Page 7 of Keep Me Close

ChapterFour

Hallie

I stared up at the sign—Wildlands Lodge & Restaurant. It was daylight, and the place looked exactly as I’d remembered. With the exception that it was now spring, the snow was melting, and the ice was starting to break up on the lake behind the lodge.

It was late morning, and a mist was rising where the sun's rays angled across the water. An eagle screeched somewhere nearby, with a magpie chattering in return. My heart thudded unsteadily in my chest. I was so nervous, and I wasn’t sure if I could find Chase.

This place was my best chance. The woman who’d worked at the bar that night knew who he was, so maybe she could point me in the right direction. I also knew he was a firefighter. But we hadn't discussed where he worked, though. In town or somewhere else?

I looked down at my belly. I was just starting to show at four months. Oddly, my pregnancy was the calmest my endometriosis had ever been. I was used to chronic pain and occasionally debilitating pain and cramps that led to vomiting because the pain was so intense. My morning sickness hadn't been that bad. Another clue that I had overlooked. I should’ve known. My doctor kept reminding me my symptoms of endometriosis could mimic pregnancy, including the bloating and the sense of fullness and discomfort.

I couldn’t sit in my car forever, so I finally took a deep breath and climbed out, striding quickly through the back entrance. When I walked into the restaurant area, guests were eating at the buffet. The very buffet that I had taken a few muffins from and then left in a hurry, hoping I would get out of there before my one-night stand man woke up.

I looked over at the bar, and the nervous feeling in my belly spun faster when I saw Delilah there. She was stocking the shelves behind the bar and hadn’t seen me yet. I walked across the empty bar area, stopping when I reached the polished counter.

I cleared my throat. “Excuse me?”

Delilah turned. She was striking with dark hair and dark eyes. She had a warmth to her but also a guardedness. “Yes?” She studied me, and I sensed she recognized me but couldn't quite place me.

“Uh, hi. Delilah, right?” I prompted.

Her dark brows rose as she nodded. “Yeah. I don't remember your name, but I probably served you here.”

“Um, yeah, you did.” My voice came out squeaky, and I cleared my throat again. “I’m hoping to find someone, and I think you might be able to help me.”

She cocked her head to the side, and then her eyes widened. “That's how I recognize you. I vouched for Chase and told you he was a nice guy.”

“You did. Um, I’m hoping you can tell me his last name.”

“Why do you need to know his last name? Surely, he would’ve told you if he wanted you to know.”

This was when I felt stupid and ridiculous. How in the hell did I end up in this situation?

I decided to go with blunt honesty. “Look, it was a one-night stand. That's all we ever meant it to be. I don't have his number. I don't know his last name, but I really need to talk to him. It's important.” Delilah studied me. “I know he's a firefighter,” I added as if maybe that would be enough information for her to give me more.

“He is. I'm sure if you stopped by Willow Brook Fire & Rescue, they might be able to point you in the right direction,” she finally said.

“Okay.”

“On Main Street, you'll see Firehouse Café. Keep going past that, and it's on the right.”

“Thank you. If I don't track him down, can you do me a favor and let him know you saw me here?” I fished a pen and a piece of paper out of my purse, writing down my full name. “Here's my phone number. I live in Anchorage. You can even give him my address.” I added that and thrust the paper toward her.

She held my gaze for several long beats. “I'll pass on your message.”

“Thank you,” I said, biting back my sigh of relief.

“No problem. Take care, Hallie.”

I swallowed. “I will.”

“Okay, that wasn't so bad,” I said to myself a few minutes later as I drove my car down Main Street.

I passed the café where I'd had coffee before, thinking I would stop there after I went to the fire station. I hoped I would find Chase, or at the least, discover a way to find him.

I pulled into the parking area in front of Willow Brook Fire & Rescue. My heart was pounding again. Oh, my god, I hardly knew Chase. That night had been memorable and the best sex I'd ever had. As intimate as we’d been, I didn’tknowhim. I still couldn't get over the fact that I’d somehow gotten pregnant despite using condoms. But, but, but… things had gotten pretty hot and heavy before that condom made it on.

I didn't let myself wait in the car. If I did, I knew the anxiety spinning inside would intensify until I freaked myself right out. I walked briskly through the front entrance, hoping I somehow looked calm even though I felt as if I were teetering on the edge of a full-blown panic attack.

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