My throat burned as images began dancing in my mind—a million different torturous what-ifs, each one worse than the last.
Hayes turned to me, closing the bag. “Don’t go there. We don’t know anything yet.”
“He could be hurting her right now.”
Hadley wrapped her arms around my waist. “Addie is the strongest person I’ve ever met. She’s probably handing him his ass and just trying to make her way back to you.”
Hayes snorted. “She is pretty good at dishing out those ball shots.”
I wanted to smile, but I couldn’t get my mouth to obey. “Let’s go.” I kissed the top of Hadley’s head. “See you when we’re back.”
“See you,” she echoed, stepping away and heading back towards the house.
Hayes motioned to Deputy Young, telling her our plan and putting her in charge of the scene. She glanced at me. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
I scowled at her. “He’s sure.”
“It’s what we need to do. Search and rescue is assembling, but it’ll take time. I’ve got my radio and can loop in with them once they arrive.”
She jerked her chin in a nod. “Stay safe.”
“Always do.” Hayes opened the back door to his SUV, and Koda jumped out.
He came straight to me, and I gave him a little rub. “Need your help today, buddy.”
“Koda, heel.”
Something in Hayes’ tone snapped the usually playful dog to attention. He ran to Hayes’ side and sat. Hayes opened the bag with Addie’s sweater and held it out to Koda. “Scent.”
Koda sniffed the garment. Hayes gave him a treat. “Good boy. That’s Addie. You know Addie. Now, find.”
Koda sniffed the air and began running in circles. He went to my truck, then the house, and then slowly started making his way towards the woods.
“Time to rock and roll.” Hayes slung a pack over his shoulder. “I’ve got water for you in this. You need anything else?”
I shook my head. It was cold, but my bike jacket would keep me warm enough. “Let’s go.”
We were mostly quiet as we followed Koda through the forest. The silence was only punctuated by new commands or praise from Hayes. I tried to focus on the dog and only the dog. I ignored that he was searching for the woman I loved with everything I had in me. “I should’ve told her.”
“What?”
I swallowed against the thickness in my throat. “I should’ve told Addie how much I loved her. I didn’t want to scare her, but I’d give anything to have told her.”
“You’ll get to tell her. And you won’t waste a second of the time you guys have together now.”
It was a lesson I should’ve learned half a dozen times already. Life was never guaranteed. People shouldn’t leave things unsaid or life unlived. I wouldn’t waste it now.
&n
bsp; Koda came to a stop at a stream and sat.
“Shit,” Hayes muttered.
“What?”
“If Brandon was smart, he used the stream to hide their trail.” Hayes ordered Koda to the other side but there was nothing. Koda simply looked confused.
And, just like that, the reckless hope that had been sparking snuffed out. Addie was simply gone.