He chuckled. “Good.”
She shook her head and turned back to me. “I like to know things so I know how to help someone when they need it. Like knowing where Grace is.”
Now I was listening. “You know where she is?”
“Dear God,” Mark said. “Do you have trackers on us all?”
“No, better. I have a brain.”
“That’s news to me,” Hugh said.
“Dang it! Let me have my moment,” she hissed before focusing back on me. “Anyway, Jade’s shop is closed too. And there aren’t any banging sounds, so Wren isn’t working, whichmeans Grace contacted them for one of their girl meetings, which I wanna be invited to, by the way.”
I knew that would never happen, but Kerry was being nice for once, so I kept my mouth shut. “So they’re all together. Somewhere.”
She put one finger up. “For real girl time, no one can overhear. So, it wouldn’t be anywhere on the square. If you went to Grace’s house first?—”
“Which I did.”
“Then they’re at Mollie’s.”
All of us were silent as we stared at Kerry.
Hugh broke first. “Shedoeshave a brain.”
“Told you, old man.”
“Guys, focus,” I urged. “What’s Mollie’s address?”
“Are you about to run in for a good grovel?” Kerry asked. “Oh, if only I could be there!”
“Kerry,” I said. “Please.”
She sighed, but gave me the address. I didn’t even say goodbye. I tore off to my truck to find Grace.
“Hey! In this town we say bye to each other!” Kerry yelled at my retreating form.
“Speak for yourself. I only say bye to people I respect, and it ain’t none of you!” Hugh said back.
I wished I could’ve noticed anything about Mollie’s farm, but all I could do was find the house and hope I’d found Grace.
There were many cars in the driveway, but when I saw hers, the relief that hit me was almost too much to take.
Running to the door, I banged on it. I could hear voices in the field that I couldn’t care less about.
“Jade, if you got bit by a cow—” The door opened and I sawthe very woman I’d been worried about. Her eyes met mine and she paused. “Dean?”
“I’m so fucking sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to be gone so long, and I should’ve explained everything in my note better, but I was ... I wasn’t in my right mind when I left. That’s not an excuse, though. I shouldn’t have worried you and?—”
She put a finger to my lips. “I think you need to breathe.”
I sucked in air at her order. “I warned you I would fuck this up.”
“We’re human, Dean. I fear this is part of it all.” Her eyes flicked behind me. “We could go inside, though. Where no one will hear us.”
“Why would you do that?” Jade asked. It was followed by a loud moo. “My new cow familiar is here to take notes!”
“I’ll give you the rundown later. Ask Mollie if it’s okay to borrow her house.”