Okay, that’s enough of that.
“So,” Jodie asked, mercifully distracting Maren from her thoughts. “Is Mac coming along with you guys?”
“Not today,” Colin said. “He’s got the day off.”
“Oh,” Jodie said. “I see.”
Was that the smallest bit of disappointment in Jodie’s voice? Hmm. Interesting. Of course she’s a little flirty with all the guys from what I’ve seen, but—hmm.
The door behind them opened and Gina walked in with Nettie. Gina gave Maren a warm smile, the absolute opposite of the scary golden stare she could dish out at will.
“Maren, you remember Nettie from the other day.”
“Of course she does, Gina,” Nettie said. “Are you excited about your big day out?”
“I sure am. Thank you so much, Nettie. This is really, well, a lifesaver honestly.”
“Oh, I can imagine. That safehouse can get pretty small after a few days. All right, let’s go.” She wheeled in the same two suitcases she had the day before. Colin held the door open for all of them at the other end of the lobby leading into the offices.
“Let’s head on down to one of the empty back offices,” Gina said. “That’ll give us some privacy.”
Half an hour later, Maren couldn’t recognize herself in the mirror that Gina held up.
“This is absolutely amazing. Like if I was walking down the street and I glanced in a window and saw my reflection, I would think that it was somebody else looking out at me. You do amazing work, Nettie.”
“Thank you kindly.” Nettie gave her a small bow. “It’s my jobandmy pleasure. I love it.”
“Are we ready to go?” Maren asked, impatient to get back out and see the little town of Lyons. She’d heard so much about it at this point that she wanted to check it out for herself.
“Let’s see, where’s Charlie?” Gina asked as they opened the door and left the room.
“I’m right here,” Charlie called from down the hall.
Maren had seen her in the conference room on the first day, too. Charlie stood out in a crowd, literally. The womanhad to be over six feet tall and absolutely, stunningly beautiful. When Maren had seen her the last time, she was wearing a professional-looking dark suit. But today she was dressed casually, her hair up in a ponytail, a few strands loose around her face.
“Hi, Maren, I’m Charlie King. Sorry we weren’t introduced that first day.” They shook hands. “I was really good friends with Juni’s dad.”
“Like Shane was,” Maren said, gently. “I understand.”
Charlie gave her a sad smile almost identical to Shane’s. “We served together as Swicks. He was a hero. Juni should be proud of her father and—with your permission, one day I’d like to talk to her and tell her a little bit about her dad.” Charlie swallowed hard and looked away.
Maren completely understood those tears. She felt her own eyes prickle. “I would be honored for you to talk to Juni, but on one condition.”
Charlie looked back at her, a little wary. “What’s that?”
“That I can hear those stories, too. If Juni, who is such a sweet, wonderful girl, is anything like her father then—” Maren couldn’t finish.
“Thank you,” Charlie said quietly, putting her hand on Maren’s shoulder. “Thank you for understanding. I wish Sean could have met his daughter.”
“I think…well… I like to think that maybe Sean and Mira are both looking down from heaven on Juni and keeping her safe. Keepingallof us safe.”
“Oh, goodness,” Charlie said, wiping a tear from her eye. “I don’t mean to cry.” She laughed a little nervously.
“It’s all right,” Maren said. “Like I said, I understand.”
“Well,” Charlie said, sniffing and standing up straighter. “Let’s not stand around here being all maudlin. Let’s give you a fun day out. I know you probably want to go clothes shoppingand there are some good places to eat, oh, but if we don’t swing by Riversong Coffee, April will have my head. But there is one place that you really have to see.”
“Really?” Maren said, brightening. “Where is that?”
