“Thanks!” Carly didn’t bother with the coffee, but hurried up the stairs and knocked on the suite door.

Shallie answered and gestured her inside. “Good early morning, Carly. Everything okay?”

Carly immediately launched into an explanation, telling her what she’d decided and why. “So, would you come with me to talk to Cord and Tina? Soon?”

“Yes. I already promised you that. And I think it’s absolutely the right thing to do. When? We’ve got Eli’s friend, the detective, coming tonight. We could try for the weekend?”

Despite her need, her plan, to follow through with this, Carly still had to consider how to phrase things, come up with answers to the questions she’d certainly be asked. A couple more days would help. “What about Monday?”

“Fine. I’m willing to make the arrangements, but it’s probably better coming from you.”

Carly nodded slowly. And nodded again when Shallie asked, “Do you want to go to the vet’s clinic later this morning to visit our little friend? Cord and I were thinking we’d drive you there. See you back here around ten?”

“That would be great!”

Carly returned to the trailer to get her laptop, grab a muffin and more juice, then took herself to her favorite place under the spreading cottonwood tree, within sight of the paddock, and went on her YouTube channel. She announced in a solemn voice that the conclusion of her father search might be coming in the next few weeks. Without mentioning names—as usual—she said she’d become fond of all three candidates; she also talked about how grateful she felt to the people she was staying with and the fact that she’d become close to a former friend of her mother’s. “I love this place and I can imagine living here.” Then she sang “I Walk the Line.” After the annoying incident with that Worthless idiot, she wanted to honor her beloved Johnny Cash.

AFTER CHECKING THE news on her cell phone, Shallie went downstairs, empty mug in hand.

She’d received an email from Eddie, confirming his arrival; he and Eli would come over to the ranch if that was okay.

Downstairs, she told Cord that Eddie was definitely on schedule for tonight, then asked him if he was still interested in going to the vet with her and Carly.

“Yeah. I can take an hour or two. We’re expecting a delivery of oats, but Mitch’ll be here to receive it. And I’d like to see that poor little dog again, see for myself that she’s doing okay.”

On the way to the clinic, they spoke about the dog, and Shallie felt more strongly than ever that Carly had a true emotional connection with the animal.