Page 103 of Grumpy on the Mountain

"It's been checked. He's not inside," the Sheriff Cooper says reluctantly, eyes dropping to the floor.

My mind races to the worst possible conclusion—Riley has Maisie. My niece. My sunshine. In the hands of a man who broke me so thoroughly I had to rebuild myself from scratch.

I can hear the snow hitting the windows, the tick of Sienna's kitchen clock, the collective breath everyone seems to be holding. The temperature in the room seems to drop ten degrees as everyone's eyes shift between me and Beau.

I can practically feel the collective realization settling over the gathered crowd.

"Riley," I whisper.

"Son of a bitch," Beau growls, his hands clenching into fists. "If he's touched one hair on her head—"

"Now, let's not jump to conclusions," Sheriff Cooper interrupts diplomatically, but there's steel in his voice that suggests he's thinking the same thing we all are.

Through the window, I can see more rescue vehicle lights sweeping through the neighborhood, their beams cutting through the snow like searchlights hunting for our missing little girl.

The front door bangs open, letting in a swirl of snow and cold air along with Charlie from the tavern, stamping his boots and shaking flakes from his jacket.

"Any word?" he asks, scanning the room.

"Nothing yet," Betty reports, automatically handing him a mug of coffee. "But Jamie's teams are being very thorough."

"Good," Charlie nods grimly. "Because I don't like the idea of that city bastard anywhere near our kids."

The protective fury in his voice echoes around the room, and I realize that Maisie isn't just Sienna's daughter anymore.

She's Stone River Mountain's daughter.

And this town doesn't take kindly to threats against their own.

My phone buzzes with a text, and I glance down to see a message from Jamie:"Still searching. No sign yet. How are you holding up?"

I'm typing a response when Sienna's voice cuts through the room like a knife.

"Did anyone check the old mill?" she asks suddenly. "She's been fascinated by that place ever since David showed her the water wheel last month."

Sheriff Cooper nods, making a note. "I'll radio the teams."

The snow outside is getting heavier, and through the window I can see how the rescue lights are starting to diffuse into halos of illumination instead of sharp beams. Time is running out for an easy search.

That's when the back door slams shut, followed by the sound of little boots stomping off snow.

"Hey Mom," Maisie calls out cheerfully, appearing at the side of the kitchen with snow still clinging to her purple winter coat and matching boots.

Her cheeks are pink from the cold, and she's casually licking a rainbow-colored lollipop like she's just returned from a perfectly normal neighborhood adventure. She stops short when she sees the room full of adults all staring at her like she's risen from the dead.

"Um, Mom. What's everybody doing here?"

Just then, the front door bangs open and Frank Barrett stumbles in, snow coating his beard, looking frantic.

"I thought I saw… coming around the back—" He stops dead when he sees Maisie standing there. "Well, I'll be damned. There she is."

Sheriff Cooper immediately reaches for his radio. "All units, this is Sheriff Cooper. Missing child located. She's home safe. Stand down, I repeat,stand downthe search."

Nobody moves. Nobody breathes. Even the snow outside seems to pause mid-fall.

Then Sienna is swarming her daughter, dropping to her knees to pull Maisie into a hug so fierce I'm surprised the kid can breathe.

"Oh my God, oh my God, where have you been?" Sienna's voice is muffled against Maisie's purple hood. "We've been looking everywhere for you!"