Page 17 of The Finder

Emma couldn’t respond because of the pain she was in. She felt a hand on her elbow. Garrett turned her towards him. “Who hurt you?” he asked in a deadly voice.

Emma couldn’t respond; she was still trying to catch her breath. She blinked furiously at the tears in her eyes. “I’m fine,” she finally gasped out.

“You’re not fine,” he said furiously.

When Emma finally felt like she could get air in, she straightened from her bent position and looked into his eyes. She was scared of the anger she saw there and tried to pull her arm from his grasp, but he held on tight, not hurting her but not releasing her either. “What happened?” he demanded.

Emma shook her head. “I just got hurt,” she said, trying to brush aside his concern. “I need to tell you something.”

“Tell me who hurt you first,” he demanded.

“No,” Emma said. There was nothing he could do, so it didn’t matter.

She saw his eyes darken. “Emma,” he said in what she could only describe as a warning. He took a step closer to her.

“Those cinnamon rolls were ah-mazing!” Liam interjected, coming to stand beside Garrett. He looked at Garrett and something passed between them. Garrett’s hold on her released slightly.

“She’s hurt,” Garrett ground out, and it sounded like the effort cost him. Emma glanced at him again. He seemed to be on the verge of losing control; what she didn't know was why. She hadn’t even told him what she needed to tell him yet.

“I need to confess something,” she blurted out, trying to draw the attention away from her injury. Liam and Garrett both looked at her in surprise. She met Garrett’s eyes and cringed, hating what she was about to tell him. “I don’t know how to tell you this, and I’m so sorry. I really am. I hope you can forgive me. I promise to pay you back. I’m not sure when, but I will I pr—”

“What?” Garrett demanded in a tone that said he had had enough.

Emma closed her eyes. “I lost your suit jacket,” she whispered in anguish. When she didn’t hear anything, she peeked a glance at Garrett. He wasn’t nearly as angry as she thought he would be.

“Okay,” he said simply.

“Okay?” she repeated dumbly after him.

“Okay,” he said and shrugged his shoulders.

“It’snotokay,” Emma said, trying to keep her voice soft. “You don’t understand. It’s gone. I don’t have it anymore. I can’t imagine how much it costs. I—” She lowered her voice and looked around the store before continuing quietly. “I don’t have the kind of money to replace it. I’m so sorry. I should have never taken it with me. I knew she would take it. I’m so sorry.” Emma bit back tears—tears of frustration and physical pain.

“Emma,” she heard Garrett call her name quietly. She glanced up at him. He was staring at her intensely. “Did someone take the jacket?” he asked in a calm voice. Emma nodded miserably. “Did you try to get it back?” Emma nodded again. “Is that how you got hurt?” he asked, slowly and distinctly as if she were a child. Emma waited a moment, then nodded. She figured there was no way out of it now. An angry curse word flew out of his mouth. Emma glanced up at him. He dropped her arm and walked away from her and out of the shop. She watched him leave; then turned to Liam.

Liam looked at her with a compassionate smile. “He’s not mad at you,” he said gently.

Emma looked back the way Garrett had gone. “Uh, I think he’s very angry.”

“He is,” Liam agreed. “Just not at you,” he said again. Emma looked at him skeptically but didn’t say anything. She sighed. “Come on,” Liam said. “You’re on your break. Let’s go get something to eat.”

Emma turned to him. “Didn’t you just eat two cinnamon rolls?”

“That was a snack,” he retorted. “Come on.” He nodded towards the door.

“Um, I’m not sure if I should go with you,” Emma said.

“You should,” Liam said, undeterred. “Come on. We’ll meet up with Garrett.”

“Oh, no, no. That's not a good idea,” Emma said, even more sure this was a bad idea. “I don’t think he wants me around.”

“Well, that just shows how little you know,” Liam said, confusing Emma, even more.

“Fine,” Emma said, knowing arguing was futile.

“Okay, grab your coat and let’s go.” Emma opened her mouth to argue but Liam cut her off. “You want Garrett to calm down? Wear the coat,” he said.

Emma shook her head and went to get her coat from the back room. “Have fun,” Helen called out behind her as Emma left the shop. Emma turned and waved at her. She stepped out into the cool air and tied the belt around her tightly. She had to admit, it was warm; and it was nice not to be cold for a change.

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