Page 26 of Annika's Aurora

“When Graham found me in that well, I was hypothermic too. He used his body heat to warm me. It was delicious to feel some warmth finally,” Natalie declared.

“A well?”

“Shortened version,” Jolene started, leaning closer to Annika as if to impart an important secret even though she did nothing to soften her voice. The whole bar could hear her sweet southern drawl. “Crazy lady tried to kill Natalie because she wanted Graham. She was trapped at the bottom of a well for three days before we knew she was missing.”

“God, that’s awful!”

“You can watch the rest of the story when the movie comes out,” quipped Maddie.

“Are you really going to put all of that in the movie?” Emma wondered.

Maddie explained for Annika’s benefit. “Marcus Rayne wants to make a movie about Graham and the Nighthawks.”

“That’s right. I remember hearing something about that.”

“Who hasn’t,” Natalie stated.

“Hasn’t what?” asked Graham as the men joined the ladies. Logan pulled up a chair next to Annika. She reached for his hand, in need of that little boost of support. He linked their fingers and squeezed.

“Marcus Rayne,” answered Maddie with a smile.

Graham rolled his eyes and moaned. “That man is going to haunt me forever.”

“Thatman,” Natalie reminded him, “is giving you millions to rebuild the warehouse.”

“Again, Annika,” Jolene whispered loudly to her. “You’ll have to watch the movie to see what happened there.”

Everyone laughed except for Graham, who groaned.

Maddie was staring at her, causing Annika to shift uncomfortably in her chair. “Why does your name sound so familiar?”

Annika shrugged. “I don’t know?”

“It’s such a pretty name. Unusual,” Jolene said just as the waiters brought out all the food. The burgers looked as good as Annika remembered. And the taste … She nearly moaned out loud after taking her first bite.

“Oh my God, Jolene,” moaned Emma after taking a bite of her burger. “Will you marry me?”

“Hey,” called the red-haired man from across the table. Annika thought his name was Finch. “I called dibs on her months ago!”

“Bless your hearts,” Jolene teased. “Both of you.”

An older woman wandered over to their tables, and Finch stood as she approached, she waved him back into his seat. Logan leaned close to her. “Finch has some very old-fashioned manners,” he whispered. “He’s always doing stuff like that.”

Natalie greeted the woman warmly. “Hi Letty, won’t you join us?”

Graham got up and pulled another chair over. “Miss Letty, this is Annika, an old friend of mine,” Logan introduced her. Letty was plump, a cardigan pulled taut around her girth, and wore canvas sneakers. Annika had never seen someone her age wear sneakers like that, except for Mr. Rogers. “Letty is the principal at Lake Haven Elementary.”

“My fearless leader,” Natalie called.

“Nice to meet you,” Annika said, shaking the woman’s hand.

“How are you doing, Miss Letty?” Graham asked.

“I’m fine now that Fred is home,” she said, relief evident in her voice.

“Who’s Fred?”

“My dog. He went missing for most of yesterday. When he finally came back, he was covered in scratches, cold and wet but otherwise unharmed.”

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