“What do you mean there’s no sign of Linda? It’s not like the bitch could just disappear!” I growl into the phone.

“Buddy, we’re doing all we can. It’s not like we even have proof Linda is behind all of this. We’ve basically got nothing. All we can do is question her—and that’s if we can find her.”

“Then, we need to put out—”

“I can’t put out anything. She’s innocent in the law’s eyes right now. I can’t have state police out searching for her.

“Fucking hell,” I mumble, understanding what Luka is saying, but not liking it one damn bit.

“I know you’re upset,” Luka starts.

“I’m beyond upset. I can deal when it’s my life she fucks up. I figure that’s what I get for tangling up with the bitch in the first place, but this is Addie’s life she’s messing with.”

“I know you’re not happy, but we really are doing everything we can. Addie’s father is even using his connections to have the Dallas P.D. on alert for her.”

“He told us, but it’s like I told him, I doubt Linda is in Dallas. It wouldn’t surprise me if she isn’t hiding out here in Mason somewhere.”

“We’re checking that out too, Black, I promise. We can’t do it officially, but we are doing it.”

“I know,” I sigh, knowing that taking my anger out on Luka isn’t going to accomplish anything. “It’s all just so damn frustrating.”

“I get that. Petal isn’t exactly too happy these days either,” Luka says and I know he’s right. I scratch my forehead and do my best to rein in my anger. It’s not Luka’s fault.

It’s mine.

I’m the one that allowed that toxic woman into my world, and to affect my family.

“You still coming back to work tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Addie’s demanding it. She says I’m smothering her.”

Luka laughs in response to that. I wish I could find something funny. The truth is, since she came back from her job interview I’ve stuck by her side like glue. I want to protect her from Linda and until I locate her, I need Addie in my sight at all times. I didn’t want to go back to work, but she insisted. She said that her and Mom are going to can tomatoes tomorrow—which is what they were doing today when she shooed me away like I was a pest. She loves working in the kitchen with my mother and it’s a good distraction for her—so I guess I should be thankful. Part of me is, I guess. Another part wishes she was with me right now. Which would be bad. I’m on a top secret mission and I’m doing it in hopes of surprising Addie.

I just hope she sees it like that…

“I’ll talk to you later, Luka. I’ve just pulled into the old Collins building.”

“Good luck, buddy. Hope it works out.”

“Me too,” I tell him and then quickly hang up the phone.

“Mr. Lucas, I’m glad you could make it,” Peter Graves says, reaching out to shake my hand the minute I get out of my truck.

“Mr. Graves. I appreciate the call. I didn’t realize it would be you I was meeting with,” I respond, feeling a little uncomfortable.

“Please. When Ida Sue called me and told me what you were looking for, I just had to show you first hand. It’s a beauty, isn’t it?” he asks, looking up at the building like it was a work of art.

I study it for a minute. It has always been one of my favorite buildings. It’s outside of downtown, but it’s within ten minutes of the bowling alley, and the city park. It used to house Stampede, a popular steak house. The business shut down when the owner died. The building itself is covered in white brick and is two stories. The entire lower half—which is huge—is mostly glass in the front and there’s a large deck to the side for outdoor eating. The landscaping is non-existent but with some work it could be just as nice as any of those fancy restaurants in Dallas.

“How big is it?” I ask, my mind working now to try and see it in Addie’s eyes.

“The restaurant dining area—not counting the kitchen is around eighteen hundred square feet, so for fine dining that’s around ninety give or take and that doesn’t count the outdoor area.”

“I see.”

“It’s more than big enough for our area—if that’s what concerns you,” Mr. Graves says.

“What about upstairs?”

“It’s a complete home really. There’s even a deck off the back that leads down into a yard. It’s an open floor plan, so you feel as if there is more space. It’s a great starter home. “Shall I take you through the tour?” he asks when I don’t answer right away.

“You’re positive this place is mine, if I want it?”

“I wouldn’t have called otherwise, Black. Your family and I go way back. And to be quite frank, this property has been bank owned for three years. I’d like to get it off my records and I’d consider it an honor to help you purchase your home.”

“Can I call Addie and Mom to come over and look at it?” I ask, suddenly feeling better about things than I have since this whole mess with Linda started.

“Sounds good,” he smiles. “If you’re wanting your young lady to be a part of the decision you can’t hardly buy it until she gives her approval. I actually thought she’d be here with you,” he says as I take my phone out to dial.

“I wanted to make sure it was okay and that there wouldn’t be any issues if she fell in love with it first. I don’t want Addie to have any more disappointments.”

“That happens when we fall in love,” he says, smiling and I don’t argue… because it’s true.

“Hey Mom? Can you bring Addie over to the old Collins Building?” I ask the minute she says hello.

“That I can do my boy. Especially if this means what I think it does.”

“Yeah… Well if Addie likes it,” I tell her grinning into the phone.

“Praise Jesus, I guess miracles still happen,” she says and if I wasn’t too busy grinning and thinking about Addie’s reaction I’d grumble at her.

“Mom—”

“My boy finally stopped dragging his di—”

“Mom, Mr. Graves is waiting with me,” I remind her, cutting her off.

“We’ll be there in two shakes of a lamb’s tail. We just finished the last of the tomatoes.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

I hang up the phone and look at Mr. Graves—still smiling.

“Maybe I could see the upstairs, since that’s the part I’m most concerned with,” I tell him.

“Sounds good,” he says walking me toward the entrance. “I must admit, I am curious about one thing,” Mr. Graves says, ushering me back towards the kitchen where there’s an entrance door that leads to a stairway.

“What’s that?” I ask, taking in the old oak stairwell and liking everything about it. If Addie and I decided to move out into a house later on, we could rent the upstairs out for extra income, maybe even convert it into apartments which might entice staff to live there…

“Why didn’t you ask Ms. Harrington’s father for help when it came to finding a place. He does own several banks, after all.”

“It’s really something I wanted to do on my own. I don’t really want my future father-in-law helping me find a home. It’s my job to provide for Addie now,” I tell him. “It might be old-fashioned, but that’s who I am.”

“I like that,” he says. “The world moves too fast these days,” he adds just as he opens the entrance to the home. I take one look at the open living area and large kitchen with marble counters and I know Addie is going to love it. I love it…

Most of all I love that I’ve found mine and Addie’s home. Things are definitely looking up.

If only I could close the book on Linda…