Page 26 of The Finder

After a shower, Emma was beginning to feel human again. Even though it was just leggings and a sweatshirt, it was nicer than anything she had had at Hope House. She quickly braided her hair and stepped out of the bathroom.

A nurse came in to help get Emma discharged. A few minutes later, Kyle was wheeling her through the hospital in a wheelchair. “I still don’t know why I have to be in a wheelchair,” Emma mumbled.

“Hospital rules,” the nurse who overheard her responded.

Emma shivered when she was rolled outside. Kyle stopped the chair and helped her up. He led her to where Levi was waiting behind the wheel of a black Land Rover. He helped her into the backseat, and Madison slid in on the other side. Kyle hopped in front in the passenger seat. Levi turned to look back at her. “How are you doing, Emma?” he asked in concern.

“I’m fine,” she said. “Thank you, both of you, for saving me from those men. I really appreciate it,” she said sincerely. Both men nodded. Levi put the car in gear and pulled forward.

“You’re taking me to Sip and Drip, right?” she asked, leaning forward.

It was silent for a moment before Madison responded. “You can’t go back to work today, Emma.”

“Why not?” Emma asked.

Madison just stared at her like she’d lost her head. “Because you were just released from the hospital.”

“But I’m fine; the doctor said so,” she argued. “Look, I don’t want to cause any more problems. I know what happened yesterday was completely my fault. I just really need to get back to my job, please.”

Madison looked up to the front seat. Emma turned her head that way and saw Kyle put a hand through his hair. He looked at Levi; Levi looked back at him with a helpless shrug.

“Fine,” Kyle said. Then he mumbled. “Garrett’s going to kill us.”

Emma frowned at that. She didn’t want to say or do anything to change their minds, though; so she didn’t say anything. She sat back and watched the passing streets. Soon, they pulled up in front of Sip and Drip. “Thank you so much, all of you. I really appreciate it,” she said. The guys simply nodded and Madison smiled at her.

“We’ll see you soon, Emma,” Madison said.

Kyle opened her door for her, and she climbed out. She walked around to the front of the car and saw that Levi was holding the door to the shop. She walked past him and said thank you. She was surprised to see him follow her into the store, but she figured maybe he was ordering coffee or something. Helen came out from the back. “Emma, how are you?” she asked worriedly. She came out from behind the counter and hugged Emma. “You aren’t supposed to be here,” she reprimanded.

“The doctor gave me the all-clear,” Emma said with a smile.

“Are you sure?” Helen asked. “You can take a few days off,” she offered.

Emma shook her head. “I really want to be here and work.”

“All right, dear,” Helen finally said. “But you need to be honest with me and with yourself if you’re not feeling up to it.”

Emma agreed and went around the counter and into the back room to get an apron. Tying it around her, she felt a sense of peace at being back.

This is where she needed to be to feel normal again. Taking a deep breath of air that smelled like coffee, Emma smiled. She was ready to get back to work. When she came out, there were a few people in line. She got right to work taking orders and making drinks. After a lull, she went out into the shop to wipe down tables.

She was surprised to see Levi sitting there. He looked up from his phone when she approached him. “Levi, what are you doing here?” she asked.

“I’m here to keep an eye on things, make sure you stay safe,” he said.

Emma frowned. “I appreciate that, but you don’t need to do that. I’m fine. Yesterday was just a random thing. It won’t happen again.”

Levi nodded. “Thanks, Emma; but I’m staying. Boss’s orders.”

“Well, if I can’t convince you to leave, can I at least make you a drink?”

“I’ll come order something in a little bit,” he said with a smile.

“Okay,” Emma said and moved back to the counter. A few more customers came in, so Emma got back to it. She talked a few of them into getting the special for the week. A few teenage girls squealed when they tried it; Emma figured that was a good sign.

She was making someone’s drink when the door to the shop opened. “Welcome to Sip and Drip,” she called out over her shoulder. She finished the drink and walked back to the counter. She passed off the drink, then turned to the next customer with a smile. “What can I get—” the words dried up in her mouth when she looked into the angry eyes of her next customer. She swallowed hard and forced her voice to work. “Garrett, what can I get for you?” she asked.

“Why are you here?” he all but growled at her.

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