Ruby looked at him.
Thirty seconds.
Trust me.
She forced sound through her throat.
“Dad?”
Bear looked up.
“Yes, honey?”
The word nearly made her cry.
Not because it felt real.
Because Grant's face changed.
Only a fraction.
His eyes moved from Ruby to Bear.
Then back.
Grant said:
“Who is this?”
Ruby could not answer.
Bear did.
“Morning.”
Grant's polite smile returned.
“I'm Grant Mercer.”
Bear nodded.
“Jack.”
Grant extended his hand.
Bear looked at it.
Then shook.
Nothing hostile.
Nothing theatrical.
Grant said:
“I'm Ruby’s stepfather.”
Bear released his hand.
“Okay.”
“We've been searching for her for weeks.”
Bear looked toward Ruby.
She remained behind the counter.
“What for?”
Grant laughed softly.
“Family matter.”
Bear nodded.
“Those can be rough.”
Grant seemed relieved by the neutral response.
“Yes.”
He stepped closer to the counter.
“Ruby, grab your things.”
She did not move.
Grant's smile tightened.
“We need to go.”
Bear put his mug down.
“She working?”
Grant looked at him.
“Excuse me?”
Bear looked at Ruby.
“You on shift?”
Ruby nodded.
“Yes.”
Bear returned his gaze to Grant.
“Sounds like she's working.”
Dale exhaled loudly.
Grant raised a calming hand toward him.
“It's fine.”
Then to Bear:
“I appreciate you looking out for her.”
Bear said nothing.
“Ruby's been going through a difficult period.”
There it was.
The story.
“She left home without medication.”
Ruby flinched.
Bear noticed.
Grant continued.
“We've been working with family and authorities trying to locate her.”
Bear’s expression remained blank.
“Authorities?”
“Yes.”
“Which ones?”
Grant hesitated.
“Local police back home.”
Ruby knew that was technically true.
Grant had filed a missing person report after she left.
Police closed it once they confirmed Ruby was an adult and safe.
Grant rarely mentioned that part.
Bear asked:
“She missing?”
Grant looked at Ruby.
“To us.”
Bear nodded slowly.
That answer interested him.
Dale stepped forward.
“We drove seven hours.”
Bear looked at him.
“That sounds tiring.”
Dale frowned.
“We're not leaving without her.”
Ruby's hand tightened around the coffee pot again.
Bear saw it.
His voice remained mild.
“That's probably up to her.”
Dale laughed.
“No.”
Grant turned.
“Dale.”
Then smiled apologetically.
“He's protective.”
Bear glanced at Dale.
“Clearly.”
Grant looked at Ruby.
“Get your bag.”
Ruby heard her own heartbeat.
“No.”
Grant’s expression froze.
“What?”
“No.”
Dale moved.
Bear did not.
Ruby stepped backward.