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Yes. What time? Should we bring my father in on it?
Aunt June
Yes, I’m calling him now. Let’s meet at his house. Maybe she left a note he missed.
Don’t panic, deary. We will find her. She might’ve met someone.
Rosie
Okay, thank you for coming. See you soon.
Holden doesn’t move for hours. I’m strangely comforted by his even breathing and the way his hold around me never loosens. I finish the old movie, and another one starts. They’re actually really good films, and I love the way the cowboys drawl. I can’t stop picturing Holden as one of them as I run my fingers through his hair.
I chew my fingernails down to the quick as worst-case scenarios with my mom run through my head. I text her again, telling her I love her and miss her. It’s been weeks now since her last reply to me.
Around four o’clock, my aunt texts me that she landed and is getting an Uber. I know she’ll be here in an hour, and I need to tell Dolly what’s going on.
Holden’s breathing hasn’t changed, but his grip around me has loosened. Using one of the pillows, I slowly inch out of his grip and stick the pillow in his arms. He curls around it, exhaling.
I tiptoe out of the room, checking the hall for occupants before sneaking out and shutting the door behind me. Dolly’s door is cracked open. I tap on it before pushing it slightly open.
“Doll?” I whisper.
She’s sitting up in bed with a book in her hand. She likes all genres, but lately, she’s been reading romantasy.
She looks up at me. “Hey, do you need help with dinner?”
I step farther in, wringing my hands. “Actually, I was hoping I could order y’all some pizza. My mom … well, I haven’t been able to get ahold of her. My aunt thinks it’s been long enough that we should go to the sheriff.”
Dolly’s gray eyes widen as she closes her book. “Oh, Rosie. I’m so sorry. You really think she’s … missing? I thought she did this sometimes?”
I nod, tears threatening to spill. “She does. That’s why I haven’t done anything or gone to the sheriff. She disappears, goes on benders, meets people. One time, she did this with some guy on a yacht and didn’t have service for ten days. This is different somehow. No one’s heard from her in weeks. At the very least, I need them to look into it. Maybe pull up her phone records.”
Dolly slides off the bed and walks over to me, gripping my forearm. “I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do? Do you want me to come with you?”
I shake my head, sniffling. “No thank you. My aunt is here, and we’re starting by talking to my dad and searching the house for a note or some kind of clue. She at least would’ve packed before leaving.”
Dolly nods, message received. A Redford at my dad’s house is a recipe for disaster even if it’s only Dolly.
“Okay. Text me when you have an update. And of course, don’t bother coming in tomorrow, however many days you need.”
I smile, pulling her into a tight hug. “Thank you. You’re an amazing friend. There’s a frozen lasagna and some premade chili in the freezer. Instructions are on the bag for baking if y’all don’t want pizza.”
“Go. We can fend for ourselves. Don’t worry about us.”
My eyes soften as I look at my best friend. She’d go with me if she could—I know that.
“Thank you. I’ll text you.”
My car barely sputters to life. I exhale a sigh of relief as I turn out of Redford Ranch’s endless driveway onto the dirt road. My phone starts to ring as I come up to a Stop sign.
My father’s name is on the screen. I swipe to answer it, a ball of dread forming in my stomach.
“Hello?”
“Rosie, where are you?”
I press my foot down harder on the accelerator. “I’m on my way, Dad. I have to make a quick stop at my apartment first. Aunt June told me she’d be there at five. Am I late?”
