Page 79 of Running to You

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A few minutes later, the guys stood, stepping aside to let Eliza lead the way back to the foyer. She was eager to get on the road and talk through everything she’d learned with Sam. The memories were close now. A little prompting, and they’d come back.

“Can I talk to you privately for a second?” Jon’s voice came from right behind her, and she turned, but he was addressing Sam. Holding his gaze like he was trying to tell him something.

Sam noticed it too. “Sure. We can talk outside.”

“Wait.” She moved in front of the door. “Is this about me?”

Jon’s expression gave nothing away.

Sam said, “I’ll find out and let you know.”

She focused on Jon. “I want to hear what you learned.”

His gaze flicked from her to Sam. “Just give us a minute, okay?” He reached past her for the door.

Sam followed, but she grabbed his arm, feeling the strength there as he turned back. “This is my story. I have a right to hear.”

“And I’ll tell you. I promise.” He followed Jon outside.

Grant was standing beside her.

“Do you know what they’re talking about?”

“Nope.”

“He didn’t tell you?”

“Everything I knew, Jon just told you both. So whatever that is…?” He shrugged. “I wouldn’t worry about it. Maybe he thinks it’ll upset you.”

“You don’t think this is upsetting? Being left alone?”

Grant pressed his hands against his chest and stepped back. “I’m wounded.”

She wasn’t ready to let go of her anger, but she couldn’t help the amusement that tipped her lips up.

He nodded to the store. “Let’s see what they have.”

“Big fan of shopping, are you?”

His only answer was a low chuckle, but he held out his arm in an after you gesture.

Like she was in the mood to shop. But she stepped into the place. It was bigger than she’d first guessed. She walked among the displays but barely registered the offerings. Coffee cups. T-shirts. Keychains. Magnets. In the back hung a small selection of ski apparel.

Why hadn’t Jon told her what he’d learned? What was the secret?

She was drawn to a rack of baby clothes. Tiny T-shirts, sweatshirts, bibs, socks, all New Hampshire themed. She fingered a baby-soft moose with a little blanket attached. She imagined an infant cuddled up with it. She’d always wanted children, a family.

Where had that dream gone?

What had she been doing for the last five years?

She slid around the display and saw Grant staring at a pink T-shirt that read, Daddy’s Little Girl.

Huh.

“I don’t think that’ll fit you,” she said.