Page 67 of Secret Baby for the Triplets

His face brightens at the prospect. “Won’t that seem sneaky?” he asks with concern. “Approaching her friend to get information about her?”

He might have a point, but I don’t care. Like Brock had done the other night, I’m looking for absolution in seeking out Emerson, too.

“Where did you see her?”

He leads me toward the funnel cake stand as the rodeo arena fills with more bodies.

Brock is milling around somewhere, too, but I don’t look for him. I don’t want him to quash our plans.

A tiny blonde stands in front of a “Guess Your Weight” game with a man by her side.

“That’s her,” Toby tells me, nudging me in the ribs.

“Stop that,” I grumble, swatting him away. “Go talk to her.”

“You go talk to her.”

Dubiously, I stare at him. “She knows you!”

He returns my look. “Do you really think she can tell us apart?”

I snort. “Fuck. You’re right.”

Sauntering forward, Toby is on my heels. This is probably a bad idea, but I can’t help myself. I need to know how Emerson is doing.

“Pardon me?”

The couple turns, and Mae’s eyes widen in recognition.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” she breathes. “Toby Collins.”

“Uh, no. I’m Owen.” I thrust my thumb out and nod toward my brother. “That’s Toby.”

He waves half-heartedly behind me, and she smirks. Her companion narrows his eyes at us, stepping closer protectively.

“This is my husband,DeputyWill Dupuis,” she informs us.

I stick out my hand cordially. “Owen Collins.”

Taken aback by my geniality, Will accepts it begrudgingly and takes Toby’s proffered palm, too.

“You’re a little ways from home,” I comment, looking casually behind her.

The crowds of laughing people don’t show the face I’m hoping to see, and Mae immediately picks up on it.

“Emmy’s not here if that’s who you’re looking for,” Mae tells me flatly.

“Oh no?” I say. “Is she in Austin?”

Will and Mae eye one another. “Yes,” Mae drawls. “Has she not been in touch with you?”

“No,” Toby says. “We’re worried about her. Is she staying with you?”

“She moved back home with her mom and stepdad,” Will blurts out.

Mae gives him a scathing look, but the admission makes my blood run cold.

“She did?” I rasp. “Why?”

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