened to a shit storm. Eric never failed to make things more dramatic than they normally were.
Chapter 19
Ryder tried to keep herself busy down at the barn, grooming the old mare and cleaning her stable. Crystal’s hooves had finally grown down and the cracks were almost non-existent. Her chopped mane had grown and stuck up like a mohawk which made Ryder smile. At least the knots and burrs had been gotten rid of. Her stubby tail also sported some growth. It had been a mass of burrs and mud, useless for swishing at pesky flies.
With her eyes closed, the horse stood still while Ryder brushed her, enjoying the attention after being neglected for so long. Once her hooves had been cleaned and her hay net filled, Ryder opened the door and let her out of the stable so she could do a scoop and drop down fresh straw for tonight. The horse walked over to a dry patch of dirt and looked back at Ryder, then she sunk to her knees and rolled over onto her back, kicking her legs in the air in the ungainly fashion that horses did.
Ryder couldn’t help it, she burst out laughing releasing the left over tension still weighing her down. “You are so good for my soul, Crystal. Thank goodness you’re still here to keep me grounded.” She watched the mare scramble back to her feet and give her body a big shake, sending a cloud of dust into the air around her. She looked back at Ryder again as if to say, “Thanks, that felt awesome,” before wandering off to explore her paddock.
Forced to take time off was a good chance to try and sort out the implement shed too. Ryder glanced at her little girl to make sure she was happy and amused with no ill effects from yesterday. Ebony played on the hay bales with the kittens and Milo, chortling with laughter as the huge dog tried to copy the kittens and climb up high.
“Honey, I’m going to do a clean out of the tool shed. You let me know when you guys get hungry, okay?”
“Sure, Mummy. We will.” She squealed and reached for Milo as he tried to jump up again. “Let’s go see if there’s any eggs, Milo.”
Ryder looked for the old cane basket she’d seen earlier. “Here, take this and count how many you get. You’re off to big school soon so you need to practise your numbers.”
“I know my numbers and my letters too. Miss Amy said I’m perfect, you can ask her. When can I go back and stay with her?”
Ryder bit her lip, guilt crawling up her spine. “We’ll have to see how you feel. Let me think about it.” She was saved by the ring of her mobile phone. Ryder pulled it from her jeans pocket and checked the screen before answering it. “Jake, hi.”
“I have good news. They found Paris.”
“Oh my goodness, that’s incredible.” She put her hand over phone. “Honey, I’m going to go up to the house for a moment. I’ll be back soon.” Ryder let the emotion surge in her chest as she made her way up to the house, ran inside, and sank down before her legs gave out on her.
“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. Her parents will be beside themselves.” Ryder clutched her phone to her ear, eyes closed in relief, and leaned back into the old comfy lounge chair.
“There were no words when I called in and told them. Mrs. Bonneville screamed and burst into tears. It took quite awhile for her husband to calm her down. I think he’d convinced himself she was never coming home again. I know it’s a coping mechanism, but the relief in his eyes was pretty evident to see. They’re on their way to Sydney now.”
“That’s brilliant.” She paused, picking at a piece of cotton hanging from the bottom of her T-shirt. “What happened with Eric?”
“He’s demanding Ethol be let loose but that’s up to the judge. I’m still
