That seemed to be enough for her. He turned into the gravel drive at a slow pace.

“He’s not here,” Grace said with a sigh.

At least Dameon didn’t have to worry about breaking his word with her.

“Our cars were parked over there.” She waved a finger in the air. “Stop here and leave your lights on.”

He put the truck in park, left the engine running, and jumped out.

Grace briskly walked across the drive and concentrated on the ground. “We were here.” She spread her arms out. “I put the phone on top of his hood right about here.”

They searched the ground in silence.

Dameon looked far beyond where Grace said she’d last seen it. He walked around his truck and to the edge of the drive through the dry ditch. When he looked back at Grace, he imagined her there with the asshole who scared her. The place was dark. The closest mobile homes were equally dark, as if the residents weren’t there or used blackout blinds to stop the headlights from shining in. Who would hear her if she screamed? Someone would, but would they do anything?

Dameon’s mind went beyond the darkness and conjured up a whole lot of what-ifs. What-iffing was a waste of time, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. He noted the name of the mobile home park. He wouldn’t ask Grace who the man was. Dameon would figure that out easily enough.

“I don’t see it.”

Dameon pulled his cell out of his pocket. “I’ll call your number.”

“Good idea.”

He found her contact and pressed it. They both stood motionless and listened.

“Did you have the ringer off?” he asked.

“I don’t think so.”

It rang several times before going to voice mail.

“You’re sure you left it on the hood of his car?”

“Positive.”

“Maybe he grabbed it,” Dameon said.

“If he did, he won’t bother giving it back. Probably toss the thing in the garbage or roll over it on purpose.”

Dameon hoped that was all he would do.

He put his cell away and walked back to her side. “Guess we need to go shopping.”

“The last thing I want to do during the Christmas rush.” Her gaze still scanned the ground.

“Did you try using the app for finding your phone?”

Grace looked at him as if he were a genius. “I didn’t even think of that.”

Someone pulled into the driveway and slowed down as they drove by.

“Let’s stay warm in the cab of the truck.”

They climbed in and he hit the dome light. He searched the internet for finding a lost cell phone and followed the directions someone had taken the time to spell out.

Grace gave him the information he needed. A map of the area came up and pinged their exact location.

“But it’s not here,” Grace said.

Dameon jumped around a little online. “It says it will locate your phone the last time it had a charge. Was the battery dead?”

“Half a charge if not more.”

He kept searching.

“I’m going to take another look.”

Before he could argue, she jumped back out of the truck and scanned the ground.

Dameon dug up another possibility. One that involved someone taking the sim card out of the phone in that location, therefore disabling the finding apps.

He killed the engine on the truck and joined her a second time. They both dialed her number and listened for a buzz of a vibrating phone.

“I don’t think it’s here,” Dameon said.

“You’re right. Damn, this sucks.” Grace waved her work phone in her hand. “I still have this.”

“We can get over to the phone store and pick you up another one.”

She shook her head. “Not tonight.” Grace glanced at her watch. “It’s already after seven. I’m starved.”

He paused. “Are you suggesting we get something to eat?”

Their eyes met, and she smiled for the first time that night. “I’ll buy you dinner. It’s the least I can do for putting you through the paces today.”

“You don’t have to ask me twice.”

“Do you like prime rib?” she asked.

“Love it.”

“I know just the place. Away from the mall and not crowded during the week.”

“Sounds perfect.”

He opened the passenger door and waited for her to get in.

Grace wasn’t ready to be alone. She knew she was breaking the rules, but she’d crossed that line when she called Dameon in the first place. So what’s dinner with the man going to do?

The Backwoods was an old-school steak house complete with dark wood and red tufted seats. The bar looked like it had been plucked out of an old west saloon, and the floor was littered with sawdust. The drinks were stiff and the prime rib filled the whole plate.

Dameon opened the door and waited for Grace to walk inside. It was a simple gesture, one that some women shunned and others expected. For Grace, it was unassumingly nice. She’d grown up with brothers who were taught to open doors and stand up for girls. At the same time, her parents told her to depend on herself. She’d chosen a profession that was testosterone charged because it was what she knew. As long as she held up her end, she’d be treated with respect. Apparently, that ended at home and didn’t follow her into the workplace.

The hostess smiled as they walked in the door. “Hello.”

Grace knew the woman but had forgotten her name. “Is Carrie here tonight?”

“She is.”

Carrie was a friend from high school that had been working there since she was old enough to serve alcohol.

The hostess grabbed two menus and walked in front of them.

“Do you know everyone in this town?” Dameon asked.

“That’s what happens when you live in the same place your whole life.”

They were placed in a half-moon booth, giving her and Dameon the opportunity to sit closer to each other than if they were in individual chairs with a table separating them. They both shrugged out of their coats and scooted into the booth.

“I didn’t think these places existed anymore,” Dameon confessed once the hostess left.

“They do. I know a few around here for different types of food. You can get fancy closer to where I live, but the quality for the price can’t be beat here.” Not that The Backwoods was cheap, but it wasn’t anything compared to downtown LA where Dameon lived.

She couldn’t help but wonder if this felt hick to him.

If it did, she’d rather know now.

Carrie walked up to the table with a huge grin. She leaned over to hug Grace. “I haven’t seen you for at least a month. How are you?”

“Busy, like always. How’s Cody?”

“Turns five next month. Hard to believe.” Carrie glanced at Dameon.

“Dameon, this is Carrie. We met in tenth grade.”

Carrie smiled with a nod. “Lovely to meet you,” she said.

“Likewise,” Dameon said.

“Oh, that voice. Are you in the movies or do radio?”

He laughed. “Afraid not.”

“Well, you should. Don’t you think, Grace?”

“I’m sure he’d have a long career doing voice-overs,” Grace said.