AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Rita was more than a boss. One time, my parents kicked me out of the house, and I had nowhere to go. She stayed with me after closing — well past midnight — listening to me and giving me her thoughts. She wouldn’t go home until I had somewhere to stay for the night. That’s the kind of person she is. She cares more about others than herself. She doesn’t deserve to be missing, and I hope we’re able to get the word out so we can find her. I want to help her, like she helped me.”
Tears blurred Ariana’s vision. Those words summed up her friend. Yes, there was so much more to Rita, such as her love for nice things like her shoes and car, but at her heart she was all about people. She could spot a lonely person in a crowd, and would go out of her way to cheer them up.
That was Rita, and like the server said, that was why they needed to find her.
Ari needed to forget Boone. Unless he showed up at their house again.
Lia took the mic and asked everyone to hold up their candles for a moment of silence.
It was eerie. The sky had grown dark, and aside from the few overhead lights, the only thing that lit the park was the mass of candles.
Ariana snapped a few pictures. It was beautiful, and she wanted to show Rita after she was found safe.
Hopefully that would happen.
Lia and Charles gave instructions for people to split up to either hand out fliers or search for Rita in a few specified locations.
Damon kissed Ariana’s cheek. “How are you holding up?”
“I can’t get over Boone showing up late and hanging out on the sidelines.”
So much for forgetting about him.
“I noticed that too. You’d think he’d at least feign an interest in finding his wife.”
“Exactly.”
Somebody tapped Ariana and asked a question about one of the search locations.
She answered it, and others that came in. By the time she’d answered them all, the crowd had thinned to almost nothing. All of the news crews had left and only a few stragglers remained.
Including Boone.
Ariana stared at him.
He returned the glare from across the park.
Anger roiled in her. She couldn’t leave him alone.
But she’d also promised Damon not to confront him alone.
She grabbed Lia’s arm. “Let’s talk to Boone.”
Her expression tightened. “Gladly.”
They marched over to him, heads high and shoulders back.
Boone started to step away.
“Where are you going?” Lia called.
He stopped and crossed his arms. “This is my missing wife’s vigil. I have more right to be here than anyone.”
“Why didn’t you share?” Ariana asked.
“Couldn’t get through the crowd.”
“That’s the only reason?” Lia asked.
