I looked up at the building—if you could even still call it that. “That’s probably a good idea. It looks like the snow did a number on it.”
Dad let out a low whistle. “We’ll take a walk around the outside first. I’m guessing it might not be sound to go inside.”
Everly’s steps slowed as she worried the corner of her lip between her teeth and stared up at the structure. I could see the mental calculations eating up her mind. I doubted she’d been gifted a massive pile of cash to go along with the property, and taking care of animals got expensive when you did it right.
My fingers tapped out a rhythm on my thigh. The urge to reach out and provide some sort of comfort took me by surprise. It seemed incredibly unfair that she had so much stacked against her. “Why did you come back?” The words came out a little more abruptly than intended, and my dad cut me a glare.
Everly stiffened, her lip dropping from between her teeth. “You know you don’t have to help, right?”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant…I’m curious, why. You’ve never been back before. Wouldn’t it be easier to sell this place and use the money to start your sanctuary somewhere else?”
“Ignore my son. His manners leave something to be desired, and he often puts his foot in his mouth.”
Everly’s lips curved, and her eyes got back a little of that sparkle that had fled once my dad said the barn might be a loss. “I’ve learned that about him.”
“Hey, two against one isn’t fair,” I said.
She met my gaze. “Life rarely is.”
That was the truth. I learned it day after day. Those who deserved a break, rarely got one. That familiar marching band of guilt picked up its tune inside me. Everly deserved a break, and I hadn’t given her a single one. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have stuck my nose where it didn’t belong.”
“You and your dog have that in common. He’s just a little friendlier about it.”
Dad snickered. “She’s got your number.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m sorry, okay? Forget I asked.”
“Fair enough.” She turned back to the barn. “I think the worst of it is around the other side.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out. Seeing the dispatch number on my screen, I hit accept. “Easton.”
“Sheriff. We’ve got a call. There was an attempted abduction over by the lake.”
I stilled, the world seeming to tunnel, my gaze traveling to that damn shed. What were the chances of getting a call like this when I was standing where I was? “Who’s the vic?”
“Cammie Sweeney. She’s okay. Ruiz and Young are already there and told me to call you.”
“I’m on my way. Probably twenty or thirty minutes out.”
“I’ll let them know.”
I hit end without another word. “Dad, I need your keys. I got a callout.”
“But it’s your day off.”
I abruptly shook my head. “I need to go. Can you keep Koda?”
He tossed me his keys. “Of course. I’ll have your mom pick me up, and you can come get him at the ranch when you’re done.”
Everly’s eyes were sharp and assessing as if she could already read my tone and movements. “Everything okay?”
“I don’t know yet. I’m sorry I have to bail. I’ll come back tomorrow if I can.”
“No need, if you’re busy. I can handle this on my own.” She turned away and started around the barn, my father and Koda following her.
Why the hell did it feel like I’d let her down? I muttered a curse as I picked up my pace to a jog. In less than a minute, I was heading down the mountain. But the look on Everly’s face stayed with me.
As soon as I hit the two-lane highway, my foot pressed the accelerator. I’d only worked one kidnapping since I’d started working for the sheriff’s department. I’d been a deputy sheriff at the time, and it had rocked me. It had turned out to be a custody dispute, a man simply taking off with his son. But my mind had been full of all the worst what-ifs.
I adjusted my grip on the steering wheel, turning onto a back road to avoid going through town. I worked my jaw back and forth as I slowed my breathing. By the time I pulled to a stop by the lake, I had my mask firmly in place.
A number of squad cars and SUVs littered the small parking lot, and an ambulance sat with its back doors open. Tourists and locals alike gawked at the scene. I slid out of the truck and looked at one of our youngest officers trying to hold them all back. “All right, you guys, back up. Please move to the picnic area at the other end of the beach.” I motioned for another deputy. “Sergeant Ruiz will be with you in a moment to take your statements.”
I got a few scowls but far more sheepish looks as if people knew that what they were doing was just a little heartless. Officer Williams sighed as he turned my way. “What is wrong with people?”
“They’re just curious. Want to know what happened.”
“It’s not their business.”
“You’re right there.” I glanced towards the assembled group and caught sight of Cammie’s tear-streaked face. “If anyone comes back, send them on their way. If they refuse, arrest them.”
“Okay, Sheriff.”
I strode towards Young and Cammie. I was glad Young had been the one who responded to the call. She was green but had a way with victims that made them feel more at ease. Cammie looked up as I approached, and I caught sight of what would soon be a hell of a shiner. I swallowed back the curses I wanted to spew. “You okay, Cam?”
She nodded, the movements jerky. “I just want to go home.”
Hadley appeared next to her fellow EMT partner and popped an instant ice pack. “Let’s get this on that eye now that it’s clean.”
I watched as she gently placed the ice pack in Cammie’s hand and guided it to her face. “Does she need to go to the hospital, Hads?”
“I don’t think so. No sign of a concussion. But she’s a little shocky. Some juice wouldn’t hurt.”
Cammie’s best friend, Katie, shot up from where she was sitting on a bench nearby. “I have some Gatorade in the back of my car from when I do my long runs. Would that help?”
Hadley gave her a gentle smile. “That would be great.”
Once Cammie had a few sips of Gatorade, I bent forward to meet her gaze. “Can you tell me what happened?”
“S-sure. Katie and I paddleboarded across the lake with a picnic. It’s the perfect day for it, but we wanted to avoid the tourists. We ate lunch and then, uh, I had to pee. So, I walked off a ways. I was just looking for a good spot. But someone grabbed me. H-his hand went around my mouth before I had a chance to scream.”
Cammie shuddered, and Hadley wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. “I was so scared. I just froze. He started dragging me off, and that’s when everything kicked in. My dad makes me take a self-defense class every summer. I always thought it was so stupid.” She let out a laugh, but it was almost manic. “I guess parents really do know best.”
“A lot of the time, they do. Then what happened?” I asked.