“What’s going on?” I ask as Barrett’s large hands encircle my waist to lift me off the ledge. He takes my hand and leads me through the winery’s yard, around the side and out front.

“Barrett. What’s happening?”

“It’s Baxter. When Lucy took him outside, fireworks started going off at a neighbor’s house and he got scared. He ran off. She can’t find him.”

My heart sinks.

“Oh my God. I’m a terrible dog mom. I should have known he would be frightened. He hates storms, of course he’s going to hate fireworks. What was I thinking?! Now he’s out there somewhere alone and scared. What if he gets hurt? What if we don’t find him? What if—”

Barrett pulls me in close.

“We’re going to find him.” He says it matter-of-factly. “I’ll employ a full-time search and rescue team if I have to.”

“You’d do that? For Baxter?” I ask with tears in my eyes. Distraught that Baxter is missing, but with Barrett’s words, I’m feeling more hopeful that he’ll return safely.

“I’d do it for you. Because you love Baxter and I…” He pauses, looking down at me, “well, you’re my girlfriend. It only makes sense that I would use any means to make you happy.”

Right. It’s all about appearances. If we were really together and Barrett truly cared about me, finding Baxter would be top priority. That’s what he means. He’s got to play his part in this.

The car pulls up as the first whistle of a firework ascends into the night sky and bursts open brilliant red.

“We better hurry.” Barrett ushers me in. We keep our eyes out the windows on the drive home, but it’s dark and hard to see much.

When we arrive at the house, Lucy opens the door in a panic.

“I’m so sorry!” she says, her face full of guilt. “I took him outside and when the neighbors started setting off fireworks, he ran.”

I don’t even know where to begin the search, but Barrett already has a plan.

“It’s okay, Lucy, we’ll find him.” She nods, seemingly calmed by Barrett’s determination, just like I was. “You stay here in case he shows up. Chloe, you go with Mac in the car. Drive toward town, he might have wandered that way to get away from the sounds. I’m going out back, into the wooded area.”

He requests a flashlight from Lucy, who hurries to grab one from the pantry.

“Call me if you find him, and I’ll do the same,” he tells me before rushing out the back door.