Page 98 of Before and After


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“Emily.” I turned to introduce Gunnar, then paused.

He was staring at Emily like he’d just been hit by a bomb blast.

Emily looked up at him and the smile on her face froze. She stared at him, her lips parting, and he stared back.

What the hell?

“Emily, this is an old military buddy of mine, Gunnar O’Neill. Gunnar, this is Emily Hawkins. She’s the aunt of Tessa Ashford, the Langston Windward’s hotel manager.”

“A pleasure.” Emily held out one elegant hand.

“Hello.” Gunnar’s large hand engulfed hers.

They held on for a moment too long.

Blushing, Emily ran her hands down her long skirt. “Right, my two are starving, so I’d better get them fed. Leo’s around here somewhere.”

“Your husband?” Gunnar’s voice was gritty.

“No, my teenager.” She paused. “I’m a widow. I have one at college as well. It was nice to meet you, Gunnar. I’d better find some food for these kids before they hit hangry mode.”

Gunnar was still staring at her. “Actually, I just arrived and I’m hungry.”

She blinked. “Oh, you’re welcome to join us.”

He nodded. “That would be great.”

I bit back a smile. “I’ll catch you later. Take a good look around.” I looked back down at my sidekick. “Just the two of us, buddy. What’s next on our agenda?”

Ollie wrinkled his nose. “Maybe the petting zoo? Or the spooky maze?”

We walked through the crowd and out of habit I scanned around. No one seemed to be getting too rowdy and everyone was having fun.

Then the crowd parted, and I saw a tall man wearing a black leather jacket. Light glinted off his blond hair.

Moreland.

He smiled at me.

The crowd swallowed him up and I couldn’t see him anymore. I took a step forward.

“Caden?”

Ollie’s voice made me stop.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

I shook my head. “Nothing. Let’s?—”

Screams broke out.

I spun.

“Caden.” Paul’s voice in my earpiece. “We have a problem near the hot dog stand. A teenage girl has collapsed.”

“Heading there now.” I pressed a hand to Ollie’s shoulder. “Stay close to me.”

He nodded. We pushed through the crowd toward where a group of panicked people were gathering.