CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Ashley banged on the front door of the Appalachian farmhouse, alarmed that her father had failed to answer, wondering where he could be. The red Ford pickup he drove was parked in its normal spot, but there was no sign of Spencer Hope. And his Bluetick hound, Ace, hadn’t run to greet her when she’d pulled into the driveway.
She rattled the doorknob. It was locked. Also unusual in the daytime. Both Kyle and Shane worked at the auto shop until five. But per his doctor’s orders, her father had taken an extended vacation. He should be home.
The house sat still and quiet.
Too quiet.
The first thought that hit her: her father had suffered another heart attack and had been rushed to the hospital. But if that were the case, either Kyle or Shane would have called her.
