6 Maple Leaf Hunter by Maddie Cochere Page B

little store today to find a pay phone. But everyone’s ok, and we’re having a good time. How are you and Bennett? How’s Lizzie? Is she being good?”
    “Lizzie is a doll, and we’re just fine,” she said. “It’s Joe who’s proving to be a handful.”
    I laughed. “He has a lot of energy for such an old dog, doesn’t he?”
    “He knows Lizzie’s schedule, that’s for sure,” she said. “If we’re late putting her down for her nap, he whines and drags her blanket around the house. He goes in the kitchen and barks when it’s time for her lunch. On top of that, he has his own schedule for his walks and potty breaks. He thinks he’s the one in charge here.”
    I stifled a laugh. I didn’t know if she thought Joe’s behavior was humorous, or if she was upset.
    “What’s Lizzie doing now?” I asked.
    “I’m sorry, honey,” she said. “She and Joe are on your bed taking a nap. They’ve only been asleep for about fifteen minutes.”
    I was disappointed, but I was happy to hear Lizzie was well and everything was under control at home. “Give her a big kiss from Mommy and Daddy,” I said. “I’ll call again tomorrow.”
    “Susan, there’s something else,” she said. “A man was here looking for you this morning. I assumed he knew you, because he knew you were in Toronto. He said he was supposed to meet with you when you came home yesterday, but you didn’t show up.”
    I had no idea what she could possibly be talking about, but then it suddenly came to me. My heart felt like it twisted in my chest. The men from the mall and the stolen gold seemed like such a long time ago, but who else would show up at my house knowing where I had been over the weekend?
    “Did he leave a message?” I asked. My heart was pounding so hard, I could feel it in my ears.
    “No, but he wanted to get in touch with you. I couldn’t find a telephone number, so I gave him the brochure to the Big Bear place where you’re staying. Mick left one on the kitchen counter.” She paused for a moment. “I hope that was ok. He made it sound like it was important.”
    I wanted to yell at her and ask how she could be so foolish, but I knew there was no way she could have known that giving the information to the man might put us in danger. Instead, I asked as calmly as my voice would allow, “What did he look like?”
    “He was an older man, maybe in his fifties,” she said. “He was pudgy, and he had brown hair and a nice face. He was polite.”
    “It’s ok, Evelyn,” I said. “If I don’t hear from him, I’ll get in touch with him as soon as we get back.”
    We said our good-byes, and I hung up the phone. I leaned my head against the wall and hyperventilated for a few minutes. I knew in my heart that something bad was going to happen. For a stranger to be so bold as to go to our house, I knew he must be desperate. I couldn’t help thinking again that the gold was in the RV somewhere.
    I didn’t know Walt had moved to stand behind me. I jumped when he asked, “Are you ok?”
    I turned around and tried to smile, but there were tears in my eyes. “I’m ok,” I said. “I just miss our little girl.”
    “How old is she?” he asked.
    “Two and a half,” I said.
    He flashed another smile and said, “They’re cute at that age.”
    I knew he would talk all day if I stayed in the store, but I wanted to get back to the lodge. It was important I talk with Darby as soon as possible. I thanked Walt for the use of the telephone and excused myself.
    Adrenaline propelled me forward as I raced down the road and onto the path. The heavily wooded section elicited no reaction from me, even though I was certain I heard twigs snapping every so often. I didn’t feel as if I was in danger, and I didn’t slow my pace.
    Beau was in the rocking chair when I raced up the steps and onto the porch. I threw a quick hello in his direction but went immediately to the kitchen to ask Emily when the guys would be back. I was disappointed