Page 22 of Two Hearts Reunited

Pulling away, he studied her closely. “Can I ask you something, Anya?”

“You can try,” she replied, reminding him now of the confident girl he remembered.

“You left town to go to school, and then took a job in Madison. Even though your mom wanted you to go, I can’t see you leaving if you thought there was even a slight chance that you could find Shanna. What’s changed since then. Why are you so sure that your sister’s still alive?”

Her eyes met his. “Because a couple months before Mom died, Shanna called, telling her that she was alright and that she’d been taken. Shanna tried to give her some clues, but before she could say more, the phone went dead.”

Eric’s jaw dropped open.

“She told you this?” he asked, after he finally managed to compose himself.

“Not exactly. When she had her first out of a series of heart attacks, she held on for a couple more days. When I went to see her at the hospital, she told me where she kept all her research and mentioned the call. She was afraid that someone might come after her since someone had obviously caught Shanna calling her.”

Puzzled, he asked, “But how could that help?”

“Not only did she save the message on her phone, but she also transferred the message to a USB, just in case something happened. I’ve listened to it over and over and even copied it to my computer. It’s definitely Shanna on the phone.”

Eric’s jaw dropped open again.

Chapter Eleven

What a crazy night, Anya thought as they got ready to leave the Tap. It was close to midnight, and she was feeling strangely exhilarated, although she’d never had to balance the myriad of emotions she’d experienced tonight.

After insisting on leaving a generous tip for Allie as well as picking up the tab, Eric assisted her into her coat and they made their way to the exit, where Eric held open the door.

Snow was lightly dusting the parking lot as they walked outside, where only a few vehicles were still parked in the lot.

And suddenly remembering one afternoon during the Christmas holidays years ago when she and Eric had also been leaving, Anya spread her arms wide, spinning in place, her eyes focused upward on the bright full moon.

“Be careful you don’t slip in those boots of yours,” Eric said, grinning.

“You’ll just have to catch me when I fall,” she yelled, feeling strangely excited.

Eric began laughing, catching her when she got dizzy and felt ready to fall.

And then, he kissed her, just like he had all those years ago.

She reached up with both hands to cup his face while kissing him again. It wasn’t just a brief kiss. Anya’s lips lingered on his,soft and slightly parted and very warm in contrast to the cold night air.

Eric leaned into her, his arms reaching to draw her against him while her arms slid around his neck. It wasn’t a kiss filled with lust. It was something far more romantic than that. Their mouths opened and he explored the inside of hers with his tongue while she did the same.

Finally breaking apart for air, they both smiled as Eric held her tightly in his arms.

Until some customers walked outside from the Tap’s exit. Stepping back, Eric wrapped an arm over her shoulders instead.

“Where to?” he asked, glancing around the parking lot.

“It’s that beat up pickup over there,” she admitted, pointing while she grinned.

His look was doubting as they walked toward the truck. “It’s not very safe, is it?”

She scrunched her nose. “As long as I can keep it running, I don’t usually get stuck anywhere during bad weather. It’s only a fifteen-minute drive back and forth to work.”

“From the cabin?” he asked, raising a brow.

She blinked. “How did you…?”

“You’re a neighbor of Brian and Ashley’s,” he admitted. “Brian thought I’d better mention that he was the one who plowed your driveway, by the way, because he helps all the neighbors when the snow gets bad.”

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