Page 51 of Another June with You

“You did. He brought me. I had a … something came up.”

Yet another subject skirted. What was she hiding from him?

“Would you mind if I drove you home tonight?” he asked.

Her eyes found his again. “Jamie’s taking me home.”

“Can I take you … so we can talk? There’s something I really need to say.”

She motioned toward the dining room. “What about Autumn?”

A loud, deafening siren suddenly sounded, startling them both. People began funneling from the restaurant out into the street.

“What’s happening?” Micah asked Chase when he and Keely came rushing toward them.

“Fire alarm,” Chase replied.

They followed along with the crowd until they were safely gathered across the street. The air was cool on this cloudy June evening, and Micah noticed both Shannon and Autumn shiver at the breeze. He was torn as to whom he should give his jacket to. He peeled it off and held it out to Autumn.

She shook her head. “Shannon looks chilly. Let her wear it.” She spoke loud enough to be heard and nudged him in her direction.

He smirked at her. She and Keely should start a matchmaking service together. “Here.” He laid his jacket over Shannon’s shoulders.

“Thanks.”

That lovely blush was back in her cheeks. He itched to caress one.

The restaurant patrons stood on the sidewalk as the police and fire truck arrived. They entered the building and emerged soon after. One of the officers stepped up to the group and addressed them. “False alarm, folks. The building is safe to enter. If any of you knows the identity of the person who pulled the fire alarm, we would appreciate your assistance.”

Micah followed behind Shannon, watching her walk, wishing he could turn off these feelings he had for her.

She handed him his jacket and took her seat, and he sat down beside her again. His fork was still sitting in the same spot he had left it with one sliver of cake sitting atop it. He was about to offer it to Shannon when he noticed her face go pale as a ghost, her eyes shifting back and forth frantically.

“What’s wrong?”

“My camera’s gone.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

She crouched down and looked under the table and around her chair. “Yes, I left everything here. My cameras, my bag. It’s all gone.”

Jamie returned to the table then.

“Jamie, did you take my equipment when you went outside?” There was an edge of panic to Shannon’s voice.

“No, I left it here.”

She pulled her own chair out and gasped. “What the heck? My stuff is gone.”

“Mine’s gone too.” The tears were back in Shannon’s eyes again.

“Come on,” Jamie said. “We need to report this to those cops outside before they leave.”

Shannon let out an exasperated breath as she stood. “What is with this day? Seriously? It’s one thing after another.”

Micah watched the girls leave the banquet room. He wished he could help. Having things stolen was a terrible feeling, a violation. He’d had it happen in Virginia once. Someone had broken into his apartment and taken all his electronics. Nothing important—just stuff—but it was enough to take away the feeling of security that he’d always felt living where he had. He was sure that’s how the girls were feeling now—unsafe—and he hated that. He wanted to make everything right for Shannon. She seemed to be having a very rough day, and all he wanted was to make it better.

He headed out to see if they’d found a police officer, and as he entered the main dining room, he spotted a woman seated alone at a small table. She ducked behind a menu, but he knew who it was before he even approached her.

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