Page 60 of Flare
Saturday, May 16
Ward kept his senses on high alert for any sign of Andrew Brunborn as he walked at Emily’s side. He’d already decided he would buy her a portable panic button first thing tomorrow.
The Lavender & Lilacs Festival had finally wound down for the night. He’d helped Maggie, Violet, and Emily with booth cleanup before escorting Emily back to his place.
Maggie had been beyond pleased with the first day’s festival attendance. She and Violet had excitedly discussed their plans to return to the bakery early tomorrow morning to bake extra batches of the lavender shortbread, macarons, and cinnamon rolls.
Clearly unnerved by Andrew’s appearance this afternoon, Emily stuck close to Ward, her gaze darting nervously to every shadow beyond the reach of her flashlight.
Other than Main Street, Bearpaw Ridge didn’t have streetlights. Porch lights from the houses lining Cedar Street provided more than enough light for Ward’s enhanced eyesight, but Emily needed extra illumination.
As they walked, Ward savored Emily’s nearness, her sweet scent of her hair, and the sight of his carved pendant hanging against her purple t-shirt.
“Do you think he’s still around?” she murmured, her eyes darting to the shadows between buildings.
Ward shook his head.“I think he hightailed it out of town the minute he realized we were on to him. He’d be a fool to come back.”
“You’d be surprised what Andrew thinks he can get away with,” she said, wrapping her arms around herself.
Without thinking, Ward slipped his arm around her shoulders.“I won’t let him near you,” he promised. His bear huffed in agreement.
Emily leaned into him and slipped her arm around his waist, accepting his protection.“Thank you,” she said simply.
They walked in comfortable silence for a few moments.
“And thank you again for the pendant,” Emily said, her fingers rising to touch the carved bear that hung from the leather cord.
“It looks good on you,” he said, his voice deeper than he intended.
Emily smiled shyly. Her fingers traced the outline of the bear against her collarbone, and Ward couldn’t tear his eyes away from the movement. Her skin looked soft in the dim light, and he itched to run his fingers over it.
“Almost home,” he said.
“It’s starting to feel that way to me,” she said, surprising him.“Like home, I mean.”
Her words sent a wave of pleasure through Ward. He wanted her to feel at home here—in Bearpaw Ridge, in his house, in his life.
As they approached his house, Ward scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes. Besides the security cameras, he’d installed motion-sensor lights this morning to illuminate the yard and driveway, leaving no shadowy places for anyone to lurk.
Everything looked undisturbed, exactly as he’d left it an hour ago.
“Wait here,” he said, reluctantly disentangling himself from Emily as they reached the porch steps.
She nodded. Ward quickly checked around the house, using his nose to search for any unfamiliar scents. Finding nothing but the usual smells of visiting cats, raccoons, and deer, he returned to the porch where Emily waited patiently.
“All clear,” he said, unlocking his front door and ushering her inside.
Ward had left a lamp on in the living room, and it cast a soft glow. Emily set her purse on the side table and toed off her sneakers with a soft sigh.
He noticed the shadows of fatigue under her eyes.
“Long day,” Ward observed, watching as she rolled her shoulders to release the tension there.
“But a good one,” she said, smiling.“We sold out of the macarons and the lavender shortbread.”
“I’m not surprised. They were delicious.”
“I should probably get some sleep,” Emily said, though she made no move toward the guest room.
