Page 84 of Then Came You

She nodded again, but this time, she had tears in her eyes. She turned away before she began sobbing uncontrollably. A few people were milling around in the store, and she didn’t want them witnessing her having a meltdown. Around here, it might end up in tomorrow’s newspaper!

“What should I tell Sam if he comes in here looking for you?”

She inhaled deeply. “Tell him the truth, that he can find me at home.”

Chapter 26

As soon as there was a break in the action, Sam approached the other two cops who were working the booth with him.

“Hey, do you guys mind if I cut out early?”

Dave, the older of the two, said, “Why? You got a hot date?”

Sam cringed but kept a straight face. “Yeah, with my fishing boat.”

“Yeah, right. We saw you talking up the bookstore babe.” This came from Chris, the younger cop.

Sam almost smiled at the nickname Chris had given Gillian, but he was trying not to give himself away.

“Go ahead,” Dave said. “There’s only another hour or so left anyway.”

Sam could have hugged him, but he settled for a handshake. “Thanks, man. I owe you one.”

As he was walking away, Savannah waved him over. While he wasn’t up for small talk, he decided she might have something important to tell him about Gillian.

“Hey. Gillian left in a hurry. Do you know where she went?”

“Probably back to the store, but I’m not sure. She seemed upset.”

“I was afraid of that.” He’d taken off his police hat, and he shoved his hand in his hair.

“She’s still hurting, you know.”

“I know.”

“But she cares about you a lot.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Well, what are you standing around here for, then? Go after her!”

He smiled and turned away, walking briskly through the crowd toward Main Street.

He refused to consider that Gillian might not want to see him, nor did he think about what he’d say when he found her. He just knew he had to get to her before it was too late.

When he reached A Latte Books, he pushed open the door and scanned the store, looking for her. Instead, Lauren popped her head up from behind a shelving unit.

“She’s not here,” Lauren said.

“Where’d she go?”

“Home.”

“Thanks.” He turned to leave, but she called out to him.

“Sam?”

“Yeah?”