Page 13 of The Finder

Garrett turned back to look at her and she froze at the anger in his eyes. She took a tiny step backwards before he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then looked into her eyes again. “I’ll take whatever he had,” he said, cocking his head in the direction of the door Kevin had just exited.

Emma paused and looked up at him. “Um, I don’t think you’re going to like it,” she said softly. Actually, she thought he would hate it. He had only ever ordered a black dark roast, the darker the better. She couldn’t imagine him all of a sudden springing for the sugary drink she had just created.

“I’ll get a large black dark roast as well,” he added, ignoring her comment. Emma shrugged and rang up his drinks. Emma told him the total, and he held out his cash. Before she could take it, he pulled his hand away. She looked up at him, confused. “Did you go shopping yet?” he asked. Emma froze. She hadn’t, but she wasn’t sure if she should say that to him or not. “I can see from your hesitation that you haven’t. Go buy what you need with the money, Emma. If you don’t, I’ll take matters into my own hands,” he said in a low voice.

Emma felt a shudder run down her spine. She wasn’t sure she ever wanted to defy this powerful man, yet she didn’t think she could do what he was asking of her. She didn’t say anything and reached out for the money again. This time, he let her have it. She gave him his change then spun around to make the drinks. Her hands were a little shaky this time. She tried to remember exactly how she had made the first one. Finally, she finished and carried both cups over to Garrett. “All right. A large black dark roast and a white chocolate raspberry vanilla latte,” Emma said.

She watched as Garrett picked up the raspberry drink first. Without breaking contact with her, he tipped it back and took a drink. Expressionless, he set it back down. “Yep. I don’t like it. You can have it,” he said. Then without another word, he turned and walked across the shop.

Emma stared at his retreating back. She looked down at the cup, unsure of what to do. She had told him he wouldn’t like it. Why in the world would he buy it then? She waited to make sure he wasn’t facing her before picking up the cup and taking a quick sip. She closed her eyes. It was heavenly. When she opened her eyes, she met Garrett’s intense eyes across the room. He tipped his head at her and left the store with Emma staring after him, bewildered.

Chapter 10

“Did I miss anything?” Helen asked as she came in the front door with supplies in hand.

Emma turned to her. “I sold one of my drinks,” she said with a smile. She didn’t tell her about the second drink.

“To who?” Helen asked.

“The police officer—Kevin,” Emma said. “He liked it.”

“Well, of course he said that; but he doesn’t count. We need to find somebody else to try it,” she said.

Emma looked at her, confused. “Why doesn’t Kevin count?”

Helen looked at her and smiled. “Because he likes you, dear. So of course he’s going to say he likes the drink,” she said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

This time it was Emma’s turn to laugh. “He doesn’t like me,” she said still laughing.

“Hmmm,” was all Helen said. Emma laughed it off and got back to work. When it wasn’t busy, she began writing down what she would need for the cinnamon rolls. She handed the list to Helen when it was complete.

“I think that’s it,” she said.

Helen glanced at it. “Perfect. I’ll get the stuff after work.”

Emma felt bad. She wished she could get the ingredients for Helen, but she had no money. She didn’t want Helen to feel bad, so she kept her mouth shut. Soon it was time to clock out for the day. Emma walked quickly to the library. It was windy and chilly out this afternoon. Her stomach growled, and she hoped dinner was better than last night. The time at the library passed slower than usual, and she was thankful when it was finally time to head to Hope House. She walked towards the front door, half expecting to see Liam standing there. She was shocked instead to see Garrett standing in the lobby talking on the phone. The second she saw him, she turned and made her way back through the library. She grinned as she made her way through the bookshelves towards the mostly unused side entrance near the back of the library. She let herself out the door, being careful to close it fully behind her.

“Going somewhere?” she heard a deep voice say behind her.

She jumped and whirled around. “You scared me!” she accused him.

“Liam told me about your little escaping stunts,” Garrett said, crossing his arms across his wide chest. Emma swallowed as she looked at the intimidating man in front of her, unsure of what to do next. She was in the midst of her staring match when a gust of wind came, and she shivered from the cold. Garrett scowled even more, if that was possible. Before she realized what he was doing, he had shrugged out of his suit coat and held it out to her.

“I’m fine,” Emma said, waving it away.

“Put. The. Coat. On,” he ordered her in a voice that brooked no argument.

Emma waited a beat longer then took the coat from him, wrapping it around her. She was warmed instantly by it. She couldn’t believe how warm it was, actually. She took a deep breath and instantly regretted it. All she could smell was the masculine scent of the man standing in front of her. She felt almost light-headed from it. She realized a little too late that he had said something and was waiting for a response. She inwardly cringed.

“What?” she lamely asked.

“Where is the coat I gave you?” He obviously was not happy at having to repeat his question.

Emma wanted to lie, but she had a feeling that would just get her into more trouble. She dropped her head and didn’t look him in the eye. “I left it at the shop.”

“Why?” was his one-word response.

Emma’s mind scrambled as she tried to come up with an answer.Because otherwise, my roommate will steal it,she wanted to say but couldn't. Frustration that she was in this predicament overcame her and made her snappier than she normally was. “I just had to, okay?” she said.

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