Page 128 of Unexpected Entanglement

Startled, Gwen looked up with wide eyes. “Mr. Sullens!”

“We saw you here alone, so we thought we’d see how you’re doing,” Chris said, looking over Gwen’s shoulders where Jane and Walt stood.

Gwen jumped when she swiveled her head and found Jane and Walt grinning at her. Gwen smiled back but looked nervous. Chris grew more suspicious.

“I heard you had an emergency last night,” Chris said casually. “I hope everything’s okay.”

“Oh, yes. I… had to…” Gwen swallowed hard and couldn’t meet Chris’ eyes. “Thank you for letting me split without much notice. I hope Raven worked out.”

“Oh, for sure. Having a veteran pub owner like Raven bartending a small wedding like last night? What harm could it do?” Chris let his rhetorical question hang in the air.

Gwen chuckled nervously. “Great.”

“So, how did you get Raven to agree to cover you on a Saturday night? I bet the pub was busy.” Chris leaned back, giving Gwen room to breathe. He didn’t want to overwhelm the girl in case his suspicion was unfounded.

“I just asked. She had someone else working the pub,” Gwen answered.

Chris watched Gwen shift from one leg to the other, seemingly unable to stay still. Her fingers fidgeted with her purse strap. His gut feeling intensified.

“You’re going to Rockland or somewhere else?” Chris inquired.

“I’m going to stay with my mom in Waterville for a while,” Gwen said.

“Is she sick?”

“What? No.” Gwen looked confused.

“I’m glad. I thought your mom was the emergency. Sorry, that’s why you shouldn’t assume anything.” Chris laughed.

Gwen chuckled, too, but her eyes were still shifty.

“Did you get your paycheck before you left?” Chris asked.

“Ah, no.” Gwen glanced over her shoulder at Jane. “I can get that mailed, right?”

“I’m sure Rowan can mail it if you tell me your mom’s address,” Jane offered.

It surprised Chris someone who had earned a pretty decent paycheck for a few days of work would forget about it. Gwen recited an address to Jane, and she typed into her phone.

“I’ll let Rowan know,” Jane promised with a smile.

“It’s good to see you. Have fun with your mom. If we need anything from you, we know where to find you,” Chris added with a smile. But Gwen's eyes popped in alarm, like he said something threatening.

Finding her reaction curious, Chris decided to cast another line into the water. “Gwen, one more thing. You worked the clambake, right?”

“Y… yes,” Gwen stammered.

“I don’t know if you noticed, but Rowan got really sick that night. It couldn’t be the food because no one else got sick. I was just wondering if she might’ve drunk something weird. Like a bad batch of wine?” Chris asked.

Gwen’s face was now ashen.

“Are you okay?” Chris caught her elbow when she swayed. “Here, sit down.”

Walt and Jane asked someone to make room on the nearby bench. Chris led her to sit. Jane handed Gwen a bottled water and told her to drink.

“You feel better?” Chris went on one knee to get to her eye level.

The younger woman nodded and looked at him. There was more than nervousness in her eyes. There was fear.

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