The older man opened up his map of the area and pointed to a section over by the Lakemans’ home. “Haven’t heard any news out of here. Miss Lakeman searched around her home last night, but it wouldn’t hurt to look again.”
“Thanks. When is the next check-in?”
“Six o’clock.”
Joshua dipped his chin at the sheriff and rode toward the Lakemans’. It was an area he knew well, though he normally traveled to it from his own home.
This route would take him right past a corner of the Walker ranch.
As Joshua rode by, he slowed when he caught sight of Julian out in his garden. What was the man doing planting flowers when the rest of the community was hunting for Caleb?
A burning sensation started in his gut. Howdarethat man ignore the fact that a little boy was missing!
Kicking his horse into a gallop, he went straight to the Lakemans’ home. He jumped off his horse and went to the door. Anger wasn’t something he allowed often, but right now? He was furious.
Louise answered his harsh knock. “Mr. Ziegler, have y’all found Caleb yet?”
He shook his head. “No. Not yet. Is Mr. Lakeman awake?”
“He was a few minutes ago. Would you like to see him?”
“Yes, please.” He needed to calm down. This was getting him nowhere. But he had to talk to someone. And Mr. Lakeman had been like a second father to him. He respected the man and his opinion.
Louise led him down the hall to the familiar room and Joshua held his hat in his hands as he approached the bed.
“We haven’t found Caleb yet, but I needed someone to talk to.”
“There’s a ... storm brewing ... on that face of yours.” Mr. Lakeman’s right hand lifted a few inches. “Sit. Talk.”
“Sir, I’m sure you can understand the emotions that are surging through me after we lost my little sister. It’s hard to think of us never setting eyes on Caleb again.” He swallowed and cleared his throat, doing his best to keep the tears at bay. “But as I was riding out to the next place the sheriff asked me to search, I passed the Walker homestead. Julian was out in his garden. Plantingflowers.” He almost spat the last word. “Why isn’t he out helping with the search?”
“Maybe he ... doesn’t know?” He tapped the bed. “I wouldn’t know ... without Anna.”
The response took a little bit of the wind out of his sails. But it didn’t take away the gnawing inside him that something wasn’t right. “This is all too familiar, sir. I hate to say it, but I want—no, Ineed—someone to blame. And I’m sorry, but Julian Walker fits the bill. He had a weird crush on Mary all those years ago. Granted, she was nice to him when hardly anyone else was, but that was simply who Mary was.” His thoughts were gaining steam now and he barreled on ahead. “Julian was the last one seen with Mary after school the day she disappeared. Is there any chance he could be responsible for Caleb’s disappearance too? I mean, I know that sounds awful, but everyone in this town knows his father was a crazy lunatic who beat Julian and his mother. No wonder the woman left—”
“Joshua Ziegler!” Anna’s sharp tone stopped him cold. “How dare you gossip about poor Julian Walker that way!” She stomped over with her hands on her hips and glared up at him. “The poor man obviously suffered at the hands of his own father and the wagging tongues of the town. I can’t believe you would stoop to such a level.”
Of course she’d defend the man. Instead ofhim. “You know for a fact that he was a little obsessed with Mary! Could you by chance be blinded by the fact that the man was kind enough to allow you to dig on his property?” He narrowed his eyes and stepped closer to her.
She inched closer and stuck her finger in his face. “You are horrid. The fact that you would even say such awful things shows me that you have no heart, Joshua. No, we’re not blinded by his kindness. The poor man has been shunned by people in this town long enough because of his father. I think it’s time for you to leave.”
“Anna.” Mr. Lakeman’s tone was sad. “His nephew ... is missing.”
Her face softened for a moment but then that defiant little chin of hers lifted. “That’s no excuse. The Joshua I knew and loved would never gossip or slander someone else.” Her lips pinched into a tight line after the words were out. “Besides, Julian didn’t even know that Caleb was missing. The sheriff told me you were coming out here to search, so I followed you. I wasn’t far behind, but when I saw Julian outside in his garden, I went to ask him if he’d seen the boy. The poor man had no idea there was a search. He dropped everything and went to get all the ranch hands to help out.” The heat in her stare reminded him of their last fight.
He’d been wrong then, too.
Shame flooded his gut and washed away the anger. “You’re right.”
His statement defused a bit of her ire.
“I’m sorry.” He turned to her father. “I’m sorry for what I said. Like Anna stated, my words were nothing but gossip and slander. I hope you both will forgive me.” He plopped his hat back on his head and headed out the door before anyone could say anything else.
He’d said enough.
And probably lost Anna forever.
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