Mom listens as I fill her in on what’s been going on since August. She remains quiet, even after I’m finished. I can’t tell if she’s mad about Grandma’s ring, or disappointed in my choices. I definitely wasn’t expecting her to say what she says next.

“I’m disappointed in you, Jaxon. I thought I raised you to be a respectful man, and to treat women with kindness.”

“What?”

“You’re attacking this poor woman with no proof whatsoever. What’s wrong with you?”

“All signs point to Raegan taking the ring. I … I just …”

“You listened to your father, that’s the problem.” She shakes her head. “I love that man, Lord knows I do, but he has steered you in the wrong direction. I will deal with him later. As for you, you need to make things right with that girl of yours.”

I scrub my hands over my face. “I don’t know what else to do, Mom. I don’t think flowers and an apology are going to cut it this time.”

“You’re damn right, they won’t. You’re going to have to suffer a little while you think about it. This girl sounds like a tough cookie. I like her and I don’t even know her.”

A smile breaks through my worried features. “She is a tough cookie. She slapped me after finding out about the search warrant.”

“Good. You deserve it. I’d have smacked you too.”

I laugh. “I know you would’ve.”

“You like her, don’t you?”

I shrug and avert my eyes, toying with the frayed edges of the pillow beside me. “I’ve liked her since the moment I met her. Things just got a little … messed up after the ring went missing.”

“Then you’ve got to show her you’re not going anywhere. You’ve got to earn her trust back.”

“How do I do that when she won’t even talk to me?”

“You’ll think of a way. It might take some time, but she’ll come around.”

“How do you know that?”

Mom smiles. “Because she wouldn’t be this angry if she didn’t like you too.”

Monday after work, I walk into the nursing home with a lead ball in my stomach.

I’m hoping to run into Raegan, though I’m not sure how she’ll receive me. She wasn’t at the nursing home this weekend. I know she’s avoiding me, but I went both Saturday and Sunday anyway.

The police’s search proved what I’d suspected: no ring.

Grandpa looks over at me and signs, Everything okay?

I don’t have the heart to tell him about Grandma’s ring. Omitting that part from the story, I try my best to tell him what’s bothering me.

I heave a sigh, pushing the pool water around with my hands before signing, Raegan’s mad at me.