“They?” The word obviously caught Ryan’s attention like it had hers back then. “Did she indicate who she was talking about?”
Charlie shook her head. “No and I asked her. She wouldn’t tell me, but she smiled and told me I’d be the first to know.”
Only she hadn’t been. Whatever secrets Abby kept in her heart she may have taken them to her grave.
Chapter Twelve
Watching those two traipse around town on a mission makes the truth clear. They discovered something and I’m pretty certain it’s connected to Pete. The old coot kept his secrets. Working on the case through the years. Refusing to let the past go.
Now, they were getting closer to me, and if I didn’t figure out what they had, it might be the end for me.
I pulled my vehicle into the trees down from where it happened. Stupid Abby. She always was so naïve.
As I get out of the car, I walk down to the place where I’d met her that night. She’d been surprised. She hadn’t expected me. Hadn’t suspected what was to come.
Though it’s a different time of day, the woods are familiar. Much like that night. Covered in snow muffling sound. The storm had prevented anyone from hearing her scream. That moment of relief when she thought she was safe was priceless. Then, the truth became clear and she tried to escape. I’d relived those beautiful moments dozens of times throughout the years. They never got old. Justice never got old.
“If Abby knew the man who took her and he was a local, then maybe she got a ride with him thinking she’d be safe.” Ryan voiced his theory aloud while he and Charlie worked together to prepare a meal of elk steaks, pasta salad and homemade Amish rolls. “She wouldn’t know she was in danger until it was too late.”
Charlie finished tossing the pasta and removed the rolls from the oven. “It makes sense. You think it was Jason? Maybe he slipped up by admitting he saw Abby that day trying to cover his tracks when really it was the night she disappeared.” She shrugged. “He was seeing Lila back then. You think it’s possible he was seeing Abby, too?”
Ryan didn’t. “I think if his father knew about Lila, he’d have made him end it. Keeping two women secret would be next to impossible. No one in Pine Haven would be good enough to date the son of a judge.”
The arrogance Ryan had gotten off Grant Owens every time he saw him was clear. He thought he and his son were a notch above everyone else.
“You’re right. So, maybe we’re looking at the wrong person? It’s possible Jason wasn’t involved in what happened to Abby or to my uncle.”
Ryan removed the steaks and plated them before carrying them to the table. “I’d say that’s a good assumption. Still, right now, we can’t afford to eliminate anyone. Hopefully, Boone was able to speak with Grant and Jason and clear up some things.”
“Let’s hope.” Charlie brought over the bread and pasta. “Those steaks look amazing.”
Ryan smiled into her eyes. “Let’s eat.” He pulled out a chair for her.
Once Charlie was seated, he slipped into the one next to hers and hesitated. Before, when he and Charlie had dated, he hadn’t been a Christian. Praying over a meal wasn’t anything he thought about doing. Now, he never ate without saying grace.
“Do you mind if we pray?” He waited for her answer and wondered what she might be thinking.
Charlie looked at him strangely but shook her head.
He clasped her hand and bowed his head. “Father, thank You for watching over us today. We ask for Your wisdom to solve Abby’s disappearance and give her family and friends peace. Help us stop the person who hurt her and Pete before he can harm anyone else. Amen.”
He opened his eyes and realized Charlie was still watching him.
“You never used to pray.” She held his gaze without wavering.
“No, I didn’t,” he said quietly. “After what happened to your parents and when you left, well, things changed for me.” He struggled to keep any anger from his tone. This wasn’t about her leaving him. It was about God finding him.
“Anyway, I started attending church and well, it transformed my life. I accepted Jesus into my heart, and he’s been changing me. Helping me to become a better person.” He smiled. “Not nearly as quickly as I’d like, but I’m a work in progress.”
She reached over and covered his hand. “I’m so glad. If it weren’t for my faith, I’m not sure I would have survived losing them either.” She ignored the part about her leaving, but he let it go.
He pointed to her plate. “Dig in while it’s still hot.”
Charlie actually smiled. “I can’t wait. I’m starving.” She added pasta to her plate as well as a roll and passed them on.
Soon, the only sound around the table was cutlery clinking but it was okay. It reminded him of the meals they’d shared through the years.
Thinking about what might have been put a sad note to the meal.
