Page 62 of Where I Found You


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A muscle flexed in Noah’s jaw. “That’s horrible. What a creep.”

Elisa shrugged one shoulder. “It’s been years now. But back then, when it was fresh, I wondered why I wasn’t enough for him. Or honestly, it was probably more like I was too much.” As was the case with other men in her life, namely, her dad.

Noah’s voice came out low. “You don’t deserve that.”

“What’s this?” Elisa bumped her shoulder into Noah’s, hoping to lighten the mood. “A Hebert wishing good things on a Bergeron?”

“Stranger things have happened.” His jaw relaxed, which helped her own shoulders release.

“Enough about my ex.” Elisa rubbed her hands down her jean-clad legs. “Let’s go back to the Bible you found. Was there anything else with it?”

Noah held her gaze a moment, as if double-checking she really wanted to change the subject. Then, thankfully, he obliged. “Not that I saw. But that note in the margins really brings up so many questions. Like, if Grandpa didn’t leave her, then why did everyone talk about it the way they did? Why blame it on Grandpa? And to that point, why would Grandma Edith choose to leave him?”

Elisa didn’t think Noah expected an answer, but she wished she had one to give. “I’m sure divorce can be complicated. My parents stayed together, but my mom died, and…well.” She swallowed. “Nothing was quite the same after that, either. I guess in some ways divorce is like a death, you know? And people grieve differently.”

Noah’s eyes shifted from wide to slightly lazy as he tilted his chin, contemplating her. “That’s really wise. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Movement behind Noah caught her gaze—a woman approaching the walking trail that wove past their bench, a heavy tote bag on one shoulder. “Oh look, here comes Sadie.” Was it her imagination, or did Noah scoot farther away?

He casually tucked the clue card into his back pocket. “We keep running into her.”

“Hazards of a small town.” Elisa waved as the woman drew closer. “Hi, Sadie. Did you hear today’s weather report?”

“Cade warned me earlier.” Sadie laughed as she slowed in front of their spot. “But I’m desperate. I’m in Chug a Mug every morning at six before opening up my shop, and most afternoons at three for my caffeine fix.”

Noah chuckled. “A woman of routine. I can respect that.”

Elisa cast him a glance. He’d definitely moved farther away. “Maybe the weather has changed since this morning. Just don’t try the mocha.” She wrinkled her nose. “Good luck!”

“You too.” Sadie shot them a knowing glance before adjusting her bag strap on her shoulder and picking up her pace.

Noah’s brow furrowed as he watched her leave. “Did that seem…weird?”

“A little awkward. But probably because you were about to fall off the bench over there.”

He flushed. “This hunt is a need-to-know basis, remember?”

“I know, but I warned you about the small-town hazard. Some things are inevitable.” She tried not to look at Noah’s lips as the word lingered on her own. But he was sure looking at hers.

Then he abruptly tugged the card from his pocket. “Let’s figure this thing out so we can move forward.”

Elisa wasn’t sure if he meant literally or figuratively, and this wasn’t the moment to clarify. He read the clue out loud, competing with the Golden Doodle’s eager barks across the field, while Elisa mouthed the words silently over his shoulder.

The origin of that fateful command

Lives among us even today

Search the books if you want to find

The truth to end a fray. (UJC)

And like gears sliding into place, it hit her. “The origin of that fateful command.” She clapped her hands together. Why hadn’t she gotten it sooner?

Noah jerked back against the bench. “Huh?”

It made so much sense now. She gripped his arm. “Who gave Paul Revere the order to ride?”

“Grandpa was the history buff, not me.” Noah thumped the card with two fingers. “I know Hamilton lyrics, at best.”