AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What?”
“Look.” She pointed to the corner of the screen, where the letters “MK” were clearly visible at the edge of the frame.
“Marvin Kasper. He sure went to a lot of trouble. I wish he’d just written us a letter.” Finally, another clue. It was validating to find that we weren’t completely on the wrong path.
“This is a lot more fun.”
“He left a lot to chance,” I pointed out. The tree could have been cut down. The whole place could have been turned into a parking lot.
“True. But he had faith in you.”
I stared at the number. “I think it’s a one.”
“Five fifteen then. What does it mean?”
“I don’t know. A time? A date?”
“A room number?” Emily asked.
“That could be it. That’d be one of the staff rooms we haven’t renovated yet.” Excitement sparked inside me. That had to be it. But there was nothing we could do about it now, and Aubrey wouldn’t be pleased to be left out of any part of the treasure hunt anyway.
I sent a quick text to Antonio, letting him know where we were as Emily texted her roommate so she wouldn’t worry. And then Emily and I settled back to wait.
Chapter Eleven
Snow Changes Everything
EMILY
There was something about being included in such an intimate family moment that had me feeling slightly ill at ease as we sat in the hospital waiting room. Really, I didn’t belong here. This was a family affair, and I’d kind of bustled my way into the Kasper’s lives already, demanding to help with the hunt. Now here I was witnessing one of the most intimate things a family could share.
I texted Christine again to get a pulse check on the whole situation.
Christine: A baby? That’s so exciting!
Me: But I’m not even vaguely related. I kind of feel like I inserted myself here.
Christine: Does it seem like anyone else feels that way?
I glanced at Archie, who was studying his own phone, and as if feeling my eyes on his face, his gaze darted up and held mine for a second, sending a shiver of warmth through me when he smiled.
Me: I don’t think so. Not really. It just feels . . . odd.
Christine: Think of it this way—it could make a great book!
Me: I’m not sure what kind of story it would be.
Christine: I think it’s a romance.
I glanced at Archie again, acknowledging that there was certainly an interest stirring in me. And he’d kissed me...
All day we’d shared little touches, warm looks—I knew it was mutual. I just knew it was probably also inadvisable. Still, it was all romantic. The hunt, the kiss, this unexpected time together.
Me: Maybe.
Christine: He kissed you. That doesn’t mean maybe.
Me: Hmm. Maybe not. At any rate, I think I’ll be gone a little while. Overnight for sure.
