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Alana was right.

We’d heard nothing but wonderful things about Annie. And while it was all to be expected to a degree, there was a part of it that was frustrating.

Because without even a stitch of conflict, it was difficult to know where to turn.

The way it had been going, Alana would have a ton of content for the piece she’d been telling everyone she was planning to do, but there wouldn’t be anything that would lead her to finding out anything that might explain what happened to this selfless, beloved woman.

“You tell me where you want to go, and I’m up for it. Anytime, anywhere.”

Alana let out a frustrated sigh. “Unfortunately, it’s not going to be tomorrow, since we’re already planning to make contact with Jackson Taylor at The Taylor Group. We could blow that one off, but I think it’ll be a different take, since he worked in a different capacity with Annie. And, sadly, the next day isn’t an option for visiting Annie’s family or friends, because I have to go to the doctor and get these stitches out.”

Without thinking twice, I asked, “Do you need a ride?”

She jerked back. “You want to take me to the podiatrist?”

“I know you said he cleared you for driving, but I’m not sure you should be operating a vehicle immediately after having your stitches removed. What if there’s a complication, and you’re in too much pain?”

Alana sent a mischievous look my way. “You better watch yourself, Ty Weaver. I might think you want to spend time with me just for the heck of it.”

Now we were getting somewhere. I leaned forward on my forearms, a smile playing on my lips. “Maybe I do.”

A flush crept over her skin as she glanced down at her hands that were fidgeting on the table. “If you have nothing better to do, I’d love an escort.”

With impeccable timing, our server returned with our lunch, breaking the tension and giving me the opportunity to stop and think. Was it okay that I wanted to spend more time with Alana, or was I playing with fire?

TEN

Alana

I was quickly learning that Ty Weaver was not just a bodyguard; he was also a gentleman.

We had just stepped off the elevator after taking it to the fifth floor of the downtown Steel Ridge corporate office building. After we walked along the corridor and came to a glass door, Ty opened it and allowed me to step inside ahead of him.

I shifted to the side once I stepped through, and the two of us walked up to the front reception desk.

My eyes shifted to the nameplate on the desk before focusing on the young woman sitting there. “Hi. Are you Georgia?”

Her chin dipped slightly, her eyes assessing. “Yes. Hi. How can I help you?”

Offering a friendly smile in return, I shared, “My name is Alana, and this is Ty. I was hoping to speak with Mr. Jackson Taylor.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

I shook my head. “No. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I’d need one. I was kind of hoping he’d be free.”

Georgia looked a bit unsettled. “Well, he doesn’t have any appointments he’s in right now, but I can’t promise he’ll be available to meet with you. I can ask, though.”

“Would you, please?”

She licked her lips, her shoulders rounding, and her chest caving in on itself as her eyes darted back and forth between Ty and me. “Sure. What can I tell him this is about?”

If there was one conclusion that could be drawn in the few moments we’d been here, it was that Georgia was easily the opposite of Avalon when it came to front desk receptionists. Where Avalon was bubbly and outgoing, Georgia was soft-spoken and timid. It seemed such a strange position for her to be working, mostly because she seemed so uncomfortable interacting with others.

Recognizing her hesitancy could have also been the result of Ty and I showing up here unannounced, I explained, “I’m an independent journalist, and I’m here hoping to speak with him about the most recent gala Mr. Taylor hosted four months ago to raise money for the children’s hospital. I’m specifically interested in speaking with him about Annie Sanders.”

Georgia’s body tensed, and her face blanched. “Annie?”

Unsurprisingly, Georgia’s reaction was one I was growing accustomed to seeing. Everyone knew Annie, and at the mere mention of her, it was difficult not to feel sadness. “Yes, I’m working on putting together a piece that can hopefully bring a bit of happiness back to Steel Ridge, and I’ve been meeting with individuals in the community who worked directly with Annie on making such an impact.”

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