Page 7 of The Finder

Emma nodded and tried to relax. “I started yesterday.”

“And she’s doing amazing. She’s a great addition around here,” Helen said as she came and stood next to Emma.

“I bet she is,” the officer said with a grin. “Hey, Helen, how’s business?”

“Not bad. Things could be better, but at least I’m still in business, right?” Helen said with a smile.

Emma glanced over at her. She wondered if the shop was in trouble. She would have to ask Helen about it later.

“You get coffee yet?” Helen asked.

“I’m ordering now,” the officer said. Looking back at Emma, he smiled and ordered his coffee. Emma rang him up and turned to go make his and the older officer’s coffee. She brought the two cups back to the counter.

“Here you go,” Emma said to the younger officer.

“Thanks so much...” he left it hanging.

“Emma,” Emma said.

“Emma,” he said with a smile. “I’m Kevin.” He reached out his hand to shake hers and Emma tentatively put hers out. She shook hands really quickly, so that whatever happened with Liam wouldn’t happen with him. When they shook hands and nothing happened, Emma breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe whatever had happened earlier was all in her head. She smiled at herself. She was just being paranoid. “Well, thanks for the coffee, Emma. Take care.”

“Have a good one,” Emma called out to him and the other officer as they made their way to the front door.

“Wow, you’re on a first-name basis with the police already. That’s pretty impressive.” Emma jumped at the voice and turned to find Liam leaning against the counter.

“I thought you left,” Emma said in surprise.

His eyebrows raised. “Trying to get rid of me, huh?”

“Oh, no, of course not,” Emma said trying to correct the situation.

Liam laughed. “Sure, you weren’t,” he said easily. “So, Emma,” he said, still leaning against the counter. “Tell me about yourself,” he said.

“Oh, um,” Emma stammered. Thankfully, Helen stopped in.

“If you want to get to know Emma, take her on a date. Now leave her alone and let her get back to work, Liam,” Helen said and Emma felt her whole face light up. She looked down.

Liam chuckled. “Okay,” he said, standing up. “Can I get your number, Emma?” he asked as he grabbed his phone out of his back pocket.

“No,” Emma said immediately.

He looked at her in surprise for a moment. Helen leaned next to Emma and whispered loudly, “He’s not used to getting turned down.” Emma felt her face blush even more.

“No, it’s not that. I just don’t have a phone,” Emma said awkwardly.

Liam looked at her for a moment in confusion. “How do you not have a phone?” Emma just shrugged, playing it off. But Liam wouldn’t let it go. “What do you do in case of emergency?” he asked.

Emma smiled slightly and cocked her head. “People survived before there were cell phones, Liam,” she said. He looked at her like he couldn’t fathom such a thing. Emma couldn’t help but laugh. He finally indulged her with a smile.

“Well, tell me you at least live in a safe place,” he said.

Emma stiffened. She didn’t want him or even Helen to know where she lived. Emma couldn’t understand why he was so concerned about her. “It’s perfectly safe,” she said, trying to project confidence. I mean, she figured it was safe enough.

“Go ahead and clock out, Emma,” Helen called out to her from the back.

“I’ll just wait while you clock out. Then I can walk you to your car, since you don’t have a phone and all,” he said with a grin.

Emma stared at him for a moment. “What is with you and phones? I am perfectly fine. You don’t need to walk me to my car,” she stumbled over the last word.

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