Page 35 of Call It Love (Sterling Mill #5)

Anna

We spent hours in one of the UTVs and drove all over the farm, calling for Jordan. We drove up to the Christmas tree lots. We texted everyone we knew.

Nothing. No one had seen him.

We finally went to bed, but neither of us slept. We lay there, our fingers laced together, but saying nothing. Jordan had crept into our hearts, and neither of us would be okay until we found him.

By morning, my limbs felt sluggish, but my thoughts refused to slow down.

Chase was on his third cup of coffee by the time the sun rose.

We both kept peering out the window, hoping Jordan would stroll up in his casual way, even though it was Sunday.

Jack paced restlessly, his nails clicking across the floor.

Every now and then, he lifted his head and whined, soft and uneasy.

I bent to rub his ears. “I know, buddy. We miss him, too.”

Chase’s coffee cup banged on the table, startling me from my stare out of the large kitchen window. “I’m going to drive around again,” he said, already standing. “Maybe with more daylight, I’ll notice something.”

We both felt helpless and needed something to do. “Okay. I’m going to grab some things I left at the bunkhouse. Maybe make a few of his favorites to welcome him home. If he’s been out there not eating…” My throat tightened. I didn’t want to think about how miserable he might be.

I tried not to spiral. Maybe he was holed up at a friend’s house.

I knew Reid was following through on that, but so far, no one had seen him.

The fury that simmered beneath the surface flared.

His mother had entrusted her family to take care of her son when she was gone.

And while she wasn’t here to look out for Jordan, I was.

Right then, I made a silent vow to a woman I didn’t know that I would do everything to make sure he was taken care of.

Chase must have seen the storm brewing in my eyes because he wrapped me in a reassuring hug. “He’ll enjoy that. Don’t worry, Blossom. We’ll find him.”

After Chase left, I slipped on my sneakers and stepped out into the early morning.

The grass was damp with dew, and the sky was a dull wash of clouds that stretched across as far as I could see, even dulling the tops of the mountains in the near distance.

It matched my mood. And like the sky, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to let loose and cry or hold it all in until we knew something for sure about Jordan.

I walked the short path to the bunkhouse, the damp grass soaking through my shoes. Jack followed, sticking close to my side instead of bounding ahead like he usually did. Even he sensed the uncertainty that filled the air.

Inside, the small building was quiet. I couldn’t stop myself from looking at the chair at one end of the long table where Jordan usually sat.

Part of the group, but never in the middle of it.

Always on the edge. Toeing the line between being included and staying invisible.

Something I understood a little too well.

I headed to the kitchen and opened the cabinets, taking stock of what I had.

There were plenty of things I could make, but I wanted to be sure to have his favorites.

Comfort foods. Sloppy Joe sandwiches would be easy, and the meat would keep well in the crockpot for people to have as they came and went.

Maybe some coleslaw for a side. Jordan loved everything peanut butter, especially the cookies I made yesterday.

Even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

I smiled a little sadly as I remembered how I learned from his puckered face that he preferred strawberry jelly, not grape, on his sandwiches.

We’d need plenty of food as the search picked up today. Dozens of people said they’d come out today to help us look for the missing teen.

Everyone except his so-called family. The same ones who didn’t even bother to let anyone know he hadn’t come home on Thursday.

My hands gripped the countertop as a thousand awful thoughts rushed in. Bears. A stranger on the road. Being struck by a car. Lying sick or hurt somewhere.

No! I shook my head sharply. He’s smart. Resourceful. It was probably like Reid said. He’s pissed off at something and is cooling his jets somewhere.

I grabbed the jar of peanut butter from the pantry to make PB&J sandwiches, but paused when I twisted off the lid. Nearly half was gone—and I hadn’t used nearly that much for the batch of cookies I made yesterday.

A hum of awareness spread through me. I scanned the room. Everything seemed untouched from when I left yesterday, but someone had definitely been here .

Could Jordan have come for the food? Could he be here?

I stepped outside and called his name. “Jordan?”

Silence. And no footsteps other than my own.

The hope that fluttered through me faded.

Discouraged, I went back inside. Jack padded beside me, his nose twitching as he sniffed the air as if he, too, was searching for his new friend.

Suddenly, his ears perked and his body stiffened.

His eyes trained on one of the rooms off the kitchen. A low whine escaped his throat.

