Chapter 53

Amy was back in town, ready to cross the street when Flora met her.

“He’s late.”

“Excuse me?”

“Hero. I’ve been waiting forty-five minutes. He’s always out half an hour ago, by the town square clock.” She pointed to the big, cast-iron bear that had a clock mounted in its belly at the periphery of Central Park with an arrangement of sculpted Canadian wildlife strewn around it. “He’s never late.”

“He’s just busy, Flora.”

The old lady shook her head. “He carries Ryker to the park every day.” She turned to point at the park, even as they crossed the intersection together. “Over there. Ryker needs his walk. Three times a day. I’m always here, and we always talk. I always check on the pup.”

Amy pulled Flora along, helped her up the curb. “Want me to see how he’s doing?” She offered it out of respect, expected the old-timer would say no, that’s okay.

But Flora surprised her. She stood, immovable, her expression grim and her clear blue eyes blazing with worry. “He’s in trouble.”

It rattled Amy.

And a bit of worry threaded through her.

“Wait here,” she told Flora. “I’ll go see.”