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Something unexpected twists in my stomach. I push it aside and shoot Em a quizzical glance. “Sister?”
“Katelyn Bell,” she clarifies.
Sisters. That explains why Theresa looks so familiar.
The clip-clopping of horseshoes announces the arrival of the next team of horses with their wagon.
Emily and I say goodbye to Theresa and help load the group of passengers onto the wagon. They sit on the bales of straw piled in the middle. Once the wagon is loaded, the horses plod off.
A young boy standing at the front of the line shares some fun facts about dragons with me. Most of it I don’t catch because the words flow from him faster than water falling off a cliff.
“I know someone who will be happy to see you.” Emily’s amused voice is loud enough to be heard over the endless stream of the boy’s facts.
I look over my shoulder to see who she’s talking to. Troy’s standing behind me, his gaze lingering on my butt. My heart does a bouncy little two-step, and my body heats a thousand degrees. His eyes flick up to mine, and he smiles.
His brothers are with him, dirt smudged on their faces. Their navy T-shirts, with the Maple Ridge SAR logos on the chests, are also dusty.
“Thank you for educating me about dragons,” I tell the little boy and excuse myself.
Then I’m on my feet, walking to Troy. “I take it things went well since you’re smiling.”
“Yes. Other than the part where I prefer to be searching for the missing individuals and not manning the map.” Troy pulls me to him and kisses me. It’s family friendly for the benefit of the kids in the line for the hayride, but that doesn’t stop my body from reacting as if it were something much steamier. “When are you finished here?”
I check the time on my phone. “In about thirty minutes.”
Emily joins Troy’s brothers and the couple standing with them. I instantly recognize the husband and wife. I’ve seen pictures of the beautiful dark-haired woman whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea. Kim. The photographer whose award-winning photos I idolize every time I go to Zara’s apartment.
The tall good-looking man next to her with Zara’s copper-brown skin is Jerome. Kim’s husband and Zara’s other brother. He’s holding an adorable six-month-old baby wearing a light-pink hat.
Troy threads his fingers with mine. “There’re some people I want to introduce you to.” He takes me to where Kim and Jerome are standing and makes the introductions.
Kim’s smile is as beautiful as the photos she shoots. “So you’re my replacement for Em’s business?”
“I’m not sure if replacement is the correct word. I don’t think I’ll ever be at your level.”
“Em, Zara, and Simone think you are, and I’m sure your photos are as incredible as they claim.”
Troy gives my hand a light squeeze. “They are. You don’t give yourself enough credit, Jess.”
“I’m rusty.”
“If that’s your rusty, I can’t wait to see your unrusty pictures.” He kisses my temple, and I turn all gooey at the sweetness of the move.
“I would be happy to give you some pointers, if you’d like,” Kim offers. “Not that I’m a pro at shooting weddings. I only did a few for Em.”
“I’ve seen some of the wedding photos you took. They’re gorgeous. I would love any pointers you can give me.” I want to do the best possible job for Theresa’s wedding. I don’t want to let her and Em down.
I wave at the little girl in Jerome’s arms. “Aren’t you adorable?”
Her lips curve into a toothless grin.
“I think she’s counting down the days until she can crawl and get into all kinds of trouble.” Kim smiles at the little cutie, the love for her daughter glowing in her eyes.
Sidney blows a raspberry in agreement.
The sound of approaching hooves has me twisting around. But it’s not the horses and wagon that knocks the air from my lungs. It’s Chief Wilson. He’s standing next to the white picket fence a few yards from where we’re gathered, his eyes locked on me.
The intensity of his gaze causes my stomach to churn, and a shiver gallops up my spine. My muscles solidify, turning me into a statue. I’ve seen pictures of Medusa’s victims, the horror captured on their faces when they’re transformed to stone. That expression, I’m positive it’s now on my face.
