Delaney Cooper stared at the white sheet of paper taped to the refrigerator. Scrawled was a hurried message from her twin sister, Danica, that stopped Delly’s heart.
I’ve had to run. Got into some trouble that I can’t get out of this time. I got rid of my phone so no one can trace me. Don’t try to find me, Delly. It’s too dangerous. I owe a lot of money to a very bad man and need to go into hiding. I love you. In case of an emergency, you can reach me at the number below. Only in an emergency! Destroy this note.
This was just like Dani. When would she get it through her thick head that someday, maybe this day, she wouldn’t come out unscathed from another bad decision? Delly yanked the note off the fridge. Where would her sister go?
Delly slumped against the counter and chewed the inside of her cheek. She could only think of one place. The place their parents always took them on vacation when they were children. Misty Hollow. The town with a lake where their father fished, they swam, and their mother caught up on her reading.
Oh, her mother would be spittin’ mad when she found out. How could Dani keep doing this to her family? Well, she’d keep the news from their mother for as long as possible.
She shoved away from the counter and headed to her bedroom, pausing in the doorway of her sister’s room. Delly had worked a late shift at the restaurant the night before and hadn’t noticed if her sister had even been home. Since her twin wasn’t always the neatest, it was hard to tell whether she’d left in a hurry or not. Her room always looked as if a twister had roared through.
Anger rising at all she had to do before she could leave, Delly stormed to her room and tossed clothes into a box to hang up in the camper. Thank goodness, her mother had never sold the twenty-seven-foot camper. Delly would be comfortable enough while searching for Dani even though winter had set in, and Northern Arkansas got much colder than Texarkana.
An hour later, having called work and listened to her boss chew her out then fire her, she backed the camper from the driveway and set off on the four-hour drive to Misty Hollow. She wanted to throttle her sister!
Delly should probably be worried more than mad, but Dani did something like this so often it became a bit like the boy who cried wolf. Most of the time, her “trouble” was greatly exaggerated. Hopefully, this time would be the same. Nevertheless, she had to bring her sister home before Mom returned from her cruise.
After their mother had received a warning not to stress because of her heart, Delly did her best to help her follow the doctor’s orders. Dani’s actions didn’t help.
The forty-year-old camper struggled while going up the mountain, but eventually Delly descended into the valley. She drove at a slow speed down Main Street, marveling at all that had changed in the fifteen years since her family had vacationed here.
A diner looked promising in case it took too long to find Dani and Delly needed to find work. After all, she was out of a job because of her sister. A red-brick sheriff’s department drew her attention. Maybe they could help her find Dani. She’d check after settling in at the campground.
Her cell phone rang as she turned into it. Without answering, she climbed from the driver’s seat and approached the small building where the site host sat.
“How long you staying?” The old man handed her a piece of paper. “Not many people camp during the winter, so you don’t have to rush off.”
“That’s good. I’m not sure how long I’ll be here.”
“If more than two weeks, you have to switch sites for another two weeks. If longer than that, you have to pull out for a night before coming back for another two weeks. Can’t rent to a squatter.”
What a headache. “Thank you.”
Her phone rang again as she climbed back into her seat. She glanced at the screen and groaned. Her mother had perfect timing. “Hey, Mom.”
“Why won’t your sister answer her phone? It goes straight to voice mail.”
“I don’t know?” She winced.
“Oh, yes you do. Your lies always end with a question mark. Tell me the truth.”
“She’s run off,” Delly blurted. “I’m trying to find her.”
“What kind of trouble is she in now?”
“I don’t know?”
“Delaney Cooper.”
“She owes somebody money. I think she might be in Misty Hollow. I’ve taken the camper so I don’t have to spend money on a hotel room.”
“Of course, she went to Misty Hollow. She’s always loved that place. Oh, I hope she hasn’t done anything illegal.”
Delly decided not to tell her about her plan to seek help from the sheriff. “I’ll find her, Mom.”
“I know.” Click.
~
Deputy Joseph Hudson turned from speaking to the department’s receptionist as the door behind him opened. A very pretty, very frazzled woman with blond hair cascading down her shoulders stopped and glanced around before approaching the desk.
“Uh-oh.” Doris Belwright, the receptionist, shook her head. “I see trouble marching on two legs. Another newcomer.”
“Someone new doesn’t always mean trouble.” Joey chuckled.
“When it’s a pretty woman, it does.”
“Holler if you need me.” He nodded at the woman before heading to the bullpen.
Less than a minute later, the woman stood in front of his desk. “I need help.”
“Please. Have a seat.” He motioned to the chair across from him. Doris might be right after all.
She sat and set a sheet of paper in front of him. “My sister is missing.”
He read the note then straightened and crossed his arms. “Are you sure?”
“Of course, I am.” Her brows drew together. “It says right there that she’s in trouble.”
“Does she do this type of thing often?” He couldn’t help her until he had more facts.
“Yes…but, she’s never left a note like this. I’m certain she’s in danger.” She grabbed the paper off his desk.
“What’s your name, ma’am?” He pulled a pencil from a chipped coffee mug on his desk that read, “Life is better fishing.”
“Delaney Cooper.” She tilted her head. “Are you going to help me or not?”
“First, you need to fill out a missing person’s report. If she doesn’t show or make contact within twenty-four hours, I’ll do some digging.” Strangely, the wounded expression on her face tugged at his heartstrings. “Okay, maybe—”
“Hyper on line one,” Doris’s voice rang through the bullpen.
Joey grabbed the receiver from his desk phone. “Deputy Hudson.”
“This is Mrs. Marilyn Cooper.”
His gaze returned to the younger Miss Cooper. “How may I help you?”
“My daughter Danica is missing. I want you to find her and bring her home.”
He jotted down the daughter’s name. “Mrs. Cooper, we have a procedure—”
“Give me the phone.” Miss Cooper wiggled her fingers. “Come on. I can handle her.”
With a shrug, he handed the phone to her and settled back to watch the show, realizing he might be out of his element with this woman. He smiled at the flush of pink that flooded her cheeks. Her hazel eyes flashed.
“I told you I’m handling this, Mother. You should at least give me some time before giving the deputy a hard time.” Her gaze flicked to him. She mouthed sorry.
He waved away her apology.
“This is ridiculous. I’m filling out a missing…because the deputy…of course, I have to do what he says. Mother, enjoy your cruise and let me handle this.” She slammed the phone down. “Sorry. She can be a bit…zealous.”
“Again, no problem. She’s a worried mother. What does your sister look like?”
“Like me. We’re identical right down to the long blond hair.”
He arched a brow. “How do people tell you apart?”
She sighed. “Danica dresses a bit more…revealing at times, then looks homeless at others. If you see her, you’ll know she isn’t me.”
“Would someone you didn’t tell this to know the difference?”
“Maybe not. Does this mean you’ll help me?”
“There isn’t a lot I can do at this point, but I will keep an eye out for her and ask around town. Where are you staying?”
“Site ten at the campground.” She stood and thrust out her hand. “Call me Delaney or Delly. We’ll be working a lot with each other.”
He returned the shake, enjoying the way her smaller hand fit perfectly in his. “Have a good day, Delaney. Your sister will turn up.” Unless Doris was right, trouble had indeed returned to Misty Hollow.
- Publisher : Winged Publications
- Publication date : July 19, 2023
- Language : English
- Print length : 220 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1959788892
- ISBN-13 : 978-1959788898