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And then…not.

We’ve got a BOLO for an elderly gentleman on Belvedere. That’s an MVP.

BOLO: be on the lookout.

MVP: missing vulnerable person.

I listened to the description, my heart in my stomach, tears welling ominously.

Dad.

I’d been overwhelmed plenty of times in life. Some days I rose to the occasion like a warrior, slaying dragons left and right. I had a lot of people counting on me. And though I never professed to have all the answers, I never gave up.

But holy shit, I was at the end of my fucking rope.

CHAPTER 6

WAYLON

Emmett bounced from one foot to another, his head swiveling as he soaked in the sights of the End-of-Summer Flag Football Party. Wood Hollow had shown up en masse for a day of games and revelry. The high school stadium had been divided into two fields of play and a section at one end that was dedicated to game and merch booths. There was another area dedicated to food and a place of honor for the deejay.

Kids ran wild, wearing ball caps and T-shirts featuring their town’s logo or their favorite player’s jersey. I spotted three NHL Hall-of-famers and at least a dozen NFL stars, including Cooper’s husband, Silas. No, this was not your ordinary small-town gathering.

Emmett was over the moon. He alternately skipped, ran, or stood transfixed, gaping at the display of donuts at Dexter’s Donut stand, the giant maple cookies from Rise and Grind, and the colorful selection of free cotton candy donated by Pinecrest.

He met a couple of friends from camp who tagged Emmett “it” and motioned for him to join them.

I hovered nearby, sipping water while I watched the kids and stole occasional peeks at the flag football game on the field behind me—Wood Hollow Loggers versus the Elmwood Hockey Boys. I’d heard the guys at work discussing their chances last week and collectively acknowledging that they’d be lucky to score a single goal.

“They’re in better shape,” Beau had admitted, patting his ample belly.

“Plus they know us now. Our only weapon is Big V,” someone else had piped in. “And he’s on Daddy duty while Dex coaches.”

Someone had tried to recruit me, but they’d lost interest when they heard I’d never played football. Ever.

I preferred people-watching. And if I happened to catch a passing glimpse of Police Chief La Rue in uniform in the process, even better.

Yeah, that man was fine.

But the poor guy had to be sweating bullets under his police gear. I noted the snug fit of his short-sleeved shirt and the curve of his ass. He was imposing as fuck, but he had a nice, easy smile and wasn’t stingy about flashing it to everyone he met.

I tipped my ball cap low over my eyes, crossing my tatted arms as I turned my attention to Emmett and his buddies.

“They run till they crash,” a gruff voice rumbled nearby.

The toddler drooling on Viggo’s shoulder ruined the tough-guy vibe. Not that he seemed to mind.

“Like this one?”

“You should have seen her ten minutes ago. Anni loves a party.” He kissed his daughter’s forehead and angled his chin meaningfully. “Your nephew is the one with the curly black hair, ja?”

“Yeah. He’s going home tomorrow. This is a sweet send-off. Balloon tosses, a deejay, free cookies, and football. Your husband really goes all out for this thing, eh?”

Viggo’s eyes crinkled at the corners. Any last vestige of aloofness vanished in an instant. “Dex says it’s good for the community, and also…for the heart.”

I grinned. “I can see that. Hey, I’m sorry I had to cut out of that meeting with you and Coop about your birdhouses. For what it’s worth, I think they’ll sell.”

“Hmph. I make them in my spare time, and I don’t have much of that with this little one and her brother on the way. I like the idea of seeing my work at Mill Depot, but I’m not willing to sacrifice time with my family, you know? We don’t get these years back.”