Page 18 of Second Chance for the Grump

Look up.

I scanned the crowd—the people, families, children, rides.

Then I found him. His hair was slightly more unkempt than the photo Maisey had shown me, but he had the same stupid smirk as he stood near the Ferris wheel.

Watching us.

His smile deepened when he noticed I’d caught him. He waved before turning and slipping into the crowd. My blood ran cold. He’d been here the entire time. Just as I’d suspected but wouldn’t say.

“Come on, we’re getting you out of here.” I grabbed Maisey’s arm.

She dug her heels in as I tried to get her to move. “No, tell me what’s happening.”

I gave the crowd another glance, searching for him. Too many people were here. I had to protect Maisey and then rescue Charlie. She came first.

“Jonathan is here,” I whispered as I took her cup from her and tossed it in the trash. She let me guide her toward the spot where we’d parked.

“How do you know?” she asked, keeping her head on a swivel, looking for him.

I contemplated lying, but couldn’t do it to Maisey. “He sent me a text, and I saw him.”

“But we have to find him, Rowan. He has Charlie.” Tears filled her eyes instantly. Charlie was on her mind tonight.

I nodded. “I know. We’re going to find him.” But first I had to get her to safety, and then I’d come back and hunt Jonathan down.

We were halfway to our parking spot when I heard the screaming.

Sounds erupted from somewhere deep in the center of the festival. The crowd shifted, coming at us as people pointed. The chaos spread quickly.

“Oh no. What now?” Maisey asked as smoke billowed up into the sky.

It wasn’t a lot of smoke but enough that I worried. It looked like Jonathan had started a distraction, and we weren’t falling for it. “Stay close to me.”

Maisey grabbed my hand, her icy fingers latching between mine.

The smoke thickened, and someone shouted fire at the top of their lungs. We moved deeper into the crowd, hunting for the source of the flames until we found it.

What the hell? How dumb.

Someone had lit the hay underneath the pumpkin display on fire. The flames grew quickly as they raced across the hay, but they hadn’t started a pumpkin on fire yet.

“Why would Jonathan do this? It wouldn’t spread beyond the display cart.”

To get away, I thought but didn’t speak. Another text came through to my phone as we watched someone at a nearby booth spray water over the fire to douse the flames.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, bringing her closer. She leaned into me, trusting me to keep her safe.

Maisey laid her head against my shoulder, and my entire body felt the sensation. It hit me like a punch to the gut.

I loved this woman.

Always had and always would.

Jonathan had crossed a line, but it ended here. I’d rescue Charlie and then take him and Maisey back to Alaska with me.

This wasn’t just about saving Maisey’s dog anymore. This was about us and our future. I spun her toward me and cupped her face.

Her gaze lifted to mine, her eyes full of fear yet hopeful.