At the moment, he had a different problem on his hands. He didn’t know where she was, and the snow showed no signs of stopping. He sighed and looked at Grom. “I have to go look for her.”

Grom tipped his big head at Van and woofed.

Van reached for his coat hanging beside the door. “Don’t worry, I will find her. I might be angry, but I can’t let her get hurt because of this. She could die in this kind of weather.”

He pulled his jacket on, grabbed his crutch, and headed onto the porch. Grom whined to follow, but Van shut the door. Then he stood on the porch and inhaled, searching for her scent, for some clue of where she might have gone.

But there was nothing. The snow had blanketed everything in a thick layer, taking with it any chance of finding Lisa.

And it was still coming down.

Frustration built in him, doubling what he already felt. He was angry now, not just with her, but at himself. He’d acted rashly, out of emotion. That was the dragon in him. But his human side knew better.

Didn’t it? He wanted to think so. Trouble was, both sides liked Lisa a lot, and right now, both sides were hurting. It was impossible to separate man from beast when it came to matters of the heart like this.

He walked to the edge of the porch to look for tracks again. Nothing. No car tires, no footprints. Unbelievable. He peered down the drive, trying to see through the falling flakes for any indication of where she might have gone.

His phone vibrated. Could that be her? He yanked it out of his back pocket to check the screen.

Not her. Pandora. He answered. “Hello.”

“Hi there. What are you doing?”

Standing outside, feeling like an idiot. “Nothing. What are you doing?”

“Watching your pretty rehab therapist get nice and toasted at Howler’s. What did you do?”

“What?” She was at Howler’s. That was good. Safe. Warm. But getting drunk did not seem like Lisa. Not that he knew her. “I did not do anything.”

“Really? Because she told Bridget you kicked her out.”

He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment and sighed. “I did.”

“Are you serious? If I was there, I would punch you. And not in a kind, loving manner. Why on earth would you do that in this weather?”

“Long story.”

“I’m sure.”

“Why are you at Howler’s? Shouldn’t you be home with Cole?”

“Charisma came home when she found out about us getting engaged, so we’re having a girls’ night out. We came here so we could hang with Bridget for a bit too.”

“We?”

“Me, Charisma, Marigold, Willa, and Roxy. We invited Delaney and Ivy too, but they’re occupied with babies. Well, Ivy’s not yet, but she thinks it could be any minute, so she bowed out.”

He didn’t care if she was hanging out with Elenora Ellingham herself. “Good. Keep Lisa there until I get there. I am on my way.”

“Hold up, buddy boy. Stay right where you are.”

“Why?”

“Because, smarty-pants, you kicked her out. She may not want to see you. Ever think about that?”

He hadn’t. “But we need to talk.”

“I’m sure you do, but you’re not doing it here until I talk to her first and make sure she wants your company.”

He groaned. Women.

“I’m serious,” she said. “You walk into this joint before I tell you it’s okay, and I’ll turn you into a salamander.”

His eyes widened. “You have such a mean streak, kotyonok.”

“Don’t call me kitten. I don’t know what you’ve done yet.”

“I did not do—” He groaned. “Fine. Talk to her. But I would like a chance to speak with her before she leaves town.”

“Well, you’ve got some time. Airport’s closed because of the weather. She’ll be here at least another day.”

“Good.”

“I’ll call you as soon as I know where her head’s at.”

“Thank you.”

“Give my love to Gromit.” She hung up.

He tucked the phone away, took hold of his crutch, and went back inside. Grom looked at him expectantly. “We are not going anywhere. Aunt Pandora is a pain in my zhopa. Also, she says she loves you.”

Grom knew very well who Pandora was. He let out a little bark.

Van nodded. “Yes, just you. Me, she is not so happy with.”

“Lisa?”

Monalisa looked up from her second spiked hot chocolate to see a familiar face. “Hmm? Oh, yes. Well, it’s Monalisa, actually.” No point in keeping up the charade now. “And you’re Pandora. The woman with the ring.” She smiled sadly. “How nice for you.”

“Yep, that’s me.” She hooked her thumb toward the woman beside her. “And this is my sister, Charisma.”

Monalisa glanced at the other woman. She was sharply dressed in a silk blouse and black riding leggings tucked into black riding boots. Her tweed jacket added a nice touch. Like she’d just stepped off the cover of some British horse magazine. Her sleek brunette bob was nothing like Pandora’s red hair, but Monalisa could see the resemblance in the shape of their eyes. “Nice to meet you.”

Charisma stuck out her hand and smiled. “Nice to meet you as well. Pandora tells me you’re a rehab therapist here to get Ivan out of the dumps and back in the ring.”

Monalisa barked out a laugh, startling them both. “Yeah, no.”