“What is it, boy?” I whispered.

He took a step forward, bristles raised.

That’s when I heard it, too—a soft creak. It was so quiet I might’ve missed it if Jack hadn’t gone on high alert.

My heart thudded against my ribs as I followed him to the room and pushed the door open. Nothing. The beds were empty, not having been made because no one actually stayed here anymore. The closet was closed, but then there was another tiny sound. The faintest of shuffles.

Please let it be him , I thought. Please.

I moved to the closet, hand trembling as I reached for the handle. A dozen possibilities flickered through my mind. I wanted to believe it was Jordan, but it wasn’t impossible it was a vagrant or a trapped animal.

I tightened my grip and yanked the door open.

And there he was.

Curled into the corner, knees pulled tight to his chest. He squinted against the light before recognition flickered in his eyes. Panic. Shame. And something like relief.

“Jordan,” I breathed, dropping to my knees.

He flinched at my movement, an instinctive and defensive reaction.

That’s when I saw it. A purple bruise mottled his swollen cheekbone. A thin cut split his lower lip, crusted but still raw. There were dark circles under his eyes, but not just from lack of sleep. His shirt was dirty and ripped, and my stomach twisted at the thought of what else it might be hiding.

“Jordan…” My voice cracked as his name slipped out.

Jack moved beside me, nosing into the small space, and let out a soft whimper. For a moment, they stared at each other. Then slowly, carefully, as if it pained him to do so, Jordan reached out and let his hand rest on Jack’s head. Jack stayed perfectly still.

“I didn’t know where to go,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

My throat burned. “Oh, honey. You came to the right place.”

Jordan still didn’t make any effort to move. My knees ached against the floor, but I didn’t move. I kept my voice soft and even as if I were speaking to a frightened animal. Or, in this case, a child. Because that’s what he was—just a boy trying to survive something he never should have had to.

“It’s just me here. I promise you’re safe to come out.”

Jordan kept quiet, but his fingers curled slightly in Jack’s fur.

“I know you must be hurting. And probably scared. But you don’t have to hide anymore.”

A tear slipped down his cheek. His eyes flicked to mine, red-rimmed and cautious.

“Are you hungry? I was going to make some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. And Sloppy Joes. Or I can make you anything else you want.”

He still didn’t move, but the tension in his shoulders eased some. Jack shifted to rest his head on Jordan’s knee.

“I need to let Chase know you’re okay,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “He’s out driving around trying to find you. He’s been worried sick. We both have. So have several others.”

His eyes flickered in what I thought might be surprise. He didn’t know how many people cared about him. After a pause, he nodded.

“I’ll be right back,” I promised. “You can come out when you’re ready. I’ll leave Jack with you.”

Again, he only nodded, but his fingers relaxed slightly on Jack’s fur.

I stepped outside the bunkhouse and hit Chase’s contact on my phone with trembling fingers. He answered on the first ring.

“Anna?”

“I found him. He’s here. In the bunkhouse.” The words tumbled out on a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“Oh, thank God.” Relief rang in his voice. “Is he okay?”

I hesitated. “Not really. Someone hurt him, Chase. He’s bruised and cut.” My voice caught on a sob. “Who would do that?”

“We’re going to find out, I promise,” he growled. “I’m on my way with Reid. He met me out here.”

“Don’t come in with guns blazing,” I warned. “He’s already scared. He’s hiding in the closet of one of the bunk rooms.”

We disconnected, and I went back to the bunk room. Jordan had crept out of the closet, but only just enough to get closer to Jack.

“Chase is on his way,” I informed him gently. “Sheriff Braxton, too.”

His eyes shot to mine, and panic shone in his eyes. “Am I in trouble?”

“No, honey. Not at all. We just want to make sure you’re okay. That’s all.”

His eyes dropped back to the floor, his body trembling more than ever.

“How about we get you something to eat? Or maybe to drink? I’ve got peanut butter cookies I stashed away from the others.”

That got a whisper of a reaction.

I reached out my hand and held it patiently.

After a long moment, Jordan slowly unfolded himself and took it.

I helped him to his feet, gently holding on as he gained his balance.

He leaned heavily on me, more than I expected.

It was an indication of how exhausted he must be, and that he might have more injuries than I could see.

Jack walked on the other side of him, a second silent guardian.